It's time once again for your monthly Band Spotlight segment! This month, I'm very pleased to present to you Cross Eyed Larry, a solid, versatile cover band that plays a wide range of classic rock hits from the 60s to the 2000s.

Their current lineup is as follows:
Jim "Bones" Cash: Drums
Rick Dyson: Keys/Rhythm Guitar/Flute/Backing Vocals
Jim "Gammer" Gambino: Bass/Backing Vocals
Chris "Siege" Jones: Lead Vocals
John Monte: Lead Guitar

As is the case with just about all of the bands I've spotlighted, each member of Cross Eyed Larry has a long and rich musical history. Jim Cash grew up in a musical family, his dad being a well-established piano player in upstate New York. He started drumming when he was just 5 years old, influenced by bands such as Chicago, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and later Rush, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica. Cash played in several bands around the New Jersey music scene, including The Black Pearl, The Bubble Gum Machine, and Out of Order before moving to the midwest for a couple years, and eventually down to Florida.

Rick Dyson is a fellow south side Chicagoan and also grew up in a very musical family. His aunt was a skilled multi-instrumentalist and greatly encouraged him at a very young age to play the piano. Later, he would learn to play the guitar and several other instruments. Dyson also has a lot of recording and studio experience, working in some legendary Chicago recording studios such as Paragon Studios (which is still open) and Pumpkin Studios (owned by Gary Loizzo, who most famously engineered several Styx albums). Dyson's onstage experience includes sharing stages with the likes of the Dixie Dregs, Savoy Brown, and Steve Morse's band Morse Code, just to name a few.

Jim Gambino, a native of the New York/New Jersey area, also took up his instrument at a young age. He and his cousins were learning Beatles songs, and the cousins already decided they would be John and George, so Gambino became the Paul by default. This led to a love of all things bass that only grew with every band he played in. In the 80s and 90s, that meant bands such as The Beat and The Bubble Gum Machine (which is where Gambino first met Jim Cash), and later on with The New Paisans.

Chris Jones was born in New Jersey, but raised in the Tampa Bay Area, and his first time on stage was actually behind a drumkit at age 13 for his cousin's wedding. The thrill of the stage grabbed him instantly, and he kept on drumming in many bands for many years until a gig in Tampa where the lead singer of Jones' band was a no-show. Jones knew enough of the material to sing it himself, and from then on, he got out from behind the kit and started fronting bands (including an acoustic duo that he also currently performs with).

John Monte, a native New Yorker, started playing guitar at age 15, influenced by his brother Robert and a couple of Robert's friends who were nothing short of musical prodigies at the time. After having a family and starting his own business, Monte had to semi-retire from playing for a while. He picked it back up in 2001 in conjunction with his son wanting to take guitar lessons. Monte and his son took lessons together from local blues legend John Allen (who has since relocated to Jonesboro, AR). Since then, Monte just hasn't been able to put that guitar back down again.

The band itself (its name being a tongue-in-cheek derivative of a Jethro Tull song) formed when--as Jim Gambino put it--"Rick [Dyson] was installing a phone system in John Monte's office." "They started the band along with Jim Cash, who was a business acquaintance of John Monte’s at the time." Originally, the band had David Kraig on vocals and John Weigle on bass. After they parted from the band, Gambino--having already played with Jim Cash in The Bubble Gum Machine--was a natural fit to take over on bass, and Jones had been craving an opportunity to front a high-energy rock group such as this one.

When I asked about their proudest moment as a band so far, Gambino mentioned that they hosted a charity event down at Gasoline Alley in Largo, raising about $20,000 total. As some of you may know, they also recently played the "Gimme Shelter: Hope for New York/New Jersey" benefit at Bourbon Street this past Sunday. This was a cause near and dear to their hearts, as most of the members have family up in areas that were affected by Hurricane Sandy.

When asked about the New Port Richey music scene, Gambino said, "It seems to be improving. Bands, however, need to understand that they have to be partners with club owners. You can’t expect to get paid if the cash register isn't ringing. It doesn’t matter how good you are. You need a following." "Partner" is a key word there, and I think that's something that can get lost on some bands. Even national acts will have shows canceled on them if ticket sales aren't good enough.

Finally, when asked about the future of the band, Gambino simply stated, "To continue to put out a high end quality product and be to be considered one of the most entertaining bands in the area. We’re looking forward to playing more festivals, and we have lots of potential on the horizon."

If you did, indeed, catch their set at Bourbon Street on Sunday, then you know what kind of show they can put on. If not, then believe me when I say that you will be hearing a lot more from Cross Eyed Larry. They're precise, tight, and fun with a great sound and style. Their next Pasco-area show isn't until February 23rd at Cocktails, but be sure to check their schedule for when and where they'll be playing next (a couple of their upcoming gigs are still pretty close, i.e. Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor).

My sincere thanks to Jim Gambino for taking the time to fill out my questionnaire, and to the entire band for putting on a great show at Jolli Mon's in Dunedin this past Friday!

Here's your live music list for the week of December 7th-13th. If you have any additions or corrections that should be made, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at tcronin82@gmail.com. The help is always appreciated.

Have a great weekend, and stay safe out there!

Friday, December 7th:
Alex's Place (7845 Grand Blvd, PR)
    Karaoke with DJ Victoria (8pm-12am)

Anchorage Saloon (12815 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    StrungOver (Acoustic/Classic Rock) (9pm-1am)

The Back Room (7430 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Mark Anthony Band (Classic/Modern/Dance Rock/Top 40) (7pm-11pm)

BB Magee's Bar & Grill (12400 County Line Rd, Hudson)
    TBA (9pm-1am)

Boulevard Lounge (6210 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Lazy Boy & The ORBs (Blues/Rock & Roll/Classic Rock) (9pm-1am)

Bourbon Street of New Port Richey (4331 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Marshal Law (Classic/Southern Rock/Country) (9pm-1am)

Catches Waterfront Grille/Rum River Bar & Grill (7811 Bayview St, PR)
    Rebound (Classic Rock) (7pm-11pm)

Cocktails (6229 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Pat Travers (Original/Blues/Rock) with special guests:
    Martha Quinn Band (Classic/Dance Rock)
    The Eric Anderson Band (Classic Rock)
    (Show starts at 9pm; Tickets: $20 advance, $25 day-of-show)

Cricketers 52 (7306 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Get Hooked Restaurant & Bar (14213 Old Dixie Hwy, Hudson)
    Rick Stoots (Acoustic/Country) (6pm-10pm)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ X (9pm-1am)

Hurricane Hank's Bar & Grill (14333 Crabtrap Ct, Hudson)
    Scott Fallon (Acoustic) (7pm-11pm)

Jilly's Lounge (5313 Main St, NPR)
    Karaoke with Carolyn (9pm-1am)

Karl Reef (6307 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Borderline (Classic Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Kickin' Wing (8702 SR 52, Hudson)
    TBA (8pm-12am)

Molly Malone's Irish Pub (4106 Little Rd, NPR)
    DJ Manic Moss (9:30pm-1:30am)

Orbit 19 Lounge (1542 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    The Proper Crooks (Original/Alt Rock/Punk/Jazz) & Red Rockits (Original/Rock & Roll) (9pm-2am)

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (7736 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke with DJ Radar (9pm-1am)

Pirate's Cove Oyster Bar (6438 Clart St, Hudson)
    Guitar Frank (Acoustic)

Roscoe's Thirsty Moose (13330 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

S & J's Pub (4130 Rowan Rd, NPR)
    Broken Dreamz (Classic/Southern Rock) (8pm-12am)

Sam's Hudson Beach Bar (6325 Clark St, Hudson)
    Cellfish (Classic/Southern Rock) (6pm-10m)

Sand Bar (4780 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    StormSurge (Classic Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Sassy O'Shea's (5015 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Johnny Bowles (Acoustic) (7pm-11pm)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Circle Sky (Classic/Alt/British Rock) (8pm-12am)

Shananigan's (8404 Little Rd, NPR)
    Josh Fielding Band (Classic/Modern/Dance Rock) (9pm-1am)

Skinny's Bar & Grill (13228 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    TBA (7pm-11pm)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Pinellas Invasion with DJ Truth (9pm-1am)

Smitty's Shipwreck Bar & Grill (5511 Chaparral Ln, Holiday)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Smokin' Joe's Cigar Bar (9764 Little Rd, NPR)
    DJ Hat (8pm-12am)

Springer Saloon (6408 Rowan Rd, NPR)
    Bike Night with Jersey Dirt (Country/Classic/Southern Rock) (7pm-11pm)

Stormie's Country Legends Saloon (5748 Main St, NPR)
    Karaoke with DJ Mike (9pm-1am)

Venom II Saloon (16418 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Open Mic/Open Jam with Hozing Kitty (8pm-12am)

Villas Pub (15915 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Karaoke with Randy & Friends (8pm-12am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    Adrian Ray Band (Country) (7pm-11pm)

 

Saturday, December 8th:
Anchorage Saloon (12815 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Karaoke with Bobbie Stoots (8pm-12am)

BB Magee's Bar & Grill (12400 County Line Rd, Hudson)
    Karaoke by Santa Fe Entertainment (8pm-12am)

Boulevard Lounge (6210 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Lazy Boy & The ORBs (Blues/Rock & Roll/Classic Rock) (9pm-1am)

Bourbon Street of New Port Richey (4331 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    DJ Tiny (9pm-1am)

Brew City Grill (5711 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Karaoke (8pm-11pm)

Catches Waterfront Grille/Rum River Bar & Grill (7811 Bayview St, PR)
    Pete Cannon (One-Man Band) (7pm-11pm)

Cocktails (6229 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Martha Quinn Band (Classic/Dance Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Cricketers 52 (7306 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ X (9pm-1am)

Hurricane Hank's Bar & Grill (14333 Crabtrap Ct, Hudson)
    TBA (7pm-11pm)

Insomniacs Bar (4319 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Shoebox Christmas Benefit (8pm-2am) with:
    ...Y Los Dos Pistoles (Original/Garage Rock)
    Mosquito Teeth (Original/Punk)
    Harlot O'Scara (Origina/Pop-Punk)
    Housebroken (Original/Horrorpop/Punk)
    The Destroid (Original/Punk/Hardcore)
    The TroTs! (Original/Punk/Hardcore)
    Die Rebel Scum (Original/Punk)
    Lemon Law (Original/Punk)
    The Demo-Rats (Original/Punk)
    Dead Cat Lounge (Original/Punk)

Jilly's Lounge (5313 Main St, NPR)
    Baker Act (Classic/Dance Rock) (9pm-1am)

Karl Reef (6307 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Borderline (Classic Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Kickin' Wing (8702 SR 52, Hudson)
    Rick Stoots (Acoustic/Country) (7pm-11pm)

LNT's Kickstand Saloon (2419 Grand Blvd, Holiday)
    LostNFound (Classic/Modern Rock) (8pm-12am)

Orbit 19 Lounge (1542 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Vinyl Lotion with DJ D-Volv (9pm-2am)

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (7736 SR 52, Hudson)
    DJ Scott Paquette (9pm-1am)

Roscoe's Thirsty Moose (13330 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

S & J's Pub (4130 Rowan Rd, NPR)
    Toys for Tots Benefit with Karaoke by Dave Petway (8pm-12am)

Sam's Hudson Beach Bar (6325 Clark St, Hudson)
    The 3 Amigos (Classic/Modern/Dance Rock) (6pm-10pm)

Sand Bar (4780 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Eclipse's Farewell Show (Classic/Modern Rock) (9:30pm-1:30am)

Sassy O'Shea's (5015 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Mark Shane (Acoustic) (9pm-1am)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Southern Silk (Country/Classic/Southern Rock) (8pm-12am)

Shananigan's (8404 Little Rd, NPR)
    DJ Infamous (9pm-1am)

Skinny's Bar & Grill (13228 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Big Foot (Oldies/Classic Rock/Blues) (8pm-12am)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Meltdown Party with DJ Twisted (9pm-1am)

Stormie's Country Legends Saloon (5748 Main St, NPR)
    Karaoke with DJ Hank (9pm-1am)

Villas Pub (15915 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Billy & Eric (Acoustic) (8pm-12am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    L.A. Fish (Classic/Modern/Dance Rock/Country) (7pm-11pm)

Wicked Wings 'n' More (1402 Alt Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Groundsource (Classic/Hard Rock) (8pm-12am)

 

Sunday, December 9th:
Bourbon Street of New Port Richey (4331 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    A Benefit for Christine Curti & Family (1pm-???) with:
    Almost Styx (Styx Tribute)
    The Embry Brothers (Country/Classic/Southern Rock)
    Floydsum (Classic/Modern/Dance Rock/Pink Floyd Tribute)
    Jersey Dirt (Country/Classic/Southern Rock)
    K.C. & The Vocal Chords (Oldies/Country/Classic Rock)
    Rukkus (Classic/Dance Rock)
    Soul'n'Tension (Classic/Southern Rock)
    Thunder Highway (Classic Rock)

Catches Waterfront Grille/Rum River Bar & Grill (7811 Bayview St, PR)
    Soka Boyz (Reggae) (3pm-7pm)

Fisherman's Shack (14519 Old Dixie Hwy, Hudson
    Mark Shane (Acoustic/Classic/Southern Rock) (4:30pm-8:30pm)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ (8pm-12am)

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (7736 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke with DJ Diamond Dave (9pm-1am)

Sam's Hudson Beach Bar (6325 Clark St, Hudson)
    The Suncoast Band (Classic/Dance Rock) (2:30pm-6:30pm)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    The Wild Cards w/Kyle Smith (Classic Rock) (4pm-8pm)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Karaoke with DJ Mike (8pm-12am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    Slickside (Classic/Southern Rock/Blues) (6pm-10pm)

 

Monday, December 10th:
Bourbon Street of New Port Richey (4331 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Karaoke with KJ Donnie (9pm-1am)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ (8pm-12am)

Jilly's Lounge (5313 Main St, NPR)
    Karaoke with Carolyn (9pm-1am)

Molly Malone's Irish Pub (4106 Little Rd, NPR)
    DJ Faust (9:30pm-1:30am)

Orbit 19 Lounge (1542 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Open Mic with Stick Martin (9pm-2am)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Open Mic/Open Jam with Michael Allman (6pm-10pm)

Thunder Tavern (5111 SR 54, NPR)
    Wendy LaForce (Classic Rock/Blues) (7pm-11pm)

Villas Pub (15915 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Open Jam with Billy Isner (8pm-12am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    George Marshall (Acoustic/Country) (5pm-9pm)

 

Tuesday, December 11th:
Bourbon Street of New Port Richey (4331 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Bike Night with Alesia Boyd (9pm-1am)

Brennan's Sports Pub (1144 Alt Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Cocktails (6229 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Dubstep Madness with guest DJs (10pm-2am)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Retro Tuesday with DJ China (9pm-1am)

Insomniacs Bar (4319 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Open Mic with Sean Muniz (9pm-1am)

Kickin' Wing (8702 SR 52, Hudson)
    Cornhole Tourney and Karaoke (6pm-10pm)

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (7736 SR 52, Hudson)
    Brandon Embry (Acoustic/Country) (7:30pm-11:30pm)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Open Mic Night with Rick Stoots (6pm-10pm)

Shananigan's (8404 Little Rd, NPR)
    Ladies Night with Rock Your World Entertainment (9pm-1am)

Skinny's Bar & Grill (13228 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Karaoke with Bobbie Stoots (8pm-12am)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Open Jam with The Bob Hope Band (9pm-1am)

Stormie's Country Legends Saloon (5748 Main St, NPR)
    Open Jam with John and The ORBs (8pm-12am)

Up the Creek Pub (4400 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Acoustic Open Mic Night (9pm-1am)

 

Wednesday, December 12th:
BB Magee's Bar & Grill (12400 County Line Rd, Hudson)
    The Jesse & Billy Show (Acoustic/Country/Classic/Southern Rock) (6pm-10pm)

Boulevard Lounge (6210 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Open Jam with Eric Anderson's Jam Sandwich (9pm-1am)

Bourbon Street of New Port Richey (4331 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Open Jam with The Bearded Brothers & Friends (8:30pm-12:30am)

Brennan's Sports Pub (1144 Alt Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Open Mic Night (9pm-1am)

Cocktails (6229 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Open Jam with Mark, Warren, & Roberto (9pm-1am)

Cricketers 52 (7306 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Danny's Bar & Grill (3105 Grand Blvd, Holiday)
    Komedy Karaoke with Pete the Hat (8pm-12am)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    DJ (9pm-1am)

Hobbs Hideaway (9833 SR 52, Hudson)
    Hi-Tech Redneck Bike Night with DJ Patti (7pm-11pm)

Hurricane Hank's Bar & Grill (14333 Crabtrap Ct, Hudson)
    Karaoke with Dino & Little Linda (7pm-11pm)

Karl Reef (6307 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Ladies Night with DJ China (9:30pm-1:30am)

Kickin' Wing (8702 SR 52, Hudson)
    Hardcore Hump Day Karaoke with Rick Stoots (7pm-11pm)

Molly Malone's Irish Pub (4106 Little Rd, NPR)
    DJ Manic Moss (9:30pm-1:30am)

Overtime Sports Bar & Grill (7736 SR 52, Hudson)
    DJ Diamond Dave (9pm-1am)

Sand Bar (4780 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Sink-or-Swim Party with DJ Infamous (9:30pm-1:30am)

Sassy O'Shea's (5015 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Karaoke with Danny (8pm-12am)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Josh Fielding (Acoustic) (7pm-11pm)

Skinny's Bar & Grill (13228 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Open Mic (8pm-12am)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Karaoke with DJ Mike (9pm-1am)

Smitty's Shipwreck Bar & Grill (5511 Chaparral Ln, Holiday)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Villas Pub (15915 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Ladies Night with Lonny (Acoustic/Piano) (8pm-12am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    Open Jam featuring Billy Sandlin (6pm-10pm)

 

Thursday, December 13th:
The Back Room (7430 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Bike Night with DJ Patti and band TBA (7pm-11pm)

Bourbon Street of New Port Richey (4331 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Gong Show Karaoke/Open Jam with The Bearded Brothers and Doobius Arbuckle (8:30pm-12:30am)

Cricketers 52 (7306 SR 52, Hudson)
    Karaoke (9pm-1am)

Hammer Heads Billiard Lounge (1916 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Thirsty Latin Thursdays with DJ 787 (9pm-1am)

Karl Reef (6307 Grand Blvd, NPR)
    Hospitality Night with DJ China (9pm-1am)

Orbit 19 Lounge (1542 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Vintage Youth with VDJ Jason Barco (9pm-2am)

Sassy O'Shea's (5015 US Hwy 19, NPR)
    Dave Cook (Acoustic/Country) (7pm-11pm)

Seaside Inn (5330 Treadway Dr, PR)
    Dave Muse Duo (Classic/Southern Rock) (6pm-10pm)

Shananigan's (8404 Little Rd, NPR)
    Throwback Thursdays with DJ Joe (9:30pm-1:30am)

Skinny's Bar & Grill (13228 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Ladies Night with The Bob Hope Band (Classic/Alt/Modern Rock) (8pm-12am)

Slim's Sports Bar & Grill (1436 US Hwy 19, Holiday)
    Ladies Night with DJ Manic Moss (9pm-1am)

Smokin' Joe's Cigar Bar (9764 Little Rd, NPR)
    Komedy Karaoke with Pete the Hat (8pm-12am)

Thunder Tavern (5111 SR 54, NPR)
    Bike Night with Wendy LaForce (Classic Rock/Blues) (7pm-11pm)

Venom II Saloon (16418 US Hwy 19, Hudson)
    Karaoke with Gator (8pm-12am)

Whiskey River Sports Bar & Grill (5245 Limestone Dr, PR)
    The Mark Anthony Band (Classic/Modern/Dance Rock/Top 40) (6pm-10pm)