One Mike Stand-Villa Verone

03/20/2020

Today, the CDC issued new guidelines regarding gatherings of 50 or more people including concerts. Unfortunately this cancels out the final two One Mike Stands at Villa Verone. At this point, I am not rescheduling any shows. I will likely have one final show somewhere at a later date after the dust settles. Stay tuned, MIke

03/12/2020

---------- Forwarded message ---------
To All From Mike Alberts:

I have been hesitant about writing this announcement, but Phyll and I have decided to call it quits with the One Mike Stand series. We will have an April and May show at the Villa Verone unless the virus situation rules that out. But after the May show, “That’s all folks”. No, I am not sick again, in fact, I am in good health at the moment. We are simply tired of hauling heavy sound equipment and all the other frustrations of staging a show like this. While it may seem like a cute little show, it is actually quite a bit of work, and it has worn us down a bit. It is no longer fun for me most of the time, and that is why I am calling it quits.
The final two shows will feature long time friends of the show. April 5th will be the Backwoods Bunny Fight. This bluegrass oriented band hailing from the Sycamore/DeKalb area has played the series several times. Wayne Canning, Aaron Stover, Randy Stover, Kenny Kryger, and Stefanie Kryger make up the group. Dave Ramont says, "Whaddya get when ya toss a standup bass, banjo, guitar & cello in a cast iron pot and sprinkle some fiddle on top? A stew that’s chewy, a bit gamey, but mostly tastes like chicken. It’s popgrass & funkbilly, original songs & covers. Eat up, but grab a wet nap. “ Backwoods Bunny fight is eclectic to say the least, and their shows are just pure energy and fun. Show time is 7 and Nelson, Ramont, and I will do some sort of opener.
The final show is on May 3rd. It will feature Dave Ramont and Dave Nelson. I am not sure what they have in mind, but these two guys were the heart and soul of the show, and they deserve the final slot as featured performer. There are other big surprises that night to be revealed later. I will be playing a longer opening set for the farewell show.
I am extremely grateful to all of you for your support over the years. I can honestly say that when you all file in for a show, it is like seeing family for me. I have come to know most all of you by name and consider you friends. I do not want to make these shows sad. They will be happy.
I am not ruling out some sort of smaller scale show in the future. It would have to involve less hauling of equipment, and would likely feature solo acts or small groups. It would also be in a very small quiet setting. I have no firm plans for that sort of show yet, and would like to take a good while off before diving into that.
At this point I am not cancelling shows due to the virus. We have some time to see what is happening with its’ spread before having to make that call. If confirmed cases
are spreading here, I will certainly follow guidelines for our safety. After all, I am at very high risk with this situation. Thanks again for supporting the One Mike series and hope to see you on April 5.

Sunday, April 5, at 7pm
Alberts, Ramont, and Nelson
Backwoods Bunny Fight

Sunday, May 3, at 7pm (the last waltz)
Mike Alberts
Dave Nelson and Dave Ramont

At Villa Verone
416 Hamilton St.
Geneva, IL

02/29/2020

Just a quick reminder about the Whippin Boys playing tomorrow night at the One Mike Stand. The show begins around 7, no warm up this time. The Whippin Boys have learned the songs you folks requested already, no further requests please. Be there or be square. Mike

The Whippin Boys
7 pm at Villa Verone
416 Hamilton St.
Geneva, IL

02/09/2020

In case you missed the previous announcement, the One Mike Stand originally scheduled for tomorrow (2/9) has been cancelled.

The next show will take place at Villa Verone on 3/1, and it will be one of our very favorite shows, "The Whippin’ Boys". Yes, Ramont and Nelson are doing it again. This is the crazy show where you can request a song from them ahead of time, and they will likely play it. E-mail your requests to Dave Ramont at [email protected] as soon as you can. Yes, the show is only 3 weeks away and the fellas need time to learn all the songs. Most all of you have seen this show before, and it is a favorite of the crowd. Please e-mail Dave Ramont not me with your requests. It will save them time to get the requests directly. While you are at it, ask Dave to include you on his e-mail list. He sends out announcements of his shows and many other local favorites.

One more thing, you must be there on 3/1 to request a song. They won’t play it if you are not there. There will likely be no warmup set for this show, generally the requests take up the entire time. Well, get your selections to Dave R and I will likely see you all on 3/1. Mike

The Whippin' Boys (Dave Ramont and Dave Nelson)
Sunday, March 1 at 7 pm
Villa Verone
416 Hamilton St.
Geneva

01/31/2020

I am cancelling the One Mike Stand scheduled for 2/9. The next show will be on 3/1 and will likely feature the Whippin Boys. More information will be coming about how to request songs from the Whippin Boys this time around. Thanks for your support for the show. Mike

01/10/2020

Well, the next One Mike Stand is finally just round the corner. Yes, this Sunday at Villa Verone at 7 pm. Chad Watson and Jake Mack are featured. They are young, talented, great singers and songwriters, and guys who have that magic on stage. The reviews friends have given me of these two as a duo are just incredible.
As usual, Ramont, Nelson, and I will perform some sort of opening set beginning at 7. Then we will bring up Jake and Chad. Chad told me they are going to include some original material in this show, and I am looking forward to that.
Villa Verone gives you the opportunity to grab a bite to eat, and a nice bar for the rest of our needs. They do take reservations. Hope you can make it out on Sunday. Gramma W***y still has 3 $15 bags of bourbon toffee and 2 $10 bags of original for sale if anyone is interested. Thanks for supporting GW!

Dave Ramont, Dave Nelson, and Mike Alberts
Chad Watson and Jake Mack

Sunday, 1/12 at 7 pm
Villa Verone
416 Hamilton St.
Geneva, IL
630-232-2201

01/02/2020

It is great to be around for another decade. The One Mike Stand series has somehow survived almost a decade now too. Dave Ramont and Dave Nelson deserve an awful lot of thanks for pulling this concept along and making the show work. They are great friends and have helped me immensely. Buy those guys a drink!
There is some unfortunate news to relay to you. Michael Heaton who played a few of the One Mike Stands passed away a few days ago. He had a long battle with a rare cancer. An experimental drug worked for a brief period, but its’ help was only temporary. Michael was an incredible talent and songwriter. He was one of those guys who should have made it much bigger. Michael was one of the nicest guys going and he will be missed greatly by many of us. The One Mike Stand series was designed to give musicians like Michael the chance to perform in a quiet setting where people actually listened. He was such a positive guy, I will think of him often.
Ramont helped me line up another great show for Jan. 12. Jake Mack and Chad Watson will be the featured act. Both have performed on the show before, but not together. These two fellas can really sing, and I mean sing. Chad has done a few shows for me over the years, and he is just a fantastic vocalist as well as being one of the best bass players in the area. When he performs, he lifts the entire group a few levels. Jake is another fantastic singer, and writes some excellent material. He played a solo show a few years back that really knocked me out. I am so excited to hear these two together, sometimes two talented people get together and more than double their creative outputs. This seems likely with these two guys.
Head talent scout, Dave Ramont, writes, "Southpaw Jake Mack is a singer/songwriter & serious guitar picker in the Wilco and Petty tradition who plays upward of 200 shows a year, solo or with his band. Chad Watson’s impressive bass chops- encompassing many styles- and his exemplary singing have made him an indispensible choice to anchor many area bands. He also dons a guitar and writes wonderful songs. On this night they shall join forces- like Batman & Superman but way more melodic. Playing their songs and covers from McCartney to Elvis Costello to Black Sabbath... F-U-N guaranteed."
There will be some sort of opening with Nelson, Ramont, and myself at 7 pm, then we will let the featured guys take the stage.
The official 10th anniversary of the show will be on May 3rd, and I would suggest that you pencil in that date very early. It is going to be a great party.
The dates for the shows through June are as follows:
Jan 12
Feb 9
March 1 (changed from March 8th)
April 5
May 3 (special 10th anniversary show)
June 7
Hope to see you at the show on the 12th.

Dave Nelson, Dave Ramont, and Mike Alberts
Chad Watson and Jake Mack

7 pm on Sunday, Jan 12 at Villa Verone
416 Hamilton St.
Geneva, IL
630-232-2201

12/03/2019

Help The Venue in their quest to Present, Promote, Preserve and Educate!

I’m ready to support Fox Valley Music Foundation on December 3, 2019 during Fox Valley. Learn more about Fox Valley Music Foundation and all the other organizations participating in .

11/29/2019

Hope you are not shopping right now. That is right, have a bloody mary or mimosa, and laugh at the fools lining Randall Road. It is a record store day, so go by Kiss the Sky and check that out. Hey, by the way, there is a One Mike Stand this Sunday. Yep, the Ryan Carney Trio is coming up to the second floor room at Villa Verone. I met Ryan last summer, and he is so darned good. He plays a cello, and his trio is rounded out with a piano (played by Shannon Collins), and a cajon ( percussionist, Chris Palmerein). The trio will play a variety of types of music from the Beatles, to holiday favorites, and even classical cello sonatas. I can’t really express how great of a player Ryan actually is, you have to hear this for yourself to appreciate it fully.
I have to warn my regulars that Ryan has a big following hereabouts and arrive early to get good seating. Ryan has been selling out recent shows, and thanks to our pal, Dave Ramont, for lining up this show. The show begins at 7ish with Nelson, Ramont, and me doing some sort of opening set. I can promise a holiday relate tune or so in the set. Ramont says it is too early to play holiday music, but this is the only One Mike prior to Christmas, so there will be some.

Ryan Carney is big on the side of things for those who wish to check that out. Vince is posting this on Facebook also. I would provide some sort of link, but I happily know nothing about Facebook [here's a link to Ryan Carney's website and page: https://www.whoisryancarney.com].

The debut event at Villa Verone exceeded everyone’s expectations in all ways, It was heavily attended, it was a great room for the show, food reviews were great, and it seemed like home to me. Hope you can make it out this Sunday. It’s toffee time. See Gramma W***y if interested in purchasing any. The new bourbon toffee coated with chocolate and honey bourbon vanilla pecans seems to be a hit with the taste testers. That’s going for $15 a half pound gift bag. Hope to see you at Villa Verone this Sunday.

Dave Ramont, Dave Nelson, and Mike Alberts
the Ryan Carney Trio (Ryan Carney, Shannon Collins, and Chris Palmer)

Villa Verone
416 Hamilton St.
Geneva, IL
630-232-2201

Sunday, December 1 7:00

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