The Providence Phoenix   Local Anesthesia     Brothers in arms - Remembering Beaver Brown’s Bobby Cotoia                       Released: 09.17.04     Source: Providence Phoenix     Author: Bob Gulla     Original source link                 You may have read in this space last week that Bobby Cotoia, a founding member of Rhode Island’s legendary Beaver Brown Band, died from complications of liver disease on September 3. He was a little over 50 years old and he spent 32 of those with the band, right up ’til last year, when his illness prevented him from committing to the rigors of touring. Having to pull out of the band hurt Cotoia deeply, even though he told his buddies he’d be getting better soon, and that sometime soon he’d be well enough to rejoin. Bobby Cotoia was a born performer, naturally suited to the supercharged shows of Beaver Brown, and he couldn’t imagine life without the privilege of entertaining people. If you don’t know the Beaver Brown story, or if you weren’t drawn to the band’s anthemic roots-rock back in the day, well, here’s a brief rundown: John Cafferty, Bobby C., Pat Lupo, Gary Gramolini, and Kenny Jo Silva - a few years later joined by saxman Michael "Tunes" Antunes - formed in South County in the early ’70s as kids. They lived together in a few houses in Narragansett, the five original members eating, sleeping, and playing music under the same roof. They were tight-knit, a brotherhood that believed in nothing less than playing music for a living, which they did immediately, thanks to their local popularity. At first, they worked the beach bars along the southern Rhode Island coast. But they soon expanded beyond those borders to clubs throughout New England, New York, and New Jersey. They gained confidence and developed a classic, early rock and roll-inspired sound. The band’s big break came a full 10 years after forming, when a movie director, Martin Davidson, saw the band live and invited them to write songs for his upcoming film Eddie and the Cruisers. While the film died at the box office, HBO picked it up in 1984 and it caught fire. The film’s success, powered by Beaver Brown’s terrific soundtrack, catapulted the hometown rockers to the top of the charts with "On the Dark Side." All of a sudden the Narragansett kids had a double platinum recording on their hands and plenty of reasons to be cheerful. Record company woes and some tough luck prevented the band from sustaining momentum or any superstar possibilities. But Beaver Brown was able to parlay their success into a lifetime of music-making - gigging and entertaining audiences for over three decades. It’s been a great run. Last week, after Cotoia died, band members past and present assembled for the wake and funeral. It was The Big Chill with the backdrop of a band - rather than a class - reunion. There was a tremendous outpouring of appreciation; hundreds came to pay their respect and retell their favorite Bobby stories. Everybody had one. After talking to a dozen or so of his closest friends, it was obvious that many people loved Bobby, who had also become a good husband and father of two. He was the kind of person who lifted others up. Bandleader John Cafferty, one of a handful of guys who loved Bobby like a brother, opened up about him. "When he walked onstage, he had a smile on his face and a song in his heart. And by the time Bobby left the stage, everybody else did, too. Millions of people all over the world saw him perform and people would look at the guy on keyboards and just love him. He was joyous to watch." Gramolini, the band’s guitarist, was also eager to speak about Bobby. "If you watched him onstage, he was a show by himself, a natural musician. If he knew someone was watching him, he’d do anything to entertain. He’d play with his feet, face, elbows, a real showman, a ball of fire. He was like that offstage too. He used to make us laugh all the time. If he knew someone was listening to him he’d just go off, he was a Jackie Gleason character. He had a talent for the ridiculous, and he’d go on and on and on about whatever was on his mind." Mike Kulick owned the recording studio in Pawtucket where Beaver Brown did much of the pre-production work for Eddie and the Cruisers. Bobby’s life-long friend going back to their early teenage years, Kulick was there for just about every rehearsal, and he worked for the band in many capacities, including driving them from gig to gig across the country. He roomed with Bobby on those long tours. They were inseparable. "Bobby was just an endless stream of creativity and was blessed with the ability to find the magic within all his endeavors. Everyone undoubtedly recognized the extent of Bobby’s natural musical talent, but Bobby’s magic didn’t end there. It seemed that no matter what new endeavor Bobby tried - whether it was fishing or golf - something positive would come out of it." Kenny Jo Silva, the band’s longtime drummer, also remembers the way Bobby lived his life. "He really enjoyed people laughing and he was a great entertainer. This is nothing to diminish his ability; he was a fantastic musician, and had a great sense of melody." He laughs. "Bobby always had his own weird slant on things. He was our own version of Yogi Berra. He’d make up words in conversation to suit his purposes. He had a lot of spirit he injected into the music and that came through in his performance. In fact, it became the basis of the band’s spirit - he embodied the good-time party spirit the band was known for." Bobby’s oft-mentioned energy and spirit was just one of the factors contributing to the band’s incredible run. There was the immense musicality of the band. Each member had been leaders of bands of their own before joining Beaver Brown. Each one had mastered their instruments. Each one possessed a passion for performing and a love for music strong enough to hold them together for a miraculous length of time. And from Day One, they had chemistry. "All of the guys were dependable, and they would work hard," says Cafferty. "We were all guys who understood the big picture - we realized it took all of us to get the job done. Each guy onstage had charisma and stage presence. My job in the middle of it all was to be the point guard, bring the ball up and get it into everybody’s hands, so during the course of the show the lights would shine on each guy." "The band was way bigger than all of us individually," says Gramolini. "We were all part of an engine. Bobby would kick my ass onstage and we’d kick his ass onstage. The energy would be like a wave and we’d just get on it and ride." Don Culp, a drummer who met the band as a teen, recalls how they reached out to an aspiring young musician when they could have just pushed him aside. "I met them in 1976, when all six members of the band came in to study karate. They taught me how to hang and be cool. I would always hang out next to Bobby because I sat on the right hand side of the stage when they played." Silva taught Culp his tricks on the drums - which he now uses with the Becky Chace Band - and he became one of the band’s closest associates. "Bobby always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. In fact, all of those guys changed my life and I’ll never forget them for that." Over the years, the Beaver Brown Band grew into a family that covered Rhode Island and extended nationwide as the band’s network of colleagues, connections, and loved ones expanded. Throughout the ’80s, they were the most popular local band in Rhode Island, and the most successful, as their singles made the charts and the band was booked on global tours. Not bad for a bunch of kids from Narragansett. "They were some of the greatest nights I ever had in my whole life," says Cafferty, quietly. "It was a brotherhood and we shared our greatest nights together. It felt like you had it so good. It was amazing what we could all do together. And I shared those experiences with this great bunch of guys. It was like being on a team. It was like going to the championship. We felt like we could win a championship every night onstage at night if we all did our jobs." In that regard, Bobby Cotoia was definitely a champ. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why the band members I spoke with were so touched emotionally by his passing. Their starting lineup lost its MVP. That team, together since 1972, suffered its first real loss, and a permanent one at that. "Bobby was irreplaceable," says Antunes. "We did what we did for 30 years together. For two hours a night onstage and the ride back and forth to the gig, there’s so much that takes place, that mosaic of life that takes a lifetime to build. When you do what you love to do for 30 years together it creates irreplaceable friendships." "I always remember that at the end of the night we’d end up in Bobby’s room," says Cafferty, truly overwhelmed by the passing of his friend. "When you do a gig, it’s two hours onstage and 22 hours off it, so the playing part is the easy part. But anyway, after the show we’d end up in Bobby’s room and that’s when you talked about what just happened and you dreamed about what you wanted to do next. Bobby was always in the middle of that." At the wake, John, Gary, Pat, Kenny, and Tunes got up to share some stories about Bobby, who was lying just behind them, resting painlessly for the first time in years. Awkward at first, the band members imparted a few of the funny, poignant, and revealing Bobby stories they had experienced. There was the one 25 years ago about Bobby’s B3 sounding uncharacteristically off-key at a gig, only to find out that he had been playing so enthusiastically he put his fingers through five of the keys. Then there was the one where John and Tunes were doing some kind of crazy dance having some fun center stage, making a spectacle of themselves, when they saw most everyone in the audience looking past them to their left. "We turned and saw Bobby holding a note on the keyboard with his tongue and he was balancing the B3 on his thighs with his hands outstretched holding onto it. All we could do was laugh." After the wake, the entourage headed to the cemetery to lay Bobby to rest. The funeral, in Gramolini words, "was incredibly moving and celebratory." Family and friends, devastated to see such a colorful life blacked out in midstream, were nonetheless happy to be together in Bobby’s memory. At the end of the service, Tunes pulled out his saxophone and played the "Tender Years" melody. Written by Cafferty, it was perhaps the band’s best-loved song, highlighted by Antunes’s soaring, deeply soulful sax line, which Cafferty added, "he nailed every night." He nailed it this time, too. When the band plays the song, Tunes’s sax fades out as it draws to a close, giving way to Bobby Cotoia’s tinkling piano notes lingering sweetly in the air. Only this time, Bobby wasn’t there to play his part, and the cemetery remained shrouded in silence. Each person at the gravesite finished Bobby’s notes in quiet, tearful tribute.                     other items in this group     Local Anesthesia 05.27.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       ’Round town - Westside ARTS, RISA’s men, Radio Kings, and more     Local Anesthesia 05.20.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       A better Day - Jackie O’Brien and company’s Waving in Traffic     Local Anesthesia 05.13.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Swan song - A Westerly institution gets unplugged     Local Anesthesia 05.06.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       New noise - Suicide Liquors, the StereoBirds, and the Gobshites     Local Anesthesia 04.29.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       New tricks (and treats) - The Dino Club’s Oscar-worthy Big Screen Wide     Local Anesthesia 04.22.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       A wealth of talent - Mark Renburke calls on the best for his new disc     Local Anesthesia 03.18.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Around the world - Jo Jo Gator comes home again     Local Anesthesia 03.11.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Fringe benefits - Urdog, the Slip, Fred Kendall Abong, and more     Local Anesthesia 03.04.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Blood simple - Wretched Asylum paint the town red in Prognosis     Local Anesthesia 02.25.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Battle royale - Sasquatch takes the top prize at the Rock Hunt     Local Anesthesia 02.18.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Taking lessons - The second anniversary of the Station fire     Local Anesthesia 02.11.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Rattlin’ all over - RattleHead Records gears up for ’05     Local Anesthesia 02.04.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Lovin’ it live - Richard Thompson, Anders Parker, more     Local Anesthesia 01.28.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Restless records - Grüvis Malt master the art of multitasking     Local Anesthesia 01.21.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Still standing - Roomful of Blues celebrate a new disc — and survival     Local Anesthesia 01.14.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Short stuff - Big sounds in little packages     Local Anesthesia 01.07.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Good acoustics - The best jazz, blues, and folk of ’04     Local Anesthesia 12.31.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Best in show - The top rock, etc. listens in ’04     Local Anesthesia 12.24.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Success story - The big time doesn’t elude the Slip     Local Anesthesia 12.17.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Everyday people - Routine 8’s debut is more than a daily grind     Local Anesthesia 12.10.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Ready for Bedtime - Rebecca Nurse deliver some sweet Stories     Local Anesthesia 12.03.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Funk soul brothers - Fungus Amungus puts the fun back in funky     Local Anesthesia 11.26.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The genuine article - Stefan Couture and company keep it real on Ghost     Local Anesthesia 11.19.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Acoustic café - Stone Soup keeps the folk talent coming     Local Anesthesia 11.12.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       On the verge - M-80 are ready for their close-up with the release of American Road     Local Anesthesia 11.05.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Staying positive - You can learn a lot about living from Randy Hien     Local Anesthesia 10.29.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Getting busy - Becky Chace and Blues Bastard     Local Anesthesia 10.22.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Velver revolving - Menck and Chastain make another great disc     Local Anesthesia 10.15.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Shipping out - Mastamindz’s Matt Moreau is headed to Iraq     Local Anesthesia 10.01.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Miracle men - Greg Hodde’s deep blues; plus, the Sleazies hit 100     Local Anesthesia 09.24.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Remembering Paul - Murphy’s spirit to be celebrated on Sunday     Local Anesthesia 09.17.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Brothers in arms - Remembering Beaver Brown’s Bobby Cotoia     Local Anesthesia 09.10.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Music matters - A revelation at Rhythm & Roots     Local Anesthesia 09.03.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Rhythm and riddims - Whote lotta roots and reggae (and more) going on     Local Anesthesia 08.27.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       R-e-s-p-e-c-t - State of Corruption’s new 3 marks 10 together     Local Anesthesia 08.20.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       From the heart - Dave Howard’s Sure Bet; help for the Station Fund     Local Anesthesia 08.13.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Note-worthy - The Folk Fest, garage rock, and more     Local Anesthesia 08.06.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Mixed bag - The PBRC’s Xxodus Café, Slaughtercore and more     Local Anesthesia 07.30.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Mosh rules - Another Dead Juliet stirs up the hardcore scened     Local Anesthesia 07.23.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Kind of blue - Remembering Rick Mendes     Local Anesthesia 07.16.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Still beating - For the benefit of Russ Camire     Local Anesthesia 07.09.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Block-rockin’ beats - The Cringe and Three Speed Amplifier     Local Anesthesia 07.02.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Urge for going - Can Providence be a greener pasture?     Local Anesthesia 06.25.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Hot stuff - This summer’s festival season sizzles     Local Anesthesia 06.18.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Feelin’ groovy - The Chinese Stars titillate with A Rare Sensation     Local Anesthesia 06.11.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Lock ’em up - Daughters make some noise     Local Anesthesia 06.04.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Surprise party - Katahdin’s Edge isn’t what you’d expect     Local Anesthesia 05.21.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Into the Grüvis - The Malt gets it backwards with the release of Simon     Local Anesthesia 05.14.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The 10-year Itchies - The Fab ones celebrate a decade makin’ the scene     Local Anesthesia 05.07.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Time machine - The Schemers’ Remember, 25 years down the road     Local Anesthesia 04.30.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Latin lovers - Planet Groove embrace a passionate new sound     Porky Cohen 1924-2004 04.24.04 by Bob Bell (Providence Phoenix)       Porky Cohen 1924-2004     Local Anesthesia 04.23.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Seen and heard - A day in the life of Mastermindz     Local Anesthesia 04.16.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Higher ground - Slugworth elevate on 45 Gallup; plus, the Rose Garden turns 15     Local Anesthesia 04.09.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Closing time - In Your Ear is the latest casualty of the changing biz     Local Anesthesia 04.02.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Austin’s powers - SXSW is a bit of heaven in the heart of Texas     Local Anesthesia 03.26.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Catching a Buzz(play) - Four area bands vie for national bragging rights     Local Interview 03.20.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Just do it - Grinding it out with Sage Francis and Joey Beats     Local Anesthesia 03.19.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Staying Power - Paul Geremia pushes the boundaries of the blues     Local Anesthesia 03.12.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Midnight hour - The Creeps celebrate a blistering new disc     Local Anesthesia 03.05.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The parent trap - Mom and pop record stores struggle to stay afloat     Local Anesthesia 02.27.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Post-Radar love - Chinese Stars prepare for international dominance     Whose creative economy is it? 02.14.04 by Ian Donnis (Providence Phoenix)       The vitality of Providence’s artistic underground is weakened by the demise of Olneyville’s fabled music scene     Local Anesthesia 02.13.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Havin’ a Ball - FeverDream; plus, 75orless, Atwater-Donnelly, more!     Local Anesthesia 02.06.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       To the extreme - Dropdead celebrate a lucky 13 years together     Local Anesthesia 01.30.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The way we were - What’s next for indie rock?     Local Anesthesia 01.23.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Getting Serious - Barn Burning brings the house down     City Watch 01.20.04 by Ian Donnis (Providence Phoenix)           Battle For the Night 01.17.04 by Ian Donnis (Providence Phoenix)       The solution that dare not be discussed -- keeping nightclubs open later -- could diminish many of the concerns associated with Providence nightlife     Local Anesthesia 01.16.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Ties That Bind - Almost Homeless’ musical connection run deep     Local Anesthesia 01.09.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Back in Business - Reissues by Arab On Radar, Velvet Crush, and more     Local Anesthesia 01.02.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Reflections -- D.J. Stone sings about the Station fire in "Eddie"     Local Anesthesia 12.12.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Reflections -- D.J. Stone sings about the Station fire in "Eddie"     Local Anesthesia 12.06.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Grand evolution -- Erin McKeown’s songs get ‘bigger and better’     Local Anesthesia 11.28.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Howlin’ wolves -- Smokestack Lightnin’ brings down the house     Local Anesthesia 11.28.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The full Monty -- The Fan Club flirts with the big time     Local Anesthesia 11.21.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       One night only! -- Neutral Nation celebrate 20 years and a new disc     Local Anesthesia 11.14.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Wheat dreams -- Taunton-based crew goes Technicolor     Local Anesthesia 11.07.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The long haul -- Al Copley is in too deep, and likes it that way     Local Anesthesia 10.31.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Ace of clubs? -- Ultra arrives; the Electra Complex; and more     Local Anesthesia 10.17.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Seeking the truth -- Davies and Auchenbach conspire on a new disc     Rhode Island's most influential people in the Arts community 10.11.03 by Phoenix Staff (Providence Phoenix)       The Phoenix profiles Rhode Island's most influential people in the Arts community.     Local Anesthesia 10.10.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Blowin Smoke -- Greg Abate and Channel One tear it up again     Local Anesthesia 10.03.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Cosmic Psychos -- Sasquatch and the Sick-a-Billys get a groove on     Local Anesthesia 09.26.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Knight Moves -- Margie Wienk celebrates a haunting new disc     Local Anesthesia 09.19.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       April Fooled -- An Unsigned Band; plus, Pendragon turns 20     Local Anesthesia 09.12.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The 300 Shows -- Midnight Creeps celebrate a milestone     Local Anesthesia 09.05.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Floodstock -- The welcome return of Summerfest     Local Anesthesia 08.29.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Summer’s not over -- Rhythm & Roots tops a busy Labor Day weekend     Local Anesthesia 08.22.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Go, Cat, Go! -- Rockabilly picks up steam on the scene     Local Anesthesia 08.15.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Just for fun -- Cracking wise with Katie Lee Hooker     Local Anesthesia 08.08.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Have Mercy! The return of Mike Dinallo and company     Local Anesthesia 08.01.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Lotsa Hats, Big Shoes -- Eric Fontana Finally Gets His Disc Out     Local Anesthesia 07.18.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Straw Dogs -- The Haymakers' Why We Can’t Have Nice Things     Local Anesthesia 07.18.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Sound Defects -- Blues Bastard And Other Awesome Aberrations     Local Anesthesia 07.11.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Growing Painz -- Mastamindz Hatch Fiendish Plot     Local Anesthesia 07.04.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: The Best Goes On -- Music Pollapalooza comes to the Ocean Mist     Local Anesthesia 06.27.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Break out -- Letdown, Chinese Stars, Fuses rev it up     Local Anesthesia 06.13.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Answering the call -- The healing power of the Call for Action DVD     Local Anesthesia 06.06.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Newport news -- No Means Yes and the Philtres make headlines     Local Anesthesia 05.30.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Freakin’ out -- Mike Hamel and company head west     Local Anesthesia 05.23.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Demo derby -- Emery Vesch, Sibling Rivalry, and Flav Martin     Local Anesthesia 05.16.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Soundcheck -- Donnybrook, the Cringe, Illustrious Day, and more     Local Anesthesia 05.09.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Arabs off radar -- The avant act calls it quits; plus, an Invasion update     Local Anesthesia 05.02.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Healing sounds -- The Call’s energetic and heartfelt benefit CD     Local Anesthesia 04.18.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Musing again -- A winning Throwback, Benny Sizzler, and more     Local Anesthesia 02.27.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Hole in our soul -- The music community's devastating loss     Local Anesthesia 02.20.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week:     Local Anesthesia 02.13.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Wonderful world -- Cheryl Wheeler loves her job; plus, V for Vendetta     Local Anesthesia 02.07.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Story hour -- Dan Moretti and Once Through lay it down     Local Anesthesia 01.31.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Love you live -- Planet Groove lays it down at the Ocean Mist     Local Anesthesia 01.24.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Consolation prize -- Ricky Valente grows up     Local Anesthesia 01.17.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Whistle stop -- Otis Read, Phil Edmonds, and Friends     Local Anesthesia 01.10.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Lights, camera... Century Productions is where the action is     Local Anesthesia 01.03.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week:The big picture -- Best in show, pt. 2               Filed Under...   becky chace band (36) beyond blonde (183) black and white (12) CD Reviews (4) complaints (2) Crazed Rock Fan (3) Dirk Diggla (6) Decibel Magazine (12) ellis ashbrook (13) grandevolution (15) hawkins rise (102) Headlines (85) jazz bastards (4) J Hunter (1) frank martyn (24) mastamindz (27) owen mcgonigle (4) Misc. Items (2) Opinions (10) Pele (5) The Providence Phoenix (115) the radionics (9) RattleHead News (8) (2) rossoni (1) santa mamba (41) sasquatch and the sick-a-billys (121) sexcoffee (16) Satyr's Local Rock Report (23) Spock's Brain (3) terri g and the band (2) ultra plush (17) vulgarrity (2)             The Providence Phoenix is the God of local music in the area. Bob Gulla is an excellent music reporter, and they provide the only weekly local music coverage that is accessible to the masses.