What a show!

We saw the concert of the year last night at The Caz in South Buffalo. Oh sure, it was only the 10th of January but when I make a compilation of the best 10 shows we saw in 2026 this one will be on the list.

Grace Stumburg played a hopping set backed by Grace Lougen, Dylan Hund and Josh English of Grosh.

Stumburg is about to take some time off from being a musician to train for a new job. Grosh is a different animal playing Stumberg’s songs. The musicians are good friends and have been for a long time.

After they played, the other band members split and Stumberg sat at the bar with Meghan Brown to watch Ten Cent Howl. Meghan is Grosh’s lead singer. I have long suggested if Christie McVie and Stevie Nicks could fit in Fleetwood Mac, there is room for Stumberg and Brown in Grosh.

Whether Grosh, 10 Cent Howl or Stumberg we always wonder why they don't get radio play.

We first heard 10 Cent Howl about 10 years ago at Mark Recording’s annual pig roast. Bill Smith and crew were tight then and are tighter now, playing real, original music, unpretentious, only venturing into cover songs when there is a reason.

I don’t know their music well. Last night, at various times they made me thing of Blue Rodeo along with the soul of Damien Follett, a musician we heard in Newfoundland who sang about how he “loves this rock.” 

We wandered into a bar in St. John's just as an opener finished his set shortly after Gord Downie's illness became public. I think he played "Bobcaygeon." Follet was next and opened his set with "I love this rock." It was 4 p.m. on a Friday. The bar was full. Everyone in the place sang along. 10 Cent Howl has that sort of energy. Roots give a sense of place, home and groundedness you can’t fake. 

In the falling of the time, I’m still here. Damned if I do, damned if I don’t as Mary Lou Stahl sits in the corner with Tom and sings along. I guess you’ll find me at the end of the world jamming out to Ripple in memory of Bob Weir.

The Caz remains the best place in Western New York to listen to live music even if I hate the ludicrous QR code ordering system, mandatory tips and over-priced food and drink.

It’s also nice to see Jeremy Hoyle of the Strictly Hip watching over things as Howl closed with "Up in WNY" it's not as much of an anthem as "I love this rock" but hey-hey-ay-ay close.

Ripple in still water

When there is no pebble tossed

Nor wind to blow

You who choose to lead must follow

But if you fall you fall alone

If you should stand then who's to guide you?

If I knew the way I would take you home