Messages from Jim Nied
The patriarch of the Nied’s Hotel family, Jim Nied, often sends out messages of appreciation and encouragement. We have published a few of Jim’s notes below :
NOVEMBER 2008-
Grrrrrrrrrrrrreat show last evening guys! Maybe it was the suds, but I didn’t know where I was last evening! Sometimes I thought I was in Las Vegas and other times I thought I was in New Orleans, yet other times I thought I was in Memphis and at one point I thought I was live at the GRAMMYS! What a Fantastical Show! If the band played any tighter we would have needed liquid wrench to get you guys out the door! I’ve got to admit the acoustics are great at the Thunderbird, but that means nothing if there’s no band to play……And, you guys Rocked!
Maybe it’s my imagination, but Charlie finally found the switch to allow Al’s keyboard to “Light Up”! You can hear a noticeable difference in his confidence level. Al really complimented the proven talent on the stage. Each member brought their A-Game and John, you were very much the “Entertainer”. Anybody with a voice can sing, but not every singer can entertain. Your stage presence and personalized messages impress and mesmerize the crowd. And what a crowd we had for a Thursday night! John Pergle was impressed and gave me a “Thumbs Up” on his brief appearance. I’m looking forward to getting a de-briefing from him and I’ll let you know his impressions when I learn them.
John, please pass on my appreciation to our band. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed sharing you guys last night with my old band leader Danny Ostronic. I played in the Daniel George Quintet 100 years ago (1965-1973) . Our band fell apart about the time we started taking requests from the audience. It seemed our most frequent request was for our band to disband! And, the rest was history! Danny couldn’t believe the talent that you assembled! He enjoyed each piece from Carmen’s Sax (he told me I should have taken some lessons from Carmen), to Jump’n Joe’s blending of Rhythm and vocals, to Russ’ melodic bass to Stephen’s great leads to the glue plastered down by THE drummer, Mr. Funky himself! Great Job All.
Of course, lurking in the background was the ever present Lokar the Lighthouse! Man, he’s a beacon that puts the spotlight on the band and represents us so well. And always there’s the master mixer Charlie. I’m convinced he actually knows what each of those buttons controls, because the sound was Spot On!
Thanks guys for quite a ride!
Jim
OCTOBER 2008-
Frank, John, Bob, Charlie, Jess, Susan, Ron, Stephen, Russ, Carmen, Joe, Al and the Catholic Babes,
Congratulations! You guys pulled off one of your finest efforts ever! I’ve never been so proud and honored to be associated with your talents as I was last evening. The one common thread amongst the variety of personalities and abilities in this crew is……THEY’RE ALL GOOD MEN! And, that goes for Susan, Jess and there Catholic Babes as well– in their own way!!! Frank, what a GREAT job! The composition, editing and massaging was in the words of Andy Gaspar…”UNBELIEVABLE”. I really enjoyed how you made a song into a story. Without any benefit of knowing the lyrical lines, a viewer could visually decipher the message. My special treat last night was keeping one eye on the video and the other eye on Frank’s face. Our Director really scanned the audience to perceive how his monumental effort was being received. Some scenes were more artistic than others i.e. the apple, snake, drooling, Catholic Girl shenanigans and pool table. Frank’s face would tense up until he garnered some positive feedback. I’m sure many, many, many untold hours were invested in mixing just the right amount of music, musicianship and story telling into one 4 minute video. This production was a GRAND SLAM worthy of a Bottom of the Ninth, 7th Game of the World Series. Not even Bill Mazeroski could have made me more proud and excited! Of course, Bill never wore a Nied’s Hotel Uniform!!! And Ladies, You put the HOT into HAWT!!! I sure hope Billie Jo takes this video to the Playboy Mansion with her in April! Wait until their Producers get a Peek at Pittsburgh’s Finest! You gals radiated and exude sensuality in a Catholic Nice kind of way. Is that even possible! You bet your Sweet A _ _ it is!!!Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!JimIn response… a word from Frank Ferraro:
Jimmy-
I am so honored to have been introduced to the nied’s family. Everyone from your establishment to the bandmembers have so been kind and overwhelmingly gracious. I really dont understand how I have come to deserve the attention. I am in awe of John Vento, he has been so generous to me and my family, he is without question the greatest gift I have ever received. I am still riding high from the response the other night. I never expected such a powerful response. I have been high on the energy for the last few days, and I am really looking foward to the next video. I really want to top this one!Johnny/Jimmy, what else can a say, its a wonderful life!Love you both very much,FrankPS- If ever there is anything I can do for you please do not hesitate to ask my friend.
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FEBRUARY 2008-
John,
You worked your magic once again! This performance was truly one that I found most enjoyable. My feet were tap’n and I sung along (silently….by request) to the music. After listening to our most recent CD for the umpteenth time I can sing most of the words by heart. In fact, I’ve lost the ability to distinguish the difference from your original works and the cover tunes. To me they’re all winners. Hats off to the collaboration you put together of lyrists and melody writers…All have produced some great work that you bring to the performance. The nucleus of NHB provided the core for a successful show. Steve really ratcheted up his guitar licks and played lead like it was second nature. Man, is that dude talented. Carmen’s Sax contributions were clear and brought great dimension and Maz provided the ivory sounds that complimented each song. Once again, Ronnie was Ronnie. You know your good when you just “Do It” and make it look effortless. That to me is the difference between a good player and a great player. That being said, Ronnie’s best beat that night was putting a lasso around Russ “O” and his fantastic bass to our drummer’s beat!Was it me, or are you of the same opinion that the MVP’s that evening were the sound and the light guys!? Rich is definitely one of those guys who busts his butt and works his magic out of view of the crowd. Maybe the acoustics of the Orpheus were conducive to a great sound “Throughout” the hall, but in the many performances I attended I never heard the various instruments each as clear as they were that evening. Carmen’s Sax was at a perfect level as well as bass, both guitars and keyboard. For just coming back from a work/vacation, Rich really had his “A” Game on Saturday night. John, you’ll have to refresh my memory, but I can’t remember who worked the lights that evening. In the darken hall and with the black backdrops the various combinations of color and light movements was reminiscent of a Lawrenceville Studio 54!!!!And………….where did Joe come from? He’s certainly no ordinary Joe! I spoke with him early in the evening and was impressed with his demeanor and enthusiasm. It seemed like Joe just wanted to play a song or two, but instead he contributed the entire evening like he had been practicing with the band from day one.And………….once again you delivered on the promise of “Wait til you hear our new bass player”! Russ certainly knows his way around music and provided a bottom and a musical beat that drove the music.
And………….more than one person came up to me and said what a great job the “Blonde” did and wished there was more of her! Of course I’m sure you’d also like more of her!!!!! Susan has grown from a credible singer to an accomplished singer. No combination can beat beauty, brains, talent and character.
And……….there’s not a bigger character out there than you! The Orpheus club was very pleased with the evening of entertainment provided and look forward to being our host again.
And………..I’d be remiss if I didn’t comment on the one ingredient that I found missing. The one ingredient that I always look forward to with admiration and sorely missed. THE COLONEL! From what I hear he was in Sick-Bay and unable to get a “Hall Pass” for the night. Bob’s contributions behind the scenes talking to management and talent alike are always a bonus for the group. The Colonel puts the P into P.R.! No finer Ambassador can be found between Pittsburgh and the United Nations!
Thanks again for all that you and the guys do and for making me proud to be affiliated in some small way.
Jim
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DECEMBER 2007-
I’d like to thank everyone for all their efforts in the past and most recently at the Iron City Ober Brau Haus! The reviews keep flowing faster than a new vat of blessed hops, grains and barley! You guys were a “HIT” with the crowd and were the defining ingredient to the most successful Christmas Party in Lawrenceville’s History!!! The previous night (November 30th) was the official Light Up Night in our Community, but it took until the next day for residents to get “LIT!” Of course, 5 kegs of beer would have something more to do with that than a string of lights! I recanted a few tales to the Brewery Management how long time Miller/Bud drinkers abandoned the National brands and converted to Iron City this week. Tony took a few of the examples I gave him to a sales meeting. His comments were that they are now looking to promote and convert brand loyalty one person at a time…..and it starts with activities such as were promoted by the NHB! It’s great to see a WIN/WIN turn into a WIN/WIN/WIN/WIN! Parkinson people are happy, my customers are happy, my friends and family are happy, Iron City is happy, and my caterer is happy! This could never have happened without each and everyone of you contributing your valuable time and considerable talents. Most noteworthy is how a few personnel and technical difficulties failed to derail a great performance. A great big “THANK YOU” goes out to Maz and Carmen who stepped up to the plate to insure the band was able to perform up to the high standards that our leader JV requires. It would not have sounded as professional without your contributions. Rich…..you’re an electronic maestro! JF and the Honda lady continue to impress with lead and harmonious background vocals as well as “Kick Ass” Axe work! John, I swear you can make your guitar SING! And Rhonda, I just truly enjoy your stage presence and obvious enjoyment of what you do so well. A final, but important cudo goes out to the inimitable Ronnie “B”. Never once has a time gone by (when discussing with pride the talent of the NHB) that I have failed to mention the good fortune of having Mr. Beitle bless us with his participation! How rare is it to “Know” a #1 recording artist, yet be connected at the (drum) skin with him?! Very rare indeed. The one thing I noticed about Ronnie is his unflappable demeanor. Man, he can roll with whatever comes his way. From medical issues to shared drum set issues to technical difficulties he just continues to rock! It’s either in his soul….or in his Bourbon, but whatever it is he’s got “IT”!Thanks Ronnie for being like a Chinese Abacus…. WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON YOU!JV….Suffice to say your enthusiasm and singing abilities as well as your genuine and self deprecating style make you truly one of a kind. The world is a better place because of you and all you do.Of course, what is a band without a promoter? (maybe like a tree making no noise when it falls in the woods with no one around?). Colonel, behind every great puppet act is a person pulling the strings. You have the uncanny ability to pull the right string at the right time! I truly believe you should start your own Consulting Business titled….”LOKAR’S LIGHTHOUSE”…where the light is always lit! You always provide great counsel and insight.Hope to see all you soon…..You guys always make my day. Jim
Comments
Comment from Tom Westwood
Time: December 12, 2007, 10:54 am
sure do miss “The Burgh”, “The Ville”, Iron City Beer, and of course the #1 fish sandwich in the states. Hope to get back to the Burgh real soon. Yunz take care and have a Merry Christmas. GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment from Tim Nemeth
Time: January 5, 2008, 5:12 pm
Hi Jim
Want to thank you for the bag of goodies sent with my Parents when they visited your fine establishment with Dorothy and Aunt Lorraine , I got a kick out of the CD its my type of music , the shirt I”ll get a lot of use out it by the way I still wear the other shirts your Dad sent back My Parents still talk about the wonderful time they had while visiting Pittsburgh. I”m spend the evening routing for the Steelers so go Steelers
PS I like your website
Comment from Tom Robinson
Time: January 13, 2008, 12:54 pm
I’m glad I found this little niche in cyberspace.
I grew up on 54th and 53rd streets in the 50’s. EVERY Friday night it was a big deal for me to be sent down the hill to Nieds and pick up a bag of fish sandwiches for the family dinner. I have yet to taste a better fish sandwich!
Wish I could get back to da’Burgh more often than I do.
Comment from Porkchop from Chicago
Time: February 4, 2008, 2:47 am
Jim, John V & the nieds hotel band, Rheme Cleo and all the cool people @ the Orpheus club…
Got to say, you all rock!
We had a great time.. the vibe, the tunes, and the chance to work the spotlight made it a most memorable night.
Well worth the flight in from Chi-town!
Big loves….
your pal,
Porkchop
Comment from Ed Jonnet
Time: May 14, 2008, 2:51 pm
Jim, It was a pleasure to meet you. I had a great time playing sax with the band April 19th. That was a great night. It was also a pleasure to have that fabulous fish sandwich friday. I used to go to the Nied Hotel as a kid with my parents back in the 50s. I look foward to seeing you again on the 6th of June when I play with John and the band..
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