Two people very close to me had pretty major events happen simultaneously this past Saturday night. Anna Fermin and Jeff Pflueger are both great musicians, songwriters and entertainers. They are also both, very much, regular people. They are normal folks that lead real lives and still maintain a solid presence in the music industry. And while Anna has achieved a bit more national pull and play, they are both largely identified as parents, as workers, as friends and neighbors….just people who live a regular life who also happen to have a gift and a passion. The following is a brief recap of the night of Saturday, September 12th.
Anna Fermin opens for The Who front man Roger Daltrey!!
The New Lennox Village Commons, in New Lennox, IL was the venue and the headliner was easily one of the cornerstone front-men in Rock n Roll history. Roger Daltrey of The Who was TOMMY, for shits sake….and my friend Anna is opening for him, what??? That’s right, Tremper grad and growing up in Pleasant Prairie Anna Fermin is sharing the stage with a legend. What Roger didn’t know is he was kinda sharing the stage with a bit of a legend in her own circles. Anna is a known commodity in the Chicago music scene. She has the resume, she has the chops, she has the experience and paid the dues of a person who has earned the right to have this opportunity happen. And as the true pro that she is, she found a way to be available, she was prepared personally and professionally and she went out and killed as though she was out there opening for me. She is a person with a responsibility to her family (both sons brilliant AND completely home schooled), she holds a huge role in Filipino communities of SE Wisconsin and NW Illinois, she is an entrepreneur and along with her husband, she is a successful businesswoman based out of Portugal, via the near south side of Chicago with responsibilities in Pleasant Prairie, WI. She’s international, ya know. But at the end of the day, she is a music maker. And while there have been commercial and professional success in her journey, she manages those great “wins” while managing a full plate of “life”. I honestly don’t know where “opening for Roger Daltrey” falls in the spectrum of amazing stuff that has happened to her out in the music scene, but I bet it is kinda high up the ladder. I respect Anna as a person, because she is good to the core, and I respect Anna as a musician because she lives her passion while being many things to many people in her personal life. Maybe the “music gods” thought it was time for a payoff to a musical soldier who has given the industry much more than she has taken from it, with no apologies and no regrets. And there is still so much more to come. Very happy for my friend, the great Anna Fermin.
Jeff Pflueger debuts “Prayin’ For Rain” while jamming some Floog old-school!!
Old Settlers Park on Paddock Lake during their Oktoberfest celebration is a party…but add Jeff Pflueger and his multiple variations of bands, and friends and family…. and you got a throw-down of epic proportions. Jeff and my niece Heather have 3 incredibly talented daughters, Juniper, Taylor and Marlee and while relationships evolve and change, they have always been a very tight group. Jeff has always been a provider. A man who understands his responsibilities and has always produced to give his children a good life. He has succeeded. And all along that path are the footsteps of a story teller and a songwriter. Great lyrics, great ability to say a lot with a little and make it all work in a song. Now add in the fact that his daughters are amazing. Oldest daughter Juniper is silly-good. I don’t know harmony but I know people who do, and I’ve heard “I’ve been doing this my whole life and I’ve never heard anyone that can do what she does so effortlessly and organically”. Rare. And Taylor and Marlee are big time talents as well, honing their skills, developing their strengths to add to this musical tree. And Jeff has had loyal friends and musicians alongside him for much of the ride and Floog’s place in local music history, in Kenosha County, is secure. And whether it be Vibration Foundation, or Odd Roots and Jeff solo or Jeff and June…there is one constant…Jeff Pflueger….dad, businessman, family man with many responsibilities, and musician. And his newest work is an expectational mix of great new originals put together as “Prayin For Rain” with just great vocals and lyrics and musicianship. Another person who has given the entertainment industry far more than he has taken from it. And there is so much more to come. Very happy for my friend, the great Jeff Pflueger.
There are no “music scene” reporters in a newspaper any more. Millions of people can give you 1500 words on Taylor Swift…I much prefer being the one person than can give you Anna Fermin and Jeff Pflueger. The both earned their right to experience great musical success this past Saturday and they’ve earned their right to have someone write about and celebrate them.
