Modulators return to ’Tween Waters to celebrate Crow’s Nest 30th anniversary

For the last 20 years, the Modulators have made their annual pilgrimage from Cincinnati to Captiva to rock the Crow’s Nest the first two weeks of January — and 2011 will be no different. 

The Modulators are Mike Grathwohl (guitar and vocals), Mark Rasmussen (sax and vocals), Michael Barrett (bass and vocals), Dave McMahan (keyboards and vocals), Steve Sailer (drums), Jimmy Nolan (trombone and vocals), Chris Miller (trumpet and vocals) and Gus Thierry (percussion).

“We are always pleased to have the Modulators back at the Crow's Nest. Not 

only do I get to stay up later than normal, I also get to see a lot of old

friends who have been around here for 30-plus years like me!” said ’Tween Waters General Manager Jeff Shuff.

But for 2011, Mandy Gaines — a full time Modulator in the 1990s — will reunite with the band after spending years performing all over the world. 

“It’s great to be able to come back with the Modulators — it’s like a reunion,” Gaines said. “I’m looking forward to being back on Captiva — it’s a family and friends kind of thing.”

And as an additional cause for celebration, Gaines’ and the Modulators’ stay will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Crow’s Nest. A special party will be held to celebrate on Jan. 8.

“If you were here in the 1980s, the Crow's Nest was the hot spot for live 

entertainment on the islands as well as the mainland. Most of the acts were from out of state and some went on to regional and even national fame. Tim Jardis, who was the lounge manager at the time booked the groups and has supplied us with cassettes — remember those? — featuring recordings of many bands from that time,” Shuff said. “The night of the party, we will be playing songs, for those who remember, from Dr. Hector & the Groove Injectors, The Truly Dangerous Swamp Band, The Daves, Lucky Peterson, Nappy Brown, Steve Guidus, John Salamon and others. It will be a Blast!”

The Modulators will perform Dec. 31 through Jan. 15.

Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Gaines will perform at the Crow’s Nest on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Jan. 4-8 and Jan. 11-15. By JANE BRICKLEY