Here on the Charlie Tonic Hour, we’ve never been shy about our support and enthusiasm for the Lexington based band Ford Theater Reunion. I don’t know if it’s their unique sound, the passion they put into their music, or just because they are clearly cooler than us but still let us hang out with them, but we can’t get enough. We’ve interviewed them, drank with them, made them the theme song on Bottoms Up, and occasionally cuddled with them. So of course we were super excited to get the following press release from the group.

For the past eight months Kentucky’s premier Circus-Punk ensemble has been hard at work in Sneak Attack! Studios, alongside producer/engineer Jason Groves, crafting the most musically ambitious project in their nearly five-year history.

This collection of recordings marks a new direction for one of Kentucky’s most unusual bands.  An eight-piece in their previous studio work, “Monsters” sees FTR distilled down to five members.  This new lineup makes for a tighter, more cohesive sound, without sacrificing the huge sonic landscape and complex arrangements the group has become known for across the region.

“Famous Monsters” will be officially released on July 5 at Cosmic Charlie’s in Lexington KY.  The release show will feature a jam-packed bill of the regions strangest and most interesting musical acts and performers, including Qiet (gypsy-circus rock from Huntington WV), Fable Cry (freak folk cabaret duo from Nashville TN), and Lexington’s own Deadly Sins Burlesque and Tinderbox Circus Sideshow!  The event begins at 9:00pm, costs $7 at the door, and is 18+ ($5 surcharge for minors).

Following the release, the CD will be available for purchase at all of our upcoming shows, at CD Central in Lexington, and online at thefordtheatrereunion.com.  The full album will also be available for download later in July at fordtheatrereunion.bandcamp.com.  The first single, “Alligator”, is streaming now on the official website, as well as Facebook and ReverbNation.

FTR will also be on the road, across the Midwest and Southeast, in support of the new album through this coming fall.  You (and your readers) can head on over to thefordtheatrereunion.com to see the full schedule of appearances.

I listened to an advance copy of the album this morning and all hyperbole aside, it is phenomenal. The group has really grown both as musicians and storytellers on this album. Lyrically they have taken their dark carnival sound to a further, creepier level but haven’t lost the rye edge of humor that keeps the songs from veering into gothic self pretension. Of course this did not stop the song “Tea and Cakes” from giving me chills.

Musically FTR is sounding really tight and mature. This was a really well produced album and the instruments and vocals balance nicely. The group is lucky to have three talented vocalists, all with a unique sound, that they weave together or use individually to keep each track sounding fresh and engaging. I wish that I knew more about music so that I could better describe the album but since I don’t, I recommend that rather than taking my word for it, you listen to ‘Alligator’ off ‘Famous Monsters’ right here.

It’s a blast from the past for Bourbon Day today. In honor of the invention of bourbon by Elijah Craig in 1789 we present you with a review of our favorite “everyday” bourbon, Ancient Age 10 Star. This more modest bottle out of the Buffalo Trace distillery is a lovely, rye-heavy, bourbon that is surprisingly smooth for the price point. Although the 10 Star hasn’t been as available lately you should snap up a bottle if you find one. If your local liquor store doesn’t have it, go ahead and splurge on the 10 year. You won’t regret it.

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Run Time: 8 Minutes, 23 Seconds

Download the episode: bottomsup018.mp3
Subscribe to the show: bottomsup.libsyn.com/rss | iTunes: Bottoms Up

  

Photo by Cara Suppa with
Joe Harbison and Eric Myers
at The V Club Night ClubBrought To You By the Same People Who Created
The Charlie Tonic Hour | Tonic Tours 

Charlie refuses to miss a week of the show and records a very heartfelt mini-episode live without edits after receiving some sad news and starting a drive north to be with family.

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Run Time: 8 Minutes, 48 Seconds
Download the episode: charlietonichour077.mp3
Subscribe to the show: iTunes |  charlietonic.libsyn.com/rss

Many people who drink shy away from tequila having sampled rougher versions of this fine beverage in their youth. Join Ginny Tonic and Charlie as they demystify the aging process a bit and share some pointers on how to find the good stuff. Along the way they share a great summer cocktail and sample a very nice 1800 Reposado Tequila. Your short shot of alcohol just before the weekend is ready to enjoy!

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Run Time: 11 Minutes and 57 Seconds

Download the episode: bottomsup017.mp3
Subscribe to the show: bottomsup.libsyn.com/rss | iTunes: Bottoms Up

1800 Reposado Tequila
(From the official website 1800tequila.com) 

Blue agave plants are grown high above the sea in mineral-rich volcanic soil in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. It takes eight years for the agave plants to ripen, and they can only be harvested once.

The jimado, the worker who harvests the agave plants, uses tools such as a coa, a steel-tipped hoe, to uproot the agave plant from the iron rich soil, and a machete to cut the spiny leaves from the body of the plant.

This reveals a large pineapple-shaped heart of the plant called a pina. The pinas, which can weigh over 100 lbs., are then transported to the distillery to begin the Tequila-making process.

The pinas are steamed in large stone ovens for up to 48 hours to enhance the flavor. The cooked pinas are then pressed in mills in order to extract the agave juice. The resulting juice is fermented and double-distilled. This distillate is then ready to be aged in oak barrels. Depending on the tequila product, various aging techniques may be applied.

Silver tequilas, also referred to as white or blanco, are typically unaged, but rest up to 59 days in wood. Reposado or “rested” tequilas are aged for 2 to 11 months in French or American oak barrels. Finally, Anejo or “Aged” tequilas are aged for 1 year or more in French or American oak barrels.

The Grapefruit Margarita
(From the book “The Sprouted Kitchen” by Sara Forte)

Turbinado sugar, for the rim
4 segments pink grapefruit, membrane reoved
Ice
1/4 cup (2 ounces) freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) agave nectar, as needed
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) triple sec
1/4 cup (2 ounces) reposado tequila
splash of coconut water

Pour a thin layer of the sugar onto a small plate. Rub a wedge of grapefruit around the rom of an old-fashioned-size glass, and roll the rim in the plate of sugar to coat. Set aside.

Put the grapefruit segments at the bottom of the prepared glass and fill it with ice. Add the grapefruit juice, agave nectar, triple sec, and tequila and give it a quick stir. Top the drink off with a generous splash of coconut water. Serve immediately.

Alex Johns From
Ford Theatre Reunion Pictured 

Brought To You By the Same People Who Create
The Charlie Tonic Hour | Tonic Tours | Derby City Comic Con

]]> http://www.charlietonic.com/2013/06/07/bottoms-up-17-1800-reposado-tequila/feed/ 0 http://www.charlietonic.com/2013/06/05/episode-76-arrested-development-marijuana-and-an-afternoon-delight/ http://www.charlietonic.com/2013/06/05/episode-76-arrested-development-marijuana-and-an-afternoon-delight/#comments Wed, 05 Jun 2013 20:56:16 +0000 Charlie http://www.charlietonic.com/?p=4049

This week sees the return of a few classics things that Ginny and Charlie loved in their youth, but before we get to the main segments, Ginny shares her experiences leading bourbon tasting at a party. After that they discuss the new season of Arrested Development and discuss the implications of the coming “Starbucks of Pot.” Finally Ginny makes up an Afternoon Delight and we end with some classic rock. It is a groovy fun show this week that you won’t want to miss!

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Run Time: 53 Minutes, 57 Seconds

Download the episode: charlietonichour076.mp3
Subscribe to the show: iTunes |  charlietonic.libsyn.com/rss

Ginny Tonic Hosts A Private Bourbon
Tasting for Tonic Tours

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 Segment 2 – Arrested Development

(Starts at 12 minutes, 46 seconds into the show)

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 Segment 3 - The Starbucks of Marijuana

(Starts at 25 minutes, 50 seconds into the show)

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The Article That Inspired the Segment
The Starbucks of Pot

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 Segment 3 – Bottoms Up
Afternoon Delight

(Starts at 41 minutes, 07 seconds into the show)

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Ginny Tonic’s Article on the Drink
The Afternoon Delight
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  Segment 5 – Closing Out The Show
(Starts at 46 minutes, 22 seconds into the show)

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Charlie and Ginny’s Music Recommendation For This Week
Jim Croce – Hey Tomorrow

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Join Ginny Tonic for a Tour!

Tonic Tours

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Don’t Miss Charlie’s Convention

June 29, 2013

derbycitycomiccon.com

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Our New Show Continues Friday

Bottoms Up

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The Music You Hear Throughout the Episode
www.callingdoctorbombay.com

Subscribe to our mailing list

With Arrested Development and a discussion of Marijuana legalization coming up in Episode 76 this week, I just couldn’t resist finding a drink that would tie the two items together. What better than an “afternoon delight?” This was a drink where I thought of the name and knew there must be a recipe to match it somewhere. And it turns out there were a lot of recipes. Pretty much every bartender out there seems to have come up with some cocktail by this name and none of them were in the least related. Reading all the recipes and picking the one I liked best (and had the ingredients for) was one of the most fun parts of the show. In case you haven’t seen Arrested Development here is how ‘Afternoon Delight’ is used in the show.

Afternoon Delight

1 1/2 ounces gin
2 ounces orange juice
4 ounces fresh grapefruit juice

Combine all ingredients over ice, stir and top with club soda.

While Ginny Tonic and Charlie were down in Memphis, they took time out to look for local craft beers and learned just how great they have it in Cincinnati. That said, they came back with two local favorites, Lazy Magnolia Brewing’s Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale and Ghost River Brewing’s Golden Ale. Listen as they discuss Memphis beer culture, sample a bottle each of these beers and share tales from the road.

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Run Time: 12 Minutes and 41 Second

Download the episode: bottomsup016.mp3
Subscribe to the show: bottomsup.libsyn.com/rss | iTunes: Bottoms Up

The Beers of Memphis

Ghost River Brewing’s Golden Ale
(From the official website ghostriverbrewing.com)

Ghost River Golden Ale is brewed with the finest two-row malted barley and German variety hops, Ghost River’s mellow, refreshing character is accentuated by Memphis’ soft water. Munich and caramel malts give this beer enough sweetness to balance the crisp, dry finish.

Lazy Magnolia Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale
(From the official website lazymagnolia.com)

Mark is the crazy, creative force behind Lazy Magnolia. He comes up with ideas that often seem to have no chance of succeeding. One of those ideas was to make a beer with pecans. Many attempts at nut-beers have resulted in failure due to the high oil content. Mark was determined, so Leslie designed the recipe to work around the problem of nut oil. Even so, she had very little faith in the creation until they poured the first perfect pint. Southern Pecan has been a big hit ever since.

Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale is the first beer in the world, to our knowledge, made with whole roasted pecans. The pecans are used just like grain and provide a nutty characteristic and a delightful depth to the flavor profile. This beer is very lightly hopped to allow the malty, caramel, and nutty flavors shine through. The color is dark mahogany. Southern Pecan won a Bronze Medal in the 2006 World Beer Cup in the Specialty Beer category.

Brought To You By the Same People Who Create
The Charlie Tonic Hour | Tonic Tours | Derby City Comic Con

It’s the Charlie Tonic “Magic Mystery Trip” Year 1 as Charlie hits the highway with Ginny Tonic taking her to an undisclosed location within the US. As you can guess from the episode title, it was Memphis. Ride along for a “road show” episode as Ginny and Charlie share audio from the trip, tell a ton of stories, visit a very amazing bar and share what has been described as the very first song of rock and roll. It’s the beginning of an annual travel tradition for these two and the show. Be here from the start!

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Run Time: 1 hour, 21 Minutes, 36 Seconds

Download the episode: charlietonichour075.mp3
Subscribe to the show: iTunes |  charlietonic.libsyn.com/rss

 Bottoms Up!
The Green Beetle, Memphis 

(Featured Audio Starts at 1 hour, 5 minutes, 16 seconds into the show)

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www.thegreenbeetlememphis.com

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As We Wrap Things Up

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Charlie and Ginny’s Music Recommendation For This Week
Rocket 88 (Original Version) – Ike Turner/Jackie Brenston

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Join Ginny Tonic for a Tour!

Tonic Tours

—
Don’t Miss Charlie’s Convention

June 29, 2013

derbycitycomiccon.com

—

Our New Show Continues Friday

Bottoms Up

—

The Music You Hear Throughout the Episode
www.callingdoctorbombay.com

Subscribe to our mailing list

This week on Bottoms Up we take a closer look at a single barrel bourbon named after a living legend. Elmer T. Lee. Named after Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee, this 90 proof bourbon put out by the Buffalo Trace Distillery is a balanced, rich bourbon good for sipping or in a cocktail. And use it in a cocktail we did, as Ginny gives her muddler a workout and makes a Blackberry Bourbon Fizz.  This one is guaranteed to make you thirsty.

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Run Time: 12 Minutes and 42 Second

Download the episode: bottomsup015.mp3
Subscribe to the show: bottomsup.libsyn.com/rss | iTunes: Bottoms Up

Elmer T. Lee Bourbon
(From the official website buffalotracedistillery.com)

Named after Master Distiller Emeritus Elmer T. Lee, this whiskey is hand selected and bottled to the taste and standards of Elmer T. Lee himself.  Perfectly balanced and rich, as declared by the man who knows how great bourbon should taste.

TASTING NOTES:  The nose brings notes of clover, vanilla, and old leather. The flavor balances fruit, honey and vanilla with a light spiciness. A long and warm finish.

The Story of Elmer T. Lee
buffalotracedistillery.com/craftsmen/lee

Blackberry Bourbon Fizz

4-5 blackberries

1 ½ ounces Elmer T Lee Bourbon

¾ ounce Domain de Canton

3 ounces club soda

1 basil leaf

Muddle the blackberries at the bottom of a highball glass.
Add the bourbon, Domain de Canton and some ice
and then top with club soda. Garnish with a basil leaf.

Photos from the Tasting

Elmer T. Lee and the Ice Ball

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Muddling In Action

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The Image Ginny Mentions During the Show

Photo by Amanda ArnoldBrought To You By the Same People Who Create
The Charlie Tonic Hour | Tonic Tours | Derby City Comic Con

This week Ginny and Charlie enjoy a night of great beer, an unexpected Killer’s Concert, and meet up with friends at a Gatsby-worthy house for a few drinks. And that was just Thursday. You will have to listen to get the rest of the weekend. And if you do you will also learn about an impressive new bourbon review website, get an earful of innuendos (if you know what I mean,) and learn the secret to a great cup of coffee. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. Another episode of the Charlie Tonic Hour is about to hit your ears.

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Run Time: 56 Minutes, 54 Seconds

Download the episode: charlietonichour074.mp3
Subscribe to the show: iTunes |  charlietonic.libsyn.com/rss

The Queen City Drinks Party

More photos from the event

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Stumbling Upon The Killers

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The Lackman and Giacomo’s House

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Rise of the Guardians

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Wonderfest

Show coverage hub at Comic Related

Related Recap Podcast Starring Ginny and
Charlie Coming Later This Week!
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The beer of Ginny’s brother’s Party

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First ticket since Ginny was 17

 Segment 2 – Bourbonr.com

(Starts at 17 minutes, 38 seconds into the show)

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www.bourbonr.com

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 Segment 3 - Euphemisms

(Starts at 26 minutes, 5 seconds into the show)

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The Article That Inspired the Segment
The 10 most scandalous euphemisms

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 Segment 3 – Bottoms Up
The Wobbly Coffee

(Starts at 34 minutes, 13 seconds into the show)

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Southern-Irish Coffee (aka Wobbly Coffee)

1 ½ ounces Tennessee Whiskey (We used Davy Crockett’s)
1 ½ ounces Bailey Irish Cream
Pour these into a mug and then fill with fresh hot coffee.
Top with whipped cream and enjoy!
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  Segment 5 – Closing Out The Show
(Starts at 46 minutes, 22 seconds into the show)

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Charlie and Ginny’s Music Recommendation For This Week
Bloodhound Gang – The Bad Touch

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Join Ginny Tonic for a Tour!

Tonic Tours

—
Don’t Miss Charlie’s Convention

June 29, 2013

derbycitycomiccon.com

—

Our New Show Continues Friday

Bottoms Up

—

The Music You Hear Throughout the Episode
www.callingdoctorbombay.com

Subscribe to our mailing list