ANOTHER TASH BROTHERS NYC MARATHON COMPLETED, THANK YOU VERY MUCH

The Tash Brothers Band has completed our 18th straight New York City Marathon. Nor running in it, of course, that would only invite disaster for a bunch of grisly old rockers like ourselves, but playing loud and fast rock & roll to propel the runners. We play at the beginning of the race, right in front of the Bay RIdge Honda car dealership on 4th Avenue & 88th Street in Brooklyn. We get the racers when they are fresh and full of pep, barreling off the Verrazano Bridge and on the first leg of crossing the Center of The Universe, Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.A., Planet Earth.

This year the world's largest marathon got even bigger, with over 40,000 people trying to run the 26 miles. Most experts agree that it is the annual appearance of The Tash Brothers Band that has made this race the world-famous phenomenon that is has become. During our 18-year run playing at the race in rain, shine or cold, it has grown larger and the average running times have gown smaller. Coincidence? Hardly. Researchers here at bobcrespo.com have completed a comprehensive and exhaustive study (Okay, not that comprehensive, but pretty exhausting for a bunch of people who cannot run 26 blocks, never mind 26 miles.) and have reported that the most influential factor in the growing popularity of the NYC Marathon has been the Tash Brothers.

Statistics do, however, bear out the fact that the great majority of sports fans just do not give a rat's ass about long-distance running, but well over 95% of them love a good rocking, bluesy, loud rock & roll band, and The Tash Brothers are among the best at belting out some full-tilt boogie numbers to enflame the crowd and the competitors, making the New York City Marathon truly a spectacle to behold. And these runners you've got to love, once you get past the little world class racers who zip by in earnest silence, looking neither left nor right, never acknowledging the legions of supporters all along the route, fiercely concentrating on the advanced skill of putting one foot in front of the other. Not a showman in the bunch. Snowmen show more flair and personality. Is it any wonder that no one can remember who won this thing last year?

It's the rest of the runners who make the show a blast, amateurs from all walks of life who have tortured their bodies and whipped themselves into shape for what has to be one of the most physically demanding feats in sports (we'll just give that one to them since no Tash Brother will ever field-test that theory). These people come running down 4th Avenue in huge clusters as they begin their big adventure. Once the get within earshot of the band (and we're really loud so that's about a quarter of a mile in all directions) their running turns into a sort of dance and they wave and scream and cheer back at the spectators. A lot of them stop in front of the band to take pictures, dance, shake a tambourine and sing a little bit before getting back into the race all charged up with Tash Brothers music.

These are the runners New Yorkers remember most, people waving flags from all over the world, the lady from France carrying the Eiffel Tower on her head, the Blues Brothers costume guys, the guy with the giant rhinoceros head, the waiter balancing a tray of drinks for 26 miles, the guys dressed as nuns, the beautiful women wearing Sound of Music outfits and the handicapped people in their little wheely things whipping along like rockets. These are the runners who push the already dangerously high New York City adrenaline level into the stratosphere, the people we play our hearts out for, and who bring the joyful noise with them to the rest of this magic city.

We would like the thank all the Tash Brothers fans who came out once again at an ungodly hour of a Sunday morning to rock the runners with us, and all the long distance-running maniacs who give New York a unique and incredible show once a year, as well as the volunteers who take care of them. And a thanks to this year's expanded Tash Brothers line-up. Joining regulars Tony Burdo, Norman Greenbaum, Bob Crespo, Gary Kroman, Greg Brenner, Rick Thorin and second-generation Tash Brother A.J. Burdo were Ian Zdatny, Hank Bernstein, Tommy "Tunes" Aboussleman and young Gregory the Trumpet Guy, who are invited back next year and every year as long as we can sling our guitars.

And a special thanks to all who donated food to City Harvest to help feed New York City's hungry. The Tash Brothers would like everyone to remember this worthy charity this time of year, and every other time of year too. Google them and see how you can help our brothers and sisters in need. Everyone's invited next year, first Sunday in November, 9:30 in the morning at 4th Avenue & 88th Street in Brooklyn. Make your plans now for a New York City extravaganza you'll never forget. Be a Tash Brother or Tash Sister for a special day. Meanwhile, don't forget to boogie.