Ladies & Gentlemen: It's finally HOCKTOBER!!!

Yes, the day we didn't think we'd see way back in April has finally arrived. It is October 1st and we are in the Month Of Hockey!

Last night, while I was at the Boulton Center, the Islanders were featured on one of my favorite shows, 30 Rock. I didn't get to see it, but there are clips floating around the net where a character in a Tavares jersey chirps Matt Moulson.

Well, you certainly know you've arrived when you're featured on a network sitcom during prime time. Matt Moulson: YOU have arrived. I'd love to know who made this happen. It's awesome. Not that what Kevin Conolly does on HBO isn't great, but COME ON!! This is NBC! This is 30 ROCK! This is awesome! What's next? Rob Schremp does a cameo appearance on Saturday Night Live? It could happen!

So while the Islanders can be featured on a major network during prime-time, Cablevision has decided not to air the Islanders preseason games. I understand that when the games are being played in a local arena in Saskatoon. I don't understand when the games are being played at the Prudential Center against another Tri-state team that is prominently featured on the MSG networks.

So while the Devils will play the Islanders tonight, I have no idea how to follow the game other than Twitter updates and pirate websites. Personally I think that's a pathetic decision on the part of MSG.

Saturday, October 2nd the Islanders will be playing their only pre-season game at the Coliseum. At least I'll be able to see that one - in person.

Sidenote: Richard Marx and Matt Scannell performing as an accoustic "Duo" (the name of their CDs) are nothing less than impressive. Talented, funny and engaging they spent two hours going through old songs and new ones as if reading from a personal diary with raw exposed emotion.

Scannell of Vertical Horizon and Richard Marx of the 80s Mullet have a special chemistry together that brings out the best in each other. See them if you can, buy the CD if you can't.

Ricahrd Marx & Matt Scannell Epiphany

Sometimes things just come together for me. I'm very lucky that way. Last night was one of those nights.

While surfing the net earlier in the week, B.A.M. noticed that Richard Marx was performing at the YMCA Boulton Center in Bay Shore on Friday March 6th.

"You LIKED Richard Marx, didn't you?" he asked me with his finger on the BUY button.

"Yeah. Loved him in the big 80s." trying to belie my "Yeah, he was adorable." thought in my head.

CLICK. They were purchased. With my only child out that night for a concert as well, it was date night for the Karls. Second show concert at 9:30 pm, dinner before.

We originally were going to go to the BBQ place on Main Street, but with a 45 minute wait, it was cutting it too close. We opted for the very elegant Chinese restaurant on the corner ccalled Peninsula (fs). Don't even ask what the (fs) stands for. We have no idea. But the blend of Chinese and Japanese food is outstanding and the service is impeccable. Okay, the drinks are a little Manhattan pricey, but they are so pretty, I didn't mind paying $9 a piece. Besides, they offered up Plum Wine, Almond Cookies and fresh fruit along with the check. I haven't seen that type of service since I was ten years-old and living in Jericho.

We walked the less than half block to the Boulton Center and I grabbed a $5 glass of red wine from the lobby concession. This little theater in the middle of Bay Shore is such a find. There isn't a bad seat in the house. It's cozy, intimate and reasonably priced. Perfect for this bad economy.

We didn't know what to expect of the "Duo" (which is also the name of their collaborative CD). What we were treated to was beyond exceptional. Richard Marx and Matt Scannell are like two sides of a talent Oreo. They just fit perfectly together with two brilliant careers between them. Their harmony could only rival that of Simon and Garfunkle or the Indigo Girls. The music was nothing overly complicated, but it was perfectly executed. Both these "Song Writers" as they like to put on their country entrance papers, just ooze talent from every pore.

Marx no longer sports his trademark big 80s mullet, but his perfectly coiffed "$8 worth of hair products" do is a stark contrast to Scannell's shaved bald, bad-ass look. There are years between them in age, perhaps decades. But they are the perfect team. Close friends and collaborators.

Considering the darkness of some of Scannell's lyrics, we're assuming it's Marx's light hearted humor that keeps Scannell from jumping off a ledge. His inner emotional pain was apparent on "Give You Back" as the audience sat silent, occasionally dabbing the moisture from their eyes.

But Marx never let the show get out of hand. He brings the audience in and hugs them. He encourages them to sing and begs them to take pictures. He tells stories that makes them laugh, he lets them into his life with songs like "Your World" written for his first son. He tells the story of his wife's insistence that "Hazard" would be a hit while he wasn't thrilled with it. Of course, women are usually right.

All I can say is... Find these guys on You Tube and be amazed. See them if they come to your town. Buy the CD "DUO" if you can locate it. Prepare to laugh and be amazed. Twelve hours later, I still am.

*Note: If you can't catch these two together, both are touring separately. Richard Marx continuing his solo efforts and Matt with his band Veriticle Horizon.