Gigs & Digs
by Chris Sky Shaw and Spencer Hill

THE REAL BOSS CAT, SPEAKS OUT!

Locals in the know are more than likely aware that, 140 years ago, Arlington virtually did NOT exist! “Arlington” at the time (the Civil War happened to be in full swing) was still just a name of one of George Washington’s many mill properties. And where head Boss Cat (and founder of the Bosscats) Ronnie Bartelt lives in South Arlington was, in Ron’s own words, “Washington’s personal wood lot.”
Which means that one of Arlington’s most loyal and unsung rockers isn’t only a son of Arlington, but of Alexandria –COUNTY–as well. Ronnie, well versed in local history and a fine bassist, keyboard man and vocalist, reminds the reviewer that Alexandria gave the “Arlington” portion of the Old Dominion back to the District of Columbia if they wanted it– but since they didn’t- a court house was built there, and after old G.W.’s mill finally failed, the new county took the same name– Arlington
At the head of Ron Bartelt’s quiet street sits the post-Deco pile of masonry, glass and brick known as Wakefield High School. That’s how long Ronnie has held down that spot– he attended Wakefield when it was spanking new; his son distinguished himself there, both academically and athletically, ultimately marching proudly on a graduate, as his dad had done long before.
When Ron Bartelt was matriculating from Wakefield, classic Rock’n’Roll music was giving way to progressive rock, psychedelic rock or just plain HEAVY ROCK. As Ronnie puts it, “Rock has its place, but there’s nothing like the sweetness and simplicity of the real golden oldies.” Though Ronnie learned the craft of playing electric bass, guitar and piano from some fine local country players and rockers, and played in what we might now call ‘garage’ bands during the second, if not the first Great Era of Rock’n’Roll, he and his wife Becky prospered with a series of accounting and computech-oriented businesses to sustain their household. This, Gigs and Digs does NOT hesitate to point out, is a common burden for the musically inclined in this most bureaucratic of regions. Putting food on the table and a roof over one’s head seldom comes from full-time band work around Virginia or DC, HOWEVER...Ronnie very resourcefully garnered a degree in Certified Public Accounting and managed to forge a successful practice with his devoted wife Becky. Eventually she (Rebecca) and Ronnie became the two ‘R’s in R and R Productions- although the Bartelts deal with tax work, tech issues too, it’s no fluke that R’n’R could signify Rock or Roll now, could it? Ron and his wife handle all the affairs, expenses and bookings of Ronnie and the Bosscats- and that decision assures a quality control all to often, sadly, lacking in the product one hears at local watering holes.
The Boss Cat has a special musical vision based on a singular, special fact. Ronnie, like so many “Boomer” musical trusted servants who’ve made the successful transition from wannabe to practitioner of the art; has personally EXPERIENCED the thrill and wonderment of HEARING the original Top 40 rock. Nothing compares to learning a chestnut like “Hey There Lil’ Red Ridin’ Hood,” or “Raunchy,” or “The Black Widow” off radio and then finding a bunch of neighborhood fellas who ALSO had a similar audial karezza and, KAZAAM!!- found a basement they had in common– and could play the tunes they now loved almost as fierce as Old Glory. And, as you learn to play the stuff better and better, first you play some neighbor’s basement, then a church coffee house, next a kids’ dance instruction class, then a prom party, then a sock hop, then a cotillion, why, soon you’re hot enough, maybe, JUST MAYBE TIGHT ENOUGH, to play the Rabbit’s Foot or the Bastille Club! (After all, it’s the spring of 1969, and the possibilities are nearly endless!) At the time Ronnie first stepped into rock’n’roll shoes to play what he loved, man had not taken first step on the moon; kids were still planting daisies in rifle barrels; Nixon was president, and “What’s a WEB? – a thing spiders live in ??”
Thinking of the sweet simple pleasures of the songs that he (and, I dare say, WE) lived in his younger days, Ronnie Bartelt created a slogan one day in 1994. “Playing the best Oldies of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.” Then he added to the slogan a band name – Ronnie and the Boss Cats. Then came the total concept – Taking the stage, usually to the bouncing beat of “Red River Rock” (1959–Johnny and the Hurricanes), the band, four or five pieces dressed in matching black pants, black boots, WHITE SOCKS, red shirts, and blue/silver lame’ vests– VOILA’ !!
The Boss Cat Experience was BORN.
To launch this authentic, all-around sound, Ron hand-picked some stalwart and capable friends. Ronnie has related to Sky and Spence that loyalty, dedication and sportsmanship are all-important. These qualities assume an even greater role once the musical organization starts rolling along, having survived the shakedown phase of meetings, introductions and lots of rehearsing.
As any journeying minstrel will attest, those REHEARSALS can be more painful than a root canal procedure! First, the members have to agree on material, and the criteria inherent on the songs would have to be, natch, “Do we know it, do we like it, and can we PLAY it?” Ronnie Bartelt initially experienced the flush of excitement at founding a band around ‘64, when he formed “Something New,” in honor of those four fabs from Liverpool.
By 1969 the tone was more radio rock with the combo known as Bergenfield. They played different styles, maybe a touch like the popular Buckinghams, who were definitely NOT ‘kind of a drag.” Business and raising a family took Ron somewhat out of the arena for at least two decades, but when he and Becky launched the Boss Cats in ‘94, the aspects were all in place for a successful enterprise. Today, Ronnie tells us “We’re not a bar band, we’re more of a corporate entity, playing to company functions, class reunions, charitable organizations– but first and foremost, we maintain the spirit of the original rock and roll (and Country!) Artists..”
To that end, it’s worth noting that Ronnie’s earliest guitar influences were Chet Atkins and Virginia-born Roy Clark. Now, Ronnie has mainly stayed on Bass guitar. With some advancing health and stamina issues, Bartelt has further adapted himself to a vintage and rare Fender Rhodes keyboard bass, which allows him more control of the bass line than constant reaching around the neck frets.
As this piece goes to press, Ron is reunited with his original Boss Cats, from a successful run he had, after touring briefly with the idiosyncratic troubadour from North Potomac, MD, known as TV John. George Redden, keys, and drummer Rob “Powerhouse” Johnson both had backed Mr. Television and were ready for something more rockin’ as befits their personal experience in the craft. (Please see the CRIER issues from 2001 featuring both George and Powerhouse). Joining Ron on bass and vocals, of course is the slashingly brilliant Pat Verdine on the Fender guitar.
Originally from South Philly, Pat played the Atlantic Steel Pier as a veritable lad, and his prowess soon earned him a spot on the band roster of such giants as Brenda Lee, Chubby Checker, and Frankie Avalon. Now ladies and gentlemen, THAT is Rock’n’Roll!! Needless to say, these “lads” have absolutely no problem donning the spangled silver vests and matching red-white-and-blue outfits of the Boss Cat group. These days, the combo rolls out to the “Red River Rock,” overlaid with an authentic captured-live voiceover of “SAM THE SHAM” Samudio– one of Ronnie’s childhood role models.
We asked Ronnie, “Don’t you ever feel perturbed at all the attention and dollars that is lavished on all the ‘kid acts’ so prevalent today?”
With a heartfelt ‘shucks’, Ronnie addressed that easily. “We over-40s are the real Marathon Men!”
“Nah, those youngsters are just short-distance wind sprinters, as opposed to us distance runners.” Definitely not over the hill, Ronnie works a family spread part of the year, up in New York State on the outskirts of Syracuse. Corn, potatoes and a very special hobnailed squash are among the cash crops produced there. “I’m a gentleman farmer and a proud musician,” claims Ronnie Bartelt, but all those who have worked with Ron– or under him will strongly maintain he’s a fair Boss Cat, as fair can be.
For further info on Ronnie and the band,

click on: www.thebosscats.com