Rick Kogan and Mark Doyle were sitting at an outdoor café one warm September evening. Rick had recently finished a piece for the Chicago Tribune about the Ramova Grill in Bridgeport. Rick and Mark started talking, and as is their way, started making up stories to make each other laugh. One thing led to another and before either one knew it a new band called The Ramova Brothers had been invented. Rick had no idea at the time that Mark was indeed a singer and musician. They had just set into motion a whirlwind of sorts that neither one of them could have predicted.
Mark set about peopling the Ramova Brothers at first enlisting his brother Beau, his sister, Gilmary, with whom he had been singing and playing for years. He also called up his good friend Al Day, and the four of them became the original Ramova Brothers, appearing on Rick Kogan’s first annual Christmas With The Ramova Brothers radio program in December 2004.
Later in 2005, more Ramovians were brought into the fold, (some kicking and screaming,) and the Ramova Brothers were launched into musical life.
PAST GIGS
2005: The Ramovas open for the Jazz Diva’s at the HotHouse benefiting the Northern Illinois Brain Injury Foundation, as well making the trip down to the Illinois State Fair and then back home for the Chicago Artist’s Katrina Victims Benefit in Logan Square. Live appearances on WGN Radio’s Steve Cochran Show led to a packed house at The Park West for the Ramova Brothers’ first annual Holiday Concert. The door to Ramovatown is a revolving one, making each performance of the Ramova Brothers an adventure.
2008: Martyrs, Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. To another standing room only house, the Ramova Brothers kicked off the holiday season with a Friday-After-Thanksgiving show, benefitting WGN’s Neediest Kids Fund.
The legend of the Ramova Brothers continues today. Our motto is, “It’s no fun if it’s no fun.” We’re glad to be here and delighted to be sharing our music with you.
Have fun.
The Ramova Brothers
P.S. Although the Ramova Brothers are, in essence, named after the Ramova Grill in Bridgeport, we have no direct affiliation with the restaurant or the Ramova Theater, which is just next door. Nevertheless, we owe a debt of gratitude to both the Grill and the theater for co-opting the name.
With redevelopment happening in every neighborhood in the city, it comes as no surprise that the Ramova Theater is in danger of slipping into architectural oblivion. But have no fear! A group of concerned Bridgeport neighbors have joined forces to save the theater from the wrecking ball. They are a great group of dedicated people working to retain a piece of Chicago history. Visit their website at www.savetheramova.com for more information about the project and how you can participate in this historic endeavor.
Mark set about peopling the Ramova Brothers at first enlisting his brother Beau, his sister, Gilmary, with whom he had been singing and playing for years. He also called up his good friend Al Day, and the four of them became the original Ramova Brothers, appearing on Rick Kogan’s first annual Christmas With The Ramova Brothers radio program in December 2004.
Later in 2005, more Ramovians were brought into the fold, (some kicking and screaming,) and the Ramova Brothers were launched into musical life.
PAST GIGS
2005: The Ramovas open for the Jazz Diva’s at the HotHouse benefiting the Northern Illinois Brain Injury Foundation, as well making the trip down to the Illinois State Fair and then back home for the Chicago Artist’s Katrina Victims Benefit in Logan Square. Live appearances on WGN Radio’s Steve Cochran Show led to a packed house at The Park West for the Ramova Brothers’ first annual Holiday Concert. The door to Ramovatown is a revolving one, making each performance of the Ramova Brothers an adventure.
2008: Martyrs, Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. To another standing room only house, the Ramova Brothers kicked off the holiday season with a Friday-After-Thanksgiving show, benefitting WGN’s Neediest Kids Fund.
The legend of the Ramova Brothers continues today. Our motto is, “It’s no fun if it’s no fun.” We’re glad to be here and delighted to be sharing our music with you.
Have fun.
The Ramova Brothers
P.S. Although the Ramova Brothers are, in essence, named after the Ramova Grill in Bridgeport, we have no direct affiliation with the restaurant or the Ramova Theater, which is just next door. Nevertheless, we owe a debt of gratitude to both the Grill and the theater for co-opting the name.
With redevelopment happening in every neighborhood in the city, it comes as no surprise that the Ramova Theater is in danger of slipping into architectural oblivion. But have no fear! A group of concerned Bridgeport neighbors have joined forces to save the theater from the wrecking ball. They are a great group of dedicated people working to retain a piece of Chicago history. Visit their website at www.savetheramova.com for more information about the project and how you can participate in this historic endeavor.