End of an era

For more than 15 years, local blues legend Bruce Zimmerman and the Water Street Band have been entertaining audiences at Port Cape Girardeau on most Thursday and Sunday evenings. But due to hearing problems, Zimmerman said he will be performing significantly less than twice a week after the New Year.

"I've known for awhile I was going to have to cut back," Zimmerman said. "We've been doing 15 or 16 nights a month for years now. It gets too loud for your ears to do that, especially if you want to have any hearing left."

Instead, Zimmerman and the Water Street Band will now be playing the first Sunday of every month, starting in January. He said some acoustic shows are being planned, as well.

"I know everyone really liked Port Cape, I mean we've been coming here so long it's like home," Zimmerman said. "I just want to tell all my fans thank you. It's hard to describe how much I appreciate them."

Zimmerman released his first album, "Guitar on the Brain," at the Yacht Club nearly a year ago and said his fans will be sure to turn out the beginning of every month. Doc Cain, owner of Port Cape, said Zimmerman and his fans have added a great deal to the club.

"It's not going to be an easy transition to a new era," Cain said. "You just can't replace what Bruce gave us for 15 years. But we might end up blazing a new trail on Sunday nights -- that's what we hope to do."

Although Cain declined to elaborate, he and Port Cape are "looking in several different directions" to find Zimmerman's possible replacement ... and the bands being considered are both local and nonlocal.

For now, Zimmerman said he just wants the fans to know he's not done yet.

"I've been playing in bands since I was 9, and I would play in my living room if I had to," Zimmerman said, "But it's that feedback from the audience that gives me a rush. People don't often think I even notice them sitting out there, but I do -- and the ones that come again and again and again."