Search The Blues Historian Website With Google

Google
 

Send Me Your Blues News

Contact me at
tgary62@gmail.com


Link Exchange

If you have a website, and would like to exchange links just email me at the above address.

The Iowa Blues Showcase is on the AIR

Download the latest podcast on ITUNES

Monday, April 6, 2009

Steve Goodman: A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request

This is a repost, but I love Steve Goodman, and his Cubs songs. Goodman died not long after this video was shot, and unfortunately just before the Cubs made the playoff for the first time in 40 years.

Steve Goodman: Go Cubs Go!

This is my yearly tradition of posting the late great Steve Goodman's ode to the Chicago Cubs. Not sure who makes these slide shows of the cub players every year, but as they say hope springs eternal, and with the Cubs it sure seems like forever! 101 years since the Cubs have won a World Series, and 64 years since the Cubs have been in a world series! The Cubs and the blues go hand in hand, and the last two years have been painfull watching my beloved Cubs get to the playofffs only to get swept out in the first round. ARGH!!! At least on the positivie note the Cubs have played great the last two years to get to the playoffs. Plus Pat Hughes and Ron Santo are great on the radio.

April Blues Charts From Blues Critic Media

Top 50 Southern Soul, Rhythm & Blues Albums

Deep Soul + Soul/Blues + Downhome Blues + Urban Blues

The Nation's OFFICIAL Soul/Blues and Southern Soul Albums Chart

TM

LM

Album

Artist

Label

1 NEW Unleashed Shirley Brown Malaco
2 1 Look Good For You Carl Marshall CDS
3 7 Soul & Blues Willie Clayton Malaco
4 3 Live Theodis Ealey Ifgam
5 4 Pay Myself First Charles Wilson CDS
6 12 Time Served Omar Cunningham Soul 1st
7 9 Who's Got The Power Marvin Sease Malaco
8 8 Keepin' It Real Jeff Floyd Wilbe
9 2 Faithful To A Married Woman Chuck Strong Waldoxy
10 5 Savvy Woman Barbara Carr CDS
11 6 It's A Ms Jody Thang Ms. Jody Ecko
12 10 Southern Soul Country Boy O.B. Buchana Ecko
13 NEW Ecko Records Sampler 2009 Various Artists Ecko
14 13 Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle Jiggle Jiggle Jiggle Mr. X Hep' Me
15 11 Caught By The Cat Donnie Ray Ecko
16 14 My Story Sir Charles Jones Mardi Gras
17 20 Look At What You Gettin' Bobby Rush Deep Rush
18 15 I'm A Woman Nellie 'Tiger' Travis CDS
19 16 Boy Toy Pat Cooley L & L
20 19 Transformation Wilson Meadows M & M/Brimstone
21 29 Good Loving Made Me Cry Michelle Miller Unleashed
22 NEW Play Something Pretty Uvee Hayes CDS
23 NEW On Your Feet** Clarence Carter Cee Gee Ent.
24 18 Another Level L.J. Echols Neckbone
25 NEW Money Talk** Lou Wilson & Today's People Allo
26 21 I'm Too Far Gone** Vernon Garrett Video Uptown
27 39 Shot From The Soul Lee "Shot" Williams CDS
28 17 The Best Of** Lee "Shot" Williams Ecko
29 23 Me Loving You Mr. David Waldoxy
30 30 Back 'Atcha Latimore LatStone
31 24 Chapter 4: Labor Pains Syleena Johnson Federal
32 25 Still Standing The Soul Children JEA Music
33 31 Fully Loaded Ricky White Brimstone
34 28 The Uprising Clarence Dobbins CDS
35 40 Bigg Robb Presents: Blues Soul & Old School Various Artists Over 25 Sound
36 26 Zay's Way Zay CDS
37 27 Straight From The Heart Andre Lee Capetown
38 33 Sweet Sexy Soul Will Easley CDS
39 RE Time To Relax...Time, Love & Relationships** Wendell B Smoothway Ent.
40 RE Rocking That Boat** Bobbye Johnson Brimstone
41 37 I'm A Bluesman's Daughter Sheba Potts-Wright Ecko
42 49 Love Chronicles Archie Love JEA/Loveland
43 34 Good To The Last Drop John Cummings QT
44 35 Your Love Is A Bad Habit Reggie P Rude Boy
45 34 Party Time David Brinston Ecko
46 38 When Love Comes Calvin Richardson Nu Mo
47 41 Songs People Love The Most Vol. 1 Carl Marshall Unleashed/Mr. Tee
48 43 I Should Have Stayed Scared Luther Lackey Ecko
49 44 Remix Album Team Airplay All-Stars Team Airplay
50 RE From The South JOUS Band Tuskk

This chart is based on a combination of Radio Airplay and ACTUAL SALES from the Southern Soul Blues community worldwide though primarily in the Southern United States.

Eligible entrees must be "New" or are currently experiencing a bump in airplay.

Albums marked with * charted mostly on Airplay while albums marked with ** charted mostly on Sales.

John Hammer Blues News


BlueMondayMonthly.com


What's Playin'



INFORMATION

This Week On

Hammered By The Blues
KOWZ 1170am Sunday at noon (When sports ain't on)
KOWZ 100.9fm
Sunday at 8pm
On the Internet:
Tues 9am
and Sat. 11am

Greg McCullough Band

'Things Are Lookin' Up'

'Blues Attack'
Little Milton
'Welcome To Little Milton'
Important Links
Fresh Stuff Ya Wanna Know
April Blue Monday
now On Line
* Checkout the 7 Day LIVE Blues Forecast*

Yo! Blues Buddies:

Be sure to visit www.bluemondaymonthly.com to read our entire April issue. Pass this along to friends and tell them they can sign up for this weekly e-bluesblast right on the bottom of the first page of the website. Check out the links and support yer local blues band! Hope to see you at a LIVE show soon! Until then, Take care of each other, and we'll catch up with ya real soon!
John 'blueshammer' Hammer

Breezin' With The Blues on the AM/FM

In life ya never know which way the wind blows, but my friends you can always count on us to provide solice and direction. This week on Hammered By The Blues (TWICE on Sunday on KOWZ. Noon on 1170am and 8pm on 100.9fm. Classic episodes rebroadcast on line Tues at 9am and Sat at 11am on www.boundarywatersradio.com) we provide a specific and direct weather report for your listening enjoyment. We predict warm expansive sunny skys in Conneticut with the bright talent of The Greg McCullough Band warming your spirit with some natural heat off 'Things Are Lookin' Up'. The breezes from Chi-town can be tumultuous, but this week they serve as a brace to hold you up in the toughest times utilizin' the years of 'fine tunin' in the late night clubs' experience of the hardest workin' blues woman in the windy city Shirley Johnson and some gale force ditties off 'Blues Attack'. As the sun sets in the western skys we bask in the glow of an hour well spent and revel in the magnificence of Little Milton and special guests off 'Welcome To Little Milton'. Carpe Diem! The Blues is ALRIGHT!
When yer feelin' down and battered by strife;
Ya needs a blues tonic to change yer poor life;
Tune in as we do our job and work our magic;
'cause If ya miss the blues it would be sooo tragic.
Hammer-time!
Ron Hedland
Blues Singer
Raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Ron Hedland began his career in the mid-sixties Virginia Beach music scene. Graduating to tours from Florida to New York, he opened for the likes of Taj Mahal and Jerry Jeff Walker. Moving to Toronto in the early seventies, Hedland became a charter member of the Yonge Street lounge scene with Slyfox - soul, sin, rhythm and dues eleven hours, six days a week complementing exotic dancers at the Bermuda Tavern. It was there, for economic reasons, that Ron introduced his triple-threat signature trademark combining drums, keyboards, and singing simultaneously. As a jingle singer and voice-over pitchman for national advertising campaigns, he established a blue collar industry image. The countless solo, sideman, and group gigs led to the formation of RH Positive under his leadership. Ron had a voice that could warm a room in winter. That distinctive tone found a home as house announcer at the infamous Le Strip. The nineties saw Hedland as an active member of the Beaches community performing at both the Beaches Jazz and the Harbourfront Soul and Blues festivals. In the tradition of Ray Charles, Hedland embraced all Southern sounds - the themes that affected and directed his life. Balancing with integrity the full musical spectrum, it was with ballads that he found strong satisfaction. "Most vocalists can handle uptempo, but not as many can deliver and sell a ballad", he once commented without bravado. Tragically, Ron Hedland was murdered in November 1998, right outside his home in Toronto. On Sunday, December 13th, 1998 more than four hundred friends of the slain musician met at Toronto's Brunswick House to acknowledge and celebrate his music and his life. The generous contributions donated on that evening allowed the publishing of the "Someday" retrospective recording. "Someday", a fifteen song compilation CD revisits two decades of recordings by the late Ron Hedland, a fixture of the Toronto music scene for over 30 years, and expresses a key essence of Southern roots music - that soulful search when someday could be today. The compositions found in "Someday" explore the vulnerable nature of relationships and private frailty with the open warmth and humour he characterized. Hampered by failing health, the last years of Ron's life became personally difficult and professionally erratic. This testament documents a brighter era when it was the music itself that represented him. It says a lot about a man when his peers and the music community that he was a part of pool their resources to produce a CD that was never brought to life while Ron was alive, but should have been. Obviously this was their way of paying homage to a gifted musician/songwriter whose music they felt should not remain a secret. Ron's memory and unique style "live on" every time a track from "Someday" is played. Here are a few of the comments by Ron's musical friends: Gary Kendall - bass player, Downchild Blues Band Ron Hedland's reputation always preceded him. In the midseventies I heard about a band called "Sly Fox" that had a steady gig at the Bermuda Tavern on Yonge Street in downtown Toronto. I first met Ron in 1978, Ron & I were the rhythm section in one of Mike McDonald's many bands. Ron & I hit it off right away even though at first I was a little intimated because of his reputation as a heavy duty player. This was the start of Ron turning me onto his talent as a songwriter. I was amazed at the quality of the demo's he and his producer/partner Dave Mayle were making on what I think was a four track reel to reel machine. For the next 20 years until his death in 1998 , Ron sent me a copy of everything he recorded, even jingles. Ronnie Hedland wasn't a big guy but he sure had a big presence, booming his voice out of that barrel chested physique, he'd call your name loud and warm. Ron had a real "lived in" voice. 100% Human. Our history began when I first walked into the Bermuda Tavern on Yonge Street to check out the gig situation. The most striking sight on that stage, (even more than the go go girls), was Ronnie at the Wurlitzer, soloing with one hand, drumming with the other hand and both feet, and all the time singing like Ray Charles. All the while, smoking tons of Export A. Ronnie was a machine, all limbs akimbo, a one man show within the trio. It's also true he had a great sense of humour, and he was a very personable host for the guys who where there to see the girls. The secret however was the musicianship, and we all knew that. Greg Anzelc - drummer "He was my mentor - he was the first guy I played with in clubs and he taught me how to listen to the music and then just play it." Robbie Rox - singer/composer for The Monster Horn Band Ron had a smile that could warm up the whole Beach area of Toronto. He was a very tasteful player and had a very warm low voice with a nice touch of raunchiness. In conclusion It says a lot about a man when his peers and the music community that he was a part of pool their resources to produce the CD that was never brought to life while Ron was alive, but always should have been. Obviously this was their way of paying homage to a gifted musician/songwriter whose music they felt should not remain a secret. Ron's memory and unique style live on every time a track from the CD "Someday" is played.
-Danny Marks - guitarist, radio host, BLUZ.FM
YOUR 7 DAY BLUES FORECAST
Twin Cities & other MN venues:
Mon 6
-The Irresistibles/(4:30)Twins Opener
Tue 7-Mick Sterling & Friends/Dunn Bros; Excelsior
Wed 8-Tom Hunter/SRO; Anoka
-Moses Oakland Quartet/School II; Chanhassen
-Davina & the Vagabonds/Lees Liquor Lounge; Mpls
Fri 10-Brandon Scott Sellner/Scooters; Big Lake
-The Irresistibles/Tiffany's; St Paul
-Dave Lambert/Pub 500; Mankato
-Tom Hunter/Rudy's; Rosemount
-Davina & the Vagabonds/School of the Wise; Victoria
-Cadillac Kolstad vs. Cornbread w/Charlie Parr/Palmer's; Mpls
-Big George Jackson/Tryg's; Mpls
-Jeff Loven/Neumann's; St Paul
Sat 11-Scottie Miller & the Re-Uptake Inhibitors/Applewood Rustic Grille; Burnsville
-Paul Mayasich; Shannon Curfman/School II; Chanhassen
-Cadillac Kolstad vs. Cornbread w/Charlie Parr/Palmer's; Mpls
-Brandon Scott Sellner/Stars & Strikes; Wyoming
-Ross William Perry/McMahon's; Mpls
-Blue Feelin'/School of the Wise; Victoria
-Davina & the Vagabonds/Dixie's on Grand; St Paul
-Big Walter Smith/Tryg's; Mpls
-Joe Juliano/Neumann's; St Paul
-Everett Smithson/Floyd's; Victoria
-T Albert Lloyd/Valley Lounge; Eagan
Sun 12-Brunch w/ Scottie Miller/(Noon) Majors Sports Bar; Edina
-Davina & the Vagabonds (11am)/ Trygs; Mpls; (6pm) Washington Square Pub; White Bear Lake

Iowa Venues:
Fri 10
-Coco Montoya/Redstone Room-River Music Experience; Davenport
-Too Slim & the Taildraggers/Blues On Grand
Sat 11-Nick Moss & the Fliptops/Blues On Grand

Nebraska Venues:
Thu 9-Too Slim & the Taildraggers/Murphy's; Omaha
-Eric Jerardi/Prestige World Class; Omaha
Fri 10-Blues Messengers/Roadhouse; Lincoln

Wisconsin Venues:
Fri 10-Phat Cat Blues/Piggy's; La Crosse
Sat 11-Phat Cat Blues/Piggy's; La Crosse

BB's Jazz Blues & Soups-St. Louis, MO:
Mon 6
-Sessions Jazz Big Band
Tue 7-Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers
Wed 8-Cryin' Shame; Big Mike Aguirre
Thu 9-Leroy Pierson; Rough Grooves
Fri 10-Leroy Pierson; Renee Smith
Sat 11-Tom Hall; Alvin Jett & Phat Noiz
Sun 12-Too Slim & The Taildraggers
Ground Zero Blues Club-Clarksdale, MS:

Wed 8-Phillip Carter
Thu 9-Blues Jam w/ Daddy Rich
Fri 10-Mark "Mule Man" Massey
Sat 11-Big T & the Family

Ground Zero Blues Club- Memphis, TN
Sat 11
-King Beez Blues Band
Every Week All Month Long (all venues)
Every Sunday-Tom Hunter(10:45a)/United Methodist Church;Minnetonka, MN
-Cadillac Kolstad & the Flats w/ Cornbread Harris/Palmer's; Mpls
-Blues Jam w/ Big Bob Scoggin/McMahon's Irish Pub; Mpls
-Barbara Blue/(4-8)Silky O'Sullivan's; Beale St-Memphis, TN
-Open Blues Jam w/ Moses Oakland/(8p)Famous Dave's; Mpls
-Open Blues Jam /Floyd's; Victoria, MN
Every Monday-Best Damn Blues Jam in Town/Shaw's Bar & Grill; Mpls
-Willie Murphy/American Legion #523; Golden Valley, MN
-True Blue Mondays-Lunch w/ Ellis Kell/(12p)Mojo's-River Music Experience; Davenport, IA
Every Tuesday-Paul Mayasich & Friends/Hollihan's; White Bear Lake
-Big Daddy Cade/(8p)Centerfields; Mpls
-Bob Pace & the Blues Groove/Blues On Grand; Des Moines, IA
Every Wednesday-The Butanes/Eagles Club #34; 25th St., Mpls
-Alison Scott (noon)/Dakota Jazz Club; Mpls, MN
-Dave Lambert/Neisen's; Savage; MN
-Paul Mayasich & Friends/School of the Wise II; Chanhassen, MN
-Root City/Glueks; Mpls
-Big Daddy Cade Jam/(7p)Baggins; Fridley, MN
-Barbara Blue/(7-9)Silky O'Sullivan's; Beale St-Memphis, TN
-Wed. Blues Jam/Nighthawks Tap; La Crosse, WI
-Matt Woods & the Thunderbolts/Blues On Grand; Des Moines, IA
-Open Mic Night/Redstone Room-River Music Experience; Davenport, IA
-Cryin' Shame; Big Mike Aguirre/BB's Jazz Blues & Soups; St Louis, MO
Every Thursday-Moses Oakland Quartet/School II/ Chanhassen, MN
-Dan Ristrom & the Big Throwdown/Gluek's; Mpls
-John Burlingame hosts Acoustic Open Mic Night/Main Entrance; Prairie du Chien, WI
-Barbara Blue/(7-9)Silky O'Sullivan's; Beale St-Memphis, TN
-Legendary Blues Jam/Blues On Grand; Des Moines, IA Blues Jam/Ground Zero Blues Club/ Clarksdale; MS
-Leroy Pierson/(7-9:30)BB's Jazz Blues & Soups; St. Louis, MO
Every Friday-Front Porch Swingin' Liquor Pigs/Eagles #34; Mpls
-Barbara Blue/(7-9)Silky O'Sullivan's; Beale St-Memphis, TN
-Leroy Pierson/(7-9:30)BB's Jazz Blues & Soups; St. Louis, MO
Every Saturday-Barbara Blue/(5-9)Silky O'Sullivan's; Beale St-Memphis, TN

Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update


OK, so I told you last week that there would not be a Blue Note this week. So this is not a Blue Note, it's a NEWS FLASH!!

Last Friday night, while we were setting up at The Hub, Marcus, the club manager, came up and said they had just gotten a cancellation from a band that was scheduled to play THIS coming Friday (4/10) and would we be interested in filling that spot?! Well, it took us about 2.5 seconds to say YES!! So let's start the Easter weekend together (it's always a Good Friday when we get last minute work!) We'll be the LATE band this time (9-1) but get there early because my friend Denny McCabe's new band The Ramblers will be the early band. Our challenge will be to deliver a crowd on Easter weekend, late in the night (take a nap, but GET THERE!!) at The Hub, 4th & Main, downtown Sparkle City USA (Cedar Falls) Al and Bunky will be the horn section, we'll have copies of our new CD for sale...

My friend Joel says that I need to get a life and get over the lingerie "fetish" (his word, not mine) that I seem to have developed while doing my walking exercise in malls this winter. YIKES! What fun is that? See ya at The Hub, underwear optional...

Have yer little bunny bring CAKE, happy Easter, Christians, we love you, Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Thursday, April 2, 2009

HOLY COW! TWO YEARS!!!!!!!

This caught me by surprise, but today is the second anniversary of the Blues Historian website! It almost slipped right by me! YIKES! I just want to say thanks to the hundreds of blues fans who stop by here on a daily basis. The growth of this blog has been amazing and I am humbled by all of the support!

The blog started off as a way to teach blues history to my college students, but now it is more a blues news gathering site. I always hope that once the school year is over I can devote more time to posting videos, and more original content. Yet, once summer starts it is summer school! It never ends:-)

Thanks for sticking with me, and if you are new please stay around! Let have another great year and thanks for stopping by!

Tom
Blues Historian

Blues In Baxter Iowa

Just got this from my old pal Craig Peterson from the Newton Iowa area. They have some really great blues coming to little old Baxter Iowa!! I am not sure if the South Skunk Blues Society is involved in this show, but I am sure plenty of familiar faces are behind this cool event. Check it out if you happen to be in Central Iowa this summer.


HI Tom, O'Kellys here in Baxter has got a darn good blues lineup for
Wednesday nights bike night. At least it looks pretty good to me. I myself
especially like Lil Dave Thompson and Brian Lee. But that is not to say
some of the others are not dynamite too. Just thought I would share. Sure
makes listening to the blues easy for me. I can walk to the show.

The shows are free admission on Weds evenings (bike night) and they usually
start around 6 PM. There are usually lots of bikers at O'Kellys and the bands
play outside. Great venue. Great lineup. Like everything, these could
change, I would call ahead to be sure the band that is scheduled is going on
(641) 227-3013 (weather and schedule changes may impact this, and more will
be added but don't know for sure who or when) but for what it is worth...:
May 27th Lil Dave Thompson
June 3rd Matt woods & the thunderbolts
June 10th Eric Jerardi
June 17th Scott Holt
June 24th Craig Swallwell
July 1st Mike Mcabee
July 15th Curly Taylor & Zydeco Trouble
July 29th Bryan Lee
Aug 5th Joe Price
Aug 12th Mike Mcabee
Aug 19th Rockin Jake
Aug 26th Eddie Turner

Illinois Blues News


The FREE Internet Magazine - All news BLUES in the US!

© 2007 - 2009 IllinoisBlues.com

Latest news, photos, reviews, links & MUCH MORE in this issue! - Scroll or Page Down!


TheBluesBlast.com quick website links: Reviews Links Photos Videos Blues Radio Blues Shows near YOU! Advertise for FREE! The Blues Blast Archives


Hey Blues Fans,

We have news of more great line ups from major US Blues festivals this week. Get your calendars marked and make your hotel reservations NOW!

The 10th Annual Highway 61 Blues Festival in Leland, MS is Saturday, June 6 and 7th, 2009. Performing at the fest will be Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang, Cedric and Lightnin' Malcolm, David "Honeyboy" Edwards with Michael Frank, Rocky Lawrence, Lil' Dave Thompson, T Model Ford, The John Horton Band, Mississippi Slim, Eddie Cusic, Pat Thomas, Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, Mickey Rogers and the Soulmasters, Mike's Blue Groove (Sweden), The Mayhem String Band, Rob Mortimer Band, Pokey Lafarge and Lazy Bone.

The Greeley Blues Jam is June 12 and 13th, 2009 in Greeley, Colorado. Festival performers are Walter Trout, Charlie Musselwhite, Marcia Ball, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Doug Kershaw and others to be announced soon.

The IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival runs July 2nd to 4th, 2009 in Le Claire Park in Davenport, IA. It is one of the biggest and best Midwest festivals celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year. Here is their lineup: Thursday July 2nd - Bob Dorr & the Blue Band, Pena Brothers, Cobalt Blue, Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings, Radoslav Lorkovic, Hawkeye Herman, Bo Ramsey, Saffire - the Uppity Blues Women

Friday July 3rd - Ellis Kell Band, J.P. Soars & The Red Hots, Eugene Hideway Bridges, Ric E Bluz, Eddie "The Chief" Clearwater, T.J. Wheeler, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Fiona Boyes, Dee Alexander, Sugar Pie DeSanto

Saturday July4th - Steady Rolling Blues Band, Robin Rogers, Craig Horton, Larry McCray, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Marquise Knox, Junk Joint Duo, Kenny Brown, Diunna Greenleaf, Magic Slim and the Teardrops

If these are any indication of what the summer Blues fest season is going to be like hold on to your hats because this is gonna be one HOT Blues summer!


Blues Wanderings

We made it out to see David "Honeyboy" Edwards in Urbana, IL. playing a show with Kilborn Alley Blues Band. Honeyboy as you probably know is the last of the original Delta Blues men. He was there the night legendary Blues man Robert Johnson was killed. He and longtime partner Michael Frank opened the show with an hour set and then Honeyboy signed autographs and visited with fans as Kilborn Alley entertained the crowd with a set of tunes from their new CD to be released in June.

Afterward, Honeyboy joined Kilborn Alley on stage for a few more songs and the crowd loved it! At the age of 93, we are amazed at the stamina and passion for the music this man still has!


In this issue - Blues Reviews and MORE!

James Walker reviews a new CD from Phil Berkowitz. George Fish reviews a new CD by Paul Reddick. Tom “THE ENERGIZER" Schlesinger reviews a new CD by Walter Trout. Mike O'Cull reviews a new CD from Rev. Jimmie Bratcher.

Our video of the week is a clip of Muddy Waters playing "Long Distance Call" with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Calvin Jones, Jerry Portnoy, Bob Margolin and Pinetop Perkins. All this and MORE! SCROLL DOWN!!!


http://www.nickmoss.com

http://www.buddyguy.com


Featured Blues Review 1 of 4

Phil Berkowitz - All Night Party

Dirty Cat Records

www.philberkowitz.com

www.myspace.com/philberkowitzandthedirtycats

14 songs; Time 58:44; Suggested

Style: Chicago Blues, West Coast Jump, New Orleans R&B

“My fellow Americans, we must return to simple basics in this country! For example, when investing, do not put all of your eggs in one basket!” General Wetnight, 2009.

As if answering the good General’s call, Phil Berkowitz sings, “‘I Want a Roof Over My Head’ and bread on the table and love in my heart just for you, where we can have peace of mind....” Now, it just doesn’t get more basic than that. And, speaking of “basics,” it feels so good to get back to some basic Blues done really well after reviewing three non-Blues records in a row.

This is harmonica player Phil’s “fourth official CD,” and, with eight original songs, it is a solid winner from start to stop. Berkowitz is able to convey fun and excitement in the songs, and the title, “All Night Party” seems as natural as a Jamaican work-free drug place. Studio recorded, Berkowitz and Danny Caron co-produced the album with Caron co-writing three numbers and adding some guitar. Studio guests include Sean Carney on guitar and Bill Stuve on bass. At the core are a group of Bay Area musicians: Tim Wagar, Bowen Brown, William Beatty, and Marvin Greene. The few horn parts are from Jeff “Irv” Irvin, Robert Dehlinger, and Doug Rowan. Craig Knudsen added some background vocals.

Phil Berkowitz is a San Francisco Bay area based blues harmonica player and vocalist with an energetic musical style. He is a New Jersey native and the fourth child in a family of six. He relocated to California in early 1989 to complete his college degree. It was during this time at Sonoma State University that he began playing the harmonica and fell in love with all forms of blues and jazz influenced music, especially that of Louis Jordan. He decided to front a band of his own and embarked on a journey of mastering every facet of the diatonic and chromatic harmonica.

“All Night Party” is the opening track as well as the CD’s main theme. This title track sounds live and does a great job of immediately bringing the listener through the door to the party. Set at medium tempo, the song’s piano, harmonica, guitar, guests, and vocals are all intoxicatingly intertwined. The party does not end until the last song titled, “The Party’s Over,” but its rollicking piano leaves us in our dancing shoes; it doesn’t let down easy.

“Straight Up” is wonderful straight up Chicago Blues. Starting with the song’s pace, it’s classic in every way from the lyric message challenging a lover to choose to Sean Carney’s mid song guitar solo to Phil’s scolding harmonica.

My favorite song is an instrumental titled “Tonka T.” Berkowitz’s chromatic harmonica eloquently explains why it is also called a “mouth organ.” Phil claims the song was inspired by a favorite dog, so imagine a perky, playful pooch as the song bounces along.

Other standouts: “Midnight Rooster” with its slowly wrought message of timeless values, “Fine Little Honey Dripper” featuring inspired string work by Marvin Greene, and “Beach Bar Boogie” inspired by a 2007 trip to St. John and infused with an upbeat New Orleans style.

Berkowitz claims the cover songs gave him opportunity to pay tribute to idols: Jimmy T-99 Nelson, Ray Charles, Billy Boy Arnold, Louis Jordan, and Earl King.

Tired of Rock being passed off as Blues? Then get back to the basics with Phil Berkowitz. Not only is his music authentic, it is a party!

Reviewer James “Skyy Dobro” Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ and Blues Blast contributor. His weekly radio show “Friends of the Blues” can be heard each Thursday from 4:30 – 6:00pm on WKCC 91.1 FM in Kankakee, IL
To See James “Skyy Dobro” Walker's CD rating system, CLICK HERE

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


For tickets and info CLICK HERE


Blues Society News


Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to:

Please submit a maximum of 175 or words or less in a Text or Word format ONLY.


Central Mississippi Blues Society – Jackson, MS

The CMBS presents Blue Monday at Hal & Mal’s (200 Commerce St., Jackson, MS) every Monday night. Doors open @ 8:00 and music begins @ 8:30. Cover is $5.

The Blue Monday Band is comprised of the “best of the best “ musicians in the Central MS area. Featured artists are King Edward, lead guitar/vocalist and Pat Brown, Abdul Rasheed and Dennis Fountain as vocalists. Other regular band members are Dwight Ross and Rick Lewis (drums), Keith Collins (bass), Johnny Sharpe (keys) and Malcolm Shepherd (CMBS President) on Congas. Most of these musicians appeared in The Last of the Mississippi Jukes.

The Blue Monday Band plays the first set and then the event turns into a jam. For more info see: www.centralmississippibluessociety.com or call Peggy Brown @ 601-613-7377

Friends Of The Blues Shows - Kankakee IL

The Friends of the Blues has started their 2009 Blues concert Series. Here are thie shows for April.

Tuesday, April 14- Too Slim & The Taildraggers, 7:00 Pm, Legacy Bar & Grill, 135 N Kinzie Ave (Route 50), Bradley Il 60915. (815) 936-1649.

Saturday, April 18 – Reverend Raven & Chain Smoking Altar Boys, 8:00 PM, Kankakee Valley Boat Club, Cobb Boulevard, Kankakee IL(815) 936-1699

Tuesday, April 21 – Damon Fowler, 7:00 PM, Kankakee Elks Country Club, 2283 Bittersweet Drive, St. Anne Il. 815-937-1228

Arkansas River Blues Society - Little Rock, AR

The Arkansas River Blues Society has settled in to its home base at Jazzi's, 5200 Asher Ave. in Little Rock. The jam is held on the 1st Wed. of each month. A different house band is featured each month and on April 1st it will be Jess Hoggard and Southern Soul featuring Charles Wood. The May house band is Unseen Eye from Hot Springs. Recent house bands have been Joe Marks and NTO, Joe Pitts Band, Mike Dollins and the Cruise Bros., Big John Miller Band, N-2 Blues, and John Craig. Regular jammers have been Dan Sokoloski, Jawbone and Jolene, Charlotte Taylor, Ed Bowman, Charles Wood, and G-Funk the Tree Trunk. Joe Pitts brought in a touring band from Italy called Shanghai Noodle Factory. Jam begins at 8:30 and runs till midnight. People are friendly and the food is good. You can find out about special events by visiting the MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/arriverbluessociety

Mississippi Valley Blues Society - Davenport, IA

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents the duo of Hal Reed and Donald Kinsey for its Blues in the Schools Artists in Residency Series for April. Hal and Donald will conduct their “Generations of Blues” workshops at nine area schools and four Open to the Public performances between April 6 and 10.

Free, Open to the Public Performances are Monday, Apr. 6, 11:45 a.m. at CASI, 1035 W. Kimberly, Davenport. IA. Monday, Apr. 6, 4:00 p.m. at M.L. King Center, 630 9th St., Rock Island, IL. Wednesday, Apr. 8, 7:00 p.m. at Mojo’s in the River Music Experience, 129 Main, Davenport, IA. Thursday, Apr. 9, 1:30 p.m.at Bettendorf Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus Dr. Bettendorf, IA. For more info contact call the MVBS office at 563-32-BLUES or Hal Reed at 563-650-4303

Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL

BLUE MONDAY SHOWS

Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:30pm $2 cover - Apr 6 - Blues Deacons, Apr 13 - Too Slim & the Taildraggers, Apr 20 - Pleasure Chest, Apr 27 - Nothin' But Trouble

River City Blues Society- Peoria, IL

The River City Blues Society's Wednesday Blues Series in Central, Illinois are early shows each Wednesday at 7:00pm, featuring the best traveling regional and National Blues musicians. The shows feature a budget priced cover charge of $4. The shows are held at the Dragon's Dome, 3401 Griffin Ave in Pekin, IL.

Shows scheduled are: Apr 8 - Third Degree Blues Band, Apr 15 - Too Slim & The Tail Draggers, Apr 22 - Damon Fowler Group, April 29 - Bob Dorr & The Blue Band, May 6 Shannon Curfman, May 13 - Scott Ellison, May 20 - Deak Harp, May 27 - The Insomniacs


Featured Blues Review 2 of 4

Paul Reddick - Sugarbird

Northern Blues Music

12 tracks, total time: 46:32

www.myspace.com/paulredick1

www.paulreddick.ca

Sugarbird is singer/songwriter/harpman Paul Reddick’s fourth album for Canada’s renowned Northern Blues label, and is testimony to the fine artistry of Reddick and his producer, Colin Linden. Sugarbird features 12 original songs, 10 of them co-written by Reddick with the CD’s producer, the multiply talented Colin Linden (one of them co-written by Reddick, Linden and Kate Schutt), and two of them by Colin Linden. As befits a bluesman like Reddick, who also enjoys bird watching and is a devotee of modern poetry, especially that of Kenneth Rexroth, the songs on Sugarbird are infused with the poet’s lyrical sense. The song lyrics are not so much lyrics as they are poems that are specially honed and crafted poems created to fit their music.

While most of the songs are wistfully positive or exuberant, Reddick’s lyricism can also find eloquence exploring the darker side of life and the ways of women, as shown by the chorus of “Every Temptation”

Whoa, and it’s every temptation
Your mouth is full of knives
I fell in love with a pretty girl
A heart like a clasping knife

Colin Linden’s own lyricism expresses itself equally deeply, as in this line from his wistful tone poem tribute to John Lennon, “John Lennon in New Orleans”:
I was hiding in the storm
And you saved me from the rain

Reddick’s label, Northern Blues, is not only one of the world’s premier blues recording labels, but more significantly, has been instrumental in stretching the boundaries of what can be considered blues, and doing this without watering down the music, or becoming merely eclectic. Indeed, its stretching has been characterized throughout by a commitment to artistic excellence. It has simply given its artists space in which to be freely expressive in their own voice, and in doing so, has extended the range of what is blues music. This is a quality that is much evident in Sugarbird.

Indeed, Sugarbird is a mixture of styles and genres, reflecting Reddick’s passion for all types of American roots music. Piedmont blues mixes here with traces of Appalachian folk ballad, and acoustic folk blues intertwines with percussion. Blues-rock is a presence on a couple of tracks, and especially characterizes “Every Temptation.” Sugarbird, always in its essentials a blues album recorded for a blues label, showcases two numbers that are straight-ahead mid-1950s electric city blues, “Devilment” and “Block of Wood.” “John Lennon in New Orleans” is most felicitously rendered as a medium-tempo New Orleans blues with solid sax riffs, while the exuberantly lustful “It’s Later Than You Think” is horn-driven jazz swing with an appropriately bluesy complement provided by Reddick’s harp solo.

Producer Colin Linden doubles as guitarist on Sugarbird, giving forth with expressive virtuosity on electric, 12-string acoustic and National Steel guitars, as well as banjo. Rhythm players here, bassists Hutch Hutchinson, John Dymond, and Dave Roe, and drummers Ryan Owings, Stephen Hodges and Gary Craig, are veteran players from the bands of Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Shelby Lynne, Dwight Yoakam and Johnny Cash. Joe Sublette and Jim McMillen play sax, and Darrell Leonard trumpet, on “John Lennon in New Orleans,” “It’s Later Than You Think” and the torchy blues, “Breathless Girls.” The Band’s Garth Hudson provides accordion accompaniment to the more folkish “Morning Bell,” “Wishing Song” and “Climbing Up the Hill.” And last for musician credits, Chris Carmichael provides cello and violin to “Blue Wings” and “If By This.”

The CD jacket and enclosed note booklet feature the gorgeous renderings of the Mango Hummingbird by John James Audubon. Both jacket and booklet are excellently printed, making Sugarbird a visual as well as aural treat. Lastly of note, the production of Sugarbird received financial support through the Canadian government’s Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund), with financial support also provided by Canada’s private radio broadcasters. Too bad the blues here in the United States doesn’t get that same kind of “socialistic” encouragement.

Reviewer George Fish lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, home of blues legends Yank Rachell and Leroy Carr, and writes a regular music column, “Blues and More” for the online Bloomington (IN) Alternative. He’s also published in the regional Indiana blues and alternative presses as well as Living Blues and Blues Access, and wrote the notes for Yank Rachell’s Delmark album, Chicago Style. He has also published on blues and pop music for the left-wing press as well, and has appeared in Against the Current and Socialism and Democracy, as well as the online Political Affairs and MRZine.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


The BEST Way To Promote YOUR Next Blues Project!

BANDS, BARS, AND LABELS: Is your promo material getting you the gigs and business you desire? If not, call music journalist and copy writer Mike O'Cull for all your promotional needs. Mike is a veteran music journalist and musician and writes for the Illinois Entertainer, IllinoisBlues.com, and www.Chicagomusicguide.com and can deliver the highest quality promotional writing around quickly and at a reasonable price.

Mike's specialties include bios, press releases, liner notes, and web content. Full press kit design, including graphics, is also available. Clients include The Joe Moss Band, Carl Davis, TruSoul Entertainment, B.A. S. Entertainment, and many others. Samples available on request. Email mocull@mac.com , call Mike O'Cull Music at 847-608-0357, or visit us online at www.myspace.com/mikeocullmusic for more information.

Mention the Blues Blast for a $10 new customer discount.


New CD by

BJ Allen

&

Blue Voodoo

"Heartless"

"From fun to funky to soulful ballads and back again" - Blues Blast Magazine

To read the complete review CLICK HERE

Available now at:

www.CDBaby.com/all/BlueVoodoo

www.BlueVoodooBlues.com

www.MySpace.com/BlueVoodooBlues


Blues Want Ads

Blues Musicians Place Your Want Ad here for FREE

"workin Blues performers" ONLY can place Want Ads here for FREE. NO Commercial Ads!
Buy or sell equipment , musicians wanted, gigs wanted etc. Limit 100 words.

Blues Music Writers wanted

Blues Blast Magazine is looking for reviewers to review new Blues CD's. If you have a background and experience with Blues music and like to write we can provide new CD's for you to review. Person must be willing to write a minimum of one review every other week. Reviewer keeps the CD's for writing the review. If interested please send a sample of your writing and a short bio of your Blues background to

All ads submitted will be used if space allows. If space is limited, ads will be randomly selected to appear in the Blues Blast. Ads may be edited. Send your ad submission to


Its "MOJO MADNESS" At WGLT In Normal, Illinois The Whole Month Of March !!! 89.1 & 103.5, And On The Web At www.wglt.org Just Click On "Listen"

Listen to GLT Blues every weekend in March for MOJO MADNESS! It's your chance to win tickets to the Illinois Blues Festival in Peoria on Labor Day weekend as you call GLT to vote for your favorite blues artists. Here's the deal:

We've seeded and bracketed 32 great blues artists from yesterday and today for a blues tournament we're calling "MOJO MADNESS." MOJO MADNESS is just like the NCAA Basketball tournament every March, except YOU decide the winner of each round with your phone votes. If you're the 89th voter in a particular match, you'll win concert tickets. You may call to vote as often as you like, but you can only win once during the tournament. Every person who wins concert tickets by being the 89th voter qualifies for the Grand Prize: A Black Cat Bone ... that is, an iPod with songs from all 32 artists who made it into the 2009 MOJO MADNESS bracket.

Look at and download your own MOJO MADNESS bracket so you can keep track of the winners, as well as the date and times of each MOJO MADNESS match. Here's the link to the bracket: http://wglt.org/programs/blues/mojo-layout.pdf

This Weeks Mojo Madness Championship Match

Saturday April 4th (1:00pm) John Lee Hooker vs. BB King

Listen Live and phone in your votes at 309 438-8910

Last Weeks Winners

  • John Lee Hooker vs. Albert Collins = John Lee Hooker

  • Koko Taylor vs Albert King = Koko Taylor

  • BB King vs. Howlin' Wolf = BB King

  • Buddy Guy vs Stevie Ray Vaughan = Buddy Guy

  • Muddy Waters vs Eric Clapton = Muddy Waters

  • John Lee Hooker vs. Koko Taylor = John Lee Hooker

  • Semi Final # 1 BB King vs. Buddy Guy = BB King

  • Semi Final #2 Muddy Waters vs John Lee Hooker = John Lee Hooker

Week Three Winners

  • Koko Taylor vs Willie Kent = Koko Taylor

  • BB King vs. Bo Diddley = BB King

  • Big Momma Thorton vs Howlin' Wolf = Howlin' Wolf

  • Buddy Guy vs Freddie King = Buddy Guy

  • Pinetop Perkins vs Stevie Ray Vaughan = Stevie Ray

  • Muddy Waters vs Luther Allison = Muddy Waters

  • Eric Clapton vs Etta James = Eric Clapton

For more info, go to http://www.wglt.org To tune in to GLT Blues Radio 24/7 and Play MOJO MADNESS simply CLICK HERE


www.tooslim.org


Blues Video of the Week

Muddy Waters

"Long Distance Call"

This week we feature a video from a 1976 that has Blues legend Muddy Waters playing with a great collection of all star Blues players in his band.

It is a classic you have got to see!

His band included Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums, Calvin Jones on bass, Jerry Portnoy on harmonica, Bob Margolin on guitar and Pinetop Perkins on piano.

To see this cool video on our website, click the play button below.

.

For other videos on our website CLICK HERE.


The Simply The Blues Festival For tickets go to www.simplemanenterprises.com

May 8th -Bobby Rush, Sugar Blue, porterdavis, Patrick Hazell and the The Smokin Mojo Kings

May 9th - Johnny Drummer, Liz Mandeville, Chris James and Patrick Rynn, Bob Corritore, Harper, The Soul Of John Black, Shannon Curfman, JP Soars And The Red Hots, Little Joe McLerran, Rich Berry,
The Avey Brothers and Brad McCloud and the Case of the Blues.


The River City Blues Society presents

Wednesday Blues 7:00pm Early Shows

featuring

April 8 - Third Degree Blues Band

The Dragon's Dome
3401 Griffin Ave, Pekin, IL.

To see Map- CLICK HERE

Admission $4 - One free admission with new Society membership


Featured Blues Review 3 of 4

Walter Trout - The Outsider

Provogue Records

www.waltertrout.com

13 songs; 68:37 min.

All songs written by Walter Trout (plus Rick Knapp on the title track)

I had the pleasure of seeing Walter the first time at the Tampa Bay Blues Fest in 2000, I think, and he blew me away. Walter Trout was voted sixth best guitar player in a 1993 BBC radio poll with 154 guitarists voted on, and thousands of votes cast. Only one vote separated 3rd and 4th and only a few votes between 4th and 6th. Further kudos, The Dutch National radio station “Arrow Classic Rock” asked their listeners to make a list of what they felt was the best blues songs ever made. It turned in to a Top 50 Best Blues Songs list, and Walter Trout is leading the list in #1 with the song, “Say Goodbye to the Blues (1991). His version of Jimi Hendrix's “Red House” (on “Life in the Jungle”) is at #24 on the list. Quoting David Wilson of “The Tonequest Report,” “Walter Trout isn't just a great guitar player. He works from the heart with a flawless and fiery edge. When Walter Trout plays, he owns you!”

Hard rockin’ blues man Walter Trout has come out with a real winner CD, again; "The Outsider" is partly hard driving with some change of pace slower music.

Reflecting 3 and 1/2 decades of experience, playing, touring, and being tutored by some of the very best, Walter says, “I've been loved, and I've been hated. I've been praised and vilified. I've been accused and vindicated and more....” Wow! These lyrics are in his first song, “Welcome to the Human Race,” an autobiography. This song is so very well done, I love it. It has everything: fantastic lyrics, slashing, stinging guitar riffs and a very nice gravely tone in Walter's voice. This guy is something else. You can read and/or sing along because the lyrics are included in the CD’s liner notes.

Four more standouts worth mentioning are “The love Song of J. Alfred Bluesrock,” “Child of Another Day,” “Can’t Have It All,” and the title track “The Outsider.”

On Track 4, “The love Song of J. Alfred Bluesrock,” Sammy Avila just kicks it on the big B3 organ when its time for his lead part. There’s a very notable second lead part by Walter with a very long double lead with some really good riffs. Again, great lyrics.

Track 6 is “Child of Another Day.” Again, great vocals, unbelievable lyrics, and this one has a guest appearance by Jason Ricci who is outstanding on the harmonica. By song’s end, there’s a little dueling guitar vs. harmonica very tastefully done.

Track 11 is set to the tune of “Hootchie Cootchie Man” ala Muddy Waters. Here’s really good lyrics like, “The politicians painted smile / Soon begins to fade. He's drunk on booze and power / Like a priest that just got laid.”

The final cut and title track has really good everything! This one is written by Walter and bass player Rick Knapp. It’s down and dirty 12 bar blues the way I like it. Absolutely great riffs by Walter and again, slashing, biting guitar to make Stevie and Jimi turn over in their graves to listen to the new/old, how about “very well seasoned,” guitar slinger that knows how to it!

Walter was born in 1951 in New Jersey. As a young music lover, he started playing the trumpet, and when he got to meet the Legendary Duke Ellington, he then knew he wanted to try to pursue a music career on the horn. But, in the mid 1960s he heard Michael Bloomfield on guitar from The Paul Butterfield Blues band and changed his instrument to guitar and his music to blues.

In 1973 he moved to L.A. where he became an ace sideman playing with many of the old greats like, Lowell Folsom, Percy Mayfield, Pee Wee Crayton, John Lee Hooker, and even Big Mama Thornton - to name just a few.

By the early 80s he was primed, and people were starting to hear about him everywhere when he got the nod from the blues based rock band Canned Heat. He stayed with them a few years until he got the call to play with one of his childhood heroes in the blues, John Mayall’s Blues Breakers. It was like living a dream for him. On the way up, though, he unfortunately found a new friend named Jack, that is “Jack Daniels.” After a drunken performance in East Berlin, Carlos Santana nicely took him aside and said, “You are wasting God’s gift.” He soon became sober.

The Outsider – go buy this one! Keep and play it often, and then look up and get one of his other 17 recordings (but some are no longer available).

This review by Tom “THE ENERGIZER" Schlesinger, a seasoned Blues lover and fan for many years, a veteran to a many Blues Festivals and The Legendary Blues Cruise in the Caribbean.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


www.lightningred.com

www.cdbaby.com/cd/lred


Featured Blues Review 4 of 4

The Reverend Jimmie Bratcher - The Electric Rev

Ain’t Skeert Tunes

www.myspace.com/jimmiebratcher

www.theelectricrev.com

The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher is an honest-to-gosh man of the cloth, along with being a pretty hot blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Based in Kansas City, MO, Bratcher brings, as one might expect, a strong gospel influence to his blues music and the songs contained on his latest CD release The Electric Rev., are entertaining and uplifting at the same time. Bratcher uses his music as part of his ministry to preach the word to both the churched and un-churched alike and takes his blues and his message everywhere and anywhere he is needed. He plays in venues ranging from blues clubs to churches to correctional institutions, bringing the Word with him. If his sermons are anything like his CD, Rev. Bratcher surely has a large and growing congregation, as he is one of the more unique and talented characters on the roots music scene today.

When preaching time comes, Bratcher really turns it on, as evidenced on the CD’s opening cut “Call On Me”. The song calls those struggling in their lives and marriages to call on Jesus, letting them know that He is there with them through their darkest hour, all over a sweet gospel groove. Bratcher lays his soul bare on this and other cuts here and speaks directly to what is good in all of us, which is what makes his message understandable by all types of people, not just the already devout. Other highlights on the record include “Green Bananas”, “Pray For Me”, and “Cadillac”. Those looking for a different flavor in the music they love or for deeper lyrical content than the typical big-legged-woman-fuss-fight-boogie themes found in much of the blues may find what they seek as part of Bratcher’s flock.

Reviewer Mike O'Cull is a noted Chicago music writer and Blues Blast contributor. Visit his MySpace page at:
www.myspace.com/mikeocullmusic

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


Live Blues Calendar

YOU can submit your Blues performances for FREE at: http://www.illinoisblues.com/submitnews.htm

Performance dates were submitted by Musicians, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Blues festivals.

TheBluesBlast.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.

CLICK HERE - for the Latest Complete Blues Calendar on our website at: TheBluesBlast.com

or click a state to see Blues shows by State

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia
Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey
New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Other

Performance dates submitted by Musicians, Clubs, Blues Societies and Blues festivals.

The BluesBlast.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.


Advertise with Blues Blast Magazine

Get the Blues word OUT!

Festivals... Blues Blast Magazine & TheBluesBlast.com's website are great ways to promote ANY Blues event or product. In fact we believe we just might have THE best Blues advertising vehicle anywhere to promote YOUR Blues event!

Blues CD's... For less than the cost of one small ad in a newspaper, you can advertise your shows, new CD or any Blues product. A great way to get the Blues word out!

Blues fans WANT to know about your Blues event of product. Call Bob at (309) 267-4425 or send an email to for a confidential quote today!

Blues Blast Magazine covers Blues all over the US - NOT just in Illinois!

We also offer effective advertising for Festivals and Club Owners, Recording Companies and Performers. Put your Blues advertisement on our homepage at: http://www.TheBluesBlast.com either as a sponsored event or as a featured event, product, recording or merchandise. We get 10,000 visitors and 800,000 hits A MONTH on our website!

More than 12,000 Blues Fans, Musicians, Recording Companies, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Festival Promoters in all 50 states and in 40 countries read the Blues Blast magazine each week. You can feature your event or product in the largest FREE internet Blues magazine delivered right to your inbox each week.

Contact us Today at


Visit our website at:


P.O. Box 721 Pekin, Illinois 61555 © 2007 - 2009 IllinoisBlues.com