A great video shot by Jan of Guy Forsyth down in Austin Texas.
Friday, December 7, 2007
January Concert Series At BVU
Here is the schedule of events for the January Blues Series at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake Iowa. If you are lost in the frozen tundra of NW Iowa and need some red hot blues to warm you up then check us out! Here is the press release for the show.
History Of The Blues Concert series
This year marks the fourth year for the history of the blues concert series at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake Iowa. This year features four great blues acts presented in three shows. Ronn Hill with the Erick Hovey Blues Band, Bob Dorr, and the Tom Gary Blues Band.
Ronn Hill was born in Des Moines and grew up in the legendary Center Street neighborhood of Des Moines. Both Ronn’s father and uncle were musicians who played on Center Street, and many times they brought home some of the most legendary blues and jazz musicians of the era with them. Performing since he was 16 years old, Ronn grew up playing blues, soul, and gospel music, and traveled all over the United States. Now living in New Mexico, Ronn is returning to Iowa to perform for the Blues History class at Buena Vista University. He also has a CD available for sale called, Healed. Ronn performs at BVU’s Anderson Auditorium at 7pm on Friday January 4th.
Backing up Ronn Hill, is Iowa’s own Erick Hovey Blues Band. Erick has performed for many years here in NW Iowa, and has a large following not only here in Iowa, but overseas as well. Erick will also be performing Saturday Night at the Cherokee Jazz and Blues festival with the Hooterville Allstars.
At Anderson Auditorium at 7pm on Thursday January 10th , The Tom Gary Blues Band performs for the blues history class. The newly reformed Tom Gary Blues Band features some of the areas best talent. Tom Gary, Jim Davis, Don Demers, and Paul Sleezer have put together a tight band with incredible back up. They certainly entertain the crowd, and bring to life some of the best music of the 1950s, with a touch of early 70s funk.
Finally on Monday January 10th, 7pm in the Anderson Auditorium, Iowa Rock and Roll, and Iowa Blues Hall of fame member Bob Dorr performs with Tom Gary for the last show of the series. Bob Dorr returns from last years show where he thrilled the crowd with his singing and harp playing skills, and also took time to teach all the students how to play harmonica with instruments he bought for them! Bob has performed for years as the leader of the Blue Band one of Iowa’s most storied bands.
All show start at 7pm at Anderson Auditorium and are FREE. Make plans to warm up your night with some red hot blues. Also since it is J-Term there is always plenty of seating available so don’t miss out on some great blues!
Bluesman Roy Rogers Interveiw
Yup, don't be confused when you see the name Roy Rogers and blues. Its not a typo, but a real bluesman, who as far as I am concerned is one of the best blues slide guitarist around. I first heard a recording of Roy Rogers back in the mid 80s in KC while listening to Lindsey Shannon's Sunday night blues show. I went out and bought the album the next day. (Yup still had Lps back then:-) Check out the interview HERE with Roy in The Union from Grass Valley California.
Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update
The latest from my good friend Bob and the Blue Band.
So how 'bout that ice storm last Saturday? It knocked KUNI off the air in the middle of my Backtracks radio show and left EVERYTHING with at least an inch of ice crust which was topped by 2" of snow. Then, another 2" of snow today and predictions of another ice storm for this Saturday night! Ya just gotta love bein' in a road band during the winter, but I digress...
It's CASINO WEEK for The Blue Band. Feelin' lucky? Tonight (12/7) has us in the Finish Line Lounge at Prairie Meadows Race Track & Casino in Altoona (suburban Des Moines) 8-midnight and Saturday we're at The Riverside Resort and Casino in Riverside IA (a little south of Iowa City) 8:30-midnight. Both shows have NO cover! Heath is busy this week, so Sam is planning on bringing his big organ (make up your own joke here) to both shows. I can't recall the last time we played without a sax player as part of the mix. I'm looking forward to hearing more guitar and organ solos and I'll probably have to play a little more harmonica (that's a warning) I'm hoping you hit the JACKPOT on the way in...
The Blue Christmas TGI Friday party originally scheduled for Dec. 14 at The Reverb here in Sparkle City has been moved back a week to Dec. 21. It still runs 5:30-9pm. We play the ReMax Christmas party on Dec. 15, sorry, this one's by invitation only...
So Nathan called from his new home in Austin TX two days after the ice storm to check on some details for New Years Eve (actually I suspect he called just to tell me that Austin had a record high of 84 degrees the same day we had the ice storm) It sounds like he and Teresa are already doing well in their new location. I'm tickled that he's still planning on flying in for NYE (boy, will his arms be tired) and that he's already working on the horn charts for the night (a full horn section with Nate and Heath on saxes and (uncle) Al Naylor on trumpet-THAT is gonna be cool!) I really miss that kid...
Saturday is predicted to be a carbon copy of last Saturday's ice/freezing drizzle/snow storm so be sure and check the chat page (http://www.theblueband.com/chat2.cfm) for any up to the minute info before you drive to Riverside. I'm not sure I want to drive in that kind of weather, but frankly, we're so broke that we're going to make every effort to get there (did someone say "ya gotta LOVE playin' in a road band during the winter"?)...
Since next week is a private party show, there probably won't be a Blue Note (unless you hit the jackpot at the casino and decide to have a Blue Christmas party in your basement) See yas on the (slippery) Blue Highway, buy a zydeco tie as a Christmas present for someone you love (LOUD ties are a Christmas tradition aren't they?) and we hope you get everything you deserve for Christmas (a new ice scraper and chocolate CAKE is on my list) We love you, Bob Dorr & The Blue Band
Thursday, December 6, 2007
CD Review: Sam Brown, Pod
The Scotsman from the United Kingdom has a CD review of Sam Browns new release Pod. click here to read about it.
Nice Story From Canada
This is a great story from the Chronicle Herald in Nova Scotia about Derek Caine who is rasing money for Leukemia by putting on a blues concert. Read more here about a really cool guy who is fighting Leukemia himself and has raised $67,000 already!
Blind Pig CD Deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! I can't believe the deal Blind Pig has on CDs! I just got this email from them, and this could be a great opportunity for you to build up your blues CD catalog.| SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER! 5 CDs FOR $50
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For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com. | |
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Taylor Hicks: They Call Me The Breeze
Clarice sent me some links to some more Taylor Hicks videos. I will try to post some of them over the next few days. Here is a good old boogie woogie song originally by Lynard Skynard. Thanks Clarice!!
Blueswax Review: Murali Coryell, Dont Blame It On Me
got an email from Murali Coryell with a review of his latest release from Blueswax.
A BluesWax Reprint
This review ran in BluesWax issue #372 on 11/29/2007
Murali Coryell
Don't Blame It On Me
Self-Produced
BluesWax Rating: 8 out of 10
The Future of Popular Blues
As a young man, Marshall Chess worked for his father and his uncle at
the famed Chess Records. In 1970, when the Rolling Stones left the
less-than-scrupulous Allen B. Klein to start up their own label, they
called Chess to front the effort for them. After a substance
abuse-induced break with the Stones, Chess would try again with his
new label, CZYZ, and in 1999 released the album 2120 by the artist
Murali Coryell. Blues fans will immediately recognize the name of the
album as the address of Chess Records in Chicago (also commemorated in
the early Rolling Stones song "2120 South Michigan Avenue"). It is
purported that "Czcy" is the Polish spelling for the Americanized
version of his family name Chess.
And so in 2007 Coryell, a determined road dog, would release an
acoustic album, Don't Blame It On Me. As you might expect, being the
son of legendary Jazz guitarist Larry Coryell, Murali is blisteringly
competent on the guitar, however it's his vocals that immediately draw
you in. If Marvin Gaye were to grow up listening to the sugary
Euro-Pop of the 1970's BBC, one can get a hint of Coryeli's vocals --
soulful, yet vulnerable, yet still more Motown than Michael Bolton.
The opening title track, "Don't Blame It On Me," is a wonderful song
that sets a tone for emotion-steeped lyric lines and earnest grit. On
"Way Too Expensive" Coryeli's vocals lead a crisp acoustic guitar
through your traditional twelve-bar Blues format as he sings, "We got
the Iraq War/And Sisters are dying too/But the Administration tells us
its good for me and you/But its way too expensive/Way too expensive
for me and you." On the third track, "Standing The Test Of Time,"
Coryeli uses a powerful Blues-Rock structure to push through a
well-written song that is at once funky, Blues, and the best of Rock,
including a chorus that the listener quickly picks up.
Several of the tracks on Don't Blame It On Me appeared on previous
albums in an electric form, including the emotion-tugging,
father-to-son track "Hi Charlie" and the radio-friendly "Stop," where
he sings "Stop, Baby, wait a minute/I had my whole life planned before
you came in it."
Murali Coryell is the future of the popular Blues, albeit not the
only course in front of us. He is an exceptional songwriter who can
sing better than he plays and, brother, he can play! This album
contains the necessary 12-bars that old-schoolers want, but seeps with
a soulful Pop sensibility that should capture a wider audience. On
"Sea Legs" Coryeli incorporates the names of today's Blues icons in a
silly, yet adoring, format that appropriately recognizes those that
came before him. So he honors the art rather than simply quaffing from
that loving cup. What more could you ask for? Perhaps major
distribution?
Rick Galusha is a contributing editor at BluesWax
Copyright Visionation, Ltd 2004. All Rights Reserved with limited
rights offered to artist and their agents for publicity purposes only
with proper citation to BluesWax, BluesWax.com, or www.blueswax.com.
BluesWax is the largest Blues publication in the world. It is
delivered via email to more than 100,000 subscribers around the world
each week. It is only sent to subscribers and maintains a strict
privacy policy and never shares its subscribers' information; just the
Blues in your box each week. You may subscribe at www.blueswax.com.
For further information contact blueswax@visnat.com or call
515.440.0610.
Visionation. Ltd.
815 Office Park Road, Ste #9
West Des Moines, IA 50265-2502
515.440.0610
Publisher of BluesWax, Blues Revue, FolkWax, and Dirty Linen
Saturday, December 8th, 2007
Keltic House -
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=150657793
10:00pm
1004 Main St. Plaza
Fishkill, NY
845 896-1110
Friday, December 14th, 2007
Bull's Head Inn - http://www.bullsheadinn.com/
solo acoustic - 9:00pm
120 Sarah Wells Trail
Campell Hall, NY
845 496-6758
Saturday, December 15th, 2007
Bearsville Theater - http://www.bearsvilletheater.com/
solo acoustic - 8:00pm
291 Tinker St.
Woodstock, NY 12498
USA
(845) 679-4406
Price: $40 and $30
opening for Leon Russell
Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
Buddy Guys Legends - http://buddyguys.com
9:30pm
754 S. Wabash
CHICAGO, IL 60605
USA
312-427-0333
Price: $10
Friday, December 21st, 2007
Manhattan's - http://www.manhattanstoledo.com/
9:00pm
1516 Adams St.
Toledo, OH 43624
USA
419 243-6675
an evening of blues/soul/rock w/special guests!
Saturday, December 22nd, 2007
Manhattan's - http://www.manhattanstoledo.com/
9:00pm
1516 Adams St.
Toledo, OH 43624
USA
419 243-6675
Price: TBA
an evening of blues/soul/rock w/special guests!
Friday, December 28th, 2007
Benji and Jakes - http://myspace.com/benjiandjakes
10:00pm
5 Horseshoe Lake Rd
Kauneonga Lake, NY
USA
Saturday, December 29th, 2007
Scully's
solo acoustic - 8:00pm
Rock Tavern, NY
USA
Friday, January 11th, 2008
Fat Fish Blue - http://www.fatfishblue.com/
9:00pm
21 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH
USA
216-875-6000
Cleveland's best live music bar & restaurant
Saturday, January 12th, 2008
Fat Fish Blue - http://www.fatfishblue.com/
9:00pm
21 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, OH
USA
216-875-6000
Sunday, January 13th, 2008
Your Place Lounge - http://www.myspace.com/yourplacelounge
10:00pm
17326 East Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI 48224
USA
(313) 881-4850
with special guests
Saturday, January 19th, 2008
JJ's Blues - http://www.jjsblues.net/
7:00pm
3439 Stevens Creek Blvd
San Jose, CA 95117
USA
408-243-6441
Price: TBA
Friday, April 18th, 2008
Columbia-Greene Community College - http://www.sunycgcc.edu/
The Coryell's featuring Larry Coryell & Murali Coryell - 7:00pm
4400 Route 23
Hudson, NY 12534
USA
518 828-4181
Price: TBA
an evening of jazz/blues/rock & soul
Andy Coats Update
Thursday, Dec. 13, 8 pm – mid.
*with the Bank Walkers (band)
The Blue Martini
116 N West St # 100
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 899-6464
http://www.bluemartiniraleigh.com
Hope to see you out and about!
Andy
Jason Crigler Press Release
Just recieved a press release from Ariel Publicity about Jason Crigler. Jason is a great guy who has overcome some serious health issues. Check out his myspace HERE, Webpage HERE, and buy his CD HERE.
About The Artist
Persevering through hard times is one of the greatest and most eternal themes of blues and soul music. Jason Crigler, a New York based singer/songwriter and highly sought out guitarist has always found inspiration in that music, but little did he know how that he would endure and win a battle for his life that would give the toughest bluesman a run for his money. His new album, Down Like Hail, is a riveting document of a musician playing for the sheer love of it, but it also is the testament of someone who has played for the biggest stakes of all – his own life.
Read a complete biography
Biography
Jason made his reputation as one of the most sought after guitarists in New York through his work in the band Goats in Trees (which he formed with his wife Monica) and by playing with such luminaries as Linda Thompson, John Cale, Marshall Crenshaw, Teddy Thompson, Juliana Nash and Edison Woods. In 2003, Jason began to play under his own name, and began the process of recording what would become Down Like Hail. By the middle of 2004, Jason was excited about upcoming plans
for recording and touring, and was even more thrilled about becoming a father, as Monica was expecting their first child.
Then things took a drastic turn. Jason recounts: "It was August 4, 2004. I was playing a gig and after the first couple of songs all of a sudden things got really weird – everything sounded and felt very distant. It got so freaky I had to leave the stage. Thank God Monica was there. I couldn't hear anything. I finally lay down on the ground and that's the last thing I remember for a year and a half."
What Jason had was an AVM, which stands for Arterio-Venous Malformation. It is a collection of abnormal blood vessels in the brain, which then burst, like an aneurysm. The threat to Jason's life was very real, and initially, the doctors didn't give Jason much, if any chance to recover. ("They made a lot of doomsday predictions that
turned out to be wrong," says Jason.) He went through three different hospitals, various surgeries and even when it became apparent that Jason would survive, there was no guarantee that he'd ever walk again, let alone be a working musician.
It was a grim prognosis for Jason, both medically and financially, but it was then that his friends stepped in. In January of 2005, Norah Jones, who Jason had met and played with for years when they were both sitting in night after night at the Living Room, announced that she was headlining a benefit show for Jason at Irving Plaza, a show that raised over $50,000 for Jason's medical expenses. Norah said about
Jason in announcing the show, "Everyone who has ever had the pleasure of playing with Jason will know how special he can make it feel and sound, and what a magical cast he helps to create within all the music he plays."
With support from family and friends, Jason was on his long journey back. And after almost 18 months of intense physical therapy in which he had to struggle to relearn such basic actions as walking and talking, in early of January 2006, Jason was well enough to begin playing guitar again – but that was an immense challenge. As Jason
recounts, "Because of the bleeding I had, initially I could barely get my fingers to play. After 10 minutes I would have to stop. I saw a physical therapist, which helped, and by April, I sat in with Teddy Thompson. I played one song – it was tiring, but I did it. And then, on my birthday, May 27th, I was playing with Rachel Loshak, and it all came together. I was overjoyed."
Now, in 2007, Jason has readied the release of Down Like Hail, an album that he recorded prior to his illness, but one that with it's blues spirit, portends much of what Jason endured with his illness. He explains, "To me, it's an album about the blues. There aren't any actual blues songs, but the approach to the album and the influences come out from my love of blues and old soul. It was all recorded live
– no overdubs. Me and my guys (Paul Bryan on bass and Dan Rieser on drums) just walked in and put it down."
The album showcases Jason's melodic sensibility and versatility as a player, arranger and singer. There's the punchiness of "Bush and the Tree Song, Part One," and the loping rhythms and laconic feel of the hooky "She Waits For An Answer." Jason's love of American music is present in his version of "Swing Down Sweet Chariot" ("I got it from Elvis's gospel sessions – I don't do it nearly as well as him.") and "What I May Love," which was inspired by Jason trying a Skip James guitar tuning and then writing a song around it.
With the appreciation and hard earned knowledge of how fragile and lucky he is, Jason has now tapped into something previously unavailable to him. He explains, "I feel like I'm playing from a much more authentic place now – I'm a better player now then I was before." As a musician dedicated to constant growth, improvement and
communication, Jason Crigler is unique even beyond his considerable skills, for his playing now comes from a struggle and journey that few ever take, let alone emerge from. But after all he's been through, his goals are simpler and perhaps more profound. "I want to play good music continually do it better," he explains, "And I want to hang out with my daughter Ellie J."
Monday, December 3, 2007
Christina Aguilera And Dr. John : Merry Christmas Baby
This is what changed my mind about Christina Aguilera! I saw her doing this song with Dr. John and it proved to me that she was light years ahead of Brittney Spears and all the rest of the pop princesses! Christina can sing the blues. Now if only she would do some more blues!!!
Dean Martin: Christmas Blues
Deano singing the blues. I wonder if he is acting drunk, or if he,,,,,,,, hmmmmmmmmm,,, never mind:-)
Taylor Hicks: Christmas Rock, Roll and Blues
Tis the season! A medley of Classic Rock and Roll and Blues Christmas songs from Taylor Hicks.
Tour Chicago With Buddy Guy!!
I just got this from the city of Chicago about the virtual tour of Chicago with Buddy Guy. A few months back I posted about the tour HERE. To go on the tour click here.
For information about the Chicago Blues Festival, the world’s largest free blues festival, visitors can call 312.744.3315 or visit www.chicagobluesfestival.us. Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive Chicago brochures, reserve hotel accommodations, and receive trip-planning assistance by calling 1.877.CHICAGO (1.877.244.2246) or visiting www.cityofchicago.org/tourism. Brochures and information on Chicago’s exciting events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers. The centers are located at Chicago Water Works, 163 E. Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue, and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street.
For more information, contact:
Christine Carrino, 312-744-2392
christine.carrino@cityofchicago.org
Joyce Rowe, 312-747-2036
BLUES LEGEND BUDDY GUY GIVES TOUR OF CHICAGO MUSIC HISTORY
Multimedia audio tour exploring Chicago’s musical roots
has been downloaded by nearly 100,000 listeners within the first six months
CHICAGO – Exploring the “Home of the Blues,” the Chicago Blues Audio Tour narrated by Chicago-local Buddy Guy has found an astonishing audience in just six months. The podcast has been downloaded more than 97,000 times and is currently averaging over 1,000 downloads per day. The free, 50-minute tour combines an interactive map, tour stop directions, archival photos, video, music clips, and interviews – a true multimedia experience unlike anything else available.
Listeners are able to follow the tour either by downloading to a portable media player or by virtually experiencing Chicago on a home computer. Available in Mandarin Chinese, English, German, Japanese, and Spanish, the tour is able to reach international visitors and devotees of Chicago blues wherever they are.
In September, the podcast was featured on the front page of iTunes, the most popular repository for podcasts in the world. The tour was also awarded a 2007 MUSE Award from the American Association of Museums recognizing outstanding achievement in museum media. According to the judges, “while [the tour] would offer an evocative introduction to a visitor on the streets of Chicago, it is strong enough to be educational and engaging no matter where the listener may be.”
As Buddy Guy explains about Chicago, “This is the place where people just like myself came from the South to create new lives and a new kind of music. The generation just before mine came up here playing folk music. But soon they traded in their acoustic guitars for electric instruments. And when they plugged them in, they created a new, urban sound, that we call Chicago blues.”
Through Buddy Guy’s insider perspective and interviews with blues musicians and historians, visitors experience the Chicago blues historic and societal relevance, the worldwide impact on music and culture, and the city’s contemporary scene. Incorporating archival photos, music clips, and video, the tour highlights ten historic locations including Maxwell Street, Chess Records, and Muddy Water’s former home. Listeners, from blues club aficionados to those less familiar with the Chicago blues sound, will discover something new from the explanation of Chicago blues and profiles of five Chicago blues innovators: Jimmy Yancey, Tampa Red, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and Koko Taylor.
In addition, the tour illustrates how Chicago continues to influence the international blues sound. Visitors can experience “Sweet Home Chicago” at the city’s many music clubs, including Buddy Guy’s Legends. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this June 5-8, 2008, the annual Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world and draws over 800,000 visitors. Also, the Chicago Blues Archives at the city’s Harold Washington Library preserves archival recordings of performances unavailable anywhere else.
The Chicago Office of Tourism produced the audio tour with the award-winning Acoustiguide, Inc. “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to work with the Chicago Office of Tourism on this project and are extremely happy with the results,” said Kathryn Glass, Acoustiguide vice president. “By the end of the first year, more than 150,000 people will have had the pleasure of hearing Buddy Guy talk about Chicago’s place in the history of the Blues, and that is something we are all very proud of.”
The Chicago Blues Tour is free and can be downloaded at www.downloadchicagotours.com or Apple’s iTunes. Media can find an electronic press kit for the tour at http://www.downloadchicagotours.com/bluesmedia/.
For information about the Chicago Blues Festival, the world’s largest free blues festival, visitors can call 312.744.3315 or visit www.chicagobluesfestival.us. Visitors and Chicagoans planning to entertain out-of-town guests can receive Chicago brochures, reserve hotel accommodations, and receive trip-planning assistance by calling 1.877.CHICAGO (1.877.244.2246) or visiting www.cityofchicago.org/tourism. Brochures and information on Chicago’s exciting events and activities are also available at the Visitor Information Centers. The centers are located at Chicago Water Works, 163 E. Pearson Street at Michigan Avenue, and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph Street.
CHICAGO BLUES TOUR DESTINATIONS
1. Buddy Guy’s Legends – When Buddy Guy opened this club in 1989, he wanted it to have the feel of a dark, authentic storefront music joint, an experience like going to a club when the Chicago blues were born.
2. The Illinois Central Depot – Once Chicago’s largest train station, the Illinois Central Station became known as the Black Ellis Island, where many southern African American’s introduction to Chicago.
3. Maxwell Street – Alive with business in the Maxwell Street market, musicians congregated here and played the music that defined several eras of the Chicago blues.
4. Vee-Jay Records – Before Motown there was Vee-Jay Records, the largest and most powerful black-owned record label in America, recording the greats of R& B, doo-wop, and jazz in their studio on what was then known as ‘record row’ on Michigan Avenue.
5. Chess Records, Michigan Avenue – Generations of musicians have come to pay homage at the place where all the greats of the Chicago blues tradition – Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Koko Taylor, to name a few – recorded their hits. Today, the building is home to the Blues Heaven Foundation started by blues legend Willie Dixon, whose mission is to promote and document the blues, educate children about its history, and to support working musicians
6. The State Street Stroll – In the 1920s and 30s, people would dress their best and stroll down the street while music poured from the theaters, cafes, and “black and tan” nightclubs that lined the strip, notably the Pekin Theater, the Plantation Club, and the Apex Club.
7. 47th Street – Now known as the ‘Chicago Blues District,’ this was the location of the famous 708 Club, one of the creative incubators responsible for transforming a kind of rural country blues into the highly-charged electrified blues unique to Chicago.
8. The Blues Brothers Mural – Created for the well-known movie, “The Blues Brothers,” this site was the home of “Ray’s Music Exchange,” run by none other than Ray Charles in the film. The mural is an homage to the neighborhood’s musical heritage.
9. Chess Records, Cottage Grove Street – The Chess brothers built their company in several storefront locations, including this one where Chuck Berry cut his demo for “Maybelline.”
10. The Original ‘House of Blues’ – Muddy Waters’ house was a community center for the blues. Muddy often took in struggling musicians and would stage impromptu jam sessions on the front steps.
For more information, contact:
Christine Carrino, 312-744-2392
christine.carrino@cityofchicago.org
Joyce Rowe, 312-747-2036
DAWG FM Canadian Blues Radio
An interesting article from the Chilliwack Times about the all blues format radio station that I mention a few months ago. I think it is great that at least in Canada someone is trying to format an all blues radio station. These guys are not only trying to get one station off the ground, but hope to get four going! To check out the story Click HERE.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Artist Of The Week: Albert Collins
This weeks artist of the week is the Iceman himself, Albert Collins. Collins also was known as the master of the Telecaster. Collins was a great guitar player who was starting to break on to the national scene when he tragically died of Cancer. I was looking at his bio, and I was surprised to learn that he lived in Kansas City for a couple of years in the mid 60s. Unfortunately for Collins, and Kansas City, the recording studios that had existed in Kc's heyday were gone, and he moved on. To check out some of the Iceman's blues videos check out the video box on the left side of the blog.
Photo Of The Week: Save The Iowa Blues Showcase Poster
Well It was fun while it lasted! The last Iowa Blues Showcase happened almost five years ago! It is amazing how quickly time flies. The showcase ran for almost three years 2000-2003. We put on shows at the Historical building, and at the Des Moines Area Community College. It was a lot of fun and a lot of work. No one made any money during the run. In fact, we lost money, but we had a good time doing it. I really think the reason the show finally stopped, was not so much the money as the fact that the crowds had shrunk over the years. It is hard to get excited about playing a 200 seat theater, and have only 20 people in the audience. However, the music was great and you can still hear a lot of it on my internet radio station (click here). The radio station started out great, but I am loosing listeners, so if you have forgotten where we are just click on the above link, or click on the link at the top of the blog. I would like to keep the station on the air, but if numbers don't pick up soon I may pull the plug.