The Weekly Bob Corritore Newsletter

January 24, 2008

• Plans for Jimmy Rogers Book announced: Though still in the research stages, Dr. Wayne Everett Goins has announced his intentions to author a book that will be titled That's All Right: The Jimmy Rogers Story. Jimmy Rogers is simply one of the greatest blues artists that ever lived, and he, along with Muddy Waters and Little Walter, were architects of the classic Chicago Blues style of the early 1950s. I had heard about this book project last year from Jacque Lane, Jimmy's daughter who had called me to tell me to expect a call from Dr. Goins. The call came this week, and I found Dr. Goins to be a simply wonderful person with a great love for Jimmy's music. I was able to provide him with photos, stories, contacts, and support. He has already compiled a long list of interviews with others who knew and worked with Jimmy, but his work is far from complete. If anyone would be willing to share stories, information, photos or memorabilia on Jimmy Rogers, please contact Dr. Goins as soon as possible. His contact information:

Wayne Everett Goins, Ph.D.

Director of Jazz

Associate Professor of Music

222 McCain Auditorium

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS 66506-4703

(785) 532-3822 Office

(785) 532-3817 Fax

weg@ksu.edu

Any help that can be provided for this worthy cause would be greatly appreciated. To see a photo page dedicated to Jimmy Rogers on the Bob Corritore website, please click here. For a brief bio of Jimmy Rogers, please click here.

• Bill Lupkin at the Rhythm Room this Weekend: Speaking of Jimmy Rogers, one of his former harmonica players, the great Bill Lupkin will be bringing his Chicago Blues Band to the Rhythm Room Friday, January 25, 2008. Bill is a powerful player with two fine releases out on the Blue Bella label. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $8. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.

• ABS Magazine features rave review of Travelin' The Dirt Road and more! The latest issue of France's ABS Magazine includes glowing reviews of Dave Riley and Bob Corritore/Travelin' The Dirt Road on Blue Witch Records, House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’ on Blue Witch Records and Nappy Brown/Long Time Coming on Blind Pig Records. The Travelin' The Dirt Road and the Nappy Brown releases are highlighted reviews in the magazine. This issue also includes features on Tail Dragger, Betty Harris, Boogie-Woogie piano, Eddie Bo, and more. Special thanks to our friend Marcel Benedit, the person behind ABS Magazine.

• Bob Corritore to appear at the Spring Harp Fest in San Diego and with Tomcat Courtney at Patrick's II: On Friday, March 21, 2008, Bob Corritore will appear at Patrick's II in San Diego with Tomcat Courtney. This will be a pre-CD Release party for Tomcat's forthcoming CD, Downsville Blues, on Blue Witch Records. Also on the gig will be Chris James and Patrick Rynn from the Rhythm Room All-Stars. Then on Saturday, March 22, 2008 Bob Corritore will appear at the 9th annual Spring Harmonica Festival Benefit at Harry Griffen Park Amphitheater - 9550 Milden St. in La Mesa, California from 11:00 am. - 6:00 pm. Also confirmed to play the festival at this time are The Fremonts, Billy Watson Band, Bob Corritore, Kenny Shoppmeyer and Delta Heat, Dan Byrnes and Friends, Rachelle Danto, Chet and The Committee, The World Famous Unknown Players Jam, and Harmonica John Frazer's All Star Jam Set. Bob will perform with Chris James and Patrick Rynn from the Rhythm Room All-Stars with The Fremonts' Kurt Kalker on drums. For more information on the Spring Harp Fest, check out www.myspace.com/SpringHarpFest or www.springharpfest.org. Thanks to Chet Cannon for including Bob in this great event.

• More Tomcat CD Art: Though not yet complete, a few more items of the artwork for Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues are now unveiled. Tomcat, 78, now lives in San Diego but is originally from a Downsville, Texas (therefore the name of the title song of the album). The cover and back photos are by Nena Anderson, the CD face photo is by Tony Tomlinson of The Fremonts, and the cover artwork is by Tony Amato of Amato Image Design. Thanks to Dale Baich and Beth Lipham of Blue Witch Records. To see the cover art for Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues, click here

• Chico Chism Remembered on Bob's Radio show: It was January 28th, 2007 when the legendary Chico Chism passed away. Chico was Howlin' Wolf's last drummer, and for his last 20 years he was a pinnacle figure in the Phoenix blues scene. With this week marking the one year anniversary of his death, Chico will be remembered with a one hour tribute from 6-7pm on Bob's radio show, Those Lowdown Blues on KJZZ, this Sunday. Listeners may hear Those Lowdown Blues anywhere in the world (real time Sunday nights from 6pm-11pm Phoenix time) via web streaming by clicking here, or on KJZZ in Phoenix at 91.5 FM in Phoenix, Arizona, 89.5 in Cottonwood, 90.1 in Prescott, 98.9 in Tucson, and 99.1 in Kingman. Also thanks to blues wildman Little Victor for dedicating his new EP Blues Shakedown on Witchcraft International Records to Chico's memory. Chico left an indelible mark on so many people's lives. His name will always be synonymous with Phoenix blues. Click here, here, and here for some photo pages devoted to Chico Chism.
• Also on this week's Radio Show: In addition to the Chico Chism tribute, Bob will also have a live on-air performance by Long John Hunter, a tribute to the late Francis Clay, and special guest Phoenix music historian John "Johnny D" Dixon for the annual Phoenix vintage R&B special. Johnny will treat us to selections from his vast collection of rare vinyl and unreleased masters.