Bob Corritore Update

The latest from Bob Corritore

April 6, 2008

• Blues Radio Show Fundraiser Tonight: Each spring Bob's radio show, Those Lowdown Blues on KJZZ has an annual fundraiser. This fundraising is only for 3 hours, from 6pm to 9pm (Arizona time) and for the rest of the year, nothing but good blues programming is heard. Please consider making a call or email with your pledge of support during these hours as it is a reflection of the value you place on this type of programming. Call (480) 834-5627 or pledge online on the station's secure online pledge site: kjzz.org/pledge. Bob's show is now 24 years running thanks to your continued support. Listeners may hear Bob Corritore’s KBA-Award-winning radio show, 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, 98.9 in Tucson, and 99.1 in Kingman.
• Thank you HighTone Records! On March 31, 2008 HighTone Records sent out a press release proclaiming that the label was acquired by Shout Factory Records. To see this press release, click here. HighTone Records was formed by co-owners Larry Sloven and Bruce Bromberg in 1983 and became a leading force in blues and roots music. They started the label with the great success of a budding blues star Robert Cray, and went on to produce blues records by Phillip Walker, Joe Louis Walker, and many other blues, country, folk, and roots artists. Additionally, they reissued wonderful blues labels such as Testament, and David Evans' High Water Records. Though committed to a wide range of roots stylings, they always had a place at the table for the blues. I had the great experience of releasing 6 CDs on the HighTone Label (or their sister label, HMG). When I was ready to release my very first record as an artist, All-Star Blues Sessions, it was the HighTone label that believed in me and put my record out in a big way. This created an international buzz, and a momentum that lead to a great "family" relationship for many years. Larry and Bruce were committed to good music, and they understood and celebrated what I was doing with my releases. They allowed me the honor of being included on their fine roster, which also included, in addition to the artists mentioned above: Dave Alvin, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Otis Spann, Joe Ely, Robert Nighthawk, Hot Club Of Cowtown, Big Joe Williams, Pinetop Perkins, Junior Kimbrough, Frankie Lee, Big Sandy And His Fly-Rite Boys, James Armstrong, Tom Russell, Chris Smither, and others too numerous to name. The CDs I released on HighTone were: Bob Corritore/All-Star Blues Sessions (1999), Henry Gray/Plays Chicago Blues (2001), Various Artists/Rhythm Room Blues (2001,) R.L. Burnside/No Monkeys On This Train (2003), Louisiana Red/No Turn On Red (2005), and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith/Way Back (2006), as well as having a number of cuts on The HighTone Story boxed set. I cannot speak highly enough of my relationship with this wonderful record label. I felt like an adopted son in many ways. Thank you, Larry, and thank you, Bruce for a wonderful ride! Good luck to Shout Factory as they assume this spectacular catalog.
• Thanks, R.J. Mischo! Harmonica ace R.J. Mischo's latest CD, King Of A Mighty Good Time on the Challis label features zesty harp driven performances with masterful delivery. This release really lives up to its title. Thank you, R.J., for including Bob Corritore in the names that appear in your special thanks of your fine CD.
• Bob, Chris, and Patrick to Appear With Louisiana Red at Buddy Guy's Legends During Chicago Blues Festival: This just announced: The legendary Louisiana Red will appear Friday, June 6, 2008 from 5pm to 7:30pm at Buddy Guy's Legends, 754 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago IL 60605. Louisiana Red's backup band will include Bob Corritore, Chris James, and Patrick Rynn of The Rhythm Room All-Stars. This event is being held in conjunction with the Chicago Blues Festival, which supports a wonderful lineup each year. For more information on this wonderful festival, click here.
• The Mannish Boys featured in Living Blues! A well earned congratulations to Randy Chortkoff and his Mannish Boys for an amazing cover story/feature spread in the latest issue of Living Blues Magazine, which shows Finis Tasby on the cover, and then speaks of the band collectively, as well as each member individually. Writer Lee Hildebrand was in the studio during the recording of the forthcoming Mannish Boys CD, which will be out sometime this spring. The Mannish Boys represent the all-star effort of some of the West Coast's and Southwest's finest players, including Kid Ramos, Franck Goldwasser, , band leader Randy Chortkoff, and others. Since their inception 4 years ago, the band has put out 3 highly acclaimed CDs (soon to be 4) on the Finis Tasby, Richard Innes, Johnny Dyer, Kirk Fletcher, Bobby Jones, Tom Leavey, Ronnie JamesDelta Groove Record Label, and has headlined major blues festivals around the globe. For more information on Living Blues Magazine click here, on Delta Groove Records, click here, and on The Mannish Boys, click here. Also check out the 3rd Annual Delta Groove Showcase latest information, with numerous additions including the great Johnny Dyer as well as Kid Ramos' side project, Los Fabulocos, and Lynwood Slim! This amazing event takes place at Ground Zero Blues Club in Tunica, Mississippi on May 9, 2008, the day after The Blues Foundation's Blues Music Awards Celebration. It will feature over 18 acts in 11 hours (from 2pm until 1am). For all the details and ticket info on the 3rd Annual Delta Groove Showcase, click here, and for the Blues Music Awards, click here.