November 11, 2008
Rhythm Room All-Stars Perform this Weekend at the Rhythm Room: There is something special about seeing the Rhythm Room All-Stars at their monthly home base gig. This Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15, 2008, Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn and Brian Fahey (AKA The Rhythm Room All-Stars) take the stage and work their magical musical chemistry on the crowd. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $7. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at these events. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
Tomcat Courtney CD Praised by Blues Revue: Much appreciation to writer Art Tipaldi for his glowing review of Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues on the Blue Witch record Label. Tomcat Courtney, now 79, is one of the few remaining direct links to the music of Lightnin' Hopkins, Lil' Son Jackson, and Smokey Hogg. To see this review, click here. Thanks, Art, and thanks, Blues Revue Magazine.
Cadillac Records, a Movie about Chess Records, Opens Dec. 5: Cadillac Records, a film depiction of the rise of Chess Records, will open in Theatres on Friday, December 5, 2008. Let's see how Hollywood will handle a subject so dear to every blues lover's heart. Certainly, the movie trailer is intriguing. Cadillac Records stars Beyoncé Knowles at Etta James, Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, Adrien Brody as Leonard Chess, Columbus Short as Little Walter, Mos Def as Chuck Berry, and Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon. The behind-the-scenes soundtrack musicians (who recreate versions of classic Chess hits) are top notch, and include Kim Wilson, Billy Flynn, Eddie Taylor, Jr., and Barrelhouse Chuck. To see the preview to Cadillac Records clic,k here.
Chicago Blues Guide Posts Article on the 2008 Blues Blast Music Awards! The Chicago Blues Guide is a website that celebrates and supports the great blues scene of Chicago. CBG contains listings for Chicagoland’s blues clubs, bands, radio shows, record labels and links. The webzine features plenty of photos, news and features on what’s happening in the current Chicago blues world, including interviews, events, DVD and CD reviews, and live blues reviews. Check out their wonderful article on the 2008 Blues Blast Music Awards (hosted by Illinoisblues.com) which took place on November 2, 2008 at Buddy Guy's Legends. This article was written by CBG chief Linda Cain and includes nice photos by Jennifer Wheeler. To see the piece, click here.
2009 KBA Award Winners Announced: The KBA (Keeping The Blues Alive) award is The Blues Foundation's recognition of those individuals and organizations that have excelled in their support of blues music and its community. The 2009 recipients have been announced, and include:
1) Agent: Steve Hecht, Piedmont Talent, Charlotte, NC
2) Art & Photography: Dusty & Val Scott, Dusty Blues, Pittsburgh, PA
3) Blues Club: B.L.U.E.S., Chicago, IL
4) Education: Monroe County Black History Month, Monroe County, MI
5) Festival: Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, Telluride, CO
6) Film, Television and Video: Willy Bearden, Memphis, TN
7) Historical Preservation: Shack Up Inn, Clarksdale, MS
8) International: Associazione Roots And Blues, Parma, Italy
9) Internet: Pandora.com, Oakland, CA
10) Journalism: Hal Horowitz, Marietta, GA
11) Literature: Craig Hopkins, Cedar Hill, TX
12) Manager: John Hahn, New York, NY
13) Organization: Washington Blues Society, Seattle, WA
14) Print Media: Il Blues, Milan, Italy
15) Producer: David Z., Nashville, TN
16) Promoter: Omega Events, Van Nuys, CA
17) Publicist: Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon, Memphis, TN
18) Radio (Commercial): Kai Turner, Denver, CO
19) Radio (Public): John Kessler, Seattle, WA
20) Record Label: Delta Groove, Van Nuys, CA
21) Retailer: Manifest Disc, Charlotte, NC
22) Sponsor: Barbara Hammerman, Gig Harbor, WA
Congratulations to all these worthy recipients for their great work in the blues. The awards ceremony will take place in Memphis on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, in conjunction with the International Blues Challenge (IBC). For more information on these awards and their recipients, click here.
Biscuits & Blues Celebrates the Life of Francis Clay: Legendary drummer Francis Clay passed away on January 21, 2008. He was known best for his work in the Muddy Waters band, though he also worked and recorded with James Cotton, John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Lightnin' Hopkins and many others. In later years, he settled in the San Francisco bay area, where he became an esteemed community figure. For our complete obituary, please reference the newsletter of January 23, 2008 by clicking here, and scrolling to the date. This Sunday, November 16, 2008, Biscuits & Blues will host an event of reflection on this great man's life. The club's website titles this event "Music and Words Honoring Drummer Francis Clay" and the show will include speakers, musical performances, a slide show, a video presentation and cake (it would have been Francis's 85th birthday on this date). Biscuits & Blues is located at 401 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, tel. (415)292-2583. Doors open at 1:30pm, and the event runs from 2pm to 5pm. There is no cover charge, but donations are accepted for a headstone fund. To see a clip of Francis Clay performing with Muddy Waters on a classic 1960 performance of "Got My Mojo Working" live at Newport, click here.
Additions and Corrections to Last Newsletter: 1) The Robert Lockwood, Jr. Article in ABS Magazine was written by Mark Hoffman (Co-author of the Howlin' Wolf bio Moanin' At Midnight), and translated into French by Jean-Luc Varbes. 2) Apparently, Honeyboy Edwards did see the mystery photo speculated to be that of Robert Johnson, and did not give it his seal of approval. 3) Please note that we misspelled and omitted some of the names of the people at the Blues Blast Music Awards, and you can see an amended article by clicking here, and scrolling down.
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