Pete Allen RIP

From Bob Corritore

September 5, 2008

• Chicago Blues Guitarist Pete Allen Passes: News of Pete Allen's passing earlier this week came today from Kevin Johnson of Delmark Records. This guitarist/vocalist is best known for his recorded work with Magic Slim & The Teardrops (Grand Slam on Rooster), Carey Bell (Harpmaster on JSP), Artie "Blues Boy" White (American Roots Blues on Ichiban), and Zora Young (Tore Up From The Floor Up on Delmark). He was a sought-after guitarist in Chicago, and also worked with Buddy Guy, Lurrie Bell, and Piano C. Red. Though well recognized and respected in his hometown, Pete sadly never received his due acclaim on the national scene. Visitation will be Friday, September 12, 2008, 10am, at A.A. Rayner, 318 E. 71st, Chicago IL 60619, and the service will follow at 11am. The Chicago blues community has been hard hit of late with the recent passings of Little Arthur and Phil Guy. Rest in peace, Pete.

Tom Gary Blues Band: Holly Golightly Blues 2.0!!

You will really love this. A very cool guy from Poland has made us a REAL VIDEO!! Here is Holly in all her greatness! You can also catch this video on youtube HERE.

The Song and video are about Holly Golightly the character from Breakfast at Tiffany's If you liked the video then you will probably like the film order the DVD! Its only 12 bucks at Barnes and Nobles. Click HERE.

Bob Corritore Blues News

September 4, 2008
Elmore James Junior this Saturday Night at the Rhythm Room! Direct from Chicago, Elmore James, Jr., the son of slide guitar legend Elmore James, makes a rare Phoenix appearance at the Rhythm Room on Saturday, September 6, 2008! Like his father, Elmore Jr. is also a masterful slide player and stirring vocalist who carries forward his dad's eloquent blues style. His most recent CD, Daddy Gave Me The Blues on JSP Records, was produced by guitarist Cadillac Zack, whose band will be backing Elmore Jr. for this date. Opening the show will be a performance by Australia's Fiona Boyes in a duet setting with Bob Corritore. All this adds up to a great blues party this Saturday at the Rhythm Room. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 7:30pm, cover charge is $12. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted. To see a flier for this event, click here; and to visit Elmore James, Jr.'s MySpace, complete with song samples, click here.
Chief Schabuttie Gilliame Added to the Lineup of Bob Corritore's Birthday Bash! Chief Schabuttie Gilliame will perform at Bob Corritore's Blues Birthday Bash on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the Rhythm Room. Chief joins a stellar lineup that already includes Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars (with Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey, & Bob Corritore), and Texas guitar great Long John Hunter. To view the flyer for this event, click here. Please also note that Friday, September 12, 2008 we will honor drummer Brian Fahey's birthday, with Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars performing at the Rhythm Room. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 8pm both nights, cover charge is $7 both nights. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at these events. These will be patio smoking only events; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues Nominated for San Diego Music Award: Congratulations to Tomcat Courtney for his nomination for Best Blues Album by the San Diego Music Awards. His 2008 CD, Downsville Blues on Blue Witch Records, has been well received around the world. To read the entire list of nominees in all the categories, click here. To see a photo page devoted to Tomcat Courtney, click here.
Chris James & Patrick Rynn Podcast Plus Dave Myers Videos Posted on Chris and Patrick's Website: Chris James and Patrick Rynn's new CD, Stop And Think About It on Earwig Music, has been receiving a wave of national and international attention and praise. Numerous radio stations around the country are giving this CD regular rotation, and each week numerous positive reviews come in. To see some of these reviews posted on Chris and Patrick's website, click here. On that same page to the far right, you will see a number of film clips recently posted of Chris and Patrick performing with their dear friend, Dave Myers. Note that on the first clip, Chris, who is a spectacular guitar player, demonstrates that he also has great prowess on the harmonica. Also check out this recently posted article/podcast interview on A1 Artist Spotlight by clicking here. Congratulations to Chris and Patrick for the well-deserved attention received for their fine CD.
More Photos of Dave Riley and Bob Corritore from Cognac: Here are some links to some wonderful photos just posted of Dave Riley and Bob Corritore's recent appearance at Cognac Blues Passions Festival in France. Click here and here to view the photos.
Virus De Blues Airs Bob Corritore Radio Special: Thanks to J.P. Savouyaud of France's Virus De Blues for his recent radio show titled Bob Corritore and Friends which featured selections from Chris James and Patrick Rynn's new Earwig CD Stop And Think About It, Tomcat Courtney/Downsville Blues, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame/Snakes Crawls at Night, Big Pete Pearson/I'm Here Baby, Various Artists/House Rockin' And Blues Shoutin!: Celebrating 15 Years Of The Rhythm Room, and Bob Corritore/All-Star Blues Sessions. Bob Corritore either played on or produced all these CDs. To see the playlist, click here.
DVDs From American Folk Blues Festivals 1967, 1968, and 1969 Forthcoming! This information from Scott Dirks: A German company called Tropical Music has obtained some extremely rare footage of tours produced by Lippmann & Rau in the 1960s, which included the American Folk Blues Festival tours, as well as tours by South American artists, plus gospel, country, and folk music tours of U.S. artists. (The man who runs Tropical Music worked for Lippmann & Rau as a road manager beginning in 1964, and worked with the daughter of the late Horst Lippmann to track down and obtain permission to release this rare footage.) The great news for blues fans is that Tropical Music is releasing a series of DVDs of complete German TV programs produced during the 1967, 1968, and 1969 AFBF tours. Of course, the 1967 tour is the one that included Little Walter, and unlike the footage from Denmark that was released a few years ago which shows him only as an accompanist behind Hound Dog Taylor and Koko Taylor, the German TV program prominently features Little Walter leading the band for three songs, “My Babe”, “Mean Old World”, and an untitled harmonica instrumental. In addition to these songs, he is also featured backing Koko and Hound Dog. All of the others from the '67 AFBF tour are featured as well: Son House, Skip James, and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. The company has a website devoted to the DVDs, which includes sample clips from all of them. To see these preview clips, click here. At least as interesting, if not more so, is the footage from the 1968 AFBF tour, which will also be released. As far as video is concerned, 1968 was the one 'lost year' from the AFBF tours; although at least two programs were televised (one in Germany and one in England on the BBC), no footage from the 1968 tour has ever been uncovered until now. That year's tour featured T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor, Big Walter Horton, Big Joe Williams, and Curtis Jones, and all are featured on the video. The company is also releasing the full TV program from the 1969 AFBF tour, which included Magic Sam, Earl Hooker, Carey Bell, Clifton Chenier, and others. A few segments of the 1969 program have been released, but this is the first time the entire program will be available on DVD. Currently these DVDs are scheduled for October release in Europe only, and only in the PAL format (i.e., not playable on standard US video equipment, which uses the NTSC format.) U.S. distribution is still being sought, and if any company is interested in distributing the U.S. versions of these historic DVDs, they should contact Tropical Music at http://t.ymlp9.com/meeyazaumbaxaejqwafaejqj/click.php. For more information, check http://t.ymlp9.com/memsakaumbataejqwacaejqj/click.php – it’s mostly in German, but it’s pretty easy to figure out, and once a U.S. distributor is secured, that info will be posted there.

Elvin Bishop: The Blues Rolls On CD Release

Great news for blues fans. Elvin Bishop has a new release called The Blues Rolls On. This is a great CD and as you can see from the cover Elvin has a heck of a lineup on this one. B.B King, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, George Thorogood, James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Tommy Castro, John Nemeth, and Angela Strehli all apear on this disc. For more information check out the delta groove productions website, or Elvin's myspace page. http://www.deltagrooveproductions.com/music/artists/elvin_bishop/ecard/

http://www.myspace.com/elvinbishopmusic

Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

After nearly a month of reruns, allowing me to use some of my accumulated vacation time at the radio station, I'm back to full production on the shows (what a rude awakening, I was really getting to like being paid to take time off) (that NEVER happens with The Blue Band) consequently, this'll have to be short...

Load-in at Overman Park, right here in Sparkle City, (Cedar Falls) is less than 12 hours away. It's time for that Wing Ding Thing, sponsored by the Greater Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce. Your $5 advance ticket gets you tastes of chicken wings and things from seven different food vendors plus the Blue Band plus chances at prize giveaways. Advance tickets at the CF HyVee store, Toads on the Parkade, or at the Chamber office-10 N. Main. Otherwise, tickets at the door are $10 (still a bargain) and all proceeds go toward funding Chamber of Commerce programs in Cedar Falls and Waterloo. The weather prognosticators are predicting that any rains will be gone by shortly after the lunch hour, so get on out there and chow down! And an added surprise: Sam is driving in from Des Moines with his big organ (!) and Bunky will be part of the horn section. A SEVEN piece band! We play 5-8p...

Saturday we play an invitation only birthday party for Blue Tattoo. Barb has always been one of our greatest supporters so it's really cool that we'll be able to celebrate her big 5-0 (I love younger women) HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARB!...

And, we had such a good time at Porky's Car Night last week that we're DOIN' IT AGAIN!! Next Wednesday night. (9/10) Because Porky's is shutting it down after this year (HyVee bought the land) this is likely to be our last show there (unless the weather could hold out until the first week of October) So let's do it one more time in the parking lot!! (44th & Douglas, Des Moines) We play 6-9p, get there early for the great burgers...

Other dates next week include The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake Fri. 9/12 and FB & Co. in Waubeek (NE of Cedar Rapids) Sat. 9/13. More info on those dates in next week's note...

Things really have not been funny around here this week. The mother of our long-time sound engineer/consultant Phil Maass passed away Monday morning (this makes three band members to lose parents/parents-in-law this year plus Davis' dad having a heart attack a few weeks ago) and Iowa Blues Hall of Famer Rick Cicalo (who helped us on many gigs last year while we were searching for a full time bass player) has been diagnosed with liver cancer that has spread to his lung. Life is short. Tell those around you how much they mean to you...

There is an interesting dialog going on regarding the band's sound changes over our 27+ year history on our chat page (www.theblueband.com/chat2.cfm) I'd love to hear your thoughts, good or bad...

I've gotta go finish that Friday night radio show (at 3:45 in the morning?!) See ya on the Blue Highway, hopefully one of the seven food vendors at the Wing Ding has CAKE (on a stick), rub your washboard, and never forget that we love you. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Pearson Lakes Art Center Cool Show Alert

Cool showing coming up at the Iowa Great Lakes. Check it out if you are in the area.

Pearson Lakes Art Center

To Broaden Horizons Through the Arts

PRESS RELEASE

What: A Prairie Home Companion’s Peter Ostroushko

When: Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 7:30PM

Where: Pearson Lakes Art Center Pomerantz Hall

Cost: $20.00 for Adult Members - $24.00 for Adult Non-Members, $12 for Students

712-332-7029 for tickets or www.lakeart.org

The Pearson Lakes Art Center is pleased to bring the past musical director for “A Prairie Home Companion”, Mr. Peter Ostroushko and accompanist to the Iowa Great Lakes on Saturday, September 20, 2008. Peter has come to be regarded as one of the finest mandolin and fiddle

players in acoustic music. His tours have taken him to the stages of clubs, performing arts centers, music festivals and theatres across North America and Europe, and he has earned an international reputation as a versatile and dazzling master of instrumentation and composition.

His recording contributions stand favorably alongside great Nashville session men of his generation. He’s played with Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, but his hometown Minneapolis music scene has provided a fabulous variety of musical styles in which Peter remains unequaled: folk with Greg Brown, John Hartford, Taj Mahal, Robin & Linda Williams, bluegrass with Norman and Nancy Blake, Tim O’Brien and Hot Rize, jazz, classical, and even rock. Peter’s first recording session was an uncredited mandolin set on Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks, and his work is featured on Robin Holcomb’s 1992 release Rockabye.

Not surprisingly, Peter’s resume is dizzying in size and scope. He’s played lead ukulele with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Sir Neville Mariner. He’s barked like a dog on The David Lettermen Show. He’s appeared on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. He’s composed and performed scores for a number of theatrical productions including The Children’s Theater in Minneapolis He’s appeared on radio and television music shows including Mountain Stage, Good Evening, Prairie Home Companion, Nashville Network, Lonesome Pine Special and Austin City Limits.

Don’t miss this seasoned and remarkable performer, Peter Ostroushko, on Saturday, September 20^, 2008. Cocktails hour begins at 6:30 and the performance at 7:30PM. It’s “A Prairie Home Companion’s” Musical Director for over 20 years in the Iowa Great Lakes!

Sponsored by Perry & Teresa Pearson and Corporate Partners: Bank Midwest; Pure Fishing; Signe Kim Lauridsen-Jones; Liberty Bank; Wells Dairy Inc. and our Silver Level Corporate Sponsors: United Community Bank; Central Bank; Spirit Lake Hy-Vee; Midwest Coca-Cola; The Inn at Okoboji; Northwest Bank; Bud Pearson Fund For Art Education; Kum & Go; Piccadilly Circus Pizza/Land Mark Products, Tom Fuhrman’s Edward Jones, Arrowwood Resort

Reserve your tickets today at the Pearson Lakes Art Center box office- 712-332-7029 or www.lakesart.org. Tickets are $20 for members, $24 for non-members and $12 for students.

Iowa Blues Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Press Release

The latest press release from Don Erickson in regards to the Iowa Blues Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.

EVENT: Iowa Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – Class of 2008
WHEN: Sunday, September 21st, 2008
WHERE: Blues On Grand, 1501 Grand Ave., Des Moines
TIME: 5 – 10 p.m.
ADMISSION: $10 for Blues Society members, $12 for non-members

The 2008 Iowa Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2008 will be on Sunday, September 21st, 2008 at Blues On Grand, 1501 Grand Avenue, Des Moines. The IBHOF is a program of the Central Iowa Blues Society.
The Class of 2008 that will be honored during this great event consists of: Catfish Keith, Bob DeForest, James Kinds, and Dennis “Daddy-O” McMurrin.
The doors will open at 5 p.m. and a meal will be served beginning at 5:30. The IBHOF All-Star Revue will warm things up with music from 6 – 7 p.m. The band will feature current IBHOF members George Davis on guitar and vocals, Del “Saxman” Jones on sax, Sam Salomone on organ, and Gilbert Davis on bass. Mark Monroe will back them on drums.
At 7 p.m., the inductions honoring each new member of the Class of 2008 will begin with Bob DeForest in the non-musician category. DeForest is a Blues DJ who’s first on-air gig was 30 years ago. For 17 years now, DeForest has been a DJ for KCCK FM, a public radio station on the campus of Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. His show, Da’ Blues, is on the air every Saturday from 6 – 10 p.m.
Then Catfish Keith will be honored next and will perform a mini-set. A two-time W. C. Handy Blues Award nominee for Best Acoustic Blues Album, Catfish has ten independent radio chart-topping albums to his credit, and packs houses from coast-to-coast with his dynamic stage show. The 30-year veteran has toured the USA, UK and Europe dozens of times to wide acclaim, headlining major music festivals, and appearing with legends John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Robert Cray, Koko Taylor, Taj Mahal, Leo Kottke, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Johnny Shines and many, many others.
Next up will be James Kinds, who will also perform. Members of his band, The All-Night Riders, are expected to back James during his set. They have been tearing it up in the clubs in Dubuque and the surrounding area. James Kinds has always possessed a powerful voice, cutting his teeth on southern Gospel and developing his own distinctive style as a young man. Inspired by juke-joint Blues and early Rock ‘n’ Roll, he left Mississippi for Chicago where he became a fixture on the local music scene mixing Blues with Soul and awing audiences with his explosive delivery and intense stage routine. In Chicago, he had the opportunity to work with Blues legends Howlin’ Wolf, Junior Wells, Ike Turner and Bobby Rush. He also did a European tour with Willie Dixon.
The excitement will continue with Dennis “Daddy-O” McMurrin, who picked up the guitar at the age of 9 and has been playing for 45 years now and is considered one of the top guitarists in Iowa. He has been the leader of The Demolition Band for 22 years - a mainstay of the Yacht Club in Iowa City, and also performs with McMurrin & Johnson and Dog & B Bits. McMurrin also writes and produces radio and TV commercials for businesses.
An all-star jam will finish off the night’s festivities, as things will wrap up at 10 p.m.
Admission to this event, which includes the meal, is only $10 for card-carrying Blues society members and $12 for non-members. Part of the proceeds will go to the four new inductees.
Sponsors for the 2008 IBHOF include the Central Iowa Blues Society, the Linn County Blues Society, Blues On Grand, Cityview, VividPix & Design, KFMG 99.1 FM, Blues Revue / BluesWax, Philip Stoffregen – Attorney with Brown Winick, Music Circuit Productions, Highland Park Hardware, Chris Miner, Southside Music Studio, American Awards, Classic Hats For Men, and Tia Juana’s, Inc.
If you would like to help sponsor the IBHOF, or need more info, please contact:

Don “T-Bone” Erickson – IBHOF Committee Co-Chair
515-255-4762
bluesbone44@yahoo.com

www.bluesongrand/IBHOF

www.cibs.org

Delmark Records Update

Hope you had an enjoyable Labor Day/ Chicago Jazz Fest weekend!

We also hope you can come out and celebrate with us at...

Delmark Records' 55th Anniversary Tribute Concert at Old Town School of Folk Music !!
Friday, September 26, 2008, 8 pm
4544 N. Lincoln Ave in Chicago's Lincoln Square
773-728-6000

Chicago Blues/Jazz Summit with
Dave Specter (guitar, bandleader) www.davespecter.org, myspace.com/davespecter
Ari Brown (sax, bandleader) http://aacmchicago.org/richard-ari-brown, http://centerstage.net/music/whoswho/AriBrown.html
Nicole Mitchell (flute) www.nicolemitchell.com , myspace.com/blackearthsounds
Lurrie Bell (guitar, voc) www.lurrie.com, myspace.com/lurriebell
Jimmy Johnson (guitar, voc) http://www.sroartists.com/artists/jimmyjohnson/
Corey Wilkes (trumpet) www.coreywilkes.com , myspace.com/coreywilkes
and many special guests !

Our friends and neighbors at The Old Town School of Folk Music are throwing a party for Bob Koester and Delmark Records to celebrate this monumental music milestone. Do not miss this chance to honor one of the world's longest running, single-owned and operated independent record labels. Blues and jazz since 1953!!

We would love to see you at this special event held at the largest independent community arts school in the U.S.!
"Old Town School of Folk Music has the best small theater in the city, with excellent sound and sight lines" - Chicago Reader

www.oldtownschool.org

Over a half of century of amazing music from both Delmark and Old Town School of Folk Music!

Happy 51st Birthday, Old Town School of Folk Music - Thank you, Colleen and Nick!
Happy 55th Birthday, Delmark Records


Delmark is also excited to announce our 55th Anniversary CD and DVD compilations for fall release! (end of Oct.)

Delmark • 55 Years of Jazz (Delmark DE-914) - Contains one CD and one DVD!
After wearing out Delmark’s 2003 set celebrating 50 years of great jazz, you probably thought you were going to have to wait at least until 2013 for another such anniversary collection. But when you’ve got a rich catalog like Delmark’s, and a label head like Bob Koester who is committed to keep expanding that catalog, why not seize every opportunity to throw a party for your enterprise--and all the great artists behind the candles on the cake? CD features Coleman Hawkins, Sun Ra, George Lewis, Curtis Fuller, Deep Blue Organ Trio, Francine Griffin, and more. DVD features Nicole Mitchell, Ari Brown, Fred Anderson, Chicago Underground Trio , and more.

Delmark • 55 Years of Blues (Delmark DE-915) - Contains one CD and one DVD!
Delmark’s 55th anniversary blues bash at Buddy Guy’s Legends on March 7, 2008 was suitably festive, with most of Delmark’s local blues roster on hand and a Delmark Day proclamation from Mayor Daley.The role that Bob Koester, his label, and his Jazz Record Mart have played since relocating some fifty years ago from St. Louis in nurturing and furthering the Chicago blues scene have broadened its horizons and benefitted virtually everyone involved in some way. CD features Junior Wells, Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Speckled Red, Willie Kent, and more. DVD features Tail Dragger, Byther Smith, Jimmy Burns, Zora Young's performance from the 55th anniversary bash, and more.


Kevin Johnson, Delmark promotions
www.delmark.com
www.myspace.com/delmarkrecords
www.jazzmart.com

The World's Largest Blues and Jazz Shop!- JAZZ RECORD MART
The World's longest running single owned and operated record label, Delmark Records (OK, maybe 2nd longest)

Illinois Blues Blast

Blues news from Illinois

All news BLUES in the US!

FREE Blues Internet Magazine

from IllinoisBlues.com

September 4, 2008

© 2007 - 2008 IllinoisBlues.com

News, photos, reviews, live Blues links & MUCH MORE in this issue! - Scroll or Page Down!

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

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Hey Blues Fans, Voting for the 2008 Blues Blast Music Awards ended on August 31st. More than 2000 Blues fans voted in this historic event. We have tabulated the results and you can be there when we announce the winners on November 2nd, at Buddy Guy's Legends. Please see info below. SCROLL DOWN! The 25th International Blues Challenge February 4-7, 2009 in Memphis, TN Next week we will begin our continuing coverage of the Blues Foundations 2009 International Blues Challenge. Advance tickets, host hotel information, merchandise and preliminary event schedule will be available at www.blues.org beginning October 1. We will be running a series of monthly articles on what things this great event has done for the lives of those artist who have competed in the past as well as stories from Blues fans who have attended and MUCH MORE! Sun Prairie Blues Fest II this weekend! Sun Prairie, WI has a great Blues fest this weekend featuring Cliff Fredricksen, Laura England & the Mud Angels, Bobby Bryan & the Uptown Allstars, Bobby Evans & the Alimony Blues Band, Rev Raven & the Chain Smoking Altar Boys and Paul Cebar. For complete information check out www.spbluesfest.com Blues Reviews and MORE! Bluesman Gary Eckhart sends us a review and photos from the Santiago Shakedown Blues Fest. James Walker sends us a review of a new CD from The Mannish Boys. John McCormick reviews a new CD by Blues Blast Music Award nominee Magic Slim & The Teardrops. Mike O'Cull reviews a new CD by Jon Justice. Also this week we have an amazing Streaming Blues Link of the Week that features a 14 year old Norwegian guitarist and singer that will blow your mind! Last but not least we some writings from our missing in action Chicago Editor, Lordy. All this and MORE! SCROLL DOWN

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Santiago Shakedown - August 2nd, 2008 - Santiago MN Review and Photos By Bluesman Gary Eckhart The dynamic duo of Ray Bailey and Rico Anderson were at it again in August 2nd in Santiago MN. The Santiago Shakedown is one fine Blues Festival, it's on my don't miss list. Jim Belushi played there in 2004 and said it was the highlight of his summer. Ray is dedicated to the Blues. With today’s economy looking bleak, gas at 4 dollars a gallon, Ray decided to put the ticket price at 10 bucks knowing full well he was going to lose money on it. Ray puts the people first (He always does). Rico Anderson long time manager of Lamont Cranston (Dan Akryod's favorite party band) helped Ray put together a solid lineup. Lisa Wenger started the day out with a bang. I have not had a chance to see Lisa before. I heard she was great and I heard right. She set the bar high no doubt about it. Scottie Miller & The Re-Uptake Inhibitors followed Lisa, Scottie is one cat you want to keep your eye on, this guy has stardom stamped all over him. Check out Scottie's newest release "Elixir For The Soul" and you find out what I am talking about. Brandon Scott Sellner took over controls next and lit it up! You might remember me talking Brandon's performance at Prairie Dog Blues Fest recently. Well there is no let up by this young man, he just flat out rocks. Like Scottie, Brandon's another star in the making. Big George Jackson is from Minneapolis and Big George loves to Boogie, knows how to boogie and knows how to get the crowd in the boogie mood. The deals done by the end of the first song. Singer and Harp man Big George has all the tools and knows how to deliver. Johnny Rawls closed the night with his own brand of smooth as silk Blues. Johnny Rawls is a soul man of the first degree and there is no better. Accompanying Johnny on this show was daughter Destini, and yes she has the family gene! W.C. Handy Award winner and my friend Mr. Allen Kirk handled the drumming chores, Long time bass man Greg Allen held down the fort. The Soul Mates directed traffic in the bar between sets and more than held their own! Finally I have to mention the GREAT pork chops. You know that saying "Died and Gone to Heaven" which is usually reserved for Chocolate Bon Bon's? Well the same can be said for Ray's Pork Chops. I eat four of them, could of eat more but was to embarrassed to. My hat's off to Ray and Rico for putting the people first. I had great time!

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Saturday, September 6, 2008 Angell Park, Sun Prairie, WI Cliff Fredricksen Laura England & the Mud Angels Bobby Bryan & the Uptown Allstars Bobby Evans & the Alimony Blues Band Rev Raven & the Chain Smoking Altar Boys Paul Cebar www.spbluesfest.com

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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.

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Tickets for this Hammond, Indiana show go on sale Friday, 08/22/08 To Purchase Tickets CLICK HERE

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Streaming Blues Link of the Week 14 year old Fredrik Strand Halland www.fredrikstrandhalland.com Recently we ran a mini series called "The Future Of The Blues" that featured the early careers of Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. We included amazing videos of them playing when they were in their formative years from 11 to 18 years old. We stumbled on another video of a amazing 14 year old from Norway. We can't say that his career will impact the future of the Blues (YET), but we can say he is an amazing player and singer already. From what we read on his fan website, he took an innate interest in guitar at the age of 2! At the age of 3 years old, he gave the neighborhood kids a concert at his house role playing a pirate and singing popular Norwegian pirate-songs. In Kindergarten he regularly gave concerts to his school class and began a performing in the streets. At eight years old, he gave his first public guitar concert in his hometown of Olsvik, Norway. At 10 he got his first Startocaster. He was soon playing Blues fests. Sounds amazing and unbelievable but the website actually has pictures of these events to document and prove it is not just hype. CLICK HERE to see them! So how good is he? Of course we have a video to show you this GREAT guitar played and singer. Look out world! Click the link below to see the video on our website - Fredrik at 12 years old We have many more videos of Blues masters on our website. CLICK HERE to view them

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"What Goes Around” – a new CD from Michael Osborn! "Michael Osborn is one of the best blues guitarists around, he can really lay it down". - John Lee Hooker "Michael Osborn is one of the authentic blues guitarists today. His style goes straight to the heart of the blues and he’ll steal your show if you don’t watch out!” – Robben Ford www.checkerboardrecords.com/ www.myspace.com/checkerboardrecordscom CLICK HERE to purchase

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David Honeyboy Edwards Roamin' and Ramblin' 2008 Blues Blast Music Award Nominee "Best Best Traditional Blues CD CLICK HERE to purchases Now! To read the Blues Blast CD review - CLICK HERE

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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. Band seeks Agent Back The Jimi Vincent Band from Savannah, Ohio is currently looking for representation/agent. Call Jimi @ 419-685-0466, www.thejimivincentband.com email bluesman2@netzero.com 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

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Eden Brent 2008 Blues Blast Music Award Nominee "Sean Costello Rising Star Award" www.edenbrent.com To read a review of this CD, CLICK HERE CLICK HERE to Purchase this CD now!

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Blues Society News

Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to: Please submit a maximum of 125 words in a Text or Word format ONLY. Press releases not formatted Mississippi Valley Blues Society - Davenport, IA The Mississippi Valley Blues Society brings Bill Lupkin's Chicago Blues Harmonica to the Redstone Room in Davenport on Friday September 5. The show, sponsored by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society, begins at 8:30; admission is $10. For further information check out www.mvbs.org Second Wind Cancer Retreat - Atlanta, GA Legendary singers Bonnie Bramlett and William Bell are among the many artists scheduled to perform at BluesFest ‘08, benefiting the Second Wind Cancer Retreat, on Sunday, October 5, at Blind Willie’s blues club in Atlanta. Other artists scheduled to perform at the benefit include Liberty Jones, Men in Blues and Ike Stubblefield and Friends. Doors opening at 3:00 PM and music scheduled to run from 4:00 – 8:00 PM. Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door, with no one admitted under 21 years of age. This non-smoking event is also dedicated to the memory of blues guitarist Jeff Healey, who passed away from cancer in March. Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL Blue Mondays- Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:30pm $2 cover - Sept 1 - Scott Ellison, Sept 8 - Bill Lupkin & the Chicago Blues Coalition, Sept 15 - Harmonica Wizards Dennis Gruenling & Steve Guyger, Sept 22 - Lil Dave Thompson, Sept 29 - The Blues Deacons, Oct 13 - The Rich Fabec Blues Band, Oct 20 - Too Slim & the Tail Draggers The Blues Blowtorch Society - Bloomington, IL Blues Blowtorch Society presents The Blues Blowtorch Society's Educational Fund Raiser, September 21, 2008 -1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Tri Lakes Banquet Facilities, 2100 Bunn St., Bloomington, IL Featuring Black Magic Johnson 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM and Lil' Dave Thompson 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM. Food and Drink for sale by Tri-Lakes Membership. Events for Everyone - How to Start a Band Workshop, Auctions, more! For more Information - Deborah Mehlberg - Entertainment Director 309-662-0996 or E-mail Deborah464@aol.com The West Virginia Blues Society - Charleston, W.V. The West Virginia Blues Society will hold its Second Annual Blues Competition on October 4, 2008 at Christopher's Banquet Center in Fairmont, WV. Blues bands and solo/duo blues acts will compete for cash prizes and WVBS sponsorship to the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge held every year in Memphis, Tennessee. Complete information is available online at www.wvbluessociety.org

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Paramount Blues Festival September 19 & 20, 2008 Grafton, WI Sue DaBaco & Wise Fools - Zac Harmon - CTA - California Transit Authority - Fruteland Jackson - David "Honeyboy" Edwards - Sharrie Williams - Bryan Lee - Watermelon Slim & the Workers - Tab Benoit - Elvin Bishop Festival Website: www.graftonblues.org/id36.html

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Chicago Blues Update

Live Blues reviews by Chicago Blues editor Lordy Blues Beat: Chicago (Photos by August Lord) Lordy will return soon with another Chicago Blues Show review. Here is a short note from him about recent Blues events in Chicago. I missed the blues. Circumstances beyond my control forced me to take a leave of absence from my avocation of supporting live blues music in Chicago. It was ironic how being away from the blues, gives me the blues. Just as with my time spent away from my religion, it is something I don’t want to do again. Making the most of a bad situation, I was able to collect material for my next book. In the month I was on the sidelines, I learned with great sadness of the loss of two of my local blues friends; Lil’ Arthur Duncan and Phil Guy. Several more of my friends, playing with Koko were injured in a crash. I wish them a speedy recovery. Thinking of these people did help keep me from feeling sorry for myself. I am indeed fortunate in many ways, not least of which is knowing these people. My first job back was to update the Chicago Blues Beat Calendar. I posted all the gigs for September that I am aware of. I am proud of the calendar project and hope you have a chance to check it out. Please feel free to correct or add information using the contact us page of the site. Oops, pride comes before the fall. So does September. I want to thank all of you that noticed I was gone. It’s amazing what a short email or phone call will do for your spirits. I want to thank Dana Kavan my editor at Chicago Examiner and Bob Kieser from The Blues Blast for their patience. Please do yourself a favor and review the September blues schedule, and make some plans in advance to get out and enjoy. Peace. CLICK HERE to visit Lordy's website at ChicagoBluesBeat.com To see a Chicago Area list of upcoming events CLICK HERE

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The National Debonaires New Sounds from Kansas City 2008 Blues Blast Music Award Nominee "Best Blues Song" for Ain't Gonna Happen Again CLICK HERE to purchases Now! To read the Blues Blast CD review - CLICK HERE

www.backdoorslam.com

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Featured Blues Review (1 of 3)

The Mannish Boys - Lowdown Feelin’ Delta Groove Music www.themannishboys.com 17 songs; 72:52 minutes; Suggested Styles: Chicago Blues ensemble “Pro - GRAMS! Get your programs! You can’t tell the players without a program!” This well worn barkers phrase heard at ball games could also apply to the fourth release by California’s The Mannish Boys. With no less than 20 musicians on board, a reader’s guide is a must. The liner notes suffice nicely at pegging the “Who’s Who” for each of the 17 songs. By the way, the “20” number does not include famed producer and engineer David Z plus co-producer Jeff Scott Fleenor (with label owner Randy Chortkoff) and the assistance of analog studio owner Chuck Kavooras, at Slideaway Music Studio. According to Chortkoff, the idea for this album, which is prime for a Blues Music Award nomination, was to search for great blues songs “that almost no one has ever heard before – that no one ever plays.” Their search went nationwide, from coast to coast, from Chicago to Texas, and Florida, too. The result is wonderful, pure blues album with no Rock! 30 songs were recorded, four of which were originals (Chortkoff provided two and a pair by Little Sammy Davis), and an almost unheard of 17 made the final cut. At almost 73 minutes in length, there are no quibbles about economic value. Bobby Jones sings seven tunes, including my favorite track, Chortkoff’s original “Searchin' Blues,” a Robert Johnson “Walkin’ Blues” based song, with Goldwasser on slide guitar. Original member Finis Tasby sings lead on the title track, Albert Collins' "If The Washing Don't Get You, The Rinsing Will" and "Something's Wrong." Johnny Dyer handles Willie Dixon’s classic "The Same Thing" and, on "Good Times" by his late friend Shakey Jake, adds harmonica. Kid Ramos, Kirk "Eli" Fletcher, and Frank "Paris Slim" Goldwasser are the main guitarists, and Junior Watson and Fred Scribner do some six string guesting. Check Junior’s killer solo on “Dead Letter Blues.” Richard Innes is back on drums, James Weber & Tom Leavey handle bass, and Chortkoff adds harmonica. Among special guests are Lynwood Slim, Al Blake, Fred Kaplan, Scott Steen, David Woodford, Cynthia Manley, and Jessica Williams. Analogous to Olympic USA basketball “dream teams,” The Mannish Boys line up features many all stars. But, not every dream team won the gold (remember Greece in 2004). This album is so good, it begs only esoteric wonderings. What would it sound like if the members were a real band, together since high school, sharing decrepit digs on an Elm Street somewhere, passionate about a project and a sometimes overwhelming collective identity, and integrated down to the cellular level? 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 For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.

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Festival Website: www.bluesandheritagefest.net

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2008 Blues Blast Music Awards Sunday, November 2, 2008 Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago, IL. Confirmed Blues artists performing are Tim "Too Slim" Langford from Too Slim and the Taildraggers, Lurrie Bell, Dave Riley & Bob Corritore, Steve Gerhard and Mo Bailey from the National Debonaires, The Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Magic Slim & the Teardrops, Lurrie Bell, Teeny Tucker, Gina Sicilia and John Nemeth! Ticket info will be available soon.

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Featured Blues Review (2 of 3)

Magic Slim & The Teardrops - Midnight Blues www.magicslimblues.com Blind Pig Music It’s no surprise that Midnight Blues is a great album. Do a google search for Morris “Magic Slim” Holt and you’ll see the phrase “living legend” used with some frequency. Where the six-time Blues Music Award-winning Slim does surprise us is in the fact that on an album full of classic tunes written by the likes of Muddy Waters and Hound Dog Taylor, Slim’s original compositions are STILL among the strongest on the disc. No small feat indeed. The result is the seamless pedigree of a true bluesman. Holt rips and roars his way through standards and originals with such aplomb that it’s difficult to consider any of the borrowed songs to be covers – channelings would be more accurate. “Give Me Back My Wig” is an obvious standout, a grime-caked rendition that rumbles with almost seismic force. Imagine Willie Dixon sung by a bear, and you’re getting close. Slim’s voice belies every single one of his seventy hard-fought years and is still no less powerful for them. The self-professed owner of “the meanest vibrato in blues,” is equally epic in his guitar work. Sparse when it needs to be, dominating at all other times, the riffing on this album is on par with the greats, and Holt’s tone raises the question as to why Gibsons aren’t the only guitars made. Although several of Midnight Blues’ tracks clock in over the 4:30 mark, none of them go on longer than they should – Slim’s playing is consistently engaging. Similarly, not enough good can be said about the Teardrops. Unlike many “and the” bands, The ‘Drops aren’t simply adequate and unassuming – they’re as much of the experience as Slim is. One even gets the feeling that The ‘Drops are a big part of the reason that Holt is still rocking at a spry seventy years. With a band this tight, who’s got time to slow down? Throw in guest appearances by modern Blues legends Lonnie Brooks and Elvin Bishop James Cotton, Lil' Ed, Otis Clay, and George Barge and the Teardrops have never sounded better. If one has ever seen Slim in concert, then one can attest to the fact that his albums do an admirable job of capturing the intensity of his live performances. Midnight Blues is particularly adept in this department, as producer Nick Moss leaves every granule of grit in Slim’s voice and guitar. Whereas some argue that blues vocals have suffered recently as a result of the ultra-clean sound of digital recording, Moss uses the opportunity to give Slim’s gravelly baritone a booming clarity that lets one fully enjoy one of the best voices in blues today. Simply put, Midnight Blues is a blast from start to finish. As the true bluesmen slowly fade away, Magic Slim remains a national treasure – not only for the caliber of his musicianship, but also for the sheer amount of fun that’s very obviously being had by anyone in his immediate vicinity. by John McCormick For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.

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http://topcatrecords.com

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Too Slim and the Taildraggers Fortune Teller 2008 Blues Blast Music Award Nominee for "Best Contemporary Blues Recording" CLICK HERE to Vote for Us NOW To purchase this CD now CLICK HERE

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Featured Blues Review (3 of 3)

Jon Justice - The Rebound http://www.jonjustice.com/ Cincinnati-based guitarist and vocalist Jon Justice seems to somewhat of a force of nature in his adopted hometown (he is originally from the Chicago area.). He was named to the Best of Cincinnati list by City Beat Magazine, won the Cincinnati Blues Challenge, and has been nominated for three Cincinnati Entertainment Awards. One listen to his second CD release The Rebound and it is a no-brainer to see why Justice commands so much respect. He writes and plays some of the greasiest, grooviest blues/soul/swamp music seen in these parts in many a moon and he is equally skilled in standard and slide guitar styles, which he showcases with great taste all over the disc. He also arranged and co-produced the record himself in an effort to maintain the purity of his sound and vision and tracked it all with his road-tested touring band. The result of all this hands-on attention is a much more personal album than his debut effort Forget About Time and one that truly reveals all that Justice is capable of. When instrumental skills are equal, it is the songs that divide the haves from the have-nots and the writing on The Rebound puts Justice squarely in the former camp. It is almost a shame that this music didn’t come out 30 years ago when blues-based music got more radio time than it does now, because some of these songs would have been hits, especially the opening cut “Nobody’s Bizness”, which is all fatback groove and slide guitar. Justice is very good at channeling his blues, soul, and gospel influences into an original sound, which is tougher than it looks, and that skill makes his music organic and immediately friendly without ever falling into imitation or cliché. Justice is one of the new breed of blues artists trying to move their music beyond the bar band script the world has already heard so many times and he seems to be doing quite well with it. Hopefully, this record will raise his profile around the country to what it is in Cincinnati and his songs will attract the larger audience they justly deserve. . Review by Tom "THE ENERGIZER" Schlesinger, a long time blues lover and fan, and a veteran of many Legendary Blues Cruises and Festivals all over the mid west and Florida.

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Willie Big Eyes Smith New CD Born In Arkansas CLICK HERE to Purchase this CD www.williebigeyessmith.com

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Live Blues Calendar

Performance dates were submitted by Musicians, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Blues festivals. IllinoisBlues.com is not responsible for errors or omissions. CLICK HERE - for the Latest Complete Blues Calendar on our website at: IllinoisBlues.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 Submit your Blues performances for FREE at: http://www.illinoisblues.com/submitnews.htm

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