Bob Corritore Blues News

May 4, 2009

• Chris James and Patrick Rynn to Open the Entertainment Lineup at the Blues Music Awards: Chris James and Patrick Rynn's highly acclaimed CD Stop And Think About It on the Earwig Music label has garnered a nomination for a Blues Music Award under the category of Best Debut Artist. Chris and Patrick will perform at the BMAs on May 7, 2009 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee, with a band that includes Bob Corritore on harmonica, David Maxwell on piano, and Kurt Kalker (of The Fremonts) on drums. They will be the first of a string of bands in the evening's ambitious entertainment lineup, as they perform the kick-off set at the BMA pre-party in the lobby at the Cook Convention Center (note that 5 bands will perform in sequence at the pre-party). The evening's entertainment will be a virtual who's who of the contemporary blues world: The Mannish Boys, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Bob Stroger, Johnny Rawls, Steve Guyger, Billy Gibson, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Gaye Adegbalola, Taj Mahal, Janiva Magness, Bruce Katz, Marcia Ball, Watermelon Slim, Bettye LaVette, Otis Taylor, Irma Thomas, Maria Muldaur, Kenny Neal, Rory Block, Elvin Bishop, Bob Brozman, Paul Rishell & Annie Raines, Eden Brent, Delta Highway, Johnny Sansone, Jason Ricci, Terry Hanck, Robin Rogers, Doug MacLeod, Deanna Bogart, Albert Castiglia, and more! This year, the event celebrates its 30 year anniversary, which started out under the name W. C. Handy Awards. Special thanks to The Blues Foundation, whose ongoing dedication makes this event happen each year! For more information on the BMAs, click here. This is a blues party is not to be missed. Please enjoy these photos from previous years: 2005 (click here), 2006 (click here), 2007 (click here) and 2008 (click here).
• Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Bob Corritore Appear at the Simply The Blues Festival in Fort Madison, Iowa, as Part of an Earwig Music 30th Anniversary Set: The Simply The Blues Festival happens on Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9, 2009 at C.E. Richards Rodeo Arena - Shelter House in Fort Madison, Iowa. The Chris James/Patrick Rynn Band with Bob Corritore and Kurt Kalker will appear on Saturday, May 9, 2009 as part of Earwig Music's 30th Anniversary Review that includes Johnny Drummer & The Starlighters and Liz Mandeville. Also on the bill this year are Bobby Rush, Sugar Blue, Soul Of John Black, Shannon Curfman, Harper, JP Soars (2009 IBC winner), Patrick Hazell, and more! To see the festival flyer, click here.
• Delta Groove Showcase Update: The 4th Annual Delta Groove & Eclecto Groove showcase happens at the New Daisy Theatre in Memphis on Friday, May 8, 2009, beginning at 6pm. This event happens each year on the day after the Blues Music Awards, and is a medium for the powerful Delta Groove label to both showcase its expanding roster of artists, and include guest appearances by many of the label's extended family of friends. This year's event will kick off with a sneak preview of the highly-anticipated harmonica documentary Pocket Full Of Soul, due out later this year. This year's showcase lineup includes The Soul Of John Black, The Mannish Boys featuring Finis Tasby and Bobby Jones, Bobby Jones and Steve Edmondson Band, Candye Kane (who has a forthcoming Delta Groove release), Lynwood Slim, JT Lauritsen, Los Fabulocos & Kid Ramos, Jason Ricci, The Hollywood Blue Flames with Junior Watson and Johnny Dyer, and more! Special thanks to label chief and Mannish Boys harmonica man Randy Chortkoff for throwing this great party each year, and for his far-reaching efforts and impact in the blues. For more information of this event including advance ticket info, click here.
• Jimmy Rogers Feeling Good Album to be Released on Vinyl With Previously Unissued Songs! Jerry Del Giudice from Blind Pig Records reports a May 19, 2009 street date for this limited edition, album only re-release of Jimmy Rogers' Feelin' Good album. In addition to the 9 great original tracks backed by Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, there will be two spectacular previously unissued tracks where Jimmy Rogers is backed by Bob Corritore, Buddy Reed, S.E. Willis, Bruce Lopez, and Chico Chism. For more information on this exciting new release, click here.
• Ottawa Blues Fest Lineup Announced! Rhythm Room All-Stars to Appear! The Cisco Ottawa Blues Festival takes place July 8 through July 19, 2009. The festival's amazing and eclectic lineup includes artists of all genres. Here are some of the many blues acts featured: Hubert Sumlin, Buckwheat Zydeco, Louisiana Red, David Maxwell, The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey), Bob Margolin, Diunna Greenleaf, Homemade Jamz, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm, Eden Brent, Dave Alvin, The Yardbirds, Roomful of Blues, Papa Mali, Moreland & Arbuckle, JW Jones Band with Charlie Baty, Craig Horton, The Soul Of John Black, Daddy Mack Blues Band, Zac Harmon, Eric Lindell, Shemekia Copeland, Larry Garner, Sugar Blue, Freddie Roulette, Joe Louis Walker, Doyle Bramhall, Chris Smither, Saffire - The Uppity Blueswomen, and others. Non-blues acts are a big part of this event, and are stylistically far-ranging (from Ornette Coleman to KISS). The Rhythm Room All-Stars will make appearances at the festival on July 17, 18 and 19, 2009 with special guest David Maxwell on piano (Dave will be a part of numerous shows throughout the whole week). The All-Stars with David Maxwell will also be the backing band for Louisiana Red show on Saturday, July 18, 2009. Red and David Maxwell will perform as a duet on the following day (Red and David will have a duet release later this year on VizzTone). For a complete lineup, and more information on this amazing event, click here.
• Louisiana Red's Latest Release Receiving Great Attention: Red's latest release, Louisiana Red with Little Victor's Juke Joint/Back To The Black Bayou on Ruf Records, has been warmly received throughout the world, acknowledging Red's great blues artistry. To see numerous rave reviews of this CD, click here. To see the new MySpace constructed to highlight this record, click here. Special thanks to Little Victor for his great production work on this release.
• Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup on YouTube! Please enjoy this beautiful 1973 clip of Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup performing his original song "So Glad You're Mine". To watch, click here.