Black History Month Stories About The Blues

The Cincinnati Enquirer, has a series of articles about the blues. I am not sure I buy into the death of the blues article that talks about youth and the blues. I know from experience that blues is in one of its currents ebbs, but that will soon change. I am not sure what will light the next blues fire, but it is due soon. To read the articles available from the Cincinnati Enquirer Click HERE.

Chuck Land Keeping The Blues Alive

City Beat, from Cincinnati has a great article about a musician and film maker, Chuck Land who is trying to keep the blues alive in Cincinnati. Land who plays piano has made a documentary already about the local music scene, and if I read it right he has only sold 3 DVDs ! Hmmmmmmmmmm, that doesn't bode well for Cincinnati blues. (read more about his story here) I suppose you always wonder about the politics involved in something like that. A guy makes a film about the blues, and Cincinnati has a very active blues society, you would think that he could sell more than a few DVDS? Also the funds from the sale of the DVD are suppose to go to a relief fund for musicians. Trust me on this, they need it. If music is your job, there is no retirement plans, or health care, you are on your own. It is a tough life, especially if you are a blues performer. The pay is low, and sometimes the audience can be painfully indifferent. So here is a guy trying to do something right, and no one is buying it. Makes you think for a second.

I am sure there is more to this, and the Cincy Blues Society hopefully will contact me about it and we can get this figured out. In the meantime if you want to check out Chuck's myspace page, Click Here. You want to check out his webpage, and buy his DVD, click here.

Cincy Blues Fest

Cincy Blues Fest is coming up August 3-4th. For more info Click HERE. Here is the scheadule of events for the show, and this is going to be a big show!

Here is the info from Associated Content:

Friday August 3, 2007

Main Stage
3:45-4:30 Ricky Nye - Cincy Blues Challenge Solo/Duo Winner
4:45-5:15 Blues in the Schools (BITS) Band
5:30-6:45 Steve Tracy and the Crawling Kingsnakes
7:00-8:15 Bruce Katz Band
8:30-10:00 Big George Brock
10:15-11:45 Walter Trout & the Radicals

Local Stage
5:30-6:30 Jimmy D Rogers
6:45-7:45 The Sonny Moorman Group
8:00-9:00 Them Bones
9:15-10:15 Dick & The Roadmasters
10:30 Miss Lissa & Company

King Records Tribute Stage
6:30-7:30 Elliott Ruther Trio
7:45-8:30 Bekah Williams
8:45-11:45 King Records Tribute featuring a King Records tribute band The King's Men. They will be joined by Ice House Horns and artists who recorded at King such as Piney Brown, Philip Paul, Otis Williams & His Charms and Bootsy Collins.

Saturday August 4, 2007

Before the music begins on Saturday afternoon, fans can enjoy a special backstage and onstage experience at 3pm on the Main Stage. Cincinnati local power blues guitarist Sonny Moorman (http://www.sonnymoorman.com/) will play at a small jam session as guests witness and learn about the production necessary to stage a live music event such as Cincy Blues fest.

Main Stage
3:45-4:30 Ricky Nye - Cincy Blues Challenge Solo/Duo Winner
4:45-5:15 Blues in the Schools (BITS) Band
5:30-6:45 Steve Tracy and the Crawling Kingsnakes
7:00-8:15 Bruce Katz Band
8:30-10:00 Big George Brock
10:15-11:45 Walter Trout & the Radicals

Gospel Stage with Master of Ceremony Howard Riley
3:15 Devotion
3:30-4:35 Dedicated Souls, Cincinnati, OH
4:50-5:50 The Lyric Supremes, Columbus, OH
6:05-7:15 The Gospel Creators, Atlanta, GA
7:30-8:35 The "Original" Goldenaires, Cincinnati, OH
8:50-10:00 Fred Byers & Blessed, Cincinnati, OH
10:15-11:30 The Gospel Four - Memphis, TN

Local Stage
3:15-4:15 The Bluebirds
4:30-5:30 American Standard
5:45-6:45 The Conrail Saints
7:00-8:00 Blumanchu
8:15-9:15 Tempted Souls
9:30-10:30 G. Miles and the Hitmen
10:45-Midnight Blues Jam w/ hosts Paul Van Risseghem, Joe Gorman, Phil Blank, Aron Levin. Harp players tribute - Lanky Frank, Phil Blank, Gravy Williams, Brad Hatfield and more yet to be announced

Arches Boogie Woogie Piano Stage
3:30 Todd Hepburn
4:00 Liz Pennock and Dr. Blues
4:40 Ricky Nye
5:20 Bruce Katz
6:00 Chase Garrett
6:40 Mark Braun
7:20 David Maxwell
8:00 Mac Potts
8:40 Mitch Woods
9:30 Bob Seeley
9:30 Bob Baldori
10:20 Lluis Coloma
11:10 Axel Zwingenberger
11:50 Grand Finale

'Keeping the Blues Alive' is the Cincy Blues Society's motto. The Queen City's 15th Annual Cincy Blues Fest will certainly keep the American tradition of blues music alive the first weekend of August 2007 at Sawyer Point.

Cincinnati Blues Challenge

People in Cincinnati be ready for the battle of the bands. According to the Cincinnati post, the Cincinnati Blues Challenge is Sunday put on by the Cincy Blues Society. go here for more details. The blues challenge info is about half way down the page. BTW, anyone from Cincinnati, please email, or leave a comment on who wins! I doubt that I will see it on the wire. THANKS!