The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research

Stay Connected We're now on Pinterest!   Support the Fund   As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all donations to The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research are tax-deductible. There is no amount too small. Donate today to make a difference. Order Your Sean Costello CDs and Merchandise Proceeds from CDs, t-shirts, and other merchandise sales benefit the Fund. Don't forget to buy your copy of Sean Costello's most recently released CD, "At His Best - Live." Check out our store. Bipolar Disorder Resources The Fund is dedicated to helping individuals with Bipolar Disorder, their families, and friends. View our list of resources. Leadership Read about the Fund's Officers, Directors, and Scientific Advisory Committee on our website.	AN EASY WAY FOR YOU TO HELP THE SCMF! Help the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research win a $50K video for the MOJO Project. All you have to do is vote for our pitch one time. Easy as that! Contest is over in August--help us make the Top 3!  Just click here to cast your vote! To further entice you to vote, when we win, we will pick one person to receive an Apple TV!  Encyclomedia will send you a confirmation email when you vote.  Please forward that email, along with your name, to info@seancostellofund.org to enter! If we win, we will receive the following to create a video about the MOJO Project:    Full HD production and delivery  5 shoot days with an 8-person crew   10 days of offline edit   3 days of finishing on the Autodesk Smoke system   5 days of motion graphic design   5 days of preproduction with producer    We are focusing our fundraising efforts this year on the MOJO Project, an internet-based application for monitoring the sleep of musicians.  MOJO will be available online 24-7, thus meeting the unusual waking hours of musicians. MOJO will help each musician keep track of sleep patterns and manic symptoms and will warn them when symptoms are in the dangerous zone, fostering treatment-seeking at critical windows.   We believe that this application can help save lives, for lack of sleep and manic episodes can lead to feelings of indestructibility and encourages the likelihood of a musician engaging in risky behavior.  By tracking and monitoring symptoms of mania and sleep patterns, MOJO can help musicians seek help when the likelihood of taking risks becomes high.   DONATE FOR FREE!  Use GoodSearch every time you do an internet search, GoodShop when you purchase something online, and GoodDining to start earning donations up to 6% for your cause today! Be sure to select Sean Costello Memorial Fund to Benefit Bipolar Research (Marietta - GA) as your cause.
OTHER WAYS TO HELP: If you have a Chase bank account, cast your vote for the Fund in the Chase Community Giving program to help us win $5 million for bipolar research!  Support musicians who donate their time to the Fund through concert ticket and CD purchases. Most of the musicians who have given of their time to the Sean Costello Memorial Fund have done so at no cost.   We also encourage you to check out Rockers in Recovery, dedicated to supporting musicians and music lovers in recovery, or who support recovery. Right Turn combines innovative outpatient treatment with supportive housing for addiction.  Become patrons of businesses such as Datadirect, D.B.A. Barbeque, Fat Matt's Rib Shack, High-Tech Tennis, NoizePro, and Northside Tavern - businesses who continually support the Fund. In Sean's memory, we hope you will share his music with your family, friends and colleagues.  "The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." - Oscar Wilde Thank you for all that you do to help the Sean Costello Memorial Fund continue its mission!

Fundraiser For Rhett Tyler: Middletown New York August 21st

Sonny Rock from New York has sent me some information about a fundraiser for Rhett Tyler.  If you are in the Middletown area on August 21st be sure to step in and help out a fellow bluesman in need.  Message from Sony below.



A message to all musicians and fans of guitar man Rhett Tyler. Rhett has been in the hospital for the last several weeks, we almost lost him. He is home and resting as of today (7/12). He needs our help. Sunday August 21St at Brians Backyard BBQ in Middletown, N.Y. will be a benefit for Rhett. $15 a head, 4-8PM. Please find Roxy Perry on FB if you are interested in helping in any way. I've played & recorded with Rhett. He has helped me when I was down from surgery. Please support a great talent. Thank You!
  Sonny Rock

Help South Skunk Blues Society

Craig Peterson president of the South Skunk Blues Society sent me an email to let me know about upcoming fundraiser for the SSBS.  The Skunkers were one of my favorite blues societies because their heart was always in the right place.  So if you are around Central Iowa during any of these date make sure to stop by and say hello to the South Skunk Blues Society!

Official South Skunk Fundraisers:
1. May 21  Speakeasy in Newton (Saturday)  Sumpin’ Doo 8-12PM  
See Blues Hall of Fame for info: http://cibs.org/events-programs/iowa-blues-hall-of-fame/gilbert-davis/   http://cibs.org/events-programs/iowa-blues-hall-of-fame/george-davis/
2. June 11 Sugar Grove Winery West of Newton and a bit north on the gravel (Saturday-Newton Alumni weekend)  Hot Tamale and the Red Hots  6:30-9:30 PM
3. June 17 Speakeasy in Newton (Friday) Gary Gibson Group 8-12PM  (note this is a change from the earlier schedule which had them playing on June 10)
4. July 23 Game Time in Grinnell (Saturday) All Day Event – South Skunk on the Road – Announcement of bands will be coming soon
5. July 29th Speakeasy (Friday)  Matt Woods and the Thunderbolts  8-12 PM

Also note these other blues events that are taking place in Skunk land brought to us by our sponsors, friends and supporters:
May 14        Revolution Cycle – Baxter / Open House and Customer Appreciation / Smoked Pork Loin  /Crossroads Band/ 1-5 PM
June 4         Goat Ranch – Baxter / Redneck BBQ Cook-off (all day event) / Bob Pace Band 8:30 – Midnight
July 28        Goat Ranch – Baxter / Mid Day on Ragbrai route from Altoona to Grinnell / Matt Woods and the Thunderbolts

Don't Pass Me By: A Celebration Of Sean Costello

For Immediate Release April 5, 2011  Contact: Kelli Stripling kelli@seancostellofund.org

THE SEAN COSTELLO MEMORIAL FUND FOR BIPOLAR RESEARCH PRESENTS DON'T PASS ME BY: A CELEBRATION OF SEAN COSTELLO DATE:     Saturday, April 16, 2011 6:00 PM  PLACE:   Northside Tavern         1058 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA WHO:      Chicago Joe's Rockin' Blues Camp Band, Odd Man Out, Truett Lollis, The Hollidays,          Snave & the Grass, Rod Hamdallah, The Electromatics, Uncle Sugar      WHAT:    The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research will hold its third annual celebration of Sean Costello on Saturday, April 16th, 2011 at Northside Tavern, located at 1058 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA. This year's lineup features: Chicago Joe's Rockin' Blues Camp Band, Odd Man Out, Truett Lollis, The Hollidays, Snave & the Grass, Rod Hamdallah, The Electromatics, and Uncle Sugar. Doors open at 5pm and entertainment will follow from 6pm - 2am. Tickets are only $10 at the door! Donations are tax deductible according to IRS guidelines. This year's concert will also recognize our volunteers who have helped us over the last three years. We would not be able to continue the mission of the Fund without the support of our dedicated volunteers. Sean Costello was most recently recognized for his posthumously released Sean's Blues: A Memorial Retrospective, which was nominated for Best Historical Album in the 2010 Blues Music Awards, and Best Contemporary Blues Recording in the 2010 Blues Blast Music Awards. Also, We Can Get Together, the last CD released by Sean, was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album by the BMAs in 2009.  His legacy includes 6 CDs beginning with Call the Cops at age 17 and multiple international awards. The Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research is uniquely focused on the needs of musicians with bipolar disorder. The Fund supports and conducts research on bipolar disorder and creativity while promoting awareness, providing education, and serving as a resource for these musicians and their support systems in order to foster acceptance, functioning and health. For more information, please visit www.seancostellofund.org.   >> Download Poster

CIBS Has The Blues. SUNDAY OCTOBER 25th BENIFIT AT BLUES ON GRAND

The Central Iowa Blues Society has the blues. Due to low attendance at the Living History Blues Fest, our beloved local blues society needs a major transfusion of cash. (click here to read an online story from the Des Moines Register.) Of course your local friendly neighborhood blues bands are riding to the rescue. On Sunday, at Blues on Grand, starting at 5pm, Sumpin Doo, Bob Pace, featuring Steve George, and Matt Woods And The Thunderbolts, will perform. Also a sumptuous feast will be supplied by the Machine Shed!!! Trust me anyone who lives here in the heartland knows how good the food is from the Machine Shed. The price for show and food is only 25 dollars! That is a great deal, three great bands, and food! Plus with all the money you save you can donate even more to CIBS! Furthermore, every dollar donated will be matched up to 3,500 bucks!

This is an important gig so get your face in the place! Help save the blues in Des Moines.

Andy Coats Update

Please join the Bank Walkers, along with a host of other bands, this Saturday:

Sat., March 28, 7 pm – until
"LIFT" - A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR KAREN & HAILEY CLARK
217 W Martin St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 821-0777
http://berkeleycafe.net

$10 Donation at the Door

This is for two darling little girls, Karen and Hailey, whose father Daniel was recently shot. He survived, but has a long road to recovery ahead of him with steep medical bills.

Our goal is to raise as much money as we can to offset medical expenses and secure the future of his two daughters. 100% of the monies collected will go towards this effort.

Here’s the complete lineup of bands for the event:

7:15pm-7:55pm - Andy Coats & The BankWalkers
8:15pm-8:45pm - Bloodshine
9:05pm-9:45pm - Messenger of Hope
10:05pm-10:45pm - Untold
11:05pm-11:45pm - Allister Fiend
12:05am-until - BIND

Hope to see you there!

Andy

www.andycoats.com
www.myspace.com/andycoats
www.myspace.com/andycoatsandthebankwalkers

Dewey Cantrell Jodi Bodley, and KFMG

Just in from Dewey Cantrell

Hey all, my partner in crime and the blues, Jodi Bodley and I are going to be featured on a special edition of KFMG’s Tuesday night blues show (99.1 FM and kfmg991.com streaming internet radio). The show runs from 7-10pm and in addition to the excellent blues Scott (Big Dawg) Allen and Don (T-bone) Erickson always play, the show will be featuring some great live music with 2-time Iowa Blues Challenge winner Matt Woods in the first hour, The Fat Tuesday guys in the second hour (also Iowa Blues Challenge winners), and Jodi and I in the last hour. So somewhere around or shortly after 9:00 we will be talking with the host and performing a song or two live.

It’s all part of KFMG’s first ever fundraising event during February 16th through February 22^nd to help operate this great radio station. KFMG is a World Class progressive music station that covers everything from blues to jazz to Steely Dan to singer-songwriters like John Hiatt, and a plethora of great adult alternative music. They may be a “low power” local station, but they play great stuff on 99.1 FM all the time so tune in if you can. Like I mentioned above, they’re also streaming live to the web so check out www.kfmg991.com if you’re outside Des Moines, and you can also find out more about the event and the station in general there, too

It should be fun to talk and perform some blues totally live and unrehearsed (well, the interview part anyway).

Dewey Cantrell
www.thebluesbureau.com

(515) 256-7891

Eric Sardinas At The Winter Blues Blowout!!

Press release from Iowa Public Radio

For immediate release: February 16, 2009
Contact: Joan Kjaer, 319-335-5746

Eric Sardinas & Big Motor to headline 2009 Winter Blues Blowout for Iowa Public Radio

2/16/09 (Cedar Falls) - Eric Sardinas brings his signature brand of delta dynamite to the Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo on February 21 for the 2009 Winter Blues Blowout, presented by the Friends of KUNI/KHKE on behalf of Iowa Public Radio.

Picking up the guitar at the age of six, Eric Sardinas reaped a heapin' helpin' of inspiration from a melting pot of influences numbering R&B, gospel, rock and roll and most tellingly, his profound love of traditional blues forms. All inform the songwriting and incendiary playing on the new album, "Eric Sardinas and Big Motor." And while those influences inexorably shape his playing he's no mere mimic. Instead, he's absorbed all those styles into his DNA, reinterpreting them into his own driving contemporary blues/rock sound.

On his latest album, the artist delivers a powerful musical statement that stands as his most accomplished release to date, fueled by a wily sense of adventure, imagination and ferocious lead guitar finery. Honest, soulful and fire-branded with a gritty passion, Eric Sardinas is the real deal, infusing his music with an embattled spirit, reconfiguring deep southern blues with the finesse of a master. Scoring accolades for his previous studio albums (1999's "Treat Me Right," 2001's "Devil's Train" and 2003's "Black Pearls"), Sardinas has garnered acclaim for his explosive live performances, which clearly demonstrate his consummate six-string agility. A veteran of the live circuit, he’s racked up thousands of performances worldwide.

Opening the show is Iowa City area's Kevin "BF" Burt & the Instigators. Showtime is 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.).

Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the door). Advance tickets can be ordered online at www.iowapublicradio.org or by calling 800-772-2440, ext. 0. Advance tickets are also available at the KUNI Studios and Bob's Guitars in Cedar Falls. All proceeds benefit Iowa Public Radio.

Financial support is made possible by Lincoln Savings Bank (Waterloo), Lucky 13 Design (Des Moines), Blue Monday Monthly (Owatonna, MN), Blackhawk Hotel (Cedar Falls) and the Friends of KUNI/KHKE.

Iowa Public Radio informs, enriches and engages Iowans through radio programming and other media. Iowa Public Radio includes the WOI Radio Group (Iowa State University, Ames), KUNI-KHKE (University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls), and KSUI-WSUI (University of Iowa, Iowa City).

###

Scott Vezdos

Marketing/Communications Specialist

Iowa Public Radio

3rd Floor, CAC

Cedar Falls, IA 50614

p: (319) 273-3497

www.iowapublicradio.org

Eric Sardinas At The Winter Blues Blowout!!

This just in from IPR. Eric Sardinas to perform at the Winter Blues Blowout!!!

For immediate release: January 14, 2009
Contact: Joan Kjaer, 319-335-5746

Eric Sardinas & Big Motor to headline 2009 Winter Blues Blowout for Iowa Public Radio

1/14/09 (Cedar Falls) - Eric Sardinas brings his signature brand of delta dynamite to the Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo on February 21 for the 2009 Winter Blues Blowout, presented by the Friends of KUNI/KHKE on behalf of Iowa Public Radio.

Picking up the guitar at the age of six, Eric Sardinas reaped a heapin' helpin' of inspiration from a melting pot of influences numbering R&B, gospel, rock and roll and most tellingly, his profound love of traditional blues forms. All inform the songwriting and incendiary playing on the new album, "Eric Sardinas and Big Motor." And while those influences inexorably shape his playing he's no mere mimic. Instead, he's absorbed all those styles into his DNA, reinterpreting them into his own driving contemporary blues/rock sound.

On his latest album, the artist delivers a powerful musical statement that stands as his most accomplished release to date, fueled by a wily sense of adventure, imagination and ferocious lead guitar finery. Honest, soulful and fire-branded with a gritty passion, Eric Sardinas is the real deal, infusing his music with an embattled spirit, reconfiguring deep southern blues with the finesse of a master. Scoring accolades for his previous studio albums (1999's "Treat Me Right," 2001's "Devil's Train" and 2003's "Black Pearls"), Sardinas has garnered acclaim for his explosive live performances, which clearly demonstrate his consummate six-string agility. A veteran of the live circuit, he’s racked up thousands of performances worldwide.

Opening the show is Iowa City area's Kevin "BF" Burt & the Instigators. Showtime is 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.).

Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the door). Advance tickets can be ordered online at www.iowapublicradio.org or by calling 800-772-2440, ext. 0. Advance tickets are also available at the KUNI Studios and Bob's Guitars in Cedar Falls. All proceeds benefit Iowa Public Radio.

Financial support is made possible by The Warner Group, Inc. (Waterloo), Lucky 13 Design (Des Moines), Blue Monday Monthly (Owatonna, MN), Blackhawk Hotel (Cedar Falls) and the Friends of KUNI/KHKE.

Iowa Public Radio informs, enriches and engages Iowans through radio programming and other media. Iowa Public Radio includes the WOI Radio Group (Iowa State University, Ames), KUNI-KHKE (University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls), and KSUI-WSUI (University of Iowa, Iowa City).

###

Scott Vezdos

Iowa Public Radio Marketing/Communications Specialist

Iowa Public Radio

University of Northern Iowa

3rd Floor, CAC

Cedar Falls, IA 50614

p: (319) 273-3497

Help Support Women In The Blues

Michele Seidmen who runs the National Women In Blues festival in North Carolinia, has a great deal for not only you, but for her great blues show. Check out her press release below.

Dear Folks

If you shop at Belks or love getting special prices
when you go shopping then read on!

Once every season Belk Stores
do a huge sale for ticket holders only! The sale is coming up November 15th from
6am-10am ONLY! This is a special sale with discounts from 20-50% on Brand items
that normally do not get marked down and more! Want to go and support a good
cause? This time Belk has included the National Women in Blues in Wilmington
NC as one of it's groups worthy of support and you can help the WiB AND go
to the sale all for only $5 and that comes back to you if you make any purchase
at the sale!

Here is how it works:

1) You buy the
ticket from us at the WiB and we mail it to you or you can pick it up from
me.
2) You go to the sale when regular customers are not allowed in the
doors!
3) You get huge discounts AND $5 off your purchase for your ticket
purchased from the WiB.

We get to keep the funds to help with our
operations and you get to save lots of money on items you would normally buy and
other things you might not have thought to buy if not for the great sale prices
at this 'once a season' sale.

If you have a credit card you can
buy your ticket now through this PayPal link and you don't need a PayPal account
to use it, just a credit card. You can also snail mail a check or money order
made out to the WiB to: WiB/Belk Tickets PO Box 27 Wilmington, NC
28402.

Via PayPal with any major Credit Card:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=642710
(You
can click the link or copy and paste it to your browser)

Buy a
ticket today or buy several and take some friends! You get a deal and help the
WiB all for only $5!

www.belk.com and www.nationalwomeninblues.com

Thanks for
considering this!

Sincerely

Michele
Michele
Seidman
WiB CBW

Walk For Autism Changed

This is important news for people and blues lovers in Des Moines. They have changed the venue for the Autism Walk set for Saturday due to flooding. So those of you in Des Moines who plan to catch the King B's at the walk they will be at Valley High School Stadium in West Des Moines NOT WATER WORKS!

Here is the stuff you need to know from Sabrina from the Central Iowa Blues Society.

The location for the Autism Walk set for Saturday, June 7th at Gray's Lake has been changed. It is now going to be at Valley High School Stadium in West Des Moines. Registration starts at 9AM and the walk will begin at 10AM. There is plenty of parking and walking and biking trails in the area. There will still be shuttles for those that need to get to and from parking lots. The band, The King B's, will still play.

The potential for flooding in Gray's Lake increases each day and Water Works, which has handled the overflow, is closed. So the move was necessary. There will be volunteers to direct traffic at Valley High. There will also be volunteers at Gray's Lake in case word does not get to folks who are not aware of the move.

Bob Dorr And The Blue Band

Important fundraising information from Iowa's favorite public radio DJ!!

Quick, before one of these lightning strikes blows up my new computer... Tonight (Fri.) See you at Walker/Johnston Park (about 88th and Douglas) in Urbandale (suburban Des Moines) for this year's appearance at Urbandale Friday Fest. Most of the weather prognosticators think the rain will be over by mid afternoon, so we'll hope to do the date at the ballpark. If it rains, I'm told that we move inside to The Game Bar. 3719 86th St., almost across the street from the park. We play 5:15ish to 8:15ish. Heath can walk from his house. (BTW, in case you don't check the chat page on the website, Heath's wife Beth is recovering from gallbladder surgery)... Saturday night is literally the best sounding parking lot on the tour. John & Gary's Gametime on West St. in Grinnell, 9-mid... And then we're getting up early and driving to The Troll Capitol of The World!! Mt. Horeb Wisconsin, which is also home to the Mustard Museum (Poupon U.) Mt. Horeb Summer Frolic is a 3 day event packed with live entertainment and beer drinking. (Beer drinking? In Wisconsin? Really?) And then everyone sings "Troll out the barrel"! (sorry, I can never resist the easy pun) We play 5-8p to wrap up the festivities. More info: www.trollway.com/images/SUMMER%20FROLIC%2008%20FLYER.pdf I believe this is the 6th month in a row for Mother Nature to be raging. A good deal of central and northern Iowa is under a flood warning tonight. This is after the devastating EF5 tornado that destroyed the towns of Parkersburg and New Hartford and killed 7 people last Sunday. The Blue Band, Checker & The Bluetones, The Salsa Band, and local American Idol performer Jason Rich have answered the call put out by the Gallagher/Bluedorn Performance Center here in Sparkle City for a fundraising concert. Join us in the The Great Hall Tuesday June 3 starting at 7pm. Each act will do 30-40 minutes, tickets are only $15 with ALL proceeds to tornado victims. More info or order tix: www.gbpac.com or 1-877-549-SHOW... Earlier Tuesday morning I will be a guest on Iowa Public Radio's morning talk show, The Exchange. More info about the concert, a couple of songs from our new CD, and maybe some listener questions! The show starts at 10am, I'll be on during the second half-hour, if my alarm clock works. Listen anywhere on the planet at www.iowapublicradio.org. And speaking of www.iowapublicradio.org, IPR is trying an unusual cyber only fundraiser now through Saturday night. I'm happy that my local music show Down On The Corner and the rock'n'roll history show Backtracks gets one more chance to raise money in order to be self sufficient. Altho those shows did well during the April on-air fundraiser, they did not reach the level of self sufficiency that I had hoped. If you have any money leftover after helping the folks that have been impacted by the tornados, consider becoming a Friend of Iowa Public Radio, and in the process, maybe win an HP Pavilion laptop computer. Get more info at www.iowapublicradio.org... And speaking of Iowa Public Radio FUNdraising (again?) don't miss the boat! There's only about 100 tickets left for the Riverboat cruise in Dubuque next Friday (6/6). It's currently the only Riverboat cruise scheduled for The Blue Band this year. Advance tix are only $15 (they'll be $20 if there are any left day of show.) Next Sat. June 7 marks our return to the Riverside Casino (south of Iowa City) we play 8:30-mid... The good news: there seems to be less thunder and lightning. The bad news: it seems like it's raining even harder. Where's that Wet-Vac?! See ya on the soggy Blue Highway, I'm sure you're getting lots of zydeco tie practice, playing along with those two tie songs on our new cd, and since we're heading to Wisconsin, don't forget that beer + cheese + CAKE make a great combination! Especially mixed in with a little conversation about Bret Favre (NOT) retiring! The Pack is Back. We love you, Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Buddy Fleet Benefit Shreveport LA

Just received this from email about a fund raiser for Buddy Flett. Kenny Wayne Shepherd and a host of area musicians are putting on a show tomorrow in Shreveport. I don't have a hot link to the newpaper with more information, but as soon as it comes in from the reader, I will update the post.

Hi, I happened across your website by chance, and saw that you had a
review of Buddy Flett's album, Mississippi Sea.

Your readers may not know that Buddy has been quite ill recently.
Tomorrow night, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and many local friends and
musicians will be putting on a benefit show at Shreveport's historic
Strand Theatre. Here's a link to the local newspaper article about
Buddy's medical condition and the benefit. Please spread the news,

Thank you,

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008804240305

Blues In Schools Updates

A couple of important Blues In Schools Shows from Illinois Blues. One is a Hawkeye Herman show in Peoria Illinois, the other is a fundraiser in Grafton Wisconsin. Remember to keep the blues alive make sure to attend or donate money to any blues in schools projects you come across, because it is the kids that keep the music alive!!!

Blues Society News

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Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to:

Text or Word file preferred.

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River City Blues Society - Peoria, IL

MICHAEL “HAWKEYE” HERMAN BRINGS THE BLUES TO PEORIA, ILLINOIS! - Hawkeye Herman brings his award-winning Blues in the Schools program to Glen Oak Primary School on February 25th, followed by a public performance at the Waterhouse, 619 Water Street, Suite B, in Peoria, IL.

One of America’s finest acoustic guitarists and music educators will bring the blues to Glen Oak Primary School on Monday, February 25, 2008, followed by a public performance at the Waterhouse to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria. Nationally-acclaimed blues musician Michael “Hawkeye” Herman has over 40 years of performance experience. As a music educator, Hawkeye has taken his love of blues music to students of all ages, from pre-school to university campuses, through his award-winning Blues in the Schools program, which he initiated in 1980.

On the morning of February 25th, Hawkeye will perform a one-hour concert for the children at Glen Oak Primary School in an assembly format. He will introduce students to the roots of American blues music and the influence it has had on contemporary music and popular culture. He will then spend the afternoon at the school providing kindergarten through third-grade students with a “hands-on” experience: making and playing their own instruments.

"My mission is to let young folks know that the blues is an important aspect of American music history, influencing other styles of music in the past, right up to the present," Hawkeye states. "Blues is the real deal, the story of the human experience, and that will always hold a place in the hearts and minds of the people. I'm trying to ensure, through my educational programs and workshops, that future generations are aware of their own rich musical heritage.”

At 7:00 pm that evening, Hawkeye will showcase his dynamic performance style at the Waterhouse, located at 619 Water Street, Suite B, in Peoria. This event is open to the public and kicks off at 6:00 pm with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Minimum donation for the evening concert is $10.00, with all proceeds to be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria. Hawkeye has also agreed to donate one-third of the sales of his merchandise to the Boys and Girls Clubs.

These events are sponsored by The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria, Howard and Howard Attorneys, P.C., and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School. For more information on Michael “Hawkeye” Herman, visit www.hawkeyeherman.com .

NOTE: The media is invited to attend the performance at Glen Oak School.

For more information: Janice Parker(309) 676.2941 janice@cidmce.org or Eric Pilat (309) 633.7883 epilat@cefcu.com

The Grafton Blues Association - Grafton, WI

The Grafton Blues Association will host it’s annual Blues in the Schools and Scholarship fundraiser with the Legends of Chicago Blues!
Pinetop Perkins - Hubert Sumlin – Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Bob Stroger will take the stage on March 29, 2008 at Circle B Recreation Center in Cedarburg Wisconsin. More information is available on our website www.graftonblues.org

Witter Gallery February 24th

I am playing a fundraiser with Don Demers on Sunday February 24th from 2-3;15pm. We are raising money and trying to increase memberships at the Witter Gallery in Storm Lake. Storm Lake is a very nice college town that has some nice small areas of high culture. The Witter is one of those cool places in Strom Lake that has a nice permanent collection as well as traveling art work. They call the show the February Chocolate Extravaganza, and it sounds like it will be a great time. For more information check out there website: www.thewittergallery.org

KUNI: Big Blues Show

For immediate release:

Contact: Scott Vezdos, 319-273-3497

KUNI Blues Blowout featuring the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue (Tommy Castro, Magic Dick, Deanna Bogart)

Saturday, February 9, 2008 (8 PM)

Electric Park Ballroom – Waterloo, IA

12/28/07 (Cedar Falls) - The Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue will roll into Waterloo’s Electric Park Ballroom for the KUNI 2008 Winter Blues Blowout on February 9, 2008. This is not just another blues show, but a standout blues event! Spearheaded by Tommy Castro and Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise founder, Roger Naber, it brings the energy and excitement of this decade’s hottest blues ticket from the High Seas to the land.

Tommy Castro, one of the most requested artists on the extremely popular and always sold out Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, has a brand new Blind Pig CD out now entitled “Painkiller.” Tommy also won BluesWax Blues Artist of the Year 2006 with a record number of first place reader votes. BluesWax is a weekly internet publication with nearly 100,000 subscribers.

Tommy has gathered two of his favorite cruising musicians for an explosive show that features former J. Geils Band founding member Magic Dick as well as 2007 Blues Music Awards finalist Deanna Bogart. Each artist will perform a set with the Tommy Castro Band, and the show closes with an electrifying jam (the highlight of the evening) sure to thrill and satisfy any blues fan. These late night jams are the highlight of each day of music on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, and all three of the acts featured in the revue are favorites of the Blues Cruise community passengers, as tallied by cruiser feedback.

Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the door). Advance tickets can be ordered online at www.kuniradio.org (in the STORE section) or by calling KUNI weekdays at 319-273-6400 or 800-772-2440, ext. 0. Advance tickets are also available at Bob's Guitars in Cedar Falls. All proceeds benefit KUNI Public Radio.

Scott Vezdos

Iowa Public Radio Marketing/Communications Specialist

KUNI/KHKE Public Radio

University of Northern Iowa

3rd Floor, CAC

Cedar Falls, IA 50614

p: (319) 273-3497

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Candye Kane Needs Your Help!!

Just got this email from the Rusty Wright Band about Candye Kane needing some help with her transportation. This is a big issue, and we can all help out our favorite blues diva. By clicking on the post title, or on the link below you can donate to a pay pal account to help her out. For more info just read the letter below.

Dear fellow Blues musicians and Blues lovers,

One of our own is in a jam and could really use a helping hand.
Touring Blues diva Candye Kane has had a horrendous streak of rotten
luck this week with her tour van. This has resulted in one missed show
already this week, lost income, and additional hotel expenses and
mechanic bills she was ill prepared for.

We're musicians too. We've been in her predicament. It sucks.

Fifteen years ago this week I white knuckled it all the way from
Northern Nebraska to Michigan in a van with a cracked engine block.
When you're a full-time musician, cash is always in short supply for
costly repairs like that so we surely sympathize with Candye's
predicament. My Nebraska adventure was the final straw that made me
give up my full time music career and life on the road for many years.

We've never met Candye but after reading about her troubles on her
Yahoo fan forum we felt compelled to help . Rusty and I got in touch
with her via email and she gave us permission to set up a donation page
through PayPal. The link is www.sadsonmusic.com/Candye/help.html On
that webpage you will find more details and a Donate button at the
bottom of the page.

You don't need a Paypal account to make a contribution and all monies
go directly to Candye's personal Paypal account. We have no access to
the donations that come her way and all transactions are secure.

Prefer to help in another way? Go to her website www.candyekane.com
and buy a CD. Better yet, buy several. CDs make great stocking stuffers.

To get this snowball rolling downhill and to put money where our mouth
is, Rusty and I have kicked things off with a $50 contribution to the
cause. Won't you join us in assisting a damsel in distress? Any
gesture of support and compassion would be welcome and greatly
appreciated by Ms. Kane. We realize that times are tight and
the holidays are coming but even five bucks or a dollar can make a
difference. It all adds up.

Unfamiliar with Candye's music? If you're a Blues Revue Magazine
subscriber you probably received the latest issue and compilation CD
in the mail this week. Skip to track # 6 to hear I'm Lucky, a really
great tune (and an ironic song choice) from Candye's latest CD,
Guitar'd & Feathered which has gotten rave reviews everywhere.

Thanks for allowing us to post this message.

All the best,
Laurie & Rusty Wright
Rusty Wright Band
www.rustywrightblues.com

Otis Taylor Plays Benifit For The Kids

Otis Taylor is one of the good ones. Tonight he played a benefit for Midland School. It is a private school near Santa Barbara. To read more about it, check out this article for the Santa Barbara Independent.

Blues Fundraiser In Western Wyndott County

People who live in the Kansas City area know about Tonganoxie, a small town located west of Kansas City Kansas. I believe it is where the Blue river splits, they call it the Tonganoxie split, and local weather lore says that tornadoes follow the split and head south of Kansas City. Anyway, some local Kansas City bands will perform at the Tonganoxie VFW park on Saturday to raise money for Big Brother, and Big Sister. Not only will there be blues, but also BBQ provided by Bum Steer of Lawrence Kansas. It looks like the headliner is Fast Johnny Ricker, who became very popular in KC after I left. Lonnie Ray Blues Band will be there as well as two other bands. I played with Lonnie Ray a couple of times, once at the Point. Lonnie is a great guitar player, so you need to check him out. For more info Click HERE.

Blind Mississippi Morris NEEDS YOUR HELP

Blind Mississippi Morris needs some much needed help. His house in Memphis is in disrepair and in need of 90,000 dollars in repair. I found out about this through the channel 5 WMC TV website in Memphis(Click Here). According to the article Morris's house doesn't meet code. Apparently some contractors are willing to donate time to repair the house. According to the reporter, Nick Kenny, if you would like to help out contact the Shelby County Commission. I took a look at the website, but I couldn't find any information on how to help Morris. If you can't find information there, you can also try emailing Nick Kenny nkenney@wmctv.com