Big Show Alert: Myra Taylor's 91st Birthday Party KCMO

Big show alert in Kansas City Missouri sent to me by email:

Sunday February 24th 7pm at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City

MYRA TAYLOR'S 91st Birthday Party Celebration

featuring THE WILD WOMEN of Kansas City

$8.00 advance ticket price

www.knuckleheadskc.com

Knuckleheads Saloon

2715 Rochester

Kansas City, MO 64120

816-483-1456

816-483-6407

Myra Taylor now in her 76th year in show business still sings and entertains to astound

all critics. An orginal Kansas City swing singer from the 1930's hey day. Myra has won numerous awards over the past few years, and continues stealing hearts with each performance.

Look for Myra Taylor's music from RCA/Bluebird, Mercury, and APO Records.

The worldwide Web has over 134,000 hits for Myra Taylor.

Artist Of The Week: Charlie Patton

Artist of the week is the great Charlie Patton. Patton was one of the first of the recorded Delta bluesmen. He had his own percussive style that made him stand out from his contemporaries. Patton influenced many great bluesmen, including Son House, Robert Johnson, who later influenced Muddy Waters. To check out some video's dedicated to Patton, check out the video bar on the left side of the blog.

Photo Of The Week: Downtown Storm Lake

Once again it is snowing like crazy! We are expecting up to an 1/2 foot of snow tonight, plus the temperature has hovered around 0 Fahrenheit. So once again I dug through my photo archive to find a nice summer picture. This is a photo of downtown Strom Lake in the middle of the summer. I must admit that summer is pretty good around here. So a few more months of cold and snow and hopefully it will warm up and all will be good again:-)

New Poll: Where Do You Get Your News

I am curious where most people get their news. I know there is much contempt from old media about new media. However, I am curious how you feel. Feel free to add any comments you want about the media on this post.

Thanks

Tom

Upcoming Shows At The Gathering Place Cherokee Iowa

Big shows at the Gathering Place in Cherokee Iowa.

Upcoming Shows

( view all )

Feb 7 2008 5:45P	Cherokee Connection Radio Show	Cherokee, Iowa
Feb 7 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa
Feb 15 2008 8:00P	Live Music Friday - The Tom Gary Blues Band	Cherokee, Iowa
Feb 21 2008 5:45P	Cherokee Connection Radio Show	Cherokee, Iowa
Feb 21 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa
Mar 6 2008 5:45P	Cherokee Connection Radio Show	Cherokee, Iowa
Mar 6 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa
Mar 20 2008 5:45P	Cherokee Connection Radio Show	Cherokee, Iowa
Mar 20 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa
Mar 21 2008 8:00P	Live Music Friday - Chad Elliot	Cherokee, Iowa
Apr 3 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa
Apr 17 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa
May 1 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa
May 15 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa
May 29 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa
Jun 12 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa
Jun 26 2008 7:00P	Jammin’ with Mike	Cherokee, Iowa

Eric Burdan And War April 21st 2008 ONE NIGHT ONLY

Just received this press release about a big reunion show of Eric Burdon and War. They teamed up briefly in the early 70s. I would debate the idea that Burdon was one of the great blues singers, but certainly he is one of the best of the BRITISH blues singer.

For immediate release (London, England) -

Eric Burdon & WAR will reform for the first time in 37 years to play a concert at the London Royal Albert Hall on Monday 21st April 2008. This is
a one-time only reunion concert, and the first time since they originally disbanded in 1971. Tickets for this prestigious event will go on sale on
14th February at 9am GMT. Ticket Hotline: 0844 576 5483, Book Online: www.livenation.co.uk.

Click here for the official online announcement - http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/live_nation/war.htm

Originally the front man of the Animals, Eric Burdon is considered to be one of the greatest blues singers in the world. His contribution to music is
immense. By joining forces with WAR; the most popular funk groups of the 70's, this one-time-only concert is one of the hottest tickets of 2008.

With a distinctive sound that captured the heart and soul of 1970's America, Los Angeles based WAR played the music that made people dance and think.
Their 1970 album 'Eric Burdon Declares WAR' included two No. 1 worldwide hits - 'Spill The Wine' and 'Tobacco Road'. The second album, 'The
Black-Man's Burdon' featured the hits 'They Can't Take Away Our Music' and a cover of the Rolling Stones' 'Paint It Black'.

The Royal Albert Hall concert coincides with a major reissue campaign that will see Rhino Records release the band's first two 1970 albums - 'Eric
Burdon Declares WAR' and 'The Black-Man's Burdon' on Monday 24th March. The reissue campaign will end on 14th April with the release of 'The Best of
Eric Burdon & WAR' and 'The WAR Anthology'.

Photo Credit for attached photo (c) Tom Hanley / Redferns.com.

UK Press Office / Further Information -

Tracy Gosling and Peter Noble at Peter Noble PR Consultants Ltd: Tel: 0207
272 7772, Email: tracy@noblepr.co.uk, peter@noblepr.co.uk. Noble PR Ltd,
Central Ignition, 1 Mercers Mews, London, England, N219 4PL

Andy Coats Update

The latests from Andy Coats

Hey folks, hope everyone is well!

I just got back from Memphis, where I played two very strong sets in the semi-finals and saw old friends from Iowa and Southern California. Thanks to everyone who came to hear me play at the Beale Street Tap Room – it was a lovely surprise to see so many folks from the Central Iowa Blues Society, and I’m thrilled that they are still going so strong in Des Moines.

I wasn’t able to advance, but still had a cool experience. The performer who advanced from my group, Lionel Young, was the eventual winner of the entire competition (solo/duo), so I was definitely in good company!

It’s great to be back in NC, and we’re going to crank things up this week with the band:

Andy Coats & the Bank Walkers
Friday, Feb. 15, 9 pm - mid
The Flipside
$5 Cover Charge
408 E 2nd St
Clayton, NC 27520
(919) 553-0123
The Flipside

This is a new venue for us, but word has it that it’s quite classy and has a good sound system.

So, come on out and let’s have some fun!

Best,

Andy

www.andycoats.com

www.myspace.com/andycoats

Seth Walker at the Saxon Pub

Jan sent along a nice video of Seth Walker!

Central Iowa Blues Society Winter Blues Fest

Its going to be freaking cold tonight so warm yourself up with some redhot blues in downtown Des Moines at the Winter Blues Fest in the Hotel Fort Des Moines!!


Winter Blues Fest

Sat, Feb 9, 2008
Hotel Fort Des Moines
1000 Walnut, Des Moines, IA

• Doors open at 6 PM

• $12 Advance/$15 Day of the show--good for
  Hotel Ballrooms & Chequers Lounge

• Tickets available at Blues on Grand, Hotel Ft DM
  or call 515-225-6638

• Blues Rates available at the Hotel Fort Des Moines
  515-243-1161 or 1-800-532-1466

	Willie Mac & Alan Smith 2007 Iowa Blues Challenge Winner - Solo/Duo 7:00-10:00 PM Chequers Lounge
	Trampled Underfoot 2007 KC Blues Challenge Winner - Band 7:30-10:00 PM Grand Ballroom website>>
	Matt Woods & the Thunderbolts 2007 Iowa Blues Challenge Winner - Band 8:00-10:30 PM State Ballroom website>>
	Kevin "BF" Burt & the Instigators 8:00-10:15 PM Wedgewood Room website>>
	Sumpin' Doo 8:30-11:30 PM Independence Hall
	Ernie Peniston Band 10:30-1:30 AM Grand Ballroom website>>
	Cadillac Kolstad & the Flats 2007 Twin Cities Blues Challenge Winner 10:45-1:00 AM Wedgewood Room website>>
	RJ Mischo & His Red Hot Blues Band 11:00-1:30 AM State Ballroom website>>
	Hot Tamale & the Red Hots 12:00-1:00 AM Independence Hall website>>
	AfterFest Jam 1:00 AM - ??? Independence Hall

The Hotel Fort Des Moines is offering special Blues Fest rates for the night. You can make reservations NOW by calling 800-532-1466 or 515-243-1161. Be sure to mention that you are going to be there for the Blues Fest to receive your special rate.

Sponsors for this event are the Central Iowa Blues Society, Budweiser & KGGO/98.3. Listen to 94.9 FM and 98.3 FM for ticket giveaways!

Blue Band Update

The latest from Bob Dorr.

I've GOT to quit talking about the weather...but...another 5" of snow this week (it was closer to a foot in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City!) and today (Fri) we try to drive to Minneapolis and back, hopefully before the predicted 40 mph winds and actual low temps of -10 settle in on Saturday night. In the words of the great Vince Lombardi "What the hell's goin' on around here?!!" Speaking of which, what's goin on is: Tonight (2/8) Famous Dave's-Uptown. The Twin Cities #1 blues bar, Lake & Hennepin, Minneapolis MN. 9-12:30a. We'll be the "budget size" 5 piece with Heath driving in right after teaching school all day to play saxophone. The combination of Blue People from Minnesota, plus ex-Iowans who've migrated to the Big City, and Iowans who drive up for the weekend REALLY makes these shows at Dave's really fun and have a certain reunion feeling/atmosphere. Come for the great Bar-b-que, stay for dancing... Hopefully the wicked blowing snow will hold off long enough for us to drive back right after the Famous Dave's show because Saturday night, right here in Sparkle City, one of my all-time favorite rockin' blues harmonica players, Magic Dick, of the J. Geils Band will be part of the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue featuring the Tommy Castro Band, Magic Dick & Deanna Bogart. This is the winter Blues Blowout fundraiser for Iowa Public Radio-KUNI at Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo. I'll see ya on the dancefloor. More info: www.iowapublicradio.org... Next Saturday (2/16) we float into Fairfield for a fundraiser for the hospital dialysis unit. The newspaper article says: Bob Dorr and the Blue Band is set to headline a benefit for the Doug Johnson Memorial Dialysis Fund. In addition to its annual golf tournament, the Jefferson County Hospital Foundation has taken on another fund-raising event this year. The event will kick off with a social hour from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in the atrium of the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. The band will begin playing at 8:30 p.m. All of the proceeds from the event will go toward the dialysis fund and the construction of a dialysis center on the future Jefferson County Health Center campus. The dialysis center may open before the hospital. "This fundraiser will really give the dialysis center a shot in the arm," said June Lowenberg, hospital public relations and marketing manager. "You don't have to dance to come." Although the foundation had initially intended to hold a formal event, Lowenberg said those who attend the social and concert are welcome to dress up or go in casual attire. The event is something sort of "out of the box" for anyone looking to celebrate Valentine's Day, which falls on the Thursday before the Saturday event, Lowenberg said. Not only is it something a little different, it's for a good cause, she added... We currently have no work the week of Feb. 17-23. This could change if you decide that we'd be the perfect entertainment for that cabin fever party at your mansion on the outskirts of town... If there is no earth shattering Blue News, this will be the last Blue Note for a couple of weeks. I feel bad that the last few weeks of these notes have been so humorless. The winter is really beating me down this year. It just seems to be wave after wave. Sparkle City has received more than twice the normal snowfall. Iowa City has almost triple the normal snowfall! This puts a completely different meaning on the phrase CAN YOU DIG IT?!... See ya on the Blue Highway (errrr, Avenue of The Saints) bring yer zydeco tie to the rib joint, and if you're traveling in bad weather, be sure to bring along a survival kit that has a generous supply of CAKE. We love you, Bob Dorr & The Blue Band PS: don't forget to tell your local festival committee about us, most of them are making decisions for summer entertainment RIGHT NOW!!

Acoustic Blues Festival

Another cool show that I found on Illinois Blues:

The Columbus Blues Alliance - Columbus Ohio

The 13th Annual Traditional Acoustic Blues Festival, Saturday February 23, 2008 featuring Honeyboy Edwards, Moreland & Arbuckle, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Cliff Starbuck & Colin John, Sonny Moorman, and more Live acoustic music from 3pm – Midnight Go to our website for all the information! www.ColumbusTradFest.com

Trampled Underfoot

Here is a video Kansas City's Trampled Underfoot performing at the IBC. I feel really old watching these guys play, because I swear they were just little kids the last time I saw them:-) Congratulations, and thanks for putting Kansas City Blues back on the map!!!!!

Winners Of The International Blues Challenge

Illinois blues has some great info on the Winners of the International Blues Challenge. What I didn't know is that I actually know the winners from Kansas City, Trampled Underfoot, except when I knew them they were little kids! I played briefly with their father the late great Bob Schnebelen during the summer 1991. Bob was a monster guitar player, and was a really great guy. I remember going over to him and his wifes house and hanging out with his family one summer afternoon. It was a great day. I also remember when I heard about his death. He died way to young, but I know that he must be very proud of his children who carried on his music, and not only did they win the contest, but his son Nick won for best guitarist!

2008 International Blues Challenge

Hey Blues Fans,

It's good to be home safe and sound after last Thursday. The 475 mile drive to Memphis in one of the worst snow and ice storms of the season was quite dramatic at times. We're talking real real white knuckle driving at a slippery 25 mph through rain, sleet, slush, ice and snow.

It was obvious that Momma Nature really had the Blues last week as the trip back was even more intense. Many cars plowed into ditches as the weather put on a repeat show but added simultaneous heavy snow and marble sized hail with lightning flashing everywhere. WOW!

But the impressive show at the 2008 International Blues Challenge (IBC) made the drive to Tennessee more than worth it.

Trampled Under Foot, an entry from the Kansas City Blues Society was the winning band. Their remarkable set in the finals earned the band first place and also earned the bands guitarist, Nick Schnebelen, the 2008 Albert King Award as the Best guitarist at the IBC.

Want to see why they won? CLICK HERE to see a video from their club performance in the semifinals.

All ten of the finalists were incredible. Second place went to Shakura S'Aida who was representing the Toronto Blues Society and third place went to Lil' Ray Neal representing the Baton Rouge Blues Society.

The solo/duo finals were also a GREAT show. The winner was a violin player from the Colorado Blues Society named Lionel Young. Yup, we are talking KILLER Blues from a fiddle! Second place went to Ben Prestage from the Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast. We have complete pictures of all the finalists as well as many of the contestants in semifinals.

2008 IBC pictures - CLICK HERE

We wanted also to congratulate Robert Sampson from the Illinois Central Blues Club for his fine showing at the IBC! He was the only Blues piano player who made it to the solo/duo finals. Fantastic job Robert!

We encourage everyone with a passion for the Blues to support these folks. Click the links above and find out about these performers and their sponsoring Blues Societies. These folks are really "Keepin' The Blues Alive". They are the future of the Blues!

Honeydripper Trailer

Looks like a great movie for blues fans! Tell your local theater operator that you want it, because so far it is only playing in select areas.

Elvis Presley: Little Sister

Elvis rocking out, probably sometime in the early 70s.

Back Door Slam: Come Home

Some nice Blues Rock from Back Door Slam!

Janiva Magness

Here is a fan video of Janiva Magness doing a jump blue song that REALLY SWINGS!

Janiva Magness Article

The Duncan Banner from Oklahoma has an interesting article about Janiva Magness. I never really knew much about her until I read the article, and I suppose the old saying that you have to live the blues to sing the blues applies to Janiva. To read her fascinating life story Click HERE.