 Featured Article: Jon Justice Band | | "These guys will go someplace, if there is any justice in the world " Bill Homans (Watermelon Slim) Review by "the Voice." | | | Listen to "the Voice."
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| | Jon Justice Band: "Catch 'em when you can" a review by "the Voice"
He was standing outside the venue smoking a cigarette when I pulled up. We had one together. Jon Justice has done some living. He's not even 30 yet, and he's already a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. That just makes him a more interesting person, and what's more, a better songwriter and blues player. You see, Jon Justice has been playing the guitar for almost all his life. As a teenager, he was already touring, with gospel and bluegrass groups, 'til he fell in love - with the blues. Born in Chicago, Justice moved to Memphis as a young man, and has grown up playing music and being part of the music business since he was a teenager. And it shows. It shows in every way. It shows in his playing, a guitar virtuoso with abilities far beyond his years. It shows in his vocals, with just enough "grit" to make his voice perfect to sing the blues. His whole life shows in his songwriting - his lyrics, his musical style, and his versatility. His songs are as intense and as full of character as the life he's led so far. And Jon Justice is just getting started.
I was lucky enough to catch The Jon Justice Band at my favorite juke joint, The Court Street Grill, in lovely downtown Pomeroy, Ohio, just a short drive down the river. Jackie Welker always makes me - and everyone else - feel at home in his establishment. "The Grill" has a vibe like no other place I know within a couple hundred miles. You need to experience "the Court Street Grill vibe" for yourself; but I can tell you it's unique, it's positive, and it's real. It's got to be why almost every touring blues act wants to "play the grill" when they come anywhere close. It sort of makes you want to just curl up and live there if you could, sleeping on the old church pew Jackie has against the wall. At least it does me.
But I digress. The first thing you notice about The Jon Justice Band, aside from how good they are, is that they're obviously having fun up there. It's apparent these young guys all want to be there, and want to be playing for you, right there at that moment. And play they do, as tight and as seemingly effortlessly, like they've been playing together every night of their lives. You can tell that each one of them is a gifted musician in his own right.
Wade Baker plays bass guitar in the band, as well as several other instruments. You see he's a student at The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, working on his masters in jazz trumpet. Then there's Ben. Ben Walkenhauer plays saxophone. I should say he plays saxophone in a big way. I should say he friggin' wails on that thing. He's also a student at The Conservatory, working on his masters in jazz saxophone. Believe me, it shows. The man keeping the beat is Eric Mannweiler, with a style that makes it clear he's more than up to the task of playing with these top-notch professionals. I spent some time talking with Eric during a break, and he told me he's right where he wants to be right now in his career, and how much these guys enjoy playing together. Once again, I have to say it shows. "We all just want to get better," said Wade.
Guys who play together this well couldn't help but find success. So far, they've won The Cincinnati Blues Society's competition and represented them at the 2008 International Blues Challenge on Beale Street in Memphis, they've been nominated for three Cincinnati Entertainment Awards: "Best Blues", "Best Live Act", and "Best New Artist." And they have a "killer" album out. It's called The Rebound. It features 14 originals written by Jon Justice, and it's so good I can't seem to take it out of my CD player. You need to get this record. It's available online at www.cdbaby.com
The Jon Justice Band plays the Mid-Ohio Valley every few weeks. Watch for them back at The Court Street Grill, and also at The Marietta Brewing Company, where they'll be on Saturday, April 11. Check out their tour dates at www.jonjustice.com. Catch them when you can; you won't be disappointed.
Jon and I had another smoke together on the break. After one cigarette, he was ready to go again, saying "Screw those long breaks." And, walking back to the stage without breaking stride, less than 30-seconds later he was back up there, wailing on that guitar. the Voice.
Links:
www.jonjustice.com
www.myspace.com/jonjusticeband
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| | Mountain Stage News Special Festivall kickoff Buddy Guy Show Charleston has been getting geared up for this year's FestivALL, the multi-faceted, city-wide arts & entertainment festival scheduled for June 19-26, 2009.
Mountain Stage has typically closed FestivALL on the final Sunday. This year we're going to kick the whole thing off on Friday, June 19 with a very special show at The Clay Center featuring two of the biggest names in the blues.
If you name a major guitar player in any genre, chances are they've been influenced by the legendary Buddy Guy. From Hendrix and Clapton to Knopfler and Beck, they've all drawn upon this Chicago legend for inspiration.
The Blues proprietor and restaurateur will make his third appearance on Mountain Stage Friday, June 19. Keep reading for ticket info.
Making a third appearance on Mountain Stage, and a second during FestivALL, will be the new blues queen Shemekia Copeland.
An amazing singer with loads of talent that stretches far beyond the boundaries of the blues, Shemekia is a wonderful entertainer who has certainly hit her stride.
Her latest record, "Never Going Back," not only solidifies her as a bright star but proves she'll be shining well into the future.
Tickets for June 19 are ON SALE NOW at TheClayCenter.org or by phone at 304.561.3570 and a limited number will be available in town, at Taylor Books, 226 Capitol Street, Charleston.
| | Court Street Grill Report Support your local juke joint.... 112 Court Street, Pomeroy, Ohio 740-992-6524 COMING TO THE GRILL:
Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang - 4/10 Special "Blues Night Out" (BNO) in association with The Pomeroy Blues & Jazz Society and The West Virginia Blues Society. Only $5 at the door to see one of Chicago's best blues bands and one of Chicago's top blues guitarists: Eddie Vaan Shaw and his TRIPLE-neck guitar. Don't miss this show!! ONLY $5 at the door.
Common One with Shannon Scott - 4/11 Blackberry Jam - 4/18
Bill Lupkin & Chicago Blues Coalition - 4/24 Lil' Dave Thompson & Big Love - 6/18 Daddy Mack Blues Band - 7/16 | Songwriter Night
w/ Todd Burge Larry Groce, Don Dixon and RJ Cowdery will perform my radio show at the Galley in Marietta on Saturday April 11th. Get your's now! Larry, Don and RJ are all great peformers, you really don't want to miss this one! See more details below. www.songwriternight.com
Mountain Stage with Larry Groce
I'm honored to say that I was asked to peform Mountain Stage's 25th Anniversary show a couple months ago. The show included Joan Osborne, Johnny Staats & Robert Shafer and others. . http://www.mountainstage.org LARRY GROCE
will perform on Songwriter Night show taping April 11th at the Galley in Marietta Ohio
BUY TICKETS HERE
www.songwriternight.com
SONGWRITER NIGHT with host Todd Burge
(The Syndicated radio show dedicated to the art of songwriting heard on Classic Rock Z106)
TAPING LIVE AT THE GALLEY APRIL 11th @ 7pm
Come be part of our live audience and enjoy the music of LARRY GROCE w/ DON DIXON & RJ COWDERY
A unbelievable evening of fine entertainment, food and drink in our intimate upstairs banquet room!
Larry Groce
Larry Groce has been host and artistic director of West Virginia Public Radio's Mountain Stage since its beginning in 1983. His taste and personality have helped set the tone of this long running radio and television series. Larry made his first commercial record album in 1970 for Daybreak Records, a division of RCA. In all, he's made 22 albums, ranging in style from Americana to gospel to children's music. In 1976, his Warner-Curb top ten hit, "Junk Food Junkie," led to radio and television appearances on The Tonight Show, The Merv Griffin Show, American Bandstand, The Midnight Special, The Rich Little Show, Nashville Now, a Disney Channel special, Doctor Demento and A Prairie Home Companion.
Don Dixon
Renowned producer (Mary Chapin Carpenter, REM, Marshall Crenshaw),
soulful performer and has written songs recorded by artists including Joe Cocker!
RJ Cowdery
Winner of the , 2008, Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Contest
as well as winner of the 2007 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest!
THE GALLEY (UPSTAIRS)
Saturday, April 11th 7pm
Tickets $10.99 and available only at
(purchase online with your credit card)
www.songwriternight.com
Only 35 seats left!!!
We expect this event to sell out, so purchase your tickets online now
For more info or to order tickets over the phone
(304)481-2766
There will be a buffet and all legal beverages available for an additional charge
Songwriters can sign up for our Songwriter Invitatational after the radio show taping.
Go to www.songwriternight.com for more info
www.myspace.com/thegalleymariettaoh | | Marietta Brewing Company 167 Front Street, Marietta, Ohio 740-373-BREW
LIVE MUSIC at THE MARIETTA BREWING CO. TUESDAYS 9PM: MBC Unplugged Series WEDNESDAYS 10PM: Open Mike w/ Jeremy Harmon FRIDAY & SATURDAYS: Live Music
FRIDAY, April 10: League of Proper Musicians SATURDAY, April 11: JON JUSTICE BAND
TUESDAY, April 14: Bob Crock FRIDAY, April 17: Double Feature: The Hams of Shakespeare & My Kind SATURDAY, April 18: 28 North TUESDAY, April 21: D.W. West FRIDAY: April 24: Double Feature: The Head Changers & Nate DiRuzzo SATURDAY, April 25: Euphonic Brew TUESDAY, April 28: Greg Hale | | Emerson Sports Grill 4000 Emerson Ave, Parkersburg, WV 304-422-7655
from Bill Poole...
Hey music lovers the newly remodeled "Emerson Sports Grill" formerly the Front Row presents "Friday Night Live Unplugged" featuring the regions best singer songwriters and acoustic musicians unplugged. A smaller room, a softer sound a more cozy and intimate listening experience. Hope to see you there.
BP
Here's The Emerson Sports Grill lineup of singer/songwriters for April: All Shows 9PM - 12Mid.
FRIDAY, April 10th: Josh Buskirk FRIDAY, April 17th: Dale Kulchar FRIDAY, April 24th: Joseph Henry FRIDAY, May 1st: Steve Hussey
EMERSON SPORTS GRILL, | | Charleston Blues Society ...just down the road Doug MacLeod Acoustic Blues and Storytelling
www.doug-macleod.com
Thursday, April 30
7:30 at the LewisTheatre
113 N. Court St. Lewisburg,WV
$10.00 in advance $12.00@the door!
Friday, May 1st
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation
520 Kanawha Blvd. W. Charleston, WV
Friday, May 1st @ 7:30pm
Suggested donation $10.00
Both performances benefit the Charleston WV Blues Society's History Project to honor W.Va's African-American musicians and contributions to the industry. Also the Blues in the Schools Program, bringing America's "roots" music to young people around the state.
Between stops at Merlefest and Memphis, MacLeod will have only two performances in WV, Lewisburg and Charleston.
Doug has been nominated for 2009 Blues Music Award
for Acoustic Blues Artist of The Year!! Award by the Blues Foundation! Doug MacLeod is one of the last remaining Bluesmen who learned from the old masters, lived the music, survived the life, and now continues to carry forward that valuable tradition. Within the Blues world, MacLeod is known for his quality recordings which feature superb songwriting, guitar wizardry and warm soulful vocals and for his wit and unforgettable live performances.
During performances, he entertains and draws his audience closer by telling the stories that inspired the songs. His songs have been covered by many artists including Albert King, Albert Collins, Coco Montoya, Joe Louis Walker, and Eva Cassidy.
Presented by :
The Charleston WV Blues Society
P.O. Box 2293 Charleston, WV 25328
Call 304.590.1042 for advance reservations and more information.
www.myspace.com/charlestonwvbluessociety
chaswvblues@yahoo.com | short takes...
things you might want to know about... Colin John Band is back... A Columbus favorite, now IMPRESSIVE songwriting and blues from the BIG Island of Hawaii A series of shows in Ohio, including solo acoustic perfromances as well as electric band shows with Gerald Dominick, George Lawrence, Cliff Starbuck, Andrew Gauther and some very special guests: April 8th - Augusta Georgia - Masters Tournament - solo acoustic April 9th - The Mudflats, Galena OH - acoustic duo w/ Cliff Starbuck April 10th - The Thirsty Ear - full electric band ONLY Columbus show April 11th - The Lounge - Akron, OH - full electric band April 15th - Annabells, Akron, OH - solo acoustic April 16th - Fat Fish Blue, Cleveland, OH - solo acoustic April 17th - The Main Street Saloon, Akron, OH - electric show April 18th - Private Party, Kent, OH The Faculty - Check 'em Out our friend Mark Doebrich's band-- some fine music from some educators who haven't given up their day job yet -- fun show...the Voice recommends. THURSDAY, April 9th - Marietta Brewing Co. 10PM - 2am FRIDAY, May 15th - Belpre Relay for Life 5PM - 6PM FRIDAY, May 29th - Marietta Brewing Co. 10PM - 2am MIke Morningstar & Friends SATURDAY, April 11th Easter Party at The Thirsty Turtle Sounds like a party to me... Mike Morningstar and Rick Roberts are one of West Virginia's greatest natural resources. Their mix of traditional "mountain music", Dylan, Dead , Prine, and "experimental mountain funk" is not only genuine, but can not be duplicated. We don't get to hear them enough anymore in the Parkersburg-Marietta area, so it will be a real treat when they (and some very talented friends, like Steve Devereaux) come to play The Thirsty Turtle on Easter weekend for a very special Easter show: SATURDAY, April 11th 8PM-12Mid. ADMISSION at the door is ONLY $5 ($8/couple) Be there. The Winchester Music Hall 12112 Madison Ave., Cleveland, Ohio CoCo Montoya & Band WEDNESDAY, April 8th 9PM tickets are $15 Albert Collins protege & guitarist for legenary Bluesbreakers, "Blistering contemporary blues...piercing attack, shivery guitar tones and aggressive, soulful vocals" - Blues Revue Magazine. ALSO: FRIDAY, May 1st: Kristine Jackson, Blues vocalist, trumpet player, and guitarist. "Memphis Bound Get Down" @ The Thirsty Ear in Columbus on March 28th was a huge success. BJFMS Competition winners Long Tall Deb & The Drifter Kings and solo winner Paul Miles from Detroit played to a sold-out packed croud (heard they had to lock the doors at 10PM) to raise funds for their trip to the IBC in Memphis in February 2010. They will be doing it again in Columbus and also in Marietta in the coming months. Hope we get the same level of support from the local music crowd they got in Columbus when the time comes. More details to be announced later. | | Austin "Walkin' Cane" News from our buddy "Augie" Austin "Walkin' Cane" has "done good," and it couldn't happen to a nicer, more deserving, more talented guy. Look here: April '09 Schedule
http://www.walkincane.com
FIMU, Festival International de Musique Universitaire - May 30 - June 1, 2009
I was chosen to be a part of the FIMU festival in Belfort, France from May 30th to June 1st.
International flights are the cheapest they have been in years so if you're thinking of a summer trip maybe this could be the one.
http://www.fimu.com/rubrique-8
Georgia Moon - A video by Todd V. & Blue Green of Hill Cinema Tech.
My friends Todd V. & Chris Green filmed a video of my song Georgia Moon for an Ohio Films Commission contest. There were some criteria that was needed for the film such as a historical landmark, sports teams etc. They did a great job. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-4zODXVJb4
Scene Magazine = 2009 Best Blues Winner & Best Guitarist Winner!
Scene Magazine has chosen yours truly as the winner of both "Best Blues Band & Best Guitarist." Pat The Producer from 92.3FM called me towards the end of his radio show, The Inner Sanctum and caught my reaction live on the air. Thanks everyone!
25th International Blues Challenge - Solo/Duo finalist - Memphis, Tennesee
The IBC's are a stepping stone to greater accomplishments for many blues artists around the world. I was part of the solo/duo portion of the competition where the artist would perform for 25 minutes on Thursday & Friday with different judges each night. There were 10 performers for each bar & the winner from each establishment would advance to the finals to perform at the Orpheum Theatre on the corner of Beale St. & Main. I was chosen to represent the Beale St. Tap Room in the finals. I felt strong about my performance at the finals but did not win the the competition. The good news is I made a lot of new IBC connections & hopefully 2009/2010 will be a couple of good years musically.
Ohio Magazine: Marietta Sings the Blues by Wendy Pramik
I was interviewed by Ohio Magazine for an article on Marietta, Ohio that appeared in the February '09 issue. The link is the first story underneath the article search.
http://ohiomag.com/magazine/arts%26entertainment/results.asp
Blues College Tour '09
The tour went w/o a hitch. The crowds were great & I made some new friends. There were a lot of interesting stories & observations. The folks in Wisconsin like to drive their trucks onto a frozen lake & go fishing even in temperatures kicking around 45 degrees. Wisconsin was warm & Florida was cold but cold Florida is warm Ohio. Say that five times! I saw parts of Cedar Rapids where the river overflowed last year & heard some of the stories of the disaster. Unbelievable! Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago booked me to open up for Eric Sardinas but unfortunately I had to drive home after my performance to beat the 4"-8" snowstorm that was on my tail. What more can I say? Thanks to all of the colleges & staff that helped during this tour.
Peace,
Austin "Walkin' Cane"
http://www.walkincane.com/
| | MovieSound Recording Studios Dave Traugh's BACK After 10 years in Los Angeles, MOVIESOUND RECORDING STUDIOS owner Dave Traugh is back in the Parkersburg area. Dave won an Emmy in 2007 (Outstanding Music Composition) and a BMI Crystal Award in 2008. His state of the art facility incorporates multiple computers (Mac and PCs), fiber-optic audio cards, and an automated digital console. From recording vocalists with Karaoke tracks, to producing, mixing, and mastering CD projects, Dave's expertise is being utilized by musicians both near and far. Check out http://www.davidtraugh.com for more info, pics, etc.
MOVIESOUND is located in downtown Parkersburg, WV at 422 Market Street, 3rd Floor. Phone: 304-917-4777 (studio) 818-489-9146 (Dave's cell)
David Traugh http://www.davidtraugh.com 818-489-9146 | Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society
P.O. Box 2122, Marietta, Ohio 45750 www.bjfm.org The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society is a non-profit, 501 (c) 3 all-volunteer "force" of music enthusiasts on a mission to enhance the appreciation of American Roots Music in the Mid-Ohio Valley and we do it by presenting concerts, workshops, conferences, and a forum for education and development in the schools The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society Board of Directors: John Bolen - President Steve Wells - Vice President, Director of "Blues in The Schools" Peg Bolen - Treasurer Maren Beery - Secretary John Gifford - Board Member, Competition Director, Stage Manager Helen Holt - Board Member Mary Ann Osrborne - Board Member Kezia Douglass - Board Member | | And finally...
I've watched it at least 50 times...
It's so good it brought tears to my eyes. It's called "Global Street Musicians Play Together" and it was done (very well) by somebody with too much time on their hands and too much money -- but it's GREAT! Street musicians from all over the world playing the same song together -- check it out.. Enjoy.... the Voice. just trying to have a little fun before I die... The Blues, Jazz & Folk Music Society
P.O. Box 2122
Marietta, Ohio 45750
304-295-4323 | |
