Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

OK, who's done with winter? But is winter done with us? I have once again insured more snow fall in the next 24 hours by using today's nice day (you know it's been a tough winter when temperatures in the mid 20s with wind chills in the teens is a "nice day") to remove the last bits of ice and snow from all the walk ways and parking slabs at my house. Mother Nature waits for me to complete this task just so she can break my spirit by adding another couple of inches to the near record totals for the season. It's hard to be a skeptic about climate change when the last three winters have produced 3 out of the top 8 yearly snow fall totals OF ALL TIME here in Sparkle City! And now we get the Winter Olympics (take my snow, PLEASE!) The Winter Dance Party (somebody please tell me what the fascination is with bands that pretend to be someone else) and, most importantly, the Winter Specials at Vickie's place! But first...

I hope you can help us make a good first impression at the new Bourre Lounge, inside of the new restaurant Reux Orleans, in the old Black's Building at 4th and Sycamore in Waterloo. Let me see, a New Orleans themed atmosphere with cajun cuisine at Mardi Gras time. What's not to like, right Avis? Get there early for the great food and stay late to rub yer washboard tie with the band. (you do not have to give up rubbin' it for Lent) We start a little after 9 and play til at least 12:30am. Our friend from Independence, Nate Whited, is bringing a birthday party with him, CAKE is optional (but recommended) (speaking of Avis, she's throwing a birthday party for her husband Bob Guthart, at The Hub, tonight-Fri. 2/19, during Checker & The Bluetones Geeezer Gig, CAKE is mandatory!) (Bob would like an official NFL football signed by Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Boyd Dowler, Max McGhee, Jerry Kramer, Forest Gregg, Jim Taylor, Willie Wood, Ray Nitschke, and Herb Adderly as a gift, in case you have an extra one of those around)...

We are not currently booked next week (a perfect opportunity to have us play for that celebration you're planning for the first day of temperatures OVER the freezing mark) We have added a cool gig to the first weekend in March. Fri. Mar. 5 is the First Friday of the month Geeezer Gig, 6-9pm, at The Hub and Sat. Mar. 6, we've been invited to play at the Redstone Room in The River Music Experience, 2nd & Main, in Davenport. Doors open at 8, showtime at 9. I'm hoping to run into some people that I went to Sudlow Jr. High School with at that Davenport gig...

So that's the appearance info part of the note. Yer done if that's all ya need. The rest of us will talk about you after you leave...

You know yer old when you're watching the Winter Olympics and you find curling exciting! Until this year, the only contact I've had with curling was in the Beatles movie Help when George Harrison discovered a "fiendish thingy" attached to his curling iron, err, stone. BTW, are people who curl called curlers? How 'bout it girls, have you ever seen men use a broom so fast in your life? Rumor has it that as soon as my wife actually moves into my house, I'll be learning how to use a broom myself! I'm in awe of those curling broomsters already!...

Carolyn (my red headed wife) (what?) (only her hairdresser knows for sure) and I were given some tickets to the Winter Dance Party at the Gallagher/Bluedorn Performing Arts Center tonight as a wedding gift. I enjoyed the show, but I do not understand the proliferation of bands/musicians who pretend to be someone else, in this case, Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. Christ, they even introduced these guys as Buddy, Richie, and The Bopper. There are bands who pretend to be The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and The Grateful Dead. There are musicians who pretend to be Elvis Presely (both young Elvis and Fat Elvis) There was even a band who pretended to be The Who at this year's Super Bowl! I don't get it. Part of the fascination of being a musician for me is that you get to be you. For cryin' out loud, The Blue Band doesn't even BLUE BAND songs "like the record". I know these "actors" make WAY more money than I ever will (the Gallagher/Bluedorn was sold out at $40 a head, The Blue Band doesn't even sell out The Hub for $5) but I still don't get it. Somebody 'splain this to me...

And that brings us to Vickie's Place (Victoria's Secret) Winter snowfall/temps continues to make it so that my wife (CD not CP!) and I do our exercise walking in the mall. Vickie is having a sale on bras and panties. Bras are $8 a cup and panties are half off (It's 8 minutes, 40 seconds per round of the mall, plenty of time to make this stuff up) The wife (just call her Red) got a Vickie's Gift Certificate at her bridal shower. I'm here to confirm for you fellows what you have always suspected. My wife looks real good in that short, low neckline thing...

Whew, I'm gonna have to take a cold shower just thinkin' about that one! See yas on the Blue Bourre Highway, rubbing yer washboard tie is the only way to survive the rest of the winter, CAKE is always in season, and don't forget that we love you. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Curry And Lighting Red

Attention Iowa Blues Bands

Here is your chance to be a star. The Iowa blues societies are looking for a few good people to send to Memphis to represent Iowa. Here is the official press release from the Central Iowa Blues Society.

ATTENTION BLUES BANDS We are now accepting applications for the 2010 IOWA BLUES CHALLENGE!!! Play for a prize package that includes cash, recording time and performance opportunities at Mississippi Valley Blues Fest and other paid gigs, PLUS INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE In Memphis, TN. ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE? DON’T DELAY!!! Information and applications are available from the Central Iowa Blues Society at (515) 225-6638 and our website www.cibs.org The deadline is March 6th, 2010. The 2010 Iowa Blues Challenge is proudly sponsored by Central Iowa Blues Society, Mississippi Valley Blues Society, Lizard Creek Blues Society, Budweiser, KGGO/98.3 WOW., Junior’s Motel, Cityview, Rieman Musi

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Soul Searchers Update

the soul searchers
click here for our website
click here for our myspace page
click here to buy the CD

wednesday, february 17, 9pm-midnight
greenwood lounge

3707 ingersoll ave, des moines

"the soul searchers lay down authentic west coast blues from their des moines, iowa surroundings" -BLUES REVUE magazine "the soul searchers are a veteran group of players who roll along slickly and confidently" -BLUESWAX "this band puts down energetic jump-blues with a vintage vibe that harks back to early fabulous thunderbirds" -OMAHA READER

Lil' Dave Thompson RIP

From Bob Corritorre

February 15, 2010

RIP Lil' Dave Thompson - May 21, 1969 - February 14th 2010. It is with great sadness that we report that Mississippi blues guitarist Lil' Dave Thompson died yesterday from an auto accident outside of Augusta, Georgia, while touring with his band. His van overturned and Dave was thrown from the vehicle and pronouced dead on the scene by the paramedics. Other members of the group were reportedly not seriously injured. Dave was born in Hinds County, Mississippi and was greatly influenced by musicans from that area. He made his first record for Fat Possum in 1995, and subsequently had two beautiful releases for Electro-Fi. In the last few years he had toured extensively as he built his career. He had developed into a spectacular singer and a fine, modern blues guitarist. For more details on Dave's untimely death click here, and here. To see Dave Thompson's website click here. Rest In peace Lil' Dave.

Dale Hawkins RIP

From Bob Corritore

February 15, 2010

• RIP Dale Hawkins, August 23rd, 1936 - February 14th, 2010. Rock & Roll Pioneer Dale Hawkins passed away in Little Rock, Arkansas on Feb 14th, after a battle with colon cancer. He was 73. Dale was best known for his 1957 classic "Susie Q", which would later be covered by both the Rolling Stones and by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Dale's band was a training ground for many amazing guitaists including James Burton, Scotty Moore, Joe Osborn, Roy Buchanan, Fred Carter, and Kenny Paulsen. Dale was inducted into both the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. For more information on Dale Hawkins' passing click here. For Dale's website (which plays "Suzie Q" while you are checking it out!) click here, and for his discogrophy click here. Dale Hawkins' "Suzie Q" will remain a timeless work of art.

Soul Searchers Update

the soul searchers
click here for our website
click here for our myspace page
click here to buy the CD

wednesday, february 10, 8-11pm
greenwood lounge

3707 ingersoll ave, des moines

saturday, february 13, 8-11pm
university of iowa swing dance club's valentine's dance

old brick, 26 east market, iowa city

($10 general public, $5 UI students; click link for video of the soul searchers and the club members at a recent event)

"the soul searchers lay down authentic west coast blues from their des moines, iowa surroundings" -BLUES REVUE magazine "the soul searchers are a veteran group of players who roll along slickly and confidently" -BLUESWAX "this band puts down energetic jump-blues with a vintage vibe that harks back to early fabulous thunderbirds" -OMAHA READER

Curry And Lumbard Gig Update

VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND
CURRY & ROB LUMBARD
Tally's Restaurant
Friday (Feb 12) 8-10pm
2712 Beaver Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa

MAP http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?where1=2712%20Beaver%20Avenue%2c%20Des%20Moines%2c%20Iowa&mkt=en-us

http://www.tallysbeaverdale.com/


Curry
BLUES from the HEARTLAND
www.myspace.com/CurryHarp

Blues Historian Review: Boogie Woogie Kings

I can remember growing up as a 8 or 9 year old, and loving my old K-TEL Records. If you are old enough you know what I am talking about, the long play 33 rpm records that promised the "Original Hits, by the Original Stars!" I must have worn the groves out of 2 or 3 of those LPs before I finally started buying records myself.

So this Christmas I was pleasantly surprise to receive this great CD from my friends at Delmark Records. Certainly the new Delmark release Boogie Woogie Kings is one of those great discs that is full of amazing blues piano much in the spirit of those old K-TEL releases. Nothing but the stars and these guys rock. Some of the recordings are a little on the low fidelity side, and the piano is just a tad out of tune, but then that's what makes Barrel house, and Boogie Woogie sound so good. Also remarkable is that most of these sides were recorded back in 1939. In many ways these guys are the fore fathers of rock and roll! This disc also has solo, and multi dueling piano's! To buy this great CD Click HERE

Sonny Rock Update

I'm Playing with Tas Cru and the King Kan Band. Sat. 1/13 9pm. Horton Smith House, Hensonville, N.Y. (www.tascru.com). Thanks! Sonny

Memphis The Musical

I'm not sure what I think about this. I haven't seen the show. I think I like the concept, but I would need to see and hear the whole thing before I can comment. This show is going on now on Broadway. If you are in the big apple and catch the show leave a comment below. For the rest of us in the hinterland enjoy a short clip from the show.

Top 50 Blues And Soul Releases From Blues Critic Media

Top 50 Southern Soul, Rhythm & Blues Albums

Deep Soul + Soul/Blues + Downhome Blues + Urban Blues

The Nation's OFFICIAL Soul/Blues and Southern Soul Albums Chart

TM	LM	Album	Artist	Label
1	NEW	I'm The Man For The Job	Lee "Shot" Williams	CDS
2	1	A Tribute To The Legends	Sir Charles Jones	Mardi Gras
3	2	Love, Romance & Respect	Willie Clayton	C & C
4	4	The Evolution Of Soul	T.K. Soul	Soulful
5	5	I'm In Love With A Man I Can't Stand	Nellie "Tiger" Travis	CDS
6	6	It's BYOB	Donnie Ray	Ecko
7	12	Blind Snake	Bobby Rush	Deep Rush
8	15	Unfinished Business	Lenny Williams	Lenlon
9	17	The Bleeding Edge	The Revelations feature Tre Williams	Traffic Ent.
10	13	All About The Rhythm & The Blues	Latimore	LatStone
11	9	It's My Time	O.B. Buchana	Ecko
12	7	Your Babies Need A Daddy	TJ Hooker-Taylor	CDS
13	8	Get In Touch With Me	Jesse James	Gunsmoke
14	11	Woof Woof Meow	J. Backfoot	JEA Music
15	16	Truth Be Told	Vick Allen	Soul 1st
16	22	Unleashed	Shirley Brown	Malaco
17	14	Everybody Needs Love	James Smith	B & J
18	18	Deep South Soul**	Various Artists	Mardi Gras
19	20	Dirty Woman	David Brinston	Ecko
20	21	A Woman Needs A Strong Man	Karen Wolfe	B & J
21	32	Finally Made It*	Stephanie Pickett	Aviara Music
22	19	Mr. Booty Do Right	Jody Sticker	CDS
23	23	Jerri Curl Muzik	Bigg Robb	Over 25 Sound
24	28	Pay Myself First*	Charles Wilson	CDS
25	4	Christmas Southern Soul Style**	Carl Marshall	CDS
26	26	Who's Got The Power	Marvin Sease	Malaco
27	30	Time Served	Omar Cunningham	Soul 1st
28	24	CDS Records Southern Soul Smashes 1	Various Artists	CDS
29	36	I'm Comin' Back	Stan Mosley	CDS
30	38	Southern Soul Pimpin'	Simeo	Simeo Enterprises
31	35	Fire	Lebrado	Make Cents
32	33	Lacee's Groove	Lacee	Advantage
33	25	Change It Up	Walter Waiters	CDS
34	10	It's Christmas Baby**	Various Artists	Ecko
35	27	Look Good For You	Carl Marshall	CDS
36	29	How Sweet Is Your Candy	Terry Wright	Mac Wright
37	39	The Strongest Man	Charlie Brown	CLM
38	30	Southern Soul Blues Sisters**	Barbara Carr & Uvee Hayes	Aviara Music
39	34	For Real This Time	Chuck Roberson	CDS
40	40	Soul Tapestry	General Johnson & Chairmen Of The Board	Surfside
41	41	Keepin' It Real	Jeff Floyd	Wilbe
42	37	Hit & Run Blues	Chick Willis	Benevolent Blues
43	43	The Real Deal	Betty Padgett	Brimstone
44	RE	Caught By The Cat	Donnie Ray	Ecko
45	45	It's A Ms Jody Thang	Ms. Jody	Ecko
46	44	Another Level	L.J. Echols	Neckbone
47	46	Fully Loaded	Ricky White	Brimstone
48	RE	Soul & Blues	Willie Clayton	Malaco
49	RE	Sweet Sexy Soul	Will Easley	CDS
50	RE	Nothin' But The Blues	Earl Gaines	Ecko

Benefit Gig For Nick Curran

From Bob Corritore

Rhythm Room to host Nick Curran Benefit on February 15th. The Rhythm Room has put together a benefit for Nick Curran to take place on Monday 15th, 8pm. Nick Curran, 31, was recently diagnosed with tongue cancer and is not working while he undergoes radiation treatments. Nick has a long history at the Rhythm Room having played the venue with Ronnie Dawson, Kim Lenz, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and of course his own band, Nick Curran & The Nitelifes. Nick recently reactive his solo career after a long stint with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and he has a new CD out called Reform School Girl on the EclectoGroove Label. Appearing at the Rhythm Room Benefit will be The Rocket 88's, The Jump Back Brothers, The Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band, Jim Robertson, Nina Curri, and the Mike Eldred Trio, and more! Special thanks to Jim Robertson for putting this event together. Prayers to Nick for a speedy and full recovery.

Soul Searchers Update

the soul searchers
click here for our website
click here for our myspace page
click here to buy the CD

saturday, january 30, 8pm
trostel's dish

12851 university, clive

and every wednesday at the greenwood lounge on ingersoll, 8-11pm

"the soul searchers lay down authentic west coast blues from their des moines, iowa surroundings" -BLUES REVUE magazine "the soul searchers are a veteran group of players who roll along slickly and confidently" -BLUESWAX "this band puts down energetic jump-blues with a vintage vibe that harks back to early fabulous thunderbirds" -OMAHA READER

Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

This is normally the time of year, after the holidays (getting the bills) after another birthday (needing a fire extinguisher to blow out all the candles) in the midst of another dastardly brutal winter (the snow now looks like a five layer CAKE with layers of ice/snow/ice/snow/ice) that I seem to get fits of negativity and depression. Fortunately, this is being mitigated this year by my now (almost) month long happy marriage! HowEVAH, a few things have happened recently that are making me think too much. But first a word from out sponsor...

There is no Blue Band show this week. It's actually a planned weekend off so that Carolyn and I can have one more wedding event with my relatives in Chicago. My Aunt Dolores has helped organize a gathering of about 40 aunts/uncles/cousins, some of whom I haven't seen in 25 years! I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone. I was part of the wedding party for some of these cousins over 40 years ago! The only thing we'll be missing is the polka band...

But NEXT WEEK! Thank God It's The First Friday, geeeeezer gig at The Hub, 4th & Main in Sparkle City USA, after work, 6-9pm, great sound system, run by audio pros, with friendly and courteous bar staff. Have a couple slices of pizza, some adult beverages, do the boogaloo and the shing-a-ling and still be home for the 10 o'clock news. A pleasant time is guaranteed for all...

Saturday, Feb. 13, we have been invited to a VERY cool fundraiser in Ames. The Love 'N Art Benefit is a fundraiser for Octagon Center For The Arts in Ames. Buffet, music, and door prize drawings (22 prizes valued at $100 or more) with the music being held at City Auditorium, 520 6th St., at 8pm. Ya gotta love an event that has Cupid holding a Flying V guitar (like Jeff uses) on their poster! For more info or to order tickets, call Eye.Works at 515-232-4003...

And we added a date on Sat. Feb. 20 at the new restaurant/nightclub Reux Orleans/Bourre Lounge at the old Black's Building (501 Sycamore) in Waterloo. Great food/atmosphere, we play 8:30pm-12:30ish am. Wow, a gig every week for three weeks in a row! Pretty soon we'll be up to "Weekend Warrior" status!...

I think I had mentioned in the last note (how long ago was that?) that we had a tentative return to Gatherings in Cedar Rapids set up in March. The club has had to cut back to only being open two nights a week (instead of six!) and no longer has a budget for bands of our size. Help us keep searching for a home in Cedar Rapids!...

So back to the reality check. With the whirlwind of New Years Eve, the wedding events, and my retirement celebrations, along with my birthday, all in the first 19 days of the year, it's just now beginning to sink in that I really am no longer an employee of the University of Northern Iowa nor Iowa Public Radio. It's scary to step out of that safe zone after 30+ years. First my email addresses for both were dropped (with no notice from IPR!) Then, because I am no longer a UNI employee, the legal opinion is that, altho' I am an independent contractor, producing two shows for IPR, I can no longer actually operate the on-air equipment and do LIVE shows on the UNI campus! I found this out the day after I had a "modified root amputation" on the tooth that I had that root canal done way back last March (yes, this was the THIRD oral surgery I'd had done on that tooth) Then, today, because I am no longer on the IPR staff list and consequently did not get the memo, the way I found out that my long-time KUNI colleague Greg Shanley died Tuesday night was by getting a phone call from the local newspaper who wanted a quote about his death! Yikes! This is a man who is 9 years younger than I am. Because he was the producer of some of the early IPR talk shows, he let me host a few of those shows. I would probably never had that opportunity if he had not opened that door. He was a gifted talk show host. IPR and particularly the (station formerly known as) KUNI staff will miss him. Retirement, separation, sickness, death, dying, alienation. Too heavy to laugh. Somebody's at least gotta come up with some off color joke about the tooth fairy here...

I had a few more things on the list of stuff to be worrying/depressed about but frankly they're beginning to seem petty and embarrassingly selfish. I am a very lucky person in so many ways. Last weekend, I heard Mike Ditka say (I since have found out that Elenore Roosevelt is generally credited with the quote) Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift and that is why we call it the present! I need to keep repeating that to myself. See yas on the Blue Highway to the Windy City, bring yer zzzzydeco tie to the geeeezer gig. Remember, next week, it's time to sing You Ain't Nothin' But A Ground Hog, my Aunt Dolores has promised one more wedding CAKE, so life MUST be good, and don't you ever forget we love you. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

CIBS Winter Blues Fest

The Des Moines Register has the latest on the big blues fest this weekend in Des Moines Iowa (Click HERE). The Central Iowa Blues Society is putting on its annual winter blues fest. This is always a great show with a lot of local, regional, and national talent. It is being held this year at Marriot Hotel in Downtown Des Moines, since its old home, the Hotel Fort Des Moines is under reconstruction. Here is a partial list from the Register of the bands appearing this year.



• Midnight Dogs (Bob Pace and Steve George), 2009 Iowa Blues Society’s Blues Challenge Solo/Duo Winner

• Avey Brothers, 2009 Iowa Blues Society’s Blues Challenge Band Winner from Davenport. The group was a Top-10 finisher at last weekend’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

• The Side Effects, 2009 Blues Society of Omaha Blues Challenge Band Winner

• Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat, big as Texas guitar-driven blues-rock

• Everett Smithson Band, an eclectic mix of swamp rock, country, blues and rockabilly

• Delta Highway, Memphis-based rootsy but very electric blues.

• Levee Town, 2009 Kansas City Blues Society Blues Challenge Band Winner

• Brandon Scott Sellner, 2009 Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society Blues Challenge Band Winner

• Trouble No More, a solid all-around blues band and host of the After Hours Jam

Chick Willis: Houdini Lover

The Stoop Down Baby man is at it again:-) I must admit that Chick looks great, because he is getting up there in age. I guess the blues keeps ya young!!

Curry And Lumbard At Tally's