Soul Searchers

I found this very short, but very sweet video of one of Des Moines best blues band The Soul Searchers. I just wish they had more of there stuff online! These guys are the real deal

The Soul Searchers

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Indigenous: Things We Do

Nice Soul music from Indigenous.

Kristine Jackson Article

From the Cleveland Free Times comes a short article on Kristine Jackson who is also going to Memphis to compete in the acoustic blues challenged. Her and Andy plus quite a few more will be competing in the solo/duo blues contests put on by the Blues Foundation. To read about Jackson Click HERE.

Andy Coats Update

Nice update from Andy. Good luck in Memphis!!!!



Hey folks,

I am very honored and privileged to be competing in this year’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.

The semi-finals rounds will be next Thurs., Jan 31, and Fri., Feb. 1. All the acts will be performing at venues on Beale St., but the exact schedule is not revealed until the last minute. So, unfortunately, I don’t yet have any details about where & when I will be performing.

However, you can read all about the “IBC”, as it’s known, on the official website:

http://blues.org/

And those of you who will be there for the competition should already have my cell phone number – if not, please email me and I’ll send it to you.

Also, lest I forget, I will be doing my usual last Sunday gig at the Blue Martini. I believe there’s a giveaway for a $25 bar tab for the evening—as part of an IBC promotion—so please let me know if you’d like to sign up for that.

Andy Coats, solo
Sun., Jan. 27, 8 pm - mid
The Blue Martini
116 N West St # 100
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 899-6464
http://www.bluemartiniraleigh.com

All the best,

Andy

www.andycoats.com

www.myspace.com/andycoats

Myspace Page Back!!

I just put my myspace page back up so please feel free to rejoin. I know a lot of you were friends before I dropped it so PLEASE COME BACK:-)

Tom Gary Blues Band Myspace page.

Johhny Shines: Sweet Home Chicago

This is Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Cooooooooooooooooool!!! Johnny Shines who traveled all over the US with Robert Johnson, singing Robert's Sweet Home Chicago. This is a very cool video!

Taylor Hicks

Okay, I know I have posted a lot of Taylor Hicks recently, but this video was sent to me and I just got a big kick out of it. He gets a dig into the record company that just let him go. Pretty funny!

Tommy Castro: Nasty Habits

Classic soul blues done the right way!

Tommy Castro Article From Voice Of America

Cool short article on Tommy Castro on the Voice of America website. Also there is a podcast of the Levine Report with an interview with Castro. Click Here!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maple Blues Awards

In Canada they had the 11th annual Maple Blues Awards. These are awards given to Canadian blues acts. Yes Canada has the blues too!!!! Click here at Ejazznews.com to see if your favorite Canadian blues artist won!

Artist Of The Week: Robert Johnson

The artist of the week is one of those artists who probably has had more written about him, and yet we really know so very little about him! Robert Johnson's history is probably the most confused and mythologized story in the blues. Robert Johnson is one of those figures in history that truly should have drops through the cracks of time never to be seen or heard, but luck intervened and the world listened. Johnson died young, and died when his popularity was limited to mostly juke joints in the south. He certainly traveled around the country, but he would have been the typical hobo musician going from place to place looking for a place to play and food to eat. What made Robert Johnson into the mythical blues hero of today was a couple of things. First, John Hammond picked Johnson to perform at the Spiritual to Swing concert. Unfortunately Robert died before he could play the gig. (Big Bill Broonzy took his place) Second, Alan Lomax years later went looking for him and found his mother, and learned the about Roberts last days. However, it is Eric Clapton The Stones, and Led Zeplin that listened to Robert Johnson King Of The Delta Blues, that made Robert Johnson into the legend. I suppose to there ears and the fans of those bands who went to find those records, Johnson sounded unearthly, and then add some misinformation supplied by Son House, and you can see how poor Robert done sunk down at the Crossroads. Unfortunately there are no films of Robert Johnson. Over the years people have claimed to have loss footage or photos, but there are only two photographs, and no movies. So the films in the youtube box will either be fan videos, other performers playing Roberts songs, or I have seen a few anti Robert movies pop up on occasion at Youtube.

Photo Of The Week: My Old Bluesmoblie

Here is a picture of my beloved old bluesmobile. A 1988 Lincoln Towncar. That was a sweet ride! It was rear wheel drive, which made it not so great in the snow, but boy was it smooth on the highway. The big problem with it was it ate gas like crazy. I think I was lucky to get 20mpg out it towards the end. Neither of my current cars even qualifies as a bluesmobile, but as long as gas is 3.00 a gallon, I am going to stick to cars with 30mpg or better.

Doug Johnson To Leave Des Moines

A good friend of mine and fellow piano player is leaving Des Moines and moving to Texas. I know a lot of Texas readers stop by here, so if you see Doug make him feel home. He is a great talent.

For Des Moines fans of Doug he is having a going away party here are the details

Doug & Ann Johnson are moving...

Come and say goodbye...

Where’s the party?

Party Town (formerly Toad Holler)

1820 E Army Post Road

When’s the party?

Sunday February 10^th 2-6

Will there be food?

It’s a potluck. If you can bring a dish and to avoid

35 green bean casseroles, please call Brian Holtz

@ 201-6356 and leave a message if I don’t answer.

Your message should include your name, phone number and what

dish your willing to bring and here’s Thanking You in advance.

Brian Holtz

“Will there be music?”

Sumpin Doo 2-4 and Bob Pace Band 4-6

(and a host of incredible musician’s to JAM) `

Cash bar

Mean Reds!

Nice twist on the topic of the blues. I guess if you are depressed you have the blues if you are anxious you have the reds, so I must be purple:-D

Taylor Hicks: Forever Man

I noticed that the yahoo embedded video doesn't play on firefox for some reason so here is a different version from Youtube.

Taylor Hicks: Forever Man

Taylor doing a Clapton song. Just a shout out to the Hicks fan club. My students informed me that Taylor lost his record contract. Can anyone give an update on that????

I'll Make Me A World In Iowa

Press release for the upcoming I'll Make Me a World In Iowa event.

Additional Supporting Sponsor: Walmart

	I'll Make Me a World in Iowa Schedule of Events In Des Moines Click Links for More Info Education Day Featuring the Black Hisory Game Show • January 25 • Polk County Convention Complex • 9am - 2pm Embracing Excellence Grand Gala • January 25 • Hy-Vee Hall • 7pm - 10pm Celebration Day • January 26 • Polk County Convention Complex • 10am – 7pm Everyone is Welcome! African American History is Every American's History!
Des Moines… I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa (IMMAWII) has parlayed a national challenge to create a one-time regional event into a nationally recognized celebration of the state’s African American heritage. Based on James Weldon Johnson’s classic poem, “The Creation,” that opened with, “And God stepped out on space, And he looked around and said: I’m lonesome - - I’ll make me a world,” this message has grown into the 10th Annual I’ll Make Me World in Iowa as Iowans from all ethnicities and walks of life join to celebrate the art, culture and contributions of Iowa’s African-Americans. Months of preparation culminate in two days of activities, anchored by Education Day (January 25), Embracing the Excellence Grand Gala (January 25) and the festival’s signature Celebration Day (January 26). Headliners & Performers 2008 will feature more luminaries to add to the list of previous headliners for IMMAWII. Actor Chester Morris and platinum selling recording gospel artists Trin-i-tee 5:7 will highlight an all day Celebration Day beginning at 10:00 AM at the Polk County Convention Complex. Morris has established himself as a popular silver screen talent, with credits that include Brothers, The Best Man, Two Can Play at that Game and Perfect Holiday. Trin-i-tee 5:7 is the platinum-selling female trio, and has achieved a national following for their vibrant musical stylings. Trin-i-tee 5:7 is scheduled to appear at 11:55am, and Morris Chestnut at 3:45pm. These headliners will be ably supported by three stages of more than 60 performing acts throughout the day, including the event’s newest attraction, the Martin Luther King Jr. Gospel Stage. Jazz, Blues, dance, hip hop, martial arts, and other diverse performances deliver on the other two stages, aptly named after George Washington Carver and the James Weldon Johnson (Youth). Comedian Hope Flood from BET’s Comic View also makes an appearance at IMMAWII with a 5:30pm. performance. Look for the complete schedule January 23 at WWW.WORLDINIOWA.ORG. Attractions Exhibitions, demonstrations, a wide range of soul food culinary offerings and much more will greet all who attend this free event. Other highly anticipated attractions include the a variety of vendors selling Afro centric items, the From Fat to PHAT Health Fair, Greek Row with representation form Black fraternities and sororities; workshops from the African American Business Association; a car show presented by Bett’s Auto Campus; and Belly Dancing with the Caravan of Joy. The ever popular Black Doctors and Inventors interactive exhibit is one of many children’s’ activities along with the John R. Grubb YMCA’s Play Area with bounces houses; batting stations and a craft area. Two additional youth focus activities are a puppet show by Eulenspiegel Puppet Touring Theater and Harlem Globe Trotter-like basketball display and workshop by 6 year-old phenom, Chicago’s Lil’ Marquise Walker. “While I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa does highlight the art, culture and contributions of Iowa’s African-Americans, it truly has become a celebration for all of Iowa,” IMMAWII Executive Director, Betty Andrews explains. “Each and every Iowan can share in the pride of the state’s African-American legacy, and, judging by the diverse crowds that attend the festival, that seems to be exactly what is happening.” Soul food, celebratory performing arts, visual arts, storytelling, history, demonstrations, exhibitions and a healthy dose of old and new friends uniting under one shared mission have made IMMAWII a unique Iowa celebration. The fellowship, appreciation and information shared these two days in January reverberate well through Black History Month in February and throughout the entire year, leading to anticipation for the next year’s annual renewal of Iowa’s rich history and legacy of African-Americans. Collaborators include the Des Moines Police Department. Education Day Celebration Day is preceded on Friday by Education Day when hundreds of Iowa middle and high school students travel to Des Moines to meet and compete in the IMMAWII Black History Game Show competition. These students not only benefit from their preparation for this competition, but experience a variety of demonstrations, exhibitions and performances as they interact with their peers from across Iowa. The Grand Gala The Embracing the Excellence Grand Gala, held the evening of January 25 Hy-Vee Hall, is IMMAWII’s only fundraising event and has developed into one of Iowa’s foremost prestige events. From its beginnings as a small gala hosted by Governor and First Lady Vilsack at Terrace Hill, the Gala now recognizes leading contributors to Iowa’s African-American legacy. This year recognizes Iowa Nebraska NAACPState Conference of Branches. (Leading Organization Honoree), Mr. Jimmie Porter (Individual Life Achievement Honoree), and Stacey Walker (Evelyn K Davis Youth Award Winner). Contact IMMAWII For information on IMMAWII’s programming contact us at 515-288-7171, bettycandrews@yahoo.com, or visit WWW.WORLDINIOWA.ORG Statewide Contacts Cedar Rapids: Dedric Doolin, 319-560-0482, ddolin@asac.us Clinton: Tiffany Harris, 563-243-2124, tiffanyharris@asac.us Quad Cities: Cynthia Clark, 309-786-8698, AAHC@afrolegacy.org Waterloo: Walter Reed, 515-242-5655, walter.reed@iowa.gov Visit WWW.WORLDINIOWA.ORG to download: -Official Poster -Vendor/ Exhibitor Information -Volunteer Opportunities -DART Park & Ride Schedule Year Round Programming -History at your fingertips! Dial IMMAWII’s Bringing the Legacy to You line at 515-287-8152 to hear a Black History story. You’ll also find a diversity calendar and community information. -From FAT to PHAT – Promoting Heart-Health Awareness Together: an African-American women’s health initiative -State-wide Educational Outreach – presentations, resource expertise, collaboration, touring exhibits, etc. Making History On February 27, 2006, in a monumentally historic moment, IMMAWII’s theme song, written by Jazz singer Effie Burt was unanimously adopted by the Iowa Legislature as Iowa’s Newest Official State Song for Iowa. A word from our Platinum Partner Sponsors: Iowa State University "It’s a privilege to serve as a Platinum Partner of I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa, one of Iowa’s premier cultural events as the festival celebrates 10 years of highlighting African-American arts and contributions." Says Marc Harding, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Services at Iowa State University and IMMAWII 10th Anniversary Event Co-Chair along with KCCI's Marcus McIntosh. "IMMAWII’s significant emphasis on education is an ideal match, particularly as ISU commemorates its 150 Anniversary this year which includes the legacy of one of our most celebrated alums, George Washington Carver." Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield “We’re excited to be a platinum sponsor of the 10th Anniversary of Iowa’s premiere African-American Festival, I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa,” says Andrea Smith, Senior Corporate Communications Consultant with Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “This year’s Celebration Day promises to be better than ever with fun and educational opportunities for the entire family.”
I'll Make Me a World in Iowa 1620 Pleasant Street, Suite 225, Des Moines, IA 50314 Tel: 515-288-7171 E-mail: bettycandrews@yahoo.com http://www.worldiniowa.org/ IMMAWII is Powered By Betty Andrews Media

Billy Price: Nickel And A Nail

Cassie sent along a link to this fine band from Pennsylvania.