Iowa Blues Challenge Finals Set

From CIBS

Press Release-2008 Iowa Blues Challenge Finals

The Finals for the 2008 Iowa Blues Challenge are now set!

Come join the party at the Hotel Fort Des Moines at 10^th & Walnut in Des Moines, Iowa. On Sat., May 17^th, 2008, performances will start at 9:00 PM with Avey Brothers, followed by The Soul Searchers and Smokin’ Mojo Kings.

Cover will be $9 for Blues Society members and $10 for non-members. Call 515-243-1161 or 1-800-532-1466 and ask for the Blues fan rate to book rooms.

The competition will be stiff as these three great bands square off to determine who is the best Blues band in Iowa and play for the opportunity to advance to the International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, TN, among other prizes, so come out and support your favorite band!

For the 15^th year, the Central Iowa Blues Society, in cooperation with the Mississippi Valley Blues Society and Lizard Creek Blues Society, presents the 2008 Iowa Blues Challenge, an all-Iowa Blues band contest. This contest is open to any Iowa Blues band that has not been nominated for the Blues Music Awards (Handy’s).

The Iowa Blues Challenge features one of the finest prize packages, for a contest of this kind, in the country. Prizes are awarded to the top bands, including---cash, travel expenses, recording time, as well as spots in the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, IA; The Nitefall on the River in Des Moines, IA; 2009 Simply The Blues Fest in Ft. Madison, IA and the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

The 2008 Iowa Blues Challenge is proudly sponsored by Central Iowa Blues Society, Mississippi Valley Blues Society, Lizard Creek Blues Society, Budweiser, Citadel Broadcasting/94.9KGGO & 98.3WOW, Junior’s Motel, Rieman Music and Russell Bird Foundation

Check out www.cibs.org for more information.

Bob Corritore Newsletter: Update Sean Costello

Important news from Bob Corritore including an update on Candye Kane, Chris Gaffney, and Sean Costello

April 18, 2008

• Candye Kane Surgery Report: Candye's son Evan reports that the surgery went well and that they were able to successfully remove all of the cancerous areas. Candye is now recovering from surgery, and we will update you as we receive more news.

• RIP Chris Gaffney: Bob's friend and former HighTone label mate Chris Gaffney passed away April 17, 2008 from complications of liver cancer. Chris Gaffney was best known for his work with Dave Alvin and The Hacienda Brothers. He was 57. For more information, click here.

• Sean Costello Funeral Arrangements: Sean Costello April 16, 1979-April 15, 2008. Arrangements for Sean Costello have been made; details are spelled out in an article which appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The article can be viewed by clicking here.

• First review of Tomcat Courtney! Tomcat Courtney's forthcoming CD, Downsville Blues on Blue Witch Records, received its first review in France's Juke Joint Blues & Soul's website. The review by Jean Luc Varbes can be read in French by clicking here, or translated to English by clicking here. Thank you, Jean Luc, for breaking the ice with this glowing review.

• Some Links Of Interest:

1) La Hora de Blues (Spain) reviews: Dave Riley & Bob Corritore/Travelin' The Dirt Road and Various Artists/House Rockin' And Blues Shoutin!: Celebrating 15 Years Of The Rhythm Room on Blue Witch Records are reviewed by Vicente "Harmonica" Zumel in the online blues magazine La Hora Del Blues. Click here to see.

2) Blues Art Studio's Photo Gallery of Lucerne Blues Festival 2007: Wonderful photos by Dragan Tasic featuring images of Koko Taylor, Sonny Rhodes, Philipp Fankhauser, Janiva Magness, Billy Branch, Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Bob Margolin, Mike Morgan, Lee McBee, and Zac Harmon performing at this amazing event in Switzerland. Click here to view the photos.

3) Supporting The Blues MySpace: This amazing website has posted reveiws of two of Bob's earliest album productions, Little Willie Anderson and Big Leon Brooks done in the late 70s and early 80s in Chicago, and reissued on CD by Earwig Music. Also on the site are reviews of Nappy Brown/Long Time Coming on Blind Pig Records, Dave Riley & Bob Corritore/Travelin' The Dirt Road on Blue Witch Records and Various Artists/House Rockin' And Blues Shoutin!: Celebrating 15 Years Of The Rhythm Room on Blue Witch Records. Thanks to site proprietor Rob Lehrian for your true support! To see the Supporting The Blues MySpace site, click here.

4) Robert Lockwood, Jr. Tribute Article in Seventh Hour Blues (US): This memorial article of blues master Robert Lockwood, Jr. by Anthony Sapienza appeared last year in Seventh Hour Blues, an online blues magazine, and includes quotes by Bob Corritore as well as photos from Bob's archives. We have added it to the article section of www.bobcorritore.com. Click here to read it. Also, Anthony sent a link to a short documentary of the blues that he put together (Click here to see).

5) Tail Dragger Article in Back To The Roots (Belgium): Franky Bruneel just sent us the Tail Dragger cover story, which includes Bob's quotes and photos. Bob and Tail Dragger used to play together in the late 70s and early 80s, and remain good friends. Click here (article, cover) to see this beautiful article. Click here to see a photo of Tail Dragger holding the issue on magazine's website.

6) Robert Nighthawk Photo Page Added to www.bobcorritore.com: Robert Nighthawk was simply one of the greatest of bluesmen. His deep, molasses-like vocal delivery and crying slide guitar was like that of no other. This photo page was inspired and approved by Robert Nighthawk's daughter, Geni McCollum-Ward, who is currently collecting information regarding her father for a forthcoming book. If you can help, provide any information, photos, or memorabilia, please contact Geni at PgMkr41@aol.com or (773) 994-4468. To see an amazing film short of Robert performing on Maxwell Street, click here. To see this new photo page devoted to Robert Nighthawk, click here.

• Billy Flynn Reflects on Cadillac Blues Soundtrack: In a recent phone conversation, guitarist Billy Flynn spoke of his participation in the recording sessions that will be part of the soundtrack of Cadillac Blues, a movie about the famed Chess Records out of Chicago. Chess was the label responsible for 1950's and 60's hits by Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Jimmy Rogers, Howlin' Wolf, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Etta James, and many others. Billy will play guitar on many of the selections of the soundtrack, which will recreate classic Chess hits for the movie. The producer/drummer of these sessions was Steve Jordan, best known as the drummer for the Saturday Night Live band. Also on board were Larry Taylor, Barrelhouse Chuck, Kim Wilson, Eddie Taylor, Jr., and others. Billy reports that Kim Wilson's remake of Little Walter's hit record "Juke" was simply amazing in how it captured the original feel of the groundbreaking harmonica instrumental that would redefine the role of that instrument in blues. Billy also reports that he played three Etta James ballads that will be sung by Beyoncé, who portrays Etta in the movie. In addition to appearing on the movie soundtrack, Billy states that his guitar work will be included on the next Beyoncé CD as she recreates Etta's "At Last" and brings it to a whole new generation. Congratulations to Billy and all of those involved in this noble movie project.

• Delta Groove Showcase schedule posted: On Friday May 11, 2008 (the day after the Blues Music Awards), Randy Chortkoff and his label staff will host the 3rd Annual Delta Groove Showcase at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. This year, over 18 acts are featured in an 11 hour period (2pm until 1am). Delta Groove and Eclecto Groove artists on the bill are The Mannish Boys (whose new album Lowdown Feelin' is spectacular!), Jackie Payne/Steve Edmondson Band, Phillip Walker, Jason Ricci, Lynwood Slim, and others. Randy is also including the label's extended family of friends including The Soul Of John Black, Lionel Young, Los Fabulocos, and a Blue Witch Records showcase set featuring Big Pete Pearson and the Rhythm Room All-Stars, Dave Riley & Bob Corritore, and Tomcat Courtney, plus our friend, Italian harmonica great Marco Pandolfi. To see the schedule and the entire lineup, click here. Thank you, Delta Groove Records, for always throwing the best blues parties!

Hacienda Brothers - Cry Like a Baby

It was hard to find a video with Chris playing accordion, but here is a short cool clip.

Chris Gaffney:

Chris Gaffney from years ago on Art Feins Poker Party

Chris Gaffney RIP

According to the OC Register Chris Gaffney roots rock legend has died of Cancer. Gaffney played the last few years with the Hacienda Brothers. To read more about him Click Here.

Jason Williams: It Ill Be Me

Jason D Williams, the alleged illigitmate son of Jerry Lee Lewis. You must admit they piano a lot alike, and they sing and talk a lot a like. I met him over 10 years ago. during about a 2 year period I opened up for him at least 5 times. Needless to say I never let him touch my keyboard, because dude could really destroy a piano:-)

Jason D. Williams - It Ill Be Me
Uploaded by rockinbart

Louis Jordan: Caldonia

Another clip gone from Youtube, but found on Daily Motion. This is the unsung father of rock and roll, jump blues master Louis Jordan. This is coooooooooooooooooool Daddy Oooooooo!

Louis Jordan - Caldonia
Uploaded by rockinbart

Robert Johnson: Love In Vain

I found those cool haunting animated videos of the delta musicians again. This one features the Robert Johnson singing Love In Vain.

Robert Johnson "Love in vain" Blues Animation
Uploaded by bluesanimations

Blogcritic Review: Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, and Autour Du Blue

A new DVD is out that features American blues performers Larry Carlton and Robben Ford, with a French all star blues band, Autour Du Blues. To check out the Blog Critic review Click HERE. The only real complaint I have here, is once again the old argument that Europe loves the blues and America ignores it. Certainly it is a dry market right now for blues, but it is ebb and flow. It certainly is ebb and flow in Europe as well. The blues has never gone away here, and I am sure the blues is going to have a banner year this summer.

Murali Coryell Update

New CD "The Same Damn Thing" featuring "In the Room with Jimi"comes
out in Two Weeks plus look for upcoming interview in Guitar Player
Magazine

Friday, April 18th, 2008
Columbia-Greene Community College - http://www.sunycgcc.edu/
The Coryell's featuring Larry Coryell, Murali Coryell, Tracey
Coryell-Victor Bailey-bass, Thierry Arpino-drums - 7:00pm
4400 Route 23
Hudson, NY 12534
USA
518 828-4181
Price: TBA

an evening of jazz/blues/rock & soul

Saturday, April 19th, 2008
Black-eyed Sally's - http://www.blackeyedsallys.com/
9:00pm
350 Asylum St
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 278-7427
Price: TBA

w/Larry Coryell-guitar Tracey Coryell-vocals, Victor Bailey-Bass,
Thierry Arpino-drums

River Front Blues Festival: June 20-21

Just got this from the folks at the River Front Blues Fest



Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Fest

June 20th & 21st, 2008

Harry E. Kelley Park

Fort Smith, Arkansas

www.riverfrontbluesfest.org

We will be featuring Jonny Lang, Ana Papapvic, Larry McCray, Ruthie Foster, and many other artists.

2008 Riverfront Blues Festival Poster