Jessie Fortune RIP

From Bob Corritore

August 31, 2009
RIP Jesse Fortune 2/28/1930-8/31/2009: Word just in from Susan Koester that blues vocalist Jesse Fortune passed away early this morning after collapsing onstage during his performance at the Playmate Lounge. He was 79. Jesse Fortune was a blues singer of the highest order. He was born in Macon, Mississippi in 1930, and grew up around Hattiesburg. He was greatly influenced by the vocals of B.B. King. In 1952, he relocated to Chicago, and became a highly respected singer on the windy city blues circuit. His first recording session was arranged and produced by Willie Dixon for the USA record label in 1963. The session featured Buddy Guy and Big Walter Horton as sidemen, and yielded 4 brilliant songs, including the Dixon-penned "Too Many Cooks”, for which Fortune is best known. “Too Many Cooks” would later be recorded by Robert Cray, and it has become a highly-covered number among blues bands. After a period of musical inactivity during the 70s and 80s where Jesse supported himself as a barber, his musical career was reactivated with a spectacular 1993 release, Fortune Tellin' Man, on the Delmark record label, featuring great backing from Dave Specter and his band. Jesse's recent appearances around Chicago showcased an artist of great ability. He left us doing what he loved, and we will always love him for the great blues he brought us.To read the Chicago Tribune obituary, click here

Marie Knight RIP

From Bob Corritore

August 31, 2009

RIP Gospel Legend Marie Knight 6/1/1925-8/30/2009: This sad news just in from M.C. Records; this is their announcement verbatim:
With heavy hearts, M.C. Records announces the death of gospel legend Marie Knight. She died in New York City on August 30, 2009 due to complications from pneumonia. Marie first came to prominence in 1946 when she met and started working with Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Together they would be one of the most popular gospel artists of the 1940's, and make music history through a string of gospel hits including "Didn't It Rain", "Up Above My Head", and the gorgeous "Beams of Heaven". Marie Knight and Sister Rosetta Tharpe would tour frequently together through the 1950's. In the 1960's, Marie had several R&B hits, but in 1970's Marie rededicated herself to gospel music and became a minister at the Gates of Prayer Church in New York City.

Marie Knight's recent comeback began in 2002 when producer and M.C. Records owner Mark Carpentieri invited Marie to record on Shout, Sister, Shout!: A Tribute To Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Mark recalls the phone call. "Gayle Wald, who was writing the liner notes for the project, asked me if I had contacted Marie Knight about participating in the project. I didn't know she was still alive! I called Marie, and she sounded so vibrant that I arranged studio time, and we’ve been working together ever since."

After the release of Shout, Sister, Shout!: A Tribute To Sister Rosetta Tharpe (MC-0050), tour work came in regularly for Marie Knight. In 2007, Mark Carpentieri put together Marie Knight's first full-length album in over 25 years, Let Us Get Together. The project was a tribute to Rev. Gary Davis, and was co-produced with Larry Campbell (Bob Dylan, Ollabelle, Levon Helm). The record was a critical success, with great reviews from The New York Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and many more.

You can listen to a live recorded concert featuring Marie via The Woodsongs Radio Hour recorded in February 2008, and click on show number 470.

Here are some YouTube links to check out: video 1, video 2, and video 3.

2009 Blues Blast Music Awards

Press Release - The 2009 Blues Blast Music Award October 29th 2009 at Buddy Guy’s Legends. Who: Blues Blast Magazine from www.TheBluesBlast.com What: 2009 Blues Blast Music Awards Ceremony Where: Buddy Guy’s Legends 754 S. Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60605 (312)-427-1190 When: Thursday October 24th, 2009, 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:00pm) Tickets are just $25 and will be available online at www.TheBluesBlast.com starting August 31st. Contact Information: Bob Kieser (309) 267-4425 or info@illinoisblues.com Tickets are now on sale for the 2009 Blues Blast Music Award Ceremonies held at the famous Buddy Guy’s Legends. The awards show will include confirmed appearances by nominees Kenny Neal, Nick Moss & The Flip Tops, Eden Brent, Albert Castiglia, John Primer, Shirley Johnson, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Chris James & Patrick Rynn w/ Bob Corritore, Robin Rogers, The Insomniacs, Dave Herrero, Guy King, and Dave Gross. There may be a few surprise appearances by other nominees too. The 2009 Blues Blast Music Awards are brought to you by Blues Blast Magazine. Blues Blast Magazine is the fastest growing FREE weekly internet Blues magazine read by over 13,000 Blues fans in all 50 states and in more than 60 countries. In Early May, a group of Blues music industry professionals including music writers, managers, musicians, Blues Blast Magazine staff and others nominated the best of 2009 Blues in eight categories: Best Contemporary Blues Recording, Best Traditional Blues Recording, Best Blues Song, Best Blues Band, Best Male Blues Artist, Best Female Blues Artist, Best New Artist Debut Recording and The Sean Costello Rising Star Award. And the people have spoken! In July and August Blues Blast magazine readers voted for their favorites on our website. These awards truly are the “Peoples Choice” without any filter. The voting was absolutely FREE and more than 3500 fans from all over the globe voted their choices. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on October 29th at Buddy Guy’s Legends. The complete list of nominees is listed below at the end of this press release. This event promises to be a great show with music by some of the best established and new contemporary Blues artists. The show will likely sell out so get your tickets as soon as possible. Sponsorships OpportunitiesSponsorships opportunities are available and several sponsor packages at various levels are available, These sponsor packages include tickets to the event with prime seating for the show, some awards show memorabilia and varying levels of included promotion and marketing. Sponsorship information is available at:http://www.TheBluesBlast.com/bbma09sponsor.htm For questions or additional information visit www.TheBluesBlast.com or contact Bob Kieser at 309 267-4425 or by email at info@thebluesblast.com The complete List of 2009 Nominees are: Best Contemporary Blues Recording The Insomniacs - At Least I’m Not With YouJohn Nemeth - Love Me TonightNick Moss - Live at Chan’s Vol 2 Curtis Salgado - Clean GetawayJaniva Magness - What Love Will DoShemekia Copeland - Never going Back Best Traditional Blues Recording Various Artists - Chicago Blues: A Living History(w/Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch and Lurrie Bell)Guy Davis - Sweetheart Like YouJohn Primer - All Original The Mannish Boys - Lowdown Feelin Shirley Johnson - Blues AttackB.B. King - One Kind Favor Best Blues Song Albert Castiglia - “Bad Year Blues” The Insomniacs - "At Least I'm Not With You" Chris James & Patrick Rynn - "Mr. Coffee" Curtis Salgado - "20 Years of B.B. King" Kenny Neal - "Let Life Flow" B.B. King - "See That My Grave is Kept Clean" Best Blues Band Nick Moss and The Flip TopsLil Ed And The Blues ImperialsKilborn Alley Blues BandThe Mannish BoysThe InsomniacsWatermelon Slim and The Workers Best Male Artist John PrimerBobby JonesLurrie BellNick MossJohn NemethElvin Bishop Best Female Artist Shirley JohnsonRobin RogersDiunna GreenleafShemekia CopelandEden BrentJaniva Magness Best New Artist Debut Recording Chris James & Patrick Rynn - Stop And Think About ItJoanne Shaw Taylor - White SugarDave Herrero - Austin To ChicagoCedric Burnside & Lightnin' Malcolm - 2 Man Wrecking Crew Guy King - Livin It Eden Brent - Mississippi Number One Sean Costello Rising Star Award Kilborn Alley Blues BandJoanne Shaw TaylorAlbert CastigliaDave GrossCedric Burnside & Lightnin' MalcolmEden Brent

Technical Problems

I have no clue why I am having problems with my browsers, but neither one is working right and it is have a very negative impact on my blog. I am trying to figure out what is going on, as soon as I can fix it, I will start posting again. Hopefully by tomorrow night at the latest.

Tom
Blues Historian

Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

Here it is nearly a week later and I'm just coming down from the BIG BUZZ of the Iowa State Fair. Four days as a Fair Go-er and two days as a Fair performer + LOTS of foods on a stick = one of the greatest natural highs of all time! You can call me honey butter cuz I am on a roll, baby! If I could just have one more porkchop on a sick! More on that later...

First, the biz at hand. Saturday evening, please join us for Brew-B-Q, River Walk Park, Independence, IA ,5-9 p.m. All details: www.buchanan247.com/bucn200908121.html Actually get there early because another great soul/blues band, The Dynaflows, start the afternoon's entertainment at 2pm. You can sample all the beers while they're playing and we can take advantage of your happy disposition later! (the drunker you get, the better we sound)...

And speaking of taking advantage of your tipsiness, Saturday of Labor Day weekend (9/5) finds us at The Grape Stomp (yes, you can actually stomp grapes) at The Park Farm Winery, Bankston, IA 4-6 p.m. More info/directions: www.parkfarmwinery.com This was a fabulous time last year on a very picturesque vineyard. Do the Stomp! (The Twist and The Mashed Potato too) And then SUNDAY 9/6 (not Labor Day Monday as in years past) marks our return to FB & Co. in Waubeek (20 minutes NE of Cedar Rapids) Holding this event on Sunday instead of Monday allows an extra day of recovery before the grim reality of the end of summer sets in! And I don't know about you, but recovery time seems to take longer and longer these days! The Mississippi Band (I think this band has been together longer than we have and we've been together 28 years!) starts the entertainment in the beer garden at 2pm, Blue Band starts about 5:30p (there is no time in Waubeek)...

From the unusually mild weather, to Jeff's prostate surgery (he missed one gig) (YIKES, how'd he do that?) to using five different bass players, this summer has been unique and fun in many ways. I am so proud of the band's depth of resources to be able to find qualified players to play the gigs when the "regulars" could not make it and to persevere through the roadblocks on The Blue Highway. (there's been a lot of construction zones on that highway this summer) Frankly, there were many gigs that I did not know how it would sound or how we'd get through them with all the inexperienced players (which is doubly frightening to a control freak like me!) But we did. And we sounded good! Thank you Blue Banders and Blue Band encouragers, we accomplished it all together...

Unfortunately, I spent so much time enjoying the summer (and rehearsing bass players!) that I have not put in the time to effectively find work for us in the coming months. Most of the clubs and casinos have the rest of their year booked and I missed it. In my 35 years as a band leader, I have learned that the best way to keep a band together (especially bands comprised of veteran, high quality musicians) is to keep 'em working! We have lots of open dates in the Holiday season and in 2010. Please help spread the word to corporate party planners, your town festival organizers, your favorite casinos, and nightclubs that The Blue Band needs work. I know we can make it thru lean times with your help. Consider having that end of summer or Holiday party on your deck at your acreage on the outskirts of town. Or if you don't have an acreage, consider that house party with us playing in your basement! Oooops, I was starting to sound whiney and begging there, wasn't I?...

I think the real reason that I have not been spending enough time trying to find us work is that I have now joined the 21st century and have a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/profile.php?id=100000167776066&ref=name This damn thing takes WAY too much time. It suckered me in and now I'm addicted to checking it every 25 seconds. The webmistress has posted some cool stuff from the Fair on that page (Heath & I doing our duo performance of He's Back In Town on the TV8 News and little 10 year old Adam Todd playing guitar with us on I Dig Your Wig) (but I REALLY like the picture of she and I at the New Year's Eve party 1994!) She has also posted the web addresses for a gallery of her Fair photos on our chat page (www.theblueband.com/chat2.cfm) I am truly an analog man caught in a digital world. Curse you geeks! Next thing you know, I'll be asking for virtual CAKE!...

My sleep habits have gone from bad to worse. Why do I find myself singing Bunky's song I Just Can't Sleep at 4:15 in the morning? Must be that things are going so well that I don't want to miss out on a single minute! (or somethin'...) See yas on The Blue Highway, rub yer washboard while becoming my Facebook Friend, remember CAKE goes good with beer, barbque, and blues and never forget that we love you...Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Rosemary Rainey: Freight Train Blues

Ma Rainey's granddaughter, Rosemary Rainey performing a song as her grandmother! It is a nice black and white video. Very cool.

Hot House Flowers: I'm Sorry

Some great Irish soul from the late 80s. Amazingly that was 20 years ago! YIKES!!!

Big Birthday Bash

BluesRnB.com

Vist Our Main Website For More New Releases and Artist Updates at BluesRnB.com

Mike Dobbins

Mike Dobbins has invited you to the event 'Sweet Angel and Mike Dobbins Birthday Extravaganza and Concert' on BluesRnB.com! Check out "Sweet Angel and Mike Dobbins Birthday Extravaganza and Concert" on BluesRnB.com Mike Dobbins Time: September 26, 2009 at 7pm to September 27, 2009 at 2am Location: The Whitehaven Celebration Complex Organized By: Mike Dobbins Event Description: It's going down on Saturday, September 26th BIRTHDAY PARTY AND CONCERT Sweet Angel and Mike Dobbins "The Dynamic Duo" will celebrate their birthdays. Sweet Angel and her show band will perform LIVE. Everybody that is somebody will be in the house. Reserve your table now at the spacious Whitehaven Celebration Complex by calling 901.246.7545 See more details and RSVP on BluesRnB.com: http://bluesrnb.ning.com/events/event/show?id=2246961%3AEvent%3A9557&xgi=aRuIQ0f About BluesRnB.com Love what you do in the music industry, the BluesRnB Network lets you promote who you are and what you do. Post music, video and photos. 314 members 752 photos 344 songs 52 videos 6 Events 38 blog posts

Taylor Hicks: Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad

Here is one for the Taylor Hicks fans. Enjoy:-)

"Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad" Taylor Hicks and Friends from Jenni Jac on Vimeo.

Little Feat: Dixie Chicken

Little Feat with special guests Emilylou Harris, and Bonnie Raitt from the Midnight Special.

Bonnie Raitt: Angel From Montgomery

A very young and talented Bonnie Raitt!

Bonnie Raitt: Pride And Joy

Bonnie Raitt playing at a tribute for Stevie Ray.

Fayetteville North Carolina Blues Update

From Claudia

Hello, dear Friends and Supporters of Local Music and the Arts!


The year is going by fast and fall is in the air. The Blues is an all weather friend and and we have again produced a series of the finest Blues Shows in the area. HQ Library has proven itself to be the perfect venue for the purpose of show casing local talent to a broader segment of our community. Fayetteville's hottest professional Elite Performers have tirelessly and selflessly provided their time, talent AND equipment to make these awesome community shows an annual reoccurence.
We have chosen the Blues and american roots music and mainly original materials to be performed at these shows. Younger and younger performers have joined the ranks of seasoned veterans and have graced the Pate Room Stage for 5 years now. Our youngest performer ever , 12 year old " Lakota" John Locklear recently delighted the masses with his soulful playing and performances of the Blues. The Locklear Family is the newest addition to our " Blues Gang" and we welcome them!
Thanks to our local media, namely the Fayetteville Obsever Times and NEXT! magazine have supported us from the start with intense coverage of all our events and the recent edition of NEXT! with a detailed article about the purpose of these events.
Fayetteville's Musicians have never gotten the recognition they deserve and are usually relegated to side stages and non paying short performances. There needs to be much more involvement from the community itself to help us to promote these local artists to their fullest recognition and potential.
The following events will be held and are tentatively scheduled:

FALL BLUES CONCERT:

WHEN: SAT OCT. 24TH, FROM 2PM - 6 PM
WHERE: HOPE MILLS BRANCH LIBRARY
ROCKFISH RD IN HOPE MILLS

BANDS:
BOB STEELE ROBBIE REID CORKY JONES
KINDRED BLUESENIGMA ETHAN HANSON
JUSTIN KING RICKY BRIGMAN MANDY BARNES


INFO: BLUESLOVER51@YAHOO.COM

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4TH ANNUAL
BOHEMIAN ARTS AND MUSIC
FESTIVAL

7 HOURS OF FAYETTEVILLE'S HOTTEST LOCAL MUSICIANS AND VISUAL ARTISTS IN ANOTHER MEMORABLE SHOW


WHEN: SUNDAY NOV. 15TH FROM NOON-7PM
WHERE: PATE ROOM HQ LIBRARY 30 MAIDEN LN.

BANDS
BOB STEELE ROBBIE REID CORKY JONES
CHRIS HURST BLUESENIGMA ETHAN HANSON
GUY UNGER MANDY BARNES ORIGINAL NATURE
SILVER LINE KINDRED RAY KING
& SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS

VISUAL ARTISTS

JEFF COLEMAN GREG HATHAWAY SHANE WALLACE
SHANNON DAVIS DOROTHY FINIELLO HAROLD GRACE
FSU ART STUDENTS GOVINA TAYLOR AND OTHERS

FREE ADMISSION ALL AGES ARTISTS WILL SELL THEIR CD'S AND ART WORKS TO THE PUBLIC WITH 20 % OF ALL PROCEEDS DONATED TO THE " FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY" PROGRAMS.
HOSTED BY: CLAUDIA SWARTZ
SPONSORED BY:
BEATHEARTPRODUCTIONS
MUSIC AND ARTS EVENTS

OUR SPRING SHOW ON CALENTINES DAY AT HOPE MILLS LIBRARY PRODUCED A $ 6000.00 DONATION TO THE FRIENS OF THE LIBRARY IN MEMORIAM OF OUR DECEASED FRIEND AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE SANDHILLS BLUES SOCIETY MR. STEVEN A. HUDSON. A PERMANENT DISPLAY AND MEMORIAM IS SET UP IN HIS NAME AT LIBRARIES IN TOWN.

WELL, FOLKS THATZ ABOUT IT FOR TODAY. PLEASE HELP US OUT WITH YOUR SUPPORT OF THESE FINE LOCAL SHOWS AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO COME OUT FOR THE HSOWS. WE NEED A LOT MORE PEOPLE TO LISTEN TO THEIR LOCAL BEST AND YOU CAN BE THE KEY.
ALSO NEEDED:
SPONSORS FOR ADVERTISING FOR OUTDOOR LOCAL ARTIST MUSIC FESTIVAL. THIS FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE LOCAL BANDS ONLY AND WILL BE CONNECTED WIT A HUGE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN FOR SMALL AND NEW BUSINESSES AS WELL AS LARGER AND ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES. aDVERTISING WILL BE INTENSE AND WILL GIVE EVERYONE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ARTS AND THE MUSIC OF OUR LOCAL PERFORMERS AND PAINTERS/SCULPTORS TO GET THE RECOGNITION AND THE PAY THAT THEY DESERVE FOR THEIR SERVICES.
PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
BLUES GREETINGS TO ALL
CLAUDIA SWARTZ
BEATHEARTPRODUCTIONS

Soul Searchers Update

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

wednesday, august 26, 9pm

blues on grand

15th & grand, des moines

friday, august 28, 5pm

ISU alumni center

420 beach ave, ames

saturday, august 29, 8pm

the longest yard
122 fifth st, west 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

BB King In The Boston Globe Online

Boston.com the online home of Boston Globe, has an article about living blues legend BB King. It is a concert review, but it is also a very nice article about a living blues treasure. Click here to read it.

Chick Willis: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Shots Of Whiskey

Holy (**&^!!!!! Wow! Chick Willis has that Malco sound down! In fact, Chick's new video sounds like a classic ZZ Hill song! This is good stuff! To buy it go to CDS Records HERE.

Mitch Woods: Shake Rattle And Roll

I was watching my new digital cable TV, and on the blues channel I heard Mitch woods. It was cool, because I had forgotten about Mitch. I saw Mitch years, and years ago at Connie's Lounge in Des Moines, back when both me and Mitch were younger and skinner:-) I remember that night well. Mitch tore it up that night. I thought that I could boogie before I saw Mitch, after I saw Mitch, I went back home and started practicing all over again! I did give Mitch a cassette of my music, and he was cool to take it, whether he listened to it or not, I'll never know, but I have always appreciated the time he spent with me talking about piano playing.

Blues Historian Review: Cadillac Records

finally! I found a copy of Cadillac Records at my local video store so I bought it right up. I must admit that I wasn't looking forward to watching the movie. while I hadn't read the reviews, as a historian and a blues musician I didn't want to be disappointed watching some Hollywood fantasy. Yet, I put the disc in my trusty Playstation 3 and sat down to watch some Hollywood magic.

I am not going to get involved with what was real and what was myth, because lets face it there were a lot of missing people in the movie, (most importantly Phil Chess) and the Rock and Roll killing the blues was way over played. However I took off my historian hat and enjoyed a great movie about the blues. Muddy, Wolf, Little Walter, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry and Etta James come to life on the screen. Adrian Brody does an amazing Leonard Chess, (although Leonard was gray haired)

I guess it is unfortunate that this movie didn't get a bigger audience. In a lot of ways this movie reminded me of LaBamba. That movie made Richie Valens, and Los Lobos into household names, it also was historical inaccurate, but a fun flick. Yet, Cadillac Records, even with the lovely Beyonce Knowles, was not the huge hit that could have catapulted blues back into the mainstream. It is to bad, because it was a lot of fun. I hope that if you can find it in your local video store to buy it right away, because it definitely worth it.