Bob Corritore Year In Review

Bob sent his year in review email, and I just wanted to pass it along.

January 4, 2010

• 2009 Recap. 2009 was filled with great tours, club and festival dates, record releases, wonderful recognition, and personal achievement. On the down side the recession was felt by everyone, I dealt with a dislocated shoulder (it's much better now), and I parted ways with Kim Danielson, my loving partner of six years. But through it all, I felt that all my blues associates and myself moved forward and made some very substantial things happen. I am very grateful for the huge support system around me and the interest and acceptance that my music has been shown. A heartfelt thank you to everyone!

CDs (and LPs) Released:

I was associated with 7 CD releases in 2009, either as a player, producer or both!

Big Pete Pearson / Finger In Your Eye (VizzTone / Southwest Musical Arts Foundation)

Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars / Live at Lahnstein (Collectors Only label). This CD is a bootleg. I guess you are on the road to making it when people start bootlegging your live performances.

Dave Riley & Bob Corritore / Lucky To Be Living (Blue Witch Records)

Lucerne Blues Festival 2009 (1 cut by Dave Riley & Bob Corritore and another cut by Tomcat Courtney on this various artists collection).

Jimmy Rogers / Feelin' Good (Blind Pig) Released as a limited edition LP only collectors item. I play on and produced the two bonus tracks on this record.

Louisiana Red / Back to the Black Bayou (Ruf Records). I play on two tracks on this highly acclaimed record produced by Little Victor.

Various Artists / Broadcasting The Blues (Southwest Musical Arts Foundation) A 25th anniversary celebration of Bob Corritore's radio show with Billy Boy Arnold, Otis Clay, Johnny Rawls, Lowell Fulson, Lazy Lester, Tomcat Courtney, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Henry Gray, Johnny Dyer, and more!

Recording Sessions and Video Filmings. Great sessions in 2009 with Dave Riley, Big Pete Pearson, Chris James and Patrick Rynn, Henry Gray, Eddy Clearwater, Tomcat Courtney, Louisiana Red, Bharath & His Rhythm Four, Elmore James, Jr., The Sugar Thieves. I also participated in 2 major blues filmings: A Bob Riedy Chicago Blues Band Reunion with Eddy Clearwater, and the Six Generations Of The Blues filming at SPACE in Evanston, Illinois where I performed with Chris James & Patrick Rynn with Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Allen Batts in the band. Also filmed that night were Honeyboy Edwards, Big Jack Johnson, Johnny Drummer, John Primer, Rob Stone, and Aron Burton.

Nominations & Awards and Recognition. Bob and his associates were up for numerous awards this year.

Dave Riley & Bob Corritore / Lucky To Be Living won best blues album 2009 in the Star Blues Awards.

The Song "Lucky To Be Living" is nominated for an Independent Music Award for "Best Blues Song" as is the song "Mr. Coffee" by Chris James and Patrick Rynn

Chris James & Patrick Rynn / Stop and Think About It won a Blues Blast Music Award for best debut Artist. They were also nominated for best blues song for "Mr. Coffee".

Chris James & Patrick Rynn / Stop and Think About It was nominated for a 2009 BMA for "Best New Artist Debut".

Bob Corritore was hailed "Best Blues Man" by the New Times "Best Of Phoenix" Awards. To see this article, click here.

Louisiana Red / Back To The Black Bayou won France's Academie Charles Cros Award for "Best Blues Album 2009".

Louisiana Red / Back to the Black Bayou was nominated for 2 BMAs; "Traditional Blues Album Of The Year" and "Blues Album Of The Year".

Big Pete Pearson's song "Finger In Your Eye" and Chris James & Patrick Rynn's song "Your Gone" received nominations from Radio Baker Street from France for "Single de L'Annee" or the "Single Of the Year".

Big Pete Pearson / Finger In Your Eye was #1 on the Collectif des Radios Blues charts.

Dave Riley and Bob Corritore were # 1 on the Collectif des Radios Blues charts.

Big Pete Pearson / Finger In Your Eye was # 12 in August on the Living Blues Radio Charts

Dave Riley & Bob Corritore / Lucky To Be Living was # 5 in September and # 10 in October on the Living Blues Radio Charts.

Patrick Rynn (bassist in the Rhythm Room All-Stars) was nominated for a 2010 BMA under the "Best Instrumentalist - Bass" category.

Rhythm Room won New Times readers choice as "Best Blues or Jazz Club" in their "Best Of Phoenix" issue.

Rhythm Room won AZ Central's Critic's Pick as "Best Small Concert Venue". Click here to see.

Congratulations to these BMA nominees who have participated in Bob's recording projects past and present: Henry Gray (a frequent recording collaborator), David Maxwell, Duke Robillard, Mookie Brill, Bob Stroger, Larry Taylor, Kim Wilson, Rick Estrin, and Eddie Shaw.

Dave Riley & Bob Corritore / Lucky To Be Living was nominated for House Of Blues Radio's Record Of The Year.

Festivals and great gigs: Another amazing year filled with great on-stage moments! I performed a number of shows with The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey), Chris James & Patrick Rynn (who do gigs under their own name as well as with the Rhythm Room All-Stars), Dave Riley & Bob Corritore, Tomcat Courtney, and Louisiana Red, I also appeared with the Bob Riedy Blues Band with Eddy Clearwater, Henry Gray, Elmore James, Jr., Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Paris James, Jessi Colter, and Mississippi Spoonman (with Big Jack Johnson). I also enjoyed some great sit-in experiences with Bob Margolin, Tail Dragger, Rockin' Johnny, Eddie C. Campbell, Janiva Magness, The Rocket 88's, Dave Waldman, Ardella Williams, Scott Dirks, Willie Buck, Kaz Kazanoff, Tommy Castro, Egidio "Juke" Ingala, Jerry Lawson, Ronnie Whitehead, C.J. Chenier, JW Jones, Mighty Mike Schermer, Nina Curry, and more! I did two European tours, and one Canadian blues festival appearance. I performed at two live filmings.

Here is a recap of some of the great gigs and performances of the year:

Dave Riley and I doing a duet opening set for Zac Harmon at the Rhythm Room (January 9)

A benefit for the New Arid Club, a Phoenix organization benefiting homeless and at risk people. Dave Riley and I were part of the event. (Jan 24).

Performing at Tomcat Courtney's 80th birthday party at Humphrey's in San Diego! What an honor! (Jan 30th).

The Blind Raccoon Showcase with Chris James & Patrick Rynn at the Rum Boogie during the International Blues Competition. Thank you Billy Gibson for lending me your cool Supro amp! (Feb 6).

The 25th Anniversary Party for "Those Lowdown Blues", with the Rhythm Room All-Stars plus Henry Gray, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Johnny Rapp, Jerry Lawson, and more! (Feb 20).

Blues Blast Festival, at the Mesa Amphitheater, appearing as part of a Phoenix All-Star show with closed out the festival. (Feb 21)

Blues Blast after-party hosted by the Rhythm Room All-Stars with guest appearances by The Sugar Thieves, Janiva Magness and members of her band, and George Bowman (Feb 21).

The 15th Annual Music Festival and Carnival celebrating Black History Month in Peoria, Arizona, appearing on separate sets with Dave Riley, then Big Pete Pearson (Feb 28)

Dave Riley's 60th Birthday Party at the Rhythm Room. Click here to see a photo of the notorious ass cake (March 7)

Dave Riley & I opened up for T-Model Ford at the Rhythm Room (March 21)

Film Shooting of the reunion of the Bob Riedy Blues Band with the amazing Eddy Clearwater. This at the Rhythm Room (April 17)

Appearing at the Rhythm Room with Tomcat Courtney (May 1st)

The BMAs, appearing with Chris James & Patrick Rynn with special guest David Maxwell. Killer set! (May 7th)

Simply The Blues Festival in Fort Madison, Iowa with Chris James & Patrick Rynn as part of an Earwig Music night that also included Johnny Drummer and Liz Mandeville, Thanks to the late Alvin Short for letting me use his wonderful amp! (May 9th)

Blues Station, in France with the Rhythm Room All-Stars (May 15)

The Spring Blues Festival in Belgium! The Rhythm Room All-Stars did a great set. The fest lineup was superb and included Joe Louis Walker, Sugar Ray, James Harman, Mac Arnold, Fruteland Jackson (May 16)

The Blue Cloud in Belgium. What a warm audience of knowledgeable blues fans! Thanks to Franky Bruneel of Back To The Roots magazine for setting up this tour. (May 17)

Chico Chism's memorial birthday bash. Dave Riley and I appeared at this event which was all about loving the late Chico Chism (May 23)

Quiescence in Phoenix. I appeared with Paris James and Big Pete Pearson (May 28)

Big Pete Pearson CD Release Party for Finger in Your Eye (March 29 and 30)

Fat Tone Guitars in Northbrook, IL. Chris, Patrick, and I did a workshop as part of the Earwig 30th anniversary celebrations of the week (June 11th)

Blues On The North Shore, a filming that lead to the documentary "Six Generations Of The Blues" again celebrating Earwig Music. I appeared with Chris James and Patrick Rynn with Allen Batts, and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith! Also appearing were, Johnny Drummer, Big Jack Johnson, John Primer, Rob Stone and the amazing Honeyboy Edwards. A very special night. (June 12th)

Chicago Blues Festival, Front Porch stage, performing a set honoring Sunnyland Slim with Allen Batts, Aaron Moore, Chris James & Patrick Rynn, Kenny Smith, Rob Stone (Rob and I split up the harnonica chores) and Rodney Brown. A great set! (June 13th)

Reggie's in Chicago, performing with Tail Dragger, Rockin' Johnny, and Eddie C. Campbell for a Delmark Records showcase. Also appearing were Johnny B. Moore, Jesse Fortune, Scott Dirks, Nico Wayne Toussaint, Big Jack Johnson, Cadillac Zack and Rick Kreher (June 13th)

Woodlawn Taproom with Ardella Williams, Dave Waldman, Scott Dirks, Willie Buck

The Cisco Ottawa Blues Festival appearing with the Rhythm Room All-Stars, Louisiana Red, with David Maxwell and Kaz Kazanoff's Texas Horns, adding to each of our 5 sets (July 17, 18, 19)

Louisiana Red at the Rhythm Room (July 24 25)

Down Home Blues Festival at the Rhythm Room with the Rhythm Room All-Stars as host band plus Elmore James Jr., Henry Gray, and Dave Riley (Sept 6)

CD Release Party for Lucky To Be Living (Sept 12)

Old Town Artisans in Tucson for a CD release party for Finger In Your Eye. Pinetop Perkins did a guest set that night. (Sept 18)

The Bisbee Blues Festival with the Rhythm Room All-Stars doing a great set and then backing Pinetop Perkins (Sept 19)

Tempe Center For The Arts, billed as "Bob Corriitore and his Blues Friends" with Dave Riley, Big Pete Pearson, Tomcat Courtney, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey.(Sept 25)

My Birthday Bash at the Rhythm Room with The Rhythm Room All-Stars, Big Pete Pearson, Dave Riley, Tomcat Courtney, Jerry Lawson, and Tomcat Courtney! (Sept 26)

The Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival in Helena, Arkansas, with Dave Riley for a CD release party at the Delta Cultural Center, then a set with Mississippi Spoonman featuring Big Jack Johnson, then a guest appearance on the main stage with Bob Margolin, Bob Stroger, and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (Oct 10th)

Hopson's Plantation for Pinetop's Homecoming. Dave Riley and I opened up the proceedings with a duet set followed by a non stop array of great talent! (Oct 11)

Buddy Guy's Legends for the Blues Blast Music Awards. Chris James & Patrick Rynn won an award Best Debut Artist! (Oct 29th)

A month long Tour of Switzerland and France! I performed with Dave Riley, and Tomcat Courtney, as well as a couple appearances with the Rhythm Room All-Stars. This tour included the Lucerne Blues Festival, Blues Sur Seine Festival, The Beautiful Swamp Blues Festival, Blues Night in Visp, The Rat Pack Club, Blues Station, Nuit du Blues, La Mamiselle, numerous Blues in the schools, and a performance at a French prison. (the entire month of November).

Blues Harmonica Showcase, at the Rhythm Room with around 25 harmonica players and the Rocket 88's as host band (Dec 9th)

Private new years eve party at Riva Yares Gallery performing a show with the great Jessi Colter (Jan 31st)

Plus many great nights at the Rhythm Room performing just some good old plain gigs (non-event shows) with the Rhythm Room All-Stars, Dave Riley and Tomcat Courtney.

Interviews Many Interviews this year. Here are the ones that come to mind; La Hora Del Blues from Spain (Monte Adkison, interviewer), IL Blues from Italy (Marino Grande), Blues and Rhythm from the UK (Mike Stephenson), Rootstime (Belgium), Blues Van from Hungary (Attila Horváth), KVMR (Steve Cagel), KJZZ (with Terry Ward) , Arizona Republic (with Larry Rodgers), New Times (Benjamin Leatherman) Six Generations Of The Blues (with Lynn Orman and Michael Frank), KFFA (with Sonny Payne), KBCO (with Cheryll "Bluebird" Koehne), Associated Press (with Shelia Hardwell), House Of Blues Radio (with Elwood Blues), WMWV (with Roy Prescott),Website, Baker Street Blues (Xavier Boulanger), Jazz 'n' More from Switzerland (Marco Piazzalonga), Concerto Magazin of Austria (Dietmar Hoscher), Neue Luzerner Zeitung of Switzerland (Ismail Osman), Le Net Blues of Quebec, Canada (Aldo Druda).

Passings. Always so hard to say goodbye to the many great blues people that passed away. Here is the list of those who have left us. There may be some that I have missed: James Odell Johnson Jr. (of the Whispers), Ray Topping (of Ace Records), Sam Taylor, Claude Joseph Johnson Jr. (of Ray Charles Band), Reverend Leroy Taylor (of the Soul Stirrers), Leroy Cooper, Leslie Carole Johnson (of Mississippi Rag Magazine), Al Harris, David "Fathead" Newman, Hank Crawford, Piney Brown, Snooks Eaglin, Mark Sallings, John Cephas, Willie King, Lester Davenport, Eddie Bo, Mel Brown, Manuel Arrington, Michael "Dr. Mike" James, Ted Jarrett (songwriter "You Can Make It If You Try"), Roosevelt Dean, Rocky Hill, Pee Wee Moore, Stephen Bruton, Ashton Savoy, Koko Taylor. Sam Butera, Nick Holt, Wesley "Junebug" Jefferson, Betty Miller (Southern California Blues Society), Billy Lee Riley, Les Paul, Jim Dickinson, Johnny Carter (of the Flamingos and the Dells), Marie Knight, Jesse Fortune, Kenny Martin, Doris Carr, Sam Carr, Willie "Big Bo" Thomas Jr., Freddie Robinson, Alex "Easy Baby" Randle, Johnny Jones, Dennis Brooks, Luther Dixon, Norton Buffalo, Terry Scott (VP of the Phoenix Blues Society), Sara Moore (Sara's Kitchen), Big John Evans, Alvin Short, Cam Waters and Earl Gaines. Please forgive me if I left anyone out of this list. Each of these people are remembered warmly for their contributions to the blues.

KJZZ. In 2009, it was an extreme honor to celebrate the 25th anniversary of my radio program, Those Lowdown Blues! The anniversary celebration included a commemorative CD called Broadcasting The Blues released on the Southwest Musical Arts Foundation label, featuring magical on air live performances spanning the full 25 years! Special thanks to recently retired station general manager, Carl Matthusen and reassigned Program Director Scott Williams for their many years of support of the program. I look forward to working with KJZZ veteran Bill Shedd as the new Associate General Manager (and effectively the new program director) as we continue the show's grand tradition. It is the greatest of joys to present the blues and its glorious recorded legacy, week after week and year after year. Thank you KJZZ for this honor!

Rhythm Room Concert Club: My nightclub presented a wide array of blues shows. National acts and Phoenix-based acts included Kim Wilson, Candye Kane, Tomcat Courtney, Long John Hunter, Phillip Walker, Elmore James, Jr. , Henry Gray, Curtis Salgado, Tommy Castro, Janiva Magness, T-Model Ford, Bob Riedy Blues Band featuring Eddy Clearwater, Eric Lindell, Ivan Neville's Dumpstafunk, Leon Redbone, Leon Russell, Guitar Shorty, Smokin' Joe Kubek Band featuring B'Nois King, Saffire - The Uppity Blues Woman, Richie Havens, Soul Of John Black, Gil Scott-Heron , Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, Louisiana Red, Walter Trout, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, Dumpstafunk, Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, Hillstomp, Rory Block, Chris Duarte, Rumble King, Tab Benoit, Lil' Dave Thompson, Fremonts, Hans Olson, Bad News Blues Band, Delrayz, Rocket 88's, Big Nick & The Gila Monsters, Sugar Theives, Jump Back Brothers, Big Pete Pearson, and, of course The Rhythm Room All-Stars

Other cool things! Tomcat Courtney appeared on the cover of Back To The Roots Mazine (Belgium) with a beautiful in depth article. While I was in Lucerne, Thomas Torkler from Blues News magazine (Germany) presented me with a beautiful 2010 blues photo calendar in which January displayed photo of Chris James & myself playing last year at the Lahnstein Blues festival. We shared calendar status with Buddy Guy, Kim Wilson, B.B. King, Janiva Magness, Charlie Musselwhite, Honey Piazza, and more. What an honor and a surprise! The documentary, Six Generations Of the Blues, was aired nationally in November on the MHz Worldview Network! The Bob Corritore Blues Newsletter was listed in the special thanks of the Freddie King Box on Bear Family. I was able to contribute source material for Little Walter / The Complete Chess Masters, and was credited as such in the booklet.

Special Thanks to the behind the scenes heroes. I could not accomplish the work I do without a brilliant team behind me, so here are some of the people that helped to support the cause in 2009: Kim Danielson who worked tirelessly for my cause until our our September parting of the ways. George Thomas Vaught, best known as the long time friend of Chico Chism, who took over Kim Danielson's work as webmaster and newsletter facilitator, Mona Watkins, the General Manager of the Rhythm Room, who runs the shop while I am off doing blues projects, Jennifer Waters, my blues assistant at KJZZ, The Phoenix Blues Society, who work hard to move the Phoenix Blues scene forward, Tony Tingle, who has done great volunteer work for the Southwest Musical Arts Foundation and who sells CDs at my gigs, Martin Elmers, owner of the Rack Shack Barbecue at the Rhythm Room, Michael Frank of Earwig Music, Dale Baich and Beth Lipham of Blue Witch Records, Bob Margolin, Richard Rosenblatt and Chip Eagle of VizzTone, Jerry Del Giudice and Edward Chmelewski of Blind Pig Records, Randy Chortkoff of Delta Groove Productions, Betsie Brown of Blind Raccoon for her great work as a publicist, Lynn Orman of Orman Music and Media Group, Scott Dirks, Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recorders, John Wrobble and Jeff Harris of Porcupine Productions, Tony Amado at AI Design, Dave Shirk of Sonorous Mastering, Bharath Rajakumar of Regal Radio Records, Collectif des Radios Blues, Music Choice, Bluesville on Sirius XM, my wonderful band members and musical collaborators, all of the writers, reviewers, photographers, publications, festivals, blues societies, radio show hosts and programmers, friends, and fans who have shown me the warmth of their support. A heartfelt thank you everyone!

The Promise of 2010. I look forward to enjoying channeling the momentum of 2009 into the new year. I am currently finishing up some sides that will comprise half of Diunna Greenleaf CD (Diunna will produce and organize the other half). I am also working on a CD to celebrate my 40th year of harmonica playing with an amazing list of special guests that include Koko Taylor, Jimmy Rogers, Little Milton, Nappy Brown, Honeyboy Edwards, Pinetop Perkins, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Smokey Wilson, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, Henry Gray and many more. It will be similar in approach to my 1999 All-Star Blues Sessions CD. Look for that to be released mid year. Also in the pipeline for an early 2010 release on Southwest Musical Arts Foundation Records is Flyin' High; A collection of Phoenix Blues, Rhythm, and Spirit from the 1950's and 60's. Look for a new 2010 CD by Chris James & Patrick Rynn that I play on. I have heard that Earwig Music may release a DVD of the blues documentary Six Generations Of The Blues. Additionaly, I have many masters that are needing to be released and I hope to make as much of that happen as possible in this new year. Who knows where this blues road will take us but it will surely be filled with the joy and support of those like-minded people in our wonderful blues community. Wishing everyone a wonderful 2010!

- Bob Corritore

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In Rememberence 2009

Many great blues, jazz, and important people who helped kept the blues alive have left us. In Iowa we mourned the death of Bob Cook, a legendary solo performer who opened a ton of doors for musicians of all types. Also Larry Fountain, Jimmy Pryor's right hand man joined Jimmy in the great beyond.

To read all of the obits follow this link here. You can also click on the obit 2009 tag at the bottom of the post.

Here is the list of those who have left us way to soon, but will not be forgotten.

Sam Taylor
David Fathead Newman
Leroy Cooper
Billy Powell
Hank Crawford
Al Harris
Snooks Eaglin
Piney Brown
Mark Sallings
John Cephas
Willie King
Bob Cook
Mel Brown
Eddie Bo
Lester Davenport
Ted Jarrett
Koko Taylor
Sam Butera
Nick Holt
Micheal Jackson
Welsley Junebug Jefferson
Billy Lee Riley
Betty Miller
Jim Dickinson
Marie Knight
Jessie Fortune
Sam Carr
Alex Easy Baby Randle
Abu Talib "Freddie Robinson"
Johnny Jones
Dennis Brooks
Larry Fountain
Norton Bufflo
Sarah Moore
Big John Evans
Alvin Short
Mac Walton AKA Daddy B Strong

Central Iowa Blues Society Winter Blues Fest

PRESS RELEASE

Subject: Winter Blues Fest

Date: Saturday, January 30, 2010

Place: Downtown Marriott, Des Moines, IA

Starting Time: 7 PM

Presented By: The Central Iowa Blues Society

For Immediate Release

It may be cold outside, but the Downtown Marriott Ballrooms and Rock River Lounge will have temperatures rising Saturday, January 30th when the Central Iowa Blues Society welcomes 9 acts on 5 different stages. This multi-band event will culminate with an After Hours Jam in the Des Moines Ballroom in the Downtown Marriott.

Wristbands for the event are only $12.00 in advance and will give you admission to all of the Ballrooms on the 2^nd and 3^rd floors, as well as Rock River Lounge on the second level. Tickets are available at Blues on Grand or online at www.cibs.org now. Price will be $15 on January 30.

This year’s Winter Blues Fest has a little bit of everything to satisfy the soul; be it, Texas blues/rock, incredible Blues harmonica, fabulous guitar, zydeco (swamp rock), or howlin’-at the-moon blues!

Check out The Midnight Dogs, the 2009 Iowa Blues Societies Solo/Duo Challenge Winner, at Rock River Lounge from 7:00-10 p.m.

The sounds of The Avey Brothers, the 2009 IA Blues Challenge band winner, will fill the air in the Salon D Ballroom starting at 7:30 p.m., followed by Delta Highway, the 2009 nominee for the Blues Music Awards for Best New Debut Artist at 10:30 p.m.

The Salon E Ballroom will fire up with the 2009 Blues Society of Omaha’s Blues Challenge band winner, The Side Effects at 7:45 p.m., followed by the 2009 Kansas City Blues Society’s Blues Challenge winner, Levee Town at 10:45 p.m.

Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat, nominee for Best Blues/Rock Album in the 2010 Blues Music Awards, are sure to get things heated up in the Dubuque Ballroom at 8:00 p.m., followed by the 2009 Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society’s Blues Challenge band winner, Brandon Scott Sellner Band at 11:00 p.m.

Everett Smithson Band will get things jumping in the Des Moines Ballroom starting at 8:30 p.m.

The After Hours Jam kicks off at midnight in the Des Moines Ballroom with a set from Trouble No More, who will be this year's host band, with the Jam starting at 1 a.m. The Jam, which will last well into the wee hours, has the potential for some interesting combinations of musicians. All musicians are welcome to sign up and join in.

Food will be served starting at 8:00 p.m. and continue during the Jam.

The Downtown Marriott is offering special Blues Fest rates for the night. You can make room reservations by calling 1-800-514-4681 or 515-245-5500. Be sure to mention that you are going to be there for the Blues Fest to receive your special rate.

Sponsors for this event are the Central Iowa Blues Society, Budweiser, 95KGGO/98.3, Cityview and Downtown Marriott.

For more information on the Winter BluesFest, you can call (515) 225-6638, (515) 830-4213. Listen to KGGO (94.9) and 98.3 WOW for wristband giveaways. Do not miss this sure-fire cure for cabin fever!

Serena James

Marketing Coordinator

Central Iowa Blues Society

Bob Dorr's Big New Years Eve Blast!!!!!

well, not the LAST last Blue Note, the last Blue Note of 2009, the last Blue Note as an employee of the University of Northern Iowa, the last Blue Note as a bachelor and probably the last Blue Note that I'll be making a comment about the sign outside of Vickie's Place (Victoria's Secret). OK, I'm not givin' up Vickie's Place, but all the rest of those "lasts" are true! This one could really start to ramble, so let's get to the good stuff first...

Ticket sales for the BIG New Year's Eve/Wedding party have really started to pick up (we're over the 225 mark now) and as of Monday, there were only 7 rooms left in the Hilton and 40 rooms still available in the Extended Stay hotel across the parking lot. We've still got a chance at a sell out (400) which would be just about the best wedding present we could get. A spectacular party, with music from all over the state, great food buffet open for hours, champagne toast at midnight, followed by a marriage ceremony in front of 400 of our best friends, The Blue Band playing our first dance, and (the best of all) wedding CAKE after the ceremony! This is gonna be the party of a lifetime! And get this, there will be TWO Mr. & Mrs. Bob Dorr there! My friend from Colorado Springs, Bob Dorr, (we met when he did a Google search of "Bob Dorr" and saw an entry for "Bob Dorr & The Blue Band" playing in Denver and Keystone on our annual trip to the high country, so he drove to the club and walked up to me and said, "Hi, I'm Bob Dorr!") Anyway, Bob Dorr and his wife Carol (not to be confused with my soon to be wife Carolyn!) (this is starting to get weird, isn't it?) are making the trip all the way from Colorado Springs so that Bob Dorr can witness Bob Dorr getting married! But wait, this gets weirder. It's a Blue Moon (2nd full moon in a month) and we're getting married at 10 minutes and 10 seconds after midnight on the first day of 2010, which in Greenwich Time, is 00:10:10, 01/01/10. You've gotta be there for that numerology synchronicity! The only ticket outlet is the Hilton Garden Hotel, come on out tonight (Wednesday, 12/30, the Eve of New Year's Eve) and catch our annual pre-party with 2 Bobs and (this year) A Bunky. That's a free show, 9-midnight in the ballroom that will host the Blue Year party. Our funny friend Pink Stuff says she's got some "roast" material to try out before she does her comedy on NYE, so stop out, get a couple tickets to the Blue Year show, have a few laughs and catch some cool tunes. As always, the drummer is playing for tips! More info on this two day extravaganza, a complete schedule of the 3 stages, and a link to hotel info: www.theblueband.com/newyear.htm

I have figured out a way to DJ my own wedding reception! Well, kind of. This week's Backtracks show on Iowa Public Radio (my first as an "independent radio producer") is a collection of Love, Romance, Marriage, and Wedding songs. It took me a long time to come up with enough songs to cover the whole 3 hours, but it turned out great (not near as wimpy as I had feared) (except for Dinah Shore and that insidious melody "Love & Marriage, Love & Marriage, Go together like a horse and carriage") (hey, it's more campy than wimpy) It airs this Saturday (1/2), 7-10pm, find the frequency in your area or listen anywhere on the planet at www.iowapublicradio.org

In my last two days before my "retirement" from UNI, here's a quick public acknowledgment of how wonderful the University of Northern Iowa has been to me and how it has had a major hand in any successes that I have experienced in the last 40 years of my life. As a student, starting in 1970, I got a great education for a very reasonable price. As a sophomore, UNI allowed me to be part of the management team at the student radio station (KYTC) As a junior, UNI hired me to be an announcer on their public radio station (KHKE/KUNI). Before I graduated, I was working full-time at that radio station, becoming the Music Director after I graduated. For some reason, I thought I needed to play in a road band, so I left the University, only to come back begging for a job after starving as a road musician for 19 months. UNI took me back. And for the last 30 years has allowed me the freedom of artistic expression on their radio station that very few human beings EVER get to experience. And now UNI is giving me the opportunity to be worry free of health care coverage for the next 5 years! (no matter where you stand on Health Care changes, you have to admit that Health Care is the indentured servitude of the 21st century) I cannot thank UNI enough for the lifetime of opportunities I have gotten from that institution. It's scary leaving the security of knowing that I work for such a fabulous place. Thank you UNI students, faculty, staff, and management for such an exhilarating and encouraging ride...

After 57 very independent years (let's face it, my entire LIFE has been one very long bachelor party!) it's also a little scary getting married. Probably more scary for my bride! I am fortunate to be starting this new phase of my life with someone who has loved me thru the thick and thin of 22 years of "courtship" and STILL wants to marry me! As I become more and more like the Ozzie Osbourne of local blues players, I'm lucky to have someone like Carolyn voluntarily help look after me! If the marriage lasts as long as the courtship, I'm sure it will be "til death do us part"!...

Which finally brings me to Vickie's Place. The weather has been so challenging the last few weeks that the nightly walk has been four fast paced laps around College Square Mall. That's four times past Victoria's Secret. This week it's "buy one bra, get one half off" (well, it says 50% off , but that's half, isn't it?) So I was wondering if a half off bra is two breasts almost uncovered or one breast totally uncovered and the other in the bra cup? My bride kind of harrumphed when I posed that question, but rumor has it that her wedding gown reveals some cleavage and I've got know this stuff! Which brings me to an age old Blue Band rule: FOLLOW THE CLEAVAGE!!...

Next week, (1/8) our honeymoon will consist of a tour of greater downtown Sparkle City USA when the Blue Band does our monthly Friday night "geezer gig", 6-9p at The Hub (4th and Main, Cedar Falls) and a Saturday night (1/9) dinner in the original Capitol City of Iowa, Iowa City, when The Blue Band plays The Mill. Hopefully we can make this into a triumphant celebration of the Hawkeyes winning the Orange Bowl 4 days prior to our show!...

It's 4:45 in the morning the day before I'm supposed to produce a 7 act, 3 stage, New Year's Eve extravaganza, retire from a job I've been doing 30+ years and get married. What, me worry? All I've got to do now is FOLLOW THE CLEAVAGE! (one cup or two?) See yas on the New Blue Highway, rub yer washboard to the tune of I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock 'n' Roll, get a ticket to the big show before they sell out, as we'd love to have you witness our wedding (will the REAL Bob Dorr please stand up?!) and always remember we love you. Happy BLUE Year! Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Sonny Terry And Brownie McGee: I'm A Burnt Child

Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee on Live TV in the early 70s

Howling Wolf: Smokestack Lighting

The amazing Wolf, with Willie Dixon and Hubert Sumlin.

Sonny Boy Williamson: Nine Below Zero

Sonny Boy Williamson with Otis Spann on piano and introduced by Memphis Slim!

Soul Searchers Update

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

wednesday, december 30, 8pm
greenwood lounge

3707 ingersoll ave, des moines

thursday, december 31, 9pm
tally's (formerly the B&B)

2712 beaver ave, des moines

. . . . and, if you're interested, soul searchers bassist erich gaukel will be doing a reunion performance with his college band, the steam boars, tonight (tues., dec ,29) at the vaudeville mews. click here for more info.

"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

Smokin Aces Update

Happy New Year! We're doing a live recording at The New World in Saugeties N.Y. We would like your help for crowd noise! CYA there Sonny

Big Gigs From Bluz Newz Entertainment

Happy Holidays from

Bluz Newz Entertainment

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
L. J. Echols - 8:00 pm
Turning Point Blues Lounge, 28th Street, Gulfport, Mississippi. New Years Eve Throw Down

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
"New Year Eve Bash Starring MiLaJa Records Recording Artist - 8:00 pm
Falisa Janaye'
"New Year Eve Bash Starring MiLaJa Records Recording Artist Falisa JaNaye'" on Thursday, December 31 at 8:00pm. The Bone Shaker Club, 614 Ladino St., W. Helena, AR

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Event: New Year's Eve Bash with Zakiya Hooker
"Party, New Year's, Blues"
What: Holiday Party
Start Time: Thursday, December 31 at 9:00pm
End Time: Friday, January 1 at 12:30am
Where: Kingfish, 201 South B Street, San Mateo, California. 650-343-1226.

Zakiya says, "We hope you can come celebrate with us at Kingfish to ring in the New Year! Start it off right by supporting live music. Be sure and call for your
reservations now. Wishing you and yours Happy Holidays!".

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Mel Waiters

Price: General Admission $28.50

Showtime: Dec 31, 2009 9:30 PM

The Monarch Event Center

Austin,TX

Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Sweet Angel - Doors Open at 9:00 pm
Vicksburg City Auditorium
901 Monroe Street
Vicksburg, MS 39180
Sweet Angel will be performing on New Year's Eve at the Vicksburg City Auditorium.

Bring in the New Year right!

Featured Artist: "The Platinum-Haired Singer and Saxophonist" Sweet Angel www.sweetangel.org

Many have wanted to see the ‘platinum-haired’ recording artist, saxophonist and downright sensational entertainer Sweet Angel in action. Just released and posted on www.youtube.com, Sweet Angel performing ‘Purple Rain’ at a concert in September of 2009 in Memphis, TN where her she packed the house single-handedly.

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=batpeuaoT4c

Smokin Aces Update

Hope every one is having a great holiday season! Hope to see you all at upcoming shows! Sonny

Si Cranstoun: Christmas Song Jack Frost

Some bouncy Ska for ya, from Si Cranstoun

Judy Garland: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

I thought some Christmas songs would be appropriate for tonight. Merry Christmas, and hope for better times next year. BTW, if you had a great year this year, lets hope for some more:-) God Bless, and be safe.

Blues Historian

Frank Sinatra And Dean Martin: Marshmellow World

Nate King Cole: Christmas Song

Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update

Well the weather outside is frightful...it almost makes me thankful we didn't have a gig to try and get to these last two weeks. Almost...

Tonight, Christmas Eve, I'll be hosting my 35th (out of the last 37) LIVE Rockin' Christmas Eve show on Iowa Public Radio. All styles of music, from all eras, all Holiday songs, many picked out by listeners, some of whom check in from various parts of the US for this annual get together of many generations of rockin' Xmas song fans. If you have a favorite Xmas song or just want to say Hello, Happy Holidays, the toll free number (good in the lower 48) is 800-772-2440, ext. 5. I'll be the only one there and will answer all calls personally, so if you get thru, let it ring, I'll get to your call asap. You can also just respond to this note with an advance request. This is one of my favorite shows of the year and this year could be the last one. Get the frequency in your area or listen on line at www.iowapublicradio.org The show runs 7-10pm, as always, we'll keep an eye out for the fat man (Elvis, not Santa)...

I'm thrilled with the fact that I now have a signed, sealed, and delivered contract with Iowa Public Radio to continue producing and hosting the Backtracks and Blue Avenue shows after my retirement from UNI (one week from tonight) (YIKES!!) There is a (santa) clause in the contract that would allow me to do other "special" programs like Christmas Eve, so I'm hoping that I can continue that tradition. Otherwise, it's been an absolutely fantastic ride spending the holidays with my radio family and I hope you can join me one more time, TONIGHT!...

Speaking of special radio shows, I'm hoping to put together a collection of wedding/love/marriage songs for the Jan. 2 Backtracks show. Some people have been posting suggestions on the Blue Band Post-a-Note page and on my Facebook page. If you can think of any rockin' wedding songs, please let me know. The show runs 3 hours long, I've currently got about an hour and a half of material. Keep in mind that Backtracks deals exclusively in songs that are at least 25 years old...

I'm not sure what I was thinking when I thought I could manage a seven act, 3 stage, New Year's Eve extravaganza, in a hotel that we've never tried this before, plus be the band leader of the eight piece headline band, (which will again this year have all the other acts sit in for a song or two through the night) plus retire from a job that I've done for over 30 years, and GET MARRIED!! ALL ON THE SAME NIGHT!! What was I thinking?? Fortunately, I have great help from my band mates (you're gonna love Heath's vocal on Carolyn's request for At Last and Jeff's version of I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock'n'Roll) and the hotel staff has been FANTASTIC in arranging for all the details, and the bride has really taken care of all the planning, ordering and marriage details. So what's to worry? In the words of that great philosopher, Alfred E. Newman, What ME worry? I'm really looking forward to the event and am just a little surprised that ticket and room packages aren't selling as well as I had expected. (if it wasn't enough that the Hawkeyes will be taking 10,000 people out of the state, The Cyclones will be taking thousands with them when they play the Goophers in Arizona) (OK, with about an inch of slick ice covering the Sparkle City streets, Florida and Arizona DOES sound appealing) The $50 NYE ticket (reduced from $55 last year) includes access to all 7 acts, buffet food for about 4 hours, champagne toast at midnight and wedding CAKE after the ceremony. Rooms packages are also available. The Hilton Garden is the only ticket outlet, get yours or reserve a room at Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines/Urbandale, 8600 Northpark Dr. Johnston, IA or 515-270-8890. I'm hoping to have the complete schedule of events posted on the NYE page (www.theblueband.com/newyear.htm) by the middle of the weekend. And, we're going to continue the tradition of the PRE-Party with 2 Bobs & A ? on Dec. 30th. Access to that gathering of band friends is FREE!! and this year will be held in the main ballroom. 2 Bobs (Rob Lumbard and myself) will be joined by Bunky Marlow on saxophones, in a very relaxed atmosphere, doing a couple sets between 9-midnight. Go ahead, check in a night early and join us...

I am told that a change in job/career, or marital status, or living situations can drive people nuts. I can see why! And so can I...See yas on the Happy Blue (year) Highway, practice playing your zydeco tie to I Knew The Bride When She Used To Rock'n'Roll, keep spreadin' the word about that house I have for sale in Cedar Falls (TWO places to shovel out!!) and come help us eat wedding CAKE. I hope your holidays are happy and healthy and that Santa brings you what you deserve. We love you. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band

Mac Walton (MacDaddy) RIP

I can't remember if I found MacDaddy, or he found me. I just remember the first time I saw his website, and we had the same blogger template, that we must be kindred spirits. MacDaddy loved the blues and jazz, and without a doubt he wrote some of the most powerful essays on the music. Far better than anything I could do. He would send me links to some of his best stories and I would post them to my blog.

I guess I like most of his readers was shocked to learn that he had been so sick. I certainly didn't think that the last email I would get from him would come on December 7th. It was one of his last posts.

FYI: Thought you might like this.

NINA SIMONE: "I LOVE YOU, PORGY"

Listen up: A friend emailed a brotha saying Luther Vanddross's song to his father was his favorite and asked "Who is your favorite?" I told him mine was Nina Simone's rendition of " I love you, Porgy."

Here are the words to the song:

I loves you, Porgy,
Don' let him take me,
Don' let him handle me an' drive me mad.
If you kin keep me,
I wants to stay here wid you forever,
An' I'd be glad.

I loves you, Porgy,
Don' let him take me
Don' let him handle me
With his hot han'
If you kin keep me
I wants to stay here wid you forever.
I got my man.

What's your favorite song?

Mac Walton
blog address: http://daddybstrong.blogspot.com/
e-mail: culturaldynamics@msn.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home

I wish I had posted it then.


I will miss Mac, it is sad to see another blues traveler leave, but since you are up there make sure to say hi to my old friend Jimmy.

God bless you.


Tom

Soul Searchers Update

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

wednesday, december 23, 8pm
AND
saturday, december 26, 9pm

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 energet