Great video of the lovely Diana Krall
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tony Joe White: Polk Salad Annie
Another clip deleted by Youtube, that I found on Dailymotion. Classic blues rock tune by Tony Jo White
Iowa Blues Challenge Winner
This just in from CIBS.
Press Release-2008 Iowa Blues Challenge Finals
Congratulations to The Avey Brothers, winners of the 2008 Iowa Blues Challenge held May 17th at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. This Quad-Cities band received $500 cash, 8 hours of studio time plus $1,200 travel expenses to Memphis as our local representative at the International Blues Challenge in February 2009. Smokin’ Mojo Kings placed second, earning them $400 cash. Rounding out the competition was The Soul Searchers, earning $300 cash.
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.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Real Blues History
I got this great email from Daddybstrong, about a conversation he had with a guy about Bill Haley. Click here to read his post. (To Check out his very cool blog Click HERE.) It is funny how little people know about the roots of rock and roll. All of the people we consider the fathers of rock and roll really stole their music from African American R&B and blues artists. Bill Haley, Jerry Lee, Elvis, Pat Boone, re-recorded songs that were already hits on the R&B Charts. However, it goes beyond that. It is the false information that some people have about history that bothers me. It reminds me of the post I deleted about a year ago. I had posted the story about a guy who believed that the Irish had a part in inventing the blues. I really laid into that statement, but I ended up deleting the post because the guy who I wrote about it was upset. (Trust me that won't happen again) The bottom line is that many people want to take credit for the accomplishment of African Americans. Part of it is just a total lack of knowledge and latent racism. Most of the people who make those comments are over the age of 45, so they grew up in a segregated world that forced second class citizenship upon African Americans. So people who grew up in the era obviously can't get it through their thick heads that perhaps someone besides white guys can invent something great. It is sad that in 2008 people still believe this crap. Just listen to some of the comments made in West Virgina about Barack Obama. Even Hillary Clinton who I used to respect has made crazy claims that she is the best choice for the Democrats because hard working white folks like her. Seriously, if it is the white redneck southern vote is the deciding vote for the next president then we are truly screwed.
I know we have come a long ways since the 1960s, but we still have a ways to go.
Ron Thompson To Perform At Blues On Grand In Des Moines
Press release for the upcoming Ron Thompson Show at the mighty BOG
RHYTHM AND BLUES LEGEND
RON THOMPSON
TO PERFORM IN DES MOINES!
Nationally acclaimed rhythm and blues legend Ron Thompson and his band The Resistors will appear at Blues on Grand on Friday, June 6th, at 9:30 PM. Blues on Grand is located at 1501 Grand Avenue, Des Moines. For more information, call 515.244.3092.
Ron Thompson was honored last fall by the City of San Francisco for his decades of musical contributions to the community and to the world at large. A few days after Barry Bonds got "his day" in The City for breaking the all-time baseball home run record, San Francisco celebrated its own musical home run king, Ron Thompson. By official proclamation of Mayor Gavin Newsom, September 5, 2007, was declared Ron Thompson Day in San Francisco.
Just recently, Thompson was also honored by the City of San Jose during its week-long San Jose Blues Week. Thompson was formally presented with the award by Mayor Chuck Reed during the Metro Fountain Blues Festival on May 10th.
Ron Thompson is a celebrated guitarist and vocalist who was nominated for a Grammy for his album “Resistor Twister.” Thompson has received countless awards and accolades, including Real Blues magazine’s Best Live West Coast Blues Act, Best West Coast Blues Slide Guitarist, and Best West Coast Blues Guitarist/Modern.
Besides touring as band leader with John Lee Hooker for seven years, Thompson has played with Big Mama Thornton, Sonny Rhodes, Luther Tucker, Jimmy McCracklin, Pee Wee Crayton, Carla Thomas, Percy Mayfield, Etta James, B.B. King, Jimmy Reed, Booker T. Jones, and countless others.
Tom Mazzolini, founder and producer of the San Francisco Blues Festival, the longest running blues festival in the United States, said, “I’ve always felt Ron is the most talented blues guitarist I’ve ever seen. He can do it all. He’s extraordinarily gifted. What many folks aren’t aware of is that Ron was a huge asset in the re-emergence of John Lee Hooker—he was the foundation for that boogie sound.”
Thompson performed extensively in 2007, including a summer tour with Chris Isaak; two shows with Bruce Willis; a week on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise last October with such musical VIPs as Taj Mahal and Elvin Bishop; and he headlined a number of festivals throughout the nation as well.
Thompson headlined the 40th Anniversary of the Summer of Love Concert in Golden Gate Park last September, sharing the bill with legends such as Jefferson Starship, Canned Heat, Jesse Colin Young, and many others. A two hour documentary of the concert, which began with Thompson's sizzling performance, was aired in the San Francisco Bay Area recently, and will soon be nationally syndicated.
Ron is headlining several blues festivals around the nation in 2008, and will be performing in Des Moines as part of his Summer Midwest Tour. Thompson will be touring Europe in Fall 2008.
Delmark Update
Another update from Delmark.
* Dave Specter, Live in Chicago, on Delmark DVD- 1794 and CD - DE 794, with special guests Jimmy Johnson, Tad Robinson, and Sharon Lewis - www.davespecter.org , www.tadrobinson.com , www.sharonlewisblues.com
- Specter is definitely one of Chicago's best guitarists- blues, jazz, funk, soul.- heavy grooves!! (You like Otis Rush, Kenny Burrell, and early Leo Nocentelli?) Not only do you get Dave's signature heavy instrumentals, the new release has not one or two, but 3 special guests! The ageless Jimmy "Bar Room Preacher" Johnson and Specter sound so great together- you can tell they really feed off each other's unique styles. Vocalist/harp player Tad "Mr. Blue-Eyed Soul" Robinson is one of the best soul/blues singers anywhere and he and Dave have worked together for years. If you don't already know Sharon "Texas Fire" Lewis, you won't forget her after hearing/seeing her original performances (esp. the moving "Angel") on this fantastic new release- one of Chicago's best female blues singers. Check out the new Specter Blues DVD trailer on our web page, along with other new ones, including Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble! http://www.delmark.com/delmark.bluevid.htm Dave Specter's "Live in Chicago" DVD/CD Release Parties!
Wed, May 21: Buddy Guy's Legends, 9:30-1:00, Featuring Tad Robinson & many special guests.
Thurs, May 22: SPACE (Dave's new club!) Featuring Tad Robinson & many special guests., 9:00-?, SPACE = Society for Preservation of Arts & Culture in Evanston, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL
* MISSISSIPPI HEAT, Hattiesburg Blues, (Delmark CD - DE 795), with special guests Lurrie Bell and Carl Weathersby -
www.mississippiheat.net , www.lurrie.com , www.carlweathersby.org , www.gilescorey.us
This very underrated Chicago blues band is led by harp innovator/ band leader Pierre LaCocque and dynamic female vocalist Inetta Visor, along with their fantastic new guitarist Giles Corey (check out his guitar and vocals on his spotlight song "Say Something Good!") Chris "Hambone" Cameron on keys (including clavinet) and the ubiquitous all star drummer Kenny Smith. Special guests besides heavies Lurrie Bell (singing a new Chicago Blues anthem "Chicago Is My Home!") and Carl Weathersby ("Hell and Back") are guest vocalist, Devin Thompson (Chicago Catz, Rico), and latin percussionist Ruben Alvarez (Howard Levy's Chevere) and the Chicago Horns (Willie Henderson, Hank Ford, Bill McFarland, and Kenny Anderson) - making for a very full sounding (but not cluttered) blues recording, with some unique twists!
You can listen to sound samples of this at http://www.mississippiheat.net/disc/hattiesburg.html
DELMARK CD release party for Mississippi Heat's "Hattiesburg Blues"
FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, BUDDY GUY'S LEGENDS with special guest Carl Weathersby!! 754 S. Wabash, @10pm
Also, check out these two Delmark related Blues Fests, one at Dave Specter's new club in Evanston, and another held at Chicago's newest music venue on the near south side.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SPACE 1st Annual Blues Festival!
June 4th - June 7th, 2008
-Wednesday June 4th: "Blues on the North Shore" with David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Eddy Clearwater, Barrelhouse Chuck & special guests.
A Tribute to Chicago/Delta blues legend & 2008 Grammy Award winner David 'Honeyboy' Edwards. A celebration of his life, legacy and music.
8:00pm $25
-Thursday June 5th: Jimmy Johnson & Dave Specter
The legendary Bar Room Preacher meets Specter and his soulful, blues-drenched guitar. Featured together at Millennium Park and on Specter's "Live in Chicago" DVD & CD on Delmark Records.
9:00pm $10
-Friday June 6th: Jimmy Burns
Jimmy Burns' musical resume reads like a history of blues and R&B from the last fifty years - a charismatic performer with an expressive, soulful voice and a melodic guitar style to match.
9:30pm $10
-Saturday June 7th: Syl Johnson with Morris Jennings and Bernard Reed
Syl Johnson is one of the unsung heroes of Black American popular music and is a triple threat legend in blues and soul; he's a gritty blues harp man, a stellar R&B/Blues guitarist, and most importantly,
one of the finest soul singers on the planet.
9:30pm $20
1245 Chicago Ave. 847-492-8860
www.evanstonspace.com
**Fri, Sat, June 6, 7 2008- CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL - American Blues Legends Revue @ Reggie’s Music Joint 2105 S. State Street, CHICAGO, Illinois 60616, $15, 312-949-0120. www.reggieslive.com American Blues Legends Management Presents - Heroes of Chicago Blues Allstar Blues Festival Performance - Hosted by Rick Kreher and Cadillac Zack. Performances by Jody Williams, Eddie C. Campbell, Elmore James, Jr., Byther Smith, Tail Dragger, and many special guests!!!! Do NOT Miss This One!
Scott Miller & The Re-Uptake Inhibtors
got this in emailSCOTTIE MILLER & THE RE-UPTAKE INHIBITORS
"GAS GUZZLER TOUR 2008"
THURSDAY, MAY 22ND
THE OTHER PLACE BAR - Lansing, IA
9:00-1:00 (no cover)
FRIDAY, MAY 23RD
BB'S JAZZ BLUES & SOUPS - St Louis, MO
10:00PM-2:30AM ($10.00)
SATURDAY, MAY 24TH
PO BOYS BOURBON STREET - Peoria, IL
8:30PM-12:30AM
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MONDAY, MAY, 26TH -Memorial Day
MUDDY WATERS - Prescott, WI
3:00PM-7:00PM
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Hope to see ya'll out there!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Andy Coats Update
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Hey everyone,
This is a huge week for the blues in the Triangle Area of North Carolina.
Here’s what we’ve got – if this music doesn’t move you this week, you might have a hole in your soul! … :)
-- Thurs., May 22nd, 6-8 pm:
Andy Coats and the Bank Walkers
TOBACCO ROAD CONCERT SERIES
Sponsored by St. Josephs Foundation and Durham Parks and Recreation
CCB Plaza, corner of Parrish & Corcoran St.,
Downtown Durham, NC
-- Sat., May 24th, 7-10 pm:
Andy Coats, solo
The Bean and Barrel
50100 Governors Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
(919) 967-9990
http://www.beanandbarrel.com
-- Sun., May 25th, 5-7 pm, Memorial Day Special
John Dee Holeman and Andy Coats
Live on WSHA Radio, with John Dee Holeman
88.9 FM,
Raleigh, North Carolina 27606
-- Sun May 25th, 8 pm –mid.
John Dee Holeman and Andy Coats
The Blue Martini
116 N West St # 100
Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 899-6464
http://www.bluemartiniraleigh.com
That’s right folks, I will have the honor and privilege of playing with a living legend, John Dee Holeman.
For those of you who may not know, Mr. Holeman is an award-winning, real-deal bluesman from Durham.
He was been awarded with both a National Heritage Fellowship (from the National Endowment for the Arts), and a Folk Heritage Award (from the state of NC).
He and I have been playing together as of late, and we can’t wait to bring the blues to you this weekend!
Hope to see you out and about!
Thanks,
Andy
www.andycoats.com
www.myspace.com/andycoats
http://www.myspace.com/andycoatsandthebankwalkers
Bob Dorr And The Blue Band Update
So I've been trying to access the Newsletter portion of our website for about 48 hours now. Every time I'd try to "go there" I'd get a message that said: Server Error The server encountered an internal error and was unable to complete your request. JRun closed connection. WHAT? So our "server" (You've Got To Serve Somebody) (still listening to old Dylan) finally got back to me with: Hello, The coldfusion service needed a restart. WHAT? Why do I envision some Hal like entity taking over The Blue Band website? Leave us alone, Dave's Not Here!! But that's not what I'm writing about...
I am really looking forward to TONIGHT! A great new place in Waterloo has opened and we're the second band EVER to play there! In case you haven't stopped by the chat page this week, here's what's posted: I just got back from The Screaming Eagle, the place we play on Saturday. You are definitely gonna dig this joint! I know many people that drive out of their way to eat at Toad's in downtown Cedar Falls. The Screaming Eagle is owned and operated by the Toad's people. The decor is similar too. Our longtime sound system advisor Darin Ulmer set up and installed the sound system and the band can be comfortably heard in the downstairs game room, as the music is piped downstairs also. Rumor even has it that there might be cameras offering wide screen band images throughout the club! Please help us make that "great first impression" by stopping out for a great sandwich/dinner and do a little dancing. We play 9-1. I couldn't have said it better, if I had written it myself! Bunky and Al will make up the horn section...
Can you BELIEVE next week is Memorial Day weekend??!! Saturday (5/24) (Bob Dylan's birthday) we kick off the Eagle Ridge Resort (in Galena IL) Concert Series, outside, on the Recreation Field, open to the public, FREE OF CHARGE!! We play 6-9pm. More info: www.eagleridge.com Then SUNDAY (not Monday, as in the 20+ years we've been doing this) SUNDAY (5/25) it's the annual Summer Kick-off Bash on the bank of the Wapsipinicon River in Waubeek IA (about 20 minutes outside of Cedar Rapids) at FB & Co. Tim Kula, who owns the place, has recovered enough from the mini-stroke he had this past winter to try and host another of these parties in the beer garden. Come on out and encourage him to hang in there and keep on keepin' on. The Mississippi Band plays at 2:30p, The Blue Band about 5:30p and since it's SUNDAY this year, you won't have to leave early to make it to work the next day! Altho there was some flooding of the Wapsi a few weeks ago, the river is back in it's banks, the grounds have been cleaned up, and we're READY TO ROCK!! Bring some bug spray, CAKE is optional...
Another reason to come out to The Screaming Eagle tonight would be to grab a copy of the NEW CD!! We'll have copies of "New Year's Eve Pimento", featuring the NYE reunion version (10-12 piece band) of classic and new Blue Band tunes. They're only $10, with the special offer to get that new cd PLUS the 2-DVD set for only $20!! (The website merch page says the 2-DVD set alone is $25)...
I finally got all the carpet out of my basement living area, the floors mopped up, the phone jacks repaired (The Qwest guy was here about 16 minutes. Cost: $216. I'm DEFINITELY in the wrong business) Then, on Wednesday, the Sparkle City Water Works Dept. decided that we needed to start flushing the hydrants. You guessed it, the "student intern" (college students-"the best and brightest") opened the hydrant at the top of my block and apparently went for a coffee break. The water rushed down the street, into my yard, cascading over my retaining wall, and sat in a pool in my back yard! Enough water reentered the basement that I had to reintroduced myself to the Wet Vac. This was a relationship that I did NOT want to have, especially before noon (!) The Cedar Falls Utilities aplogized profusely for the young intern's negligence. I thought they should have sent him over to meet my Wet Vac...
With all the sun and water, my grass is growing so fast that I need to cut it FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEK! So I gotta go. See yas tonight at The Screaming Eagle, we'll be celebrating my friend Flo's birthday, so BRING CAKE (you saw that one coming, didn't you?) Wear yer zydeco tie (there are two really great zydeco tie songs on that new cd) and always remember we love you. Bob Dorr & The Blue Band
Friday, May 16, 2008
Bob Corritore Blues News
May 14, 2008
- Gigs this weekend & Chris's Birthday: On Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17, 2008, Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ with The Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson, with Chris James, Brian Fahey, and Patrick Rynn. The All-Stars will also celebrate Chris James's birthday on Friday night. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $7. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at these events. These nights will be patio smoking only events; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
- Mojo Buford Hospitalized: Mojo Buford's Manager Doug McMinn reports that Mojo Buford has been hospitalized in Minneapolis, and has had to postpone a European tour that would have started today. "It is with a sad heart that I inform you that Mojo Buford had to be rushed to the hospital last night (May 12, 2008). He was in diabetic shock, and was having trouble breathing. It turns out that he is suffering from congestive heart failure, and that’s why he was having trouble breathing. Because of some new medicine he was prescribed, he was forgetting to take other medicines, like his insulin; and that’s what threw him into diabetic shock. Mojo is doing better today, as the hospital balances his medications." Mojo Buford is best known to blues fans as the long time harmonica player in the Muddy Waters Band, but Mojo is a great blues artist in his own right with a beautiful voice, great harmonica sound, and a wonderful repertoire. Thanks to Michel Hofkens from Belgium, who first made us aware of this.
- BMA/Delta Groove Recap: As I begin to catch up after three days of non-stop blues activity, my reflections turn to the Blues Music Awards gathering, which included a pre-party, the big night of the Blues Music Awards, and the 3rd Annual Delta Groove Showcase at Ground Zero. At this point, many lists of the winners have been posted and emailed, but for the full list of 2008 BMA winners, click here. Big congratulations to all the winners and nominees! Please note that this recap will cover only my tiny perspective of this huge event, in which every attendee had their own great moments filled with interactions unique to their experience. When you put together an event that draws all aspects of the blues community/industry, there is a tremendous amount of mutual interest, camaraderie, and just plain love going around. Unique combinations of people, introductions, networking, and acknowledgment of both veteran masters and new talent abounded. Each year we all feel a special joy and privilege to a part of this big family of the blues. This year was very special for me, because I was a nominee for the first time for my collaboration with Dave Riley; Travelin' The Dirt Road on Blue Witch Records was up for Best Acoustic Blues Album. A number of CDs that I have played on or produced were up for awards before, but this was the first time that my name specifically was on the ballot. This was a great thrill for me to be recognized this way, and it was a dream come true to be asked to perform at the event.
Our journey began on Wednesday morning as Kim and I caught our plane from Phoenix to Memphis. Big Pete Pearson, who landed a little before us on a different airline, greeted us upon arrival. We ran into Paul Benjamin (Blues Foundation president) and his wife at the airport, and so it began: the wonderful non-stop greetings of blues friends that would not cease until we would board our flight home three days later. We rented a car, and Kim, Big Pete, and I drove down Highway 61 to the Grand Casino in Tunica, Mississippi, where the BMAs were being held for the first time away from Memphis. The scenic ride was filled with Big Pete's great stories of touring the south during the 50s, and the memories jogged by various landmarks. When we arrived at the Grand Casino's Veranda Hotel, we said hello to Sam Lay, Nick and Kate Moss, Gaye Adegbalola, Andra Farr, and many others.
Kim and I had just enough time to check in and freshen up for a moment before the 5:30 bus left for a riverboat pre-party before the Hall of Fame Dinner. Before catching the bus, we met up in the lobby with Dave Riley and his wife Tanja, and Dale Baich and Beth Lipham of Blue Witch Records, as well as a large crowd headed to the event. Getting on the bus, I realized that it was filled with friends: Hubert Sumlin in the front row, followed by Nappy Brown, followed by Magic Slim, Scott Cable, and the list goes on. When Kim and I arrived at the Tunica River Park to board the Tunica Queen Riverboat, everyone took a photo next to a life preserver bearing the boat's name. Great appetizers were served below deck, and the socializing began as we talked with Bob Koester, Art Tipaldi (who I had last seen in Lucerne), Jimmy McCracklin (my first time meeting this legendary blues singer), Blues Foundation Director Jay Sieleman and his lovely wife Priscilla Hernandez, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (who introduced me to the young Kenny Wayne Shepherd), Janiva Magness, Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records, Mark Hoffman and James Segrest (co-authors of the Howlin' Wolf bio, Moanin' At Midnight), Bill Wax of XM Satellite Radio and his lovely wife Sheila, Bob Porter of WBGO and Music Choice and his lovely wife Linda, Big George Brock, Fruteland Jackson, Gina Sicilia, Dave Gross, Richard Rosenblatt of Vizztone, and many others. The scenic view of the "Big Muddy" and its river banks was spectacular.
Upon landing, we headed to the adjacent meeting area at the Tunica River Park where the dinner and awards would take place. There we said hello to Bob Stroger, David Maxwell, Bobby Rush, Denise LaSalle, Diunna Greenleaf, Nora Jean Bruso, Pinetop Perkins, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, John Németh, Pat Morgan, Duke Robillard, Bob and Pamela Margolin, Hugh Southard of Blue Mountain Artists, Joe Whitmer from The Blues Foundation, Michael Cloeren, Sharrie Williams, Steve Simon, and many others. The dinner and company were great, and set the stage for the Hall of Fame Awards, which inducted great recordings, literature, producers, and musicians in the blues. For a complete list of this year's Hall of Fame inductees, click here. Bill Wax and Bob Porter were excellent hosts as they alternated in presenting the awards. When Big Joe Williams' Piney Woods Blues was announced, it was accepted by the great Bob Koester of Delmark Records, who told heartwarming stories of Big Joe and the recording session. Bob Koester noted how the blues LP album was a relatively new and unique thing at that time. When Moanin' At Midnight: The Life And Times Of Howlin' Wolf was announced, authors James Segrest and Mark Hoffman related their passion for this project, and told stories of their years of research. An inspiring reflection of the life of record producer icon John Hammond, Sr. was told by Sony/BMG Senior Vice President/A&R Man Steve Berkowitz. The Legendary Hubert Sumlin was enthusiastically cheered as they announced his induction into the Hall of Fame. Hubert was escorted to the podium by the youthful rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who awkwardly gave the majority of Hubert's acceptance speech for him. The legendary blues hit maker Jimmy McCracklin also was inducted, and gave a riveting acceptance speech. On the bus ride home, Big George Brock started playing gospel classics on harmonica, which lead to a beautifully enthusiastic chorus of numerous singers switching off on the lead vocal and support roles. We arrived at the hotel to see Evan Caleb (Candye Kane's son and fine drummer) as well as Jerry Del Giudice and Edward Chmelewski from Blind Pig Records and Scott Allen and Jen Taylor of Vivid Pix. Mark Hoffman then introduced me to Vera L. Johnson-Collins, the niece of Mississippi Blues legend Tommy Johnson (how cool is that!). She has started a foundation in her uncle's name; the website can be accessed by clicking here. The day was completed with a conversation by my dear friend Sam Lay before retiring to the room.
The next day started with a 12:15pm sound check for Dave Riley and I, who would perform later that night as a duo. Dave's son, Dave Riley, Jr., and I drove to the casino, and we met up with Big Pete Pearson and Patrick Rynn there. The room at the venue was very nice, and had a good sound to it. They were running a little late, which allowed conversations with Bob Margolin, Dale Baich, Michael Cloeren, and others. We got to hear the sound checks of Sharrie Williams, Gina Sicilia (with Dave Gross and David Maxwell) and the John Németh Band (with Junior Watson) before Dave and I breezed through our stage settings. Then back to the hotel, where I had plans to meet Charlie Hussey, host of the Dublin, Ireland blues radio show Blues Train, who did a 45 minute interview with me, and will edit it, combine it with songs, and broadcast it at a later date. We then went looking for Tomcat Courtney, who had arrived the night before with Chris James and Patrick Rynn. Upon finding Tomcat he and Charlie went off to do a second interview as I stayed in the lobby, saying hello to Chris James, Ronnie James, Debbie Davies, German Blues DJ and photographer Horst-Dieter Fischer, Steve Hecht of Piedmont Talent who introduced me to his new artist signing Samuel James, Lurrie Bell, Scott Dirks, and others. Then it was time to catch a moment in the room before Kim and I would get ready for the awards night. My beautiful Kim looked stunning, as always, as we headed down to the lobby where the next 10 hours would be wonderfully filled with well-dressed blues musicians and fans, greetings, introductions, photo ops, and of course, the Blues Music Awards! As we arrived at the venue, we gathered at an outdoor pre-party where we heard Lionel Young followed by Trampled Under Foot (both were IBC winners this year). To see some photos from this pre-party and to get a second account of the event, check out Lew Jetton's blog recap by clicking here.
We walked into the venue, and were greeted by the spellbinding Mississippi blues of Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, whose brilliant CD on Broke & Hungry Records was up for an award. We sat at a table with Charles and Lori Ragsdell, with Dale Baich and Beth Lipham sitting next to us and Dave, Tanja, and Dave Riley, Jr. as well as photographer Donovan Allen (some great company). Koko Taylor was at the next table, and our other table was also close by, and included Big Pete Pearson, Tomcat Courtney, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Judy Marut of Blue Witch Records. Also in attendance were Robert Jr. Whitall and Shirley Mae Owens of Big City Blues Magazine, Chip Eagle, Dar, Randy Chortkoff and his lovely girlfriend Kelly, Michael Frank of Earwig Music, Frank Roszak and Josh Tempkin of Delta Groove, Arnie Goodman, Don Crow, Rick Booth and Jake Lankheit from Intrepid Artists, Onnie Heaney, Patricia Morgan, Derek O'Brien, Pamela Taylor, Fred Litwin of Northern Blues, David Earl of Severn Records, David Berntson of Crossroads Learning Experience, Mr. and Mrs. "V", who host of Houston's Blues On The Move on 90.1FM KPFT, Amanda Gresham, Dave Wright of Champaign, Illinois' Dave's Blues on 90.1FM WEFT, Carol Marble of Mississippi Delta Blues, Inc, any many other blues VIPs. The night proceeded with numerous awards and performances, and included a greeting by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. Some highlights for us included watching our dear friends and musical associates Sam Lay, Bob Stroger, Koko Taylor, Diunna Greenleaf, and Bob Margolin receive BMAs, and great performances by Lurrie Bell, Big George Brock, Diunna Greenleaf, The Holmes Brothers, and more. The unquestionable performance highlight was Nappy Brown's explosive version of "Night Time Is The Right Time". Nappy had recorded this song before Ray Charles, and Ray's version closely mimics Nappy's original. Nappy's performance was complete with whoops and hollers, rolling around on the stage, waving his legs in the air, and stalking the crowd in search of woman to sing to (Nappy appeared to have a special attraction to Jen Taylor of Vivid Pix!). Nappy combined his show stopping stage antics with his amazingly rich and versatile voice, and the audience was beside themselves with his performance. It was so great to perform at this event, and Dave and I felt good about our duet performances of "Travelin' The Dirt Road" (a Dave Riley composition), "Jelly Roll King" (written by Frank Frost) and "Sharecropper's Blues" (written by John Weston), which were aired live on XM Satellite Radio’s Bluesville Station, along with all performances and acceptance speeches of the night. Though none of the four CDs I played on won, I felt very privileged to be nominated and belong to this great musical family of the blues. We heard that the event went on until 3am, so we missed the last hour, as Kim and I visited with friends in the lobby before heading back to the room to get a little rest before the next day's activity. We enjoyed seeing Tommy Castro, photographer Aigars Lapsa from Latvia (who presented me with beautiful photos that he took at the Lucerne Blues Festival), Mookie Brill, and Nappy Brown. We went back to the hotel with Nappy Brown, as he and I caught up on some of our mutual friends. Nappy and Tomcat Courtney settled in the hotel lobby and stayed up till the early morning swapping stories, while Dale and Beth of Blue Witch and Chris and Patrick of The Rhythm Room All-Stars watched on.
Friday was the 3rd Annual Delta Groove Showcase at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, which for the last three years has been the prime after-party for the BMAs. Label chief Randy Chortkoff is legendary in his ability to throw some of the most elaborate musical events in the blues. Many of us in the Southwest fondly remember Randy's amazing annual Little Walter festivals of the 90s. Randy's gracious hosting and star-packed lineups were certainly part of this year’s event. In addition to being a stunning showcase for his Delta Groove label, Randy included a number of artists from other labels on the bill, including a Blue Witch Showcase. When we arrived at around 1:30pm, the place was already packed with a who's who of blues people. After sets by Lionel Young and Bill Sims (with Mark LaVoie on harmonica), it was time for our showcase. Randy gave a great introduction, and then turned it over to me to announce the set and call all the featured artists to the spotlight. The core band for our set was The Rhythm Room All-Stars with Chris James (guitar), Patrick Rynn (bass), and myself on harmonica, and we switched drummers between Tony Braunagel of the Phantom Blues Band and Evan Caleb, Candye Kane's son and drummer (both are great drummers). We began the set with Italian harmonica great Marco Pandolfi, who did a jumpin' instrumental. Then I took over on harmonica as the All-Stars spotlighted singers Chris James, Dave Riley, Tomcat Courtney, and Big Pete Pearson (in that order). We felt great about the set, and everyone shined. From there, Kid Ramos's side project Los Fabulocos did a great set of Tex-Mex and roots-rock songs. In the parking lot, there was a stage set up with the great Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm, who served as core band and kept a spontaneous jam going all through the day with many special guests. To the side of the jam stage was Deak Harp, who, in between jam sets, played great amplified harp and foot-driven drums for a wild and wonderful sound. The Insomniacs did an inspired set, as did the amazing Jackie Payne/Steve Edmondson Band, before the West Coast's pride The Mannish Boys hit the stage and brought the night to new level of energy. With The Mannish Boys' great lineup of talent, they alternated singers, harp players, and guitarists to the stationary solid rhythm section of Richard Innes and Ronnie James. We were treated to features by Franck Goldwasser, Randy Chortkoff, Kirk Fletcher, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson, Bobby Jones, Johnny Dyer, and Finis Tasby, as well as special guest appearances by Phillip Walker, Debbie Davies, and Mikey Junior. The entire set was stunning, but the true highlight for me was Johnny Dyer's spectacular take on Little Walter's "Everything's Gonna Be Alright". After The Mannish Boys set, we heard a few by Mike Zito before calling it a long, great day. A few of the many high points of that day:
-Art Tipaldi's expressed enthusiasm after hearing Tomcat Courtney's CD Downsville Blues for the first time on his car ride that day to Clarksdale
-Hanging out with cinema movers and shakers Mars Callahan and David Hughes on the front porch of Ground Zero
-Meeting Holger Peterson of Stony Plain Records and hearing stories of Robert Nighthawk's performances and recording session in Canada
-Connecting with Cam Hayden and his wife Carrol Deen of the Edmonton Labatt Blues Festival in Canada; Cam also hosts the Friday Night Blues Party radio show on CKUA
-Eating spectacular catfish with Kim, Big Pete Pearson, and Judy Marut at the Delta Amusement Cafe
-Stopping by the Gimme Gumbo Gallery and having artists John M. Fekes and Ilse Jouette personally show Kim and I their blues art
-Spending time in the backstage green room with my dear friend and harp mentor Johnny Dyer
-Taking a break from the showcase and going to the upstairs hotel at Ground Zero to Kid Ramos and his wife Linda's room while Kid and members of Los Fabulocos casually played beautiful Mexican songs on accordion and guitar
-Playing a great set of blues with my favorite musicians on the stage as part of an amazing lineup of talent, while people I admire in the blues listened with approval to our performance. In attendance during our set were Bruce Iglauer, Duke Robillard, Doug James (a fine harmonica player as well as a legendary saxophonist), Bob and Linda Porter, DJ Gary Miller, Bill Wax, Steve Simon (who had never heard me play live before), Roger Naber of The Legendary Blues Cruise, Randy Chortkoff, and many others
Thanks, Randy, for allowing us to be a part of your great event!
All in all, an amazing three days of nonstop activity. If you have never been to the BMAs, I would encourage you to make plans for next year. Simply the greatest blues gathering around! It's an event that brings together encouragement, friendship, reflection, and recognition in the blues!
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