The Laurie Morvan Band grills up a spicy, blues rockin’ feast with their hottest CD yet, Fire It Up!, produced by Laurie Morvan and Steve Savage (Elvin Bishop, Robert Cray). From the opening chicken pickin’ punches to the closing searing guitar leads, the 2008 IBC Finalists serve up tight grooves, sexy innuendo, heart-string pullers and rip-roarin’ stompers. Guest artists include keyboardists Sammy Avila (Walter Trout band) and David Matthews (Etta James band).

 

“Plenty of jaw dropping guitar work...She not only can lay down a boogie or shuffle with the best of them; she can also rock or play with tasteful restraint" Blues Source "Laurie Morvan has the looks, the licks and the voice to assure her success in the blues world, and listening to "Fire It Up!" will show you why!." -

 

 “Fire It Up! couldn't be a more appropriate title for Laurie Morvan's fourth release, who shows continued maturity as both a guitarist and songwriter. It's replete with clever sexual lines ("I'm gonna put up my tenderloins and let you fire up my grill") and she continues her crusade for the girls with guitars in "Livin' In a Man's World."- Elmore

 

“Morvan has all the soulfulness of Bonnie Raitt and the swaggering, muscular guitar tone of Stevie Ray Vaughan... a blistering, high-energy ending to another great guitar festival at Krannert."- Ellnora Guitar Festival review,

 

 News-Gazette “Let's just dispense with all the female blues guitar player business and forget the tall California blonde girl stuff and get to the heart of the matter right now. Laurie Morvan can play the blues.”- Illinois Times

 

 "Rock-tinged blues guitars ruled the day. Morvan, who opened the show, also stole it…in a scorching set of original blues rock that left the early arrivals staggering to the CD sales booth."- Coloma Blues Live! festival review, Mountain Democrat

When artists such as Billy Lavender and Brad Webb walk into a club, it's not uncommon for the band to stop in the middle of a song to announce their entrance. When artists such as U2 and BB King are in need of talented singers, they turn to Memphis in search of local legends such as Reba Russell .

 

When the European blues are in search of legendary musicians, they turn to famed artists such as Blind Mississippi Morris, Danny Cochran or Russell Wheeler with his magical B-3 Leslie. Let's not forget Vince Johnson, whose smooth voice, stage presence, and entrancing harp transport us all to Beale Street. Memphis Livin is more than just an album. It's the very essence of the blues genre. Memphis Livin, featuring the finest musicians Memphis has to offer, encompasses virtually every form of blues from a Kansas City shuffle to the truly greasy northern Mississippi style. It has been said and remains true to this day, that Beale Street is the boot camp of the blues. If you can play there, you can play anywhere in the world.

 

Behind the blazing leads of Billy Lavender and the chest- thumping drums and percussion of Tony Adams, Memphis Livin will ensure that the blues spotlight remains where it belongs - shining brightly on the home of the blues and those real heroes who have dedicated their lives to ensuring this genre lives on for many more generations to come.

 

Falling Through the Cracks marks the second release by Detroit-based guitarist/vocalist Doug Deming and The Jewel Tones and features two of today's premier harp players - Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds leader and co-founder) and Dennis Gruenling, who recently released a critically-acclaimed Little Walter tribute CD. Also appearing on the album is Washington, DC keyboardist Bill Heid, widely known for his work with artists like Koko Taylor, Henry Johnson and Fenton Robinson, among others. Solid performances on a program that encompasses a variety of blues styles.

 

 

 

The Blues Foundation will present the Blues Music Awards at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, TN on May 6, 2010. Performers, industry representatives and fans from around the globe will have the chance to celebrate the best in Blues recording and performance from 2009.

 

Among those heading the list of honorees for the 31st Blues Music Awards Joe Louis Walker who garnered five nominations, including Album of the Year, Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for "I'm Tide" from his recent release Between a Rock and the Blues. Rick Estrin, Tommy Castro, Louisiana Red and Duke Robillard, each received four nominations.

 

 

 

"Many nominators noted that narrowing each category to five was an especially difficult task this year, but I think the nominees are very reflective of the past year's releases. In this holiday season, I like to think of this as a present blues fans can open immediately," Jay Sieleman, The Blues Foundation's Executive Director said. "I would hope Blues fans will add the nominated releases and tickets to their shopping lists!"

 

Almost every nominee will be in attendance and perform so it's safe to say it will be one of the best shows of the year; where else do you get the chance to see a lineup including the best of the best in blues all in one evening? The 30th Blues Music Awards were widely hailed as the best ever so order now to get the best seats for the show. Members get seating preference and are the only fans who vote to decide which nominees will actually take home the Blues Music Award.

 

The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists. The presenting sponsor will once again be The Gibson Foundation. 2010 BMA sponsors include ArtsMemphis, BMI, Casey Family Programs, Eagle Rock Entertainment, FedEx, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

 

The Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Charter Members' Dinner will be held the night before the Awards, May 5. Honorees will be announced in mid-February.

 

The Blues Music Awards are produced by The Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization established to preserve Blues history, celebrate Blues excellence, support Blues education and ensure the future of this uniquely American art form. The Foundation consists of a worldwide network of 185 affiliated Blues societies and has individual memberships spanning the globe.

 

CALLING ALL ARTISTS or PHOTOGRAPHERS! GOT A COVER SHOT OR AMAZING ART?
The BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE Magazine team is now gearing up for our 2010 annual issue.

 

This year we are leaning towards an acoustic/ semi-acoustic, back porch look and are open to both photographs and artwork (neither should have appeared on other magazine covers or festival posters). Cover submissions must be in a vertical format preferably with some headroom to accommodate our logo. It should reflect an outdoor atmosphere, be hi-resolution and impart the essence of the Blues festival vibe.

If your photo or artwork is selected you will be published in the largest Blues Festival Guide magazine in the United States -- the Blues Foundation’s 2006 recipient of the "Keeping The Blues Alive" Award for Print Media! Your art or photo will appear on the front cover of the magazine with 100,000 copies distributed for free throughout U.S. and Canada in April 2010. The Guide is read by blues fans as well as industry professionals. Your bio and contact info, plus a caption will be on the masthead section of the magazine to drive potential customers to you. An online digital version of the magazine will also be linked through our website. Additionally, the magazine cover with your photo or art and a hyperlink to you, will appear on the home page of www.BluesFestivalGuide.com until the end of 2010 which receives over a million hits per month.

 

 

A web link works best for viewing your photos/art if available or please email examples ASAP to our editor at Michele@BluesFestivalGuide.com

(or contact if you need to mail discs or hard copies).

Thanks in advance.
Michele Lundeen/Editor
Blues Festival Guide magazine

 

Ashland – St. Clair Productions, in conjunction with the Ashland Blues Society, presents the 10th Annual Rogue Valley Blues Festival, January 15-17 (Martin Luther King Jr., holiday weekend).  Main events take place at the Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak St., Ashland.  Doors open 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Sunday for barbecue dinner sold by Geppetto’s Restaurant.  The Rogue Valley Blues Festival is an all ages event with beer and wine available for those over 21.

 

Headliners of the evening events will offer workshops at the Historic Ashland Armory Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  In addition, there will be free performances from noon- 4 p.m. at Standing Stone Restaurant, Alex’s Restaurant, and the Hardware Café in Ashland and Avalon Bar and Grill in Talent.

 

For more information and tickets, go to www.stclairevents.com  or 541-535-3562. Cost is $55/weekend pass; $30/Friday or Saturday evening; $10/adults and $5/17 and under/ Sunday evening; $20/each workshop. A weekend pass gets you into everything.

 

Friday evening’s acoustic concert begins at 7 p.m. with songs-in-the-round featuring Gary Joe Wade, Chuck Yates and Cindy and Mark DeGroft. Then Michael “Hawkeye” Herman takes the stage. With over 40 years of performing experience, Herman plays traditional blues, ballads, swing, and original tunes on six-string and twelve-string guitar and is a compelling blues storyteller.

 

 Friday evening’s headliner is Eden Brent. Brent's piano playing and singing style ranges from a melancholic whisper to a full-blown juke joint holler. She ably blends an earthy meld of jazz, blues, soul, and pop as she huskily invites listeners into her lazy, lush world. From Greenville, Mississippi, Brent had a 16-year apprenticeship with the late blues pioneer Boogaloo Ames, who dubbed his protégé "Little Boogaloo."

 

Saturday evening’s dance begins at 6:30 p.m. with David Pinsky and His Rhythm Kings and their mix of original and traditional blues that will remind you of the clubs of Chicago and the juke joints of the Delta.   Next up is the Ty Curtis Band.  In February, 2009, the Ty Curtis Band took second place at the 2009 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, competing against 100 bands from around the US.  The band performs a mix of blues, blues-rock, funk and swing.

 

Headlining Saturday evening is the Gospel Hummingbirds, a group  synonymous with tight harmony and creating outstanding inspirational music with urban rhythm and blues -- a sound they call "Rhythm and Gospel". Founded in 1960,  the group started singing in the "Church" (and they still do).   In 1987, the Gospel Hummingbirds were invited to perform at the famous Eli’s Mile High Club, a blues nightclub in Oakland, CA,  and since then have successfully taken their music to rock, blues and R&B fans in nightclubs, blues and jazz festivals here in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan, Italy, France, and Belgium. Billboard Magazine said their music is "Not just for the sacred music lover, but for anyone with an abiding interest in great roots sounds."

 

They’re young, they’re talented and they will have you out on the dance floor.  Beginning at 6 p.m., Sunday evening’s dance features three under 21 bands.  First up is the Gunnar Roads Band.  From the Portland area, Gunnar Roads first performed at the festival when he was 12.  A first-rate guitar player and singer and now 15, he heads his own band.  Local band Gabe Young and Friends amazed the audience last year.  At 14, Young is already an accomplished saxophone player and band leader. 

 

Headlining Sunday’s performance is the Ben Rice Band.  This band has played the RVBF many times, as well as the Medford and Grants Pass Park and Recreation concert series. Rice has 10 Muddy Water Award nominations by the Cascade Blues Association for best male vocalist and electric guitar.  The band was semi- finalists at the International Blues Challenge in 2007 and has performed at many Northwest Festivals.  This will be the last year the band qualifies as “under 21”.

 

Saturday workshops at the Historic Ashland Armory include: 11 a.m., Eden Brent demonstrating Boogie Woogie Piano made simple and the complicated Blues Women who play it; 12:30 p.m., Michael “Hawkeye” Herman, blues guitar; 2 p.m., David Pinsky, electric guitar and harmonica.  Sunday workshops include: 11 a.m., Gospel Hummingbirds, gospel sing-a-long; 12:30 p.m., Ty Curtis, blues guitar; and 2 p.m., Ben Rice, blues guitar.

 

For a schedule of the free afternoon concerts, check the website www.stclairevents.com

 

 

 

Premiere Guitar.com-Las Vegas, -- Surely every gearhead has imagined walking into a pawnshop and finding the guitar of their dreams. For Eric Dahl of Las Vegas, that dream became reality two months ago—producing an ending even he couldn’t have dreamed up.

 

Like many guitar collectors, Dahl routinely visits pawn shops. He’s also left his contact information hoping to get a call when an interesting guitar comes up for sale. He received such a call on Sept. 10, regarding a unique Gibson ES-345 B.B. King 80th Anniversary model a pawn shop had just purchased. Intrigued, Dahl went straight to the shop to check it out.

 

“It was definitely a Gibson ES-345 B.B. King Lucille guitar, but it didn’t have the original case, or any of the original paperwork, and I was disappointed that it had been gigged pretty hard and full of pick scratches and small dents,” Dahl said. “Also, I flipped it over and looked at the headstock expecting to see standard serial numbers, but to my surprise saw ‘Prototype 1’ stamped where the serial numbers should have been. I figured maybe it was a fake, or a really cool piece that had once been approved by B.B. King himself then given away to a fellow musician, friend of the family or relative.”

 

Fortunately for Dahl, it was neither. After spending several weeks calling various guitar historians, including Gibson’s customer service department, trying to figure out the guitar’s history, Dahl felt like he’d hit a wall—until he received a call on November 9, from Pat Foley, director of artist relations at Gibson Custom.

 

“First, he asked me if I still had the guitar here in the United States, which seemed odd because where else would I keep it?” Dahl said. “Then he informed me the guitar had been stolen from Mr. King at the beginning of the summer [2009]. Gibson presented to him as his 80th birthday present in Los Angeles in 2005, and it had been Mr. King’s main gigging guitar for the last four years. He was so upset that it was stolen that he asked Gibson to make him another one as close to the original as possible.”

 

Needless to say, King was overjoyed when he learned his beloved Lucille had been found. He even arranged for Dahl to receive a brand new Lucille from Gibson Custom upon returning the original, which happened a few days after Thanksgiving—an appropriate holiday for Mr. King to celebrate the return of his beloved lady.

 

“We met at Mr. King’s offices here in Las Vegas,” Dahl said. “He was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. He just kept shaking my hand and thanking me. He really wanted his birthday present back and was amazed he was actually getting it back. He really thought he’d never see it again.”

Dahl got King to autograph his new Lucille from Gibson Custom, and took a bunch of pictures of the meeting—one of which will go back to King as a memento of their unlikely encounter.

 

“I’m just happy that I was able to return a prized guitar to one of my guitar idols and inspirations,” Dahl said. “Now he can continue to give joy to so many other blues fans around the world.”

 

Oxford American--The Oxford American Magazine is proud to present our 11th Annual Southern Music Issue containing TWO CDs and a hearty 192 pages that explore the boundlessly rich and varied musical terrain of the South. Artists such as Barbara Lynn, Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson, Paul Burch, Billy Lee Riley, and Sister Ernestine Washington—just to name a few—sing to our hearts as we sing their praises. Top-notch music critics and writers including Barry Mazor, Allen Lowe, Jim O’Neal, Alice Randall, Ed Ward, alongside familiar OA contributors like Diane Roberts, Mark Winegardner, and Beth Ann Fennelly wax poetic about some of the gems we’ve unearthed in our ongoing and perhaps endless search of great Southern music. We’re thrilled to unveil the first edition of our state series, through which we will spotlight the talents, past and present, of each Southern commonwealth. This year, we begin with Arkansas. We hope you discover some new favorites, ruminate on the masters, and enjoy our latest batch of Arkansas and Southern music.

 

 

Friday night at Lupo’s will be dedicated to a blast from the past, as the Rhode Island Blues Reunion gathers together some of the state’s blues royalty for a one-off show-off of the way it used to be.

 

The band will be composed of some of the biggest names of the original and early lineups of Rhode Island blues legend Roomful of Blues, with founding members guitarist Duke Robillard and pianist Al Copley, along with longtime saxmen Greg Piccolo (1970-1994) and Doug James (1971-1997), bassist Preston Hubbard (1974-1980 and 1982-1984) and trombonist Carl Querfurth (1978, 1988-2004), along with drummer Mark Teixeira. And while there’s no official connection with the current edition of Roomful of Blues — still going strong, and playing in Waterville, Maine, on Friday night — the historical bond is strong.

 

Everyone’s gained a few years and a few pounds since the glory days, but in separate interviews the musicians and club owner Rich Lupo remember the history and hope to bring it back, if only for one night.

 

“It really was the foundation of the club,” he says of the old Roomful days, “and they really were some great nights.” And the feeling is mutual.

 

James calls Lupo “the Andrew Carnegie of the blues. We owe [him] a great debt for keeping us working and giving us a great place to do it.” Copley recalls some not-for publication antics from the ’70s but says, “I can’t wait to see the guy.”

 

The band did a show at the Garde Arts Center, in Hartford, in June, and club owner Rich Lupo says, “I found out about it and I cried.” He vowed that if they ever did it again, it would be at his club.

 

The set list, Robillard says, will concentrate on the first two Roomful albums — the swing of 1977’s self-titled album and 1979’s “Let’s Have a Party” — and then “stuff from the old days that the guys suggest … everybody’s got their requests.”

 

The group will rehearse this week, although Hubbard is only going to make it in the day before the show. But no one is worried about rust. “You just put us together and it falls back into place,” Robillard says.

 

Hubbard agrees — “It was like we were still a band. Everyone remembered everything” — and adds that getting together for the first rehearsal in June “was like family. Smiles all around.”

 

Piccolo describes it as “like putting on an old, comfortable shoe. We all went back to our spots and assumed the roles we had back then.”

Granted, he says, those roles got old once upon a time — “If we were out there 300 nights a year, trying to do that kind of thing together again, I don’t think that would be so great a concept” — but there remains a chemistry they can’t find anywhere else, he says.

 

The Rhode Island Blues Reunion is at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, 79 Washington St., Providence, tonight. Tickets are $25, $35 for reserved mezzanine seating. Call (401) 331-5876

 

 

David Maxwell plays many styles of blues, jazz and improvised music, but he is best known for his soulful virtuosity and unmatched ability to reach the heart of post-war Chicago Blues. David met the blues in his hometown of Boston in the 60s, when artists like Muddy Waters and Otis Spann came through town. Soon he was sitting in with Muddy and touring with Freddie King, Bonnie Raitt, James Cotton, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Johnny Adams, Ronnie Earl and others. Over the years David has gained the respect of artists, critics and fans and has established a reputation as one of the finest blues pianists alive. In the last decade alone David has received over half dozen Blues Music (W.C. Handy) and Grammy Award nominations and a Grammy Award for his work with James Cotton. David has performed on dozens of records, and released his own albums on Tone-Cool, 95 North and Blue Max Records. This is his first Boston Music Award.

 

 

 

 

The Blues Foundation is pleased to offer this opportunity to own a piece of blues history.

 

For our last fundraising auction of 2010 we're pulling out all of the stops!

This one is really special and the monies raised will go to support The Blue's Foundation's HART Fund.

 

This month we are offering a white Fender Squier Strat signed by many of the top women and men of Blues music, as well as Rolling Stone members, Keith Richards and Ron Wood. The Blues artists who autographed the guitar number in the dozens and include, among others, Hall of Famers Robert Lockwood, Jr., Jimmy McCracklin, Pinetop Perkins, Bobby Rush, Hubert Sumlin and Irma Thomas, as well as contemporary artists like James Harman, Janiva Magness and Kim Wilson. Add in actors Morgan Freeman and Steven Seagal and you definitely have a one of a kind memento.

 

In addition to the signed guitar you will receive a photo album showing most of the artists actually signing the guitar. Plus the guitar will be sent to you in its original hard case.

 

You will need to be present to receive this package as it will be shipped with a signature required by the recipient.

 

The Blues Foundation has established the HART Fund for Blues musicians and their families in financial need due to a broad range of health concerns. The Fund provides for acute, chronic and preventive medical and dental care as well as funeral expenses. The HART fund also provides help connecting Blues musicians in need with additional resources.

 

Feel free to contact us should you have any additional questions. Good Luck!

 

 

Click  for more info

 

Jackson,MS-- R&B legend Dorothy Moore needs your help to raise $3000 for needy blues musicians by Christmas Eve!

 

This year-end Thrivent Financial for Lutherans event will benefit the Blues Foundation BF/HART Fund, which last year helped Jackson area musicians, Ben Payton and Jackie Bell.

 

Come to Trinity,6401 Hwy 18 W, Jxn, MS, Dec 24, 7pm or mail check payable to 'Central MS/Thrivent', c/o Vicky Gill, PO Box 1399, Clinton, MS 39060. Receipts available by request.

 

For info write ppinn@yahoo.com.

 

 

The Sacramento Blues Society will be celebrating our 30th Anniversary Membership Show on December 13, 2009! This show is FREE for SBS members. Memberships can be obtained at the door for $25 individual or $40 for families.

For this special event, the musical entertainment will be provided by the Tommy Castro Band and Two-Tone Steiny & The Cadillacs!

 

December 13, 2009

2:00 PM. - 6:00 PM.

Blue Room Lounge & Ballroom

Capitol City Hotel

2600 Auburn Blvd.

Sacramento, CA

(916) 414-9689

FREE to Members

All Ages Welcome

 

Click  for more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Click for more

 

 

 

 

 

The West Michigan Blues Society hosts its Winter Fundraiser on Sunday December 13.

Doors at 1:00 PM - Music at 2:00 PM

 

Featuring premier British blues guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor with very special opening act Thirsty Perch Blues Band.

 

Cost is $10.00 and includes a buffet from Florentine's.

A percentage of the proceeds to help fund the Blues in the Schools program.

 

Click for more

 

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RBA Publishing Inc is based in Reno, NV with a satellite office in Beverly Hills, Florida. We produce the annual Blues Festival Guide magazine (now in its 7th year), the top-ranking website: www.BluesFestivalGuide.com, and this weekly blues newsletter: The Blues Festival E-Guide with approximately 20,000 weekly subscribers. We look forward to your suggestions, critiques, questions, etc.

Reach the E-Guide editor, Gordon Bulcock, gordon@bluesfestivalguide.com

or contact our home office at 775-337-8626, eguide@bluesfestivalguide.com
 

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