NEW YORK, NY – American Home Entertainment has released two special projects from The Todd Wolfe Band: The Todd Wolfe Band Live DVD and a companion live CD.  Both new releases were recorded live under a full moon at McCoole’s Arts Place in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, this summer and showcase The Todd Wolfe Band in all their blues-rockin’ glory, wailing on 11 original songs on the CD that have become fan favorites. The live DVD is over 2 hours and features four songs from the Fehmarn Festival in Germany, (loaded with Special Features).    

 

Wolfe’s music is rooted in the blues origins of artists such as B.B., Freddy King, Otis Rush, and Buddy Guy, but amped up to 10 and recalls legends Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Leslie West, Peter Green and Rory Gallagher. The new CD/DVD also showcases Wolfe’s songwriting, while true to its influences, carves its own powerful path. With Roger Voss on drums and Suavek Zaniesienko on bass, The Band has developed as a major road band, with constant touring in the past two years throughout the U.S. and Europe.

 

A talented guitarist/singer/songwriter Todd has opened shows for such artists as Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts, Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, Robin Trower and The Neville Brothers.  As Sheryl Crow’s lead guitarist he appeared on stages with Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles Robert Plant/Jimmy Page and Elton John. 

 

Blues Revue said of The Todd Wolfe Band, “Their sound recalls bands like Gov’t Mule and Cream.” And Hittin’ the Note magazine described the band thusly: “Imagine some power trio mixed into a Texas blues foundation and overlaid with trippy psychedelia – that’s the essence of Wolfe’s music.”

 

The Todd Wolfe Band is managed by Pam Adams of W Management (212-274-8952/pamatoms@mac.com)

 

Radio promotion for the new CD is being handled by Rick Lusher (917-742-0254 / rickl1@ix.netcom.com).

 

For more information, visit www.toddwolfe.com/ or  www.americanhomeent.com/.

 

Fowler's guitar work has been compared to Johnny Winter and Jeff Beck, while his slide guitar has a hint of the late Duane Allman. He can play fiery guitar runs with the best of them, but it's his lyrical work on lap steel and Dobro that makes him stand out among the legions of guitar heroes.

 

On Devil Got His Way, Damon fulfills the tremendous potential that his acclaimed Blind Pig debut, Sugar Shack, promised. His remarkable songwriting skills and vocal expressiveness are maturing, and his instrumental voice, by turns incendiary and deeply lyrical, is even stronger. Damon and his band have been touring extensively since the release of Sugar Shack, and there is quite a buzz already about this release.

 

kalwnews.org - The blues can be sexy ... sultry ... deeply emotional. Lyrics that cut right to the bone. Instrumentals that cry out from the soul. You can listen to it ... feel it. Or you can move to it and become part of the music. Some people say dancing to the blues is transformative, tapping into something we can’t usually find.

 

That’s what Lindsey Lee Keel went searching for. Here’s her story.

 

*     *     *

LINDSEY LEE KEEL: Blues music was once called “the devil’s music.” Despite its past demonic associations, blues has saved me. And it’s saved other people too.

 

It’s Monday night in the mission district of San Francisco. We’re at a place called the Polish Club. It’s not a bar; it’s a community center that tonight, and every Monday night, is a dance hall.

 

People have come out for blues music yes, but more to the point, they’re here to dance.

 

It’s really warm, the windows have begun to fog. The lighting is dim, and couples are dancing, some really close, some slowly, arms around necks, heads on shoulders or foreheads pressed together. Some stand back from each other with goofy grins moving their hips, spinning someone or being spun. The secret is that though it might look like it, these dancers are not in love with each other. Some may not even know the name of the person they’re dancing with. Others see each other out dancing a few times a week. These, like me, are devout blues dancers. We need it.

 

When I say that blues dancing has saved me I’m being completely serious. Blues saved me from a really unhealthy relationship. It was the kind of manipulative situation that made the world feel like it was shrinking during every conflict, like I was sliding slowly into the darkness of a muddy hole. When I discovered blues dancing it was like discovering I had been living in two dimensions.

 

Other dancers feel this way too. Here’s Cat Hughes.

 

CAT HUGHES: It’s falling in love, that’s what it is. It’s crazy. Every dance is like a love affair. You’re falling in love, for three minutes – with the music, with your partner, with your connection. And it can be dangerous, because you’re falling in love like a million times a night, and it can really screw with your emotions but it can also be amazing if you understand what it’s about.

For Krystal Wanberg it was the beginning of life.

 

KRYSTAL WANBERG: It’s like I had been waiting to live, like I had been waiting to grow into my body and then waiting to do something with it once, once I had it.

Back when she was first starting, Krystal remembers telling a prominent dancer in the scene how nervous she was.

 

WANBERG: And he was like, “Okay, just play along with me.” And I’m like, “Okay.” And he’s like, “Pretend that I am your one true love.” And I kinda gave him this weird look, and he’s like “Wait, wait, wait – I am your one true love, and I have been called off to war and I am leaving tomorrow, you may never see me again.” He’s like, “Dance with me, like that.” I was just like, “Ah.” And it was just the most incredibly connected dance. I was completely, completely done, like, I was a blues dancer after that, it was done.

The connection that Krystal felt is what blues dancers are constantly seeking.

 

WANBERG: It forces you to learn to communicate with other people.

Communicate in a non-verbal way. When you learn how to physically listen to your partner and your own body while dancing, it tends to carry over into other parts of your life.

 

WANBERG: It’s like a self-improvement process. Yeah, you have to grow some confidence.

Before I discovered blues dancing, I had been so uncertain of myself, of my life. But as I continued to dance, the air changed around me. My hips, had discovered a hidden freedom of movement. The space around my body made room for the confidence that was growing inside me.

 

Within three weeks of blues dancing, I decided to leave my boyfriend. 

 

Many dancers talk about “before” blues and “after” blues. Vhary Leggat had a problem with alcohol. She struggled with a negative body image. She sometimes felt suicidal. But after blues…

 

VHARY LEGGAT: I have become more connected to my body. You can’t go to a dance and say, “I don’t want to be reminded that my body exists,” because that’s what dancing is.

Many dancers like Vhary feel changed by blues dancing.

 

LEGGAT: My release from fear and sadness started with getting sober and ended with learning to dance, and that because of those two things, I am awake and I am healing. I’m no longer the person that I was.

When you’re obsessed with something that you feel has changed your life, you want to share it with everyone. I have convinced baristas to ditch their coffee shop tunes for blues, and to come out from behind the counter and dance with me, right there. I have slow danced with strangers under late night gas station lights and made the clerk curious enough to breech his own sense of safety, unlock the security doors, and join in. I’m telling you, blues dancing makes you do crazy things.

 

We don’t have a neon sign that says “Blues Saves” shining like a guiding light for the wayward, and we won’t show up at your door and hand you pamphlets about how your road to a better life begins at the church of blues, but we want to, we really want to.

 

Sad news: Singer Etta James, 72, is gravely ill, diagnosed with dementia and undergoing treatment for leukemia.

 

The Press-Enterprise in Riverside County, Calif., reports that James' condition came to light in court documents as part of a civil case in Riverside County Superior Court in which Artis Mills, her husband of 41 years, is seeking control of more than $1 million of James' money.

 

AP reports that Beverly Hills physician Elaine James, who isn't related, says in court documents that the singer cannot sign her name and she needs help with feeding, dressing and hygiene.

 

James has not performed on stage since early 2010 and caused a stir in 2009 when she voiced her displeasure about not being chosen to sing at President Barack Obama's inauguration. Beyonce Knowles, who played James in a 2008 film, sang At Last instead.

 

A hearing is planned for Friday. James' son, Donto James, wrote in a court declaration that he does not object to money being released for her health care. But he is asking that it be overseen by a third party, "to avoid present and future family conflict and discrepancies."

 

 

On April 17th, the world famous BLUZAPALOOZA celebrity concert tour will be making Blues history again when it ships out to Afghanistan to entertain our troops at war.

 

Starring BLUZAPALOOZA veterens Shemekia Copeland and Moreland & Arbuckle, this 14 day tour will take the Blues to  Krygyzstan, Afghanistan and Qatar with most of the time being spent at forward operating bases within the war zone of Afghanistan.

 

"It is an honor to be able to bring the Blues to our men and woman in uniform.......men and woman who have made so many sacrifices to keep us safe at home.  We will be giving them a show that they will never forget and that will remind them how much they are loved and prayed for by all of us," said BLUZAPALOOZA co-founder and co-producer Steve Simon.

 

"Entertaining our troops in the middle of a war zone is the most inspiring work we have ever done.  Our troops make me so very proud to be an American," stated John Hahn, co-founder and co-producer of BLUZAPALOOZA.

 

BLUZAPALOOZA is sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment, Telarc Records, Alligator Records, NorthernBlues Records, Yellow Dog Records, Ruf Records, XM Sirius Radio's Bluesville, Blues Revue and Steve & Jeff Simon Presents.

 

For additional information contact Steve Simon at stevesimonpresents@yahoo.com

 

 

DETROIT (KABC) -- A month after undergoing surgery, music legend Aretha Franklin says her health is "superb."

 

On Wednesday's installment of "The Wendy Williams Show," Franklin told the host that she was relaxing at a casino hotel in her hometown and hopes to start traveling soon.

 

She says she has two more weeks of down time as she continues her recovery. Also, Franklin vowed to reschedule the concert dates she missed.

 

Also during the interview, Franklin hinted that she was dating someone.

 

The reason for the singer's Dec. 2 surgery was not disclosed.

 

 

In the post-WWII era the city was host to a vibrant music scene, punctuated by the Blues clubs and restaurants that dotted its working class communities.

 

Soul icon James Brown and Blues guitar legend B.B. King were among the towering talents that swung through Richmond to play gigs.

 

But, by the 1970s, joblessness, crime and de-industrialization had sapped energy from the city's nightlife.

 

It was only a matter of time before the economic slump dimmed the bright signs that once drew patrons to hotspots on Cutting Boulevard, MacDonald Avenue and in North Richmond.

 

Few of the structures remain, and those that do bear little resemblance to how they looked in those glory days.

 

To get a sense of the city's musical history, it may be best to talk with those who lived it.

 

"You couldn't find any better entertainment, not just in Richmond, but in the entire Bay Area," said Joe Fisher, a local businessman who frequented the clubs in the 1960s.

 

Fisher reminisced while strolling down a now-dormant North Richmond block that was once studded with night spots. "You could come here, to Minnie Lou's, and just feel very important, a part of something great."

 

To watch a short video exploring Richmond's Blues heritage, visit richmondconfidential.org 

 

 

Eleven acts are participating in the 4^th annual Roots & Blues showcase taking place Thursday, February 3 and Friday, February 4, coinciding with the 2011 International Blues Challenge (IBC). Hosted by Blind Raccoon, a Memphis-based music marketing firm specializing in blues & roots publicity and radio promotion, the showcase has expanded to two days due to client demand. Performers include Paul Thorn and Joe Pitts from the region, Phil Gates from Los Angeles and Kirsten Thien based in New York City. Many are past participants in the International Blues Challenge and two acts, Grand Marquis and the Jason King Band, are competing in this year’s IBC.

 

“Since 2008, Blind Raccoon has been presenting this showcase to provide an opportunity for our clients to perform in front of many blues and roots music industry professionals here in town for IBC,” says Betsie Brown, president of the company. “We’re delighted that this year our headline for Thursday is Paul Thorn, who has received much acclaim for his 2010 release, Pimps & Preachers.”

 

The showcase is co-presented by Saint Blues Guitars and Charley Burch, Memphis-based music producer. At the showcase there will be a raffle to win a Saint Blues Bluesmaster IV guitar and various autographed albums with the net proceeds benefitting MusiCares. The Masters of Ceremonies are James "The Blues Hound" Nagel, KPFT, Houston and Brett Fleming, WEVL, Memphis.

 

ASBURY PARK, N.J. — The Smithsonian hears America singing, playing instruments and telling its history through music. 

 

The Washington cultural institution's New Harmonies program will feature this musical history with a traveling exhibit in five states — Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio and South Carolina. Communities in those states will host performances and other events in conjunction with the exhibit.

 

The program, which is part of the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street project, showcases some of America's "richest stories," says Carol Harsh, director of Main Street.

 

"There's a lot of fine music in this country; you kind of take it for granted," says South Carolina's John Fowler, an Appalachian storyteller, musician and radio host. "New Harmonies is a great snapshot."

 

Venues in the five states include libraries, historical societies and performance spaces in towns, rural areas and small cities, with the first programs scheduled for Asbury Park, N.J. The sites host the New Harmonies traveling exhibit while developing unique, local spinoffs and promoting already-well-established programs. "Connecting the national story with their own personal experience is pretty profound," says Harsh.

 

Click for more

 

Include your band or business in the celebration of our 10,000th Friend on our Facebook site: Blues Festival Guide

 

In just under one year, we have almost reached 10,000 friends and we want to celebrate by giving that lucky person that signs up as #10,000 a goody bag full of blues-related gifts.

 

We are going to continue this Promotion for six months including asking blues-related trivia questions and awarding the winner a prize.

 

Steph Bravo is our Social Network Editor. She will be letting all 10,000 blues friends about you and your product. Free advertising for you!

 

Steph will make an exciting display/promo on our Facebook announcing the winner and repost it often so it remains on top so that your brand is seen again and again.

 

To participate, please send up to six units (CD, t-shirt, poster etc.) to:

 

RBA Publishing Inc/Blues Festival Guide
P.O. Box 5065
Reno, NV 89513

 

Shipping:
3020 Markridge Drive
Reno, NV 89509

 

Also, please send your logo to Stephanie DJStephB@aol.com as a jpeg attachment and let her know what you are shipping so she can match up your logo with your product.

 

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Early-Bird Advertising Special!

 

Order and pay for your ad before January 15, 2011 and receive a 15% discount! (Ad/artwork isn't due until end of March).

 

 Featured Festival Section
      Full Page    $1,390    you pay $1,180    you save $210
      Half Page   $725    you pay $615    you save $110

 

  General Magazine
      Full Page   $1,735   you pay $1,475    you save $260
      Half Page   $875    you pay $745    you save $130
      1/3 Page   $640    you pay $545    you save $95
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      1/6 Page   $360    you pay $305    you save $55
      1/8 Page   $290    you pay $245   you save $45

 

      Color add $375 for full-1/2 page ads   $375   

      you pay $320  save  $55
      Color add $225 for 1/3-1/8 page ads   $225   

      you pay $190   save $35

 

Don't miss out on a once-a-year marketing opportunity to reach blues fans around the world. Order your ad in the 9th annual BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE magazine today.

 

100,000 copies distributed free throughout U.S. And Canada in April 2011!

Plus thousands of more blues fans will see your ad in the digital edition.

 

Contact us today:
775-337-8626
advertising@bluesfestivalguide.com

 

P. S. Festival Promoters, post your festival for free by going to
www.BluesFestivalGuide.com and click on Submit Festival and fill in the fields. Easy and free. Our site gets over a million hits per month and will drive traffic to your site.

 

      

 

Joe Bonamassa is back with a terrific new CD, Black Rock. He hunkers with Elwood to talk about his life in the blues rock arena, the joys and struggles of DIY, and his love of British blues, BB King, and Otis Rush. The music of Led Zeppelin will make an appearance, along with a song from Joe’s new band experiment, Black Country Communion. And this week's Blues Breaker? A great one from the daughter of soulman Johnnie Taylor, Tasha Taylor.

  

 

 For a list of stations where you can find House of Blues Radio

 

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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