Blues veterans target a broader audience with their debut

 

They’ve made quite a name for themselves as individual musicians, but now Elam McKnight and Bob Bogdal have teamed up to release Zombie Nation, a debut album that melds the rural Mississippi blues of the Delta with the hard-charging electric style of the Hill Country.

 

Both McKnight and Bogdal bring impressive credentials to their partnership. McKnight’s solo debut, 2003’s Braid My Hair, was hailed by critics as a breath of fresh air in the sometimes-stale climate that is predictable “bar band” blues, while his second album, 2005’s The Last Country Store, found a spot on many blues charts internationally and in America. McKnight’s most recent release, 2007’s Supa Good, earned notoriety when the opening track, “Devil Minded Woman,” was voted by fans as the Best Blues Song in the Musician's Atlas sponsored 7th Annual Independent Music Awards. Bogdal, meanwhile, boasts 20 years of Blues expertise and harmonica playing. His haunting 2005 debut, Underneath the Kudzu, serves as a reflection of his personal vision into the mystery of the Delta, and he’s currently recording his next album, Shadow of a Darkened Moon.

 

McKnight and Bogdal hope their hard work and distinctive sound allows them to shed any restrictive labels and therefore introduce their music to a broader audience. “I am a songwriter first and I hope to get my music out there to as many people as possible,” he says. “We are both really proud of this work and look at it as one of many to come.”

 

Elvin Bishop's musical biography is no secret to anyone who has been into blues or rock music over the last forty years or so. Taken under the wing of renowned Chicago bluesman Little Smokey Smothers in the early '60s; explored new musical frontiers as a founding member of the original Paul Butterfield Blues Band through their groundbreaking years; fronted his own outfit by the late '60s on the rock ballroom and concert circuit; and scored a Top 10 radio hit in the '70s with "Fooled Around And Fell In Love" - Bishop has been a bona fide legend for decades. Along the way he's carved out a niche all his own, playing an appealing mix of rootsy rock & roll, R&B and barroom boogie, steeped in the heavy blues he learned from Little Smokey all those years ago.

 

So when a bunch of close friends who also happen to be consummate musicians are sequestered together, as they were when they were at sea on the 2010 Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, what else are they going to do but unite forces and create some truly exemplary music? Thankfully the tapes (or bytes) were rolling, and this wonderful musical experience was saved for posterity – and for Delta Groove Music. With the good vibes of a ship full of fellow music lovers to buoy the band, this is one of those performances where you really can hear that everyone was having a good time.

 

Twenty-first-century soul man John “JB” Bigham blends the sounds of Stax and the space age on Good Thang, by his alter-ego/band the Soul of John Black.

Good Thang explores the terrain of R&B, rock, pop, and electronica, but it’s also about love — JB’s love for classic soul and blues, love of driving old-school synth-funk bass, and, most important, love for
his family. At the heart of this collection of feel-good grooves are the title track and “Lil Mama’s in the Kitchen” — graceful essays on the joys of domestic bliss that capture Good Thang’s distinctive mix of organic sounds and cutting-edge production.

 

I had the pleasure of attending the annual Doheny Blues Festival May 21-22. The special thing about outdoor blues festivals is that everywhere you look people are smiling… that knowing smile of satisfaction and moments of downright nirvana. -- Couple that with three stages of continuous music, a location on a beautiful Southern California beach/park, and a sunny day that rolled into a balmy evening and you have all the potential ingredients for an extraordinary experience.

 

               

 

"Saturday's Back Porch with Eden Brent was a real highlight for me," exclaimed Mary Ann Haskell. "Eden exudes so much honesty is super vivacious and her enthusiasm was undeniably infectious! I was also fortunate to catch part of Dennis Jones' set. I love his unique songwriting (and also the new look he's sporting.) It was a full-on blues party all day and night! An extra treat was Susan Tedeschi sitting in with the Experience Hendrix."

 

Sunday was no exception to good times! We caught Wyland’s Blues Planet Band -- A stellar lineup of performers serving up “Global Blues.” This set featured environmental artist Wyland’s poignant lyrics while he painted a humongous globe behind them – raising consciousness via the blues. A rollicking duet with Honey Piazza and Mitch Woods was over-the-top with piano keys flying. Ana Popovic and her blues-rock band were rock solid and had our rapt attention as they got way down, literally. A huge high point for me was B.B. & The Blues Shacks, top blues band from Germany, on the BackPorch Stage. They were smilin’, swingin’ and groovin’ and had the packed-in audience in full-tilt motion -- Pure, authentic talent and contagious energy. Really a treat!

 

 

Honestly, there were so many more magnificent musical moments going on all weekend I could go on and on -- ya just had to be there! Hats off to Rich Sherman and the staff at Omega Events for pulling off, yet another, highly entertaining and smooth running event.

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The 22nd annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival on May 28th and 29th has added the Budweiser Clydesdales to the impressive lineup of nineteen bands performing on two giant outside stages. The Clydesdale horses will be at the festival throughout the Memorial weekend event. 

 

 

Featured Blues performers include Elvin Bishop and his “Hell Raisin’ Revue featuring his just released album.  Also appearing are Grammy nominee Maria Muldaur, The Mannish Boys with their special guests, Big Pete Van Der Pluijm with his Tribute to Lester Butler Feat, John Nemeth, Ana Popovic, the Mitch Kashmar Band, Grammy nominee Tracy Nelson, the Kirk Fletcher Band, Los Fabulocos featuring Kid Ramos, Arthur Adams, Shawn Pittman, The 44s, Mikey Jr. & Stone Cold Blues, and Cadillac Zack with special guests.

 

On the Cajun-Zydeco stage Grammy winner Buckwheat Zydeco will be featured along with Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic, Lil Pookie & The Zydeco Sensations, the Bayou Brothers and Billy Lee & The Swamp Critters. Also featured on the Cajun-Zydeco dance floor will be dance lessons led by Greg Benusa one of the world’s top Cajun & Zydeco dance instructors.

 

In addition to music and dancing, the festival features two dozen choices of food from exotic Cajun & Creole dishes to good old-fashioned barbecue. In addition there are over 100 craft and merchandise booths. And for those with children, there is an enormous kids area featuring a talent show, a variety of specialty acts, crafts and bouncers.

 

A special bonus this year is the addition of the Budweiser Clydesdales who will be on-site throughout the festival.

 

The pricing is family friendly with kids under 5 free. Kids 5 thru 12 are $ 15 and adults are $ 18. Tickets are available at the festival and on-line.

 

 

Blues on the Fox will take place Friday, June 17th and Saturday, June 18th.  The festival will feature headliners Robert Cray and Buddy Guy as well as a new location at the North River Street Park, just west of the Hollywood Casino in downtown Aurora. An entry fee of $5.00 per day covers the cost of admission and a wristband for the consumption of alcohol at the festival.

 

 

As part of the 15th anniversary this year’s talent will feature past favorites including Eric Lindell on Friday at 6:30pm. His sweet, blue-eyed soul, with foot-stomping R&B, swamp pop, funk and blues have won him critical and popular acclaim across the country. Robert Cray, another return performer, will take to the stage at 8:30pm. Cray’s soulful and creative guitar work has been a dominant force in blues.

 

 

At 2:00 pm on Saturday, The Hix Brothers Junior All-Stars, featuring local students of the blues, will kick off the day, followed at 3:00pm.by Billy Branch and the Sons Of Blues (SOBs), based out of Chicago. This group is one of the hottest blues bands working today and consists of some of the finest bluesmen in the world.  Kenny Neal, known as a modern swamp-blues master and multi-instrumentalist, that draws musically from the sizzling sounds of his native Louisiana will play at 4:45pm. Charlie Musselwhite, whose worldly-wise vocals, and rich, melodic harmonica playing will perform at 6:30pm.To top off this incredible lineup, internationally acclaimed, Grammy winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Blues legend Buddy Guy will perform at 8:30pm. Buddy Guy is the world ambassador of the Blues and will kick the festival up to a level it has never experienced before. Performances end at 10:00 on both evenings.

 

 

Those who attended the Blues & Ribs Festival May 21 at Carr Park were greeted with the sound of live blues music and the aroma of barbeque. The event, put on by the Manchester Men’s Club featured three cooks and five bands and ran from 3 p.m. to midnight.

 

Chris Sirvinskis, owner of Chef Chris’ Boogie Woogie BBQ out of Pinckney did double duty at the event, serving food, as well, as performing with his band Chef Chris and His Nairobi Trio. Sirvinskis plays harmonica and sings. The other bands that entertained the crowd throughout the day were the Motor City Kings, North of Memphis, the Motor City Sheiks and the Horse Cave Trio.

 

This was the fifth year Sirvinskis cooked at the event and served ribs, pulled pork, chicken, coleslaw and beef this year.

 

Also attending for his fifth year was Randy Bahlau of Randy’s Roadhouse in Irish Hills.

 

RED BANK, NJ - The Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival has been relocated and renamed. The Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation, which produced the Red Bank Jazz and Blues Festival for many years, is presenting this year‘s Festival up and down the Monmouth County shore area at three locations on three different dates. The annual event which has become an award‐winning New Jersey tradition, is now called the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Festival, a series of three full-day events presented in Middletown on July 23, in Long Branch on August 27, and in Asbury Park on September 17.

What a great response I got from this series!  These interview questions give props to the people who provide us with blues support on the airwaves.  I sent out quite a few questions and this one went to Dar Lopez from WKPX.  I love my job!!!

 

 

 

Q: What advice do you have for young, new artists who are just starting?

A: Take your time to put out a good quality cd/demo..... do not just send out anything to radio stations .. festivals ..clubs... first impressions are important.

 

Our station is WKPX 88.5 fm
www.blueatheart.com

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Van Nuys, CA (PRWEB) May 27th, 2011 – Frank Roszak Radio Promotions expands to include tour support.

 

After six years as the Director of Radio Promotions of Delta Groove, Frank Roszak decided it was time to go out on his own. In just a brief time, Frank has established himself as the premier independent radio and marketing promotion person in the blues genre. He has quickly become the “go-to” guy for such artists, for example, as Victor Wainwright, JP Soars, The 44s, EllerSoul Records, and Ripcat Records. Frank has extensive experience in radio promotions and works with Billboard Blues, Living Blues Radio, B.B. King’s Bluesville, House of Blues, and many others. He has placed award-winning artists like the Mannish Boys, Ana Popovic, Bobby Womack, and Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm, to name a few. Having embarked on his own as Frank Roszak Radio Promotions, Frank is already realizing the same level of success for which he has become known.

 

 

For additional information, contact:

Frank Roszak

Roszak Radio Promotions

froszak2003@yahoo.com

(818) 679-7636

 

$15 for dinner and the show, arrive at 7 pm, Come in at 9 pm for $10.00.  8 Hall of Fame Incductees will be on stage to celebrate at D.C. Minner's birthplace/Blues Hall of Fame this Sat the 28th. 

 

Friday, May 27 at 8pm

 

(Grand Theatre) Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV

 

For the first time in its history, Experience Hendrix, the concert tour that has wowed audiences revisiting the music and inspiration of Jimi Hendrix. Featuring an all-star lineup of music greats, performing music associated with the legacy of Jimi Hendrix including some of the best known and highly regarded names in contemporary rock and blues including Billy Cox, Steve Vai, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Living Colour, Chris Layton, Robert Randolph, Brad Whitford from Aerosmith, Ernie Isley, The Slide Brothers, Mato from Indigenous, plus special guests... This is a night not to be missed!

1-800-648-3568

      

Blues Festival season begins! Elwood is tuning up the Bluesmobile to make his yearly rounds. His guest, Kaati, founder of the Blues Festival Guide (bluesfestivalguide.com), clues us in to this year’s festivals. Folks you can catch live will be caught on radio this week – Buddy Guy, Eden Brent, Maria Muldaur, Back Door Slam, Tommy Castro, Rod Piazza, North Mississippi Allstars, Robert Cray, and more. Plus new music, the first in twenty years, from Hot Tuna. And a chance for you to win copies of BOOGIE DISEASE, the new CD from blues rockers The 44's, and Wrong Side of the Blues, from International Blues Challenge winners, Trampled Under Foot.

 

 

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 House of Blues Streaming Audio Here

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, Yvonne Varner, editor@bluesfestivaleguide.com

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

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