Barry Levenson returns in 2011 with a brand spankin’ new record, The Late Show. To quote Frank Joseph from the CD’s the liner notes, “The Late Show is a high modernist masterpiece and the only question that remains is…does blues guitar have anything else to say after this?”

 

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne — resplendent in a brightly colored, French custom-tailored stage suit — hammers out rockin’ boogie woogie, deeply felt blues, and puts a fresh coat of paint on good old-fashioned roots rock and roll.
          Now with a brand new album, An Old Rock on a Roll on the Stony Plain label, he’s on the road again.
He’s been a traveling musician almost all his life, playing in show bands and cover bands in his youth, seeing the world from Texas to Hawaii and from Peoria to Paris. 
Rediscovering his own blues roots long ago sent his career into overdrive, thanks to his fresh approach to old music, the drive and roaring good-time attitude of his live performances, and his smartly original self-penned songs.

 

Deeply influenced by Fats Domino and Johnnie Johnson, Kenny Wayne’s other heroes include keyboard rockers whose names are beginning to fade into history — men such as Amos Milburn and Bill Doggett, both long overdue for rediscovery by the new generations of blues fans.
The new album has been produced by Duke Robillard, who has overseen sessions for Stony Plain by Jimmy Witherspoon, Jay McShann, Rosco Gordon, Long John Baldry, Herb Ellis, Ronnie Earl and many others. The co-founder of the band Roomful of Blues and a former member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robillard has more than a dozen of his own recordings on Stony Plain.
Robillard’s take on Wayne? “He’s a monster pianist, a soulful singer, and he captures of essence of old school blues and boogie while sounding totally fresh and contemporary,” he says.

 

Soul music lovers and crate diggers eagerly awaited the June 21 release of ‘Got To Get Back!’ on Electraphonic Recordings from Memphis soul music standard bearers the Bo-Keys, their first in seven years. New converts to the genre via Sharon Jones and others will embrace it upon first listen. Powerhouse guest vocalists join the band, including Stax Records hit-maker William Bell, soul/gospel great Otis Clay, classic Atlantic Records singer Percy Wiggins, and blues legend Charlie Musselwhite, who also blows some of his signature harmonica.

 

Just trying to help this guy out. Keep an eye out for his guitar. Maybe you can help reunite him with his lost love.

To the people who stole most of my stuff out of my studio on June 5, including my main guitar of 43 years, let me tell you about it.

 

It’s a very altered, but very real 1953 Gibson Les Paul Model – Serial # 3 0621 (stamped on the back of the headstock)

 

This is not a gold-top. In the 1950′s, it was refitted with an ABR-1 bridge and stop tailpiece, and then refinished, all by Gibson. The green colour in the picture, (especially on the rear half of the body where the light reflection is less), is accurate. It’s one of the lightest Gibson Les Pauls, and the only one of its’ colour, that I’ve ever seen.

 

Here’s your scenario:
–No collector will want this instrument because it’s not even close to original.
–No legitimate business will buy it from you.
–Any creep who would knowingly buy a stolen guitar will give you a pittance for it.
–If you keep it for yourself, you’ll never be able to play anywhere with it, and it will tie you to the crime and to all of the other stolen equipment for as long as you have it.
–You didn’t even take the case.

 

It’s my most personal possession, and I have always planned for my son to have it one day. By the way, the other Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier head you took was his.

 

You haven’t ripped off a money making business. You’ve ripped off my life and my spirit immeasurably by taking away the tools of the pursuit of my passion. I’ve worked extremely hard for my whole life to earn my right to do so, and you took it all away in an hour or two. You’ve also ripped off my son, now, and in the future. I don’t have the money to replace the gear, so it’s just gone.

 

Just give it back – NO QUESTIONS ASKED. PLEASE

 

Maurice

We were lucky enough to be able to attend the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, Oregon, this last weekend. The show was packed with big names that included Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Lucinda Williams and too many others to mention (check www.waterfrontbluesfest.com for the full schedule). This is a huge fund raiser for the Oregon Food Bank, and this year the festival raised $726,000 and brought in over 95,000 lbs of food, breaking their previous records. Though billed as a “blues festival,” the show offers musical variety including zydeco, cajun, rock, and more. Riverboat cruises, featuring some of the artists from the festival, are also offered in the afternoons and evenings, and all-star jams are hosted by nearby venues after the festival closes at night.

 

Some of personal highlights included:
Bobby Radcliff mixing big chords and intricate picking on the guitar (reminding us of Jimmy Dawkins and Magic Sam)
A King & Two Queens, backed by Ronnie Stewart on guitar and Carl Green’s tasty saxophone, proved to be a lively revue. The “Two Queens,” Demetria Taylor and Deitra Farr, offered distinctly different styles in blues vocals – Taylor powerfully belting out her songs while Farr employed a smoother, more controlled approach to deliver her message with equal intensity. The “King,” Taildragger, then worked the crowd with a style he’d learned as a young man at Howlin’ Wolf’s knee.

 

 

  DEITRA FARR & RONNIE STEWART                         CHUBBY CARRIER

2011 Grammy winner Chubby Carrier, with the Bayou Swamp Band, took the Front Porch Stage on Saturday to make us all Zydeco Junkie’s (the name of their Grammy winning album). With Carrier’s high energy and very personable performance, it’s easy to see why they were selected. They do a particularly funky rendition of “Cisco Kid.”

 

 

Grady Champion did an amazing job of dishing up some good Mississippi Rockin’ blues and soon had the crowd up and having a great time.

The Workshop Stage quickly became a favorite as it provided an intimate setting where performers were able to interact with the fans. We heard stories about life from Fiona Boyes and about how she used them in her songwriting. James Harman demonstrated some of the intricacies of playing blues harp and told some intriguing “road stories” from his years in the business. Bobby Radcliff did the same for blues guitar and told of his short but memorable time in his teens of meeting Magic Sam in Chicago.
The Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival is a massive show. With music for everyone, good food, friendly volunteers, and a great cause, it’s an amazing opportunity for blues fans. Waterfront will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2012, and organizers say they’re stepping it up a notch to celebrate! Don’t forget to mark your calendar.

 

See ya on the blues highway,

 

Cheryl and Tom Yearnshaw

PALMERTON, PA: The Pennsylvania Blues Festival will be held at Blue Mountain Ski Area, Palmerton, Pa. July 30th & 31st “Celebrating 20 years of Blues In The Pocono's” .This National Event is produced by Michael Cloeren, who was the Founder &  Producer of The Pocono Blues Festival [1992-2010], and features 15 National Recording Artists performing throughout the weekend.

 

 

The Music will have something for everyone’s taste encompassing  the full spectrum of the music, both traditional and contemporary, Acoustic and Electric Blues, Soul, Sacred Steel, Gospel and New Orleans themed; Seven of the performers have been to the Pocono's before and are back by popular demand; Otis Clay, Shemekia Copeland, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Kenny Neal, Bettye LaVette, ,Magic Slim and The Teardrops and The Lee Boys] and the other 8 National Acts are making their 1st appearance in The Pocono’s [Cyril Neville, Shakura S’Aida, John Nemeth, Samuel James, Linsey Alexander, Big Daddy Stallings and Steve Guyger & Billy Flynn.

 

 

Friday Evening July 30th from 8pm to Midnight a Pre-Fest Jam featuring Studebaker John & The Hawks from Chicago  and Saturday Evening July 31st Post Fest from 9:30pm to 1:30am Big Daddy Stallings from Baltimore. These Jams will be located in an air-conditioned Lodge on The Festival Grounds with a late night menu provided.

 

 

 

Camping is available On Site in close proximity to the main stage for RV’s, Pop-Ups/Tents and Trailers. Pennsylvania Blues Festival will feature dozens of familiar & eclectic vendors, scenic chairlift rides, free parking and great food and beverages.

 

Blue Mountain is located 45 minutes south of the original Pocono site; A short drive from The Allentown/Bethlehem- Easton Area/ New York/Philadelphia and New Jersey. For lodging and ticket information please go to www.skibluemt.com or call 610-826-7700.

 

 

 

BILLINGS, MONTANA: In a state that’s known more for hunting, fishing and wide-open spaces, fans from all over the world have discovered something wonderful and unexpected in the heart of Montana: two days and two nights of world-class music in Downtown Billings. Our natural Montana hospitality and unique settings create intimate atmospheres where it’s easy to relax and enjoy the fabulous lineups.

 

 

2011 is our 10th Anniversary.  We anxiously await the return of several fest favorites and the arrival of musicians we will see and hear ‘live’ for the first time. This year we are especially thrilled to expand the festival to 3 stages and 19 performances. The addition of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana Stage in beautiful South Park will bring the excitement and energy of the festival to an ALL-AGES daytime audience.

 

 

Montana is a rare and special place. Our Big Sky, open land, majestic mountains and friendly people combine to make Montana the “Treasure State”. We invite you to explore Big Sky country and discover all the treasures we have to offer.  Start with Magic City Blues – Montana’s Urban Music Festival – August 11-14 in downtown Billings, Montana.

 

Montana Avenue night shows – Fri Aug 12 & Sat Aug 13
 6pm-midnight - six bands on 2 stages
 Night shows are 18+

 

South Park day shows – Sat Aug 13 & Sun Aug 14
 11am – 5pm – 3 bands
 Day shows are all-ages

 

  

 

INFORMATION
1. Online WWW.MAGICCITYBLUES.COM
2. By Phone: (406) 670-2329

 

 

 

 

 

LOS ANGELES, CA :Universal Music will release the album from SuperHeavy, a group featuring Mick Jagger, Eurythmics founder Dave Stewart, singer Joss Stone, composer A.R. Rahman and reggae artist Damian Marley. No exact release date is set, but Universal Republic will handle the United States and A&M will handle the rest of the world.

 

An official release said the album will be unveiled in September; the first single is titled "Miracle Worker" and the five stars will be recording a video for the track. Jagger and Stewart co-produced the album.

 

Recording in various studios around the world -- France, Cyprus, Miami, India -- the majority of the tracks laid down over three weeks in Los Angeles earlier this year. The quintet wrote 22 songs in their first six days together. The term "SuperHeavy" was inspired by Muhammad Ali.

 

Jagger and Stewart had worked together on the 2004 soundtrack to the film "Alfie," and Stewart produced Stone's last album. Both wanted to bring in a Jamaican musician and Damian Marley entered the picture with his rhythm section, bassist and composer Shiah Coore and drummer Courtney Diedrick. They met Rahman while recording in Los Angeles.

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(San Francisco North Bay, CA) — Back Roads Productions is excited to announce additional artists scheduled to appear at this year’s The Gaia Festival, August 5^th, 6^th, 7^th at Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville, CA.

 

Bonnie Raitt grew up in Los Angeles and had music in her blood as her father was a Broadway singer and her mother an accomplished pianist.

 

Bonnie received her first guitar at eight years old for a Christmas gift and fell in love with the Blues when she heard the album 'Blues at Newport 1963' at fourteen.

 

While in college studying Social Relations and African Studies she realized music had to be her full-time thing and left school after three years to embark on her career.

 

Soon Raitt was opening and learning from masters like Mississippi Fred McDowell, Sippie Wallace, Son House, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

 

This legendary Blues woman is still going strong!

 

 

 

 

Jus' Blues Music Voting Party
Friday July 8th - 8am - 10am
89.3 WRFG FM, Atlanta

 

Listen online Friday morning by clicking the link here -  www.wrfg.org

 

The Jus` Blues Music Awards will be hanging out with the Friday Morning Blues Show with Abdul & the Blues Doctor.  You can tune in or go on line and hear some of the music of the nominees from the 2011 Jus' Blues Music Awards   

 

Last Day To Vote Online

 

Cast your vote for your favorite Blues and Soul artist, song, radio DJ or industry professional online for the 2011 Jus' Blues Music Awards at  www.jusbluesmusicfoundation.org.

 

Make your reservations to be in Memphis, August 3rd - 5th for the Jus' Blues Music Awards Conference.   For more information, go online to www.jusbluesmusicfoundation.org

 

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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, Yvonne Varner, editor@bluesfestivaleguide.com

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

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