Various : THE BLUESMASTERS VOLUME TWO

The Bluesmasters Volume Two shines a bright light on the exceptionally talented singer/bassist Cassie Taylor, daughter of iconoclastic bluesman Otis. Session guitarist, bandleader, producer and avatar

Tim Tucker produced Blue for her in 2011 and she has become a lauded young recording phenom in her own right. Subtitled In Memory of Our Friends Pinetop Perkins and Hubert Sumlin and honored with the presence of those two departed immortal blues giants, it also boasts Mickey Thomas, veteran blues singer Hazel Miller (an underappreciated treasure from Colorado who regularly sings with Big Head Todd & the Monsters), and guitar slingers Eric Gales and Rusty Anderson from Paul McCartney’s band. Fronting a masterful rhythm section of Tucker (guitar), Doug Lynn (harmonica), British blues legend Aynsley Dunbar (drums), Larry Thompson (drums) from the Otis Taylor band, and Viet Nam vet and GI Jams member Ric Ulsky (Hammond B-3 organ), they tear through 12 classic and obscure blues covers on a profound as well as immensely entertaining musical odyssey.

Though every Bluesmaster is a road-tempered pro and a musical force in their own right, the sum total of the whole exceeds the parts in a way which only the very best bands succeed. Their commitment and zeal to excel every second of every song not only promotes their individual glory, but pushes their band mates to ever greater performances. With a sensational record like this for incontrovertible proof, no one should ever question the continually renewing vitality of the blues and the dedicated musicians who live and love it.

(borrowed in part from a review by Dave Rubin, 2005 KBA Winner in Journalism)

Listen Now!

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Born in Los Angeles in 1958, guitarist/singer Charles Burton plays with fire, and when he does, his articulation and phrasing are instantly recognizable. This tall drink of water has been playing blues, country, rock, and roots music for over forty years. In 2009 Charles won San Diego's International Blues Challenge finals. That same year he took first place in San Diego's "King of the Blues" competition. 

Prior to his 2012 US release, Favorites, Burton released three CDs with the Charles Burton Blues Band (2004's eponymous The Charles Burton Blues Band, 2006's I Wouldn't Lie To You, and 2008's Everyone's Talkin'). 

Burton has toured Europe headlining festivals, culture houses, and clubs twice a year since 2005 including 2007/2008 tours of Scandinavia with Maury "Hooter" Saslaff (of Big Jack Johnson and the Oilers) and most recently in the UK with Lazy Lester, in July of 2012. Favorites, recorded in Copenhagen at the end of his 2009 tour of Scandinavia with Arnold Ludvig and Asmus Jensen (both from Copenhagen), features 11 of the band's favorite, varied road material. Tracks include Louis Jordan's "Early In The Morning," Bobby "Blue Bland's "Turn On Your Lovelight," Big Bill Broonzy's "Key To The Highway," Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "Gangster of Love," Little Walter's "Last Night" and more.

Widely regarded as one of the best blues guitarists in San Diego, Charles is San Diego's Blues Ambassador to the world. Charles Burton and the band serve up their road-worthy Favorites here with veteran blues chops and plenty of energy to spare. 

Listen Now!

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SEND HEALING THOUGHTS TO GUITARIST KID RAMOS

Kid Ramos at the last San Francisco Blues Festival (Photo: Michele Lundeen)

A message from Delta Groove's Randy Chortkoff:

Kid Ramos was diagnosed with cancer last week. He is up for the battle and has faith that he can beat this thing. Let’s ALL pray together for Kid to beat this cancer… We’re a tough bunch and Kid is a fighter. Let him join the ranks of our friends like Candye Kane, Lynwood Slim, Juke Logan and so many that had the courage, strength, support and faith to come out the other side of a life-threatening situation. I’m sure that there will be benefits all over the world to help Kid and Linda Ramos with medical expenses through this fight. 

As most of us know Kid has been a major influence on guitar players world wide. Sharing the guitar seat with Hollywood Fats in the legendary James Harman band for many years and contributing to a handful of classic disc's with that very same band.

Kid broke out on his own and released a couple highly acclaimed albums on the Evidence Music label. On these albums Kid invited many of his musician friends like Charlie Musslewhite and Rick Estrin among others to participate. Kid went on to join Kim Wilson and the Fabulous Thunderbirds.

Later Kid played, recorded and toured with a who's who of great artists including Lynwood Slim, Lester Butler and Finis Tasby among others. Longtime friend Randy Chortkoff asked Kid to join the Mannish Boys which started a relationship with Delta Groove Music and led to Kid's involvement with Los Fabulocos and two successful albums on Delta Groove. Kid toured on his own as he received call's from all over the world requesting him.

His most recent recording was with the Mannish Boys on their newest album Double Dynamite. During all this Kid has managed to work a steady day job to support his wonderful family. Kid and Linda Ramos have two amazing sons Johnny and Anthony.

Randy Chortkoff and Delta Groove Music will be helping organize benefits to off set medical bills. Donations of talent and or $$ will be accepted through Kid's record label. More information will be available in the weeks that follow at www.deltagroovemusic.com

In the meantime direct your prayers and healing vibes to Kid and his family. Any musicians willing to donate their services can contact Delta Groove Music at 818-907-1600. Our prayers are with Kid and the Ramos family. 

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JAMES HARMAN ASKS IF YOU COULD KEEP AN EYE OUT!

Through his long career starting in the early 60’s James Harman has built up an enormous song catalog and had 17 of his original songs used in movies and television. He has been nominated for 19 pestiferous W. C. Handy (Blues Foundation) awards. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and he is the harmonica player of choice on many ZZ Top releases, as well as live with them on many international TV shows. James Harman has had over 30 releases on many different labels; he currently tours every spring, summer and fall, working in as many as 23 different countries. Harman is a one-of-a-kind song writer, producer, musician, showman, vocalist and internationally known bluesman. Following is a plea from him:

Hello kids,

Some of you may remember that back in 2004 some unnamed dirt bags ripped off all my cool cars, instruments, handguns and books, plus my entire record collection!

Now (August 2012) some unknown pack of vermin have broken into my local (Huntington Beach, CA) storage unit and stolen eight amplifiers, including my beloved 1963 Fender Vibroverbs! I bought my first one new in Panama City, Florida, then, here in California, I found three more and meticulously transformed them into identical blonde combo amps with one 15” Jensen speaker. I have used these amps exclusively since then except when I fly to other countries.

I am posting a couple of photographs of one of them [here]; this one doesn’t have the Fender rock-back legs, but the other three do. Thank you Nathan (James) for these pictures, I was busy playing through them and not thinking to document them in photos… my mistake.

If you see this amplifier or somebody attempts to sell you one like this please ask them to wait and call me at 714-421-8366… if I don’t answer, then call Huntington Beach police Dept. at 714-960-8811 and ask for detective Wickser and tell him what’s up.

They also got my one 12”, grey Epiphone Comet amp, but what hurts the most is they took my late father’s Colt .45 cal automatic pistol that was his side arm during his 30 year career as police Capt. in my hometown, Anniston, Alabama. This particular pistol certainly means a great deal to me. I would appreciate any info that leads to these thieves and/or the return of any of my stolen property.

Thank you friends… James Harman

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CALL (816) 753-7979 to reserve your cabin!

The 19th Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise will set sail along the Southern Caribbean on the Celebrity Summit, Oct 27 from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominica and returns to San Juan Nov 3. Click to checkout the AMAZING Artist Lineup...

PLUS... The San Juan Pre-Party on Friday, Oct. 26 features Sista Monica All-Star Band w/ special guest Deanna Bogart PLUS Samantha Fish Band. The party goes from 8pm – Midnight. Doors @ 7:30. Purchase Tickets

Plus more Surprise Guests!... SEE YA THERE!

www.bluescruise.com

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The International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

is Now Taking Submissions.

Now is your chance to enter what the NY Times calls “the songwriting competition to take note of,” and for a chance to share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes, including a Grand Prize of $25,000 cash and over $25,000 in prizes. Renowned for having the most prestigious judges of any music competition in the world, ISC’s judging panel is comprised of high-profile recording artists and influential music industry professionals. Judges for this year include: Jeff Beck, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, John Mayall, James Cotton, Bruce Iglauer (President, Alligator Records) and many more. For entry information and a complete list of judges, please visit: www.songwritingcompetition.com

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RAISE THE ROOF: CAMPAIGN FOR THE BLUES HALL OF FAME

Attention Blues Fans:

The Hall of Fame pays tribute to the greatest of the genre and educates new people about the genre. The Blues Foundation has been inducting into the Blues Hall of Fame for years; it was just a simple evening with web presence. Nothing permanent. But now we need physical presence, and withyour help, we are going to get The Blues Hall of Fame building built in Memphis, Tennessee!

Here is a link with more details about the Blues Hall of Fame campaign:

(click line above or copy and paste URL into your browser)

http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1411379570

Doesn’t this project sound important and exciting?

If not us, who? If not now, when?

Our goal is to raise awareness and funds to reach the goal of 3.5 million.

How to donate:

1. Make a multi-year pledge by signing the form and mail it, fax it or e-mail it. The form is available online at: http://www.blues.org/capitalcampaign/index.php. The fax is 901.529.4030.

2. Make a multi-year pledge online at: http://www.blues.org/capitalcampaign/index.php.

3. Make a one-time donation by calling with a credit card or mailing a check.

3. Make a one-time donation online at: http://www.blues.org/capitalcampaign/index.php .

4. Text the word " blues " to 80077 to donate $10. When you receive a message to confirm, confirm by answering “YES.”

No effort is too small or unappreciated!

If not us, who? If not now, when? Just think, YOU can make

the Blues Hall of Fame a reality. Your support matters! 

Editor's Note: Thanks to Tall City Blues Festival, Music Matters Entertainment, A Music Company Inc., and Garvin Gate Blues Festival for helping to raise awareness about the Blues Hall of Fame. You too can get involved. Email us: Info@BluesFestivalGuide.com to get logos and links for your website or Facebook.

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Video of The Week

Stevie Ray Vaughan : COLD SHOT

(pretty funny video made in 1984... R.I.P. SRV )

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

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