| May 18, 2007 |
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Vol 2 Issue 17
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Would you like to receive a copy of the 2007 Blues Festival Guide magazine?
Then simply send $7 with a written request to:
RBA/Blues Festival Guide
P.O. Box 50635
Reno, NV 89513
It will be shipped straight to your mailbox!
Or call your local Blues Society and pick up one for free!
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BORN IN THE HONEY ~ THE PINETOP PERKINS STORY : : THE ONLY AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY OF NONAGENERIAN PINETOP PERKINS
BORN IN THE HONEY is not only an extensive portrait of the 93 year-old blues piano player, Pinetop Perkins, but also a microcosm of the "Great Migration" from the Delta to the industrialized North over the last century.
As well as following Pinetop’s performing career, BORN IN THE HONEY also tells of the incident that ended his career as a guitar player, how he taught Ike Turner to play the piano, the explosion that affected his hearing, his days as a car mechanic and his nights as a ladies man. Included on this hour-long DVD is historic film footage and stills of cotton picking, African-American participation in World War II, Tutweiler and Clarksdale, MS, Helena, AR, Memphis, TN, St. Louis, MO and Cairo and Chicago, IL.
Produced by Peter Carlson and narrated by Chuck Dodson, the title, BORN IN THE HONEY, refers to Pinetop’s birthplace, the Honey Island Plantation in Belzoni, MS. Pinetop as well as numerous fellow friends and musicians and business people recount his story in loving detail taking the viewer through his life and times performing with Robert Nighthawk, Earl Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson on the King Biscuit Time Radio Show, Ike Turner, Muddy Waters and his band and finally his solo career begun at the age of 83 under the guidance of his manager, Pat Morgan.
Interviewees include Ann Rabson, Bernard Allison, Bob Margolin, Bobby Rush, Bubba Sullivan, owner of the Blues Corner in Helena, Dr. John, Eddy Clearwater, Hubert Sumlin, Ike Turner, Kim Wilson, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Marcia Ball, Mitch Woods, Paul Oscher, Sam Carr (Robert Nighthawk’s son), Taj Mahal and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Ike tells of his fascination with "Pinetop’s fingers rippin’ across the keys" as well as their time playing together, while Bobby shares a story with an interesting twist of lovers united.
Interspersed throughout the DVD are live performances starring Pinetop with other musicians including Bob Margolin, Mookie Brill, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Ann Rabson, Diunna Greenleaf, who also performs the opening gospel song, Curtis Salgado and Calvin "Fuzz" Jones.
BORN IN THE HONEY reveals all the ups and downs of Pinetop’s life, the accolades from the Grammy’s to the lows of alcohol abuse. As Pinetop says himself at the beginning of the DVD – "I had a rough time, but I made it." And at the young age of 93 Pinetop still has more to give.
Join Pinetop with special guests Hubert Sumlin, Gary Clark Jr., Chris Layton, Scott Nelson, Riley Osborn and Buddy Flett for a great night on Thursday, May 24 @ 8 p.m. at Antone's in Austin, TX.
Please visit www.pinetopperkins.com for more information.
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KAREN HANSON : : TODAY'S CHICAGO BLUES
Blues music has been wailing in Chicago for more than seventy years, drawing countless fans and aspiring musicians with the signature sound of southern rural blues gone urban and gritty. Yet despite its rich cultural legacy, the blues still receives less mainstream attention than other music.
“Current information about the blues is hard to find unless you know where to look,” says author and longtime blues fan Karen Hanson. “Even then, it’s scattered, incomplete, or outdated.”
Hanson wrote Today’s Chicago Blues as a comprehensive guidebook for both novice blues fans and veteran followers. Forget standard tourist guides that may miss true local gems. Hanson’s concise descriptions of historical sites and hot blues clubs and lounges are unusually informative, entertaining, and useful. She offers an insightful mix of history and biography within a cultural context, plus practical information on everything from the massive Chicago Blues Festival to intimate nightspots that feature the best blues artists working in Chicago today.
Buy the book:
www.lakeclaremont.com
Meet the author:
Friday, June 8, 2007, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Chicago Blues Festival, 7/11 Route 66 Stage
Chicago blues authors Karen Hanson and David Whiteis discuss “Chicago Blues Today: An intimate inside discussion.”
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CANDYE KANE : : Guitar'd and Feathered
That Voice.
Flamboyant. Controversial. Colorful. Charismatic. Volumes have already been written and spoken about Candye Kane and her career that has spanned two decades. Her prior life and her ample assets are the stuff of legend.
Yet when Candye sings, one common thread unites her audience, turning even the most self-righteous into a fan.
It’s that voice.
The voice that makes you take pause, and whisper “I wish I could sing like that.” The voice that the Washington Post once called “A Natural wonder; like the Grand Canyon.” A voice that has taken her around the globe countless times, entertaining dignitaries at the French Embassy in Rome, celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival and Special-needs kids in the Netherlands. A voice that oddly, has often been lost and overshadowed in the smoke and mirrors of journalist speculation and media hype.
Finally, the politics of the past can now be saved for Presidential debates. At last, Candye, the singer, is getting recognition for her largest and most memorable of talents….that voice.
Candye’s voice is one of the best and biggest in the business.
The “tongue in cheek” title for her latest release GUITAR’D AND FEATHERED pokes fun at they way she’s been portrayed in the past, but this CD is no laughing matter.
Surrounded by a stellar cast of friends and colleagues, Junior Watson, Dave Alvin, Bob Margolin, Sue Foley, Jeff Ross, Kid Ramos, Ana Popovic, Bob Brozman, Heine Andersen and Popa Chubby; each support Kane in their own distinctive style bringing their own musical expression to 13 songs, but never forgetting to lay a firm foundation for the star of the song, that voice.
Co-Produced by blues veteran Bob Margolin in Hollywood, and mixed by Grammy winner Val Garay, this is a CD that is sophisticated, yet homespun, gutsy, yet sensitive. GUITAR’D AND FEATHERED is not your standard 12 bar blues in a smoky bar routine. This CD most certainly features blues based music but all the while remains truly fresh, different and entertaining. The incredible artists involved in this project gave Candye their resounding seal of approval because of her immense talent and heart. We know that as soon as you hear for yourself, you too will be captivated and moved. All because of that often overlooked natural wonder, Candye’s voice.
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Enter this contest and win!
 Yes it's back! The 3rd annual "Win a Festival Cruise" SweepstakesGRAND PRIZE
 8-Day 7-Night Luxury Mexican Riviera Cruise for two, with 5-star accommodations on Sandy Beaches Cruise #14 with 3-time blues Grammy Winner, Delbert McClinton on-board Holland America's MS Oosterdam. Sailing from San Diego in January 2008. 1 winner - $4,990 value.
SECOND PLACE PRIZE
 Reverend Manta Ray Guitar In a beautiful tobacco sunburst with a flamed maple top (case included) 1 winner - $949 value. THIRD PLACE PRIZES (2 WINNERS) Shopping spree for 5 CDs of your choice From bandVillage.com "Your Source for Independent Music". FOURTH PLACE PRIZES (30 WINNERS) The break-through Blues CD from Roxanne Potvin "The Way it Feels" TO ENTER VISIT www.BluesFestivalGuide.com1 entry person contest ends September 5, 2007 you will be asked to complete a short confidential survey must be 21 years of age Good Luck! |
BO DIDDLEY HEALTH UPDATE
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Four days after suffering a stroke, Bo Diddley walked around the intensive-care unit at Creighton University Medical Center, and doctors were encouraged that the singer-song writer-guitarist would be able to perform again, his manager said.
The 78-year-old Diddley told his audience that he wasn't feeling well during a show in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Saturday night. Diddley's manager, Margo Lewis, said she had the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer taken to the hospital by ambulance when he appeared disoriented at the Omaha airport on Sunday. Though Diddley's speech is impaired, he's made significant progress.
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ZZ TOP CANCELS EUROPEAN TOUR FOR MEDICAL REASONS
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ZZ Top has canceled its European tour so Dusty Hill can undergo treatment for a benign growth in his inner ear that's affecting his hearing.
U.S. tour dates were set for July and August. Those shows, starting July 15 in Dallas, aren't expected to be affected.
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BIG JACK JOHNSON HONORED BY GIBSON GUITARS
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Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman of Charleston, Miss. recently presented electric blues legend Big Jack Johnson with a Gibson Ebony ES-335 Guitar at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Both Freeman and Johnson call the Mississippi Delta home, and when not starring in movies or touring the world, respectively, the two spend time in Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club. The club, located in Clarksdale, which is known as ground zero for the blues, was opened by Freeman and business partner Bill Luckett in 2001.
“As owners of Ground Zero Blue Club, Bill and I have a vested interest in blues music culture, its promotion and preservation,” said Freeman. “Jack Johnson has been treated like royalty in Europe for years. Now he is finally getting his due in the United States, and in his hometown. We were so pleased to be one of the venues the Gibson was presented to him in his hometown.” A ceremony presenting the guitar was also held at Big Jack Johnson’s home stage at Red’s Blues Club owned by Red Paden.
The Gibson ES-335 glossy black semi-hollowbody guitar was donated by Gibson Corporation in Nashville.
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XM, Starbucks Entertainment And Concord Music Group Co-Release New Bluesville
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XM, the nation's leading satellite radio service, Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group, have released a compilation CD featuring music from XM's popular blues channel. The Bluesville CD will feature songs from influential blues greats Willie Dixon and Memphis Slim, Lightnin' Hopkins and Sonny Terry, Odetta, Roosevelt Sykes, Mildred Anderson, Furry Lewis and many other artists heard on XM's Bluesville channel (XM 74).
Co-released by XM, Concord Music Group and Starbucks Entertainment, the Bluesville disc will be available exclusively at Starbucks Company- operated locations in the U.S. and Canada and online at www.starbucks.com/hearmusic beginning May 15, 2007.
Bluesville is an impressive collection of unique blues tracks selected to provide listeners a flavor for the music heard 24-hours a day on XM's Bluesville channel (XM 74), home to the mother of all American music.
"XM's Bluesville channel is programmed by Bill Wax who lives and breathes the blues, captures the uncompromised spirit of the music.
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Attention Blues Bands:
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Free promo videos for the right blues/roots bands.
CJ McCoy Productions, a video production company being formed in the So. Tahoe area is offering video production as “beta” tests for free to select blues/roots bands in the area.
We are looking to work with two or three bands to help them develop a video portfolio for them use to promote themselves and develop new revenue sources through online video services similar to youtube.com.
Initially as a beta test this services will be offered for free to bands that will be invited to play on our stage in South Lake Tahoe. This “staged” concert setting will include small audiences to create the feeling of a larger show. Invited to attend the afternoon/evening sessions will be local booking agents for the casinos and others such as pub owners that will have a chance to see and hear the bands with the objective of booking future shows. The edited videos developed from the performances will be available for the bands to use for promotional purposes.
To learn more about this limited opportunity send contact information and demos to CJ McCoy at cjmccoy@optonline.net.
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Dexter Lake Club Of "Animal House" Movie Fame For Sale
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The downright frowsy Dexter Lake Club, the roadhouse that was home to scenes in the 1978 comedy "National Lampoon's Animal House," is for sale.
Viewers may recall it as the place where Boon, Pinto and Flounder, ne'er-do-wells from fictional Faber College, found their favorite music group, Otis Day and the Knights, singing "Shama Lama Ding Dong."
Another of their group, Otter, looked around at the all-black clientele and predicted: "We're gonna die."
The movie was not a hallmark of political correctness but it was a box office smash that has become a classic. At the same time, those who were there recall racial issues in then-as-now overwhelmingly white Lane County, where it was shot.
The 50-year-old building southeast of Eugene off of Oregon 58 is yours for the asking price of $259,000. Real estate agent Shaunna Durham says the 2,444-square-foot rural commercial space has possibilities.
"It's a nice diner," she said. "And I'm sure you could pull a lot of business from the (University of Oregon) having themed toga parties."
It still has the Dexter Lake Club neon rooftop sign that advertises "Cocktails" and "Dining," which attracted movie scouts in the fall of 1977. "It was probably the most bizarre location that I've ever scouted," location scout Katherine Wilson said. "It really (felt like an) old South bluesy roadhouse."
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Delta Now Allows Musical Instruments On Board
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Musicians will no longer have to endure the fear of wondering if their guitar made it (in one-piece, no less) while flying, thanks to Delta Airlines allowing musical instruments on board once again. The American Federation Of Musicians (AFM), the largest organization in the world that represents the interests of musicians, has publicly applauded Delta's decision and is urging all other airlines to immediately follow suit.
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Blues artists inspire students' creative writing
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As they prepared to become published writers, students at West Jackson Learning Center listened to sounds of blues artists Skip James, Muddy Waters and B.B. King to get inspired.
For the second consecutive year, students in Perry Burrow's English class at Jackson-Madison County Schools' alternative school have published their creative writing under the group name of WJLC Young Elderz.
The anthology is called "In Black N White Vol. II."
Through a $5,400 grant provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission, local author James Cherry serves as the artist in residence for the program.
"The main point of the program is to get students to express themselves," Cherry said. "The more they express themselves, the better off they're able to deal."
Cherry explained that students listened to particular musicians because of the commonality between writing and the blues.
"At the heart of any good blues is hope," Cherry said. "And that goes hand and hand with the creative writing that our students are engaged in. The blues is very cathartic, and so is creative writing."
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Photographer Joseph A. Rosen Exhibits Open in Minneapolis
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Starting May 19, 2007, the Icebox Gallery in Minneapolis, Minnesota, will present a dual exhibition by New York City-based photographer Joseph A. Rosen titled Blues Roots (Portraits of American Music Legends) and New Orleans Red. The presentation runs through September 8, 2007. The Rosen show is a must-see addition to the Minneapolis Art-A-Whirl Weekend, May 18-20.
Joseph A. Rosen talks about the exhibition: Blues Roots (Portraits of American Music Legends) - Like many of my generation I fell in love with the Blues in the late '60s. The radio hits of B.B. and Albert King and the LPs of the Butterfield Blues Band affected me greatly. I dove head first into the deep water of the Blues. I became a record collector and a Blues DJ and attended every show I could. In 1976 I made a pilgrimage to see Muddy Waters, and as a photographer it was only natural that I shoot the show. It was a life changing experience. Now 30 years later, and with somewhat broader tastes, I still shoot Blues, Jazz and Roots music at every opportunity. There is a look and a style to my work; the lone figure, often emerging from the darkness. When the photos are successful they are portraits of both the Artist and the Music. Images in this exhibit are black and white. Images include many popular and famous musicians.
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ARETHA FRANKLIN TO MARRY FOR THE THIRD TIME?
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Soul legend Aretha Franklin is reportedly set to wed for the third time - to longterm boyfriend Willie Wilkerson Jr. Franklin, 65, has been spotted attending wedding dress fittings in New York, with the ceremony expected to take place next month.
Franklin has been married twice before: to former manager Ted White between 1962-1969, and to Glynn Turman from 1978-1984.
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Musician Ike Turner Briefly Jailed On Invalid 1989 Drug Warrant In Los Angeles, Police Say
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Ike Turner spent a night in jail after he was arrested on a 1989 narcotics warrant that turned out to be invalid, police said.
The 75-year-old musician and ex-husband of Tina Turner was spotted on Interstate 405 in the San Fernando Valley about 11:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Police officers saw his 2002 silver Mercedes-Benz S-50 doing more than 80 mph and straddling lanes, Officer April Harding said Thursday.
The car was stopped after it left the freeway and officers ran a check for warrants, which is routine, Harding said.
They found he had an old felony narcotics warrant and Turner was arrested and booked into a downtown jail, Harding said.
''He had court Wednesday and I guess that they deemed it was an old warrant that was never removed from the system,'' Harding said.
Turner was freed from jail about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Turner first appeared in Superior Court on the warrant in December 1989 and the warrant was recalled that same day, said Mary Hearn, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
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SAMMY HAGAR SELLS CONTROLLING INTEREST IN TEQUILA BUSINESS
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Sammy Hagar has sold a controlling interest in his Cabo Wabo brand of tequila for $80 million. The Italian spirits company Gruppo Campari has bought 80 percent of the business
from Hagar, who founded it in 1996, with Hagar holding on to 20
percent. He'll stay on with the organization in a quality assurance
role, as well as staying involved with the marketing aspect.
Campari plans to expand the Cabo Wabo tequila around the world, and Hagar said. "When I created Cabo Wabo, I never dreamed that it would be received so well by my fans and people who really love good tequila. While I am
proud of its success, it's time to let the world have a shot at the
best tequila on the planet, and Campari can help take us there." Gruppo
Campari takes control in January.
Hagar told us that he's really proud of the success that the Cabo Wabo
brand has achieved in a relatively short time: "That tequila thing was
such a -- it wasn't a gamble, I don't even have the right words -- it
was just such a small-time, little thing that I did, like a little
hobby for fun, that exploded, and I just had to grab on to it, and I've
just been on this ride. You know, it's like jumping on the back of a
rocket ship and holding on for dear life."
Editors Note: $80 million dollars! I'm guessing David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen are feeling a little "hung over" right now.
Any chance blues photographers and tequila lovers Jef Jaisun and Scott Allen may have contributed to Sammy Hager's success? Say "cheers"!
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’50 Years Of Stax’ Benefit
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In an unparalleled celebration of Stax Records' 50th anniversary, the heart and soul of the legendary label's lineup will reunite onstage for "50 Years of Stax: A Concert To Benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music." The event will be held Friday, June 22 at Memphis' Orpheum Theater at the foot of Beale Street.
Early artist confirmations include Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MGs (featuring Steve Cropper & Duck Dunn), Eddie Floyd, William Bell, Mavis Staples, the Soul Children, the Reddings (honoring the legacy of their father Otis Redding) and special guest star Angie Stone. Additional Stax stars and special guests will be announced shortly.
Founded by Jim Stewart (the "ST") in 1957, and co-owned by Estelle Axton (the "AX"), Stax's contribution to popular music, both sonically and socially, continues to be felt to this day.
Proceeds from the Orpheum show will benefit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the world's only soul music museum, located at the site of the old Stax headquarters on Memphis' historic McLemore Avenue. The museum's labyrinth of exhibits-- including an award-winning introductory documentary film, an authentic 100-year-old Mississippi Delta church that was home to the gospel roots of soul music, original studio equipment, costumes, artwork and Isaac's Hayes peacock-blue Cadillac--promote and preserve the legacy of American soul music and its contributions internationally.
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Reflections on the 2007 Blues Music Awards
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There were some very colorful characters in attendance at the Blues Music Awards.
Pictured (left to right)
Top Row: Bobby Rush with Onnie Heaney
unknown person with Big George Brock
Second Row: Sugar Pie DeSanto
Guitar Shorty, Candye Kane and Bob Margolin
Bottom Row: Mitch Woods, Candye Kane and Watermelon Slim
For more pictures please visit the Blues Foundation website at www.blues.org
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THE BLUES HAD A BABY
Next month Delta Groove Productions launches a brand new label with a whole new vision. Eclecto Groove Records is the latest creation from CEO Randy Chortkoff, dedicated to releasing music by aritsts who defy catagorization. This new division of Delta Groove Music, Inc. will be overseen by Jerry Gordon, a music industry veteran with over 34 years of experience in all facets of the business including co-chairman and owner of Evidence Records. During his 12 year leadership of the label, Gordon served as Executive Producer on over 300 cd releases. STILL MAKING HISTORY by Ana Popovic is the first release scheduled to debut on a label that, much like Delta Groove, is looking to break all the rules and follow it's own path, all the while providing quality music derserving of much wider recognition. Jason Ricci & The New Blood will follow later this year.
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News from Kansas City, Eastern Canada and Las Vegas
The Kansas City Blues Society is happy to announce a terrific opportunity to win a Stateroom for two plus $500.00 on The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, leaving Ft. Lauderdale, January 13 - 20, 2008!
Raffle tickets are only $20 each, and a maximum of only 500 will be sold. The drawing will be September 15th, 2007 at our Roots (acoustic) Music Festival. This prize is worth $5,000! All the proceeds go to the KCBS.
You can purchase tickets, online with a credit card on our web site www.kcbluessociety.com, or send a check for $20 for each ticket to: *
Kansas City Blues Society
P.O. Box 32396
Kansas City, MO 64171
*Be sure to legibly include your name, address, phone number and email address. Also include a self addressed stamped envelope for the return of your portion of the ticket.
Canada's East Coast Blues Society is holding their annual Spring Party, Dance and BBQ Fund-Raiser on Saturday May 19th, at Montes Bar & Grill in Dartmouth. The BBQ starts at 6pm, a full meal Chicken and Rib dinner costs $8 for members and $10 for future members. Entertainment from Dave Goyetche Blues Group starts at 8pm. Entertainment admission is $5.
For more information visit www.eastcoastblues.ca
The Las Vegas Blues Society is holding their H&H BBQ, Blues & Brews benefit to aid fireman Captain Mike Benneman. Proceeds will go to help cover the extensive medical expenses incurred from Mike's near fatal automobile accident when he and his Family were involved in a head-on highway collision with a Semi-Trailer Truck!
The event is from 2pm til 3am at the Sand Dollar Blues Room. Music will be gladly donated by RICK SMITH & THE BLACKJACK BLUES BAND,THE CHRIS TOFILED BAND, AL EK'S SHUFFLE-AIRES,SNAILHEAD,WEST COAST BLUES CONSPIRACY,JUNIOR BRANTLEY & FRIENDS,and THE STONEY CURTIS BAND.
For more information visit www.sanddollarblues.com
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LARRY McCRAY:LIVE ON I-75
 Larry McCray's first album was ecorded in a friend's basement in Detroit, in between shifts on an auto assembly line. After that, he quit his day job, hit the road, and won acclaim as one of the hottest guitar players around. Larry McCray's new album, "Live on I-75", is one smoking slab of blues guitar, and Elwood Blues is going to spin it for you, this weekend on the House of Blues Radio Hour. For a list of stations and times, plus the playlist, visit: www.TheBluesMobile.com |
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For years, the Blues Festival Guide Magazine received numerous requests for updates on festivals via email, and on January 10, 2006, the Marketing Director of the Blues Festival Guide magazine, Nancy Edwards partnered with the magazine (RBA Publishing) and published the first emailed issue of the E-Guide E-Newsletter.
The E-Guide is a wonderful resource for everyone interested in Blues! You can expect to see the E-Guide in your inbox weekly. Please email the editor with any questions at
nancy@bluesfestivalEguide.com
To reach thousands of blues enthusiasts, click here to learn how to advertise in this Blues Festival E-Guide E-Newsletter.
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