Along with Suhler on guitar and lead vocals, the band includes bassist Carton Powell, keyboardist Shawn Phares and drummer Jimmy Morgan. Together, they've ben terrorizing clubs, theaters and festivals alike with their flamethrower brand of blues/rock. with a major side order of the Texas border mythology added to keep it spicy.

Several of the songs on "TIJUANA BIBLE" are also featured on the 2008 DVD release "REAL TIME: LIVE IN TEXAS", recorded at Dallas' Granada Theater, which also includes bonus tracks filmed at the Kwadendamme Blues Festival in the Netherlands and in the historic Deep Ellum section of Dallas.

For More info, see

Jimsuhler.com

They are among the top musical acts to come out of the Washington, D.C. area-and are still based there. They were a roots rock band before there was such a thing as "roots rock." They play a wide variety of music that has appeal to a diverse audience, mixing the blues, rock and soul-along with rockabilly and swing. They've played all over the U.S., with the East Coast and Midwest being particular strongholds. And they've toured around the world, establishing especially strong followings in Germany and Japan.

Five years ago, The Nighthawks made two major personnel changes. Paul Bell took over the guitar slot and Johnny Castle snatched the bass position after 30 plus years without a change. These two were no strangers to The Nighthawks, having played in various side combinations around the band over the past several decades. Pete Ragusa, the Hawks' drummer since 1974, did several side projects with Paul and Johnny, including a band with Catfish Hodge. Johnny played on Mark Wenner's first solo album as a member of Switchblade in 1984. The infusuion of fresh energy, ideas, and enthusiasm has made this combination the very best Nighthawks yet.


http://www.thenighthawks.com/

N.Y. Daily News

Singer Etta James says she was only trying to get a laugh when she said she "can't stand" Beyonce and made fun of President Obama's ears during a concert in Seattle.

James told the Daily News yesterday that she meant no harm when she poked fun at the president and ripped Beyonce for her performance of James' hit "At Last" during the inauguration.

"I didn't really mean anything," James said. "Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude. ...That's probably what went into it."

Still, James acknowledged being miffed that she wasn't invited to perform her signature song for Obama's first dance with his wife on inauguration night.

James was "feeling left out of something that was basically mine, that I had done every time you look around," she said.

And while she said she liked Beyonce's performance, when asked if she thought she could have done better, James answered, "I think so. That's a shame to say that."

James made the controversial comments before performing the song at a concert in Seattle last week. She began by saying of Obama, "You know your President, right? You know the one with the big ears?"

She went on to say about Beyonce, "I tell you that woman he had singing for him, singing my song, she gonna get her ass whupped."

Yesterday, James said she kept the insults rolling only because the crowd was laughing so hard, a reaction that can be heard on a recording. "Nobody was getting mad at me in Seattle," she said. "They were all laughing, and it was funny."

She said the jokes were "not from a vicious place."

James pointed out that she posed for a picture and spoke with Beyonce last year before the premiere of "Cadillac Records," in which the young singer portrays the 71-year-old legend.

As for Obama, James said she "always thought he was handsome and he was cool."

"I still had my joke about him," she said. "That might be horrible. The president might not ever like me in life." She questioned how upset Obama could possibly be about the barb: "He's got other stuff (to worry about) besides Etta James."

In 2004, the Dysons produced a concert in Dallas featuring acclaimed Mississippi Delta bluesmen Pinetop Perkins, Henry James Townsend, David "Honeyboy" Edwards and Robert Lockwood Jr.

The event, the first that father and son had ever produced, came with a catch: The audience was limited to local college students, who were required to write an essay on the history of the blues in order to gain admission. In addition to performing their songs, the musicians took questions from the audience and told the stories behind their songs.

The Dysons arranged for the concert to be filmed and recorded, thinking it would make a valuable historical document. After incorporating the Blue Shoe Project as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Dysons made CDs of the concert and sold them online to raise money. One of the album's producers passed along copies of "Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live in Dallas" to some friends who were members of the Recording Academy. The album went on to win a 2007 Grammy Award for best traditional blues album.

Thus far, the Grammy win has yet to translate into sales -- the album has sold fewer than 1,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. But the Dysons say the album reached stores only recently, through Burnside Distribution.

"Having a record label hasn't been our priority," Jeff Dyson says. But if they can find funding, they'd like to prepare more releases.

DVD IN THE WORKS

"We're getting to the point where we have enough material for a small catalog," Michael says, noting that he and his father are working on a DVD of the Grammy-winning concert, which they hope to release by September. "We also staged and recorded another concert in 2006, and we would like to release that as a CD and a film."

Since the first concert, the Dysons have started two educational programs that travel around schools in Texas, aiming to teach kids about the history and relevance of the blues.

"We go in and use references that are meaningful to their lives," Jeff says. "We ask kids if they know who Lil Jon is, and of course they all cheer, and then we compare him to a session player who was a really in-demand guest musician on a lot of blues records. Or we talk about Henry Townsend, who makes up all his lyrics as he performs, and how he's the grandfather of freestyling."

The Dysons also use the programs to teach kids another valuable and timely lesson -- that they should pay for their music. "We're a nonprofit, but we still pay all the artists their full fees," Jeff says. "Young people have to know that artists should be compensated for their work and that music is not free."

Of all the Blue Shoe Project's endeavors, releasing "Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen" has provided the greatest satisfaction, Michael Dyson says.

"It captured the essence of the concert in such a great way," he says. "When I look at all the albums I have in my collection, you kind of take for granted that you'll always be able to hear more records by those artists, but they're getting older. We need to make sure as many people as possible hear them before it's too late."

My wife and I accepted an offer to go on the cruise as she is the Webmaster of the BluesFestivalGuide.com. I write for Reggae Festival E-Guide, so I usually have my ears entrenched there. We didn't care what music would be playing on the cruise, we just thought it would be nice to leave our three teenagers ashore with Grandpa and eat some great food!  

It was the day of the Inauguration, we had been at Sea for two days and were about to stop in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. All eyes glued on our new President, Obama! Beginning on the Aft stage, Cyril Neville and his beautiful wife Gaynielle stand along with the rest of Tribe 13 as the boat begins to simultaneously celebrate the peaceful transition of power. The first question from Cyril as he broke from the opening Funk Jam, "Will you remember where you were today?" "I know I will!" He exclaims as the Tribe breaks into a funkified blues medley version of "I feel Good!" Beautiful, both the music and message. Ricky, Amari, and Norm are incredible musicians and new found friends. Jimmy is a dream. 

Just like Gilligan's three hour tour, we got a little lost on our excursion to Isle Ixtapa. Who should we find there but "Doyle and Debbie"? A.K.A Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton are as sweet in person as they are funny on stage! I enjoyed my dinner with new friends from Kansas and Australia. They made us promise to catch this "Aussie" guitar slinger name Geoff Achison. Thank God we did. That night back at the Vista Lounge my wife and I were astonished by the subtle soulful brilliance of Geoff's skill with a six-string. He wields his guitar like a wild-spirited warrior.  

After soul man Mike Ferris and The Roseland All Stars blessed us with an inspirational morning montage of angelic revival music, the demons seemed to have cleared out only long enough for the Devil to walk in. Tom Hambridge and The Rattlesnakes are one band you've got to see live. This is headbangin' country! And as they say, "We got cha' Country right here!" Bringing 38-Special back to the future with Brian Love and Sal Baglio on guitars. Rob Wilbourn and Tom McDonald steady the groove as they serve up some kick ass deep Southern Fried Rock! The next day at Miramar Beach, Mazanillo I was able to speak with Grammy(R) Nominated Tom Hambridge. As we stood on the edge of the shore watching his daughters play, I asked him about his legacy. Producing and writing for such legends as Johnny Winters, Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeski along with working with Chuck Berry, ZZ Top, and George Thorogood to name a few. With over 250 songs written, what else is there to accomplish? He lifts up his daughter and says that she has won a songwriting award of her own. I am reminded of my own daughter. A humble answer from a proud father. Tom adds, "I don' want to make a bunch of records, I just want to make twenty really great collaborative recordings." He is well on his way.  

"Just don't talk yourself out of it", that's the answer to how to keep a good beat. Simple, profound, and genuine. This is the kind of answer you get from Tab Benoit about his notorious nightly jam sessions ‘til four thirty A.M. Tab Benoit (pronounced Ben-Wah) "like the beads"... he would remark in his stage show. Half comedian, half electric blues guitar genius...either way this former pilot from Pontchartrain brings a powerful punch to the conscience of American music and the State of the Louisiana Wetlands. You could easily find Tab playing name that TV tune with fans on the deck well into the night. Not to mention, he plays music with two of the coolest people I've met anywhere Eddie "Blame Hip-Hop" Christmas and Carl "La Foosball" Dufrene. With so many friendly people on this cruise, it is impossible to be bored. Seth Walker is musical magic, he conjures such sweet sounds while Cuban blues crooner Raul Malo delivered a rare eclectic symphony. Theresa James and the Rhythm Tramps would make Janis herself stand and applaud. So much talent gathered in one place.  

We met so many genuine nice people along the way. Paul Thorn is a true gentleman and a delight to see live. Fans and bands alike, from Big Jim to Big Curtis, we never felt so welcomed. Our dinner pals Doug and Bonnie, who delivered the sound equipment were able to live out their dream of swimming with the dolphins. This boat helps dreams come true. Thanks to the fans from Norway who helped us celebrate the end of the Bush era in style. Peggy, Chip, and Mary, you're the bomb! Thanks again Delbert for keeping the boat rockin'. I was truly able to lose track of time, now that's a vacation! I would sell my car to go back next year. It will be the sixteenth Delbert Cruise and possibly the last, so sign up early, you will not regret it! Love and peace to all our new friends. See you next year!  

James and Kristine

Dave Allen and Tate Thriffiley began playing music together nearly 15 years ago. But since 2002 the two scientists have taken their brand of the blues to venues nationwide, singing about nature and conservation as representatives of Mississippi's De Soto National Forest.

Thriffiley, 34, and Allen, 40, are better known as the Blues Rangers - an ecologist and biologist who weave music into their work with the federal Department of Agriculture's U.S. Forest Service at the 400,000-acre national forest.

Along the way, these two local boys - Allen grew up in the Picayune area and Thriffiley is a native of Bay St. Louis - have etched out a name for themselves. They have performed before crowds at conservation events in areas ranging from Oregon to Washington, D.C., and Colorado, playing and singing original songs.

We've played pretty much coast to coast," Thriffiley said.

The Blues Rangers play about 12 concerts a year and have compiled 24 original songs, with more in the works. All the songs share two common threads: They are blues tunes, and they deal with nature and ways to enjoy it safely and protect it.

The duo has produced two CDs, which are given away at their performances. Their songs have centered on endangered species, forest fire prevention, loss of green space and other topics.

Although they are federal employees, all this costs the taxpayers nothing. The CDs are produced through donations from the Audubon Society and other conservation groups. When the Blues Rangers travel to events, that cost is picked up by the sponsoring host.

Cathy Shropshire, executive director of the Mississippi Wildlife Federation in Jackson, said the Blues Rangers are unique and effective in their message. Young people especially enjoy the songs, but they are popular with older people as well, she said.

Other musicians use conservation as a framework for their music, but the Blues Rangers are different.

"There are other groups that do this, but this is the only one I know that's related to a federal agency," Shropshire said. "I've seen them in action. I've seen the audience response, and I think it's just a great way of getting the message across."

Shropshire's organization likes the Blues Rangers so much that next month Allen and Thriffiley will be honored with the group's prestigious Conservation Educator of the Year award.

Allen and Thriffiley now live in the Hattiesburg area, and their educational backgrounds are pure South Mississippi. Both graduated from Pearl River Community College and the University of Southern Mississippi, and Thriffiley also is a graduate of St. Stanislaus College.

The two credit Ron Smith, ranger at the De Soto National Forest, with much of their success. Smith encourages them to weave the music in with their work.

"They do this on their own time," Smith said. "Everywhere they go, folks just can't get enough of it, and it's a lot more effective than handing out a brochure or doing a Powerpoint (presentation)."

There are other, more personal duties as well. Both men are husbands and fathers; Thriffiley has an 8-year-old son, and Allen has three daughters.

They chose the blues as a framework for their music because it is an art form with roots in Mississippi, and many famous blues singers have hailed from this state. As for their conservation themes, Thriffiley said, "These are all issues that are not going away. Our mission is to provide people with a natural resources message they can remember. And it's not boring."

There's a quaint room in the University of Mississippi's JD Williams Library containing the key to the portal of Mississippi's past. In this room, there are treasures not found anywhere else. 

Novelist William Faulkner's Nobel Prize in literature, one of the largest blues music archives in the world and papers written by James Meredith - the first black student to attend Ole Miss - are just some of the wonders that can be seen not in an old museum far away but in the Department of Archives and Special Collections in the university library.

Rare books, manuscripts, maps, videos, posters and other marvels can be found in this room for homework, research or just for leisure. The department is separated into the Literary and Traditional Archive, Visual Collections and Southern Media Archive, Blues Archive and Political Papers Archive.

The special collections, on the third floor of the JD Williams Library, was officially created in 1975 to broaden the scope from printed Mississippian documents to maps, sheet music, photographs and more, but before this it was known to many as the Mississippi Room.

"Our mission is to keep with Mississippi items to save space and to have a wide range of the same thing," said Pamela Williamson, the curator of visual collections for the department.

For More: CLICK

"In the recording academy, there are 12,000 people who vote and 11,000 of them neither know nor care anything about the blues," Elvin told me matter of factly. "They just check off a name they've heard. That's basically what it amounts to."

Win or lose, Elvin plans to make the most of the experience. He's going down to the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Sunday's 51st Grammy Awards show with his wife of 22 years, Cara, and their 20-year-old daughter, Emily, a junior at UC Berkeley.

"I played on the Grammy show three years ago, but this is the first time I've been up for an award," the 66-year-old singer-guitarist-songwriter-bandleader-master gardener said from his San Geronimo Valley home. "Anybody you can think of in the music industry will be there. You schmooze around and see people you ain't seen in years and go to parties and stuff. There's nothin' to it really."

While pop stars like Jay-Z and the Jonas Brothers, Kid Rock and Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift soak up all the TV time, the blues and the other Americana awards are treated like the red-headed stepsisters of the Grammys. They're handed out long before the cameras go on.

"Blues is not a very important category to them," Elvin conceded. "The blues awards are given out in what they call 'the pre-tel.' That stands for, 'You're not going to be on TV.'"

I first met Elvin in the mid-'70s, just as his "Fooled Around and Fell in Love," the single from his Capricorn album "Struttin' My Stuff," shot up the charts and was a top 40 smash.

But Elvin's a blues musician, not a pop star, and he understands that the blues is bigger and more important and more enduring than any awards show or hit tune.

Not many blues musicians go to the University of Chicago on a National Merit Scholarship as Bishop did before joining the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, the group that introduced young rock fans to the blues in the '60s.

And beneath his aw-shucks persona and Oklahoma-farm-boy-in-overalls image is an intellectual's appreciation of the history of the blues as an American art form that has been passed like a torch from generation to generation.

That's the concept he very effectively conveys on "The Blues Rolls On." One way he illustrates the tradition is by including among the album's dozen tracks the song "Yonder's Wall," featuring singer/guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of the bluesman Lonnie Brooks, whom Bishop has known since the early '60s.

Four decades ago, Bishop recorded "Yonder's Wall" when he was with Butterfield, who learned it from the 1950s Chicago bluesman Elmore James, who picked it up from Arthur Cruddup, who had recorded it in the '40s.

"The concept of the whole thing is how the music flows from one generation to another, and I thought that was a good example of that," Elvin said.

Furthermore, he cited a line in the song, "Your man went to war," as yet another illustration of its enduring relevance from decade to decade and from singer to singer and, unfortunately in this instance, from war to war.

"These guys are singing about four different wars - World War II, Korea, Vietnam and now Iraq - and the words still hold up," he pointed out. "The blues rolls on."

As part of the package, Bishop enlisted several generations of blues musicians as guests on the record, with B.B. King and James Cotton the elder statesman.

Before listening to this album, I'd never heard of the up-and-comers John Nemeth, whom Bishop calls "a monster talent, a guy to keep your eye on," or a family band from Tupelo, Miss., called the Homemade Jamz. It includes 14-year-old lead singer and guitarist Ryan Perry, his 11-year-old brother, Kyle, on bass, and their little sister, Taya, on drums. She's all of 9-years-old. Talk about the younger generation.

"They're the nicest family in the world," Elvin said. "And they're on their way to success."

In keeping with his theme, Bishop had them record "Come On In This House" by Junior Wells, one of the elder bluesmen who mentored him when he was just starting out.

Adding to his impressive guest list are Kim Wilson from the Fabulous Thunderbirds, George Thorogood, Warren Haynes of the Dead, zydeco stars R.C. Carrier and Andre Thierry, Marin's Angela Strehli and Tommy Castro, guitarist Mike Schermer and young Derek Trucks, considered by Bishop "the best slide guitar player who's ever been."

In addition to his Grammy nomination, Elvin's a multiple nominee at the Blues Foundation's 30th Blues Music Awards on May 7 in Memphis.

"The Blues Rolls On" is up for album of the year as well as contemporary blues album of the year. The title track is nominated for song of the year. And Elvin is in the running for contemporary blues male artist of the year.

But first there's the Grammys on Sunday night. I asked Elvin what it would mean to him if he actually won.

"I don't know," he said after a moment. "It couldn't hurt anything. It's like a guy pitching a no-hitter. For ever after, it's there."

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT: philustr8r@aol.com

What we are going to do is break the Guinness Book world record for the LONGEST CONTINUOUS CONCERT (MULTIPLE ACTS) The entire event broadcast live world wide on the web.

A group in the country of Hungary now holds the record. We are going to shatter the record by going 10 days 240 hours.

To do so we require lots of help.

We realize to get our message heard in today's world you need to do something to get media attention. We were world wide last year with our world record setting DANNY BOY MARATHON " continuous singing of the song Danny Boy for over fifty hours. We were live on the radio world wide and coast-to-coast. We have already been contacted by many of the same news & entertainment outlets that covered us last year and our official sponsors list is growing daily. The Big Three are involved as well as the many unions & other concerned organizations throughout our country. You can learn more by going to the links below.

I have 240 hours to fill with musical acts. Any type, genre, or style. Soloist / Duo's / Trio's / Bands / Choirs. Just as long as it is musical.

We will provide, on stage, all required equipment - a full list is on line. What I can offer in return is:

The satisfaction of making a difference & bragging rights & ownership of a world record
A meal voucher from the cafe.
A certificate of participation.
A DVD of your portion of the live web stream.
A possible Public access /cable Television Broadcast of your performance
Possible use of your footage in the documentary that will be produced for National Broadcast & Cable release.

WHERE:
 AJ's MUSIC CAFE
240 W. NINE MILE ROAD
FERNDALE MICH 48220 

WHEN:
STARTS 5 p.m. FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009

ENDS 5 p.m. MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009


Times will be assigned first week of March. Please remember that the rest of the world will be watching when we are asleep. So our over night and day time slots give the most world wide exposure & allow you more performance time & perks. We have the largest most popular live web-streaming site

The world will be watching, I can guarantee it.

So, if you are interested, check out the sites below. Then get back to me I will send you the Band Info form (word) or (P.D.F.), fax number, and more info.

I WILL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

THIS WILL BE WORLD WIDE AND HUGE. ALL WHO PARTICIPATE WILL OWN & HAVE BRAGGING RIGHTS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

KEITH DALTON

http://www.assemblylineconcert.com/

Dannyboy Marathon

 EDITORS NOTE; Thank god they threw in the meal voucher.

After attending Dade C.C. in MIami, Darrell Raines toured Europe with the Joey Gilmore Band supporting the Soul Rhythm & Blues Tour. During most of the 1990's Darrell played in a variety of bands traveling the east coast and southern Florida. In 2003 Darrell joined the Joey Gilmore Band full time playing piano and guitar.
In January 2005 The Joey Gilmore band played in the International Blues Challenge Finals with Darrell on guitar. February 2006 the band was the winner of the International Blues Challenge with the title of best unsigned Blues Band in the world. Darrell was nominated for the Albert King Award in the finals competition. He toured the USA with the Joey Gilmore Band up until summer 2006. After the summer of 2006 tour, Darrell decided to take his career to the next level and in August, 2006 The Darrell Raines Band was formed. Darrell is currently playing gigs in South Florida and is in the studio finishing work on his first all original CD.


Discography:

*Moanin' Time In Arkansas
2008, Bluzpik Records
Darrell Raines, Guitar/Vocals/Keyboards
George Caldwell-Bass
Dr Bob Sellani-Drums
Produced by Jim Nestor & Leo Gale/Bluzpik Rekerdz

*Live At Rosey Baby 
2007 Bluzpik Records
Darrell Raines, Guitar/Vocals
George Caldwell, Bass
Dr. Bob Sellani, Drums

*Introducing Darrell Raines
2005, Wells Records
Darrell Raines, Guitar/Vocals
Produced by George Caldwell

The Ghosts of Mississippi Meet The Gods of Africa
2005, Bluzpik Rekerdz, Artist Joey Gilmore
Darrell Raines, Guitar/Keyboard
Producer Jim Nestor

http://www.darrellraines.com/

 

BLUES BLIZZARD

Saturday, March 14, 2009
Hannon Hatch VFW West Hartford

Special Appearances By:

Crystal Blue Project

The Kingpins

Mojomatics

Eric Ducoff Band

Gene Donaldson & The Stingrays

For More: CLICK 

SHE MADE HER FIRST ALBUM WHEN SHE WAS JUST NINETEEN, BECOMING ONE OF THE BIGGEST BLUES STARS ON THE ALLIGATOR LABEL.  NOW, AT THE RIPE OLD AGE OF TWENTY SOMETHING, SHE HAS JUST RELEASED HER FIFTH.  SHE HAS THE PIPES.  SHE HAS THE TASTE.  SHE HAS THE CHOPS.  AND SHE IS OUR GUEST! SHEMEKIA COPELAND’S NEW CD IS NEVER GOING BACK.  NEXT TIME, ON THE HOUSE OF BLUES RADIO HOUR.

 visit www.TheBluesMobile.com
for times and stations in your area