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| May 29, 2009 |
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Volume 4 Issue 19
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DIGITAL EDITION OF THE 2009 BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE MAGAZINE FOR YOU TO READ AND ENJOY!
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OUR MAGAZINE IS NOW ALSO DIGITAL!
CLICK HERE
No need to worry if you don't receive a copy of the 2009 BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE magazine from your local blues society or festival this year, because our magazine is now also digital!
Regardless of whether you are in Timbuktu or Los Angeles, you can now read the ENTIRE magazine ONLINE by simply clicking through page by page, or go directly to the page number you wish using the Table of Contents as your guide. You can even click through to advertiser’s website or search for a particular festival or use the Search function.
Email a page or the whole magazine to a friend on the other part of the earth with a simple click. Or you can print out your favorite article as a keepsake. Lots of fun bells and whistles make this Digital magazine a welcome addition to the media products of RBA Publishing.
This helps us distribute more copies of the magazine without using natural resources.
Viewers can find the link on our homepage at bluesfestivalguide.com or click
here: CLICK
Click, read, enjoy and have a bluesy summer!
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DUKE ROBILLARD : : STOMP! THE BLUES TONIGHT
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Stomp the Blues Tonight! is Duke's Blues masterpiece featuring 16 tracks of rockin', jumpin' and swinging blues featuring Duke with Doug James, Sunny Crownover, Bruce Bears, Rich Lataille, Al Basile,Carl Querfurth, Marty Ballou, Jon Ross and Mark Teixeira.
Blues fans don't miss this one! Tracks include: Stomp The Blues Tonight!, Do Me Right, Three Hours Past Midnight, Baby You Don't Know, I Wanna Hug You, Kiss You, Squeeze You, Frankie and Johnny, Look But Don't Touch, Playful Baby, Million Dollar Secret, Jumpin The Bone, Hands Off!, Money's Getting Cheaper, For You My Love, Tore Up, Ain't Nobody's Business, Early In The Morning.
A homage to Duke's early R&B influences, */Stomp, The Blues Tonight!/* is bound to be an instant classic!
For more: CLICK
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GLENN PATRIK : : NUTHIN' BUT A THANG!
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Since launching his blues odyssey well before the age of 21, hitchiking and hopping trains from Kansas City, Kansas’ massive railroad switching yard to all points north, south, east and west, in search of musicians that he had only heard of, Patrik says, “I’ve spent the last thirty somethin’ years tryin’ to show up early, look sharp, and deliver the guitar/vocal sound that the boss was lookin’ for.” Now, he’s the boss, making sounds that carry on the legacy of the greats he learned from.
“In the neighborhood I grew up in,” he adds, “everyone played soul and blues, and I was exposed, starting at about age six to live shows and recordings by Freddy King, Albert Collins as well as Archie Bell & The Drells and Count Basie. I can feel Mozart right along with Nat Cole, Django Rheinhardt along with some George Clinton. Then, throw in some Hound Dog Taylor, Aaron Neville, The Carter Family with Too Live Crew and Hendrix. Add the influence of K.C. blues guitar legend Leon Estelle and you get a feel of where I come from.”
Nuthin' But A Thang!, on Shakehouse Records, was released on April 28, 2009. This recording has brought together two old friends from Kansas City and two old friends from Chicago. The result is four good friends making good music together.
Give it a listen and find out what happens when Chicago meets Kansas City! "Nuthin' But A Thang"
For more: CLICK
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COLIN LINDEN : : FROM THE WATER
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Colin Linden is a man of many talents. Colin is an accomplished singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer. He has played on over 150 albums and produced more than 30 CDs. Colin has worked with artists such as Bruce Cockburn, Colin James, Leon Redbone, T-Bone Burnett, and The Band, just to name a few. Colin received a Grammy nomination for his contributions to the Nashville based 'Tribute To Howlin' Wolf' CD. Colin is slowly getting the recognition that he deserves.
One of Toronto's most prized musicians, Colin recorded his first album with the legendary blues man Sam Chatmon in 1979, followed by the release of his first solo album a year later, 'Colin Linden Live'. In 1988, Colin released his first disc on Sony Music Canada's Columbia label entitled, 'When The Sprit Comes'. Since that time, Colin has kept himself quite busy. He has played in Bruce Cockburn's band and produced a number of Cockburn's albums. As a session guitarist, he has played on recordings by Dwayne Steele, The Band, Amy Sky, he wrote the hit 'Guitar Talk' for Michelle Wright, and produced Sue Foley's multiple Maple Blues Award and Juno winning album 'Love Comin' Down'. Colin also co-wrote and produced many of Colin James' albums, including the Juno Award winning 'National Steel'.
With From The Water, Colin Linden has crafted a compelling work that will leave the listener feeling spiritually cleansed and musically reinvigorated.
For more: CLICK
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Enter this contest and win!
ENTER TO BE ON ELWOOD'S GUEST LIST
AND ENJOY LIVE SUMMERTIME BLUES
Elwood Blues (aka Dan Aykroyd), The BluesMobile.com, and The Blues Festival Guide want to get you into a local Blues music festival FOR FREE! We're giving away tickets to over 50 Blues festivals all across the continent, all summer long. 40 Blues fans will each win a pair of tickets to a Blues festival in their area.
The festivals range from small, unique gatherings to large, multiple-stage events. Each festival has its own character. Enter for your chance to win a pair of tickets and choose a festival in your region. 10 winners will be chosen each month in May, June, July, and August, 2009.
There is nothing to purchase, and we'll never sell your information. Entrants must be 18 or older. One winner per household, prizes do not include transportation, accommodations, food, drink, etc. unless otherwise specified. Void where prohibited.
For your chance to get on Elwood's Guest List visit TheBluesMobile.com.
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THIEVES HIT HOUSE OF BLUES STUDIO
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Making Memphis music is the sole purpose behind the House of Blues Studios, here in the Bluff City. As long as it has been here, the property has always been respected. But early Wednesday morning, thieves broke into one of the studios.
"Studio D" Operator Ralph Sutton got a 3:00 a.m. wake-up call saying something was wrong inside the studio. He thought the motion detectors sensed something that accidentally fell over. When he pulled-up to the studios, Sutton saw a man jumping over the fence with a speaker. This is certainly not cool," Sutton said.
Instead of artists, repairmen filled "Studio D" Wednesday. They fixed doors, locks, and the security system.
"Looks like what initially happened was, they came over this fence, they pried this open, and investigated what we call our junk storage room--where we have old amplifiers and things of that nature," Sutton said. After busting those locks, the thieves went for the power boxes and the lights. "They broke this light--which gave them darkness," Sutton said.
Then, into "Studio D." That's where one of them grabbed a set of speakers and a digital camera. Sutton expects about five-thousand-dollars in losses and repairs. But that's not what stings the most.
"The saddest part is, they've been here before because they kind of knew what they wanted to steal," Sutton said.
Sutton says the studios lowered fees recently to help the Memphis music community. But after this break-in, the rates may change. "We may have gotten some miscreants involved. People who are more interested in stealing," Sutton said.
Breaking the code of creativity, and, the heart of a Studio that wants to give striving Memphis artists a chance at "cool." "The challenge for us is that, ultimately, what we're really trying to do with the House of Blues name and brand and studio, is to really participate in the re-birthing the Memphis 'cool.' Memphis music cool," Sutton said.
Sutton believes there were two people involved. If you have any information, call Crimestoppers, at 528.CASH.
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BLUZAPALOOZA NEWS
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Troop Buildup Postpones Bluzapalooza, Hospital Shows Planned
Bluzapalooza's Steve Simon has announced that due to the intense ongoing U.S. troop build up in Afghanistan, the military brass in that war zone have asked that all entertainment tours be put on hold until late 2009 or early 2010. Bluzapalooza is the organization that works with Armed Forces Entertainment to take the best in Blues to the troops serving on the front line. Based on this news the planned Bluzapalooza tour of Afghanistan has been indefinitely postponed, though Simon hopes to have a tour scheduled in the fall.
As a result, Bluzapalooza will be producing a series of concerts at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and the Brook Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, to entertain the men and woman in uniform who are patients at these facilities, as well as those who are providing their care.
"I am honored to be able to bring some of our country's greatest Blues artists to entertain some of our country's bravest men and woman and those who are taking care of them," stated Steve Simon, founder and producer of Bluzapalooza.
For additional information please contact Steve Simon.
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GEOFF ACHISON RIDES AGAIN, U.S. TOUR ANNOUNCED
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Geoff Achison has a reputation as a formidable acoustic and electric guitarist and an award-winning composer of bluesy/funky songs without the clichés. In November the Aussie bandleader returned home after almost 2 years living and working in the USA. His relentless touring schedule clearly won many new American fans. Upon return to Australia he has picked up where he left off, selling out shows all over down under.
Last year Achison was identified as one of the Top Ten Hottest New Guitarists by Guitar Player Magazine and he was invited to sit in with a slew of artists including Delbert McClinton and the iconic Les Paul.
 
This month he is touring the US tour debuting his new CD “One Ticket, One Ride.” This was completed before he left the States, and features some of the most in-demand players in the Southeast, like Oliver Wood, Yonrico Scott (Derek Trucks Band), and the killer rhythm section of Tyler Greenwell and Ted Pecchio (Susan Tedeschi).
Upcoming dates:
MAY:
28 Downtown Alive, Greenville SC
29th TGIF Series, Morganton NC
30 Blue 5 Tavern, Roanoke VA
31 Mountain Sports Festival, Asheville NC
JUNE:
3 Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Charleston SC (solo)
5 Shorty's Pizza, Tucker, GA
7 Chattanooga Market, Chattanooga TN (solo)
7 Eddie's Attic, Decatur GA
Geoff & Randall Bramblett together
10 Bonefire Smokehouse Bus Pit Series, Kingsport TN
11 Bohemian Café, Greenville SC
12 Brackin's Bar, Maryville TN
14 Concert, Thunderwind Farms, Saluda NC
15 Eddie’s Attic, Decatur, GA Geoff, Seth Walker and Oliver Wood together.
18 The Melting Point Athens GA
Geoff Achison + Yonrico Scott Band together
19 Downtown After 5 Series, Asheville NC, special guest Randall Bramblett!
20 Bradfordville Blues Club, Tallahassee FL
Geoff Achison + Yonrico Scott Band together.
www.geoffachison.com
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THE 2009 THUNDER BAY BLUES FESTIVAL HITS THE HIGH NOTE
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Nowhere in the world will the incredible attributes of blues music be more prominently displayed than at the 2009 Thunder Bay Blues Festival.
In just eight short years this world-class event has established itself as a key link in a blues festival network that literally encircles the globe. This was proven with Jay Sieleman’s article in the 2008 edition of the Blues Festival Guide, where Thunder Bay was one of only eight festivals that he referenced specifically by name.
The 2009 edition of the Thunder Bay Blues Festival will hit the high note perfectly with arguably the strongest line up in the Festival’s illustrious history. Flush with the best and brightest stars of the new generation of blues artists, along with the steadying hand of the Blues’ veteran performers, the Thunder Bay Blues Festival is sure to entertain!
Confirmed artists include Los Lonely Boys, Robert Cray, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Philip Sayce, Back Door Slam, Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings, Becky Barksdale, Kenny Neal, The Elmer Ferrer Band, Shane Dwight, Carlos Del Junco, Ricky Paquette, Davina and the Vagabonds, Carson Downey Band, John Nemeth, Big Walter Smith, Rita Chiarelli & The Big Blues Band, The Chain, Nashina and the Hackers, and Southern Comfort.
Eternally cool, a sonic tonic for what ails you, instant relief and a lasting cure, the blues is one stimulus package that’s guaranteed to make you feel better. Share the experience with old friends and new along with the laid-back atmosphere, warm July sun and refreshing Lake Superior breezes of Northwestern Ontario’s premier summer event, the Thunder Bay Blues Festival. Don’t miss it!
For more: CLICK
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BLUES FOUNDATION NEWS
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HART Fund Aids Breeze King
The Blues Foundation has contributed $1500 to the Georgia Transplant Foundation for the benefit of Carlos Capote from our HART Fund. The Georgia Transplant Foundation will match our contribution and will continue to match donations up to $10,000.
Carlos is the lead singer/harmonica player with Atlanta's Breeze Kings, an IBC Band Finalist in 2005. Carlos is suffering from a hereditary kidney ailment which has left him with, at this point, 15% kidney function. He needs a kidney transplant. This is a very serious matter and a very expensive undertaking. In order to ensure that the limited number of kidneys are put to the best use, the practice is to require the patient to have a certain amount of financial wherewithal to guarantee he will be able to help pay for the necessary after care.
Carlos says "Whatever the future holds for me, I can tell you it is very emotionally and spiritually healing to feel all the positive vibes and support of my friends. I love blues music and I love blues people. In the last month I have realized that my "family" is way bigger than I thought it was. Based on all the calls and emails I have gotten, I am realizing my "blues family" reaches all over the world. The good news is that in spite of my serious condition and the challenges that lay ahead, I am responding well to my current treatment and am still able to live my life as a father and blues performer - just with a few extra obstacles. I really want everyone to know that."
Carlos is a 36-year old, married father of two girls and by all accounts is very deserving of the Blues community's assistance. Let's do it.
For more: CLICK
2nd European Blues Conference Date Set
The dates for the 2nd European Blues Conference which is set for July 29-August 1, 2009 in Notodden, Norway. The conference will be staged under the auspices of The Blues Foundation, the international organization based in Memphis, Tennessee.
The host of the second conference is the Notodden Blues Festival and the conference will be held in conjunction with its world-renown festival. Accordingly, in addition to the Conference’s great networking and educational opportunities, each attendee will be able to experience great Blues music, as well as the beautiful scenery and hospitality the Telemark region offers. The goal of the conference is to improve communication and collaboration among the Blues communities in the different countries of Europe in order to make Blues music more available and accessible throughout the continent. The plan is to bring together key players in the European Blues music scene for the purpose of charting the future path of cooperation between European Blues communities. The second conference is by invitation only from among the continent’s top festival organizers, promoters, agents and managers, record labels, Blues magazines, among others.
Those days will be filled with a set program at the fee of approx 500 EURO (as last year) includes 3 nights lodging. Like last year we will have a reception on Wednesday evening, Conference sessions Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning. The rest of the Saturday is free festival time. For those who choose to stay for all the festival dates it will be check out time at noon on Sunday Aug 2.
Registration will soon open through the offices of the Notodden Blues Festival.
The second conference is a follow-up to the very successful initial conference held in June 2008 in Parma, Italy and hosted by Associazione Roots ‘n’ Blues. At that conference, representatives from eleven countries participated. They agreed to create a website that would include a database of individuals critical to the blues business in Europe. That undertaking is well underway.
The planning committee includes: Jostein Forsberg, Notodden Blues Festival, Norway; Jean Guillermo, Blues Sur Seine, France; Thomas Ruf, Ruf Records, Germany; Ferdinando Vighi, Associazione Roots ‘n’ Blues, Italy and Jay Sieleman, The Blues Foundation's Executive Director. This group is once again convinced that spending several days and nights together will further relationships and cultivate idea exchanges that will serve the community going forward. They continue to finalize the formal agenda.
Conference organizers stated "Those who attended the International Roundtable at the IBC experienced the power and possibilities in and around Blues networking. There, people from all over the world expressed a common interest and desire to make the Blues world a better place. It became obvious that by working across national borders we can create an explosive interest for Blues music. This again will contribute to a healthier environment for Blues fans, Blues musicians and Blues professionals."
Please consider joining us for what we now believe will be an annual event, one of the most important on the European Blues calendar. The worst that could happen is that you spend the weekend enjoying Blues music and Norwegian hospitality!
For more: CLICK
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IH MISSISSIPPI VALLEY BLUES FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 25th ANNIVERSARY & FLOOD RECOVERY
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All-star lineup of 28 acts playing for 3 days on 2 stages
One year after the historic Floods of 2008, the IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival returns to LeClaire Park—a blues-inspiring outdoor venue located at the crossroads of U.S. Route 61 and the Mississippi River—in Davenport, Iowa, to celebrate the festival’s 25th Anniversary and flood recovery.
The all-star festival lineup of 28 acts performing on two stages, July 2 – 4, include: Magic Slim and the Teardrops; Honeyboy Edwards; Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater; Saffire – The Uppity Blues Women; Sugar Pie DeSanto; Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm; Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings; Fiona Boyes; Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers; Robin Rogers; Craig Horton; Larry McCray, Diunna Greenleaf; Dee Alexander; Ric E Bluez; Bo Ramsey; Colbalt Blue; Marquise Knox; Kenny Brown; Bob Dorr & the Blue Band; Peña Brothers; T.J. Wheeler; Eugene Hideaway Bridges; Hawkeye Herman; Radoslav Lorkovic; Ellis Kell Band; the Avery Brothers; and Steady Rollin’ Blues Band.
Advance three-day passes are available for only $30. For more information about the festival, artists, ticket locations and lodging, please visit http://mvbs.org/or call 563-32-BLUES.
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KOKO TAYLOR, "QUEEN OF THE BLUES," RECOVERING FROM SURGERY
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Koko Taylor, 80, Grammy Award-winning "Queen of the Blues," is recovering from surgery to correct a gastrointestinal bleed. The surgery was performed on May 19 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Her doctors anticipate a full recovery. Taylor is not accepting visitors or phone calls at this time.
Taylor's most recent live performance was at the Blues Music Awards in Memphis, TN, on May 7, 2009. She performed her signature song, "Wang Dang Doodle," after receiving the award for Traditional Blues Female Blues Artist Of The Year. This was Taylor's 29th Blues Music Award, making her the recipient of more Blues Music Awards than any other artist. In addition, she has received the NEA National Heritage Fellowship Award, which is among the highest honors given to an American artist. Her most recent CD, 2007's Old School, was nominated for a Grammy (eight of her nine Alligator Records albums were Grammy-nominated). She won a Grammy in 1984 for her guest appearance on the compilation album Blues Explosion on Atlantic Records.
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BLUESMAN HONORED AT SITE OF OLD GIN
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(photo by Robert Lee Long) Douglas Wilkins, son of legendary bluesman Robert Wilkins, reads the inscription bearing his father’s name during the unveiling of a blues marker at the historic Clifton Gin in Hernando Wednesday.
HERNANDO,MS - The ghostly, haunting voices of bluesmen past echoed through the West End neighborhood of Hernando where they once drank whiskey and sang in the honky tonks and juke joints of long ago.
The blistering sun beat down on a crowd of about 100 who gathered Wednesday to commemorate the latest installation along the Mississippi Blues Trail, part of the Mississippi Development Authority's Tourism Heritage Trails Program.
The legend goes that at least one teetotaling bluesman named Robert Wilkins stood on a nearby street corner and preached the gospel while his wife clapped a noisy pair of cymbals. His small granddaughter took up an offering. That little girl is now all grown up. Lane Wilkins, an author in her own right, came back to the corner of Gin and West Park streets to pay homage to her grandfather, later known as the Rev. Robert Wilkins, and fellow blues pioneers Gus Cannon and Jim Jackson. "In a sense, I'm still collecting his offerings," Wilkins said as her uncle Douglas Wilkins stood nearby. "These are men who barely got out of the first and second grade. No matter how long I live, I will never change a nation. These great blues artists changed a nation."
Both Lane Wilkins and her uncle Douglas said they received first-hand history lessons about the musical history of Hernando's past from the elder Wilkins who died in 1987 at age 91. Wilkins worked in Memphis during the Roaring 20s, sharing billing with blues greats like Furry Lewis, Memphis Minnie and Son House.
In 1928, Wilkins' recording of "Rolling Stone," inspired Muddy Waters, who, in turn, inspired the British rock group, the Rolling Stones. DeSoto County Tourism Association Executive Director Kim Terrell said Wilkins later gave up the blues to preach the gospel. Terrell said Wilkins' conversion happened after a house party in Hernando turned violent. Distraught over the event, Wilkins became an elder in the Church of God in Christ. "As a school teacher, I can go back and say to them (students) this is what America is all about," Douglas Wilkins said. "We will forever be grateful to you for this type of recognition."
Jackson, a Hernando native, is believed to have recorded one of the first million-selling records. His "Kansas City Blues 1 and 2" shattered all records. Jackson recorded his last song in 1930. Alderman Andrew Miller, who grew up in the West End neighborhood, reminded those individuals gathered at the site that they were "standing in the shadow of all the black juke joints and cafes" that are now mostly gone. Miller rattled off a few names of the old bluesmen's haunts, such as Mary's Café and Lily Wilson's Blue Front Café. Mary's Café still stands, a few streets over, now abandoned and boarded up.
Tourism officials decided to place the marker at the site of the old Clifton Gin mainly because most of the blues songs revolved around the hard labor of picking cotton and transporting it to the gin, which closed in the 1970s. The gin has been purchased by developer and preservationist Jim Seay who wants to renovate the tin-roofed structure and stage blues concerts on its grounds. Seay said the gin has served its purpose as a warehouse and has a greater purpose as a musical venue ahead. "I want it to be utilized," Seay said. "What's the point of preserving something unless it has significance. Maybe we could even have a blues festival."
When the familiar notes of Cannon's "Walk Right In," was played over the sound system, many in the crowd instantly recognized the tune. The song, penned by Cannon, was a hit for the Rooftop Singers in the 1960s. That was a time when DeSoto County Supervisor Tommy Lewis was coming of age, yet Lewis said he never really discovered the blues until much later in life.
Lewis saluted the bluesmen and tourism officials for their efforts. "They (blues singers) found a way out of everyday hard life by escaping through the blues," Lewis said. "They were handed lemons and made lemonade."
Chuck Roberts, chairman of the DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau, also paid homage to the three bluesmen. "The blues across the state is one of our greatest heritages," Roberts said. "It's one of our treasured assets. It details the events that happened in a person's life. The ones who grew up on blues grew up on real history. They realize what their parents and grandparents lived through. It's a piece of history that will live on forever in the songs of these great people."
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NEW BLUES SOCIETY HOLDS MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
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To paraphrase a famous song, everyday Sean McGroarty of Vacaville has the blues. So much so that he and two friends formed the Napa-Solano Blues Society, for selfish and selfless reasons.
"The only places I could go to play were in the Bay Area or in Sacramento, at the clubs and blues jams," said McGroarty, by day an independent information technology consultant, by night and weekends a blues harpist with the Used Blues Band. "There's no venue in this area to play blues. In Sacramento, on any Saturday or Sunday, there are five different places to play. I thought, 'Here we are in this great area ... and there's no place to play the blues.' "
So to celebrate itself, the blues society will stage a concert and membership drive from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of The Tweed Hut Music Store, 1021 Hume Way, suite H, near Costco, in Vacaville.The headliner is Southern California-based jump blues band Rod Piazza and The Mighty Flyers, featuring Miss Honey on keyboards. The Used Blues Band, The Matty T Band and The Fast 4's open.
Piazza, who lives in Riverside, and his backing band perform at major blues festivals worldwide. He began playing harmonica in the late 1960s and learned his ways on the small reed instrument from the late George "Harmonica" Smith, among others. Piazza, who has released several albums, ranks among the best white blues harpists in the nation, in the same league as Rick Estrin and James Harman, two other major West Coast blues harmonica players.
Tickets are $15, with one free ticket for each person who joins the blues society. Food and beverage vendors will be on hand. We'll have a tent, barbecue and a beer wagon," said McGroarty. "Any time there's smoke, beer and music together, it draws people. The weather should be good, too." He formed the blues society in April with friends Matt Taynton, owner of Tweed Hut Music Store, and Shauna Manina, community relations coordinator with The Reporter. All are involved in the Vacaville music scene. Besides McGroarty's presence in the Used Blues Band, Taynton is the namesake of the Matty T Band and Manina schedules entertainment for The Reporter's annual Merriment on Main and the city's Fiesta Days.
Bringing the blues society into being was no summery stroll down a flowery path, said McGroarty, adding that America's officially sanctioned blues societies must meet guidelines established by The Blues Foundation, the parent organization in Memphis, Tenn. Therefore, the Napa-Solano group's charter expressly states the blues society must "preserve blues music as an indigenous American art form," promote the art form and venues that host blues and to teach area students about the blues and provide much-needed musical instruments for school music programs.
"The big thing about the blues foundation is music in the schools," noted McGroarty, who also helped to form the Vacaville Business Club. "The schools don't teach blues. You'll hear kids say, "Oh, yeah, this grunge metal thing I'm doing ...' Well, it's blues if you slow it down." In the past month, the blues society hosted open mic blues jams from noon to 3 p.m. Sundays, including this Sunday, at Town Square in downtown Vacaville. They proved to be popular, said McGroarty.
"There are blues players all over the place," he said of the sizable turnouts. "People came from all over."
For more: CLICK
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JUS BLUES MUSIC AWARDS
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For more: CLICK
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SAN FRANCISCO BLUES FESTIVAL PRESENTS "BLUES AT THE LAKE"
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The San Francisco Blues Festival presents:
Blues At The Lake!
Harveys Outdoor Arena at Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada!
Saturday, July 11 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.
FEATURING:
Masters of Chicago Blues Guitar! Featuring Lonnie Brooks, Eddy Clearwater and Jimmy Johnson!
Mavis Staples!
Elvin Bishop!
The Mannish Boys featuring Bobby Jones, Finis Tasby, Kid Ramos, Eli Kirk Fletcher and Others.
Plus special guest Mitch Kashmar!
For more info: CLICK
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"BLUESMAN" PETER TORK
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Former Monkee Peter Tork Treats Rare Cancer And Tours
NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) -- Peter Tork, 67, is touring with his rock-blues band, Shoe Suede Blues ("Saved By The Blues", "Cambria Hotel") this spring and summer, despite extensive surgery in early March 2009 to remove a cancerous tumor from the lower part of his tongue. After announcing he had a rare form of cancer known as Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, Tork had surgery in New York where the tumor was successfully and completely removed, although his surgeon had to take his jaw apart in order to reach and remove it. Two weeks after the operation, he was leading a film crew from "Inside Edition" around his farm, and talking openly about this newest challenge in his life.
After some physical therapy to help his speech pattern return to normal, he will begin radiation therapy in June for a duration of six weeks. In the meantime, his next performance with Shoe Suede Blues will be May 29th in Storrs, Conn., at his alma mater, E.O. Smith High School. Following that he will appear with the band in Manchester, Conn., June 6th at the Pride of Manchester Kick Off Concert.
Tork remains cheerful about his health and prognosis, both of which have been given positive notes by his doctors and insists that despite the challenge and uncertainties, his outlook is good. While admitting "I had a bad moment or two upon being told (the diagnosis)" he soon bounced back. "My perspective on life hasn't changed a bit as a result of having (had) cancer." He said in a recent interview, "I've worked kind of hard on my attitude toward life, and damn' cheap it would have been, too, if I hadn't made provision in it for illness and death, wouldn't it?"
Overwhelmed and "really grateful" for the outpouring of love and good wishes from fans around the world, Peter soon decided to join the burgeoning ranks of celebrities with a personal profile on popular social media site, Facebook. He posts updates and notes to his fans and friends about his health, treatments, and plans for the future. Fans from Australia, Japan, Sweden, Canada, the USA and UK gather there daily to leave encouraging and hopeful messages and other cancer survivors pop by to leave coping tips for Peter as he goes through treatment.
Peter recently decided he wanted to help others who come up against the particular challenges of rare cancers, which are all the more frightening because many of them have little to no funding for research and few doctors who are fully familiar with them. "My publicist is helping me organize The Peter Tork Hope On Project. Although we are not going so far to start a full-fledged charity since we don't presently have the time or man or woman power for that, we will be donating a percentage of profits from the sale of HOPE ON wristbands to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundatlon and another charity for rare cancer to help them do what they do best - educate, fund research and raise awareness. Pretty cool, huh?"
Tork's former band mates Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz, separately, but both on tour at the time of Peter's cancer diagnosis, dedicated songs to him during their live concerts and wished their fellow Monkee well.
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JAM NIGHT OF THE WEEK
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This Tuesday Night Blues Jam is fueled by a base of Ocala and Gainesville musicians who swear it is the best weekly blues show in the region. The reason, they contend, is not only the regulars but also the guest musicians who pop in and add surprising layers of depth, styles and fun to the always-evolving jam.
The Tin Cup Tavern: Blues jam starts at 9 p.m. Tuesdays
11 E. Silver Springs Blvd
Ocala, FL. (across from the downtown Ocala square)
(690-6902)
Editors note:I made the trip to Ocala last Tuesday and agree that this is a great jam. Lots of great players and a cool place to jam. Gordon
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NEW BLIND PIG RELEASE
Blind Pig Records announces a June 2nd release date for a new CD recording entitled Right Here Right Now by Big James and the Chicago Playboys.
"Big James" Montgomery is a young man with a solid pedigree in the world of Rhythm & Blues. He played with Little Milton, Albert King, and Buddy Guy before becoming the trombonist and lead vocalist with the Chicago Playboys, the Windy City's premier R&B ensemble.
The band is a displined juggernaut of hard-hitting blues, R&B, soul and funk that is drawing comparisons to James Brown's former rhythm-intensive backing band. They've backed Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, and Otis Rush, and more recently, have been turning heads by tearing up packed houses at home and overseas.They've won a number Critic's Poll awards from Living Blues magazine, garnered multiple Blues Music Award nominations, and just recently won the 2008 Prix Blues from the Academie du Jazz in Paris.
Right Here Right Now is a great introduction to the Playboys' unique-horn-driven sound. It features eight original compositions as well as covers of Bobby Bland, Tyrone Davis, and the O'Jays, all highlighted by precisely-executed horn arrangements and dynamic, soulful musicianship.
For more: CLICK
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SAFFIRE- THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN:
 
THE GREAT FEMALE BLUES TRIO SAFFIRE IS CALLING IT QUITS WITH THE CD, HAVIN THE LAST WORD. THEY WILL JOIN ELWOOD IN THE BLOCKHOUSE TO LOOK BACK ON THEIR MUSIC, THEIR INFLUENCES, AND WHAT LIES IN STORE. THE LAST HOORAH FOR SAFFIRE, THE UPPITY BLUES WOMEN, NEXT TIME ON THE HOUSE OF BLUES RADIO HOUR.
visit www.TheBluesMobile.com
for times and stations in your area
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Click on festival name to click through to festival website.
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Eureka Springs Blues Weekend
Thursday-Sunday, May 28-31, 2009
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
www.EurekaSpringsBlues.com
888-855-7823
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Western Maryland Blues Fest
Thursday-Sunday, May 28-31, 2009
Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.
www.blues-fest.org
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Blues On Broadbeach
Thursday-Sunday, May 28-31, 2009
Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
www.bluesonbroadbeach.com
+61 7 5539 8416
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Freedom Creek Festival
Friday-Saturday, May 29-30, 2009
Aliceville, Alabama, U.S.
www.willie-king.com
205 752 6263
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Smokin' In Steele BBQ and Blues
Friday-Saturday, May 29-30, 2009
Owatonna, MN, U.S.
www.smokininsteele.com
507-279-4015
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Ozark National Blues Festival
Friday-Saturday, May 29-30, 2009
Eureka Springs, Arkansas , U.S.
www.myspace.com/ozarknationalbluesfest
479-363-9100
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Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest
Friday-Sunday, May 29-31, 2009
Augusta, NJ, U.S.
www.crawfishfest.com
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Harford County Blues Festival
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Rockfield Manor, Bel Air, Maryland, U.S.
www.rockfieldmanor.com
410-638-4565
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Watseka Theatre Blues, BBQ & Arts Fest!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Watseka, Illinois, U.S.
www.WatsekaTheatre.com
815-993-6585
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Blues Bash 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Trempealeau, Wisconsin, U.S.
www.trempealeauhotel.com
608-534-6898
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7th Annual Groovin' in The Grove Summer Concerts
Saturday, May 30, 2009
7th Annual Groovin' in The Grove Summer Concerts
9 Week Saturday Series
Lisa Haley and The Zydekats
Lodi, California, U.S.
www.jessiesgrovewinery.com
209-368-0880
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Wine, Brews & Blues Festival
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Escondido, CA, U.S.
www.bonsallrotary.com
800-249-2024
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BuFest Music Festival
Saturday-Sunday, May 30-31, 2009
Malibu , CA, U.S.
www.bufest.com
888-678-2008
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Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival
Thursday-Sunday, June 4-7, 2009
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
www.orangevillebluesandjazz.ca
1-888-79BLUES
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Vancouver Island Blues Bash
Friday-Monday, June 4-7, 2009
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
www.jazzvictoria.ca
250-388-4423
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B. B. King Homecoming Festival
Friday, June 5, 2009
Indianola, Mississippi, U.S.
www.indianolams.org
662-887-4454
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Kaavi Blues 2009
Friday-Saturday, June 5-6, 2009
Kaavi, Koillis-Savo, Finland
www.kaaviblues.com
+358409132042
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The 18th Annual Shannon Blues & Heritage Festival
Friday-Saturday, June 5-6, 2009
Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.
www.downtownjackson.com
731-427-7573
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Pender Harbour Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 5-7, 2009
Garden Bay,
British Columbia, Canada
www.penderharbourbluesfestival.com
778-222-0072
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Red Bank Jazz & Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 5-7, 2009
Red Bank, New Jersey, U.S.
www.redbankfestival.com
732-933-1984
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Morro Bay Music Festival
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Morro Bay, California, U.S.
www.mbmusicfest.com
805-772-1155
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Cedar House BBQ and Blues Festival
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Oak Grove, Minnesota, U.S.
www.myspace.com/littlebobbyblues
763-753-2164
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Coloma Blues Live
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Lotus, CA, U.S.
www.colomablueslive.com
530-295-3496
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Union County's Rhythm & Blues by the Brook Festival
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
www.ucrandb.com
908-436-2900
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12th Annual Mountain of Blues Festival
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Ruidoso, New Mexico, U.S.
www.ruidosobluesfest.com
866-207-4816
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7th Annual Blues on the Beach
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Caseville, MI , U.S.
www.bella-caseville.com
989-856-2650
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Highway 61 Blues Festival and Holly Ridge Jam
Saturday-Sunday, June 6-7, 2009
Leland, Mississippi, U.S.
www.highway61blues.com
662-347-4223
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Gosford City Blues Festival
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Gosford, New South Wales, Australia
www.gosfordcitywaterfrontblues.com
0428 84 2315
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Porquis Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 10-12, 2009
Iroquois Falls, Ontario, Canada
www.porquis.ca
705-232-4475
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Limavady Jazz and Blues Festival
Thursday-Sunday, June 11-14, 2009
Limavady, CO, United Kingdom
www.limavadyjazzandblues.com
07808161331
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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, Gordon Bulcock, gordon@bluesfestivalguide.com
or contact our home office at 775-337-8626, eguide@bluesfestivalguide.com
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Information - both editorial and advertising - in the Blues Festival E-Guide - is believed to be correct but not guaranteed - so check it carefully before you attend any event or send money for anything. We do not write the news... just report it.
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