The month of August starts tomorrow...anyone besides me feel like that is unreal? I mean, how did we get to August when we never really had March...April....May...June...and July?
No matter how much I try to think through this past few months, it just doesn't add up. Anyone else?
As we move forward, again this week you will find the information about the OBS board decision to continue to plan to hold a local Blues Challenge in October. Check out the article below
for more information.
This week we have once again are sharing some updates from local favorites, Buddy Shute and the Motivators. Read on to get the latest! Also of note, TODAY is the first deadline for 2021 Blues Music Awards submissions. The BMA's are a great option for artists to get their music heard. The article below has all the info.
As always, please continue to support our beloved local musicians. They are strengthened by your love, so don't hesitate to let them know how their
music brightens your world, and if you are in a position to do so, support them through online means.
Have something to share? Just
click the link below to email Sandy.
And always remember, this is YOUR newsletter! Please send feedback or suggestions our way. You can reach me by email at the address below. We appreciate our readers and want
to see your ideas included!
~Sandy McCann
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Status Update
2020 Local Blues Challenge
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The board of directors of Ozark Blues Society would like to announce that in support of the Blues Foundation’s efforts to hold the 2021 International Blues Challenge in a format (yet to be announced) that meets the situation next year, we will continue to pursue the option of holding a regional affiliate blues challenge to select acts for the 2021 IBC. Please remember, we welcome all competitors from a 250 mile radius to Bentonville Arkansas. Please use this link to see the area included.
We have decided at this time (July 16, 2020) to plan for a live event at The Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville Arkansas on our currently scheduled date (Friday, October 23, 2020) with a live feed/no audience competition that follows Blues Foundation guidelines and addresses all state/locally required distancing and sanitation measures for participants.
As we move through the next few weeks we will be carefully monitoring the situation related to the SARS-Cov-2 virus and will follow all state and local health directives. If conditions dictate we reserve the right to convert our competition to an all virtual event that follows the guidelines put in place by The Blues Foundation that allow virtual competitions for affiliate challenges in the 2020/2021 IBC cycle.
Our formal registration is not yet open, but we are asking acts to “pre-register” if they are considering attending our event so that we can build a direct contact list to assure any and all updates are communicated in a timely manner to all interested parties. Pre-registration does NOT commit you to attending our challenge. All pre-registered acts will however be given priority for available spots when registration does open. Acts will be notified by email when registration opens.
- Act Name and category (Band or solo/duo)
- Contact person name
- Contact email
- Contact phone number
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Deadline TODAY!
Blues Music Awards
2021
Submissions Open
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Please take note! Today is the final day for the least expensive submission cost. Registration remains open through October 15, 2020 but with a higher fee.From the Blues Foundation:All musicians are invited to submit their Blues recordings for consideration.Blues music released between November 1, 2019 and October 31, 2020 is eligible for consideration for a 2021 Blues Music Award Nomination.
You may now formally submit your album or minimum 6-song EP for consideration via our online serviceher e.
This year, we have added the opportunity to submit a single for "Song of the Year" consideration even if you do not have a full album or EP released. To be eligible for submission, your single must be professionally released to the public for the first time between November 1, 2019 - October 31, 2020 and may not be part of a larger EP or full album release. To submit a single for "Song of the Year," you must contact Joe Whitmer at joe@blues.org directly. Singles may not be directly uploaded to the online submission platform without a special code.
Submission fees and deadlines:
- July 1, 2020 - July 31, 2020
$135 per album or EP submission / $35 per song submission
- August 1, 2020 – August 31, 2020
$155 per album or EP submission / $55 per song submission
- September 1, 2020 – September 30, 2020
$180 per album or EP submission / $80 per song submission
- October 1- October 15, 2020
$225 per album or EP submission submission / $125 per song submission
The submission process officially closes on October 15, 2020. You must upload your music and artwork and complete payment for your submission transaction no later than OCTOBER 15TH at 8:00am CST to be considered for a Blues Music Award nomination.
All music must be uploaded as a WAV file with album artwork uploaded as a JPEG or PDF file. If you need assistance with uploading your music, album artwork, and/or liner notes, please contact Joe Whitmer at joe@blues.org.
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Buddy Shute
and the Motivators
CD Release
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"Bar-B-Que" is the latest album from Northwest Arkansas' own Buddy Shute and the Motivators. Fourteen Tracks and a lot of love.  Recorded, mixed and mastered by Chris Moore at East Hall Recording Studio in Fayetteville. The incredible Rachel Fields lends her vocals to a couple of tracks, and the song "I Been Changed" (aka "Angels in Heaven") was beautifully enhanced by the voices of Rachel, Ashtyn Barbaree, Dawn Cate-Bonner, Janna Falkner-Perry, Ashley Keylor, Kendra Kirklin and Sarah Loethen. Fronted by Buddy Shute (vocals, guitar), the Motivators are: Brenda Baskin (vocals), Mark McGee (harmonica), Steve Baskin (bass, vocals), and Randy Reese (drums). Keith Hubbard was named an honorary Motivator, and his distinctive keyboard playing can be heard throughout. Release date is August 10. CD release party is August 15, streaming live from George's Majestic Lounge. http://www.buddyshute.com
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Keeping the Blues Away When Your
Blues Band Cannot Play
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Submitted By Brenda Baskin
If memory serves, the last time our band played in public was March 6th in Eureka Springs. It was a nearly perfect night—a fun, enthusiastic crowd, the staff made money and the venue owner was really pleased, which was good, since we were booked to play there throughout the summer.
People were just starting to pay attention to this virus we'd been hearing about. It was supposedly headed our way. But we were on cloud nine that night. We had so many gigs lined up this year. So much music and fun and potential income. Then BOOM! 'Rona. We really hate 'Rona.
We haven't played since—in fact, we've hardly seen each other. Every once in a while, someone in the band will send a message saying how much they miss the others and we all gripe and agree. We want to rehearse and play and make people happy. We want to see people dance to our music. We've tried to figure out ways to rehearse and still keep socially distant. Two of our band members live in Fayetteville, one's in Avoca, one's in Kingston and our harp player resides in Ozark. There are always a lot of miles between us-- but during this pandemic we could be on different planets and it wouldn't matter. We've all been staying close to home.
BUT...what we have been doing musically is finishing up our new album.  Fine tuning, artwork, finalizing. That's what's kept us happy and looking past canceled gigs and shuttered venues. It's been a labor of love for almost two years. And now, it's about to be released.
Our music has a southern quality, and nothing's more southern than Bar-B-Que, which happens to be the title track of our new CD. Jam packed with originals, a few covers, and all kinds of good vibes. The release date is August 10, and CD's  will be available for sale on our website, on Facebook, from the trunks of our cars and who knows where else. Downloads available too.
Best of all...we're getting together to rehearse! And on August 15th, we're having an online CD release party, streaming live from George's Majestic Lounge. Details to come. Hope you'll join us!
Best wishes from Buddy Shute and the Motivators
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Support Options
For Local Artists
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Please check this section of the newsletter weekly for ideas of how to support local musicians and venues. Information may be submitted by all readers, though if reporting for your favorite musician or venue, please confirm the accuracy of the information you are providing.
All submissions will remain posted with new entries being added to the top of the list each week and will run until the music calendar relaunches.
Buddy Shute and the Motivators
Brenda Baskin shared the following update: If memory serves, the last time our band played in public was March 6th in Eureka Springs. It was a nearly perfect night. We haven't played since—in fact, we've hardly seen
each other. Every once in a while, someone in the band will send a message saying how much they miss the others and we all gripe and agree.
BUT...what we have been doing musically is finishing up our new album. Fine tuning, artwork, finalizing. That's what's kept us happy and looking past canceled gigs and shuttered venues. It's been a labor of love for almost two years. And now, it's about to be released.
"Bar-B-Que" is the latest album from Northwest Arkansas' own Buddy Shute and the Motivators. Fourteen Tracks and a lot of love. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Chris Moore at East Hall Recording Studio in Fayetteville. The incredible Rachel Fields lends her vocals to a couple of tracks, and the song "I Been Changed" (aka "Angels in Heaven") was beautifully enhanced by the voices of Rachel, Ashtyn Barbaree, Dawn Cate-Bonner, Janna Falkner-Perry, Ashley Keylor, Kendra Kirklin and Sarah Loethen. Fronted by Buddy Shute (vocals, guitar), the Motivators are: Brenda Baskin (vocals), Mark McGee (harmonica), Steve Baskin (bass, vocals), and Randy Reese (drums). Keith Hubbard was named an honorary Motivator, and his distinctive keyboard playing can be heard throughout. http://www.buddyshute.com
Best of all...we're getting together to rehearse! And on August 15th, we're having an online CD release party, streaming live from George's Majestic Lounge. Details to come. Hope you'll join us!
Best wishes from Buddy Shute and the Motivators
*****
Brick Fields
****
Blues Therapy Live Streams are paused for now. Rachel invites you to check out her segment produced as part of the Pine Bluff Summer Sets Series. The series highlights Blues and Soul artists that hail from Pine Bluff and includes five artists: Karen Wolf, Rod Clemmens, James Tail Dragger Jones, Joe Pitts, Bobby Rush and Rachel Field. You can find the Summer Sets Series LINK HERE. 
We also have two stores on our website one for music merchandise and another for Blues Therapy handmade items such as essential oil blends, Jewelry, tie dyes, bath salts, body butters and more.
Thank you for your support.
I pray that each of you and your families are all doing okay through this.
Brick Fields
Booking Call: The Brick House 479-846-4668
******
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Please enjoy the following listings comprised of bands, venues, and/or organizations that support Ozark Blues Society. Always check with individual venues for event details and schedule changes.
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Mark Your Calendar
Please Check Back
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On this day
in Blues History
July 31
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Today’s show features music performed by Stick McGhee and Aretha Franklin
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“We've come a long way, but there is still a lot of discrimination."
Aretha Franklin
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Blues Education Supporters
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Thanks to the following for their support of blues education.
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Check Out these regular local radio programs
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"The Generic Blues Show" hosted by Paul Kelso airs every Friday night at 9pm on KUAF 91.3FM
Rockin' Hog Radio presents "Sunday Morning Blues" from 8am to 10am every Sunday
LINK
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Get Involved with the Ozark Blues Society
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Annual membership levels begin at $15 and give you so much in return, including meeting new friends while enjoying the best blues artists in the area.
By being a member of The Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas, you are helping to support the Arts and to preserve the Original American Art Form known as The Blues.
Membership Benefits Include:
Weekly E-newsletter
Opportunities to win tickets to events
VIP seating at events (when available)
Discounts on OBS merchandise
Social networking – meeting other people who also love the blues
Opportunities to volunteer on OBS committees and at events
Ability to attend board meetings and vote on upcoming organizational issues and elections
Visit our Website to renew or join! Ozarkbluessociety.org
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