Wait! Before you panic that someone is about to make you sit for an exam, this "test" is going to happen with or without you. The "test" is this weekend's Razorback football game. Even with the reduced capacity restrictions, Fayetteville is still expecting approximately 16,000 Razorback fans to be out and about around town. While it is wonderful for local eateries and other visitor related venues, I have to admit I am holding
my breath a bit because it seems it would be easy for a lot to go wrong.
Most importantly, and my biggest concern, is the results of the football season "test" could set back what I really care about, live music in local venues. Please speak a word of hope with me that people follow guidelines and things go well. With summer and it's outdoor music options slipping away quickly, it is important the football "tests" go well.
This week has one new announcement sharing the date for Brick Fields upcoming Sunday Gospel Brunch, but otherwise articles are repeating from last week. Do note we are in the last week of early entry discounts for those wanting to enter the Blues Music Awards. If you missed it last week the Blues Winners in the Unsigned Only Music Competition were announced recently and you will find more information in the article below.
And remember, for those a bit more adventurous, some local venues are offering limited (mostly outdoor) live music so be sure and follow your favorite artists and venues so you don't miss these limited opportunities.
We are thankful for venues like Georges Majestic Lounge who are trying to find ways to reunite artists and fans in safer, controlled environments. Read on below
for all the information.
If you are a local blues artist and would like to share your information, please 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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Discount Ends Soon!
Blues Foundation
Blues Music Awards
2021
Submissions Open
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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
- 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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Gospel Brunch
with
Brick Fields Blues Therapy Group
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The Gospel Sunday Brunch will be with Brick Fields Blues Therapy Group
on Sunday Oct 4th from 1pm to 4pm
at George's Majestic Lounge in the parking lot. We will move indoors if it rains. Covid 19 precautions will all be of the utmost importance. Tables will be distanced and staff in masks etc.
There will be a food truck on premises and the bar will have bloody mary's and mimosas available.
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Blues Winners
2020
Unsigned Only
Music Competition
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Blues Winners Announced In 2020 Unsigned Only Music Competition
Judges Include: Ruthie Foster, Eric Bibb, Victor Wainwright, Janiva Magness, and More
Nashville, TN, September 9, 2020 -- The winners of the US-based Unsigned Only Music Competition were announced today. A total of ten Blues artists garnered wins in the 2020 competition.
Taking home First Place in the Blues category is Zechariah Lloyd from Vicksburg, MS, for his song “Down To The River.” Second Place is awarded to Kate Lush from Newport, NSW, Australia for “Jackson.” Additionally, eight Blues artists garnered Honorable Mentions.
“Last year we added the Blues category to the competition because it is vital that Unsigned Only recognizes the heritage and legacy of the Blues,” said Unsigned Only founders Candace Avery and Jim Morgan, “and it is equally vital that Unsigned Only nurtures and honors the new artists who are carrying on its longstanding tradition.”
Established in 2012, Unsigned Only has become known as the leading music competition honoring international artists who are not signed to a major record label. It has become an important source for discovering new talent and acts as a benchmark for excellence in the arena of contemporary music. Since Unsigned Only’s inception in 2012, five Grand Prize winners have been signed to record labels. Selected from more than 7,000 entries from 109 countries, the winners share in over $160,000 in cash and prizes split among 38 winners.
Winners were selected by a judging panel comprised of high-profile industry experts and renowned recording artists, including: Ruthie Foster; Janiva Magness; Eric Bibb; Victor Wainwright; Charli XCX; Aimee Mann; Sanctus Real; O.A.R.; Robert Smith (The Cure); David Benoit; Tyler Williams (The Head And The Heart); NLE Choppa; Bibi Marin (Reik); Darryl Worley; Piso 21; Tinariwen; Rhett Walker; The Devil Makes Three; and many more (see complete list below).
The overall 2020 Grand Prize is awarded to the Haitian world music artist Jean Belony Murat, known as BélO. Hailed as Haiti's musical ambassador to the world, BélO is a socially conscious singer/songwriter whose music reflects the issues and challenges facing his home country. His social activism is especially significant during these challenging times and exposes the enormous contradictions and inequalities of our societies. BélO’s sound is a mixture of world, rock, reggae, jazz, and Afro-Haitian traditional rhythms known as “ragganga.”
To hear the winning songs, download low-res photos, and view the complete list of winners, go to: https://www.unsignedonly.com/winners.
The complete list of Blues winners is as follows:
First Place
Zechariah Lloyd (Vicksburg, MS, USA) – “Down To The River”
Second Place
Kate Lush (Newport, NSW, Australia) – “Jackson”
Honorable Mention
Avey Grouws Band (Davenport, IA, USA) – “Come And Get This Love”
Billy D And The Hoodoos (Portland, OR, USA) – “Somethin's Wrong”
Blue Salt (Jefferson City, MO, USA) – “Near Me”
Darren Watson (Wellington, New Zealand) – “Getting Sober For The End Of The World”
Lasses Rogers Band (Los Angeles, CA, USA) – “Devil Wants My Soul”
Levi Cadle (Middlesboro, KY, USA) – “Blow The Bank”
Sugarharp (Birmingham, AL, USA) – “Busted And Disgusted”
The Jagat (Torino, Italy) – “Are You Ready Now”
To view the list of all winners, go to www.unsignedonly.com.
For high-res photos, contact Candace Avery at press@unsignedonly.com.
******
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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!
Best wishes from Buddy Shute and the Motivators
Facebook: Buddy Shute and the Motivators
*****
Brick Fields
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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
September 25
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Today’s show features music performed by Sam Cooke and Zucchero
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"It's been a long time coming. But I know a change is gonna come."
Sam Cooke
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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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