I will step up right away and confess...
I made a "New Year's resolution." I placed it in quotes because for me at least, it is not so much about jumping on some grand plan of life change on January 1st, but rather a resolution to be honest in my examination of long term needs for realignment of some of my habits. As much as it is a bad habit,
I am not including my nail biting on the time to address list...yet. The ongoing slow distribution of the covid19 vaccine and the resulting delay in making it available to "younger people" (I am 60) with underlying heath conditions means nail biting is sadly not off the table
for the upcoming (literally) months.
I took advantage of pre-signing up
for the wait-list for my vaccine group at a local pharmacy and received confirmation, so that at least makes
me feel I am doing all that I can do in addition to continuing to stay home and follow all the CDC mitigation directives. So....how about you? Have you made any resolutions or committed to any lifestyle changes as we start into the new year? I would love to hear from you, especially among musicians...any musical "resolutions?"
Drop me an email at the address below if you have something to share.
Remember! ...artists and fans in our area....please send us your information. We would love to have more information on how everyone is doing and what is
(or isn't yet) on your horizons.
If you are a local blues artist, venue,
or fan 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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Liz Lottmann shared the news of
an upcoming epic movie that focuses
on Billie Holiday. The release date
is scheduled for February 12 and features Grammy-nominated actress Andra Day in the role of Holiday.
Check out the Vanity Fair article about the movie HERE. |
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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
Even among the restrictions we have been able to get some gigs in. The feedback on our latest CD, "Bar-B-Que" has kept us happy and looking past canceled gigs and shuttered venues. We have been receiving feedback on our album BAR-B-QUE from all over the globe... Russia, France, the Netherlands, an island off the coast of Africa as well as national radio shows.As bad as things are we do have a lot to give Thanks for.
Buddy notes there is another option for everyone to stay connected and to keep Bluesin'! Ron Sumner is making use of the empty Eureka Springs Auditorium by streaming concerts. The Motivators were live Dec. 3rd which is available for viewing anytime after on youtube under LiveAtTheAud
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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. 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
*****
Jimmy Wayne Garrett
A new album from Jimmy Wayne Garrett is out titled Town on the Mountain. It is a collection of original songs written from 2009 until 2019.  The album was recorded at The Bomb Shelter in Nashville, TN and Easthall Recording Studio in Fayetteville, AR and features The Buffalo Gals (Melissa Carper and Rebecca Patek) and a handful of Nashville based artists. Each track was captured using only acoustic instruments. This album casts a unique contrast to JWG's previous album.
During these challenging times, Jimmy loves to share joy through his music. He suggests "that we should remember Love. A person could be trying to
find the beautiful and good things in life. It’s a short time we have to be alive and most conversations taking place are uninspiring, unintelligent, uneducated, unproductive, close-minded, and permeate from terrible addictions or distractions to say the least. I’d rather pull close to my kinfolk, the arts, and the earth than spend energy on worrying about 'the state of things'".
For more information about Jimmy Wayne Garrett, his schedule, recent interviews, or buy the latest album, visit: JimmyWayneGarrett.com
His music may also be found HERE:
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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
January 8
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Today’s show features music performed by Clara Smith and
Tampa Red
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"I am trying to get people to see that
we are our brother's keeper. Red, white, black, brown or yellow, rich or poor, we all have the blues."
B. B. King
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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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