As I look toward life changes ahead while I prepare to pass the torch for roles I have held for many years in the NWA Blues community, I am investing time and energy toward that process to help make it a soft landing for those who will take over my projects. The OBS Board of Directors has plenty of skilled team members who can take on publishing this newsletter and filling the webmaster position, but they all wear many hats so are still seeking input from members or friends who might be interested in collaborating. The newsletter editor role involves 2-3 hours a week, mostly on Thursday and Friday. The publication process might benefit from collaboration by finding folks who would be willing to take on specific roles such as managing the calendar, and preparing articles. The webmaster position is pretty flexible time wise. It requires a bit more time now and then when there are needed updates before and after events. Our hosting service has web builder software built in for those who like to design but don't write code. If you or someone you know is interested in either of these roles, please email LIZ LOTTMANN
New this week is an article about
a very cool event tonight at
the Juke Joint Project at the Pryor Center in Fayetteville. Read on below for more information!
Back this week...ticket sales remain HOT for our April 20th Twilight Blues Series! Check out the article below or visit WWW.OZARKBLUESSOCIETY.ORG
and grab some tickets to join us for a Bluesin' good time! Also returning this week is another update on the OBS Board officer nomination process. Tomorrow, April 6th is the last day to submit nominations from the "floor" (current members.) Find all the information you need in the article below. We also continue to feature the weekly Blues History provided by Jimbo Madson from the band Big Train and the Loco Motives. Remember to visit the Facebook page for more Blues History videos.
As we prepare to transition to the new newsletter preparation team, please send questions, information, feedback, and suggestions to OBS President, Liz Lottmann HERE:
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TONIGHT at the
Juke Joint Project!
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From the UA News on Wednesday, April 03, 2024 *used with permission*
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An Evening With NWA Soldier Songs and Voices: The Healing Power of Music
Scientific studies and anecdotal evidence alike have long demonstrated the therapeutic and healing powers of music. The members of the Northwest Arkansas chapter of Soldier Songs and Voices witness music's transformative potential every week in their work with patients at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks and with veterans in the community. 
They will share some of their experiences and perform music at BC's Blues Shack/The Juke Joint Project in the Pryor Center atrium at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 5.
Soldier Songs and Voices NWA is one of 11 chapters of a national organization whose mission is to foster a creative and supportive community of veterans through music instruction, performance and outreach. The chapter provides members a student guitar, free music instruction, access to shared member songs and covers with lyrics and chords, and they encourage participation in their sound circle.
Casey Kayser, associate professor of English and director of the Medical Humanities program, says that Soldier Songs and Voices NWA's work provides a perfect example of the ways in which the arts and humanities can intersect with health and medicine. "This event will be an opportunity for Soldier Songs and Voices to entertain as well as educate as they share their stories about the healing power of music with university students, faculty and staff, as well as the larger community," Kayser said. "Sometimes, recovery isn't just about a treatment or prescription, but can be found through human connection, artistic expression and the cathartic emotions that music and other arts can evoke in us."
Lee Haight, president of Soldier Songs and Voices NWA, said,
"If food is medicine for the body, then music is medicine for the soul. We love seeing the smiles and emotions our music evokes from vets and their families at the VA. Sometimes, with patients, it might just be a toe tap or some other sign we're getting through. If we reach at least one
vet's heart, we've done our job."
Lori C. Holyfield, professor of sociology, worked with Haight and other veterans to develop the NWA chapter of Soldier Songs and Voices, which was founded in 2017. Her own book, Veterans' Journeys Home: Life after Afghanistan and Iraq (2011), draws on a series of interviews she conducted with returning soldiers and mental health professionals. As an amateur songwriter and musician herself, she knew the healing power of music, and she, Haight and other veteran musicians combined forces to help veterans in NWA through music.
This event, sponsored by the U of A Medical Humanities Program and registered student organization, the Arkansas Humanities Center, the Music Education Initiative, the Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, and the U of A Veteran and Military-Affiliated Student Center, is free and open to the public. Donations for Soldier Songs and Voices will be accepted and appreciated.
The Pryor Center is located at 1 E. Center St., and free parking is available on the Fayetteville Square.
For more information, visit:
or contact: Casey Lee Kayser, University of Arkansas associate professor and director of Medical Humanities, Department of English email: ckayser@uark.edu |
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Get Your Ticket Now
for the New OBS Series
Twilight Blues
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It's time! The ticket link is live on our Humanitix ticket sales platform. Please go to OBS TWILIGHT BLUES TICKETS and get your tickets. We look forward to seeing everyone at this event!
Our April 20, 2024 event is being held at the Meteor Guitar Gallery
and will feature performances from our 2023 Blues Challenge winners, The Chad Marshall Band as well
as past Challenge winners,
The Downtown Livewires and Divas On Fire. We will also be treated to a guest appearance by the exceptional regional Bluesman, Akeem Kemp.
The night will kick of with a brief  meeting to elect new OBS officers and board members. But not to worry! We won't hold you back from party mode for long. We will also be offering specials that night for current and new members. Please join us as we "Keep the Blues Alive" in Northwest Arkansas. |
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Ozark Blues Society
Board Elections Update
Floor Nominations Closing April 6
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We are in the final days to accept nominations from "the floor" from current members who wish to nominate additional candidates. To submit an additional candidate, please email LIZ LOTTMANN
Our board's nominating committee has completed their work. They wish to present the following nominees: Diane Rudolph for the office of Vice President, and Douglas Myles for the office of Treasurer. Both positions are for 2-year terms.
If there are additions to the list of nominees following the floor nomination period, a revised list of nominees will be released prior to the election. Please make plans to join us for our April 20th event!
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Weekly Blues History Presented by
Big Train and the
Loco Motives
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Thank you Big Train Blues for permission to access and share these presentations! Find these weekly videos and more when you visit, like and follow Big Train and the Loco Motives at BIGTRAINBLUES.COM
*****
 HEY BLUES FANS - Here's the latest episode of "This Week In The Blues" for the week of March 31 - April 6, 2024. Some of the highlights include Piedmont blues guitarist and singer Etta Baker, West Coast blues guitarist Lowell Fulson, Texas pianist Amos Milburn, and blues legend McKinley Morganfield, who you probably know as Muddy Waters.
Watch this week's YouTube episode HERE
If you like blues history, Jimbo "Big Train" Madsen does a daily blues history post on the Big Train and the Loco Motives Facebook Page. You can follow their page HERE
They post a new episode each week. Jimbo says, "we’ll see you then!"
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LIVE MUSIC
Music Calendar
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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. Submit weekly listings by emailing: SANDY
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4.5
- Leah and the Mojo Doctors for Happy Hour at George's Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville
- NWA Soldiers, Songs and Voices at the Juke Joint at the Pryor Center in Fayetteville
- Jackie Venson for West Street Live at the WAC in Fayetteville
- UARK Jazz Festival at Faulkner Performing Arts UA in Fayetteville
- Roby Pantall Jazz Duo at Sassafras Winery in Springdale
- Cole Birmingham Band at the Music Depot in Rogers
- Trejavu@the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville
- Opal Agafia's Ozark Mountain Soul at The Farm in Eureka Springs
- The Lucky Losers at 906 Lounge in Fort Smith
4.6
- SoNA's Ode to Joy: Beethoven's Ninth at WAC in Fayetteville
- Branjae at the Music Depot in Rogers
- The Reeves Brothers at the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville
- Opal Agafia's Ozark Mountain Soul at The Farm in Eureka Springs
- Buddy Shute and the Motivators for Eclipse Fest at Ron Coleman Mining in Jessiville AR
4.7
- Jazz Sundays at Cork and Keg in Fayetteville
- The Lucky Losers at Chelsea's Cafe in Eureka Springs
- Opal Agafia's Ozark Mountain Soul at The Farm in Eureka Springs
- Buddy Shute and the Motivators for Eclipse Fest at Ron Coleman Mining in Jessiville AR
4.8
- Opal Agafia's Ozark Mountain Soul at The Farm in Eureka Springs
- Buddy Shute and the Motivators for Eclipse Fest at Ron Coleman Mining in Jessiville AR
4.9
- UA Percussion Ensemble at Faulkner Performing Arts UA in Fayetteville
- Forte Quintet at the Undercroft in Bentonville
4.10
- Brick Fields Blues Therapy at Morano's in Fayetteville
- Ben Harris at Six-Twelve Coffeehouse and Bar in Fayetteville
4.11
- UA Horns Spring Recital at Fayetteville Public Library in Fayetteville
- Blues Redemption at Six-Twelve Coffeehouse and Bar in Fayetteville
- Vince Turner art JJ's Grill and Chill in Springdale
- Fort Smith Jazz Jam at The Bakery District in Ft Smith
4.12
- Earl and Them for Happy Hour at George's Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville
- Elizabeth Bainbridge Jazz Duo at Sassafras Winery in Springdale
- Take 6 at the WAC in Fayetteville
- The Expressions at the Music Depot in Rogers
- Opal Agafia's Ozark Mountain Sound Collaborative Artist Showcase at the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville
4.13
- Silkroad Ensemble presents: Train Station Trio at Faulkner Performing Arts UA in Fayetteville
- Voicejam Competition at WAC in Fayetteville
- Isayah and the All-Stars at the Music Depot in Rogers
- School of Rock at the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville
- Blue Underground at River Bend Casino in Wyandotte OK
Mark Your Calendar
4/18 Songwriters in the Round at the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville
4/19 Bellwether Sirens at the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville 4/20 OBS Twilight Blues Series at the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville
4/21 Fort Smith Blues Jam at the Bakery District in Fort Smith
4/26 Time Keepers at the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville
4/26 Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain at WAC in Fayetteville
4/26 Hozier at the AMP in Rogers
4/27 Aubrey Logan Band at the WAC in Fayetteville 4/27 Gallowalker at the Meteor Guitar Gallery in Bentonville
4/27 Riley Green at the AMP in Rogers
4/29 NWA Jazz All Stars Youth Ensemble at the WAC in Fayetteville
5/1 Greta Van Fleet at the AMP in Rogers
5/2 Need to Breathe at the AMP in Rogers
5/3 Artosphere: Cate Brothers and Nace Brothers at Railyard Live in Rogers
5/3 Parker McCollum at the AMP in Rogers
5/4 Artosphere: LaFiesta Con Grupo Del 4/ Emmanual Cortes with Little Yei at Railyard Live in Rogers
5/7 Artosphere:Trout Fishing in America at the Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks in Fayetteville
5/30-6/2 Eureka Springs Blues Party in Eureka Springs
8/12 Slash/Christone "Kingfish" Ingram/Robert Randolph and ZZ Ward at The Momentary in Bentonville
Please Submit Dates for Regional Blues Artists and Group Events HERE |
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On this day
in Blues
History
April 5
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Today’s show features music performed by King Oliver and Little Willie Foster
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"Joe Oliver has always been my inspiration and my idol. No trumpet player had the fire that Oliver had. Man, he really could punch a number. Some might have had a better tone, but I've never seen nothing have the fire, and no one created as much as Joe.”
Louis Armstrong
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Enjoy these weekly radio, streaming, and written blues sources!
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Hangnail's Hollers
Stories From the Blues
By Hangnail Slim
Blues lovers! Check out the new Substack newsletter written by Hangnail Slim.
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Blues Music Television!
Find  Blues Music TV on Facebook HERE Wanting more?
Check out their all Blues channel on ROKU HERE! |
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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.
Your membership support of Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas helps us pursue our mission to preserve the Original American Art Form known as The Blues, supports live blues performances, and provides educational programs for all ages.
Thank You!
Membership Benefits Include:
Weekly E-newsletter
Opportunities to win tickets to events
VIP seating at events (when available)
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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Thanks to the following for their support of blues education.
Please check back for updates
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