:: Friday, June 18, 2004 ::

B.B. KING RECEIVES THIRD ANNUAL BLUES MUSIC ASSOCIATION "A.G.E.S. AWARD"

Blues Music Trade Association Presented its Third A.G.E.S. Award in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- B.B. King was named as the winner of the third annual Blues Music Association (BMA) A.G.E.S Award last week in Memphis,
Tenn. The award is presented every May to an individual who has helped members of the blues community "achieve greater economic success" (A.G.E.S).
King is the first musician to receive this award.

BMA board member Steve Berkowitz of Sony Music told King that he was "chosen for being the world's greatest ambassador of the blues, and for using
his prestige and drawing power to bring lesser-known blues musicians onto his bandstand as opening acts, and thereby helping the careers of aspiring
younger blues artists."

The Blues Music Association (BMA) was formed in October 1998 in Olive Branch, Miss., with the following mission: "A professional organization
working to achieve greater economic success for the blues by expanding the marketplace for blues music."

Correspondence for the BMA should be addressed to Blues Music Association, P.O. Box 3122, Memphis, TN 38173, telephone number: (901) 572-3843,
http://www.bluesmusicassociation.com

:: Les Coles Friday, June 18, 2004 [+] ::

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Friends Sing Praises of Ray Charles

Actress Cicely Tyson speaks at the funeral for music legend Ray Charles(AFP/Pool/Reed Saxon)


LOS ANGELES Associated Press (June 18)— Friends of Ray Charles sent the late singer off on a high note Friday. B.B. King, Glen Campbell , Stevie Wonder and Wynton Marsalis performed musical tributes to Charles, who died last week at 73, during a joyous funeral service at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The event was attended not only by fellow performers but by Los Angeles city luminaries including Mayor James Hahn, Police Chief William Bratton and Councilman Bernard Parks.

Charles' son, the Rev. Robert Robinson Sr., started the service with a rousing tone, clapping his hands throughout a reading from the Old Testament. Then the Rev. Jesse Jackson added a New Testament reading threaded with his own inspirational message to Charles.

"Now heaven has a maestro," Jackson said. "Ray, when you first get there, before you meet Count (Basie), before you meet Duke (Ellington), before you meet family and friends, there's a man over there, across the river who is giving sight to the blind!"

Friends and family of the singer, who had been blind since age 7, applauded and cheered.

Willie Nelson performed a tearful rendition of Charles' signature hit, "Georgia On My Mind," but wasn't allowed to leave the pulpit on a sad note — Charles' longtime manager, Joe Adams, teased him about always losing chess games to Charles.

Nelson joked that after his last loss to the sightless performer, he asked him, "Next time we play, can we turn the lights on?"

King, who played a mournful ballad on his guitar, held back tears as he paid tribute to Charles.

"He's a genius," King said. "One of the greatest musicians I ever met."

Wonder, who is also blind, said that when he first heard recordings of Charles he didn't know they shared a disability.

"Long before I knew we had so much in common, I knew him as a man and a voice that touched my heart," Wonder said, his fingers trailing over piano keys. "His voice made me feel like I wanted to love deeper, to care more and reach out and touch the world."

Another tribute came from actor-director Clint Eastwood , who interviewed Charles for an extensive segment of the documentary "The Blues."

"I'm here to join the chorus to praise Ray. He was called a genius," Eastwood said. "Certainly Ray was supertalented, but talent comes with a lot of work. I don't think I've met anyone with a stronger work ethic than Ray Charles."

Eastwood also lauded Charles as a teacher.

"He worked so hard to be a perfectionist and entertain us all," he said. "He was a teacher who taught us about the blues, to people who didn't understand the blues. He taught us about country music. ... He reinstilled our interest in patriotic songs. Anything he touched was just good."

The funeral ended with the opening of Charles' casket and the playing of his recording of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" with Johnny Mathis as hundreds of mourners passed by.

The funeral motorcade was to pass by his recording studio, designated a historic landmark last month, en route to Inglewood Park Cemetery.

On Thursday more than 5,000 people attended the public viewing for the Grammy-winning artist at the Los Angeles Convention Center. His initials were spelled out in a giant R and C made from white chrysanthemums and carnations, and one of his colorful jackets rested on the empty piano bench.

:: Les Coles Friday, June 18, 2004 [+] ::

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Win a free ticket to see Blues Traveler in Prague!

This in from Blues Brother David Krejci:

Greetings. Thought The Blues Blog readers might be interested in a contest to see a free Blues Traveler concert. There's six concerts this summer where concert-goers get a free disposable camera to take concert photos with [ Denver, New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago and Atlanta]. Leave the camera at the concert and the best photo wins the photographer a free trip to the Czech Republic to see Blues Traveler play live in Prague.

All the details are here, but you have to be 21+ to enter.

Tour Dates:
June 30 WED Britt Festival Grounds Jacksonville, OR

July 4 SUN Red Rocks Amphitheater Morrison, CO w/ North Mississippi AllStars

July 8 THU Common Ground Festival Lansing, MI w/ Big Head Todd and the Monsters

July 9 FRI DTE Energy Music Center Clarkston, MI w/ Big Head Todd and the Monsters

July 10 SAT PromoWest Pavilion Columbus, OH w/ North Mississippi AllStars & Big Head Todd and the Monsters

July 15 THU Meadowbrook Musical Arts Center Gilford, NH w/ North Mississippi AllStars & Big Head Todd and the Monsters (Special disocunt for JamBase users. Receive $3 off PER TICKET. Go here for infoBlues Traveler)

July 21 WED Wolftrap Filene Center Vienna, VA w/ Big Head Todd and the Monsters

July 23 FRI Lumberjack Days Stillwater, MN

July 24 SAT The Wheatland Jam Wichita, KS

July 25 SUN Northern Lights Theater Milwaukee, WI

July 27 TUE Ravinia Highland Park, IL

July 31 SAT Wolf Lake Park Hammond, IN

08/21 SAT Arnolds ParkArnolds Park, IA

08/23 MON Central States Fairgrounds Rapid City, SD
09/05 SUN Snow Ridge Ski Area Turin, NY w/ moe. & Gongzilla


Charge by phone 303-830-8497 www.redrocksonline.com or www.cc.com

On the Web:
www.Pictureyourselfinprague.com
http://www.bluestraveler.com/

:: Les Coles Friday, June 18, 2004 [+] ::

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The Robert Cray Band, Buddy Guy

One of Chicago's most dynamic and notable bluesmen, Buddy Guy's importance was largely unrecognized until Eric Clapton cited him as one of his primary influences. Hailing from Louisiana, Guy headed for Chicago in the 1950s, cultivating an incendiary performance style to establish himself among the city's leading blues players. It worked; Guy counted Muddy Waters and Magic Sam as friends, and the latter helped him secure his first record deal. Later joining premier blues label Chess, Guy recorded some of his most enduring work there in the 1960s, as well as backing up artists such as Howlin' Wolf and Koko Taylor.

Although he was important influence to both Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, it wasn't until the early 1990s that Guy got his due from audiences. His 1991 release, Damn Right I've Got the Blues, won him the first of multiple Grammy awards, and he's continued recording and touring relentlessly ever since. Buddy Guy live is an enthralling experience; most would-be guitar gods pale in comparison.

With a recording career spanning almost 25 years, conventional wisdom states that The Robert Cray Band should be fading quietly into the musical sunset. So it comes as a pleasant surprise that the band has released its most ambitious album to date. Time Will Tell opens a whole new chapter for The Robert Cray Band, introducing a fresh sound that is sure to win new fans, and make existing fans proud of this unique step forward.

The acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist has been recruited to perform on recordings by Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and John Lee Hooker, among others. In addition to recording with each of those artists, he has also performed on stage with all of them as well as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Keith Richards, and The Rolling Stones. As a writer, Cray's songs have been covered by Albert King, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Del McCoury, and even Tony Bennett.

For more information about food, what's allowed at the show and more, click on the link for Pier 62/63 in this listing.

Date: Aug: 14
Location: Waterfront
Venue: Pier 62/63
Contact Phone: 206-628-0888
Time Info: 7 p.m.
Price Info: $39
Tickets: Ticketmaster or at http://www.summernights.org/

Source: KIROTV.com

:: Les Coles Wednesday, June 16, 2004 [+] ::

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Shorter and Holland Win Jazz Award

NEW YORK (June 16)—Wayne Shorter and Dave Holland were off preparing to launch a summer tour this weekend on the West Coast in a super-quartet with pianist Herbie Hancock and drummer Brian Blade, but they were among the big winners at the Jazz Journalists Association Jazz Awards 2004.

For the second straight year, tenor saxophonist and composer Shorter, who rose to prominence with Hancock in Miles Davis' legendary 1960s quintet, was chosen Musician of the Year on Tuesday. Shorter also was a repeat winner for Album of the Year — for "Allegria," his first studio recording as a leader since 1994 — and his quartet again was named the top small ensemble.
Photo, top left, above shows jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter performs during Tokyo Jazz 2002 in Chofu, a northwestern suburb of Tokyo, in this Aug 24, 2002 photo. (AP Photo/Naokazu Oinuma)

The British-born Holland, who began his U.S. career with Davis' electric "Bitches Brew" band, also was a repeat multiple-winner, for large ensemble and acoustic bass.

The 83-year-old pianist-composer Dave Brubeck won the award for Lifetime Achievement in Jazz in balloting conducted among some 400 members of the Jazz Journalists Association. Another pianist-composer, Vijay Iyer, the son of immigrants from India, was chosen Up & Coming Artist of the Year.

Also receiving multiple awards were Maria Schneider for composer and arranger; and George Wein, founder of the Newport Jazz Festival, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. He was honored as events producer and for best book about jazz, his autobiography "Myself Among Others."

"Thank you to the jazz community," Cassandra Wilson (news) said as she accepted the female singer award before several hundred people at B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill. "This music is so important. It's vital and it's evolving, it's alive and it's doing well."

---

On the Web:
Jazz House

:: Les Coles Wednesday, June 16, 2004 [+] ::

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Johnny Ramone Diagnosed With Cancer

June 16—Johnny Ramone, founding guitarist for the Ramones, is currently in a Los Angeles hospital fighting prostate cancer. Former Ramones drummer Marky Ramone revealed the state of his former bandmate to Rolling Stone this week. Johnny (aka John Cummings) first found out about his illness four years ago and has since gone through extensive chemotherapy.

Marky told Rolling Stone, "Johnny's been a champ in confronting this, but at this point I think the chances are slim." He added, "John never smoked cigarettes, he wasn't a heavy drinker and he was always into his health. It just proves when cancer seeks a body to penetrate, it doesn't matter how healthy you are or how unhealthy you are. It just seeps in and there's nothing you can do."

Arguably the most influential Punk band ever, the Ramones have lost two other band members in the past three years.  Singer Joey Ramone died of lymphatic cancer in 2001, and bassist Dee Dee passed away from a drug overdose in 2002.

When asked why he chose to finally reveal Johnny's situation, Marky said, "I've been getting so much e-mail from people and from papers and magazines wanting to know what was up I had to take it upon myself to say something, because eventually John won't be in any condition to say or do anything. He went through many chemotherapy treatments. Some of it worked better than others. At this point [the cancer] has started to go into other areas of the body."

After the Ramones officially split in 1996, Johnny retired from the touring life, supposedly even selling his amps and equipment.

Marky told Rolling Stone that Johnny is still upbeat, despite his condition. "He seemed in good spirits the last time I saw him," said Marky. "He was talking about the positive things the Ramones accomplished: getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, how our music is being accepted at this point. It put a smile on his face. Knowing John, he'll fight this horrible disease to the end. Everybody is wishing the best and hoping the best. We'll stand by him."

:: Les Coles Wednesday, June 16, 2004 [+] ::

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Hiro Suzuki Gig Change

This urgent newsflash in from Blues Brother Hiro Suzuki of the Deborah Coleman Band:

Hey Fellows,

The South-street seaport show on 22nd of June has been moved !!!

The NEW DATE will be on Tuesday, AUGUST 31st.

Sorry for any inconvienence from this change.

But the Blues festival on AUGUST 15th at Pier54 in Manhattan is still on.
I guess we, Deborah Coleman band, will hit around 6:00 p.m., and the headliner, Koko Taylor will be around 8:00 p.m.

See Ya !

HIRO SUZUKI

This year’s 5th Annual Festival promises another hot line-up with the Queen of the Blues, Grammy winning Koko Taylor as the headliner. Popular local BBQ restaurants will sell their specialties followed by a spectacular fireworks display. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of this premier Hudson River Park event.

---

On the Web:
Hudson River Park

---

And here's aa reminder of an earlier gig:

Hiro Suzuki Gig in NJ

This in from Blues Brother Hiro Suzuki of the Deborah Coleman Band

If you cant see the date too clear, it's Sunday June 20th

The Scotland Yard Bar is at:
72 Hudson St. Hoboken
NJ 07030
Tel.: (201) 222-9273
Fax: (201) 222-2180
info@scotlandyardbar.com
http://www.scotlandyardbar.com/

Related Blues Blog Story:
News from Hiro Suzuki, Deborah Coleman Band (Aug. 2 2003)

:: Les Coles Wednesday, June 16, 2004 [+] ::

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Blues, Brews Star in CFRT River Festival

Fayetteville,NC (June 15)—The first ever "River Blues N Brews Festival" will kick off at 4 p.m. that Saturday at the near-as-newly crafted Campbellton Landing. The event will marry two great things: great beer and great music, in what is hoped to become an annual event.

"We'll be featuring several blues bands and handcrafted beer from some of the finest breweries in the Carolinas," said Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT) Artistic Director Bo Thorp, who added that her role as concert promoter began with the CFRT's Bluegrass Festival several months ago.

"We did one last year — the bluegrass event — and we want to repeat that again this fall," said Thorp, "this concert, however, is different in a couple of ways. First, we're going to have a lot of great blues music; and second, and most importantly, the Brewers Association is involved."

The costar of the event — the brew part of the Blues N Brews Festival — will be the more than 60 featured beers from around the country, all of which will be available for sampling — as long as you have the right ticket. "These microbreweries make incredible gourmet beers and they are going to have them represented at our festival," said Thorp. "This is the first time anyone's done a brew festival in Fayetteville ... and these microbrewers are really zealous about making their beer and having people taste it."

The Blues half of the mixture will feature live performances from an all-star cast, including: Scott Ainslie; Josh White, Jr.; Abe Reid and the SpikeDrivers; Joyner, Young and Marie; and The Parsons Quintet.

"Scott Ainslie is coming in from Vermont," said Thorp, noting that the performer is no stranger to our musical haunts. "He's a former guest artists at the CFRT and he's played in our community several times." According to Thorp, it didn't take much to sell Ainslie and company on the Festival. "It didn't take much convincing," she said, adding that artists like Josh White will be traveling from as far away as Detroit to perform, and Abe Reid from Durham. "We've got a great mix of 'local' and regional artists," said Thorp.

Thorp said the secret to enjoying the festival will be to have the right ticket in hand. "We have three different tickets," she said. The first of which is $15 and is just for the music and other activities. Then, there's a $20 ticket that comes with a beer glass for sampling all the different brews. The final ticket, which is $25, comes with a guarantee and better seats. "For $25, you get a better seat, the beer glass, and posher conditions," said Thorp.

With a potent mix of barley and music, the River Blues N Brews Festival aims to become a marquee event in the CFRT annual lineup. It's built upon a formula for success that Thorp is anxious to repeat. "We had a wonderful time when we did the bluegrass festival ... there was a great feeling of everyone gathering together under a Carolina moon," said Thorp. "Everyone had a great time and we're looking for that to happen again."

Source: BRIAN DUKES, Up & Coming Weekly

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The First Annual River Blues -N- Brews Festival
June 26 -Fayetteville, N.C.
4-11 p.m.
Campbellton Landing at the Riverside Marina

Tickets: $15 (no beer);
$20 (beer tasting, Includes Glass)
Featuring handcrafted beers from North Carolina's Finest Microbreweries!
Food by Papa John's Pizza, Mash House BBQ Ribs & CFRT Dogs & Burgers

Band List
4 p.m. Joyner-Young Band
5 p.m. The Parsons Quintet
6 p.m. Josh White, Jr.
7 p.m. Abe Reid and the Spikedrivers
8 p.m. Scott Ainslie
9 p.m. Scott Ainslie & Josh White, Jr.
9:30 p.m. Abe Reid & the Spikedrivers
10 p.m. Blues Jam

CFRT (Cape Fear Regional Theatre) Box Office: 910-323-4233
CFRT Site

:: Les Coles Wednesday, June 16, 2004 [+] ::

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ROBERT QUINE Obit

Underground guitarist Robert Quine, who recorded with Lou Reed, Marianne Faithfull and Tom Waits, was found dead in Manhatten last week, aged 61. He died of a heroin overdose following the recent death of his wife.

Quine, a Velvet Underground fan who recorded the band in 1969, which lead to the release of a three-CD box called The Bootleg Series Volume 1: The Quine Tapes, played on Richard Hell and the Voidoids Blank Generation', as well as Reed's The Blue Mask album.

"Robert Quine was a magnificent guitar player — an original and innovative tyro of the vintage beast," Reed said in a statement released to Billboard.com. "He was an extraordinary mixture of taste, intelligence and rock'n'roll abilities coupled with major technique and a scholar's memory for every decent guitar lick ever played under the musical son. He made tapes for me for which I am eternally grateful — tapes of the juiciest parts of solos from players long gone. Quine was smarter than them all. And the proof is in the recordings, some of which happily are mine. If you can find more interesting sounds and musical clusters than Quine on 'Waves of Fear' [from Reed's 1982 album The Blue Mask], well, it's probably something else by Robert."

Source: Guitar News Weekly

:: Les Coles Wednesday, June 16, 2004 [+] ::

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Ocho Rios Jazz Festival

JAMAICA (June 15)—The turn-out was disappointingly low but the music appreciatively good as the 2004 Jamaica Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, now in its 14th year, opened Sunday afternoon at the Almond Tree restaurant in Ocho Rios.

The Fabulous Five band, which over the years has built a solid reputation as both a reggae and soca band, boosted its stocks as a ska entity with a scintillating 35-minute set that spanned ska favourites of the 1960s. They for sure had the small gathering out of their seats and dancing.

Hitting the stage after the Switzerland-based quartet Brink Man Ship had opened the show to get the Festival under way, Fab Five with Frankie Campbell and Grub Cooper as the only two long-standing members still in the band, opened with the Skatalites' Freedom Sounds, before getting busy with Occupation which signalled the start of dancing by a section of the audience.

London Town and Eastern Standard Time followed with Campbell adopting the narrator's role. But he soon cast that role aside as the band launched into Justin Hines and the Dominoes' "Carry Go Bring Come," then segued into The Maytals "It's You" to signal the start of a 10-minute medley that spanned some 11 memorable ska hits. Another Toots Hibbert (Maytals) classic, "Never You Change," was also part of the mix, so too Eric "Monty" Morris' "Sammy Dead".

Then Frankie Campbell called on rock guitarist, Mark Pritchett, who also happens to be managing director of the Jamaica Observer, to jam with the band.

Pritchett enhanced his growing local reputation with a near 20-minute set of blues music that included "You Can't Fool the Blues," "Have You Ever Loved A Woman," and "So Glad You Made It."

He might have earned the biggest applause for the afternoon, as his superb guitar artistry was backed by his compelling vocals.

With leader Jan Galega on sax, René Reimann on guitar, Emanuel Schnyder on bass and Christoph Staudenmann on drums, Brink Man Ship, billed as part of the Euro Jazz Invasion, opened the festival and proceeded to mesmerise the small gathering with their special brand of jazz, described by enthusiasts as urban electronic.

The band has been creating extensive press and public attention in Europe with their current release "Elephant and Castle" and took the audience on a tour of that castle with a smooth performance that lasted nearly an hour.

The UK-based dreadlock, Helen McDonald, showed class with a cool and refreshing performance characterised by good voice control.

McDonald, whose mother came from Ocho Rios, was in complete command delivering some great jazz standards such as the Latin "One Note Samba" and Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child."

Ginetta's Vendetta wasted little time settling into a rhythmic groove, and whether she was on the trumpet or singing she appeared to be enjoying herself immensely at the Jazz Fest.

"Summer Time," "It's My Life" and an instrumental of Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" formed part of her repertoire.

Sonny Bradshaw came up on stage at 6:05 pm to apologise for members of his band who he said were scheduled to arrive from Miami and Grand Cayman but still had not shown.

It was left to the Big Joe Turner Blues Review to close the evening's proceedings.

Source: Carl Gilchrist, Jamaica Observer

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On the Web:
Ocho Rios Jazz Festival

:: Les Coles Wednesday, June 16, 2004 [+] ::

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Ray Charles Memorial & Funeral

Following Friday's Service, Singer's Funeral Cortege Will Travel One Last Time Past His Beloved Studios, Now a City Landmark

Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Clint Eastwood, Stevie Wonder, Glen Campbell, Cicely Tyson, Billy Preston and Rev. Jesse Jackson Among Entertainer's Friends Who Will Honor Him

LOS ANGELES, June 15 /PRNewswire/ — On Thurs., June 17, music legend Ray Charles, who died last Thursday, will be remembered by his fellow Los Angelinos.

A public memorial and viewing is scheduled in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, from 12 noon to 8 p.m. on Thursday.

There will be a book of condolences that the public is welcome to sign.

On Friday, June 18, an invitation only funeral will be convened at the First AME Church on Harvard Blvd., in Los Angeles.

Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Clint Eastwood, Stevie Wonder, Glen Campbell, Cicely Tyson, Billy Preston and Rev. Jesse Jackson are among the entertainer's friends and associates who will honor him during the two-hour ceremony, which will also feature the Crenshaw High School Elite Choir and other program participants.

Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn and City Councilman Martin Ludlow, representing Mr. Charles' home district, will be among the 1,500 dignitaries and show business luminaries from around the world attending the 10 a.m. service.

After the Friday service, Charles' funeral cortege will pass by — for one last time — his beloved studios at 2107 Washington Blvd. that were recently designated a city historical landmark.

The funeral procession, accompanied by a 26-member motorcycle escort, will pause in front of the studios for one minute of remembrance before continuing its final journey to the cemetery.

"I love this place," Charles said in late April when Mayor Hahn gave him the historical landmark plaque.

"It's the only home I've truly had for most of my professional career and I would never leave it," he proudly added.

---

Source: Ray Charles Enterprise

:: Les Coles Tuesday, June 15, 2004 [+] ::

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Juneteenth in Jackson, Mich.

7 Jackson residents to be honored for work in black community

JACKSON, Mich. (June 14)—Seven residents of Jackson, Mich., will receive the Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Service Award on June 19.

They will be honored at the Riverwalk Amphitheater during the Juneteenth Music Festival, which will celebrate African American Emancipation Day with live gospel, jazz, and rhythm and blues music. The event is free and open to the public and will run from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. The medal winners will be honored at the dedication ceremony at 3 p.m.

Richard Lawson, director of music for the Juneteenth Music Festival, said in an age when many people are busy with their jobs and families, it's important to honor those who are dedicated to causes outside of themselves. The award is given by Jackson Community College's Office of Multicultural Relations to those who demonstrate outstanding leadership and service to the community, with particular emphasis on those who serve young people.

"The least we can do is to be supportive and say thank you, and encourage them to continue to move forward and keep up the good work," Lawson said.

Sgt. Christopher Simpson of the U.S. National Guard and the Jackson Police Department will be the honorary chairperson of the festival. Simpson returned home in May after serving over a year of active duty in the Middle East. He was chosen because of his service to the community and the country, Lawson said.

The winners of the Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Service Award are:

•Helen Campbell is being honored for her work at Florence Crittenton Services, a home for troubled girls and teenage mothers ages 16 to 18.

"We thought it was important to recognize them for their efforts, especially since Jackson has the second highest pregnancy rate in the state," Lawson said.

•Gus Krudwig and Lou Cubille are being honored for their work as owners of The Glou Factory, and in particular for their dedication to after-school programming and arts education. The factory designed the huge murals for the Armory Arts project on Ganson Street.

"They tie in a lot with the arts as being something that is going to make Jackson a more exciting and vibrant place for young people," Lawson said.

•Wanda Holmes is being honored for her 30 years of service to Jackson Public Schools as a para-professional. Holmes works in the Jackson High School library and is active in the community.

"She's just a real inspiration for young people," Lawson said.

"We just think it's important to honor people who have lived and worked and continue to help young people in Jackson."

•Eileen Lehnert is being honored for her service to the community as editor of the Jackson Citizen Patriot and as a volunteer at the Jackson Kiwanis Club.

She is being honored in particular for "her involvement in bringing issues to the eyes of the community through the Cit Pat," Lawson said.

Lawson cited the Citizen Patriot's recent series about high school graduation rates and a series done a couple of years ago titled "Confronting Racism."

•Billie Oliver is being honored for her 17 years of service as director of Grace Haven Center, a homeless shelter and support center on Francis Street. Lawson said in small towns such as Jackson, it's important that people like Oliver are around to keep homeless people from fading into the background.

"She's really vocal and active in the community to bring awareness of the homeless problem," Lawson said.

•Kendra Suddeth is being honored for her service at Florence Crittenton Center and the Jackson County NAACP. She has been involved in the recent resurgence of the NAACP Youth Council, which last year was named the top NAACP Youth Council in Michigan.

"We think it's definitely important that our young people are civic minded and aware of issues," Lawson said.

Medal recipients are also honored at JCC's Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner, and this is the first time the Office of Multicultural Relations has decided to name new award winners at a summer ceremony.

"We wanted to keep King's message and vision in the forefront of peoples' minds," Lawson said.

Source: Melissa Maynard, Jackson Citizen Patriot

---

Note:

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery.

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.

—from Juneteenth.com


Related Blues Blog stories
Juneteenth Music Festival
Celebrate 'JUNETEENTH' in Hillsborough, NC (June 10)
Music Maker Relief Foundation 10th Benefit Bash (April 3)

On the Web:
The King Center
Juneteenth.com
Music Maker

:: Les Coles Monday, June 14, 2004 [+] ::

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Today's Brain Teaser

The headline and the teaser below are fom today's issue of Variety.

Does anyone out there understand any of this?

Levin ankles Frog

In a summer stunner, Jordan Levin has ankled his gig as CEO of the WB -- and producer David Janollari could be headed to the Frog. After being asked to take a reduced role at the net, Levin instead decided to leave
.... WANT TO READ THE WHOLE STORY?

:: Les Coles Monday, June 14, 2004 [+] ::

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Happy Holidays!

This is a recording...

At last! FInally, the payoff for all the overtime, extra shifts, 6-day weeks, 13-hour days, the scrimping 'n' saving!!! I'm off on a 5-day holiday today to indulge my other hobby!!!!

I'm so excited, I've broken out in exclamation marks!!!!!!

But don't worry, I've stockpiled plenty of stories on the server, timed for daily release, and will have access to the computer while I'm in the Philippines.

See you when I get back,

Les

:: Les Coles Monday, June 14, 2004 [+] ::

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Blues music documentary to raise funds

NEW YORK (Billboard) — Kenny Wayne Shepherd is spending a good part of this month filming a blues music documentary that will raise funds for Southern musicians in need.

Across a 10-day period that began June 8, the blues guitar prodigy will record and film performances with the likes of B.B. King, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins and "Steady Rollin"' Bob Margolin in juke joints, on front porches and in other comfortable settings.

Filmmaker Noble Jones will direct the project, which will see future release on DVD and CD. Talking Heads alumnus Jerry Harrison will produce the audio recording. A "substantial share of the profits" from the project will benefit the Music Maker Relief Foundation (http://www.musicmaker.org/) (MMRF). (See below for more Blues Blog posts on the MMRF)

Shepherd's travels will take him to New Orleans and Shreveport, La., Indianola, Miss; Gadsden, Ala.; Hillsborough, N.C.; St. Louis, Mo.; and Salina, Kan. Along for the ride is the Double Trouble rhythm section (drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon), as well as vocalist Noah Hunt, guitarist Joe Nadeau and multi-instrumentalist Jimmy Wallace.

Others on the visiting list include Bryan Lee, Jerry McCain, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Sam Lay, "Wild Child" Butler, Henry Townsend, Honeyboy Edwards, Cootie Stark, Essie Mae Brooks, John Dee Holman, Neal Pattman, Etta Baker and Buddy Flett.

The trip will culminate in a June 18 show at Salina's Church of Blue Heaven Studios that will reunite members of the Muddy Waters Band and Howlin' Wolf's band. Tickets are priced at $40 and are available at 800-716-3553.

"I really feel it is as much a tribute to the masters of the blues as a way to raise money for a foundation which supports working musicians who deserve more recognition," Shepherd said. "There are so many great artists working with us on this project, we hope we can bring a new awareness of the blues to music fans all over the country."

Based in Durham, N.C., the MMRF aids "the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern musical traditions gain recognition and meet their day to day needs," according to the organization's mission statement. Along with recording and distributing music, the non-profit also provides food, shelter and medical care to needy artists.

Along with Shepherd and King, the MMRF's advisory board includes Bonnie Raitt, Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers Band), Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi and Col. Bruce Hampton.

In addition to the documentary, Shepherd is preparing to release a new studio album, due in September via Reprise. The as-yet-untitled set will be the follow-up to 1999's Harrison-produced "Live On," which featured guest turns by the likes of Warren Haynes, Les Claypool, Dr. John and James Cotton. The album bowed at No. 52 on The Billboard 200.

Source: Barry A. Jeckell, Reuters/Billboard

On the Web:
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
MMRF

:: Les Coles Sunday, June 13, 2004 [+] ::

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The 5th Annual Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival

This in from Blues Brother Dawayne Gilley at the Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival:

The Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival was selected on April 14th for the very prestigious 2004 "Best of Wyandotte" award. We would like to quote one of the judges, Marion Augustus, who made the awarding speech in our honor.

"The program we honor tonight addresses several core issues, including neighborhood revitalization, cultural awareness and community recreation. It involves citizens from throughout the county and beyond, reaching into surrounding communities to draw participants in its events. It creates a program in a neighborhood that many folks, outside of Wyandotte County, would likely never think of for an art event. . . . the program we honor tonight . . . brings visitors from all over; helping to revitalize a neighborhood, promote cultural awareness within and among the diversity of our community, and just providing a good time to an appreciative audience. Our . . . Best of Wyandotte award tonight - and congratulations - goes to the Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival."

We are very honored to have received the "Best of Wyandotte" award. There were several other organizations that were nominated, some with longer standing associations to the community. Certainly a tough competition, the awards ceremony takes place every two years.

With this said, we are still badly under budget for this year. We were able to recruit some generous grants last year with the help of Kaw Valley Arts and Humanities. This year, however, some sponsors had to withdraw from financial participation. As grants come from different organizations year to year, we, in turn, battle our funding sources to survive each year. Our cause is well received by many, but it takes money to advertise. Our budget has been cut nearly in half as compared to last year's overall budget, so necessary cuts have been made. As a result, we virtually are doing without any advertising to speak of. We need help from the press just to let people know that we are open for business. Word of mouth has always been our main advertisement. This year it will be more important than ever before. Can you please us help spread the word?

Friday June 25th, Main Outdoor Stage
1:45 PM Blue River Ordonnance
Blue River Ordonnance brings together elements of delta blues, early Chicago styles, and Afro-Cuban rhythms to create a unique sound. The group formed in 1996, and is lead by Kansas City, Kansas native Tom Duckworth on guitar. Tom is a great slide player who writes original songs for the group. Russell Lane is the drummer in the group with deep ties to this 3rd Street KCK neighborhood. Russell has had long associations with many of Kansas City's best, including the late Leon Estelle. Russell Lane is at the top of the list for drummers in the Kansas City area. Matt Brown is a conga/percussionist player in the group. Matt once toured with the Sun Ra Orchestra. Jesus "Zeus" Negron is also a conga player, and completes the beat section with his jazz and Latin timing touch. Alan McGinty is the latest member on bass and is from Houston, Texas. If you enjoy your blues with a Carlos Santana Latin type feel, and plenty of orginality then this group is for you.

Tom Duckworth 913-831-9272

2:45 PM Levee Town
Levee Town is one of the youngest blues groups in Kansas City. They have been making quite a name for themselves on the scene over the last two years. Brandon Hudspeth came to Kansas City in 1998. Since that time he has worked with The Cobalt Project, Little Hatch, Lee McBee, Washboard Chaz and many others, while climbing towards the top of the guitarist list here in Kansas City. Jan Faircloth is the drummer of the group with a ear for the great drum masters before him. Jan compliments the ensemble on time. Jimmie Meade is from Chicago, and the harmonica player of the group. Jimmie suffered a near-death car accident last Thanksgiving, with several injuries including losing part of his left leg. He has bounced back since the accident, and it is of great pleasure to have Jimmie make his debut as scheduled on the Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival. Jacque Garoutte is the bass man of the group from Oklahoma. Jacque is the elder of the group with 26 years of experience, and has worked with many great blues musicians through the years. What makes this group so special is that they are students of vintage blues music first, and they can play with a sense of fire that represents their youth.

Jan Faircloth, Jimmie Meade, and Brandon Hudspeth 913-722-6458

3:45 PM Green Card
Green Card is Kansas City's premier reggae band with experience dating back to 1987. We have never featured reggae before, so you could say that they are our first Jamaican blues band. Renee Bassett is the strong KCK connection of the group. She was raised at 10th and Quindaro. Her parents operated an after-hours club at the family's home at 2518 N. 10th Street for years. Her family's club business included drinking, gambling, and, of course, music. This inspired Renee to want to play music, bass, keyboards, and vocals in particular. In 1987 she formed Green Card with her musical mentor Kingston native Neville Brown who already had a #1 Reggae charts hit with "Haul and Pull Up." This group is co-lead by David Starke on guitar which leads back to the beginning of the group. Ken Bell is the second guitarist, Gary Helm plays bass and percussion, Steve McLane is the drummer, and Ed Turner rounds out the group on keyboards. They have played all over Kansas City for various occassions and festivals. We are proud to bring them home to the Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival.

4:45 PM Andy Cohen (sponsored by Cross Currents Culture Unlimited)
Here are some lies about Andy Cohen from Memphis that you can spread around. Andy Cohen has been playing blues, jazz, and old time music for over fifty years. He contends that the "instrument" is between your ears, and the thing in your hands is just a tool. So while he doesn't claim to be a world virtuoso on anything, he can smoke 'em on a guitar, a slide, piano, and/or this zither-like thing that he carries around with him called a dolceola. Plus a couple of other dozen instruments if needed. He likes that old stuff dating back prior to 1930 just because it is old, funky, and forceful--mainly he likes forceful. Andy Cohen is sponsored by the Cross Currents Culture Unlimited. Andy will make several appearances throughout the festival. Anyone who loves old time folk music this show is for you.

Andy Cohen in Memphis 901-725-6976

KC contact, Bob and Diana Suckiel 816-941-9435

5:15 PM Lawrence Wright and the Starlighters Memorial Allstars
This year's festival is dedicated to Lawrence Wright's memory. Lawrence passed away in November 2003, at the age of 76. Lawrence is a legendary Kansas City Hammond B-3 organ player. Lawrence lead one of the best blues bands that Kansas City ever produced, all without ever doing any studio recordings. Only a few live recorded efforts are to show for the band's legacy today. Some of the best players in town from 1963 to 1987 made a home in this band. Some of the late members of the Starlighters include: Leon Estelle (guitar), Rueben Wright (bass), Mayfield Towns (horns), Albert Collins(guitar), Sonny Kenner (guitar), and James Estelle (vocals). The surviving members to lead today's occasion include: Lester "Duck" Warner (vocals, percussion, and horns), Rick Hendricks (guitar), LC Gant (drums), Steve Shoemaker (trombone), and KC Kelsey Hill (guitar). They will be assisted by Lawrence Wright's son Marcus Wright on bass, James "Spoon" Wilson on percussion, King Alex on vocals, Donovan Bailey on drums, and another KC great Everette DeVan will fill Lawrence's big shoes on the B-3 organ. Lawrence could put a smile on your face whether you wanted one or not. You just could not escape his charm. Lawrence was our first "Living Heritage Tribute King" in 2001. He was proud as could be, and so were we of him. Kansas City, let's tip our hat one more time for that great blues band, Lawrence Wright and the Starlighters.

Lester "Duck" Warner bandleader 913-321-3545

Gracine Wright (Lawrence Wright's widow) 913-371-5052


6:30 PM D.C. Bellamy, with special guest Ernie Johnson
D.C. Bellamy is Club Parodox's favorite son. He has made a seven-year run of weekly shows at the venue. Our festival centers around the Club Paradox which was named by Men's Journal Magazine as one of the top six blues juke joints in the country, and Mr. Bellamy had everything to do with that distinction. D.C. Bellamy first came to Kansas City with Abb Locke in 1989 from Chicago. D.C.'s late half-brother Curtis Mayfield was a huge inspiration to him. After being a sideman for many greats for over 35 years, the spotlight has shifted--his time was overdue to be a star on the world blues scene. His reviews have all been fabulous, including Billboard Magazine with their top rating. A special guest will be Ernie Johnson on guitar, formerly with the P.M.S. Blues Band. Ernie is a great guitarist that adds more diversity to our festival. On Monday nights at Club Paradox you can see D.C. Bellamy do his thing in front of eighty people; the streets will be rockin on the big stage outside of Club Paradox!

D.C. Bellamy 913-371-5858

or Marvine McKeithen 913-328-0710


Saturday June 26th, Acoustic Stage, Inside Club Paradox(sponsored by Cross Currents Culture Unlimited)

We are thrilled that the Cross Currents have joined our festival team to present another type of blues music--acoustic folk blues. Bob and Diana Suckiel (pronounced Sue-key-ul)will keep things flowing inside Club Paradox leading this acoustic charge. Bob and Diana have been involved in folk music for the past 30 plus years, dating back to the "Fool Killers." They have been active in the performing arts as performers, organizers, promoters, and radio personalities. Bob and Diana Suckiel will also be performing themselves at the event. Bob promises to have some surprises in the works, so be ready. Look for us to expand the acoustic element even more next year. Many thanks to Bill Clause, and to all of the Cross Current Culture Unlimited members for their generous help.

Contact Bob and Diana Suckiel at 816-941-9435 with anything regarding the acoustic shows.

1:00 PM Andy Cohen
2:00 PM Danny Cox
3:00 PM Andy Cohen
5:00 PM Bob and Diana Suckiel
6:00 PM Bob's Allstars

Saturday June 26th, Main Outdoor Stage
11:00 AM Jaisson Taylor
Jaisson (pronounced Hy-son) Taylor has a great background as a percussionist/drummer. He is now singing to lead the band. After years of backing up artists like Bill Withers, Al Green, Tina Turner, Freddy King, Carlos Santana, The Staple Singers, Little Hatch, "Gatemouth" Brown, "Honeyboy" Edwards, Larry Garner, Lee McBee, D.C. Bellamy, and Joe Louis Walker, to name a few, Jaisson now has his own new release entitled "Tug of Love" on Enneagram Records. Jaisson has taught African culture and jazz history at the University Leadership Academy Charter School (a University of Missouri-Kansas City affiliate), drumming with Leon Brady, becoming involved with the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, and he continues to do school clinics throughout the year. For Jaisson Taylor, he is overdue to be recognized here in Kansas City for his great talent.

Jaisson Taylor 816-237-1137

12:00 PM The Scamps "70th Anniversary Celebration"
Seventy years ago some kids by the names of Wyatt Griffin, Earl Robinson, and James Whitcomb started a gospel singing group in a CCC camp in Parsons, Kansas, known as "The Scamps." The name continues to this day. By the way, this is an active ongoing world record--one that "The Scamps" add to each and every day. There have been plenty of changes through the years. Easily over 50 different men have been a "Scamp" at one time or another. The group reformed in 1946 to become a pioneering rhythm 'n' blues act following World War II in Kansas City, Kansas. Rudy Massingale, a sax playing piano man, and a guitar player named Wyatt Griffin started getting the guys rounded up to make a run at fame and success as recording artists. Earl Robinson played cocktail drums, James Whitcomb played bass, Eddie Stafford played trumpet, and Torrance Griffin danced to round out the combo, and everyone sang in the group. The Scamps were an early inspiration for rock 'n' roll and doo-wop that followed in the 1950s. They worked hard to perfect the new small combo sound with vocal arrangements. They never really got too far away from that Kansas City sound--the beat with a rhythm. Modern Records, Columbia Records, and the Duke/Peacock Label would record them for a national audience from 1947 to 1955. Their biggest hit was "Red Hot" on Columbia Records in 1949. The Scamps split into The Five Scamps, and yet another change included The Red Hot Scamps after the big hit. Tenor saxman Arthur Jackson would join in time for the Peacock recording session in Houston, Texas, in 1955. Arthur is the longest continual active member with over 50 years to date in the group. On drums and trumpet, Orestes "Rusty" Tucker joined the group in 1973. Pianist Elbert "Coots" Dye also had a long run with the group until his death in 1996. The Aces were another group in town that did "Scamp" material, and several of their members would later join The Scamps. Note: Sonny Kenner played with The Red Hot Scamps in 1951. Oscar "Lucky" Wesley was a leader of the Aces, and joined The Scamps in 1971. He is the current leader of the group on bass. Alto saxman Eddie Saunders and pianist Luqman Hamza would eventually join The Scamps in the 1990s.

How could we pass up a 70-year celebration of The Scamps. We hope to see them go many more years.

Oscar "Lucky" Wesley 816-966-9887


1:30 PM Linda Shell's Blues Thang, with KC Kelsey Hill and Richard Townsend
Linda Shell has been a mainstay here in Kansas City for over 25 years. Her mother's blues club "Blues Alley" was her training ground for the blues. She is a veteran of the southern soul/blues chitlin' circuit. Linda has based herself at times out of Chicago, Oakland, and Atlanta in hopes of becoming a national act. Red Hot Records issued her "Under The Influence" CD in 1996. National fame has dodged her to date, but she just returned from the Blues Estefette in Holland last November. Linda Shell is heading to the Poconos Blues Festival with her guitar-playing husband KC Kelsey Hill on July 25th, to represent the Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival in a Kansas City All-Star Revue. KC Kelsey Hill is a wild man on guitar, and a long-time veteran of the 3rd Street blues scene dating back to the 1960s.


Richard Townsend is a special guest vocalist with Linda Shell. Richard is originally from West Point, Mississippi, moved to Chicago for a few years, and then to Kansas City in 1966. Richard is a very soulful singer in need of more recognition. He was inspired by the blues of Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters as a kid, and came to love the soul music of Otis Redding. Richard can deliver with the best of the singers today. This act will require your dancing shoes.

Linda Shell 816-836-2064

3:30 PM Jay McShann "88 years at the 88s"
Jay McShann is a Kansas City legend who was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, on January 12th, 1916. We are celebrating his 88th birthday at the festival. Eighty-eight black and white keys are on a grand piano, hence the celebration "88 Years at the 88s." Jay McShann stopped through Kansas City on his way to Omaha in 1936, and the rest is history. Jay moved to Kansas City, Kansas, briefly to live with his cousin, as he was beginning to make a name for himself. One cannot imagine the Kansas City swing-jazz-blues scene without thinking of Jay McShann. He has over 70 years of experience as a professional musician to his credit. With thousands of performance dates, hundreds of recordings to his credit, he now has the reputation as a jazz pianist who swings the blues. Backing Jay McShann for this special occasion will be Bobby Watson on alto sax, Ricky Anderson on bass, and Tommy Ruskin on the drums.

Jay has been quoted as saying, "I always thought that jazz and blues went together." And our festival and his many fans all agree.

Marianne McShann 816-861-6236

4:15 PM Danny Cox (sponsored by Cross Currents Culture Unlimited)
Danny Cox was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1942. He started singing as a youth in a church choir. He began his professional music career in 1960 as an 18 year old performing on a Hootnanny Folk Tour. His first trip to Kansas City was in 1963 on that tour. Because he was black, he wasn't allowed to stay at the Muehlebach Hotel. So instead, he was transported across the river to Kansas City, Kansas, for his lodging. In the early 1970s, Danny Cox recorded for the ABC-Dunhill, Casablanca, and the MGM labels. In 1969, Danny partnered a company called Good Karma Productions, which managed the acts of Brewer and Shipley, and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and his own career. Danny was a past co-owner of the Cowtown Ballroom from 1970 to 1973. Danny for years has been acting in childrens' theatres, writing jingles. He is the voice for the Grass Pad, Bob Jones, and Angel Berry Realtors, and occasionally plays live music in public. For over 30 years Kansas City, Kansas, has been Danny Cox's home, and we really want to welcome him home properly by honoring him on our stage for the first time.

Danny Cox 913-281-4808

5:00 PM "Tuttie" Gadson a Special Homecoming
with Eugene Smiley and Frank "Iron Jaw" Oakley
We have planned a special homecoming for a true Kansas City music legend, Thomas "Tuttie" Gadson. Guitarist "Tuttie" lead a band known as Tommy and the Derbys from 1959 to 1971 here in Kansas City before leaving for Los Angeles. The older folks will tell you they were one of the very best from that era. "Tuttie" and his brother James Gadson, at ages 12 and 13, recorded for the King/Federal label as the KC Carpets in 1953. The release titled "Lonely Me" brought them instant notoriety. They were backed by Kansas City legends Sonny Kenner, Willie Rice, and Big Joe Thomas on the session. "We got rock 'n' roll gigs at that time practically by default. We worked hard learning to play all the records of the time. We played in many styles--rhythm 'n' blues, jazz, blues, rock 'n' roll, doo-wop, and hard R 'n' B. We cut alot of our own material, too."

"We worked all over Kansas City--most of the places are gone now: The Bowery at 9th and Woodland, Club Mardi Gras .... I worked with Muddy Waters there, King Arthur's on Troost, at the Fandango Club where people would wait over an hour in zero weather to see the show, Half a Hill on 40 Highway, Peppermint Lounge, Rose Mary's Lounge, OG's (Ollie Gates) at 31st & Indiana, 12th Street Rag, Parkview Hotel, Orchid Room at 12th & Vine, Nightingale's, The Lonestar, The Last Roundup, Kansas Armory, Missouri Armory, AG's in Bonner, all up and down 3rd and 5th Streets in Kansas City, Kansas, 19th Hole, Thunderbird, Frenchies, Pagoda Club, Royal Bunnies, 20 Men's Club, Club Delesa, Brown's out at 7th & Chelsea--if it was here, we played there."

"Tuttie" has been gone from the KC scene for over 30 years now, but not forgotten. Several musicians who are still here in Kansas City think of him as their mentor, including the group Bloodstone, Marva Whitney, Eugene Smiley, KC Kelsey Hill, Frank "Iron Jaw" Oakley, and many others. Eugene Smiley's band and Frank "Iron Jaw" Oakley will work with "Tuttie" on this show.

"Tuttie Gadson's resume is incredible; he has played dates, toured, and/or recorded with the following: Count Basie, Little Richard, Etta James, The Platters, The Drifters, Big Joe Turner, Otis Redding, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Albert King, Al Green, Z.Z. Hill, Howlin Wolf, Albert Collins, Jimmy Reed, Priscilla Bowman, Jay McShann, Martha and the Vandella's, The Impressions, The Temptations, Ink Spots, Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Taylor, Jackie Wilson, Chuck Berry, Mary Wells, Lowell Fulson, T-Bone Walker, Little Milton, The Crests, Clyde McPhatter, Booker T, Screamin Jay Hawkins, Junior Parker, Percy Mayfield, Jimmy Witherspoon, Chick Willis, Freddie King, and the list goes on.
Get ready Kansas City! The old folks are hip to "Tuttie" Gadson. Get ready to experience one of the very best, Thomas "Tuttie Gadson.

Thomas "Tuttie" Gadson 323-954-1057

Eugene Smiley 816-241-1770

6:45 PM Millage Gilbert " Living Heritage Tribute Show"
Millage Gilbert moved to Kansas City in 1962 to start a new life up North. At the time, Millage thought he was not bringing much with him on his journey. What he brought with him of the most value was the blues music of Mississippi. Millage was born in the Jackson, Mississippi, area into a large family of musicians.

"My father played music to my mother's belly while she was pregnant with me. My dad and all my uncles would sit around and pick the guitar for all hours on end..... for fish frys and picnics and different things. My dad was a real professional musician who would make trips to New Orleans on weekends to play the guitar and sing. So it was natural for me to get into this music thing. I cannot describe how good it feels for me to play my guitar and sing the blues for people. I love that I can share the blues with people--it feels real good to me to release my troubles, and I think peoples get rid of theirs while they sit and listen to me. I never wanted to be no big star. Blues is what I was meant to play. I played with Sam Myers with this band back in Jackson called the King Mose and the Royal Rockers. King Mose was the drummer and leader, Sam played harmonica, and we were learning the blues. Elmore James used to come by my house and ask my mother could I go with him to play at the club, and she would let me. So I got a chance to play with him a few times. I was hooked for good when I heard Albert King do "I'll Play The Blues For You."

We have been hooked for years with Millage Gilbert's blues. Kansas City is so lucky to have a working class blues artist like Millage Gilbert. He has shared the stage with nearly every great Kansas City blues musician over the past 42 years. He had a 35-year relationship with the late great Little Hatch, who also received the "Living Heritage" award in 2002. Millage has been on his own as a bandleader for nearly 30 years. He anchored a matinee show for over 15 years down at the Grand Emporium. He has one studio album to his credit, a 1996 Red Hot Records release, entitled "Three Faces." He has worked sporadically outside of Kansas City in recent years. He will play the Poconos Blues Festival in Pennsylvania representing our festival and Kansas City in general.

For the tribute show, his guests will include Lester "Wizard" King, King Alex (the 2003 "Living Heritage" award winner), Lester "Duck" Warner, and a host of others for the occasion.

Millage Gilbert is the 2004 "Living Heritage Tribute King" of the our festival. We cannot think of a musician who is more deserving than Millage Gilbert to receive our highest honor.

Millage Gilbert 913-321-4965

Contact:
Dawayne Gilley, President
Marvine McKeithen, Executive Director
Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival
816-247-2316 voicemail
913-328-0710 office
dawaynegilley@yahoo.com
www.kckstreetbluesfest.com

On the Web:
The 5th Annual Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival

:: Les Coles Sunday, June 13, 2004 [+] ::

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W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival

Henderson, Ky.—Henderson's riverfront will rock Wednesday through Saturday nights with Zydeco music and every brand of the blues during the W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival.

Red White and Blues
Music chairman Dorin Luck said that the level of national talent has been kicked up a notch on Wednesday this year with performances by Texas bluesmen Shawn Pittman and Mark May.

Local musicians Carl Rodenberg and Mike McKinney will play their jazzy brand of the blues at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Pittman, who will play at 6:30 p.m., gained national exposure touring and performing with Susan Tedeschi. May, who will play at 8:30 p.m., toured and recorded with Dickey Betts (of The Allman Brothers Band).

Zydeco Night
Chubby Carrier was booked for 2004 within a half hour of his energetic performance as last year's Zydeco Night headliner. "We all thought he was incredible," Luck said. "That was the best show I've seen him do."

A traditional-style Zydeco band called Creole Stomp will play at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Carrier and his Bayou Swamp Band will take the stage at 8 p.m.

As always, there will be red beans and rice, grilled andouille sausage, "gator on a stick" and bread pudding for sale.

Riverbank Blues Blast
Friday's festivities will kick off with two local blues bands: The Huckleberrys from noon to 1:45 p.m. and Hogmaw Blues Band, from 2 to 3:45 p.m. "They're local and they're blues so we ought to have them," Luck said.

Luck described Maryland band the Crawdaddies, who will play from 4 to 5:45 p.m., as "Zydeco, country and blues -- all over the map."

"New blues" musician Hamilton Loomis will play from 6 to 7:45 p.m. "He's got more of a funk sound and R & B sound," Luck said. "You can hear straight Chicago-style blues and it's great, but you don't want to hear it all the time. It's good to see younger people stretching the blues a little bit 'cause it probably needs it."

Stacy Mitchhart and Blues U Can Use will follow at 8 p.m. "Stacy Mitchhart was a logical choice because of the fullness of the band, with several horn players," Luck said. "They don't get any tighter than his band."

Carl Weathersby headlines Friday night, taking the stage at 10 p.m. "Carl Weathersby has been on everybody's list to come back," Luck said. "He's just a good showman."

Java Blues Jam
Dave MacKenzie's music has been played at the Handy Fest before -- between sets. He's never played the festival live and in person.

He will kick off Saturday's "Java Blues Jam," at noon. "First and foremost, he's a superb musician, great guitar player and very clever songwriter," Luck said. "His songs are fun to listen to, with a lot of humor and little twists in them, and yet it's your traditional-sounding blues."

Debbie Davis, who takes the stage at 2 p.m., is what Luck calls "a seasoned performer -- she's played with everyone, but she's a great songwriter and guitar player in her own right."

At 4 p.m. Saturday John Mooney takes the stage. "He's got a really unique voice, a big voice," Luck said. "He's kind of a unique fellow -- halfway between acoustic and electric. For a single guy he puts out a lot of sound."

Saturday night's "diva of the year" is "Empress of the Blues" Sandra Hall. "We must have a diva and we have one this year," Luck said. "I think her act will be a little more raucous than E.C. (Scott)'s was last year." She'll be belting out the blues at 6 p.m.

Bernard Allison, the son of the late blues legend Luther Allison, has been one of most requested artists to reappear at the festival. He'll play at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Ronnie Baker Brooks, the son of living legend Lonnie Brooks and last year's Saturday night headliner, will play in the same spot this year.

"We like having Bernard and Ronnie back to back," Luck said. "They're the best of the future of the blues."

Brooks wowed crowds last year with his Hendrix-style guitar and showmanship. "We didn't think we could find anyone who could do a better job to headline the festival," Luck said. "He's the whole package."

Source: The Gleaner

:: Les Coles Sunday, June 13, 2004 [+] ::

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WLAV-FM Blues series ready to roll

Grand Rapids, Mich. (June 13)—Radio station WLAV-FM (96.9) has lined up another summer of Wednesday evening Blues on the Mall concerts in downtown Grand Rapids, and has moved the starting time up a half-hour, to 6 p.m., so shows can wrap up by 9 — a tad earlier than in past years.

The 10 straight midweek concerts will feature blues music by nationally known acts, ranging from veteran-guitarist-but-first-time-mall-player Jody Williams on Wednesday to fan favorite Walter Trout, a Blues on the Mall regular who closes out the series on Aug. 18. (The headliner for the July 21 show is still being finalized.)

Postconcert 'LAV parties at The B.O.B., 20 Monroe Ave. NW, will feature the music of local blues guitarist Jimmie Stagger all summer.

As usual, concert organizers will provide motorcycle mavens with free parking for their machines next to the B.O.B. about two blocks from Rosa Parks Circle, with speakers piping in live blues music from the stage.

For the second year, Rockford will host the Rogue River Blues Series on Tuesday nights along the river in downtown Rockford, with local blues bands providing free entertainment starting at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets to the shows, which will take place over six weeks compared with last year's four-week series.

Guitarist Larry Fitzgerald, aka Weezil Malone, who opens this year's set of concerts, marveled at the setting in Garden Club Park along the Rogue River.

"It was cool because there were so many blues fans and they were so receptive," recalled Fitzgerald, who played the 2003 series. "We had a huge crowd, the setting was surreal, right next to the river on a sunny, cool evening."

Lineup:
2004 B.O.M. Schedule, Wednesdays at Rosa Parks Circle
First set starts at 6 p.m., Second set starts at 7:15 p.m., Show is done by 9 p.m.
6/16 Jody Williams
6/23 Duke Robillard
6/30 Chicago R&B Kings
7/7 Renee Austin
7/14 Tommy Castro Band
7/21 Curtis Salgado
7/28 Wayne Baker Brooks
8/4 Larry McCray
8/11 Anthony Gomes
8/18 Walter Trout

Source: Grand Rapids Press

On the Web:
WLAV-FM
Blues on the Mall

:: Les Coles Sunday, June 13, 2004 [+] ::

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Valley of the King

The king of blues holds court for the young and young at heart during workshop at Mississippi Valley State University. Afterward, the university's new Dr. Riley B. King Recording Studio was unveiled.

Mississippi native B.B. King had planned to do a small workshop on blues music at Mississippi Valley State University Friday before his big homecoming performance in Indianola.

When the 78-year-old bluesman took to the stage at the H.G. Carpenter Auditorium around 2 p.m., the throng of adoring fans reached as high as the building's rafters.
"This is the time we've been waiting for," said Dr. Roy C. Hudson, Valley's vice president for University Relations in introducing the legendary musician.

"Each year when this comes around, we know we're going to hear that wonderful sound - the king of the blues - Dr. Riley B. King," Hudson said.

King was moved by the large crowd which came out as part of the fourth-annual B.B. King Blues Workshop.


Cedell Pulley, Leflore County superintendent of education, second from left, joins his world famous first cousin, B.B. King on stage at Valley. Also on stage is Dr. Roy Hudson, Valley's vice president for University Relations, who emceed the workshop.

"Thank you Mr. Roy. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. You really make me feel good. I apologize for being late, but we didn't have Air Force One. We drove from Chicago," he said.

The Valley workshop has evolved over the years and King said he wanted to "talk and play" during the hourlong program. Mostly, he wanted to field questions from the young people in the audience.

"We have a lot of young musicians with us. Some of them might sit in with us. Anybody who's got enough nerve to want to do it, we'll try and help them," King said.

Right off the bat, a youngster asked how King had come to call his guitar "Lucille."

King said he often played a small night spot in Arkansas in the middle of winter.

"It gets cold in Twist, Ark. They took something that looked like a big garbage pail and filled it with kerosene and lit that fuel. That's what we used to heat with when it got real cold. They would put it in the middle of the dance floor - people would dance around it," he said.

On one particular night, two men started fighting and in the scuffle the open topped drum of kerosene was knocked over. "It looked like a river of fire," King said.Pandemonium ensued as club goers rushed for the exits.

"Everybody began to run - including B.B. King. When I was running outside, I remembered that I had left my guitar, so I went back for it. The building was a wooden building, burning rapidly. I almost lost my life trying to save my guitar," he said.

In the morning, the nightclub was a smoldering ruin and King said that was when he found out the cause of the fight.

"I found out these two guys were fighting about a lady that worked in the little nightclub. I never did meet the lady, but I learned that her name was Lucille," King said.
He almost was killed trying to save his guitar, so King thought the woman's name would serve as a ever present reminder of his foolish behavior. "I named my guitar 'Lucille' to remind me never to do a thing like that again."

King said his musical career was simply a matter of economics.

"I was born on a plantation. I used to pick cotton on the plantation for 35 cent a hundred. I was a pretty good cotton picker. I picked about 400 pounds a day," King said.
The $1.40 per day was pretty good pay for the times. When he began to chop cotton, he was paid 55 cents a day, he said.

"I started to drive a tractor. I drove tractors for $22 and a half a week," King said.

Before reaching his 20th birthday, he said, he began teaching himself how to play a guitar through the use of instructional books and plain, old-fashioned, trial and error. He said he learned techniques to add variety and uniqueness to his music.

Saturday nights in Indianola, King said, he would go downtown and play his guitar for money.

Although his first love was gospel music, people really opened their wallets when he played the blues.

"When I played the blues, they'd put something in the hat, tips, do you know what I'm talking about? Sometimes, I made $30 or $40 in one evening. That's when I decided I wanted to play blues," King said.

He told the youngsters at the workshop the road to a musical career is difficult.

"If you want to be a musician like I am, you'll have to work at it. You'll have to work to learn to play," King said.

Asked what his favorite song is; King said he has three favorites.
The first is "My Mother's In Love;" the second is by Lionel Richie and called, "Once, Twice, Three Times a Lady; and No. 1 is a song by Willie Nelson called, "Always on My Mind."

All musical styles, including hip-hop, rap, country and classical, have something to offer people, he said.
"We always try to tell our story. Usually, we are talking to someone else."

"The only thing I dislike about any kind of music or living arts - or performing arts - is using the wrong words," King said.

He said, in order to be profitable, music must bring people together.

"We use it where everybody can hear it and nobody is ashamed and nobody is put down. You have many ways of putting them down without calling them dirty names," he said.

"You don't talk about nobody's mother, not in a rude way, I mean. You might get married and some mother-in-laws you might want to talk about but not in a mean way," King said.

"If it sounds good, they like it, they keep on dancing. If you say the bad words, I think it's like a movie," King said. If they have to put nudity in the movie to sell it, I don't think it was that good in the first place," he said.

"Whatever you're doing, if you really want to make it pleasant and make a living by it, you want everybody to like some of it," he said.

A student asked King if he was pleased with the path his musical career had taken him.

"My life has been like most people's. You know what a roller coaster is? You go down and then come up and then go down and up. I think that's the way my life has been. Over all, I would have to say 'yes,' it has been a success," King said.

King has been received numerous honors and awards. Some include recognition from Tougaloo College, Ole Miss, Rhodes College, the Blair School of Music in Boston and Yale University, he said.

In addition, he has met with Presidents Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. He met the pope in Rome and last month was recognized by the king and queen of Sweden.

On Thursday, he met with the king and queen of Jordan. "Today, I'm with you. Talking to you and the young people here has been as important to me as receiving those honors that I've had," King said.

After the workshop concluded, King participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Dr. Riley B. King Recording Studio in Valley's Education Building.

Source: Bob Darden, Greenwood Commonwealth

:: Les Coles Sunday, June 13, 2004 [+] ::

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Happy Birthday Blues

Call it "Stormy Sunday" in B flat;. Another Blue Birthday.

Renegade
written and performed by Warren Zevon

Some prayers never reach the sky
Some wounds never heal
They still say someday the South will rise
Man, I want to see that deal

I don't want to grow old gracefully
I don't want to go 'til it's too late I'll
be some old man in the road somewhere
Kneeling down in the dust by the side of the Interstate

I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days
I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days

We were hopelessly outnumbered
It was a lost cause all along
But when we heard the bugles call
We swore we'd stand or fall together right or wrong

We ain't seen no reconstruction here
Just the scorched earth all around
And the high school band played "Dixieland"
While they tore our tattered flags and banners down

I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days
I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days

Some prayers never reach the sky
Some wars never end
Some dreams refuse to die
Next time I would rather break than bend

I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days
I am a renegade
I've been a rebel all my days

:: Les Coles Sunday, June 13, 2004 [+] ::

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