
Can you distribute Sierra Blues Society fliers in your town?
We need help distributing fliers about our up coming shows for July and
August. If you can help by passing fliers out to your friends or co-workers, or posting fliers
on bulletin boards or in stores, send me an email and I will mail you some.
Thanks,
Mike Shea
Sierra Blues Society
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Music Store Burglarized
This news just cmae in from Don Heflin of the Central Valley Blues Society.
Let's do everything we can to help this out........
Thom Myers
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Our
good buddies who just opened The Tone Shop in Fresno were burglarized in
the early
morning hours last weekend. The thieves got away with a lot of guitars
and amps. What I need from all of you is to help pass the word anywhere
you can
to see if any of this gear surfaces. We have helped in the past in retrieving
guitars
for Cole Fonseca and Tommy Castro by everyone spreading the word. Here
is a list of
what was taken. If you run across any of it please call the Police,
then let them know ASAP."
2007 Marshall jcm 2000 dsl head
fender twin from around the early 1990s red knob
Marshall jcm 800 1-12 combo, kinda beat and power plug was modified
ibanez djd91 guitar with tv jones pickups, red in color
1960s silvertone rocket, pretty good shape for its age
bc rich neck threw strat style guitar. it was brand new.
two humbuckers
still had factory sticker on tone control, natural wood color
yamaha 4 string bass black like new condition
1993 heritage 575 jazz guitar, sunburst, short scale, near mint condition
epiphone strat, red color, hockey puck headstock
fender 62 reissue strat from the mid 1980s, black, black pickguard and new
jumbo
frets
epiphone casino elite natural and was like new
gtx super strat snake skin finish, floyd rose trem, new condition
gibson les paul studio worn cherry wood color
fender fmt tele, flamed maple, set neck, two humbuckers
fender mij squire strat, black with white guard
Thanks.
Jim
Eachus
the tone shop
559-436-8663
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Rest in Peace- Mitch Faber.htm
My heart is sad to let you all know of the passing of our friend
Mitch Faber. Mitch is one of the very first friends I made when I moved here about twenty years
ago. Mitch was a genuinely good man with a big heart for the less fortunate. To say that he
was an incredible, deep guitarist is an understatement. A delightful musician with a great
sense of humour. Rest in peace my friend, you were one of a kind and I'll never forget you.
Mitch's
brother and I talked this morning and there will be a Sunday gathering soon for friends to
honor our departed friend.
Respectfully Yours, Steve Foster
update:
There will be a Mitch Faber Memorial on Sunday, September 5th at
The Five Mile House out 49 just past Nevada City from 3-9 PM. Things are arranged so that Mitch's
friends can come and visit and/ or play music together. Please tell your friends about this,
we'll be remembering the good times we had with our gifted friend.
Thank You, Steve
Foster
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Just Booked! TAJ MAHAL TRIO with Vieux Farka
Toure opening
TICKETS ON SALE TO CENTER MEMBERS NOW!
CALL THE CENTER BOX OFFICE AT
530-274-8384.
TICKETS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC BEGINNING SUNDAY, JULY 11
Sunday, October 24
The Center for the Arts presents at
VETERANS MEMORIAL
AUDITORIUM
Taj Mahal Trio
with Vieux Farka Toure opening
7:30PM, $45 General Admission
$65
VIP seating includes reserved seats,
reserved parking, (limited to the first 100 guests),
1 drink coupon
PLENTY OF ROOM TO DANCE!
"...boldest and most eclectic
of blues musicians,
Taj Mahal has become a legend by following his unique vision."
-
About.com
"One of the most prominent figures in late 20th century blues,
singer/multi-instrumentalist
Taj Mahal played an enormous role
in revitalizing and preserving traditional acoustic
blues."
- AllMusic.com
"...Taj Mahal was one of the first major artists,
if not the very first one, to pursue the possibilities of world music. Even the blues he was
playing in the early 70s showed an aptitude for spicing the mix with flavours that always kept
him a yard or so distant from being an out-and-out blues performer."
- Rough
Guide to Rock
Composer and multi-instrumentalist Taj Mahal, a two-time Grammy winner and
one of the most influential American blues and roots artists of the past half-century, may
best be described as a collaborator. His recording career includes working with The Rolling
Stones, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, Etta James, Toumani Diabate, Los Lobos, and
many more. One of the reasons for Taj's appeal is his direct connection to the roots. Early
on in his career Taj also had the opportunity to hear, meet, and play with such blues legends
as Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Louis and Dave Meyers, Sleepy
John Estes, Yank Rachel, Lightin Hopkins, Bessie Jones, the Georgia Sea Island Singers,
and Hammy Nixon. In his never-ending exploration of the complex origins and underpinnings of
American music, he has forged a four-decade career by gathering and distilling countless musical
traditions from a range of sources: the Mississippi Delta, the Appalachian backwoods, the African
continent, the Hawaiian islands, Europe, the Caribbean and more.
Taj Mahal was born
Henry St. Clair Fredericks in New York on May 17, 1942. His parents - his father a jazz pianist/composer/arranger
of Jamaican descent, his mother a schoolteacher from South Carolina who sang gospel - moved
to Springfield, MA, when he was quite young and while growing up there, he often listened to
music from around the world on his father's short-wave radio. He particularly loved the blues
- both acoustic and electric - and early rock & rollers like Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley.
While studying agriculture and animal husbandry at the University of Massachusetts, he adopted
the musical alias Taj Mahal (an idea that came to him in a dream) and formed Taj Mahal &
the Elektras, which played around the area during the early '60s. After graduating, Mahal moved
to Los Angeles in 1964 and, after making his name on the local folk-blues scene, formed the
Rising Sons with guitarist Ry Cooder. The group signed to Columbia and released one single,
but the label didn't quite know what to make of their forward-looking blend of Americana, which
anticipated a number of roots rock fusions that would take shape in the next few years; as
such, the album they recorded sat on the shelves, unreleased until 1992.
Frustrated, Mahal left the group and wound up staying with Columbia as a
solo artist. His self-titled debut was released in early 1968 and its stripped-down approach
to vintage blues sounds made it unlike virtually anything else on the blues scene at the time.
It came to be regarded as a classic of the '60s blues revival, as did its follow-up, Natch'l
Blues. The half-electric, half-acoustic double-LP set Giant Step followed in 1969 and taken
together, those three records built Mahal's reputation as an authentic yet unique modern-day
bluesman, gaining wide exposure and leading to collaborations or tours with a wide variety
of prominent rockers and bluesmen. During the early '70s, Mahal's musical adventurousness began
to take hold; 1971's Happy Just to Be Like I Am heralded his fascination with Caribbean rhythms
and the following year's double-live set, The Real Thing, added a New Orleans-flavored tuba
section to several tunes. In 1973, Mahal branched out into movie soundtrack work with his compositions
for Sounder and the following year he recorded his most reggae-heavy outing, Mo' Roots.
Mahal continued to record for Columbia through 1976 recording three albums
for that label, all in 1977 (including a soundtrack for the film Brothers). Changing musical
climates, however, were decreasing interest in Mahal's work and he spent much of the '80s off
record, eventually moving to Hawaii to immerse himself in another musical tradition. Mahal
returned in 1987 with Taj, that explored this new interest; the following year, he inaugurated
a string of successful, well-received children's albums with Shake Sugaree. The next few years
brought a variety of side projects, including a musical score for the lost Langston Hughes/Zora
Neale Hurston play Mule Bone that earned Mahal a Grammy nomination in 1991. The same year marked
Mahal's full-fledged return to regular recording and touring, kicked off with the first of
a series of well-received albums on the Private Music label, Like Never Before. Follow-ups,
such as Dancing the Blues (1993) and Phantom Blues (1996), drifted into more rock, pop, and
R&B-flavored territory; in 1997, Mahal won a Grammy for Se or Blues. Meanwhile, he undertook
a number of small-label side projects that constituted some of his most ambitious forays into
world music. 1995's Mumtaz Mahal teamed him with classical Indian musicians; 1998's Sacred
Island was recorded with his new Hula Blues Band, exploring Hawaiian music in greater depth;
1999's Kulanjan was a duo performance with Malian kora player Toumani Diabate.
His 2008 release, Maestro, marked the fortieth anniversary of Taj s rich
and varied recording career by mixing original material with chestnuts from vintage sources
and newcomers alike. Guests include Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Angelique Kidjo, Los Lobos, Ziggy
Marley and others many of whom have been directly influenced by Taj s music and
guidance.
"...Vieux Farka Tour is forging his own identity, expanding on
his father s drones and gnarled picking patterns with a rocker s joyful audacity." - The
New York Times
"Here in Africa, he who teaches you in life, you follow his path. As
[Ali] neared the end of his life, I knew that the wisdom he imparted on me was important to
spread." - Vieux Farka Tour
Vieux Farka Tour , the son of the great Malian guitarist
Ali Farka Tour , has already stepped out from his late father s shadow. Ali Farka Tour
proved in case anyone ever doubted it that the soul of the blues could
be found in West Africa. His son Vieux is turning heads with a more radical idea: that those
western Saharan roots can be heard in everything from the jam band scene to Jamaican dub.
Fondo, Vieux s newest recording, is more than a stirring mix of traditional
instruments and modern production. More than a world music artist embracing the sounds of rock,
it is the sound of a young man coming into his own. His self-titled debut, released in 2006,
seemed to be the passing of a torch, as it included the last recordings by his legendary father,
and a healthy dose of traditional Malian songs from his father s repertoire. But his new album
has only one traditional song; everything else was written by Vieux himself. The album s opening
salvo, Fafa, has a bluesy rhythm and intricate guitar solos that may recall Eric
Clapton s glory days with Cream.
www.vieuxfarkatoure.com
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Dear
Blues fans, Due to the current events in the life of Jason Ricci, we
will be unable to book
Jason at the Fire On The Mountain ~ Sonora Blues
Festival 2010. Jason performed a great
set for us in 2009 and we really
wanted to have him back this year.
We wish him
well and hope his career gets pointed in the right direction.
Hopefully we will be able
to present Jason Ricci and his new band in 2011.
Thanks, Richard
Please read the lineup
changes for 2010 show, think you will be thrilled
with the addition of Chicago inspired
Michael Burks and Nick Moss. A great
"guitar slinger" lineup this year!
Should be some fine jams this year!
----------------------------------------
15th Fire
On The Mountain~Sonora Blues/Rock Music Festival will be held
August 14, 2010 at the Mother
Lode Fairgrounds - come see some of the best
acts in the blues world on our
concert
& workshop stages
Tequila Tasting added, good selection of Micro Beers available !!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010
Performers (so far)
Main Stage MCs ~ K104's Randy Maranz, Steve LaVine
Sierra Stage MC
~ Pop; Workshop Stage MC's ~ Mick Martin, Thom Myers
~~~~~~
NEW: MICHAEL BURKS (www.michaelburks.com)
- Blues Awards winner, ferocious
blues guitarist reminiscent of Freddie and Albert King
styles. LLiving Blues
Magazine Blues Guitarist of the Year Award 2004. Michael Burks is
a
bluesman who stands poised on the brink of major stardom. A fierce
flamethrower guitar
slinger and an exciting soulful singer, his music has
phenomenal firepower.
~~~~~~
NEW:
NICK MOSS & THE FLIPTOPS (www.nickmoss.com), 16 time Blues Awards
nominee ----- Moss
and his Flip Tops, Chicago based, blues supergroup if
there ever was one, are every bit
as exciting as the Paul Butterfield Band
was during its heyday, an outfit brimming over
with talent... Moss' vocals
throughout are masterful, by turns pleading and growling, a
gruff primal
bark dripping with urban grit. Nick will be joined by incredible
keyboardist,
PIANO WILLIE
~~~~~~
World Renown, Grammy Winning, Delta Slide Guitarist, ROY ROGERS &
THE DELTA
RHYTHM KINGS w/Special Guest, violin/harpist CARLOS REYES
(www.carlosreyesmusic.com)
who was special guest at the Norton Buffalo
Memorial Benefit Concerts earlier this year.
~~~~~~
TOMMY
CASTRO BAND (www.tommycastro.com, www.deannabogart.com)
Tommy's Big Band w/ legendary Special
Guest on piano, saxophone DEANNA
BOGART (Deanna is Blues Award winner 2010, best horn player!)
Tommy
is 5 time 2010 Blues Award Nominee (WON 4 BLUES AWARDS May 2010!) = BB
King Band of the
Year, Entertainer of the Year!!!
~~~~~~
RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHTCATS (www.rickestrin.com)
4
time 2010 Blues Award Nominee = BB King Band of the Year
~~~~~~~
LAURIE MORVAN (www.lauriemorvan.com)
INDIE AWARD WINNER
~~~~~~
ALASTAIR GREENE BAND (www.agsongs.com)
Smokin' guitarist
from Santa Barbara, Eric Clapton Tribute set
~~~~~~
BIG MO & FULL MOON BAND (8 Piece
Big Band) W/ Special Guests, Carlos Reyes,
Volker Strifler
(www.bigmoblues.com,www.carlosreyesmusic.com,
www.volkerstrifler.com)
~~~~~~
MIKE HAMMAR & THE NAILS (www.myspace.com/mikehammarandthenails)
Winner
Monterey Blues festival battle of the Blues bands
~~~~~~
MICK MARTIN & THE BLUES
ROCKERS (www.mickmartinblues.com) w/ TIM BARNES on
guitar
~~~~~~
VALERIE JOHNSON &
AL B BLUE
~~~~~~
LOOSE CHANGE BLUES BAND from Grass Valle
~~~~~~
* WORKSHOPS(Q
& A) *
GUITAR w/ TOMMY CASTRO, MIKE HAMMAR, LAURIE MORVAN,
KID ANDERSON, ALASTAIR
GREENE, VOLKER STRIFLER, MICHAEL BURKS, NICK MOSS;
HARMONICA w/ RICK ESTRIN, MICK MARTIN
;
SLIDE GUITAR with ROY ROGERS;
PIANO w/ DEANNA BOGART, PIANO WILLIE, and Friends;
WOMEN
IN BLUES;
BLUES FOR KIDS w/VALERIE JOHNSON
Time Schedules for all shows will posted on
the website in July.
ActsSubject To Change
--------------------
BLUES JAM SPONSORED
BY WORLD OF BLUES AND SIERRA BLUES SOCIETY WILL BE HELD
AT SONORA PUB, DOWNTOWN SONORA (AT
THE SIGNAL) AFTER THE SHOW!
--------------------
Plan Your Memorable Summer Vacation
2010 Around this Festival!
Your search for the perfect weekend getaway or extended vacation
ends here!
Tuolumne County in the Central Sierra is the recreational -cultural center
of
the Mother Lode near Yosemite National Park (1.5 hour drive from Sonora
on Hwy 120). You'll
find all the outdoor activities you love and dream of
taking part in - hiking, biking, river
rafting, fishing, horseback riding,
motorcycle rides, camping, beautiful lakes, sightseeing,
wineries, inns, all
types of arts and entertainment are plentiful in the beautiful Sierra
Foothills.
See
www.tcvb.com or www.thegreatunfenced.com for tourist info.
Cabin rentals in Twain Harte
(209) 585-5204, Sonora apartment rentals at
209-533-1310
See www.fireonthemountain.com for festival info and ticket
sales.
Thanks, Richard
Exciting news! Several of the acts at this year's Fire On
The
Mountain~Sonora Blues Festival won WC HANDY Blues Awards in Memphis May 2010
* TOMMY
CASTRO for ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR, BAND OF THE YEAR, CONTEMPORARY
BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR,
and BLUES MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR.
* DEANNA BOGART for BEST INSTRUMENTALIST - HORN (Saxophone)
-------------------------------
*
RICK ESTRIN was deservedly nominated for 4 awards, though did not win in
his categories.
*
NICK MOSS is 16 time Blues Award nominee
* MICHAEL BURKS is multi Blues Award nominee
Blues Festival warm up show at Twain Harte Summer Arts and
Wine this July
24-25. NO REGRET R & B Band on Sat July 245, Shane Dwight Band on Sunday
July
25. Free admission!
Sonora Blues Fest, Aug 14, 2010 see www.fireonthemountain.com
-----------------
Press
Release;
33rd TWAIN HARTE SUMMER ARTS AND WINE FESTIVAL 2010
JULY 24 & 25 . Opens
10am . Downtown in the Village Of TWAIN HARTE
Well it's "Hot Fun In The Summertime"
once again, as the friendly Central
Sierra village of Twain Harte becomes the center of
creativity, music and
fun, at the 33rd Twain Harte Summer Arts & Wine Festival 2010.
This highly
respected event, held since 1976, has garnered a loyal following of quality
craft
purchasers and music lovers. Presented this year are the works of many
talented craft and
graphic artists, continuous live entertainment. Starting
at the Twain Harte Arch (Joaquin
Gully Rd) nearly 100 high caliber artists
will display and sell their fine wares which include
watercolors, metal
sculptures, iron work, pottery, photography, candles, fine jewelry of
gold &
silver, clothing & accessories, woodworks, stained glass, folk art, floras,
leather
goods, soaps and lotions, garden art, gourmet food products, and
much more - lots of great
work on display in the artists' marketplace!
THE WINE TASTING is 2 DAYS THIS YEAR!
The
Chamber of Commerce Wines In The Pines will be presenting wines from
throughout California
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY offering the best in Northern
California Wines with organic wines featured
on Sunday. The wineries include
Chatom Vineyards, Muir-Hanna Vines, Mt Brow Winery, Com'e,
Clos
du Lac Cellars, Quady Winery, Winters Winery, Wine In The Pines,
Michael David Winery, Irish
Vineyard, Ironstone. More wineries to be
announced. Olive oils by Treasured Olive Oils of
Fair Oaks and Jamestown
Olive Oils will also be attending (All Vendors Subject To Change).
(See www.twainhartecc.com for info)
2010 ENTERTAINERS INCLUDE
* NO REGRET (Saturday
only!) - Blues, R & B, featuring Lillian McLeod on
vocals;
* SHANE DWIGHT BAND (Sunday
only!) - Popular Nashville act - Blues, Country,
Rock singer/songwriter
www.shanedwight.com
*
One Of America's Finest Juggler/Comic/Storytellers IZZY TOOINSKY
(izzytooinsky.com)
Please see websites for
online photos and bios.
Festivities for this 33rd Twain Harte Summer Arts & Wine
Festival 2010, in
downtown Twain Harte,
runs Saturday July 24 & 25, 2010. show hours
are 10am to 6pm Sat, & 10am to
5pm Sun. Twain Harte is 12 miles East of Sonora, just
off Hwy 108. Admission
is FREE. Artists' booths are open from 10am, booths wind around the
Eproson
House, down Cedar Drive and Joaquin Gully. Entertainment runs continuously
on
the Main Stage. Public Parking is located at Twain Harte School, please
follow direction
signs. Please do not block fire lanes, park on side streets
where allowed. Lots of food
and drink available.
Join us for some "Hot Fun" in cool Twain Harte.
This
festival helps to benefit the Twain Harte Volunteer Fire Department and
Auxillary and other
community groups in the area. Twain Harte Chamber of
Commerce. Twain Harte's Concerts In
The Park will feature HOMEGROWN,
Saturday July 24 at 6pm.
Added Event ~ COOL CUSTOM
CARS will be shown at the Twain Harte Center in
the midst of the fair all weekend. (209.586.4092,
space limited)
Visitors should take time to visit all the nice gift stores and quality
restaurants
in beautiful Twain Harte. Surrounding the festival, Villa d'Oro,
The Rock, La Morenita,
China House, Cottage Restaurant, Sportsman & more
offer tasty menus.
Lodging &
visitor information, wine tasting information: 209-586-4482 (Twain
Harte Chamber of Commerce
office. www.twainhartecc.com ~ email to
info@twainhartecc.com)
For more festival info: Fire on the Mountain LLC, PO Box 148,
Soulsbyville
CA 95372, 209-533-3473
email = events@fireonthemountain.com website = www.fireonthemountain.com
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This
years Summer Concert Series
Blues Concert
at McConnell Estates Winery, Saturday August 14th
? ? ?
I got My Blues at M.E.W
McConnell Estates
Winery
Summer Blues Concert Series
Andy Keane & Kinda Blue
with Jim
Gillespie, Marshal Wilkerson and Twanna Turner
Saturday, August 14th
Purchase Tickets,
Click Here
Sponsored by
Nissan
of Elk Grove & Mazda of Elk Grove & Infiniti of Elk Grove
Blues At McConnell
Estates Winery
Admission $10/per person for Advanced purchased tickets - $12.50 at the Door
- Kids under 12 free
Advanced ticket sales available at the winery or online
Concert
Starts at 6:30 pm Gates Open at 5:30 pm
Food Available for
Purchase at the Event by the Brick Oven Catering
Fresh organic Pizzas and Salads
Old
Wood Fired pizza oven on site used to cook thin Crust pizzas with fresh local produce &
organic flour
Hors d'oeuvres Provided
by Raley's and Bel air
No alcoholic beverages
allowed other than wine purchased at McConnell Estates Winery - per State Law
Ice chest
and bags Subject to search
Bring low back lawn
chairs & blankets for lawn Seating - Seating is limited
September
18th at 6:30pm
The Bad Catz
Rockin
Blues Band
*******************************************
October
2nd at 6:30pm
Classic Rock at the Winery
RENEGADE
Tribute
To STYX
&
The Best Of The Best Classic
Rock Show
***********************************************
For
more information please call or e-mail
Randy Meusling
916-416-9689
All shows
start at 6:30pm
gates open at 5:00pm
$10.00
pp in-advance call
916-685-5368
$12.00 pp at the gate day of show
McConnell
Estates
Winery
10686 W. Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove
www.mcconnellestates.com
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Tour Date Update
Tommy Castro Band On Tour
Upcoming Tour Dates
8/15/2010 - Nicasio, CA - Rancho Nicasio
8/16/2010 - Chico, CA - Sierra Nevada Brewery
8/21/2010 - Wausau, WI - Big Bull Falls Blues Festival
8/22/2010 - Marshfield, MA - North River Blues Festival
8/27/2010 - Monte Rio, CA - Highland Dell Restaurant and Lodge
8/28/2010 - Crockett, CA - Toot's Tavern
9/2/2010 - Avila Beach, CA - Avila Beach Resort (with ZZ Top)
9/4/2010
- Sebastopol, CA - HopMonk Tavern
9/5/2010 - Eureka, CA - Blues By The Bay
9/10/2010 - Fairfield, CA - Pepperbelly's
9/11/2010 - Kirkwood, CA - The White Hawk Ride - Kirkwood Mountain Resort
9/15/2010 - La Jolla, CA - Birch Aquarium at Scripps
9/16/2010 - Las Vegas, NV - Boulder Station Casino
9/17/2010 - Santa Barbara, CA - Warren Hall
9/18/2010 - Bakersfield, CA - B-Town Blues Festival
9/19/2010 - Sacramento, CA - The Eagle (KSEG) Biker Bash
9/25/2010 - Private Function
10/2/2010 - San Rafael, CA - Andy's Summerfest
10/16/2010
- Hermosa Beach, CA - Cafe Boogaloo
10/17-24/2010 - San Diego, CA - Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise - Pacific
10/29/2010 - Redwood City, CA - Wings Learning School Benefit
10/30/2010 - Santa Cruz, CA - Moe's Alley
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ALLIGATOR RECORDING ARTIST
LEE ROCKER TO PERFORM LIVE IN AUBURN!
Hard rocking tunes, twang-rich guitars and doghouse bass...top-notch performances,
terrific vocals and songwriting. Billboard
Bassist/vocalist/songwriter (and Stray Cat) Lee Rocker, touring in support
of his latest CD, Black Cat Bone, will perform at the Gold Country Fair in Auburn on Thursday,
September 9, 2010. The new CD is a solid slice of Americana, filled with powerful, original
songs and amazing musicianship. And when the band performs live, they leave audiences begging
for more. Concert information is as follows:
Date: Thursday, September 9
Venue: Gold Country Fair-Coors Main Stage
Address:
1273 High Street
City: Auburn, CA
Phone: 530-823-4533
Showtime: 8:00 p.m. and 10:00
p.m.
Ticket price: $5-$8, children five and under free
Website: www.goldcountryfair.com
Since the release of his Alligator debut, Racin The Devil, Rocker
s solo career has been skyrocketing. Publications from USA Today to Billboard raved about Rocker
s music. OffBeat declared, What s most satisfying about Lee Rocker is his ability to
graft classic Sun licks and shuffles onto Americana. He bridges the gap between Bruce Springsteen
and Hank Williams, Sr. Lee s live shows, fueled by his barnstorming, rocking band, grow
wilder each night out.
With musical muscle from his road-tested band (guitarists Brophy Dale and
Buzz Campbell, and drummer Jimmy Sage) Black Cat Bone is an amazing collection of ten Rocker
originals (and one co-written with guitarist Brophy Dale), one song by guitarist Buzz Campbell,
and reinvented covers from Bob Dylan (One More Night) and Leon Payne (Lost Highway, made famous
by Hank Williams). The CD s scorching rockabilly, roadhouse romps and straight-ahead, old-school
rock n roll create by far the strongest set of songs of Rocker s solo career.
Born Leon Drucker in Massapequa, Long Island in 1961 to world-renowned classical
musician parents, Rocker grew up with music all around him. He began taking classical cello
lessons at age eight and initially hated them, but ultimately grew to enjoy playing. As his
ears widened into rock 'n' roll, he picked up the electric bass, and quickly mastered the instrument.
During grade school, his close friends included Jimmy McDonnell (later to become Slim Jim Phantom)
and Brian Setzer. The three jammed together often, playing a wide variety of rock 'n' roll,
before discovering classic blues musicians like Muddy Waters and rockabilly giants like Carl
Perkins. Rocker picked up the acoustic bass to emulate the sounds he heard on those records,
and the band began playing more and more roots music. By 1979, this trio, now known as The
Stray Cats, began to single-handedly revive rockabilly music in the U.S. and eventually around
the world.
Adding a contemporary punk attitude to traditional slap-bass, twangy guitar
and drums, The Stray Cats headlined famous New York haunts like CBGB's and Max's Kansas City,
drawing overflow crowds every time they played. They moved to London in 1980 and became an
even bigger success, even attracting The Rolling Stones to their shows. The group's first American
album, 1982's Built For Speed, became a huge hit, and held the #2 spot on the Billboard chart
for 26 weeks, right behind Michael Jackson's Thriller.
By 1984 the group was exhausted and decided to temporarily call it quits.
But the furious touring of the early 1980s turned Rocker into one of the best showmen working
in any genre. In 1985 Rocker and Phantom hooked up with ex-David Bowie guitarist Earl Slick
to form Phantom, Rocker & Slick, scoring a minor hit with the song Men Without Shame. The
Stray Cats reformed in 1986, performing together briefly. Rocker never stopped rocking, as
he befriended and collaborated with his hero Carl Perkins as well as with Dave Edmunds, Ringo
Starr, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jeff Beck and Willie Nelson.
Rocker's solo career took off in 1994 with the release of Big Blue and in
1995 with Atomic Boogie Hour, both on Black Top Records. Four more releases followed, and Rocker
toured relentlessly, becoming one of the premiere Americana/ rockabilly/ roots artists in the
U.S. and Europe. In 2002, Rocker toured the U.S. with ex-Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore.
In 2003 The Stray Cats reunited for an 18-city tour of Europe, culminating in a filmed show
at London's Brixton Academy. The show was released on DVD as Rumble In Brixton in 2004. This
summer, The Stray Cats will reunite once again to play to tens of thousands of appreciative
fans across the U.S.
With Racin The Devil, Rocker reclaimed his spot in the rockabilly
world and forged a new base with fans of Americana. From garage rockers and deeply textured
roots anthems to the rockabilly sounds he helped reinvent, Racin The Devil is a rich
piece of American music, as timeless and unique as the songs Rocker fell in love with as a
youngster. Now, with Black Cat Bone, Rocker returns with the most rock solid album of his career.
With his band rocking, rolling, and burning behind him, this legendary musician will continue
to rip it up and rock it out all around the world.
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CARRERA
PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mary Carrera
916.941.9001
mcarrera@carrera-productions.com
AN EVENING WITH ROY ROGERS & THE DELTA RHYTHM KINGS AND
LUKAS NELSON & THE PROMISE OF THE REAL - LAKEHILLS GREEN,
EL DORADO HILLS, THURSDAY,
SEPT. 16TH
FOLSOM, CA. August 9, 2010. Carrera Productions is proud to announce
a very special evening with two amazing bands - together for one night of unforgettable music
at Lakehills Green in El Dorado Hills on Thursday, September 16, 2010. (Venue Address: 7000
Rossmore Lane, on hill just above Town Center - behind Regal Cinema).
Roy Rogers is an 8
time Grammy nominee for producing, songwriting and performance and one of the premier slide
guitarists today. He is also an internationally acclaimed producer for John Lee Hooker (winning
two Grammy Awards and four nominations) and Ramblin' Jack Elliott (two Grammy nominations).
He has received numerous awards and accolades from around the world. For years Roy has been
widely recognized as one of the finest practitioners and innovators of modern slide guitar.
Guitar Player said, "Many guitarists dabble in slide guitar, but the number of modern
masters can probably be counted on one hand. Roy Rogers is surely one of them."
Guitarist,
singer and songwriter Lukas Nelson was born in Austin, Texas, raised on his father Willie Nelson's
famed Honeysuckle Rose bus, and now based out of Venice Beach, California, the 21-year-old
Nelson is no stranger to the road, with his first trip on the bus at 5 weeks old on a tour
by The Highwaymen (the supergroup featuring his father, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris
Kristofferson). He is joined in the aptly-named Promise of the Real by drummer Anthony LoGerfo,
bassist Corey McCormick and percussionist Tato Melgar. The band has released a well-received
EP, Brando's Paradise Sessions, produced by former Oingo Boingo bassist John Avila, and plans
to release a full album in the not too distant future.
Tickets for this incredible
night of entertainment are available on line at:
www.carrera-productions.com/tickets
- and are only $32 in advance, $37 at the gate. The Lakehills Green is located at 7000 Rossmore
Lane, El Dorado Hills - overlooking the El Dorado Hills Town Center - on hill behind Regal
Cinemas. The Gates open at 5PM - show runs from 6-9:30 PM. The event is general admission,
No Outside Food or Alcohol (personal bottled water fine), beer, wine, food, water/soft drinks
available at very reasonable prices. Bring low-back chairs, blankets - high back chairs and
umbrellas OK off to sides or in the back. More information and tickets available on-line at
www.carrera-productions.com. A portion of net proceeds from this event will benefit the El
Dorado Arts Council. Other sponsors include: Mountain Democrat, Village Life, Eagle 96.9, Money
Mailer, Shingle Springs Nissan Subaru, Overcome Fitness Center, Town Center Family Chiropractic,
Foreign Autohaus, Pete's Restaurant & Brewhouse, Ruffhaus Hot Dog Company, Mira Flores
Winery and Coors Light.
CARRERA PRODUCTIONS IS OWNED-OPERATED BY MARY CARRERA - WITH
EVENT MANAGEMENT/PRODUCTION RESPONSIBILITIES FOR EVENTS SUCH AS: COLOMA BLUES LIVE, EL DORADO
HILLS ART & WINE AFFAIRE AND THE THURSDAY NIGHT CONCERTS "LIVE ON THE BOULEVARD"
AT THE EL DORADO HILLS TOWN CENTER - WITH MORE TO COME!
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Blue Miles Sextet in Lotus!
Greetings Everyone
Many thanks to all of you who joined us for the Keith Greeninger and Dayan
Kai concert - what an incredible performance they gave us !! We really enjoyed and appreciated
having you all here to experience such a wonderful evening of music.
We are very excited about our final house concert for the season & are
planning a very special evening for the culmination of our 2010 series.
On September 11th the Blue Miles Sextet will perform on stage at our venue
. This band, powered by a Hammond B3 organ, features 5 talented musicians from the Sacramento/Stockton/Davis
area.
Miles Cope Accomplished vocalist,instrumentalist and lyricist. Miles Cope
has been an integral part of the California music scene for the last twenty five years. He
has produced and organized numerous benefits and concerts featuring nationally acclaimed jazz
& blues artists,as well as his own multi-faceted "Miles Cope Quartet, " and his
newest group "The Blue Miles Band". He has opened for headliner Lou Rawls , renowned
Bay Area jazz pianist Smith Dobson , and the dynamic Bob Doscher Quartet. He has recently released
his second CD with his quartet featuring Capital City greats, jazz pianist Joe Gilman, guitarist
Steve Homan, Berkley bassist Fred Randolph and drummer Jeff Redlausk.
UC Davis jazz director Delbert Bump has established himself in the musical
world as a performing artist playing piano, keyboards, and jazz organ. He has released seven
CDs and a number of other recordings representing various aspects of his unique performance
and compositional style. He is a jazz educator of the highest caliber, having the experience
of teaching at the college level for more than 30 years. Bump has written for big bands, combos,
television, and radio, and he has received numerous awards. His output as a composer with respect
to the jazz literature is significant. Currently, he maintains a full schedule as a performer,
locally and nationally; as a teacher at Solano Community College and here at UC Davis; and
as the leader of an organ trio, a latin sextet, and an organ-driven big band.
Bump is featured in three tracks on Mike Clark's new album, Carnival of
Soul, now sold and played nationally.
Darius Babazadeh (saxophone), a multi-instrumentalist, composer and music
educator, who has toured Asia, Europe, Russia, and the USA with Paul Anka, Johnny Mathis, Natalie
Cole, the Temptations, Jessica Williams, Xavier Cugat, Mumbo Gumbo, Stan Lunetta, Joe Gilman
and Lynard Skynard. Since touring, Darius formed DBaba Project.
Steve Homan (Guitar) - Steve,
an accomplished guitarist, composer and instructer has released a number of CDs playing with
artists such as Joe Gillman, Cheri Murphy, Delbert Bump, Anita O'day and Gene Estes. Steve
performs regularly throughout the region.
Francesca Homan (Vocals) - Performing with Steve
Homan Blue Miles and other jazz ensambles in the area, Francesca will add her fabulous vocals
to the mix.
Tony Dey (drums) - Was Van Morrison's, as well as a host of other greats, Drummer
of choice.
As you can tell, this promises to be another amazing night of music under
the stars! Don't miss this one!!
Please visit out website for more information and to request an invitation.
www.lotushocuspocus.com/houseconcerts
or
call 530 622-4914 530 622-4914
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What going on at the BLUEROOM LOUNGE
?
Blueroom Lounge Update
This Friday Night August 24th
at the Blueroom Lounge
its the Band MR. DECEMBER
This is going to be a great party starting
at 9:00pm
hope to see you all out to party with
MR. DECEMBERThank you
for more information
Randy Meusling
916-416-9689
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Powerhouse Sunday Night Jam
Blues Lovers,
Hey, here s a personal invitation
to come out and join us at the Powerhouse Pub in Historic Folsom this Sunday evening for the
Powerhouse Sunday Night Jam between 7-10:30 pm.
This Sunday we ll have a
horn section too! Join Kenny Nichols, Jim Cobb, Marty Deradoorian, Michael Haviland, Deacon
Baker and Ricky V. We ll also be giving away a couple of Northern California Blues Festival
tickets featuring Elvin Bishop, Zac Harman, SBR, Chris Cain, Dennis Jones, Kaye Bohler and
Volker Strifler during the jam.
There s a lot going on with the blues on Sunday
afternoons. When you re done with your afternoon ventures, come out to Historic Folsom and
the Powerhouse Pub, enjoy a beer, pizza, friends and a little music before you have to go back
to work on Monday morning. We have a GREAT sounding stage!
Ricky V
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The
Return of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave.Friday September 17! Supafunkrock Party!
A Swell September!
Swell Productions Announces The Return of Trombone Shorty
&
Orleans Avenue on Friday, September 17
(Sacramento, CA) Direct from New Orleans! Swell Productions is
happy to announce the young New Orleans sensations are returning to Sacramento: Trombone Shorty
& Orleans Avenue are back by popular demand on Friday, September 17 at Harlow s. Twelve
weeks and counting as Billboard chart toppers!
Friday, September 17
Direct from New Orleans! High octane
Supafunkrock!
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Harlow's
2708 J St./Sacramento,
CA 95814
Doors: 8 PM
Showtime: 9 PM
Harlow's is accepting dinner reservations prior
to the concert this night. Call 916-441-4693.
Advance tickets: $20 /$25 @ the door available
now online at www.harlows.com
You'd be hard pressed to find a star rising faster than Troy
"Trombone Shorty" Andrews. The 24 year old (equally adept on trombone and trumpet)
is a product of New Orleans' culturally rich Treme neighborhood; he was a bandleader by the
age of six. Now, he & his blistering band, Orleans Avenue, are headlining jazz, jam, blues
and rock festivals internationally. The group s performances have been known to run for hours
at an energy level that few others could sustain for a much shorter performance.
In 2010 alone, 24-year-old New Orleans singer /songwriter/multi-instrumentalist
and all-around musical powerhouse Andrews released "Backatown"(Verve), performed
on David Letterman, Good Morning America and ESPN's SportsCenter pre-Super Bowl show. And,
four appearances - as himself - for the HBO series 'Treme'.
Rare indeed is the artist with the virtuosity, elegance and class
to draw the unqualified respect of some of the most iconic legends in jazz--- and the ability
to deliver a high-energy funk rock show capable of mesmerizing international rock stars.
Troy possesses the rarest combination of talent, technical capability
and down home soul. I m his biggest fan" says Wynton Marsalis. "We were mesmerized
by him" says U2's The Edge. Andrews was honored as the subject choice for the official
poster of the 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; and is roundly acknowledged as
the torchbearer for New Orleans music across the globe.
Special guest opening this hot night will be Sacramento's funky
new favorite soul band,
The Nibblers. The Nibblers, a seven piece band, feature Mikey
Palmer (bass) and Reggie Marks (sax) and Jon Wood (guitar) from Mumbo Gumbo and are led by
singer Hans Eberbach. www.myspace.com/thenibblersfunk
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Sacramento Blues Society Event
"8th Annual Blues Divas Galore Show"
Our Blues
Women
Lady Bianca
Tess & Hip Trash
Lena Mosley
Please join the Sacramento Blues Society on Saturday evening,
August 21, 2010 for our 8th Annual "Blues Divas Galore" Showcase presentation!
For more information, visit our web site or call Liz Walker
- Event Chair (916) 712-7277.
SacBlues Band & Solo/Duo Invitation
Compete For A Trip To Memphis
You're Invited!
International
Blues Challenge
Memphis in February 2011 !
The winning act will represent
the SBS at the 2011 IBC in Memphis and receive a $1500 travel voucher.
Entry Form
for the SBS Combined Competition
Dear OBD,
The Sacramento Blues
Society is conducting the annual "IBC Competition" October 10, 2010. Please go to
our web site to download an entry form!
Entrants must have a valid Sacramento Blues
Society membership in good standing and be willing to travel to Memphis to represent the SBS
at the 27th International Blues Challenge being held February 1-5, 2011.
Fine Print
The
cut-off date to apply is October 3, 2010.
Limited to first 10 acts who sign up and are qualified!
IBC rules & qualifications apply. Impartial judges will
be from the local & regional blues music community and will follow the official criteria
outlined by The Blues Foundation.
Past SBS representatives include: 2010 Fire & Wheels &
Volker Strifler, 2009 - The Aces & Lew Fratis & Jimmy Pailer, 2008 - The Delta Wires
& Pinkie Rideau & Ron Cook, 2007 - The Lara Price Band & Marta Gee, 2006 - Sumac's
Soul Heaven Band, 2005 - Gayiel Von & Witness This! and a few years back, Marshal Wilkerson's
Band.
DATE: October 10, 2010
TIME: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Capitol
City Hotel Ballroom
Apply Now
For the 'fine print' and a 'downloadable' entry form, please
go to our web site. For more information or questions, please contact our IBC Coordinator,
Kim DuVall: Info@SacBlues.Com.
Sincerely,
Willie Brown - President
Sacramento Blues Society
email: wsbrown1@prodigy.net
phone: 916-443-9212
SacBlues Supported Benefit
Side-By-Side Benefit
September 11, 2010
Dear OBD,
Please join the Sacramento Blues Society
in supporting the Side-By-Side benefit to be held on September 11, 2010 at the Torch Club in
downtown Sacramento, CA.
All proceeds will benefit "Side-By-Side". A program
that provides a safe environment for homeless musicians and others at Loaves & Fishes near
downtown Sacramento.
Sincerely,
Willie Brown, President
Sacramento Blues Society
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Veterans
Benefit Concert
We are working on a benefit concert and festival to recover
the funds for the Veterans Community Center in Marysville. The date is October 16 at Mervyn
s Feather River Pavilion in Marysville. The venue holds 12,000 people. We are looking for volunteers
to help with security per Marysville Code 2.48.520 the minimum would be 15 and the maximum
if we can fill it would be 42. We need to provide a medical tent with 3 to 12 cots, one doctor
or certified EMT. I would like more. We need one ambulance. We need porta potties. This is
all for the minimum and maximum requirements for the venue. The most important is a funds coordinator.
I am assuming the VA facility is a 501 3C and need a method to receive and disburse funds.
Our lineup so far is funk band Lydia Pense and Cold Blood,
from the Ritchie Valens family, little brother Mario and the Backyard Blues Band, and Popa
Dave Montano and his new hired guns. We have a couple of talented local bands,
and we are working on a couple of special guests but until I get a confirmation I can t let
the names out. The Backyard Blues Band are performing some of Ritchie s unreleased songs so
this should be a treat. This is the brainchild of Popa Dave Montano, a disabled Veteran and
musician. Popa began his music career at the tender age of three when he began performing with
his uncle on the local radio station. Popa a singer, songwriter and bass player has played
with many top musicians like the late, great John Lee Hooker, Freddie King, Bo Diddley, Deacon
Jones, Lydia Pense and has opened for Rick Darringer, Outlaws, Johnnie Winter, Edgar Winter,
Little Feat, Todd Rundgren, Texas Slim and the Sundowner Boys just to name a few.
Lydia Pense and Cold Blood is well known in the bay area and
recently toured Japan. Lydia is known for her dynamic vocals reminiscent of Janis Joplin except
smoother.
Thank you in advance for your help but mostly thank you for
your service.
Respectfully,
Tiffany Montano
11997 Oro Quincy Hwy.
Berry Creek, CA
95916-9780
530-589-4667
tiffany@tiffanysart.com
Books by Tiffany:
Environmentalism
and Government Run Amuck
Exposed: the Solar Energy Con
Reflections in Poetry, Chue's
Trip and Squirrelly Squirrel
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ALLIGATOR RECORDS NEWS BRIEFS 7-30-10
TOMMY CASTRO AND CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE WIN LIVING BLUES READERS'
POLL AWARDS
On July 28, 2010, Living Blues magazine announced that Tommy Castro won the
2010 Living Blues Readers' Poll Award for Best Blues Album of 2009 for his Alligator Records
release, Hard Believer. Charlie Musselwhite, whose new Alligator CD The Well will be released
on August 24, won the award for Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica).
In other award news,
Janiva Magness, The Holmes Brothers, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Tommy Castro and Guitar
Shorty all received nominations for DownBeat's 75th Annual Readers Poll. Fans can vote by going
to MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "mailman.305spin.com" claiming
to be www.downbeat.com and clicking on the banner for Readers Poll.
Castro, Magness, The
Holmes Brothers, and Rick Estrin also received nominations for the 2010 Blues Blast Awards,
presented by The Blues Beat magazine. Voting takes place at MailScanner has detected a possible
fraud attempt from "mailman.305spin.com" claiming to be www.thebluesbeat.com until
August 31.
THE HOLMES BROTHERS PLAY NPR'S
TINY DESK CONCERT
The
Holmes Brothers (Wendell Holmes, Sherman Holmes and Popsy Dixon) will perform an intimate,
semi-acoustic NPR Tiny Desk Concert on Monday, August 2, 2010. The concert is available at
the NPR website, and can be viewed anytime on and after August 2 at MailScanner has detected
a possible fraud attempt from "mailman.305spin.com" claiming to be http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92071316.
Paste
magazine called the band's latest CD, Feed My Soul "raucous, joyful, lusty and reverent.
Utterly uncategorizable except for the honesty and the heart, it's best to simply call Feed
My Soul great."
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ALLIGATOR
RECORDS SIGNS BLUES HARMONICA GIANT JAMES COTTON
NEW CD, GIANT, SET FOR SEPTEMBER 28 STREET
DATE
Grammy Award-winning blues harmonica master James "Mr. Superharp" Cotton
returns to Alligator Records with the new CD, Giant, set for a September 28 release. Giant
is a ferocious blast of brash power blues from Cotton, one of the few bluesmen to have harmonicas
literally explode from the pure force of his playing. Cotton, who in 2010 celebrates his 66th
year as a professional musician (starting at the age of nine), has recorded 28 solo albums,
including two highly-regarded releases for Alligator in the 1980s and the famed Harp Attack!
with Junior Wells, Carey Bell and Billy Branch in 1990. The New York Daily News calls Cotton
"the greatest living blues harmonica player." The New York Times adds, "Cotton
helped define modern blues harmonica with his moaning, wrenching phrases and his train-whistle
wails." Rolling Stone says Cotton is "among the greats of all time. He blazes on
harp with remarkable and brilliant virtuosity."
Recorded by Stuart Sullivan at Wire
Recording in Austin, Texas, Giant features 12 tracks, including four new Cotton originals and
co-writes, alongside songs made famous by Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Ivory Joe Hunter and others.
Throughout his career, Cotton has always had great bands, and the players on Giant are no exception.
With guitarists/vocalists Slam Allen and Tom Holland, bassist Noel Neal (Ronnie James Weber
on one song) and drummer Kenny Neal, Jr., Giant is not just a reminder of Cotton's legendary
status, it is a remarkably vibrant and hard-hitting album made by one of the true blues masters.
Between
his larger-than-life personality, his huge, boogie-blast-furnace sound and his massive frame,
James Cotton is a blues giant in every respect. Born in Tunica, Mississippi on July 1, 1935,
Cotton actually grew up on a cotton plantation. The youngest of eight brothers and sisters,
he received a fifteen-cent harmonica for Christmas as a very small boy and mastered it almost
immediately. He began listening to Sonny Boy Williamson's King Biscuit Time on KFFA from Helena,
Arkansas and learned to imitate the older bluesman note for note. In 1944, after both of his
parents had passed away, Cotton's uncle recognized the nine-year-old boy's talent and took
him to Helena to meet his hero. Upon first meeting Sonny Boy, Cotton began playing the elder
blueman's famous licks. Sonny Boy was amazed. The two became close, and Cotton spent many nights
traveling with Williamson to juke joints all over the area. Cotton, being too young to enter
the clubs, often played for tips outside.
When Williamson left for Milwaukee in 1950, Cotton,
now 15, took over Sonny Boy's band. While this arrangement didn't last beyond a few gigs, Cotton
got a taste of band leading. He met Howlin' Wolf and soon began touring with him all over the
South. Cotton learned all about making it on the road from Wolf, and, though only a teenager,
he was determined to succeed. By 1952 his reputation was growing, particularly in West Memphis.
He worked often in local juke joints and clubs and, along with drummer Willie Nix, hosted a
variety of local radio shows.
In 1953, the teenage Cotton received word that Sun Records
owner Sam Phillips wanted to record him. He cut a total of four sides in 1953-54, including
the classic Cotton Crop Blues. In 1954, Muddy Waters came through Memphis without Junior Wells,
his harp player at the time. Waters was well aware of Cotton's growing reputation and asked
him to join his band. Cotton headed to Chicago with Waters, staying by his side for the next
12 years, becoming Muddy's trusted confidante and the leader of his backing band.
The first
few years Cotton was with Waters, Chess Records still insisted on having Little Walter record
with Muddy. But that changed beginning in 1958, when Cotton joined Waters in the studio, recording
on many of Muddy's classics sides, including She's 19 Years Old and Close To You. Cotton convinced
Waters to perform and record Got My Mojo Working, and can be heard playing on the definitive
version of the song on Waters' 1960 Chess LP, Live At Newport.
By 1966, Cotton was ready
to head out on his own. He first recorded sides under his own name for the Chicago/The Blues/Today!
series on Vanguard, and along with Otis Spann, cut The Blues Never Die for Prestige. He made
his first solo albums - one for Vanguard and three for Verve - in the late 1960s, with bands
featuring outstanding musicians, including famed guitarist Luther Tucker and master drummers
Sam Lay and Francis Clay. With his gale-force sound and fearless boogie band (later featuring
Matt "Guitar" Murphy), it wasn't long before he was adopted by the burgeoning hippie
audience as one of their own. Cotton shared stages with Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Led
Zeppelin, Santana, Steve Miller, Freddie King, B.B. King and many others. In 1969 he appeared
on Hugh Hefner's groundbreaking Playboy After Dark syndicated television program.
Cotton
was well-known as one of the hardest-touring and most popular blues artists of the 1970s. His
acrobatic showmanship (he often did somersaults on stage) and full-throttle blues kept him
in demand at concert halls all over the country; he played the Fillmore East in New York, the
Fillmore West in San Francisco and every major rock venue in between. During the decade, he
cut an album for Capitol and three for Buddah. He rejoined his old boss Muddy Waters for the
series of Muddy albums produced by Johnny Winter, starting with Hard Again in 1977. Cotton
also guested on recordings by Howlin' Wolf, Koko Taylor, John Lee Hooker and many others. He
was joined on his own albums by stars like Todd Rundgren, Steve Miller and Johnny Winter.
Cotton
joined Alligator Records in 1984, releasing High Compression and Live From Chicago: Mr. Superharp
Himself!!! (which earned him his very first Grammy nomination). In 1990 he joined fellow harp
masters Junior Wells, Carey Bell and Billy Branch for the all-star release Harp Attack!. He
won a Grammy Award in 1996 for his Verve album, Deep In The Blues.
During the 2000s Cotton
has continued recording and touring relentlessly, playing all over the world. He was inducted
into the Blues Hall Of Fame in 2006. The San Francisco Examiner says, "James Cotton is
an inimitable blues-harmonica legend. His wailing harmonica blows them away. His jazzy improvisations
on the blues are full of fun and good humor. The blues don't get much better."
Today
Cotton, while turning over the singing duties to his road band, still blows the reeds right
out of his harp. With Giant, James Cotton's aggressive, powerful blues harmonica playing is
a true force of nature. In June 2010 Cotton was honored at New York's Lincoln Center, where
his friends Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins, Taj Mahal, Shemekia Copeland and others paid tribute
in an all-star concert. There James Cotton played in front of yet another sold-out venue, with
fans all cheering the man known worldwide as "Mr. Superharp," an undisputed giant
of the blues.
A
great link on electric blues guitarists
Hi,
My name is Patricia and I'm a music teacher at a public high
school in my town. I've recently been doing research for a lesson plan I'm putting together
as an intro into the blues, and I came across your page http://www.sierrabluessociety.org/SBS5.htm
. It had some great info, so I thought I would suggest another link http://www.zzounds.com/edu--legendarybluesguitarists
that had some excellent information on electric blues guitarists. This article was a great
resource for me, and I think it would be a useful addition to your page.
Thanks for your time, and take care,
Patricia
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The Golden Gate Blues Society will be holding a number of regional events to select a member band to compete in The Blues Foundation's 27th International Blues Challenge (IBC) to be held in Memphis February 2-5, 2011.
The IBC is world's largest gathering of blues acts and represents
an international search by The Blues Foundation and its affiliated organizations for the Blues
Band ready to perform on a national stage, but needing that extra break. Some of the blues
artists whose careers were launched at the IBC over the years include: Susan Tedeschi, Michelle
Wilson, Michael Burks, Albert Cummings, Larry Garner, Richard Johnston, Matthew Skoller and
Sean Carney. As 2004 IBC winner Zac Harmon said, "winning the International Blues Challenge
is better than having a $100,000 publicity budget."
We are finalizing dates and details for the events; the band application
must be returned by June 30, 2010. Band members must be up-to-date with membership dues and
non-member bands can enter by submitting their membership dues with the application. Go to
our new I.B.C. page on the website www.tggbs.org to download the rules and application. If
you e-mail ibc@tggbs.org, I will send you a pdf.
This is a unique opportunity for bands to gain recognition on the
local level not to mention the career boost afforded to the winner. The movers and shakers
in the blues attend this event every year to hear "new" bands--a journey to Memphis
will yield many benefits.
If you can imagine playing on Beale Street at the most prestigious
blues challenge in the world, here's your chance!
Dorothy L. Hill, President
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ALLIGATOR RECORDS NEWS BRIEFS 7-30-10
TOMMY CASTRO AND CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE WIN LIVING BLUES READERS' POLL
AWARDS
On July 28, 2010, Living Blues magazine announced that Tommy Castro won the 2010
Living Blues Readers' Poll Award for Best Blues Album of 2009 for his Alligator Records release,
Hard Believer. Charlie Musselwhite, whose new Alligator CD The Well will be released on August
24, won the award for Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica).
In other award news, Janiva
Magness, The Holmes Brothers, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Tommy Castro and Guitar Shorty
all received nominations for DownBeat's 75th Annual Readers Poll. Fans can vote by going to
MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from "mailman.305spin.com" claiming
to be www.downbeat.com and clicking on the banner for Readers Poll.
Castro, Magness, The
Holmes Brothers, and Rick Estrin also received nominations for the 2010 Blues Blast Awards,
presented by The Blues Beat magazine. Voting takes place at MailScanner has detected a possible
fraud attempt from "mailman.305spin.com" claiming to be www.thebluesbeat.com until
August 31.
THE HOLMES BROTHERS PLAY NPR'S
TINY DESK CONCERT
The
Holmes Brothers (Wendell Holmes, Sherman Holmes and Popsy Dixon) will perform an intimate,
semi-acoustic NPR Tiny Desk Concert on Monday, August 2, 2010. The concert is available at
the NPR website, and can be viewed anytime on and after August 2 at MailScanner has detected
a possible fraud attempt from "mailman.305spin.com" claiming to be http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92071316.
Paste
magazine called the band's latest CD, Feed My Soul "raucous, joyful, lusty and reverent.
Utterly uncategorizable except for the honesty and the heart, it's best to simply call Feed
My Soul great."
Back
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RICK ESTRIN & THE NIGHTCATS TO PERFORM IN FOLSOM!
An amazing blues harmonica player, soulful vocalist and brilliant,
original songwriter. San Francisco Chronicle
Blues harmonica master /singer/songwriter Rick Estrin & The
Nightcats, touring in support of their debut CD, Twisted, will perform live in Folsom on Saturday,
July 24, 2010. For more than 30 years and nine albums, Estrin fronted the jumping, swinging
Little Charlie & The Nightcats, featuring guitarist Little Charlie Baty. With Baty s recent
retirement from touring, Estrin along with the Nightcats longtime rhythm section of J.
Hansen and Lorenzo Farrell and a new member, fiery guitarist Kid Andersen takes the lead on
his own. Concert information is as follows:
Saturday, July 24
Po Boyz
9580 Oak Ave. Pkwy., #8
Folsom,
CA
916-987-2886
Time: TBA
$10 general admission / $5 blues society members
www.poboyzfolsom.com
The band s debut album, Twisted, while still swinging the blues,
is a harmonica-driven, rocking, guitar-fueled rave-up. Featuring 14 songs (including 10 Estrin
originals, two by Kid Andersen, one by Hansen, and a superb band-created instrumental), Twisted
showcases Rick s seemingly effortless command of the harmonica, his streetwise vocals and his
remarkable original songs.
Rick Estrin ranks among the very best harp players, singers and
songwriters in the blues world today. His work on the reeds is deep in the tradition of harmonica
masters Sonny Boy Williamson II and Little Walter Jacobs, while at the same time pushing that
tradition forward. His award-winning original songs have been favorably compared with those
of Willie Dixon and the team of Leiber and Stoller. And his hipster, street-smart vocals are
the perfect vehicle for driving those songs home.
In addition to his harmonica and vocal skills, Rick Estrin is a
songwriter of unparalleled talent. Critics have compared him to Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan
and Willie Dixon. Blues Revue declared, Estrin has created some of the finest blues songs
of any artist on the planet. His carefully wrought lyrics penetrate human weakness with the
precision of a boxer, though more often than not, he chooses to leave you laughing after the
blow s been struck.
Besides Estrin s songwriting and musical skills, he is among the
most entertaining and colorful showmen around. His quick wit and his signature look coifed
hair, pencil-thin mustache and sharp attire add even more color to his performances.
People don t go out to see people who look like themselves, says Rick. They want
to see something special. I was schooled in this business to be a showman, and that s what
you get when you come to see me perform.
Estrin was born in San Francisco, California in 1949, and grew up
following his own path. He discovered an entirely new lifestyle when, as a 10-year-old boy,
he made his way to the tough Market Street area and befriended many of the neighborhood characters.
He discovered another new world when his older sister gave him a copy of Ray Charles
The Genius Sings The Blues when he was 12. Albums from Jimmy Reed, Champion Jack Dupree, Mose
Allison, Nina Simone and others soon followed. By the time he was a teenager, Estrin had completely
identified with the urban, African American culture surrounding him.
Rick got his first harmonica at age 15, and by age 18 was proficient
enough to begin sitting in at black clubs around the city. He first jammed with blues master
Lowell Fulson and almost immediately was hired to open five shows for Z.Z. Hill. He worked
five nights a week for almost a year with guitar legend Travis Phillips in a band fronted by
famed pimp/bluesman Fillmore Slim (who was the centerpiece of the acclaimed Hughes Brothers
documentary American Pimp). Phillips introduced Estrin to Rodger Collins, the man who would
become Rick s first real musical mentor, and who schooled Rick on the finer points of songwriting
and show business. He moved to Chicago and worked with Johnny Young, Eddie Taylor, Sam Lay
and Johnny Littlejohn before meeting and jamming with Muddy Waters. In fact, Muddy wanted Estrin
to go on the road with him, but due to nothing more than a missed phone call, it never happened.
Because of that missed connection, Rick eventually moved back to
the Bay Area, met Little Charlie Baty and formed Little Charlie & The Nightcats. For the
next 30 years, the band barnstormed around the globe, honing their skills and entertaining
countless people. Now, as Rick Estrin & The Nightcats release Twisted and tour the country,
they ll bring their raucous, rocking blues to fans both old and new. Clubs will be packed,
dance floors will be filled and a guaranteed great time will be had by all.
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