Jake Lear : DIAMONDS AND STONES

The scalding blues of singer, songwriter and guitarist Jake Lear instead proffers a combustible combination of deep emotion hot-wired to an insider’s understanding of the music. The Memphis resident by way of Vermont honed his genuine credibility on Beale Street and his second full-length release reveals the tight arrangements and telepathic interplay of a road-tested power blues trio.

The eight originals and two covers on Diamonds And Stones feature Roy Cunningham (drums) and Carlos Arias (bass) in a pile-driving tandem contributing to a mammoth sound. With penetrating gruffness over the massive work song thump of his guitar, Lear confides, “Well, the night is falling and the darkness is coming right through my door” in the opener “Strange Things,” making every weighty note count over the throbbing, minor key 12-bar progression dark as river mud. “Going Back Home (North Mississippi Bound)” chugs and clangs like a smoking 100-car freighter through the Delta as he intones the title repeatedly like a mantra. Lear has the chops and finely-tuned ear to phrase vocally and instrumentally with consummate skill and drama while creating a seamless, hypnotic wall of sound. Segueing smoothly into the equally driving stomp of “Wasting Time,” Lear employs the sneer of early Dylan to describe his existential state of mind.

Listen to "Strange Things" 

Click for more

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 VAL STARR & THE BLUES ROCKET

Val Starr & The Blues Rocket is a band that loves to entertain and play the blues. Our musical line-up features original songs based on traditional blues, boogie, shuffles and jump blues, all with the "Val Starr twist". She is rapidly taking her place among the women of blues serving up her own brand of contemporary California blues!

Val Starr is an extraordinary singer and songwriter who writes tales gleaned from everyday life, love, friends and family. She is an explosive performer who always brings the audience to their feet and out onto the dance floor with blues that lift you up. The one-two punch is Val Starr and David “Holokai” Tan on the lead solos, ripping out the cheers or the tears from the audience with his taste, finesse and ferocious energy. He can’t keep his feet still when he’s playing, and neither can the audience. Holokai is one of the best guitarist and entertainers playing the blues. The solid and smooth foundation is laid down by Jimmy Collazo on drums and JohnE Sandwich on bass. They lock together like peanut butter and jelly and feed your soul with that rich bottom you want to hear in the blues.

Val Starr & The Blues Rocket released their first CD in 2012 entitled Cool Ride, and it is available at ITunes, Amazon, Spotify, Reverbnation, Rhapsody, Zune and most other download portals. The second CD, Blues Away, is in pre-production and will be available Spring of 2013.

Now Booking 2013

Jellis2003@yahoo.com

916-225-0209

www.valstarrandthebluesrocket.com

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"GEORGIA GIVES A DAY" HELPS THE SEAN COSTELLO

MEMORIAL FUND TO BENEFIT BIPOLAR RESEARCH

The Sean Costello Memorial Fund to Benefit Biopolar Research has, as an organization, established a three prong mission: Education, Research and Intervention. This year, they have help in communicating what they are all about with the targeted giving campaign. "Georgia Gives A Day," sponsored by the Georgia Council of Nonprofits. The goal is to reach $5000, the amount needed to finalize funding of the MOJO project. Please consider donating as a gift for Christmas. They will send a holiday card to a designated person, upon request, recognizing your gift. No gift is greater than the gift of hope for a healthier life. December 6 is the date of the public campaign but you can donate today here. 

In the education realm, they have an informative website, which includes links to many resources on Bipolar Disorder. Last year they partnered with Emory University to present "Beautiful Minds," an educational series with performances by talented individuals challenged with bipolar disorder. The MOJO project will develop mobile and internet program for identifying sleep disruptions that can lead to mania which often leads to reckless, even dangerous behavior. Musicians have an irregular work and sleep schedule that puts them at additional risk.

Diagnosis takes 8-10 years, on the average, during which time people self-medicate. This compounds the problem of diagnosis and requires expert treatment. Medication that may work for the average person, often results in diminished creativity - an obvious issue for a musician. One tenet of treatment is a scheduled life, again, difficult at best for someone who tours for a living and has a mandatory irregular schedule. Sleep disorders are a known trigger for mania which often leads to dangerous, sometimes lethal, behavior. Both creativity and social anxiety have been linked to the disorder, and they are frequently indigenous to the musical community.

Intervention is much more complicated for many reasons. Any treatment must be based on evidence, and that requires research. We can offer hope of more effective treatment as we learn more. We cannot be satisfied with what is known about bipolar disorder, especially with this uniquely challenged population. Hopefully, with future interventions, not one other person will be lost while trying to get help.

Learn about Bipolar Disorder and talk about it and Sean. His is a beautiful, sad, compassionate story. We need to eliminate the stigma of mental health problems by bringing them into the light.

More info...

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RARE ROBERT JOHNSON RECORD FOUND IN BOX FROM ATTIC

Black Enterprise

A Pittsburgh used record store owner named Jerry Weber found an old copy of bluesman Robert Johnson’s 1936 record “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom (on Vocalion),” in a box of records he’d paid $50 for that had been sitting in someone’s attic for decades.

It’s the second song ever recorded by late Mississippi blues legend Robert Johnson. Weber calls it the “holy grail” of ’78s.

“It’s the most expensive record I’ve ever found,” Weber told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “and it’s in real nice shape.” He says the book value is between $6,000 and $12,000. There are about 15-30 copies of the record in that condition around the country.

According to his legend, Robert Johnson got his ability to play the blues by selling his soul to the devil at a crossroads in rural Mississippi. He died mysteriously in 1938 at age 27.

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FRANK ROSZAK ... A VITAL SPOKE IN THE BLUES WHEEL

Suncoast Blues/Twelve Bar Rag

Blues Stalker (By Monte Adkison)

A blues musician once told me that in the music industry we all are spokes in a wheel holding it together in order for it to revolve. Musicians, fans, promoters, disc jockeys, producers, sound engineers, agents, blues societies, stage managers, club owners, publicists and others all are an intricate part of the music we love. Many people “behind the scenes” work unselfishly to keep the blues alive. One of those “spokes” happens to be one of the most respected in the business of independent radio and marketing promotion, Frank Roszak. Frank has been and still is an engineer, mixer, producer, promoter, marketing wizard and radio persona extraordinaire. His experience and versatile background has made him one of the essential people to know in the blues business. Born in Brooklyn, Frank’s career began in the 70’s at Soundmixer Studios in New York City. After the success of a hit single, he took his talent to England where he co-produced the Pet Shop Boys and mixed and produced a who’s who of hits by many top recording artists such as Bobby Womack, the Temptations, Bahamen, Stanley Clarke and many more until 2003.

For the next six years Roszak was the Director of Radio, Promotion, and Press for Delta Groove and Eclecto Groove Records whose projects included such notable artists as the Mannish Boys, Elvin Bishop, Sean Costello, Candye Kane, Ana Popovic, Bob Corritore and Friends and many others. He also booked the top music festivals in Norway, France, Spain, Switzerland, Holland as well as many of the major blues and music festivals in the United States.

Making the decision to branch out on his own, in January, 2011, Frank became CEO and founder of Frank Roszak Promotions, an independent radio and marketing company that markets projects to radio and press, including tour support. When you see a successful chart climb by an artist or nominations for awards... there is a good chance that Frank Roszak is the person responsible for the success. His contacts are extensive and the testimonials of satisfied clients speak for his phenomenal success. This is a person you want as your front man. I became acquainted with Frank recently through Vicente Zumel of La Hora del Blues in Barcelona, but after communicating with him several times I felt as though I had known him for decades and had been in the music trenches with him. If I was an artist needing or wanting promotion, there is no doubt I would want Frank Roszak working the room for me.

To read the entire interview click here & scroll to pg. 6 "The Blues Stalker"

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2013 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE TICKETS ON SALE!

The 29th International Blues Challenge is set to begin Tuesday, January 29, 2013 and conclude on Saturday February 2, 2013. The competition will be held in Memphis, TN in the Beale Street entertainment district. Tickets are available online now.

The Blues Foundation has special prices and direct lines and links to a number of Downtown Memphis hotels for the 2013 International Blues Challenge. Reserve your room early to get what you want--best price, closest to Beale, most luxury--whatever you want. Click here.

The Keeping The Blues Alive Awards luncheon will also be held February 1, 2013, at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Memphis, Tennesse e. The KBA ceremony will be part of the International Blues Challenge (IBC) weekend of events.

For complete information about the 2013 International Blues Challenge weekend click here.

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FIND YOUR GROOVE ON THE LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE!

Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #20 Jan. 20 ~ 27, 2013 Caribbean

Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Tortola, St. Kitts & Half Moon Cay.

Sold out - join waitlist!

#21 Oct. 18 ~ 25, 2013 Fantasy/Big Easy/Mayan

Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Key West, New Orleans & Progreso, Mexico

Now Pre-Booking w/ $250 per person full refundable deposit.

Bands announced in November.

#22 Jan. 19 ~ 26, 2014 Eastern Caribbean

Ft. Lauderdale, FL to St. Barths, St. Thomas / St. John & Turks and Caicos

Now Pre-Booking w/ $250 per person full refundable deposit.

Bands announced in March.

www.BluesCruise.com or (816) 753-7979 reservations & info.

You HAVE to experience this at least once in your lifetime! 

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Attention Blues Fans:

The Hall of Fame pays tribute to the greatest of the genre and educates new people about the genre. The Blues Foundation has been inducting into the Blues Hall of Fame for years; it was just a simple evening with web presence. Now we need physical presence, and with your help, we are going to get The Blues Hall of Fame building built in Memphis, TN!

Here is a link with more details about the BHF campaign:

Doesn’t this project sound important and exciting?

Our goal is to raise awareness and funds to reach the goal of 3.5 million.

How to donate: 1. Make a multi-year pledge online or print out and sign form and mail to: The Blues Foundation, 421 South Main, Memphis, TN 38104-4464;

OR fax to 901.529.4030; OR e-mail it to jay@blues.org.

2. Make a one-time donation by calling with a credit card or mailing a check or find online.

3. Text the word " blues" to 80077 to donate $10. When you receive a message to confirm, answer with “YES.”

No effort is too small or unappreciated!

If not us, who? If not now, when?

Note: Thanks to Tall City Blues Festival, Music Matters Entertainment, A Music Company Inc., and Garvin Gate Blues Festival for helping to raise awareness about the Blues Hall of Fame. 

 You too can get involved. Email us: Info@BluesFestivalGuide.com to get logos and links for your website or Facebook.

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Video of The Week

"Happy Thanksgiving Weekend"... here's

Biscuit Miller doing "Butter My Biscuits" 

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO

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FYI: Below are the Roots Music Report for the week ending 11/19  ...PLUS THIS week's Report for the week ending 11/23