Although we are only a few days into the new year, 2014 is shaping up to be busy, active and challenging year for the Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas.
We'll be kick things off next Friday for our annual Road to Memphis IBC Send-off Party and Fundraiser. Details provided below.
Later this month, we'll be sponsoring our 2013 Blues Challenge winners (Lucious Spiller and Brick Fields and the Chosen Ones), at the 30th International Blues Challenge in Memphis (1/22 - 25). The 2014 IBC is shaping up to be the largest Blues Challenge yet with 125 bands, 102 solo/duo acts and 29 youth acts participating this year. Beale Street will be jumping' for sure.
Save these dates - April 3 - 5 for the 12th Annual Blues in the Natural State Music Festival taking place in Fayetteville. Details about the line up for this year's festival will be released shortly. Oh my Gosh, it's going to be awesome! Stay tuned.
Challenges for OBS this year will include placing a focus on growing our membership and our Board of Directors.
If you are interested in becoming a new member or renewing your membership, click here. Membership levels begin at $10.
If you are interested in joining our board or getting involved by working on a committee (membership, events, education, finance, Web and social media, etc., please email: roger.plourde@gmail.com
Happy New Year
from the Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas!
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2014 Road to Memphis
IBC Send-Off Party
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The Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas is hosting an IBC send-off party and fundraiser at George's Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville on January 10, 2014.
The festivities kick off at 6pm featuring the 2013 OBS Blues Challenge Winners Lucious Spiller (solo) and Brick Fields and the Chosen Ones (band). There will also be a number of special guests sitting in that night.
A little about our Blues Challenge Winners:
Lucious Spiller - During the early 1900"s, Arkansas was a breeding ground for some of the world's greatest bluesmen. With his individual style of guitar playing and captivating vocals, a "soon to be" legend, Lucious Spiller easily belongs among these blues greats. Lucious is an intensely mesmerizing, electrifying blues showman. His self-defined guitar style and signature voice make him one of the very finest musicians of the blues today. His mix of old school blues injected with a contemporary edge makes him a truly amazing blues sensation. His original songs display his deep, heartfelt passion for the blues. Through his music, Lucious takes his listeners on an inspired trip to the crossroads of the blues.
Brick Fields and the Chosen Ones: The State of Arkansas has put out a lot of solid music and artists who have made their mark on this world. Brick Fields music is on their way to sit with the best of them. Nashville Blues Society has called Brick Fields music and “Unleashed cleansing of the soul”!
Brick Fields are husband / wife team Larry Brick of West Memphis, AR on guitar and Rachel Fields of Pine Bluff, AR on vocals. Add The Chosen Ones Jennifer Parker of El Dorado, AR on bass, Johnny Arredondo of Eureka Springs, AR on drums, Matt Jenkins of Rogers, AR on keys, and Ben Sass all the way from Israel on harmonica and you’ve got a solid foundation to set the soul nourishing music on course. The chemistry and musicianship existing among Brick Fields and The Chosen Ones has been said to take the listener on a journey through emotions, like the best of blues does. Hold on tight because just like their 2013 CD release says, Brick Fields and The Chosen Ones are going to “Go Ahead and Sang the Blues”!! Enjoy!
But wait! There's more... the evening will feature some great silent auction items like... tickets to upcoming area shows, restaurant gift cards, private house party entertainment opportunities and much more.
Invite and join your friends! Come out and support our sponsored musicians as they prepare to represent Northwest Arkansas and the Ozark Blues Society at the 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
$5 cover at the door will help defray expenses for the acts representing Northwest Arkansas.
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International Blues Challenge Update
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- The Blues Foundation has been working hard to set in motion the 2014 International Blues Challenge. The "Challenge" is shaping up to be the largest ever with 125 Bands, 102 Solo/Duo and 29 Youth acts participating in the 30th International Blues Challenge.
- You can purchase your tickets for the 30th International Blues Challenge on January 21-January 25, 2014 in Memphis. There are two tickets, the IBC and the KBA. You can also order a 30th IBC commemorative tee-shirt. Click here to get your tickets and tees.
- Volunteers Needed - If you are going but haven't purchased your tickets yet, there are volunteer opportunities still available. If interested in volunteering or getting additional details, please email roger.plourde@gmail.com
- January 10, 2014 - Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansa's Annual "Road to Memphis IBC Send-off Party" fundraiser on January 10, 2014. Proceeds from this event will be used to sponsor our 2013 Blues Challenge Winners (Lucious Spiller and Brick Fields and the Chosen Ones) to the 2014 IBC.
- 2014 Best Self-Produced CD - Final Round The 2014 Best Self-Produced CD competition has entered the final round! The winner will be announced at the International Blues Challenge on January 25, 2014 at Finals in the Orpheum Threatre January 25, 2014. Discs are listed in alphabetical order by affiliate. The 5 discs that advaced to the FINAL ROUND are:
- Blues Society of Tulsa - FaceBook Blues by Little Joe McLerran
- Maine Blues Society - Keep Jukin by The Blues Prophets
- Topeka Blues Society - Blues and Trouble by Grand Marquis
- Washington Blues Society - Monday Night by The CD Woodbury Band
- West Michigan Blues Society - Account To Me by Hank Mowery
- Countdown to the 2014 IBC - 18 Days
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Music Calendar
01/03 - 01/11
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1.3
- The Belaires, Jesse Dean at George's Happy Hour in Fayetteville
- The Fresco Jazz Trio at Fresco Cafe & Pub in Fayetteville
- Shawn James and the Shapshifters at the Smoke & Barrel Tavern in Fayetteville
- The Paper Jam Band - classic rock at Shirley's Bar in Springdale
- Whiskey Grin at the Bayou in Rogers
- Jazz - 11 Restaurant at Crystal Bridges in Bentonville
1.4
- Fresco Jazz Trio at Fresco Cafe & Pub in Fayetteville
- Johnny Arredondo at Mojo's Pints & Pies in Fayetteville
- Oreo Blue at the Downstream Casino in Quapaw, OK
1.5
- Claudia Burson at Copelands Sunday Brunch in Rogers - 11am to 1pm
- Jazz Duos at Emelia's Kitchen Sunday Brunch in Fayetteville
- Teddy Sablon at Mojo's Pints & Pies in Fayetteville
1.6
- TJ Scarlett at JJ's Grill & Chill in Fayetteville
- Copelin Bates at JJ's Grill & Chill in Rogers
1.7
- The longest running Blues Jam in Northwest Arkansas featuring the Larrys at the Bayou in Rogers
- Jed Clampit at Pesto Cafe in Fayetteville
1.8
- Russ Hutchison at JJ's Grill & Chill in Fayetteville
1.9
1.10
- "2014 Road to Memphis IBC Send-off Party and Fundraiser" featuring Lucious Spiller, Brick Fields and the Chosen Ones and special guests at George's Happy Hour in Fayetteville - 6pm
- Earl & Them at the Smoke & Barrel Tavern in Fayetteville
- Darren Ray at Mojo's Pints & Pies in Fayetteville
- The Eoff Brothers at JJ's Grill & Chill in Fayetteville
- The Fresco Jazz Trio at Fresco Cafe & Pub in Fayetteville
- Matt Smith at the Greenhouse Grille in Fayetteville
- Jazz - 11 Restaurant at Crystal Bridges in Bentonville
1.11
- Jigsaw Mud - Ft Smith Riverfront Blues Society IBC Fundraiser at Ava's Village Pub in Ft Smith
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In this issue: 01/03/2014
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On this day in Blues History
January 3
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Fats Domino – I’m Walkin’
Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys – Milk Cow Blues
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“You hear lots of notes, don’t you? Some have a major sound. Some have a minor sound. But there’s not one blue note among all these black and white keys. The real blues, the soul of the sound, comes from the spaces in-between.” ― David Mutti Clark, Professor Brown Shoes Teaches the Blues
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February 1, the North Arkansas Jazz Society and the Walton Arts Center bring the Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio to the Starr Theater as part of the 2013/2014 Starrlight Jazz Series.
Dr. Lonnie Smith is an unparalleled musician, composer, performer and recording artist.
An authentic master and guru of the Hammond B-3 organ for over five decades, he has been featured on over seventy albums, and has recorded and performed with a virtual “Who’s Who” of the greatest jazz, blues and R&B giants in the industry.
Consequently, he has often been hailed as a “Legend,” a “Living Musical Icon,” and as the most creative jazz organist by a slew of music publications.
Jazz Times magazine describes him as “a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a turban!” Always ahead of the curve, it is no surprise Dr. Smith’s fan-base is truly worldwide.
Since 1969, when Downbeat magazine named him “Top Organist” of that year, Dr. Lonnie Smith has won a plethora of critics’ polls as the world’s premier organist/keyboardist.
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2014 Blues in the Natural State Music Festival
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April 3 - 5, 2014
Stay tuned as details will be released shortly!
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Join the Conversation Facebook and Twitter
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The Ozark Blues Society of NWA
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We need your help and support! As all 501(c) (3) non profit organization, we depend solely on the support received donations and member subscriptions to help make annual events like our 'Blues Challenge', 'The Blues in the Natural State Music Festival' and our Blues Education programs possible.
Join or Renew today... here
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