Guitarist Cash McCall has segued from gospel to soul to blues over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades. Born Morris Dollison, Jr. in 1941 in Missouri, he found that the best way to exit his rural existence was to enlist in the Army. After completing his hitch, he relocated in Chicago (where his family lived for a time when he was a child). Gospel was Dollison’s initial passion - he sang with the Gospel Songbirds (he also played guitar with the group, recording with them for Excello in 1964 with fellow future R&B hitmaker Otis Clay singing lead) and the Pilgrim Jubilee Singers.By age 20, he was working as a songwriter for Chess Recording Company in Chicago, writing for such artists as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Johnny Taylor and Little Milton. His list of published songs number over 360. As a guitarist, he developed a style and stage presence he best put to use with his long time friend Minnie Ripperton, as well as with Natalie Cole, Etta James, Willie Dixon, The Temptations, The Drifters, The Coasters and Rotary Connection.

McCall was a valuable session guitarist and composer at Chess, learning the business end of his trade from Chess in-house legend Willie Dixon. McCall’s blues learnings grew more prominent during the next decade. He cut an LP for Paula in 1973 called Omega Man before relocating to L.A. in 1976. In 1983 McCall released his first solo record in ten years, No More Doggin’ and followed it up with Cash Up Front in 1987. McCall’s ties to Willie Dixon remained strong; he co-produced Grammy-winning Hidden Charms in 1988 and worked as a sideman with Dixon’s band, the Chicago All-Stars. McCall has since toured frequently as a solo blues artist and has often appeared on stage with the Chicago Rythym and Blues Kings (who were formerly known as the Mellow Fellows), backed singer Big Twist, and performed in the Chicago Blues Review.

Now, after 20 years, Cash has come back strong with his new CD titled The Vintage Room. The songs have a true Chicago Blues feel, and were written, arranged and produced by Alex Dixon, grandson of the legendary Willie Dixon. His raspy vocals and amazing guitar solos capture a sound unlike many today. If you are a fan of Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf…..you will soon be a fan of Cash McCall!

http://www.cashmccall.com/

Gaye Adegbalola  has deliverd her newest CD, "Gaye Without Shame". She is of course well-known as a founding member of Saffire - The Uppity BluesWomen. Over 25 years, Saffire built a worldwide following and crossed over beyond Blues to a larger fan base of socially-conscious music lovers of all gender persuasions. Gaye's three previous solo-artist CD's set the stage for Gaye Without Shame, her most focused gift of deep Blues, unifying messages, social insight, and her trademark wicked wit. She has reached inside to her life experience and soulful heart for her best singing and songwriting. She's chosen some classic cover songs but given them her own twist. Her expressive acoustic slide guitar playing is showcased for the first time and this CD also features her first electric Blues band recordings.

Co-producing with Gaye, and contributing bass and guitar to this album, Bob Margolin enthuses: "I was floored by the demo recordings Gaye sent in May 2007. The deep and wide scope of subjects in her songwriting, her social activism, and her fragile-to-ferocious singing made me beg to work with her. Helping her fulfill her ambitious vision is a rewarding labor of love."

Gaye's "Queer Blues" opens and tells her story in a friendly, amusing way supported by the New Orleans stylings of Roddy Barnes on piano and Jim Brock on drums. Other originals include the acoustic "Hungry Woman" featuring Gaye's slide guitar with Bob's guitar backing. "Boy In The Boat" is a cunning tribute to a pleasing pastime, spiced with DooWop vocals and Bob's electric slide guitar. "Can't Ride Bareback" is a call for safe sex, featuring the manly backing vocals of the Trojans and Bob's electric guitars. "Hold My Hand" is Gaye's sweet last call, sung with delicate humanity. "Lying Preacher" showcases Gaye's fiery slide guitar and Bob's walking bass, and faces religious hypocrisy. "Twisted Mind" is Gaye's wail of multi-layered betrayal answered by Bob's electric slide. "Tippin' On The Downlow" shines a humorous light on folks who fool only themselves. "Hetero Twinges" gets an early R&B electric band treatment, appreciating an attactive man without "seeing straight." "Deja Vu Blues" is Gaye's song of how racial and gender discrimination feel "quite the same.".

"Gaye Without Shame" is challenging and fulfilling, fun and heartbreaking, and a major statement from the courageous, talented, and loving heart of Gaye Adegbalola.

http://www.adegbalola.com/

Blue Rocket Records has announced the release of "Let's Start Something", the new album from Texas singer and harmonica player Rob Roy Parnell. With a reputation as one of America's best harp blasters, Let's Start Something will be Parnell's first album in eight years.

The new album is said to be a collection of roadhouse music, a rockin' mix of blues, R&B, boogie woogie, and soul music with that undeniable Texas edge. Recorded with members of Delbert McClinton's band, Let's Start Something also features musical contributions from guitarists Stephen Bruton and Lee Roy Parnell, Rob Roy's brother, as well as vocalists Jay Boy Adams and Jonell Mosser.

“The musicians who played on Let’s Start Something are some of the best friends I’ve had the pleasure to work with over my musical career, and making this CD with them was truly a blast,” says Rob Roy about the new CD in a press release for Let's Start Something. Parnell wrote or co-wrote ten of the album's twelve songs with friends like Stephen Bruton and Dave Millsap. Let's Start Something also includes two cover songs, Parnell's versions of Percy Mayfield's "Loose Lips" and Roy Brown's "Lollipop Mama."

Parnell's last album was the critically-acclaimed Jacksboro Highway, about which Texas music legend Delbert McClinton said "I really like this record. It's got attitude." That's all that needs to be said!

 http://www.robroyparnell.com/

FROM THE BLUES FOUNDATION: 

As in recent years, we expect to have all information about the 25th International Blues Challenge on our website by October 1.  Over the years, we have found it better to give you all a date when tickets, hotel information, schedule, etc. will first become available.  We are negotiating now with even more downtown Memphis hotels than in the past to make it easier for you to find a hotel as close to the action as possible.  The rooms we reserve and the prices we obtain will not be available until October 1.  Please note that many of these rooms will have minimum stay requirements and cancellation penalties in order to ensure that only the serious apply!  In 2008, last minute cancellations at one of the host hotels, almost left The Blues Foundation footing the bill and close-in rooms going to waste.  

In addition, when you are thinking about your travel plans, keep in mind that we are advertising the dates of the 2009 IBC as February 4-7—that is Wednesday through Saturday.  As you know, in 2008, Wednesday started out with a Beale Street Merchants reception and Delta Blues concert at the New Daisy as well as Blues Night at the Memphis Grizzlies NBA game.  While we are not yet sure what is going to happen on Wednesday night, be assured that something will.  In addition, the seminars will begin on Thursday (rather than Friday) so in order to take full advantage of these learning and networking opportunities, you will want to arrive on Wednesday.  The seminars are scheduled for Thursday, because of the number of showcases set for Friday afternoon, whether events like the 2008 Blind Raccoon showcase at the Rum Boogie or The Blues Foundation’s first ever Youth Showcase in 2009.  The work will begin on Thursday so all can enjoy the music Friday afternoon.  In the meantime, what we are ready to make public can always be found at  http://www.blues.org/ibc/index.php4.

Grammy award winning guitarist, Peter Frampton and country music legend, George Jones announced the names of those musicians who will be honored at the 2008 Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum Awards Show on October 28, 2008 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville.

The inductees include some of the most esteemed and influential musicians in recording history:
 
Booker T. and the MGs—Booker T. Jones (organ, piano), Steve Cropper (guitar), Al Jackson (drums) and Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass)
Best remembered historically as the studio band for Stax-Volt Records during the 60s, Booker T. and the MGs created the "Memphis Sound” behind the hit recordings by Carla Thomas (“Gee Whiz”), Rufus Thomas (“Walkin’ the Dog”), Otis Redding ("Dock of the Bay"), Sam and Dave, among others.  The reputation as a band in their own right was established in 1962 with their instrumental hit "Green Onions."  On their own Booker T. and the MGs had rhythm and blues hits with "Hip Hug-Her," "Groovin'," "Soul Limbo," and "Time Is Tight."
 
The Memphis Horns—Wayne Jackson (trumpet) and Andrew Love (tenor saxophone)    Famous for their many appearances on Stax Records, they have been called "arguably the greatest soul horn section ever." The Memphis Horns appeared on nearly every recording for Stax — with Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Rufus Thomas, Sam and Dave and others — as well as on other releases, including The Doobie Brothers' What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits, U2's Rattle and Hum as well as a few solo records.
 
The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and Friends—Jimmy Johnson (guitar), Roger Hawkins (drums), David Hood (bass), and Barry Beckett (keyboards) along with friends Spooner Oldham, Clayton Ivey, Randy McCormick, Will McFarlane and Pete Carr.  Formed in 1967, the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section is considered one of the finest studio rhythm sections in the world, playing sessions in New York, Nashville, and Muscle Shoals.  They became world renown as the musicians, and or producers, on such classics as "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, "Mustang Sally" by  Wilson Pickett, "Kodachrome" by Paul Simon, "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers,  "Old Time Rock and Roll" by Bob Seger, and many others. They have played on over 500 LPs, garnering over 75 gold and platinum LPs.

The Crickets—Jerry Allison (J.I.) (drums), Joe B. Mauldin (bass), Sonny Curtis (guitar/lead vocal)
Founded in 1957, the Crickets have influenced virtually every major rock performer in the United States and abroad – from Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan to the Rolling Stones and the Beatles (whose name was even Crickets-inspired). Their hits have included some of rock’s historical classics, “That’ll Be The day,” Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy,” “Not Fade Away,” “Maybe Baby,” “It’s So Easy,” “I Fought The Law“ and “More Than I Can Say.”
 
Al Kooper—Best known for his striking organ riff on “Like a Rolling Stone” and his performances with Bob Dylan in concert in the 60s.  Kooper was a member of the Blues Project, and formed Blood, Sweat & Tears, culminating in the release of their first album, Child Is Father to the Man.  He has played on hundreds of records, including performances with The Rolling Stones, George Harrison, B.B. King, The Who, Jimi Hendrix and innumerable others.  He has released approximately 11 albums since 1968 including the best-selling “Super Session” album featuring Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills.  In addition, he produced the first three albums of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, including the single, "Sweet Home Alabama" and the iconic "Free Bird".
 
Billy Sherrill (Producer Award)—Record producer and arranger who has been regarded as the defining influence of the countrypolitan sound, Sherrill is famous for his association with a number of country artists including Tammy Wynette, Charlie Rich, Elvis Costello, George Jones, Johnny Paycheck, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Cash, Barbara Mandrell, David Allan Coe, Ray Conniff, Joe Stampley, Charlie Walker, Ray Charles and many others.
 
Inductees are nominated nationally by the Musicians Union who has a membership of over 90,000 as well as a stellar list of other music industry professionals.  Last year’s inductees included:  The Nashville A-Team, The Blue Moon Boys, The Funk Brothers, The Memphis Boys, The Tennessee Two, and The Wrecking Crew.  They were joined in their performances by recording artists Garth Brooks, Brenda Lee, George Jones, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Peter Frampton, B.J. Thomas, Rodney Crowell, Roger McGuinn, and many others.
 
Tickets are now on sale at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center’s box office, 615-687-6400 and on their website www.nashvillesymphony.org.  Tickets prices range from $50.00 - $200.00.  For more information on the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, call (615) 244-3263 or go to their website at www.musicianshalloffame.com.

The Rocket Man is taking off with a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor of his very own. “Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road” is a limited-edition sweet that’s being heralded as “an outrageous symphony of decadent chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookie dough, butter brickle, and white chocolate chunks.”

All proceeds from the Elton John ice cream will benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation. In celebration of John’s first-ever gig in Vermont , the flavor will only be available in Ben & Jerry’s Vermont shops between July 18–25. Vermont is the only remaining state that John has not yet performed in. After his performance on Monday he can safely say he’s played all 50 states.

“We think he saved the best for last,” said Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Vermont’s internationally famous ice cream company. “There was only one way we could honor Sir Elton, and this monumental occasion, in true Ben & Jerry's fashion.”

Other celebrities who have been honored with their own Ben & Jerry’s blend include Stephen Colbert (“Stephen Colbert’s AmeriCone Dream”), Jerry Garcia (“Cherry Garcia”), Willie Nelson (“Willie Nelson’s Country Peach Cobbler), Dave Matthews (Dave Matthews Band’s Magic Brownies)

The voice of one of this city's most famous blues lovers has been silenced.
 
Dee Henderson, host of a blues show on WEVL-FM 89.9 as "Cap'n Pete" for 26 years, was found shot to death at his home in Southwest Memphis on Wednesday morning. He was 74.
 
According to police, Henderson's grandson found the body in the backyard of a home at 1040 Fields just after 9 a.m. Police suspect foul play, but no one was in custody late Wednesday. Foul play suspected in death of WEVL DJ 'Cap'n Pete' 
 
The news of Henderson's death devastated the WEVL community."Everybody all day long (has been) in shock. He was never the kind of guy who was in trouble or anything like that," fellow WEVL deejay Tom Claypool said. "Just the finest guy in the world."
 
Added program director Brian Craig: "Just the finest guy in the world. It was his genuineness and realness that made him so beloved on the air."
 
Henderson grew up on a plantation in Clarksdale, Miss., the son of sharecroppers. That's where he learned to love the blues.
 
"He grew up listening to legends like Howlin' Wolf playing on the back of a flatbed truck in the cotton fields," station manager Judy Dorsey said. "He was the blues. Where are you going to turn on the radio and listen to someone who was born in the Mississippi Delta on a plantation?"
 
Henderson, friends said, was especially proud to have won a "Keeping the Blues Alive" award from The Blues Foundation in 1992.
 
In a 2006 story in The Commercial Appeal, Dorsey talked about how Henderson first came to the radio station.
 
After Henderson heard that WEVL was playing the blues he knew so well, he went out and bought a rooftop antenna so he could hear the station.
 
"Then, when he was able to tune it in, he called up the deejay and started talking about seeing these musicians play," Dorsey said. "He called up the person on the air when he heard him playing Muddy Waters and the deejay invited him down to the station and we talked him into doing his own show.''
 
Claypool remembered one of the first times he saw Henderson, whose other great love was going fishing.
 
"Dee was in there with a bait bucket full of 45 (rpm) records," he said. "He seemed like a throwback to me. He loved to fish and he loved the blues."
 
Henderson was scheduled to be the host of the Blues on the Bluff fundraiser Saturday at the National Ornamental Metal Museum. Now, that event will likely serve as his memorial.
 
"This is the 20th anniversary, and he won't be there. This man was an icon down here," Dorsey said, crying. "If it's true that he was murdered, nobody's safe."

 
 A guitar Jimi Hendrix burnt on stage more than 40 years is about to go to auction.

The 1965 Fender Stratocaster, which he doused in lighter fluid and then set on fire at the Astoria in London in March 1967, is expected to fetch around $1million.

Hendrix injured himself after he lit the guitar and had to be taken to hospital with minor burns on his hands.

Hendrix did his burning guitar stunt twice during his career. The one up for auction is the only one still in existence.

The Delta Blues Museum will present Rhythm & Roots, Southern Music Traditions, an exhibition dedicated to the music and musicians of the South, from July 22 to Sept. 19, 2008. An opening reception for the exhibition is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, from 5 til 7 p.m., with music by Stan Street and special guest.
 
The South has a rich tradition of deeply rooted music forms -- Appalachian, Blues, Bluegrass, Cajun, Country and Gospel among them. The region is also home to numerous transplanted music traditions. Music from Asian, Caribbean, Latino and Native American communities is constantly evolving and flourishing in new environments.
 
Many innovative instruments created and/or mastered by Southern artists are featured, including an original Chikantar, made by Clarksdale's own James "Super Chikan" Johnson, which is on loan to the traveling exhibit from the Delta Blues Museum.
 
Utilizing text panels, artifacts, fieldwork, photographs, and sound recordings, Rhythm & Roots, Southern Music Traditions provides context for music traditions and their relationship to community. The exhibit features an audio component that allows museum visitors to experience the voices and music of Southern music traditions.

The Southern Arts Federation's Southern Visions: The Folk Arts and Southern Culture Traveling Exhibits Program is made possible through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts.
 
Rhythm & Roots is the latest addition to Southern Visions: The Southern Arts & Culture Traveling Exhibits Program, operated by the Southern Arts Federation. Since 1995, Southern Visions has provided over 500,000 people with access to artistically excellent exhibits celebrating the South's rich artistry and cultural heritage. The Rhythm & Roots, Southern Music Traditions exhibit and opening reception are sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, Southern Arts Federation, Mississippi Arts Commission, Levingston's Furniture, Hawkins, Stracener & Gibson, Greenbough Nursing Center and Friends of the Delta Blues Museum.

Alligator Records has set an August 26 street date for ORANGE BLOSSOMS, the new studio album from Jacksonville, Florida-based guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist/songwriter JJ Grey and his band Mofro, and FULL TILT, the seventh Alligator release from Chicago-based houserocking band, Lil’ Ed And The Blues Imperials. ORANGE BLOSSOMS is a masterpiece of down-home, soul-shaking music. FULL TILT is simply the rawest, truest, most electrifying blues being made today.