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June 17, 2011 www.bluesfestivalguide.com Volume # 6  Issue # 23

CD or DVD Releases
News Flash
Record Label News
House of Blues Radio Hour
Roots Blues Airplay Charts
Blues Festivals
About Us
ANSON FUNDERBURGH : : MILL BLOCK BLUES
 
This album is essentially James Goode's "book" about cotton-mill workers in McKinney, Texas, in the1950s and '60s. And it's a masterpiece. Goode was raised near the mill and worked there one summer, alongside the rest of his family. He composed Mill Block Blues to remember that way of life. Helping rewind time is his all-star blues band. Goode wrote the lyrics and plays bass on the arrangements by "Gentleman" John Street, who adds luscious keyboards. Horns come thanks to Ron Jones, with vocals, harmonica, and a rhythm section made up of other friends. Producing the album and playing lead guitar throughout is Anson Funderburgh, whose fretwork is stunning. Goode chronicles the mill life with blues tunes like the title track, about workers trying to make ends meet. The opener, "Cut Like A Knife," is a classic juke-joint jump, while "The Fowler Street Stumble" is a rollicking instrumental named for the weaving walk workers do after too much bootleg whiskey on that big night out. Throughout, the band is inspired and tight, digging a deep groove and laying down a rhythm with Jones' horns punctuating the melody. Funderburgh's guitar adds the crowning touch with gorgeous tone and inspired riffs. - Michael Dregni.  Proceeds from the sale of the Mill Block Blues will go to The Blues Foundation’s Handy Artist Relief Fund to provide medical, dental and even funeral assistance to blues men and women that have spent their lives touring and playing the blues.  We just want to thank them for keeping the blues alive.  You can go on line and purchase the CD or download the music at http://www.ruffkuttblues.com/     
 
Click on button to hear "Drown on Dry Land"

HARRY MANX & KEVIN BREIT : : STRICTLY WHATEVER
Harry Manx and Kevin Breit have a brand new collaboration for Stony Plain, entitled Strictly Whatever (SPCD-1352). Each of the two guitarists brought a number of different songs to the table, including two covers - Bobby Hebb's immortal "Sunny" and a John Lee Hooker tune, "Mr. Lucky."
The new CD is the follow-up to the 2007 album In Good We Trust.
 
Click for more

REV. PEYTON'S BIG DAMN BAND : : PEYTON ON PATTON
A lot of folks will tell you that Robert Johnson was the King of the Delta Blues.  But for God's sake don't say it in front of Reverend Peyton.
 
The guitar wielding leader of the Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band has no problem praising Johnson and his incredible body of work. "But there's only one King of the Delta Blues and his name was Charlie Patton," Peyton said. "I'll go toe-to-toe with anyone who says different."  This summer Peyton and his band will release a powerful tribute to their hero in the form of Peyton on Patton.  The 13 track cd will exclusively feature songs written and recorded by Patton during his breif recording career, which came to an end upon his premature death in 1934. Peyton on Patton will be released July 19th by SideOneDummy Records.


THE QUEEN OF BLUES IS IN CHICAGO... AGAIN!
PHOTOS BY AMY BRAT
 
BY STELLA PONCE
 
Shemekia Copeland was declared Queen of the Blues while performing on the Petrillo Stage at the 28th Annual Chicago Blues Festival, Sunday, June 12, 2011. She was belting out the blues and the audience was responding with each new lash when the stage was gently hijacked by Cookie Taylor, daughter of Koko Taylor, Marie Dixon, widow of Willie Dixon and Rose Reed, daughter of Jimmy Reed. Taking the microphone confidently from Shemekia, Cookie Taylor proclaimed Shemekia to be Queen of the Blues, a title her mother Koko owned and embodied for decades. Cookie remarked to Shemekia, “You are not Koko Taylor and you are not Etta James. You are not Ruth Brown. You are Shemekia Copeland…you are the Queen of the Blues.” With that, she placed a sparkling crown on Shemekia’s head, a crown they say was presented to her mother some forty years ago.  Shemekia was clearly surprised by both the interruption and the crowning. Amidst cheers from the audience, the emcee heralded her departure off stage with,“Shemekia Copeland, Queen of the Blues!”
 
LOOK WHO'S READING THE BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE NOW!!!
SNOWY RANGE MUSIC FESTIVAL FEATURING BIGGER STAGES THIS YEAR!!!
 
We are happy to announce that the third annual festival will take place the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of September, 2011 and will feature bigger stages, additional Morningstar Turf, and thirty-nine shows.
 
GEORGE CLINTON
 
We have confirmed the king of funk, George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelic for Sunday night, and they are bringing a 26 person entourage to fill the giant stage with an exciting and colorful party. Warming up the arena for P-funk will be New Orleans brass sensations, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave., and that's just the tail end of three days of music and fun.
 
PAUL OSCHER & TROMBONE SHORTY
 
We are featuring many styles of music for those of you who like variety, but for you roots music fanatics, we'll always have a blues band going on one of the three stages. We have the big band sound of Davina & the Vagabonds and the zany antics of Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband. We have humorist band leader and songwriter Paul Thorn, and this year we are featuring a dance set with the Colorado Blues Dancers backed by California guitarist, Bernie Pearl and his fine band.
 
RUTHIE FOSTER
 
The days will be filled with exciting world class performers you haven't heard before, such as Sherman Robertson out of Houston, Texas, David Maxwell the sensational keyboardist out of Boston, and Paul Oscher who played in Muddy Waters band. England's young, handsome, guitar sensation, Oli Brown, will make his American debut since signing a recording contract with Ruf Records and winning several big awards in Britain. Also Miss Blues, Moreland & Arbuckle, and the return of Wyoming's Taylor Scott & Another Kind of Magick after their trip to Memphis and the fame it brought them.
 
Check the web site in the coming days for early bird ticket specials, news, updates, lineup and other announcements about the festival.

CAJUN & BLUES FESTIVAL DISHES IT UP
 
Simi Valley, CA has it going on! The 22nd annual Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Music Festival was held Memorial Day weekend, May 28-29. I had a gig the 27th and the 29th but made a point to drag myself up early Saturday morning the 28th and drive over two hours to catch at least one day. What a treat it turned out to be! Relaxing, exciting and downhome all rolled into one gently sprawling event that felt like a community fair/music festival. An added surprise was seeing Blues Foundation pals Jay and Priscilla Sieleman representing here all the way from Memphis , TN.
 
 
Musically, the Delta Groove All-Star Revue seemed to dominate the day and in a good way. On the Blues Stage we were treated to a solid plethora of fine talent that Delta Groove has come to be known for: Kirk Fletcher, Finis Tasby, Rusty Zinn and Bob Corritore just to name a few featured, plus my personal friend and fireball recently signed with the DG label, soulful powerhouse vocalist / entertainer Sugaray Rayford and also special surprise, Bay Area Blues stalwart, Tracy Nelson complete with her own backup singers. A super surprise to us all was guest Kenny Neal! The day’s music rotated like a giant sampler platter off your favorite menu complimented with hot CD giveaways's by Delta Groove 's Randy Chortkoff.. Intermingled with the tasty DG artists and their allstar backup band was a rockin’, funky set by Ana Popovic and a soulful and riveting finale by John Nemeth. The lowkey atmosphere mixed with high caliber talent was inviting and accessible and it appeared that there were many annual devotees… count me in!  simicajun.org
 
 
Michele Lundeen/BFG Editor  (recap & photos)

10th ANNUAL THUNDER BAY BLUES FESTIVAL IS MOST ANTICIPATED
 
The Thunder Bay Blues Festival is one of the most anticipated events of the summer. From July 8-10, 2011, blues fans will gather at Marina Park, on the shores of Lake Superior, and looking at our at the legendary Sleeping Giant, for three days of incredible music, camaraderie, delicious food and great fun! This year mark’s the 10th Anniversary of the Thunder Bay Blues Festival, and features a spectacular line-up of well-known international blues & blues/rock musicians including headliners, Grand Funk Railroad, Buddy Guy and Blue Rodeo.
 
 
BUDDY GUY
 
Other notable performers include Wild T and the Spirit, Les Dudek, Dana Fuchs, Blues Brotherhood, trampled Under Foot, Sean Chambers, Moreland and Arbuckle, Big Walter Smith, JJ Grey and Mofro, Oli Brown, Laurie Morvan, Matt Andersen, Tyler Yarema, Joanna Connor, Albert Castiglia, along with nine incredible local acts including Clay Breiland, The Chain, Southern Comfort, Midnight, Dr. Buck, The Blooz Berries, Tracy K & Jamie Steinhoff, Michael Abraham Trio, and John Booth and the Southside Band.
 
 
The Thunder Bay Blues Festival promotes the city’s artistic heritage and community spirit, and to contributes to local community charities. The Thunder Bay Blues Festival is Northwestern Ontario’s premiere festival.
 
Many of the artists and visitors at the Thunder Bay Blues Festival have said that it is “The best Festival anywhere,” and that is “North America’s best kept Festival Secret.” It is Thunder Bay’s summer musical tradition – We invite you to make it yours!

METRO FOUNTAIN BLUES FESTIVAL IS PRESENTED BY THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF SJSU AND LKG PRODUCTIONS
 

 
SUDDENLINK COMMUNICATIONS, FOOD FOR PEOPLE AND BLUES BY THE BAY JOIN FORCES TO FIGHT HUNGER IN HUMBOLT COUNTY 
 

 
THE LONG BEACH BAYOU & BLUES FESTIVAL FEATURES: BLUES, CAJUN & ZYDECO MUSIC
 
 

WHY DID THE BIKER GO TO THE REDWOODS? TO SEE THE BLUES PARTY THAT THE KIWANIS WERE HAVING!!!
 
 
 
How could a 21 year old blues event slip by us last weekend?  It didn't!  Three days of scenic riverside camping, hot showers, vendors, RV & trailer camping, two days of live music featuring: The Tommy Castro Band, The Fryed Brothers, Ronnie Montrose, The Charlie Brechtel Band with Pinkie Rideau, The Kaye Bohler Band, LA Guns, Savannah Blue and many, many more!  It was held on scenic Hwy 101 just North of the drive-thru redwood trees on June 10, 11 & 12 and put on by the Kiwanis of the Redwoods.  They did a fine job!  Did you see who's reading the Blues Festival Guide????  Everybody - are you?
 

MO BLUES IN SAN DIEGO!
Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials will play their part
in bringing back the San Diego Blues Fest.
 
BY DAVE GOOD
 
“I see Tommy Castro maybe once a year,” says Michael Kinsman, “and he always says, when are we gonna do another blues fest in San Diego?” Castro, a Bay Area blues artist, performed at two of the original San Diego Blues Festivals back in 1999 and 2002. Kinsman’s answer this time around was Saturday, September 17, at the Embarcadero Marina Park North, an all-day blues concert with James Cotton, Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, Lightnin’ Malcolm, Café R&B, and more. Castro will headline what is being billed as a benefit show. “Any proceeds will go to the San Diego Food Bank,” says Kinsman, who hopes the event will draw at least 6000 people. Admission is $10 and two cans of food. “At that price, we have a good shot.”

New England Jazz & Blues Festival This Weekend
Room Full of Blues will be a headliner at this weekend's event.

BY WALTER POLTERAITIS
 
Look what's coming to Quassy, A whole lot of top notch national jazz and blues acts. The inaugural New England Jazz Blues Festival hits Quassy this weekend June 18 and 19.
 
Gramy nominees, Gramy award winners and blues hall of famers grace the stage with an all day music festival for the entire family. Use coupon code ride5 to gain an additional 5 dollars off. Tickets are going fast, so hurry.
 

 
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
 
 
Hound Dog Taylor was born and raised in the Mississippi Delta and had the unique distinction of having six fingers on each hand.
 
Taylor first learned piano and then guitar and spent his twenties traveling the Delta and performing music before a move to Chicago.
 
Hound Dog became known for his wild shows that would last up to seven hours and the raw, distorted sounds he would get from his guitar.  Taylor was so well received that Bruce Iglauer took a $2500-inheritance and used it to record him and Alligator Records was born.
 

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? IT'S THE BLUES EAR!
June 17, 2011
 
 
We've all heard good interviews on the radio and I was wondering how that happens.  This week's question is posed to Chas Lewis, host: The South Side - Blues and Soul, Fridays 7 to 10pm Pacific | 0300 UTC
Streaming live at www.khum.com and
www.thesouthside.org
 
 
Q: What makes a good interview?
A: *Keep your audience in mind and try to think like a listener.
      *Help promote the artist and their work, but remember that listeners want content, not hype. 
      *Prepare by doing a little more research than you think you’ll need to.
      *If possible, chat with the person you're interviewing before you're "on" to put them at ease and gain some trust.  Don't hesitate to ask what they'd like to talk about.
       *Have some short questions ready, but don’t get locked into following a list and be prepared to dump your questions if things take an interesting turn.  The most important thing is to listen and then create a natural conversation.
       *Try to ask at least one question you think they may never have been asked before. Build up to tougher, more provocative questions after you've built some rapport.
       *Listen for little things that surprise you and then go there.
       *Remember that part of your job is to focus on what makes them and their music unique and stand out.
       *Ask about the future: How do they define success? What's their current obstacle to creativity?
       *Keep the interview moving, but shut up as much as possible.
       *See if you can broker some kind of giveaway to follow the interview -- copy of a new release, guest list for local gig etc.
       *At some point, you'll speak with someone who, for whatever reason, tends to answer only yes or no . . . good luck to you.

'SUPER CHIKAN' HASN'T BALKED ON ROAD TO BLUES FAME
 
BY KEVIN JOY
 
The 60-year-old guitarist sums up his craft and career with modesty: "a jack of all trades and a master of none."
 
But James Johnson, known to many blues fans as "Super Chikan," has plenty to crow about.
 
The former trucker, who at age 45 left his thankless road job to pursue music, has since struck gold - releasing seven studio albums, performing around the world, earning prime accolades and buddying up with actor Morgan Freeman.
 
"It's a gift," said Johnson, who on Saturday will share a headlining set with guitarist and harmonica player Watermelon Slim at the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival in Gahanna. "You've got to be a certain age to get jobs.
 
"They don't hire old people no more."

NORWICH PARK HOLDS FREE BLUES CONCERTS
 
NORWICH — This summer, Norwich’s downtown park will be holding a series of blues concerts. The shows will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursdays throughout the summer, starting on July 14. The concerts will feature a variety of nationally known blues artists, including the Glenn Miller Orchestra, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and JJ Grey and Mofro.
 
The shows will culminate with the Chenango Blues Festival Aug. 19.
 
For more information on these shows or the Blues Festival, visit http://www.chenangobluesfest.org/.
 
— Talia Emm


NOW ON DELTA GROOVE!
 
ROD PIAZZA & THE ALL MIGHTY FLYERS
"ALMIGHTY DOLLAR"
 
 
 
"Piazza is a superior diatonic and chromatic harmonica player with style - the elusive quality that combines confidence, presence, control, risk-taking and instinct." – Down Beat Magazine
 
"Piazza adds West coast swing and sophistication to traditional Chicago electric roots and the results are right up there with the best of Paul Butterfield or Kim Wilson." – Blues Matters
 
"Rod Piazza lights up a blue note 40 years in the making each time he draws and blows through the reeds. Some are sweet, others wail like a train a-comin'. And when he sings, Piazza's full of tuneful authority." – Blues Revue
 

 
TERRY HANCK "LOOK OUT!"
 
 
"Terry Hanck is a fine vocalist, an amazing showman and my favorite sax player." – Elvin Bishop
"Tenor sax player Terry Hanck sings like he blows — sweetly, with a touch of grit…" - Blues Revue
"… he's one of the most formidable saxophonists in the blues and soul business." – Lee Hildebrand
Terry Hanck was born in 1944 in Chicago, IL, but raised in the suburbs. After high school he began dividing his time between Chicago and California. A month before his 21st birthday Terry decided to take up the sax because as he puts it, "I needed another way not to make any money!" He made the permanent move to California in 1967 settling first in Orange County, but later relocated to San Francisco towards the end of '69. His first band came together in Berkeley in 1970, the Grayson Street Houserockers, which for a brief time featured legendary Chicago blues guitarist Luther Tucker. Eventually, Terry's soulful sax caught the incisive ears of renowned bandleader Elvin Bishop, who personally asked him to join his band on two occasions – once in '72 and again in '75 – before Terry finally accepted his third invitation in '77.
 


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ZYDECO MUSIC:
      
 
Elwood spends the hour with that catchy Louisiana music style called Zydeco.  We will hear music from the great Clifton Chenier, who pretty much brought the music to the wider world all by himself.  Also reminiscences of Mr. Chenier, and music by Elvin Bishop.  Elwood moves on to modern-day zydeco practitioners like Clifton’s son, CJ Chenier, Buckwheat Zydeco, and an in-studio accordion and washboard demo from Grammy-winner Terrance Simien. Also some prime cuts from Terrance Simien, featuring Paul Simon, and Marcia Ball.  The blues breaker this week is from former folkie turned gutbucket soul rocker Patrick Sweany.  Here on the site this week, Tasha Taylor’s CD, Taylormade, will be won by five lucky listeners.  And do not forget to register to win a gorgeous, custom Jorma Kaukonen Model Martin Acoustic Guitar, signed and numbered by Jorma himself.
 
For a list of stations where you can find House of Blues Radio
 


Click on festival name to click through to festival website.
VISIT THE BLUES FESTIVAL GUIDE WEBSITE FOR ALL THE FESTIVALS
Over 500 festivals are listed on the website www.BluesFestivalGuide.com
AMENOBLUES FESTIVAL
Friday-Saturday, June 10-25 
AMENO, Piemonte, Italy 
LINK
W.C. Handy Blues & Barbeque Festival
Saturday-Saturday, June 11-18
Henderson, Kentucky, U.S.
LINK
BBQ Ribfest
Thursday-Sunday, June 16-19
Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
LINK
Blues on the Fox
Friday-Saturday, June 17-18
Aurora, Illinios, U.S.
LINK
Ham Bone Blues Jam
Friday-Saturday, June 17-18 
Rochester, Minnesota, U.S.
LINK
Honesdale Roots & Rhythm
Friday-Saturday, June 17-18
Honesdale, Pennsylvania, U.S.
LINK
Parkville Jazz/Blues & Fine Arts River Jam
Friday-Saturday, June 17-18 
Parkville, MO, U.S.
LINK
Smokin' on the River
Friday-Saturday, June 17-18
Jeffersonville , Indiana, U.S.
LINK
T Bone Walker Blues Festival
Friday-Saturday, June 17-18
Linden, Texas, U.S.
LINK
Crawdad Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19
Red Bluff, California, U.S.
LINK
Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19
Gahanna, Ohio, U.S.
LINK
Gahanna Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19
Gahanna, OH, U.S.
LINK
Live Oak Music Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19 
Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
LINK
Maine Blues Festival
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19
Naples, Maine, U.S.
LINK
St. Augustine Bluzfest
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19
St. Augustine, Florida, U.S.
LINK
Bentonia Blues Festival
Saturday, June 18
Bentonia, Mississippi, U.S.
LINK
Blues, Grooves & Spirits
Saturday, June 18 
Greensburg, Indiana, U.S.
LINK
Blues on the Beach
Saturday, June 18 
Caseville, MI, U.S.
LINK
9th Annual Blues Picnic
Saturday, June 18 
Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
LINK
Fly-N-Blues Show !
Saturday, June 18 
Knoxville, Pennyslvania, U.S.
LINK
2nd Annual Oxford Rhythm Revival
Saturday, June 18
Oxford, Mississippi, U.S.
LINK
Robb Bower's Julian Blues Bash #13
Saturday, June 18 
Julian, Ca, U.S.
link
Silver Spring Blues Festival
Saturday, June 18
Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
link
Hudson Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival
Saturday-Sunday, June 18-19
Hudson, Ohio, U.S.
link
New England Jazz & Blues Festival
Saturday-Sunday, June 18-19
Middlebury, CT, U.S.
link
Dry Bones Blues Festival Review
Sunday, June 19 
Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
link
Darwin Blues Festival
Sunday-Saturday, June 19-25
Northern Territory, Darwin, Australia
link
Boundary Water Blues Festival
Thursday-Saturday, June 23-25 
Grand Rapids, MN, U.S.
link
Torrita Blues Festival
Thursday-Saturday, June 23-25
Torrita di Siena, SI, Italy
link
RBA Publishing Inc is based in Reno, NV with a satellite office in Beverly Hills, Florida. We produce the annual Blues Festival Guide magazine (now in its 7th year), the top-ranking website: www.BluesFestivalGuide.com, and this weekly blues newsletter: The Blues Festival E-Guide with approximately 20,000 weekly subscribers. We look forward to your suggestions, critiques, questions, etc.

Reach the E-Guide editor, Yvonne Varner, editor@bluesfestivaleguide.com

or contact our home office at 775-337-8626, eguide@bluesfestivalguide.com

 
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