“Keepin’ the Blues Alive in Hampton Roads Since 1984”

NATCHEL’ BLUES NETWORK

The official bi-monthly publication of The Natchel’ Blues Network, Inc.: a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the Blues. AFFILIATE OF THE BLUES FOUNDATION

Recipient of 1998 KBA Award

“Blues Organization of the Year”

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Norfolk, VA

Permit #344

Volume 24 Number 5 September/October 2008 Norfolk, Virginia

BANDS THAT PLAY BLUES IN HAMPTON ROADS

ANNUAL TAX DEDUCTIBLE MEMBERSHIP DUES:INDIVIDUAL $20 FAMILY $30 CORPORATE $100

Please return this membership application with your check or money order to: Membership, Natchel’ Blues Network, P.O. Box 1773, Norfolk, VA 23501-1773.

Dues are for the period of one calendar year, starting with your application date. Thank you for supporting the blues!

20 Blues News September/October 2008 www.natchelblues.org

BLUES AT THE BEACH

FESTIVAL LINE-UP

OCEAN VIEW CRAB &

SEAFOOD FEAST PHOTOS

TATE’S VINTAGE ViGNETTES

BLUE MONDAY PHOTOS

BLUES HEAVEN

BLUES CALENDAR

BLUES BITS

SHOW REVIEW

BOOK REVIEW

DVD/CD REVIEWS

AND MORE

Natchel’ Blues Network, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to promoting blues as a true American art form. Your annual contribution puts you on our mailing list for the newsletter/calendar and notices of special NBN events and meetings. If you enjoy blues music and/or play blues music, please join the NBN! Become an NBN Member = Receive discounts at area businesses on food, entertainment and musical merchandise! (Discounts applicable only when presenting valid NBN Membership Card.) Please support your local blues organization!

Questions? Please call (757) 456-1675 Moving? Please send your new address. Bulk mail is not forwarded!

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Please check the activities you would like to help us with:

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NBN is sponsored in part by The City of Hampton and the Hampton Arts Commission, Virginia Commission for the Arts, & the City of Virginia Beach through the Virginia Beach Arts & Humanities Commission.

TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL!DO NOT FORWARD

The Natchel’ Blues Network &Beach Events

Amy Ferebee - 434-5385

Back Alley Hoo Doo - Jack Mace - 804-513-4692

Big Fun – Bruce Gray – 622-7325

Billy Thompson – 621-7390

Black Rose Blues Band - JD Silvia – 523-4372

Black White Blues – Carlton Newsome – 947-4669

Blues Empacts – Bill Kelly – 757-229-9672

Blues Xchange – Tommy Parker – 498-3545

Bobby “BlackHat” Walters - 757-871-5485

Bryan Dunn – 631-8790

Corporate Woods Drive - Jay Einhorn - 757-748-6775

Crimson Velvet - Ron Hanchin - 757-289-7324

dc3 – Dave Coghill – 463-2384

DOAD – Ted Doty – 486-9740

Fat Tony – Sandy Martin – 406-2425

Freeborn Blues Band – Dan Lubertazzi – 872-8580

Grant Austin Taylor Band – David Taylor – 757-439-2064

HammerHead Blues – Phil Branton – 483-1350

H.M. Johnson Band – Carlton Lillard – 547-4506

HRB Blues Band - Herbie D - 757-679-9671

Incognito Brothers – Ron Parker – 481-6425

John Baldwin Group – John Baldwin – 735-4409

Michael Clark Band – Michael Clark – 418-1788

M.S.G.-The Acoustic Blues Trio – Jackie Merritt – 722-5811

Planet Full of Blues – Johnny Ray Light – 757-719-3271

Rhythm Kings – Mike Coghill – 460-6414

Right Time for the Blues – Reggie Barber – 237-6920

RYLO – Gabriel Baesen – 729-4660

Shakedown – Howard Anby – 566-3770

Shelly Craig-Potter – 546-1528

Sweet Papa & the Too Hot Blues Crew – Ernie Williams – 855-7461

T-Ford 2 Blues Project – Teaford Webber – 287-8784

The Janitors – Danny Morgan – 437-4419

The Straight Up Blues Band – Earl Holiday – 717-4789

Tim Morgan & the Mojo Brothers – Tim Morgan – 875-0447

Kenny Neal

Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers

Candye Kane

Deborah ColemanThe Lurrie

Bell BandKenny Neal

The John Nemeth Band

More on pages 9-11

Plus More

192 Blues News September/October 2008 www.natchelblues.org www.natchelblues.org September/October 2008 Blues News

CLASSIFIED ADS NOW AVAILABLE!!

Looking for an additional musician for your band?

Selling or searching for an instrument?

Want to advertise your business?

Only $10!Maximum 25-30 words

Contact Beth Jarock at (757) 623-8559 or bluesbet@infionline.net

Reservation deadline: 6 weeks prior to publication date. Copy deadline: 5th of the month prior to publication date.

Rates Classified Ad $10 Business Card $30 1/2 page $85 1/4 page $45 Full page $150 A fee of $35 will be added if not camera-ready

For more information, contact AdvertisingBeth Jarock (757) 623-8559

e-mail - bluesbet@infionline.net

Graphic Info Jackie Merritt (757) 722-5811

FAX 722-5811

Membership and Volunteer InformationNatchel’ Blues Network

P.O. Box 1773Norfolk, VA 23501-1773

NBN HotlineFor updates, call (757) 456-1675

NBN ADVERTISING INFO

If you’re having problems receiving Blues News or NBN’s Calendar,

please contactBill Cann at tucannsbill@verizon.net

15th Annual Blues At

The Beach Festival

September 12-14, 2008

17th Street StageVirginia Beach, VA

FREE and open to the public!

• Promote, perpetuate, and preserve blues music as a true American art form.

• Develop and provide an educational resource for the community (i.e. schools, churches, civic organizations, etc.) as to the history and evolution of the blues.

• Disseminate information to and act as a network for blues musicians and others interested in the blues, both locally and nationally.

• Advocate and work toward an increase in contributed support for the blues in the Greater Hampton Roads. area.

Natchel’ Blues Network Mission Statement

Compiled by Beth Jarock

MSG-the Acoustic Blues Trio has a new CD titled Done Spoke My Mind. In the liner notes they thank Paul Shugrue (WHRV) for “giving local talent a chance to be heard.” They also thank Bill Wax (XM Satellite Radio) for introducing them to the blues world by playing songs from Meet Me in the Middle. For information, visit http://www.acousticbluesmsg.com or www.myspace.com/acousticbluestrio

B.B. King is returning to where he started, as a DJ in a radio station. In the 1940’s, King worked at radio station WDIA. His new gig is with XM Radio. Starting in September, King will launch his blues channel on XM74. In anticipation of King’s hosting debut, XM relaunched its dedicated blues channel Bluesville as B.B. King’s Bluesville (XM 74). “I love the blues and am looking forward to sharing my passion, stories and my favorite music with all the folks who listen to XM, one of the few places where the vibrant sounds of the blues still thrives,” said B.B. King in a statement. On September 13, King will open the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in his hometown of Indianola, MS.

Stony Plain Records has announced the signing of acclaimed blues singer/guitarist Rory Block and the September 30 release of her label debut, Blues Walkin’ Like a Man: A Tribute to Son House. The new CD features a special guest appearance by Rory’s long-time friend John Sebastian, who contributes harmonica on three tracks. Rory Block was a 15-year old guitar prodigy when she first met the legendary Son House in 1965 backstage at a well-known Greenwich Village club. Rory has won five W.C. Handy Awards (now known simply as Blues Music Awards) from the Blues Foundation: two for “Best Traditional Blues Female Artist” and three for “Acoustic Blues Album of the Year.” On Blues Walkin’ Like a Man, Rory Block interprets 13 of Son House’s most powerful blues songs, including “Preachin’ Blues,” “Death Letter,” “Grinnin’ in Your Face” and “Jinx Blues.” Rory Block will tour extensively in support of her new CD. Visit www.roryblock.com or www.stonyplainrecords.com.

25th International Blues Challenge News: The Blues Foundation expects to have all information about the 25th International Blues Challenge on their website by October 1. They have found it better to give everyone a date when tickets, hotel information, schedule, etc. will first become available. They are negotiating 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 they reserve and the prices they obtain will not be available until October 1. Many of these rooms will have minimum stay requirements and cancellation penalties in order to ensure that only the serious apply! They are advertising the dates of the 2009 IBC as February 4-7�that is Wednesday through Saturday. While they are not yet sure what is going to happen on Wednesday night, be assured that something will. 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. What they are ready to make public can always be found at http://www.blues.org/ibc/index.php4

Bluzapalooza Going Back To Iraq: Bluzapalooza, the star-studded celebrity blues concert tour, is heading back to Iraq and Kuwait for its second tour on October 26. Created by Blues producers Steve Simon and John Hahn and presented by Armed Forces Entertainment, this 12-day Bluzapalooza tour stars Shemekia Copeland, Michael Burks, Deanna Bogart, Zac Harmon, Moreland & Arbuckle, and Tony Braunagel and The Bluzapalooza All-Star Band. This historic

tour will be documented by renowned New York photographer Joseph A. Rosen, a recipient of the “Keeping the Blues Alive” award in photography from the Blues Foundation. The Bluzapalooza tour has been made possible with the help of Armed Forces Entertainment, The Blues Foundation, Blues Revue, NorthernBlues Music, Alligator Records, Blind Raccoon, Delta Groove Records, Blind Pig Records, Hohner Harmonicas, Telarc Records, Sony Corporation, Ruf Records, and Entertainment Support Systems, LLC.

Pinetop Perkins, Sugar Blue as well as Hubert Sumlin, Bob Stroger and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith are set to be in the film The Perfect Age of Rock and Roll with Peter Fonda, among others. The cast also includes Kevin Zegers, Lucas Haas, Kelly Lynch and Jason Ritter. Written by Scott Rosenbaum, who is also directing, the film focuses on “a rock star (Kevin Zegers) who retreats to his Long Island hometown after his sophomore album flops.”

Blind Pig Signs Commander Cody: Blind Pig Records and country-roots icon Commander Cody both originated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Now the two are teaming up to release Cody’s first studio album since 1993, tentatively entitled Drunks Dopers and Everyday Losers. Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen was formed in Ann Arbor in 1967 (where they played on the tiny basement stage of the Blind Pig Café, among other places) and moved the following year (along with Asleep At The Wheel) to Berkeley, where they immediately immersed themselves in the vibrant Bay Area rock scene. Recording sessions for the new album began in late August at the LRS Recording Studio near Woodstock, NY.

Tommy Castro signs to Delta Groove Music. Bay area guitarist Tommy Castro will be hitting the studio to record his Delta Groove album debut to be released early next year. Castro is sure to continue exploring the boundaries of American roots music on his next release with a mesmerizing blend of rock, blues and soul!

(757) 495-8506 (757) 495-0961Providence Square Shopping Center

Virginia Beach, VA 23464

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BIRDLAND’S got it or we’ll get it for you!

10% Discount to NBN Members

WE NOW CONVERT ALL VINYL & CASSETTE RECORDINGS TO CD

LOCAL BLUES BANDS

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18 3

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BLUES CALENDAR

12WHERE U CAN HEAR

THE BLUES

14NBN NEW MEMBERS

& RENEWALS

15

CD/DVD/BOOK REVIEWS

20

8

Words from the PRESIDENT

Blues News September/October 2008 www.natchelblues.org www.natchelblues.org September/October 2008 Blues News

SHOW REVIEW

17-18

9-10-1115TH ANNUAL BLUES AT THE

BEACH FESTIVAL

NATCHEL’ BLUES NETWORK, INC.P.O. Box 1773

Norfolk, VA 23501-177324 Hour Blues Hotline:

(757) 456-1675

BLUES NEWSPublished bi-monthly by

the NBN, Inc. 2008

BLUES NEWSThe official publication of the

Natchel’ Blues Network, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, run by

volunteers dedicated to promoting the blues as America’s one true musical art form.

BLUES NEWS EDITORBeth Jarock

LAYOUT & DESIGN

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Lynn Allred, Cathy Dixson, Deb Malenda & Steven Sloop

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Bill van Elburg, Beth Jarock, Mark Johnson, Alan Kurzer, Deb Malenda,

Jackie Merritt, Ron Parker, & Gary Tate

2008 NBN BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lynn Allred, William Bond, Cathy Dixson, Bill van Elburg, Georganne Fischer, Debra

Hanbury, Jackie Merritt& Greg Williams

2008 NBN OFFICERSBill van Elburg – President

William Bond – Vice PresidentLorena Rice – Treasurer

Beverly Levinson – Secretary

BOOKKEEPERMartha O’Berry

WEBMASTERJeff Miller

The views & opinions expressed in this publication by individual writers are not necessarily the opinions of NBN or Blues News.

The staff cannot guarantee the return of submitted material.

(757) 722-5811

GRAPHICS & MUSICJACKIE MERRITT

4

BLUES BITS

BLUE MONDAY PHOTOS

16

CD REVIEWS

17

13BLUES HEAVEN

BOOK Review

TATE’S VINTAGE VIGNETTES

BLUES BIRTHDAYS

Thank you to all the folks who called or emailed me in response to my words in the last issue of this paper. Your support of this organization is appreciated.

It has been difficult to decide what to write for this issue’s column after that last blowout about our need of greater volunteer involvement in the various events and festivals, as well as the day-to-day running of the organization as members of the Board of Directors or committees of the Natchel’ Blues Network. After considerable cogitation, yours truly had the amazing thought that I actually had more to say about volunteering, albeit with a slightly different slant.

It seems NBN spends an awful lot of time with our hand out. Whether applying for grant money from local and state arts commissions, or trying to find sponsors for our events and contributors for our fundraisers. Unfortunately we often wind up like the redheaded stepchild, and I can certainly relate to Rodney Dangerfield’s “I can’t get no respect.”

I said to someone the other day that if we were ‘Friends of the Opera’ or something similar, a larger portion of Tidewater would be falling all over themselves to help fund us and attend $100-a-plate black tie galas. But it’s only the blues. A much smaller niche group apparently; and like other such small groups we should look to each other for support.

When we speak about the Natchel’ Blues Network, what is the one operative word that addresses the fundamental nature of this organization? Is it “natchel”? Is it “blues”? Or, is it “network”? I believe it is the latter. NBN is a NETWORK of musicians, merchants, and venue owners/managers, fans, etc.

Just as we need the physical efforts of our many volunteers at festivals, we need the other members of our NETWORK to voluntarily pitch in and do what they can, when they can. Given that NBN actually hires and pays for, or recommends member bands to event organizers for numerous gigs every year, bands could be a little more proactive in offering to help us out occasionally. Don’t get me wrong. Many of these musicians happily jump at the chance to be a host band at a fundraiser. Others won’t even return my calls.

Venue owners? If it weren’t for Diane at Goodfellas and Scotty at The Jewish Mother who always step up when asked to host a fundraiser or other event, the Natchel’ Blues Network would be out in the cold. The fact that we typically bring 20-40 people out from 3-8pm on a Sunday afternoon to eat, drink and make merry, seems to escape the imagination of other venue owners or managers. Sorry guys, it must be said. I’ve called to ask and you couldn’t even call me back.

Music stores, record shops, other retail and service industry “Friends of the Blues,” what can you do to help us? We have monthly fundraisers and are always in need of goodies to raffle. We would love to promote your business in this newsletter and at our events and festivals. Become a sponsor and help us fund our operating expenses and long-term programs. We have a great package of benefits for all levels of support and we are a 501-3 (c) non-profit corporation, so most all of your support is tax-deductible.

Yes, you’re a member, but now be a real part of this NETWORK. We need all our friends to pitch in and help. Keep your eyes peeled for a personal letter detailing sponsorship opportunities coming soon.

PeaceBill “Big Dog” van Elburg

DVD ReviewsBy Alan Kurzer

PLAIN MAN BLUES Daddy Mack Orr’s Inspiring Story of Struggle and Triumph Inside Sounds ISC-1107 www.insidesounds.com Tennessee-based musician Daddy Mack Orr needs to have his life story told. Now, the musical part of this journey began when he was already 45 years old. Award-winning filmmaker Jim O’Donnell directs this hour-long labor of love video, documenting Orr’s later-in-life decision to follow his dream.

Following Orr’s popular second release, Slowride, which spotlighted innovative bluesy versions of ‘60s-‘70s rock classics, the cameras were rolling as his band tackled their next recording, Bluestones. With brothers Harold and James Bonner on bass and rhythm guitar respectively, drummer William Faulkner and guest keyboardist Charlie Wood, Orr is shown working out his rich and soulful vocal track on the slice of ‘60s R&B, “Savin’ My Love.”

The Daddy Mack Blues Band is filmed gigging at The Blue Worm, The Center for Southern Folklore, and the 2006 Arkansas Music & Heritage Festival, where Memphis harmonica ace Billy Gibson sits in on the animated Chicago shuffling “It’s Gonna Be a Good Day.”

Returning to his hometown Como, Mississippi’s gravel roads, Orr reminisces of the days when he was either in school or out sweating in the cotton fields. There are several clips of Orr’s regular 9 to 5 -- that is working hard in his North Memphis automobile repair shop. Also included are humorous exchanges with his wife Dorothy, who describes in detail her husband’s struggles in learning to play blues guitar. For anyone still wanting to chase that dream, Plain Man Blues is definitely required viewing.

DOWN THE TRACKS The Music That Influenced Bob Dylan Eagle Media EM25095-9 www.eaglerockent.com

When chronicling the musical influences of Bob Dylan, blues doesn’t immediately come to mind. Growing up in Minnesota, one of Dylan’s Bar Mitzvah presents consisted of Leadbelly records including titles like “Runaway Blues,” which clearly affected the young teen. His high school ambition was to join Little Richard’s band, but he ended up at The University of Minnesota listening to recordings of another huge influence, Woody Guthrie.

In 1961, Dylan headed from Chicago to Greenwich Village, arriving during the folk and blues revival. Coffee houses like Café Wha? found Dylan immersing himself in the live blues of Son House and Sleepy John Estes. Besides folk legend Pete Seeger and Guthrie, who he visited and sang for in a sanitarium, his village roommate, Dave Van Ronk, also mentored Dylan in the blues and folk direction. With just two original songs on his first album, Dylan’s bluesy side featured Josh White’s arrangement of “House of the Rising Sun” and Blind Lemon Jefferson’s “See That My Grave is Kept Clean.” Appalachian and country music by Hank Williams are also exhibited as influential on Dylan’s “John Wesley Harding” phase.

Peppered throughout this DVD are relevant acoustic tunes from Jolie Holland, Tom Paley and the Handsome Family. Dylan’s early political side is shown also with his appearances at civil rights rallies. Although Dylan does not perform on this DVD, the archival blues, folk and country clips, and recent interviews paint the masterful songwriter as one influenced by many different musical elements.

2

OV CRAB & SEAFOOD FEAST PHOTOS

By Alan Kurzer

FINDING ROBERT JOHNSONThe Official Guide To The CrossGuitar Method & Secret Devil Tuningby Gene RoebuckEarmark Publishingwww.earmarkpublishing.com

Noted home designer and local guitarist Gene Roebuck was playing harmonica by the age of ten. He picked up the guitar at sixteen, with major influences ranging from Chuck Berry to Jimmy Reed. He performed on rhythm guitar in a ’50s rock group and over the years has played both on solo and classical guitar. Roebuck’s initiation into the classic 1990 Columbia release Robert Johnson/The Complete

Recordings definitely turned his head around to a greater understanding of blues music.

Roebuck’s 9-chapter, 110-page odyssey recaptures Johnson’s life from his birth in Hazlehurst, Mississippi on May 8, 1911 to an untimely demise on August 16, 1938. The biographical chapters deal with Johnson’s loves, his musical influences, touring in the 1930’s and a breakdown of his recording sessions, involving a total of 29 songs. Roebuck listened endlessly to the Johnson recording in an effort to decipher the tuning methods and technique that this blues legend employed. At first, Roebuck grouped the 29 tunes in a series of 9 color-coded categories, in an effort to gather similarly tuned numbers together. From that point on, he was on a long and arduous mission to discount Johnson’s perceived open and standard tunings. Roebuck uses Chapters 4-7 to educate readers on Johnson’s innovative Cross Guitar system. Playing patterns, capo placement, fingerstyle or slide guitar approach, turnarounds, and one- or two-string retunings are all discussed. Roebuck shows that even Johnson needed some sort of secret tuning, as the long fret reach on some of his musical numbers exceeded even his fingers.

If you are fairly proficient in reading simple guitar tablature, the instructional benefits of Finding Robert Johnson can’t be overstated. Mr. Roebuck has analyzed the complete musical output of one historic blues figure and developed a playing method that even amateurs should benefit from.

6-7BAYOU BOOGALOO RECAP

4 17Blues News September/October 2008 www.natchelblues.org www.natchelblues.org September/October 2008 Blues News

CD ReviewsPhotos by Cathy Dixson

MAC ARNOLD & PLATE FULL O’ BLUESBackbone & Gristle Plantation #1www.macarnold.com

It’s a pleasure to welcome back South Carolina’s musical son, Mac Arnold. Playing guitar by age ten, this certified bluesman’s diverse history finds James Brown in his high school band and includes Arnold’s recording-performing stints with Muddy Waters, John

Lee Hooker, and Otis Spann. From 2006’s Nothin’ to Prove, Arnold’s returning lineup includes keyboardist-harmonica player Max Hightower, guitarist Austin Brashier, bassist Danny Keylon, and drummer Mike Whitt.

Milking two-chorded funky blues for all it’s worth, ”Love and Relations” visits Arnold grittily announcing, “you’re thrill is not gone.” All the while churning Hammond organ and wicked guitar lines akin to Duane Allman punch up the bluesy landscape. Arnold relates the “Gas Can Story” or how, in 1947, his brother Leroy fabricated a guitar out of an empty gas container. Arnold concludes the story, singing a moving country blues while accompanied on his own gas can guitar.

The instrumental ”Blow Till You Blow” is simply that. Arnold generates driving bass, while Hightower threatens everyone with his distorted harmonica’s thrill ride. Brashier’s blistering guitar leads the charge on the danceable soul-blues “Gitty Yap,” as Arnold shouts out to his unfaithful lover, “you should’ve been gone, gone gone away from here.” “I Can Do Anything” is an inspiring R&B nugget, complete with youth choir. Arnold issues what has to be the gutsiest public service announcement for kids staying in school. Including impressive live recordings with Bob Margolin and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, the fifteen-track Backbone & Gristle will surely satisfy your blues cravings.

THE LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES REVUECommand PerformanceDelta Groove Music DGPCD121www.deltagroovemusic.com

The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise is an annual musical affair, setting sail to picturesque locations from the Mexican Riviera to the Eastern Caribbean. Musicians and music lovers are treated to

round the clock live music, along with the surf and sun. The always-volatile guitarist-producer Tommy Castro leads this rather large outfit through 13 ambitious tunes ranging from swing to rocking blues. The ‘70s-‘80s J. Geils Band alumnus Magic Dick immediately makes his presence felt on his classic boogie instrumental, ”Whammer Jammer,” blowing screaming Chicago style harmonica lines all over Deanna Bogart’s rocking keyboards, on his now classic instrumental. On the Jimmy Rogers country blues nugget, “If It Ain’t Me,” singer-songwriter Curtis Salgado strikes a rich soulful vocal groove, along with his spot on, down and dirty harp blasting. Mr. Castro lends his gritty shouting and swinging guitar lines over the rapid-fire horn section on ”I Feel That Old Feeling Coming On.” With Magic Dick’s best James Cotton harp vibe reverberating, Muddy Waters’ steamy slow blues ”She’s Nineteen Years Old” brings out Ronnie Baker Brooks’ grittiest vocals and rather seductive blues-bending guitar. Huey P. Smith’s big New Orleans rocking ”Sea Cruise” receives a faithful treatment, with special guest Marcia Ball’s boogie-woogie piano playing, her passionate singing, and Mike Emerson’s swirling Hammond B3 backdrops. With a group this large performing live, thankfully Command Performance features detailed liner notes outlining who sings and plays on each track.

Ocean View Crab & Seafood FeastJOSH BOYD AND THE VIP BANDJosh Boyd and The VIP BandIndependent Releasewww.superboyd.com

From Toledo, Ohio, blues artist Josh Boyd is the latest Stratocaster wielding musician who started playing guitar as a child. With influences from James Brown to Jimi Hendrix, it’s pretty obvious that Albert Collins is his main man. Nailing three IBC invites in a row, Boyd’s VIP Band, featuring Charles Gaston on percussion and Junior Springs on bass & vocals, has opened for both Johnny Winter and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Take the motivating opening tune, “Free.” Boyd’s hard-edged vocals, wahwahed guitar spurts, and the rhythm section’s syncopated antics recall the harder edged sound of guitarist Jeff Healey. Speaking of the late Canadian picker, Boyd also makes a blues-rocking remake of the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” but more in a jamming direction that Indigenous would pursue.

“High Heels” generates maximum heat around a hard rocking ‘Bo Diddley’ beat, all the while coaxing Boyd’s slide guitar runs. “You Make Me Feel So Damn Good” cops a feeling from Z.Z. Top’s “Sharp Dressed Man,” with Boyd’s soulful singing, Billy Gibbons-leaning guitar fireworks, and a rhythm groove that just won’t quit. Finishing off with the funky rocker “Sometimes,” Boyd shouts out, “I’m the guitar freak, ya’ll,” and you’ve really got to believe him. Fed by Springs’ bass jabs and Gaston’s snare drum attack, Boyd brings it all back home with some of the speediest 6 strings this side of the Rio Grande. Josh Boyd’s distinct southern rock-blues vibe shines brightly throughout this self-produced ten-track offering.

Alan Kurzer

By Alan Kurzer

Johnny Ray Light & Planet Full of Blues Lathan “Pudgie” with Sweet Papa

and the Too Hot Blues Crew

Ernie with Sweet Papa and the Too Hot Blues Crew

Sandy Veale with Black White Blues

“Junnie” with Black White Blues

Carlton with Black White Blues

Charles with Black White Blues

NBN president “Big Dog” and volunteer setting up NBN tent

MC Paul Shugrue of WHRV Radio

Crowning of the Queen

“Guitar Tommy” with Blues Xchange

Sandy and Vasili with Blues Xchange

Tim Morgan

Richard with Sweet Papa and the Too Hot Blues Crew

SAMUEL JAMESSongs Famed for Sorrow and JoyNorthernBlues Music NBM0043www.myspace.com/sugarsmallhouse.com

I like Samuel James. He’s a unique young brother who instead of sounding like so many of the others, is swimming upstream while the rest

are swimming down. Concentrating on pre-war blues, he has embodied the sound/soul of Son House and others like Skip James and Charlie Patton.

Samuel James is a stunning performer and songwriter. His style of writing is haunting while his lyrics are sparse. Just like his mentors, he keeps it simple. He is also a master of fingerstyle, slide, banjo, harmonica, and piano, and he’s still in his early twenties. This is his second CD and debut effort for NorthernBlues Music. I like this so much I’m going to buy his first CD just to compare notes.

The CD was recorded in five days. “It was the hardest week of my life, which is saying something considering I grew up black in Maine in white foster homes,” says James. Yes, Samuel has had a tough and interesting life. He was on the road performing at the early age of twelve, when he lost his mother. Then spent the next four years in foster care until he reunited with his father at the age of seventeen. I predict next year this guy will be a hot ticket on the festival circuit. He’s been referred to as Keb’ Mo’ on steroids. Check it out!

Jackie “Sugarlips” Merritt

16 5Blues News September/October 2008 www.natchelblues.org www.natchelblues.org September/October 2008 Blues News

Blue Monday The Attucks Discovery Music SeriesPhotos by Cathy Dixson

Photos by Lynn Allred

Incognito Brothers

Rhythm Kings

The Blues Committee

Volunteers Needed!!!Help Support The Blues

The Natchel’ Blues Network is looking for volunteers

15th Annual Blues At

The Beach Festival

September 12-14, 2008

17th Street StageVirginia Beach, VA

6 15Blues News September/October 2008 www.natchelblues.org www.natchelblues.org September/October 2008 Blues News

SEPTEMBER 2008 BLUES CALENDARCities: (N) Norfolk…(VB) Virginia Beach…(P) Portsmouth...(C) Chesapeake…(S) Suffolk…(H) Hampton…(R) Richmond…(NN) Newport News…(W) Williamsburg…(Y) Yorktown

For Listings to the NBN Calendar please contact: Ron Parker rjparker1213@verizon.net

[For Mid-Atlantic listings and links to local band websites, visit www.natchelblues.org]

Monday 1Billy Thompson - H2O (VB) Thursday 4H.M. Johnson Band - O’Sullivan’s Wharf (N)Friday 5Michael Clark Band featuring Tracy Clark - J.M. Randall’s (W)RYLO - Hampton Bay Days @ Marker 20 (H)Sweet Papa & the Too Hot Blues Crew – Baron’s Pub (S)Saturday 6Terence Blanchard - Attucks Theater (N) 7:30 pmRYLO/The Remnants (feat ex-Nighthawks guitarist Pete Kanaras) – Jewish Mother (VB) 9 pmMichael Clark Band featuring Tracy Clark - Hilton Hotel (VB)Blues Empacts – J.M. Randall’s (W) John Baldwin Band – Kelly’s Gingernut Pub (Cape Charles)Grant Austin Taylor – Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater (VB)Sunday 7Dirty Dozen Brass Band - Attucks Theater (N) 7:30 pmMichael Clark Band featuring Tracy Clark - Hampton Bay Days @ Goodfellas (H) Thursday 11H.M. Johnson Band - O’Sullivan’s Wharf (N)

Friday 12Sweet Papa & the Too Hot Blues Crew – Green Parrot Grille (VB)Big Fun - Captain Ron’s (N)Michael Clark Band featuring Tracy Clark - O’Sullivan’s Wharf (N)September 12-14, 200815th Annual Blues At The Beach FestivalThe Pavilion @ 17th St., Virginia Beach, VABlues at the Beach Festival

Friday September 12, 2008Gates: 6:30pm7:00pm-8:00 pm Grant Austin Taylor 8:30pm – 10:30pm Ruf’s Blues Caravan 2008“Guitars and Feathers”Deborah Coleman, Candye Kane & Dani WildeDeborah Coleman & Friends - after Blues at the Beach Festival @ Jewish Mother (VB)

Saturday September 13, 2008Gates: 1:30pm2:00pm – 3:00pm The Bobby “BlackHat” Blues Band 3:00pm – 3:30pm Swing Virginia – Dance Workshop 3:45pm – 5:00pm The Sean Carney Band 5:00pm – 5:30pm NBN Blues Workshop (NBN Tent) 5:45pm – 7:00pm The John Nemeth Band 7:30pm – 8:45pm The Lurrie Bell Band9:15pm – 10:45pm Kenny NealMichael Burks - after Blues at the Beach Festival @ Jewish Mother (VB) Sunday September 14, 2008Gates: 11:30am12:00pm-1:00pm Straight Up Blues Band 1:00pm – 1:30pm NBN Blues Workshop (NBN Tent)1:45pm – 3:00pm David Maxwell’s Maximum Blues 3:30pm – 5:00pm Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers

Saturday 13Michael Clark Band featuring Tracy Clark - Goodfellas (H)M.S.G.- the Acoustic Blues Trio – Virginia Beach Central Library - TFFM Concert (VB)Sunday 14John Baldwin Band - Baker St. (VB)Monday 15Billy Thompson - H20 (VB) Thursday 18H.M. Johnson Band - O’Sullivan’s Wharf (N)MSG-the Acoustic Blues Trio - The Bull Durham Blues Festival – St. Joseph’s Performance Hall (Durham, N.C.) 7 pm

Friday 19Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater - Jewish Mother (VB) 10 pmBig Fun - Busky’s (C)Billy Thompson - J.M. Randall’s (W)John Baldwin Band - Chincoteague Inn (Chincoteague)MSG-the Acoustic Blues Trio - Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion (Bristol, TN/VA)RYLO - Cat’s Eye Pub (Fells Point, MD)Saturday 20Henry Butler - Attucks Theater (N) 7:30 pmMichael Clark Band featuring Tracy Clark - Mahi Mah’s (VB)Bobby “BlackHat” Walters - Rotary International PolioPlus Challenge - Kimball Theater (W)Sweet Papa & the Too Hot Blues Crew – Umoja Festival (Portside, P) 5-6 pmSweet Papa & the Too Hot Blues Crew – Schooner’s (NN)MSG-the Acoustic Blues Trio - Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion (Bristol, TN/VA)Tim Morgan & the Mojo Brothers - The Weekend Pub (NN)Sunday 21MSG-the Acoustic Blues Trio - Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion (Bristol, TN/VA)Monday 22Billy Thompson - H2O (VB) Wednesday 24Seth Walker - The Taphouse (N) Thursday 25H.M. Johnson Band - O’Sullivan’s Wharf (N)Friday 26Big Fun - O’Sullivan’s Wharf (N)Michael Clark Band featuring Tracy Clark - Smokin’ Joe’s (Carrolton)Rhythm Kings - Big Band Jazz Festival - Yorktown Riverwalk Landing (Y) 6:30-8:30 pmShakedown - Sharky’s Bar and Grill (Glen Allen, R)Saturday 27 Michael Clark Band featuring Tracy Clark - J.M. Randall’s (W)Sunday 28MSG-the Acoustic Blues Trio - Sunrise to Sunset Acoustic Music Festival – (Town Point Park, N) 11:30am - 12:15pm NBN will be on-site!Monday 29Billy Thompson - H2O (VB)

Show Re v i e w

Bryan Dunn & Michelle Matthews

@ Ice House Restaurant Virginia Beach, VA

July 31, 2008

Bryan Dunn has been a fixture on guitar and vocals

in the local Tidewater blues scene for a good many years now.

He’s always been a good craftsman in his genre and a very nice

guy to boot. In fact, when I started playing blues harp in public,

Bryan may have been the first bandleader to take a chance on

me and let me play with his group. As I said, he’s a nice guy…

brave too! If it has been some time since you’ve heard Bryan, it’s

time to go out and revisit this fine artist.

I caught Bryan tonight in Virginia Beach at the Ice

House Restaurant on Norfolk Ave. As I walked in, I heard a very

pleasant female voice singing the vocal solo. Bryan’s partner in

this duo is a gal named Michelle Matthews, and she has the

potential to be one of the premier female voices in our area.

Michelle has one of those deep contralto voices that every choir

director wishes he or she had to sing those great old spiritual

numbers. Bryan has her using that talent to sing the blues and

bluesy folk stuff and she comes off as a real unique gem. She

is as modest as she is pretty and that goes a long way towards

audience acceptance. As Michelle becomes more comfortable

with her rich talent, I predict that she will blossom and open up

like a prize rose.

I believe that Bryan has greatly grown in his own talent

on both the electric and acoustic guitars. His solos on numbers

like “Hotel California” and Stevie Ray Vaughan’s version of

“Little Wing” really showed mastery of his craft. It is easy to see

why Bryan gets a lot of bookings each month.

In closing, I’d like to appeal to all of you that enjoy

blues and live music to go out and support your local bands

and artists. Nothing keeps things humming like customers in the

seats at our local restaurants and venues. Folks like Bryan and

Michelle deserve our support. Check the NBN Events Calendar

and go have some fun and support the blues in Tidewater.

Ronny ParkerIncognito Brothers Blues Band

Bayou Boogaloo RecapPhotos by Deb Malenda

Black Rose Blues Band

doad and friends

John baldwin & the original sinners

the michael clark band featuring tracy clark

EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT!Open Mic Night w/Don Butcher

@ Goodfellas (H)

Open Mic @ Boar’s Nest (N)

EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT!Open Mic @ Hat Tricks (H)

EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT!Open Mic @ Tribeca (NN)

EVERY 3rd FRIDAY! 6-8:30 pmOpen Mic @ Quality Music Ctr. (C)(No drum kits, mostly acoustic/some amplified.)

EVERY SATURDAY 2-4 pmOpen Session @ Quality Music Ctr. (C)

NBN in the French Quarter!

June 20, 2008 – The NBN sponsored the French Quarter Stage on the 1st day of the Bayou Boogaloo in Norfolk’s Town Point Park. A rich mix of blues talent entertained the crowds starting with lunchtime ‘til well after 9 pm. First to hit the stage was DOAD & Friends. Ted Doty on guitar, Paul Warren on bass, and Derrick Felter on drums gave the crowd a great mix of blues-rock and funk. Get well wishes out to Ted, who is recovering from wrist surgery. Next in the line up was John Baldwin & the Original Sinners. John along with Ron Subeth on bass and Derrick Felter on drums rocked the crowd with originals and guitar blues. Look for a new CD from John Baldwin later this year.

The Michael Clark Band featuring Tracy Clark got the crowd dancing. The band filled the stage with dance and the park with soulful blues. Current members include Michael on guitar and Tracy Clark with vocals, Mark Summitt on drums, Dave Hill on bass, Bill Cann on trumpet and harp, Roy Brown on trombone, and Curtis Brown on sax. As always, Tracy delighted all with her rendition of “Proud Mary.” The Michael Clark Band returns to Memphis in 2009 for the International Blues Challenge. Black Rose Blues Band kept the crowd rocking with Jackie Scott’s awesome vocals. Band members included Jimmie Silvia on guitar, Jackie Scott on vocals, Dale Butcher on bass, Mike Pelzel on drums, and Bill Cann on harmonica. Look for a few surprises in the coming months from Black Rose Blues Band.

A special thank you to FestEvents staff and Craftworks Sound for providing seamless stage changes, sound and support.

Deb Malenda

14 7Blues News September/October 2008 www.natchelblues.org www.natchelblues.org September/October 2008 Blues News

Thanks to the following new members or renewals over the last couple of months. Your support is helping to keep the Natchel’ Blues

Network and blues music in Hampton Roads alive!

Deborah Antonucci

Mr. Enrique Caballero

James Edlgo

George Grant

Marvin Harris

Pete Holbert

Charlie Jeckell

NEW NBN MEMBERS & RENEWALSLisa Jones

Kitty

Josephine Kwak

Beverly Levinson

Jan Lindeman

Selma Lindsey

Bob Lucas & Ginger Walker

Ulric “Monty” Montcalm, III

Eric Musselwhite

Rudy & Lolita Norman

W. Lee Norman, Jr.

Ross A. Page

Charles Phillips

Billy & Shelly Craig-Potter

Wade Ridgely

Donald W. & Marsha Ruth

Randall & Laura Smith

Scott Sutherland

Michael Williams

Kenneth Willoughby

Honorary SponsorsDiane Carl & Kenny Lupton, Goodfellas

Scotty Miller, Jewish Mother

Stuart Burnley, Hermitage Farms Nursery

Walter T. Camp, State Certified Mediator

Betz Girouard, WhirledVisions Production Studios

Bruce Harlow, BHP Inc. LLC

Deborah Mann, City of Norfolk Cultural Affairs

Jeff Miller, Dirt Cheap Blues Dance Club

Danny Morgan, The Janitors (NBN Band)

Paul Puckett, Beacon Wealth Advisors

NBN CORPORATE MEMBERSDaryl Roadcap, Seven Cities Electric, Inc.

Ruth & Tim Enterprises, LLC

Eric Stevens, Locks Pointe / Hodad’s

William G. Sykes, Patent Attorney

Steve Wilkins, Wilkins & Associates, Inc.

WHRO

Bayou Boogaloo Recap

bill cann & maryAnn toboz -

teaching the children’s harmonica workshop

m.s.g.-the acoustic blues trio

Always the crowd pleaser, MSG-the non-toxic preservative of acoustic blues, had the crowd

singing back lyrics to their original songs.

photos by steven sloop

An ongoing series of revealing portraits of relatively obscure artists who dared to be different, by Canadian resident and blues aficionado Gary Tate. Gary welcomes your

comments at gmtgt@yahoo.com

8 13Blues News September/October 2008 www.natchelblues.org www.natchelblues.org September/October 2008 Blues News

Blues Heaven

Nina Simone: At the age of 4, Nina Simone (born Eunice Wayman in North Carolina) was considered a child prodigy, but her indigent parents lacked the resources to provide a proper music education. So her music teacher established a special fund that allowed her to study at the Juilliard School Of Music in New York. By the mid-‘50s Nina was displaying her talents as a pianist, singer, and arranger. “I Loves You Porgy” from Porgy & Bess became a 1958 hit, thrusting this nightclub singer into such places as Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, and the Newport Jazz Fesitival.

When several black school children got murdered in 1963, her “Mississippi Goddam” became a forcefully stark denunciation of her people’s situation. The

emotionally-charged Nina Simone In Concert album would explore a wide range of human emotions from sorrow, love, loneliness, rage, to regret. She never compromised her principles, even if it sometimes meant alienating blacks. “Four Women” from 1966 was a bitter lament about 4 black women whose circumstances and outlook were related to their skin color. Its controversial theme resulted in it being banned on black radio stations in New York and Philadelphia. Yet another civil rights song, “To be Young, Gifted and Black,” is considered a black national anthem.

To escape racism and personal problems, Simone departed the USA in 1974 and became a “citizen of the world” with eventual stopovers in the Barbados, Liberia, Switzerland, Paris, The Netherlands and finally southern France where she passed away in 2003. European audiences embraced her artistry which along with her regal bearing earned her the title “The High Priestess Of Soul.”

With over forty albums to her credit, Nina Simone’s versatility allowed her to switch effortlessly between Gospel, Soul, Jazz, Folk, and Blues, into numbers suffused with European classical stylings. Future generations will remember Nina Simone as the quintessential songstress and storyteller of our time.

Richard Berry: He gave the world “Louie Louie,” but Richard Berry was also a chief protagonist on the Southern California R&B/Doo-Wop scenes of the ‘50s and early ‘60s. His contemporaries included Cornel Gunter, Arthur Lee Maye, Jesse Belvin, and Young Jessie. Berry sang with the Flairs (“I Had A Love”), Crowns (“Set My Heart Free”), Rams (“Rock Bottom”), Robins (“Riot In Cell Block #9”), Dreamers (“At Last”), and Pharoahs (“Have Love Will Travel”), and recorded on labels like Modern, Flair, and Flip.

Berry’s stylistic influence on Barry White was profound. That deep-voiced, male response voice on Etta James’ “Roll With Me Henry” belonged to Berry. Interestingly, he had also recorded “At Last” ten years before Etta’s definitive 1964 version. Louis Prima & Sam Butera would record Berry’s “There’ll Be No Next Time,” while Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys would reprise “Yama Yama Pretty Mama,” albeit 50 years later.

“Louie Louie” was released in 1957, experiencing only modest success, but then it began to assume a life of its own. Covered by sundry Northwest bar and garage bands, it exploded internationally with 1963’s version by Seattle’s Kingsmen. The song’s notoriety became so pervasive that it became the subject of numerous articles and even an entire book. Over a thousand versions would be recorded, but it took nearly 30 years (and many lawsuits) before Berry began to reap his deserved financial dividends. Richard Berry passed away in 1997 at age 61.

Dixie Hummingbird Ira Tucker Passes: Ira Tucker, a little man with a giant vocal range and acrobatic stage antics who as lead singer of the Dixie Hummingbirds helped propel Gospel music toward a harder-edged, more emotive style, died June 24, 2008 in Philadelphia. He was 83. The cause was heart failure, his son, Ira Jr., said, adding that he had earlier suffered two major heart attacks. According to publicity material from 1950, Mr. Tucker joined what became one of the longest-lasting groups in Gospel music when he was 14. Other sources say he joined in 1938 at 13. In any case, he never left. At its peak in the 1940s and ‘50s, the group was one of Gospel’s most popular and innovative, using shouting lead parts and walking bass-lines in songs like “Thank You for One More Day,” “Trouble in My Way,” and “Bedside of a Neighbor.” The back-and-forth singing of Mr. Tucker and another tenor, James Walker, is legendary.

In the 1970s the Hummingbirds attained a new and different sort of popularity when they backed up Paul Simon on his hit “Loves Me Like a Rock,” then recorded the same tune themselves and won a Grammy. Mr. Tucker added fire to the group’s performances. With a style borrowed from Southern preachers, he wailed, hollered and gesticulated in what today sounds like a precursor to James Brown. It is hard to gauge how much influence one musician truly has on another, but many articles suggest that Mr. Tucker’s highly stylized singing may have inspired Jackie Wilson, Stevie Wonder, the Drifters, Hank Ballard, and the Temptations. Aside from Michael Jackson, few performers showed as much eagerness to emulate the way Mr. Tucker flung himself from the stage, ripped off his coat, ran down the aisles, and finally wilted to his knees in prayer. In addition to his son, who lives in Deptford, NJ, Mr. Tucker is survived by his wife of 66 years, the former Louise Eleanor Archie; his daughters Sundray Tucker of Philadelphia, who sings and writes songs under the name Cindy Scott, and Lynda Laurence of Los Angeles, a post-Diana Ross member of the Supremes; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The Dixie Hummingbirds are still touring and recording and can be seen around the country. The Hummingbirds are known for a joyful sound that adds humor to Gospel. Their hit “Christian Automobile” sounds like a car shifting gears and climbing a heavenly hill.

Popular Memphis radio DJ Dee Henderson, also known as “Cap’n Pete” was found dead on July 16 behind his home in Southwest Memphis. Homicide detectives are awaiting autopsy results, but signs are pointing to foul play. The award-winning DJ touched the lives of many for more than two decades, and his voice and personality were the shining gem of WEVL. Every Friday night for the past 26 years, Henderson hosted a program on 89.9 WEVL called Cap N Pete’s Blues Cruise. “He would tell stories about blues legends like Howlin’ Wolf on a flatbed truck playing in a cotton field, Ike Turner singing from church to church,” said WEVL manager Judy Dorsey. Born on a plantation in Clarksdale, Mississippi, Henderson had little formal education, but his knowledge of blues music and his likeable character made him an award-winning disc jockey. Henderson’s listeners, friends and family were devastated by news that the 74-year-old grandfather was discovered dead in his own backyard. As detectives continue their investigation, memories are pouring in from mid-southerners who recall an accomplished yet humble man who touched many lives through his love of music.

Blues Birthdays SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

1 Katie Webster2 Edith Wilson3 Memphis Slim Freddie King4 Meade Lux Lewis John Cephas5 Sunnyland Slim6 Jimmy Reed Fred Below7 Little Milton Campbell8 Jimmie Rodgers10 Roy Brown11 Barbecue Bob12 Maria Muldaur13 Charles Brown Joanna Connor14 Darrell Nulisch15 Snooky Pryor16 B.B. King Billy Boy Arnold19 Lovie Austin21 Henry Butler22 Big Twist Bobby Radcliff23 Mighty Joe Young Ray Charles Fenton Robinson24 Chick Willis28 Koko Taylor C.J. Chenier30 Z.Z. Hill

1 Wild Child Butler2 Coco Montoya3 Albert Collins Keb’ Mo’ Billy Branch Stevie Ray Vaughan Deborah Coleman5 Roy Book Binder Rick Estrin8 Lonnie Pitchford10 Ivory Joe Hunter12 Nappy Brown13 Dorothy Moore14 Kenny Neal15 Victoria Spivey16 Big Joe Williams17 Bernie Pearl18 Chuck Berry Jessie Mae Hemphill21 Dr. Isaiah Ross Elvin Bishop23 Speckled Red Boozoo Chavis24 Sonny Terry Willie Mabon Jimmy Dawkins Clarence Holliman25 Sam Taylor27 Henry Townsend Sherman Robertson29 Hadda Brooks30 Dave Myers31 Ethel Waters

Volunteers Needed!!!Help Support The

Blues

Blues at the Beach Festival: The Natchel’ Blues Network is looking for volunteers to help put on the Blues at the Beach Festival during September 12-14, 2008 on the 17th Street Stage at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. It will feature 3 days of national, regional, and local blues acts. We need volunteers all three days for security, stage, beer ticket sales, beer serving, NBN merchandise tent, set-up, breakdown, etc. Volunteer and receive a free staff festival t-shirt and listen to some great blues music!

Natchel’ Blues Network Members: You will receive a separate mailing for volunteering for the above event. Please do not fill out this form.

If interested in volunteering, please fill out the form below and mail it to: Natchel’ Blues Network, P.O. Box 1773, Norfolk, VA 23501-1773. Or call the NBN Hotline @ 456-1675. We will contact you and coordinate dates/times.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Volunteer Form for Non-NBN Members:

I am interested in working BAB on ____________

Name(s): _____________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________

E-Mail: ______________________________________________

$2.00 OFFHair Cuts

$30.00 Unlimited Tanning

$5.00 OFFColor,

Highlights & Perms

4704 Hampton Blvd. (across from ODU)

Full Service Salon451-8611

Haircare, Hair Repair, Facials, Manicures, Color Corrections, Waxing, Highlights

& Low Lights

CAPTAIN ZIG-ZAG

12 9Blues News September/October 2008 www.natchelblues.org www.natchelblues.org September/October 2008 Blues News

CD WINNERS

NBN DrawingOnce a month we will draw the name

of a new/renewing member for a FREE CD

July – Scott SutherlandAugust - Wade Ridgely

Where U can Hear the BLUESWHRV 89.5 FM Blues Stage with Melvin Van Peebles Thursday @ Midnight

Out of the Box with Paul Shugrue Monday-Thursday 7-9 pm, Sat. 1-5 pm

A Shot of the Blues with Paul Shugrue Friday 8-10 pm Blues Before Sunrise with Steve Cushing Sunday 1-6 am

WHOV 88.1 FM Nothin’ But the Blues Wednesday 7-10 pm

WFOS 88.7 FM Who’s Got the Blues with Richie Babb 3rd Sunday of month 4-7 pm Blues Traffic Jam Monday-Friday 3-7 pm

Natchel’ Blues Network Bands!!

Advertise in Blues News with a 1/4 page ad (usually $45) for only $30 per issue.

Provide us with the info and we will DESIGN the ad for you.

One picture only.

Ad must be pre-paid. Call Beth Jarock at 623-8559

NBN Members Discounts:

Birdland Music

10% Off

Records, Tapes, & Compact Discs Providence Square, Virginia Beach, VA

Captain Zig-Zag

Newsletter Advertisement Coupons

4704 Hampton Blvd.Norfolk, VA

(Unisex haircutting, across from ODU)

Goodfellas 10% Off Food only

50% Off Cover Charge for National Acts

13 E. Queens Way Hampton, VA

Quality Music Center 10% Off In-store Merchandise

300-A N. Battlefield Blvd.Chesapeake, VA 23320

The Jewish Mother 20% Off Food only

20% Off Cover Charge for National Acts

3108 Pacific Avenue Virginia Beach, VA

J.M. Randalls20% off Food only

2 for the Price of 1 Cover Charge for National Acts

4854-16 Longhill Rd.Williamsburg, VA 23188

Tidewater Friends of Folk $4 Off tickets for all blues acts

Brenda Barkley, Booking & Media Contact P.O. Box 1266, Suffolk, VA 23439-1266

757.538.3210 / 757.338.1358 cell

[Discounts applicable only when presenting valid NBN Membership Card]

NBN membership form is on the back page

Receive the bimonthly Blues News and the NBN Calendar.

Plus, enjoy discounts with your Membership Card at these participating area businesses:

[FREE & Open to the Public!]

Ruf’s Blues Caravan 2008 – “Guitars and Feathers”

featuring Deborah Coleman, Candye Kane & Dani Wilde

Kenny Neal

Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers

The Lurrie Bell Band

David Maxwell’s Maximum Blues

The John Nemeth Band

The Sean Carney Band

Grant Austin Taylor

Bobby BlackHat Blues Band

Straight Up Blues Band

[Workshops TBA]

The Pavilion @ 17th St., Virginia Beach, VA

Friday September 12, 2008Gates: 6:30pm7:00pm – 8:00pm Grant Austin Taylor

8:30pm – 10:30pm Ruf’s Blues Caravan 2008 – “Guitars and Feathers” Deborah Coleman, Candye Kane, & Dani Wilde

Saturday September 13, 2008Gates: 1:30pm2:00pm – 3:00pm The Bobby “BlackHat” Blues Band

3:00pm – 3:30pm Swing Virginia – Dance Workshop (Main Stage Area)

3:45pm – 5:00pm The Sean Carney Band

5:00pm – 5:30pm NBN Blues Workshop (NBN Tent)

5:45pm – 7:00pm The John Nemeth Band

7:30pm – 8:45pm The Lurrie Bell Band

9:15pm – 10:45pm Kenny Neal Sunday September 14, 2008Gates: 11:30am12:00pm – 1:00pm Straight Up Blues Band

1:00pm – 1:30pm NBN Blues Workshop (NBN Tent)

1:45pm – 3:00pm David Maxwell’s Maximum Blues

3:30pm – 5:00pm Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers

The Natchel’ Blues Network and Beach Events presents..

15th Annual Blues At The Beach Festival

Blues at the Beach Post-Festival Entertainment!The Jewish Mother

3108 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach (757) 422-5430

Friday, Sept. 12th - Deborah Coleman & Friends (w/Invitational Pro Jam)

Saturday, Sept. 13th - Michael Burks

Each event is $15 General Admission, $12 NBN Members (Must present valid NBN membership card to obtain discount.)

2008 Blues at the BeachHotel Sponsor!The Oceanfront Inn29th & Atlantic Ave.$99.00 per night, 2-night minimum (Fri./Sat.)(888) 826-2326 or (757) 422-0445

Ask for the Natchel’ Blues Network festival price.

The Natchel’ Blues Network and Beach Events presents..

10 11 www.natchelblues.org September/October 2008 Blues NewsBlues News September/October 2008 www.natchelblues.org

15th Annual Blues At The Beach Festival

Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers

Candye Kane

Dani Wilde

Deborah Coleman

David Maxwell’s Maximum Blues

The Sean Carney Band

The John Nemeth Band

The Lurrie Bell Band

Bobby “BlackHat” Blues Band

Grant Austin Taylor

Kenny Neal

NBN

Ruf’s Blues Caravan 2008 - “Guitars and Feathers”Deborah Coleman, Candye Kane & Dani Wilde In just 3 years, the Ruf Records Blues Caravan has become a popular musical event reaching more blues fans in more parts of the world. Paris, London and Berlin are frequent stops on the tour. Under the title “Guitars and Feathers,” the trio of outstanding artists on the 2008 Blues Caravan continues the trend of featured attraction. Deborah Coleman is one of the artists holding up the “Guitars” end of the bargain. The Tidewater, Virginia native has earned 11 W.C. Handy (Blues Music Award) nominations and has long been a respected performer in the United States. Last year she got a chance to show off her talents to European audiences on the 2007 Blues Caravan tour. Boasting slick chops and an uncanny stage presence, Coleman can lay back on soulful, groove-oriented numbers or tear it up with some incendiary rock. Those who caught last year’s performances won’t want to miss this return engagement. Coleman’s latest solo recording is Stop the Game (2007, JSP Records). Welcome home, Deborah! Guitar’d and Feathered is the name of an exciting new album by California singer Candye Kane. A 2008 Blues Music Award nominee for “Contemporary Female Artist,” Kane was part of the initial Blues Caravan in 2005 and rejoins the tour on the heels of her new release. Famed for her flamboyant style and powerhouse vocals, the award-winning singer has authored 8 albums on labels like Antone’s, Rounder, Sire, and Ruf. The current “Guitar’d and Feathered” project teams her with an all-star cast of six-string heroes including Kid Ramos, Popa Chubby and Ana Popovic. With or without such high-octane support, Kane never fails to win over the hearts of her audience. The Blues Caravan has been instrumental in breaking talented young artists to an international audience. Ruf Records’ latest discovery is British singer/guitarist Dani Wilde. Inspired by American greats like John Lee Hooker and Buddy Guy, Wilde – who’s just in her early 20s – has already shared stages with stars like Jools Holland and Gary Moore. While major labels were coveting her for her mainstream appeal, she decided to stay true to her first love, the blues. Heal My Blues (2008, Ruf Records) is Wilde’s new recording. Featuring solo sets by each of the three performers as well as a jam session finale, the Blues Caravan is an unbeatable live blues experience.

The Sean Carney BandSean Carney has been performing in Columbus, Ohio venues for a decade, backing blues and R&B artists

including Teeny Tucker, Jimmy “T-99” Nelson, Big Joe Duskin, Joe Weaver and Johnnie Bassett. After years of backing other artists, Carney and his band broke away to enter the 2007 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. “The next big thing has already been around the block,” a Canadian newspaper reporter wrote of The Sean Carney Band’s impressive showing and subsequent victory. The IBC also awarded 34 year-old Carney the Albert King Best Guitarist Award and Best Dressed in their 23rd annual competition, before an audience of 1,700 blues lovers from all over the world. Longtime drummer Eric Blume and the recent addition of bassist Bill Stuve (formerly of Rod Piazza’s Mighty Flyers) round out the latest edition of The Sean Carney Band.

The John Nemeth BandA native of Boise, Idaho, John Nemeth started singing in church as a child and played in local bands as a

teenager. In 2002 he began touring with West Coast guitarist Junior Watson and his band, playing Scandinavia, Canada, and across the U.S. Two independent releases during this period, 2002’s The Jack of Harps (as John Nemeth and The Jacks) and 2004’s Come and Get It (John Nemeth featuring Junior Watson) opened the eyes and doors of many in the industry.By 2005, Nemeth, now living in San Francisco, began touring with Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets, filling in for the legendary Sam Myers during his illness. Blind Pig Records signed Nemeth in early 2006, after witnessing Nemeth give a stellar vocal and dynamic harp presentation at San Francisco’s Biscuits and Blues club. Label head Jerry Del Giudice expressed “how impressed I was with John’s performance the one time I got the chance to see him. In our nearly 30 years in the business we have never before offered a new artist a recording contract on the strength of one performance…”

Nemeth’s 2007 Blind Pig inaugural release Magic Touch has garnered the young man many accolades, including a 2008 Blues Music Award Nomination for “Best New Artist.”

The Lurrie Bell BandThe son of Chicago blues harmonica master Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell was raised in a Chicago household

naturally steeped in the blues. In 1977 at the age of 17, Bell was a founding member of The Sons of Blues with fellow Chicago blues scions Freddie Dixon (son of Willie) and Billy Branch (son of Ben). They performed as the New Generation of Chicago Blues.

At 20, Bell joined the band of Chicago’s Queen of the Blues, Koko Taylor, and stayed for several years. Lurrie honed his chops and learned the ropes of being a traveling musician before re-teaming with his father as a member of Carey Bell’s Blues Harp Band. In the mid-1990’s he had a succession of four highly acclaimed records for Chicago’s Delmark label.

2002 saw the release of the CD Cuttin’ Heads and in 2004, Alligator Records released Second Nature, an acoustic duet record with Carey Bell that was nominated for Acoustic Record of the Year by the Blues Foundation. Lurrie was also a 2008 Blues Music Award Nominee: “Traditional Male Artist of the Year,” “DVD – Carey & Lurrie Bell – Getting Up,” and “Instrumentalist of the Year – Guitar”

Following the death of his legendary father to heart failure on May 6, 2007, Bell launched his own label imprint Aria B.G. Records. The result was Let’s Talk About Love, his most accomplished, deeply heartfelt album yet.

Kenny NealKenny Neal stands tall among the younger generation of blues players. A native of Baton Rouge, he began

playing music at a very young age. The oldest of ten children, he learned the basics from his father, singer and blues harmonica player, Raful Neal. Family friends Lazy Lester, Buddy Guy, and Slim Harpo also contributed to Kenny’s early education. At 13, he joined his father’s band and began paying his musical dues.

Four years later, he was recruited and toured extensively as Buddy Guy’s bass player. Following Buddy’s advice to concentrate on his guitar playing, Kenny relocated to Toronto, and - along with his brothers Raful, Jr., Noel, Larry and Ronnie - formed the Neal Brothers Band, regularly backing visiting blues stars. Later he fronted Canada’s Downchild Blues Band before returning to Baton Rouge to begin his solo career in 1987. To this day, he still has a staunch Canadian fan base.

In 1991, he starred as the lead in the much-acclaimed musical, Mule Bone. His performances garnered a prestigious Theater World Award for “The Most Outstanding New Talent On and Off Broadway.” Neal has toured America, Europe, Africa and the Far East throughout his career, and has recorded for such labels as King Snake, Alligator, and Telarc. Currently signed to Blind Pig, his 2008 inaugural release Let Life Flow follows two years of fighting health issues, and making his way back to the road. Welcome back, Kenny!

David Maxwell’s Maximum Blues A 2008 Blues Music Award nominee for “Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year,” David Maxwell has amassed an enormous resume throughout the years playing piano with some of the greatest and well- known musicians in the blues world. In the last decade, David has received over a half dozen W.C. Handy and Grammy nominations, and is a Grammy Award recipient for his recorded work with The James Cotton Band. His most recent album, Max Attack (released 2005 on 95-North Records), features guest appearances by James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Hubert Sumlin and Pinetop Perkins. David has been involved in over fifty recording sessions and can be found playing keys on many blues albums that have been released over the past 25 years. He notably backed up Keith Richards and Eric Clapton for Hubert Sumlin’s CD, About Them Shoes, also released in 2005. David’s music has been featured in the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” and the TV series “Touched By An Angel,” as well as a live performance on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien.” Maxwell has also been a touring band member with Freddie King, Bonnie Raitt, Otis Rush, James Cotton, Jimmy Rogers, Hubert Sumlin and Ronnie Earl. He has performed in major festivals, theaters and clubs around the world and keeps busy today playing, recording, writing and teaching.

Jimmy Thackery & The DriversKnown for his gritty, blue-collar approach and marathon live shows, Thackery was for many

years part of The Nighthawks, known as one of the hardest-working blues bar bands in North America. Since the late 1980s, Thackery has been touring under his own name, and has found a wide audience. His hard-edged, tough-as-nails approach to guitar playing and his trio’s driving rhythm section holds appeal for fans of both traditional blues and roots rock.

Born in Pittsburgh, Thackery was raised in Washington, D.C. After joining the Nighthawks in 1974 and recording over 20 albums with them, he went solo in 1987. Since 1991 he has been leading the trio Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers, whose early recordings were for San Francisco-based Blind Pig Records. In 2002 Thackery released We Got It, his first album on Telarc and in 2006 In the Natural State with Earl and Ernie Cate on Rykodisc. Category 5 Amplification has added Jimmy Thackery to the list of accomplished artists endorsing Category 5 Amplification. Jimmy will be playing two Category 5 amps in stereo. “These amps allow me to back off on the pedals and let the amps do the heavy lifting… Watch out, there is more fire to come from Thackery!” Jimmy is touring in support of his critically acclaimed album, Solid Ice.

Grant Austin Taylor The eleven-year-old blues-rock musician/singer/songwriter from Norfolk, Virginia, began his musical journey at the age of four when he saw the classic rock band, The Who. Inspired by the rock legends, he went on to guest-perform with the New Orleans alternative-rock band Better Than Ezra, at the age of eight. The lead singer and songwriter of BTE, Kevin Griffin, encouraged Grant to pursue music full-force. Mentored by jazz guitarist Henry Johnson and acoustic guitarist Lewis McGehee, Grant writes and performs many of his own compositions. He and the Grant Austin Taylor Band perform his originals and covers at venues around the country, including B.B. King’s Blues Club in Los Angeles, The NorVa in Norfolk, and the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. Along the way, he has mastered other instruments: violin, harmonica, piano, and drums. Television saw him on “America’s Most Talented Kids,” which won him first place, and on the CW’s “Steve Harvey’s Big Time.” Over the airwaves, Radio Disney, FM99 and BOB FM have all experienced Grant playing live. Taylor has opened for such internationally known acts as Aerosmith, Motley Crue, Blackfoot, Michael Tolcher and Johnny “Guitar” Jones.

The Bobby “BlackHat” Blues BandBobby “BlackHat” Walters, blues harmonica player, vocalist and songwriter, hails from

Cleveland, Ohio and has been playing harp for over 30 years. After retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard, Bobby started taking his harp playing seriously and has studied with Dennis Gruenling, Phil Wiggins, Johnny Sansone, and Allen Holmes. While a member of the Black Rose Blues Band, he opened for blues legends B.B. King, Taj Mahal, and Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin. Bobby has shared the stage with Kenny Neal, Bill Deal & the Rhondels, Jason Ricci & New Blood, Eddie Shaw & the Wolfgang, Daryl Davis, and Ruthie Foster. He is regular on the Tidewater blues scene and you can often find him sitting in with the Michael Clark Band, Sweet Papa & the Too Hot Blues Crew, Rhythm Pigs, Blues Empacts, and Bridging the Gap.

In 2008, the duo of Bobby BlackHat & Larry B represented NBN at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN and was also nominated for the “Port Folio Music Award.” Bobby BlackHat brings together the finest blues musicians in Hampton Roads to perform classic, modern, as well as original blues tunes.

The Straight Up Blues BandThe Straight Up Blues Band was formed in 2005 by Earl Holiday (aka Walter Barnes) in

response to some club owners on the Peninsula who wanted to hear “straight up” blues, not bluesy jazz or blues/rock, but the real hard-core stuff. Earl had played bass over the years with the Sunnyland Blues Band and The Bluzblasters with Doug Newby. He assembled three musical friends, and the band came into being. The current lineup is Earl on bass, Ron Carozzoni on drums, Jimmy Williams on guitar, and Tommy Parker on guitar and vocals. Their sound is a purist’s blend of Chicago, Texas, West Coast Swing, and Kansas City styles. Unless requested, there are no “typical blues band songs” such as “Stormy Monday”or “Thrill is Gone” on the set list, but fresh songs adapted from the current national scene. For further background, contact Earl Holiday at (757) 717-4789 or (757) 479-0941, or visit the web page at www.myspace.com/straightupblues.

[Bios compiled by Beth Jarock & Mark Johnson]

The Straight Up Blues Band