August 2009 General Membership Meeting
Written by Greg Johnson Tuesday, 14 July 2009 20:51
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Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland
Wednesday, August 5th, 7:00 pm
Free ~ All Ages Welcome
Opening Acoustic Set ~ Lee Blake
Second Electric Set ~ Marquee
Opening the meeting in August will be long-time friend of the Cascade Blues Association, Lee Blake. Lee is an exceptional musician, possessing an expressive growling vocal quality perfect for singing the blues. An adept guitarist on both fingerpicking and slide styles with an expansive repertoire that covers both blues and classic rock selections. It is not unusual for him to play a Jimmy Reed number one moment, followed by a Van Morrison piece the next, to one of his own originals. And they’re all done as only Lee can offer, perfectly. He has been biting at the bit to play before our members again since the last time he was with us in 2007 and when he called last February asking for a return date he caught me hosting the International Showcase on Beale Street as part of the International Blues Challenge. Knowing full well that we needed to have another Lee Blake showing at the meetings, I quickly agreed to save a date for him. It’s always a pleasure to have Lee Blake return because with more than three decades worth of performances on the Portland music scene as well as up and down the West Coast, he has withstood the test of time and is living proof that your skills just get better with age.
The second set of the night will also feature a veteran Portland area band who has long been absent at our meetings, Marquee. Founded by guitarist Kerry Stickler in 1997, they have seen many changes within the band’s line-up, but they can be found almost every weekend playing around the city at one venue or another. The latest band includes Rob Elliot holding down the drum kit as he has for the past 12 years, John Pounds offering his unique bass skills on his self-designed 7-string bass, and newest member of the group “The Funk Master” Frankie Redding on keys. This is an outfit known for their energetic covers of classic rock and blues favorites, so expect to hear a little Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King and maybe even a sampling of Jimi Hendrix. But whatever they come up with, they guarantee that they’ll have the dance floor moving.
And don’t forget your free ticket at the door for your chance to win super prizes including CDs, concert tickets and who knows what else. Also, we’ll have our multiple CD package with tickets going for only $1 each. Buy as many as you’d like knowing that you’re helping the CBA support the local blues scene. We’ll be watching for you and any new friends that happen by to hear some fun blues tunes. See you there!