Ramblings On My Mind - Nov 09
Written by Greg Johnson Wednesday, 21 October 2009 19:18
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Greg Johnson / CBA President
I know I have mentioned this before, but looking at the events coming up in our area during the month of November, I find it amazing at how giving our blues community truly is. Three events noted here in the BluesNotes are all focused with offering assistance to worthy causes.
Starting the month off on the 1st as Fiona Boyes headlines a concert at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church called Blessings & Blues, raising funds for charities including musician relief for times of need. Francine and Art West have pieced together another outstanding ABATE/Shiners Musicians Toy Run show at the Trails End, and the whole city seems to be coming together to help KBOO DJ Tom Wendt is in time of aid to help cover medical expenses. It certainly warms the heart to see so much giving from our musicians, venues, retailers and fans alike.
Also in November, is the annual Muddy Awards celebration. This year’s ballot is full of first time nominees showing that the music here in our region is definitely still putting forth outstanding artists, while our veteran performers still craftily hold on to their niche at the same time. It proves that we can remain loyal to our all-time favorites and still have room for new ones, too!
This past month saw a visit from the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue at The Aladdin. Unfortunately it occurred the same night as our monthly meeting. For those at the Aladdin, you missed a smoking hot show at The Melody with Eric Tweed displaying masterful acoustic solo guitar and then Larry Dupio stepped out and gave one of the most dynamic performances we have seen at our meetings this past year. Wow! That’s about all I can say there.
One thing about the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue, led by Tommy Castro and bringing current blues superstars Janiva Magness, John Nemeth and Kenny Neal to the Aladdin, they’re always giving in bringing on local players to share the stage with them. I heard that at The Aladdin Lloyd Jones, Josh Fulero and Kevin Selfe all were invited to join in. Since I couldn’t be in two places at the same time, I ended up attending the show in Albany on Friday night, with a slightly different line-up as Kenny Neal was replaced with Joe Louis Walker. In Albany the group was joined by Portland guitarist Robin Gibson, Eugene’s Vicki Stevens Band’s guitarist Dennis Monroe, 18-year-old player Will Traylor, and event producer for the show at The Venetian Theater Steve Magnolia who turned out a killer take on Lloyd Jones’ classic “Treat Me Like The Dog I Am.” Outstanding show and these will certainly be lifetime memories for some of these local artists.
Plenty of great blues still heading our way this month, with the shows already mentioned, up-and-coming Samuel James, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats and of course it doesn’t get any better than the King of the Blues himself, Mr. B.B. King. So get out there and keep catching all those blues shows you can. I’ll see in one venue or another sometime soon!