Ramblings On My Mind-March 2021

Ramblings On My Mind – February 2020

by Greg Johnson, Cascade Blues Association President I know it’s February and since I was a month behind last time getting out the top ten list of favorite CDs of 2019, let me do a touch more catching up. We have gone through another election…
New Music to Note-September 2021

February New Music Releases

There is so much good music out there. To help sort through it, we recommend starting here. Charlie Parr – Charlie Parr (Red House Records) Frank Bey – All My Dues Are Paid (Nola Blue Records) Ghalia – Mississippi Blend (Ruf Records) Michael…
Local Musicians Receiving Award Nominations

Kudos to Our Local Musicians Receiving Award Nominations

The Blues Foundation has announced their nominations for the Blues Music Awards and we want to give a huge shout out to Curtis Salgado for two nods as Instrumental- Vocals and Soul Blues Artist. Also Terry Robb has received a nomination for…
2023 Journey to Memphis Finalists

Applications Now Being Accepted For 2020 Journey To Memphis

The Journey To Memphis is the Cascade Blues Association’s regional competition to select the acts that will represent our organization and region in 2021’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. Up to 250 acts from around the…
Ghalia Mississippi Blend (Ruf Records)

Ghalia

Mississippi Blend Ruf Records Review by Greg Johnson Belgium-based vocalist Ghalia has long been infatuated with the blues. Mississippi Blend is her sophomore release on the European blues label Ruf, and she has returned to the American homeland…
Charlie Parr (Red House Records)

Charlie Parr

  Charlie Parr Red House Records Review by Greg Johnson Minnesota-based fingerpicking guitarist returns with his thirteenth recording following a skateboarding accident that injured his shoulder so severely it required several pins and…
Various Artists - Cadillac Baby’s Bea & Baby Records

Various Artists – Cadillac Baby’s Bea & Baby Records

The Definitive Collection Earwig Review by Greg Johnson When calling out the great blues labels of Chicago from the late 1950s into the ‘60s, you’re naturally going to name Chess, Cobra, Delmark and Vee Jay. But Bea & Baby Records,…
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers

Tommy Castro & The Painkillers – One of America’s Favorite Live Blues Acts

Whether he’s squeezing out the deepest blues or playing the funkiest soul grooves, legendary blues and soul giant Tommy Castro knows how to ignite a crowd. Over the course of his still-unfolding career, the guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter…
Guitar Hero Eric Gales

Famed Guitar Hero Eric Gales Coming to The Aladdin

Blues-rock guitarist Eric Gales was originally hailed as a child prodigy when, at the age of four, he first picked up the instrument. With his older brothers Eugene and Manuel (aka Little Jimmy King) showing him songs and licks in the styles…
New Iberians

Mardi Gras Double Header – New Iberians / Swamp Thang

In February, The New Iberians will be celebrating their twentieth-annual Mardi Gras Dance Party by bringing their own blend of Louisiana zydeco with a taste of blues to the Bare Bones Café and Bar. Joining them again this year will be Swamp…