Musician Friends

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Sheila and I had a real treat Friday night at Albertina’s Midway Tavern.

First our long-time friend, Tom Moore and his brother David entertained with an acoustic session….David on guitar and Tom on harmonica and vocals. It was a CD release party for their new “TRICKERATION” album. In addition to the two of them…lots of our other musical friends are featured…Barrelhouse Chuck, Erwin Helfer, Brad Ber, George Bedard, Steve Nardella, Ricky Nye, Jonny Viau…and lots more guest artists.

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The “main event” Friday was Cincinnati Boogie-Woogie Piano man, RICKY NYE. (We hadn't seen our buddy for a couple years...don't stay away so long, Ricky)

He was backed by his regular bass wizard Chris Douglas….and was joined by…direct from Paris France…Anthony Stelmaszack (vocalist and guitar man) and Simon “Shuffle” Boyer on drums….from the Paris Blues Band. That great band regularly backs up touring Americans while in Europe. They play traditional American style blues....and they are exceptional!

It was a great evening being there with our friends, Ed, Jenni and Kevin.

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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

17 MARCH 2016

THE BLUES ACCORDING TO LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS

I thought that you might like this 30 minute documentary by film maker LES BLANK featuring the legendary Texas singer/guitarist performing back in his hometown of Centerville, TX in 1968

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

17 Feb 2016

B. B. KING - KING of the BLUES

Video narrated by Morgan Freeman

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If you have a full hour available to watch a video...you're in for a real treat

We just discovered a GREAT video on the life and times of the one and only

Riley B. King. WATCH IT......you won't be disappointed. HERE'S THE LINK

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By the way...we have several pieces of B. B. KING ARTWORK available

LOOK HERE! .....and then search B B KING

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Wednesday, February 10, 2016

10 Feb 2016

ERWIN HELFER CELEBRATES HIS 80th BIRTHDAY

with a concert of BLUES, JAZZ & BOOGIE-WOOGIE.

Was happy to read a couple stories last week in the Chicago Tribune about an old friend…Piano Great ERWIN HELFER celebrating his 80th birthday.

Thru the years, Sheila and I have had the good fortune to meet and get acquainted with some GREAT blues musicians, that are great geniuses at the piano…but still so “down to earth” off the stage. Erwin Helfer is in that category.

We were introduced to Erwin a few years ago by our good friend, BARRELHOUSE CHUCK, Chicago’s premier traditional Chicago Blues Pianoman. Chuck promoted a PIANO EXTRAVAGANZA…three piano greats all in one package. Chuck was jointed by Erwin and by LLUIS COLOMA: Barcelona, Spain’s Boogie-Woogie genius. At that time Chuck was producing a CD by Lluis called: Rockin My Blues in Chicago. (I was honored to have the album and attached booklet feature a dozen pieces of my artwork.)

Here’s links to the Tribune stories:

FIRST STORY on ERWIN

SECOND STORY ON ERWIN

ERWIN HELFER'S WEBSITE

LLUIS COLOMA'S WEBSITE

BARRELHOUSE CHUCK’S WEBSITE

ERWIN HELFER

BARRELHOUSE CHUCK

LLUIS COLOMA - Barcelona, Spain

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WHILE YOU'RE HERE....

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR BLUES ARTWORK...Thanks!

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Friday, February 5, 2016

5 Feb 2016

We just got news that we'll be seeing an ol' Louisiana Blues buddy of ours, LARRY GARNER, on the TV trailer (promo) for the final season of History Channel's SWAMP PEOPLE. Larry's sitting on the porch playing and singing theme music for the show. Larry is acknowledged at one of the blues' best songwriters and a great story teller in his music. Check his website, read his bio, watch some videos, (be sure to watch the bottom one) and buy an album....you'll love him!

Here's a link to the trailer

Here's the link to Larry's Home Page

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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

I WANT TO APOLOGIZE for not keeping this page

up to date...I'll try my best to do better.

I'll catch up with the rest of

the shows we saw in 2015

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JULY 25, 2015 ....Midway Tavern....Mishawaka, Indiana

BILLY "STIX" NICKS - Motown Review

We're happy to say that Motown's number One drummer, Billy "Stix" Nicks is a resident of nearby South Bend. Billy was the one and only drummer for the great Jr. Walker and the All Stars. So we're fortunate enough to see him often here in the area.....he always puts on a GREAT SHOW....and you'd never believe that he's 81 years old. He plays the same as when the All Stars band was in it's heyday.

Here's BILLY with our friend ED BERRY.

Billy & Ed talked of their old band days.

Ed was long time guitar man and vocalist

with his band JERICHO

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SEPT 9, 2015 ....Midway Tavern....Mishawaka, Indiana

RICK ESTRIN and the NIGHTCATS

We have loved this great band since it was LITTLE CHARLIE and the Nightcats. The great harp player RICK ESTRIN has always fronted the band.

It features J. Hanson on drums and Lorenzo Farrell on bass and organ. Kid Andersen replaced Little Charlie Baty when he retired.

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OCT 3, 2015 ....Midway Tavern....Mishawaka, Indiana

WAYNE SHARP and the SHARPSHOOTER BAND

We've known Wayne since he was the long time B-3 Organ man for our old friend the late Michael Burks. Wayne still has nightmares reliving Michael dying in his arms of a heart attack in the Atlanta Airport as they were returning from an extended tour in Europe. He later formed the Sharpshooter Band with his sons...Sean on drums and vocals....Grayson on guitar and vocals and friend Seadon Faulkner. They played Saturday nite at the Midway and the next day Sheila and I had a pizza party for them at our house. They are a great band and great guys!

Wayne and Sean

Grayson

Our living room..that's Seadon on the left

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OCT 10, 2015 ....Midway Tavern....Mishawaka, Indiana

JUNIOR and the IGNIGHTERS

This is our favorite local - blues and rockabilly band. Junior Combs, guitar and vocals, Jesse Lee Scutchfield Bass & Vocals and Mike McCalment drums.