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

LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS VIDEO

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:




ERWIN HELFER

BARRELHOUSE CHUCK 
LLUIS COLOMA - Barcelona, Spain
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WHILE YOU'RE HERE....

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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

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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.

Sheila and Albertina gossiping

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JAN 9, 2016 ....Midway Tavern....Mishawaka, Indiana

ALBERTINA WASSENHOVE APPRECIATION DAY
Michiana's QUEEN of the BLUES

Finally Albertina was honored for all her efforts of KEEPING the BLUES ALIVE. Ol Harv's wife Armita, organized a day of appreciation. On a Saturday afternoon about 200 of her friends and customers came together to honor her.  She was overwhelmed that so many folks appreciated what she's done for the music scene here in the Michiana area. 

The stage was constantly filled with musicians
of many stripes jamming. As many as a dozen
 at a time...it was a GREAT TIME honoring a GREAT LADY!
Sweet Ray Burke presented her with
a bouquet of RARE BLUE ROSES

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THIS IS ALL FOR TODAY........Wednesday 13 Jan 2016

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Sunday, June 28, 2015

3 GREAT SHOWS at the MIDWAY THIS MONTH

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June 7th - BRUCE KATZ BAND 

The One and Only BRUCE KATZ

Hammond B-3 Wizard


The Hands of a Master


Our buddy - CHRIS VITERELLO

A  great Drummer - RALPH ROSEN

I don't know what happened to this picture

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JUNE 17th - DOUG DEMING and the Jeweltones
featuring Dennis Gruenling

ANDREW GOHMAN - Doghouse Bass

DEVIN NEEL - Drums

Dennis on left - Doug on the right



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June 25th - VICTOR WAINWRIGHT and WILDROOTS
 A GREAT SINGER and PIANO MAN
A NEW friend.... NICK BLACK
 An OLD Friend TERRY GRAYSON
former Bass Player for MICHAEL BURKS
 Another NEW Friend....BILLY DEAN

Another piece of my work added to Victors Collection


Saturday, May 9, 2015

THE FIRST WEEK of MAY
Boy, it was a busy MUSICAL week. 

Friday May 1st….The Midway Tavern in Mishawaka, IN hosted THE CASH BOX KINGS from Chicago. It was the first time that we had the opportunity to see this great band in person.  JOE NOSEK was on harp and vocals, OSCAR WILSON - vocals, BRAD BER - stand-up bass, Drummer MARK HAINES filled in for the regular drummer KENNY “Beedy-Eyes” SMITH.  Special guest that night: Little Frank on Guitar.   If you get a chance to see them - Don't miss them!

L to R:  Frank - Mark - Joe - Brad
Joe Nosek and Oscar Wilson

Sat. May 2nd….back at the Midway… was our old friend WAYNE SHARP and the SHARPSHOOTERS from Mississippi.  We’ve known Wayne from his many years as the fantastic B-3 player for the late MICHAEL BURKS.  After Michael’s death, Wayne started a family band featuring two of his sons: SEAN on drums, and his youngest son, GRAYSON on guitar and SEADON FAULKNER was on bass. Check out their new CD “Living with the Blues”.

L to R: Grayson - Sean - Seadon and Wayne
There's only one Wayne Sharp

Wed. May 6th…back to the Midway to see the incomparable DAVINA and the VAGABONDS from Minneapolis. Once you see them …..you’ll never get enough of this high energy band. Davina’s voice and stage presence defy description. It’s been said that Davina Sowers could have been the daughter of Leon Redbone and Betty Boop.  Her great band consists of her on piano, Dan on trumpet, Ben on trombone, Conner on drums and Greg on Bass and everyone in the band sings. If you get a chance to see them you’ll hear a mix of blues, New Orleans jazz, 40’s classics and whatever!






This is just a FABULOUS BAND!!

Thur. May 7th was the BLUES MUSIC AWARDS presented in Memphis.  

These prestigious awards are the equivalent of the Oscars or Grammys. 

This is the highest awards that a blues musician can receive. 

Some of our friends were winners Thursday night.  

DEANNA BOGART - She won for her great saxophone work…this is her 4th win in this category.

JOHN NEMETH - Soul Blues Album of the Year “Memphis Grease”

KIM WILSON - for “POPS” a tribute to Muddy Waters with Mud Morganfield (Muddy’s son)

I donated this Clarksdale, MS Shadow Box
It was sold at the auction in Memphis
Thursday to raise funds for the new
BLUES HALL of FAME that opened
Friday the 8th.