October 27, 2009

Off to Chicago for the Blues Blast Music Awards! Bob heads back to his hometown to participate in the 2nd annual Blues Blast Music Awards, hosted by Illinois Blues. The BBMAs happen on Thursday, October 29, 7pm at Buddy Guy's Legends, 754 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605. Bob will be playing harmonica with Chris James & Patrick Rynn who's successful CD Stop And Think About It on the Earwig Record Label has earned two nominations: "Best New Artist Debut" for the CD Stop And Think About It on the Earwig Music label and "Best Blues Song" for the song "Mr. Coffee". The great lineup for the show includes Kenny Neal, Nick Moss & The Flip Tops, Lurrie Bell, Billy Branch, Shirley Johnson, Albert Castiglia, John Primer, Billy Boy Arnold, Matthew Skollar, Carlos Johnson, Eden Brent, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin Malcom, Chris James & Patrick Rynn, Bob Corritore, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Robin Rogers, The Insomniacs, Dave Herrero, Guy King, and Dave Gross. For more information on this event click here . Thanks to Illinois Blues for bringing people together to reflect on this year's blues releases and achievements through this awards ceremony. For more information of the Blues Blast Music Awards, and to sign up for the Blues Blast newsletter, click here.


Earwig 30 year anniversary show documentary to be televised! This information is copied verbatum from Betsie Brown's press release:
Blues Legends David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Johnny Drummer, Big Jack Johnson, John Primer, and Aron Burton will come to national television on MHz Worldview this holiday season. On November 27, 2009 the 2-hour broadcast premier entitled "Earwig Music Presents Six Generations of the Blues From Mississippi to Chicago” takes an in depth look at contemporary Chicago Blues and traces it's roots to rural Mississippi. Interviews with the artists follow the 30-year history of the Chicago based Earwig Records and offers a unique perspective on the Chicago Blues scene. The two-hour special is produced by the award winning roots music television production group www.frontrowmusic.tv and features live performance footage from the 2nd annual Blues on the North Shore concert. The show hosted by Sirius XM Radio's Bill Wax presents the best of the Earwig artists in this beautifully edited footage from the Delta to Chicago. FrontRowMusic.tv celebrates the amazing journey of the Earwig Label with rare incendiary performances of Chicago Blues masters and passionate storytelling by Johnny Drummer, Aron Burton, and David "Honeyboy" Edwards. For blues fans this is a "must see" show that will be distributed by MHz Worldview to public broadcast affiliates nationally.
Grammy Award winning producer, Scott Shuman, Blues On the North Shore founder/presenter, Lynn Orman and Earwig Music President Michael Frank are the creators of this 2 hour broadcast premier. The television show captured a historic gathering of blues legends - Big Jack Johnson, John Primer, Honeyboy Edwards, & Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. It also features the new generation of Earwig Music artists, Chris James, Patrick Rynn and Rob Stone, with guest appearances by Bob Corritore, Allen Batts, Kenny 'Beedy Eyes' Smith, Tom Crivellone, Rodney Brown and more.
The broadcast premier is part of an ongoing production of blues music programming and content created by the online TV network www.frontrowmusic.tv, which is just now emerging on the national scene. The small but dedicated production group presents performances by blues mavericks such as Zac Harmon, Michael Burks, Bugs Henderson and The Bel Airs, as well as the legendary Chicago artists such as Johnny Drummer and Honeyboy Edwards. The website, www.frontrowmusic.tv, offers free views and downloads of hundreds of incredible performances shot in Sony HD and provides a virtual stage for artists that fans can visit. To see previews of the 2-hour concert event and to find air dates for the B.B. King's Bluesville radio interview & concert preview with Sirius XM Radio's Bill Wax and television listings for the November 27 broadcast click here .
The broadcast will air in its entirety on November 27, 2009 at 9 p.m. EST with an encore performance at 11 p.m. EST and in February 2010 in celebration of Black History Month. For airtime in your city please visit MHz Worldview by clicking here .

Sunnyland Slim on YouTube! Please enjoy this stellar performance by a true blues piano master. Sunnyland Slim was a crucial figure in the development of Chicago Blues and even introduced Muddy Waters to the Chess Brothers! Sunnyland is shown alone at the piano, and his deeply rooted style is really highlighted on the song "You Put That Thing On Me". To see this clip click here


Recap of Arkansas Blues & Heritage Trip. There is nothing quite like the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival (AKA the King Biscuit Blues Festival) in Helena, Arkansas. This is Sonny Boy Williamson II country and the great blues legacy of this region is always well represented by the fest. Southern hospitality is the order of the day and the blues audiences at the festival are there for the real deal blues. This year festival entertainment coordinator Jerry Pillow retired and turned over the booking to Sterling Billingsley, a fine musician who understands the fine points of the festival's great tradition. Over it's three day program, the festival presents a wonderful sampling of earthy, real deal blues which attracts musicians and fans from near and far.

Dave Riley and I arrived in Helena on Tuesday, a couple days in front of the festival to promote and tighten up details for our Saturday CD Release party at the Delta Cultural Center annex and Dave's Friday memorial tribute set to his former musical partner Sam Carr. This was the first out of state blues event I have attended since my recent break up with my beautiful, long time companion Kim Danielson (she is preparing for her doctorate in education and is moving in the direction of that career). So the first days of my festival experience were filled with questions from mutual friends about her very noticable absence. She was missed by many people, especially myself. But the job at hand was to enjoy the rich experience of this festival, both as a performer and a fan. After checking in at Bubba's Blues Corner and The Delta Cultural Center on Wednesday, I met up with Dave Riley at an informal pre-fest jam held at Bunky's where we played a few together with Carla Robinson, Big Red, Mose Taylor, Loren Seeley, his daughter Jennifer, Diamond Jack Holzworth, and others.

Thursday's activities began with Dave and I appearing on Sonny Payne's legendary King Biscuit Time radio show at KFFA. Sonny is a true radio icon who has been on the air for some 60 years, including the pioneering broadcasts with Sonny Boy Williamson II. After Sonny's traditional opening greeting "Pass the biscuits please, it's King Biscuit Time" followed by the customary Tommy Dorsey Boogie Woogie, he played some Robert Lockwood, Jr., had a guest appearance by acoustic blues artist Donna Herula, and then ended the show with an interview and live performance with Dave, myself and Tom Coulson. From there it was to the festival to enjoy sets by Charlotte Taylor, Johnny Billington (great down home set!), and J.P. Soars (2009 IBC winners). I ran into many friends as the blues family gathered. I had my second interview of the day with blues Cheryll "Bluebird" Koehne of KBCO 97.3FM out of Boulder Colorado. I left the festival early to head to Clarksdale to attend Broke and Hungry Records CD release party for Jimmy "Duck" Holmes / Ain't It Lonesome, at Red's. I am a big fan of this artist, and label owner Jeff Konkel had emailed me a personal invitation earlier in the week. Jimmy's set was spellbinding and the echo of his powerful performance was my company on the ride back to Helena that night.

On Friday I got to be just a fan and enjoy the Festival. It was a rainy and cold day, and some of the acts on the smaller stage were apparently shut down due to the weather conditions. I arrived during a great set on the main stage by Harmonica Shaw from Detroit. His band that day featured Little Boogie Boy from the Netherlands on guitar. I had never seen Shaw perform before and it was raw and powerful in the best of ways. We were introduced after his set by Electro-Fi label chief Andrew Galloway, and Shaw and I became immediate friends. Shaw, Arthur Williams and I enjoyed clowning around with our harmonicas and taking photos together while Kevin Naquin performed a solid set of Zydeco. Dave Riley came on after that for his highly anticipated memorial set honoring the late Sam Carr, who died just a couple weeks before. Each year at the festival, Dave was the featured frontman in Sam's band, The Delta Jukes, so this set was symbolic for both artist and audience alike. Dave was joined by Big Jack Johnson for a truly touching memorial featuring two of Sam Carr's closest musical collaborators. The next set was by jazz saxophonist Red Holloway, a Helena native, who performed a strong swinging, jazz/blues repertoire. During part of Red's set I was interviewed on film by Lon Michaelson of Twin City Blues . I ran into my dear friend RJ Mischo and his wife Heidi who now live in Arkansas. RJ had appeared the night before as a guest of the Cate Brothers. RJ and I spent quite a bit of time hanging out at the fest and we went over to the smaller stage to check out St. Louis harmonica wizard, Arthur Williams. In Arthur's band was the spectacular, 18 year old blues guitar great, Marquise Knox, who I had befriended 2 years prior at the Paul Butterfield Conference in Clarksdale. I caught most of their great set before heading back to the main stage to see Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and Hubert Sumlin perform a stellar program of classic Chicago blues. Willie and Hubert's band included Bob Stroger, Little Frank Kakowski, and Jimmy Mayes. The Chicago blues continued in fine form with Billy Boy Arnold's perfect set featuring Billy Flynn on guitar. Though sets by Michael Burks and Bobby Rush were to follow I had dealt with enough rain and cold and decided to save myself for the next day's activities.

Saturday's main focus was the CD release party at the Delta Cultural Center Annex celebrating Dave Riley and my new release Lucky To Be Living, on the Blue Witch Record label. Our band included Dave, myself, Dave "Yahni" Riley, Jr. on bass and Tom Coulson on drums. It was great to showcase our musical chemistry and perform songs from the new CD to a full house of enthusiastic blues fans. Special thanks to Delta Cultural Center chief Terry Buckalew for setting this show up and for lending me his great Fender Vibrolux amp. After the CD release party was wrapped up, I went to the smaller stage to play a set with my friend Mississippi Spoonman with special guest Big Jack Johnson. Spoonman had called me that morning to invite me and I was honored to accept. After Spoonman's rowdy party blues set, I headed back to main stage and briefly got to say hello to John Hammond while catching Anson Funderburgh's dynamic show that featured the great vocals and harmonica of Lee McBee (what a great combination!). That set was followed by Pinetop Perkins & Bob Margolin with Bob Stroger on bass and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums. Bob invited 3 harmonica players; Billy Boy Arnold, Billy Flynn and myself to join the band at various parts of the show. Of the two songs I played with Bob, one was a touching tribute to Sam Carr, which I was proud to participate in. Pinetop was in unbeleivable form that day and rocked extra hard. At 96 years old he is a modern miracle! During parts of this show I was in the backstage trailer hanging with Billy Boy Arnold who was being quizzed by the young Clay Swafford about the meaning of words used in some of the classic blues recordings of the 1950s and before. Billy Boy graciously and articulately answered his young student's questions. I enjoyed West Coast harmonica ace, Mitch Kashmar's show before calling it a day. I missed the fest closer of Jackie Payne and Steve Edmondson who I understand put on a dynamic set of their trademark soul and uptown blues.

Sunday it was off to Clarksdale for the annual Pinetop Perkins homecoming at Hopson's Plantation which is always on the Sunday after the Biscuit. I arrived in Clarksdale early and decided to stop by Cathead and Blues Source. The main street, Delta Avenue, was filled blues fans with a big congregation in front of Cathead, which had live music performing in front of the store. I stopped in to say hi to Roger Stolle and "Tator", and to browse at the great selection of CDs, blues magazines and folk art offered by the store. I then stopped in to say hello to Gary Miller at Blues Source, another great blues record store just down the street with its own spectacular presentation. Then off to Hopson where Dave and I were the first scheduled performance at the Pinetop Perkins' Homecoming. It was wonderful to play in front of so many blues musicians and dignitaries. While Dave and I performed our version of the Frank Frost song "Ride With Your Daddy Tonight", Arthur Williams who played harmonica on the original recording came up to the stage to signal his approval. Our publicist, Betsie Brown was on hand to cheer us on. It was an honor to kick off this event, which then featured great sets by Willie "Big Eyes" Smith and his band, Bob Margolin with Peter Dammann and Clay Swafford, Guitar Mikey (who we mistakenly listed as Little Mikey in a prior newsletter), Super Chikan, Michael Burks, Little Boogie Boy, Blue Mother Tupelo, King Edward, Jimmy Mayes, Jacob Hiser of the Hiser Brothers,and many others. Guitar Mikey did a notable job coordinating the many guest artists that apperaed that day. By having an early performance, Dave Riley and I were able to really enjoy all the other musicians and blues people at the event. I was interviewed by Shelia Hardwell of the Associated Press who were doing a piece on Pinetop and the event. The Blues Foundation set up a tent just outside of the commisary and were recruiting membership. Bob Margolin and I had the rare opportunity to sit on the front porch and hang out for a good half hour. Special Thanks to Patricia Morgan who lovingly puts the event together. In addition to being Pinetop and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's manager, Patricia is also the newly elected president of the Blues Foundation. Many people were headed to Red's later that night for more live blues but as things were winding down at Hopson, I made the trip back to Helena to prepare for the next day's travel back to Phoenix.

Some of the many people that I saw during this trip were Jay Sieleman, Priscilla Hernandez, and Joe & Sara Whitmer of the Blues Foundation, Charles and Lori Ragsdale, Robert Jr. Whitall and Shirley Mae Owens of Big City Blues Magazine, the Carr family, Tom Foley, Kimbeaux Welsh, Billy T, Jimmy Prichard , Patrick Recob , Adam Gussow, David Berntson (Crossroads Learning Experience), Jimmy Markham and his wife, Barry Nowlin, Leigh Portwood (Mississippi Blues Trail Markers), Dorothy Hill (thanks Dorothy for the nice atrticle and slideshow in Blues Source), Bob Kieser (Illinois Blues), Cricket (Baton Rouge Blues Society), Greg Cook (Delta Cultural Center), Amy Brat, Lois Clark, Keith Robb, Dirk Wissbaum (Blues Source), Jocelyn Richez, Andre Cochepin-Mingarro, Dusty Scott of Dusty Blues, Bruce Iglauer of Alligator Records, Dave Beardsley of STL Blues, Blues Sister Jeanie, Rayne Gordon, Deanna & Charles Montgomery, Charlie Johnson (Omaha Blues Society), Billy "T", Don Buroker, Jim Jones, Jean-Pierre Urbain (ABS Magazine), Michel Hofkens and Paul Vissers of Goorblues.com, Terry Allen, Henry J. Provost, Kim Mason, Charlie Johnson, 19th Street Red, Jim Mills, Deak Harp (who reports that he is now with Kilborn Alley Blues Band), Carl Foster, John Fewkes, Monte Adkison, Sandy Salings (Mark Salings's widow), Mad Dog Dave (president of the Windy City Blues Society), Jurgen & Liz Lottmann, Pat Kelso (KUAF 91.3 FM), Dainne Bruce Dunklau (photographer), Brian Sivils, Maile Alday (Los Angeles Blues Society), Manu Frangeul, Jay Sheffield, Heidi Knochenhauer, Dave Wright (WEFT 90.1 FM), Ellen Pfieffer Agnew, George Roberts, Tammie King , Belinda Foster, Shuffle Shoes & Skyy Dobro (WKCC 91.1 FM), Gene Tomko , Nanny Kajuiter and Onno Wink (Blueswereld ), Robin Collins, Hurricane David, Monte Adkinson  of the Suncoast Blues Society, Dietmar Hoscher of Concerto Magazine in Austria, Tommy Potter, Janella Harbison from Bubba's Blues Corner, Teddy of Teddy's Juke Joint, Pam Linton of the Baton Rouge Blues Society, my friends at the Foxglove Bed and Breakfast (John Butkiewicz, Wes & Linda Moore, Henri Bellows, Robin Cash, Mark Davierizo, David Schnur, Paul Parker, Francie Flower, John & Lisa Groff), Fred Williamson, Lorey Maurer (VP of the Los Angeles Blues Society), Gary Stutts, Kim Welsh, David Hanks Dunavent, Junkyard Dog, Chris Frey, Otha Collins, James Helfrich, Rod Gilstrap, Pat Warford (President of Blues Society Of The Ozarks), Joe Middleton, Liz Sander, Pamela McMillan (Guitar Mikey's lovely lady), Guy Malvezzi, Bear Longman, George & Kathie Lorah, CJ Jenkins, Sue Roper, Sam Hobart, Mary Rogers, John Darkhorse of KSMU 91.1 FM, J Hughey Burchfield, Bobby Rush, and Mike & Gwynn Hatfield, Dennis Brooks, Diedra, and Michelle Moore. Please forgive me for the many names I could not remember to include. In summary, this was a wonderful visit to an area so important to the blues, where fans gathered to celebrate their love and respect of this music and its traditions. The Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival has a keen understanding of this sacred ritual and facilitates the proceedings with grace and dignity. In addition to honoring Sam Carr this year, many also reminisced other fallen blues heros which were part of the festival tradition; Robert Lockwood, Jr., Frank Frost, John Weston, Sam Myers, and Willie King. The additional satelite activities happening around Helena and in nearby Clarksdale were also a big part of this rich experience. A heartfelt thank you to the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival for upholding and reinforcing the glory of the blues tradition, and for offering this gathing place for those of like mind.

-Bob Corritore

 

Overview