Feature Articles:

Seattle’s Highway 99 Blues Club

Blues News and CD Reviews

Blues Bash Review & Preview

On the Cover: Tim “Too Slim” Langford and Nick Vigarino at the Highway 99 Blues Club

Photo by Laddy Kite

2

In This Issue...

Letter from the PresidentThis month marks a special month for members of the Washington Blues Society. This month, we will field nominations from the bandstand at the Red Crane in Shoreline for the elected Board of Directors of the blues society for 2014. Next month, we’ll ask members to vote at the December Blues Bash for the new Board which will begin its 12-month term next January. Please bring the nomination ballot on page 31 in this issue – just like with our other nomination and voting ballots, we stick them on page 31 to verify membership. By the end of the November Blues Bash, we’ll know who will be on the voting ballot distributed at the December Blues Bash. In January, the elected Board of Directors will appoint officers, and these director positions are also important to our continued success as a blues society: Advertising, Music, Education, Volunteers and Membership.

I know that the nomination process for the elected Board of Directors has been held at the October Blues Bash in years’ past, but I hope that we can encourage members and guests to nominate candidates for the positions of President, Vice President, Editor, Secretary and Washington Blues Society Bluesletter editor. I am particularly interested in recruiting new volunteers or understudies for each elected position, because we are poised for significant expansion and growth.

So, please bring some friends, sign them up as Washington Blues Society members, and nominate Second Tuesday of every month at the Red Crane in Shoreline.

As I typed in this space one year ago, next year’s board will build upon the strong and positive successes we have achieved, collectively, in promoting and preserving blues music in the Evergreen State. We’ll build upon Tony Frederickson’s leadership through the statewide blues competitions he has lead, and I hope you will join me in voting for Tony as President of the Washington Blues Society Board of Directors in 2014. While I am stepping down as President, I intend to run for the elected position of Washington Blues Society Bluesletter editor.

Until next month, go see some live blues!

Eric Steiner, President, Washington Blues SocietyFormer Member, Board of Directors, The Blues Foundation

Is Your Name on the Wall of Fame at the Highway 99 Blues Club? Randy Oxford - Memphis Bound! Billy Stoops & James King at the

Highway 99 Blues Club

Letter from the President 2 Blues Society Officers & Directors 6Blues Bash Preview 7Inland Empire Blues Awards 9BB Award Nomination Guide 10Honoring Ted Brown 11

Thanks to our Advertisers! 12Raven’s Jam for Cans Preview 12Embodied Singing 13Blues Bash Review 14Membership Form 15Blues CD Reviews 16

Blues Talent Guide 19Tips for Musicians 18Board Nomination Ballot 11Blues Calendar 20Blues Radio/Jam Listings 22Highway 99 Blues Club Feature 24

3

Celebrating 23 Years of Blues1989 - 2013

November 2013 BluesletterVol. XXV, Number XI

Publisher Washington Blues SocietyActing Editor Eric Steiner (president@wablues.org) Secretary Mary McPageCalendar Janie Walla (thewallas@juno.com)Advertising Malcolm Kennedy (advertising@wablues.org)Printer Pacific P blishing Company www.pacifi publishingcompany.com

Contributing Writers: Eric Steiner, J Henderson, Suzanne Swanson, Robert Horn, Malcolm Kennedy, Rick Bowen, John Kriss, Suzie Chrysler

Contributing Photographers: Cristinia Arrigoni, Laddy Kite, Dan Hill, The Blues Boss, Eric Steiner, Michael Bruce, Deborah Conway

Cover Photo: Tim “Too Slim” Langford and Nick Vigarino at Seattle’s Award-winning Highway 99 Blues Club

The Bluesletter welcomes stories and photos from WBS members! Features, columns and reviews are due by the 5th of each month in the following formats: plain text or Microsoft Word. Graphics must be in high-res 300 dpi .pdf, jpg, or .tiff formats. We encourage submissions. If a submitter intends to retain the rights to material (e.g., photos, videos, lyrics, textual matter) submitted for publication in the Bluesletter, or the WaBlues.org website, he or she must so state at the time of submission; otherwise, submitter’s rights to the material will be transferred to WBS, upon publication. We reserve the right to edit all content. TheBluesletter is the official monthly publication of the Washington Blues Society. The WBS not responsible for the views and opinions expressed in The Bluesletter by any individual.

© WBS 2013

Mission Statement The Washington Blues Society is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote, preserve, and advance the culture and tradition of blues music as an art form. Annual membership is $25 for individuals, $35 for couples, and $40 for overseas memberships. The Washington Blues Society is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible. The Washington Blues Society is affiliated with The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee.

Washington Blues SocietyP.O. Box 70604 - Seattle, WA 98127

www.wablues.org

Arthur Migliazza - Memphis Bound!

On the Cover...Photographer Laddy Kite is a long-time blues en-thusiast who attends monthly Washington Blues Society Blues Bashes and blues festivals through-out the Pacific Northwest. He’s also a frequent contributor to the Bluesletter and he captured Tim “Too Slim” Langford and Nick Vigarino at the Highway 99 Blues Club for our November cover photo.

Blues on the Road 28Honoring John “Bear” Milner 29Cascade Blues Association News 30South Sound Blues Association News 30BB Award Nomination Ballot 31

4

5

Nov. 14th at Highway 99 - Show starts at 6:00 = 10 cans or $10.00 donation at the door

6

Washington Blues SocietyProud Recipient of a 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award from The Blues Foundation

2013 OfficersPresident Eric Steiner president@wablues.orgVice President Tony Frederickson vicepres@wablues.orgSecretary Mary McPage. secretary@wablues.orgTreasurer (Acting) Chad Creamer treasurer@wablues.orgActing Editor Eric Steiner president@wablues.org

2013 DirectorsMusic Co-Directors Cherie Robbins & Janice Cleven Gage music@wablues.orgMembership Michelle Burge membership@wablues.orgEducation Roy Brown education@wablues.orgVolunteers Rhea Rolfe volunteers@wablues.orgMerchandise Tony Frederickson merchandise@wablues.orgAdvertising Malcolm Kennedy advertising@wablues.org

2013 Street TeamDowntown Seattle Tim & Michelle Burge blueslover206@comcast.netWest Seattle Rev. Deb Engelhardt deb@revdeb.comNorth Sound Malcolm Kennedy & Joy Kelly advertising@wablues.orgNorthern WA Lloyd Peterson freesprt@televar.comPenninsula Dan Wilson allstarguitar@centurytel.netSouth Sound Cherie Robbins cherieerobins@gmail.comCentral WA Stephen J. Lefebvre s.j.lefebvre@gmail.comEastern WA Cindy Dyer cindalucy@hotmail.comBallard Marcia JacksonLopez Island Carolyn & Dean Jacobsen cjacobsen@rockisland.comMiddle East “Rock Khan” rocknafghanistan@gmail.com

Special Th nksWebmaster The Sheriff webmaster@wablues.orgWeb Hosting Adhost www.adhost.comWBS Logo Phil Chesnut philustr8r@gmail.comCalendar Maridel Fliss calendar@wablues.org

December 2013 DeaDlinesAdvertising Space Reservations: November 5thmalcarken@comcast.net

Calendar: November 10th calendar@wablues.org

Editorial November 5th to president@wablues.org

Camera Ready Ad Art Due: November 12 th - advertising@wabluse.org

Camera ready art should be in CMYK format at 300 dpi or higher.

aDvertising rates:Graphics: 300 dpi PDF, TIF or JPGText: Plain .txt or WordFull Page: $300 (8.5” x 11”)Half Page: $175 (8.5” x 5.5”)Back Half Page: $260 (8.5” x 5.5”)Quarter Page: $100 (4.25” x 5.5”)Fifth Page: $75 (4.25” x 3.5”)Business Card: $30 (3.5” x 2”)ADD COLOR: ADD 25%

We’ve Got Discounts!20% off- 12 month pre-payment15% off- 6 month pre-payment10% off- 3 month pre-paymentContact: advertising@wablues.org

We value your business. Please send all advertising inquriries and ad copy to advertising@wablues.org with a copy to Malcolm

“Yard Dog” Kennedy at malcarken@comcast.net

7

Everyone is in for a real treat for the November Washington Blues Society Blues Bash in the Red Crane Restaurant above Club Hollywood in Shoreline, Washington. A special double electric set featuring local favorites Brian Lee and the Orbiters, and from Los Angeles: veteran guitar man Peter Anderson. Each act is supporting new albums that feature out of this world guitar playing, superb songwriting and musicianship. Here’s a brief introduction to what will be another memorable evening of music at the Blues Bash.

Pete Anderson is a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning Producer and groundbreaking guitarist, who melds blues and country to forge a style all his own. Known as a pioneer in the roots-rock genre and an early champion of the Americana movement, he had a hand in introducing the world to artists such as Michelle Shocked, Lucinda Williams, Jim Lauderdale, Rosie Flores and perhaps most famously, his musical partner of 20 years, Dwight Yoakam. Pete is also a renowned bandleader who has played over 3,000 live shows in upwards of 15 countries around the world and has appeared on Saturday Night Live, David Letterman, and The Tonight Show (19 times since 1986). Pete has released seven critically acclaimed solo records on his own label Little Dog Records. More info at: www.peteanderson.com/

Brian Lee & the Orbiters are based in Seattle, Washington, and are one of the premier bands on the Northwest blues scene. The group was honored in 2013 with the “Best of the Blues” award by the Washington Blues Society for Traditional Blues Act. In 2012, Brian & the Orbiters’ “Identity Theft” album received the award for Best Recording, and Brian received the award for Blues Songwriter. Brian Lee has lead the Orbiters to a prominent position in the Northwest blues scene based on their engaging and energetic delivery, top-flight musicianship, and great repertoire of original tunes and gems from the blues tradition. More info at: www.brianleeorbiters.com/

As always the monthly blues bash is a free all ages event open to Washington Blues Society members and the public. Please join the fun on Novmeber 12th beginning at 7:00 PM.

brian lee anD the Orbiters anD the Pete anDersOn triONovember Blues Bash Preview

By Rick Bowen

Top Right: Pete Anderson Bottom Right: Brian Lee & the Orbiters.

From left to right: Steve Yonck (guitar), Russ Kammerer (drums), Hank Yanda (bass), and Brian Lee (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica

and keyboards)

8

9

1. Best Writer for Inside Blues Craig Heimbigner Kay Randleman Anita Royce

2. Best Blues Radio Program:Blues Therapy (KWCW, Walla Walla)Friday’s Blues Show (83.5 Moscow, ID.)

Blowtorch Blues (online)

3. Best Blues Drummer: Ken Danielson (Bakin’ Phat) Luther Hughes (Charlie Butts & the Filter

Tips)Mark Miller (Kenny James Miller Band)

4. Best Blues Bassist:Mark Cornett (Kenny James Miller Band)Randolph Knowles (Rampage)Pat Potter (Bakin’ Phat)

5. Best Blues Instrumentalist (Other) Charlie Butts (saxophone, Charlie Butts &

the Filter Tips) Seth Marshalek (saxophone, The Sidemen) Ben Rose (lap steel, Hoodoo Udu)

6. Best Blues Keyboardist: Steve Carver (Big Mumbo Blues Band)

James Lorentz (Anita Royce & the High Rollers)

Jesse Weston (Jesse Weston Trio)

7. Best Blues Harmonica: Dave Allen (Bakin’ Phat) Tuck Foster (Tuck Foster & the Mossrites) Jesse Kunz (The Fur Traders)

8. Best Female Blues Vocalist: Michelle “Mush” Morgan (The Coyote

Kings)Anita Royce (Anita Royce & the High Rollers)Patrice Thompson-Rose (Hoodoo Udu)

9. Best Male Blues Vocalist:Dave Allen (Bakin’ Phat)Robb Boatsman (Rampage)

Ray Roberson (Roberson, BZ & Flores)

10. Best Blues Guitarist: Robb Boatsman (Rampage) Dennis Higgins (Bakin’ Phat) Ken Sederdahl (Kenny James Miller Band)

11. Best Blues Slide Guitar:Neil Elwell (Laffin’ Bones)

Ray Roberson (Roberson, BZ & Flores) Ben Rose (Hoodoo Udu)

12. Best Female Blues Performer Sara Brown (Sara Brown Band) Michelle “Mush” Morgan (The Coyote

Kings) Anita Royce (Anita Royce & the High

Rollers)

13. Best Male Blues PerformerRobb Boatsman (Rampage)

Ray Roberson (Roberson, BZ & Flores) Gary Yeoman (Voodoo Church)

14. Best Acoustic Blues Act Jeff AkerRobb BoatsmanPat Coast

15. Best New Blues Band or Artist (2 years or less)Anita Royce & the High RollersThe SidemenJesse Weston Trio

16. Best Blues Band Bakin’ Phat Kenny James Miller Band Rampage

17. Best Blues Album (N.W. Region)Live & Alive @ the Rec Room (Tuck Foster & the Mossrites)Nasty Habits & Dirty Little Secrets (The Coyote Kings)Pan Fried Blues (Bakin’ Phat)

18. Best Blues Event (Non-Festival)Acoustic Blues @ Eagles October 2012IEBS Empire Awards November 2012Gary Yeoman Benefit August 2012

19. Best Blues FestivalBronze Blues & Brews (Joseph, Oregon)Rock Cut Blues Festival (Orient, Washington)

Wallace Blues Festival (Wallace, Idaho)

20. Best Blues Club/VenueBobbi’s Bar (Plummer, ID.)

Spokane Valley Eagles (Spokane Valley) Viking Tavern (Spokane)

21. Keeping the Blues Alive (an individual who has displayed exceptional achievements or involvement with the blues)

Al Blum Craig Heimbigner Anita Royce

The 19th Annual “Empire Awards:” Celebrating the Blues with the Inland Empire Blues Society in Spokane!

Courtesy of the Inland Empire Blues Society

November is lookin’ good in the Inland Empire Blues Society. On Thursday, the 14th of November is our 19th Annual “Empire Awards,” and we’ve got the oft-nominated band Rampage opening the show at 7pm. At 8pm, we’ll begin the awards, with Washington Blues Society Vice-President Tony Frederickson as our Master of Ceremonies. At 9pm, we’ll have our headline band, James King and the Southsiders tear it up for a couple of hours.

Our usual location, the Spokane Valley Eagles, 16801 E Sprague Ave, Spokane Valley, has food, a large dance floor, great service, and plenty of free park-ing. Admission is dirt cheap: just $15.00 for general admission, and $13.00 for card carrying blues society members.

10

2014 Best of the Blues (“BB Awards”) Nomination GuidelinesThe following guidelines were drafted by Malcolm “Yard Dog” Kennedy with input from the 2013 Board of Directors. These guidelines attempt to clarify questions raised by many blues society members and artists about our annual awards show. We are beginning the nomination process earlier than in years’ past to ensure that the volunteers behind the scenes have sufficient time to count, count, and re-count nominations submitted by the membership. We need each and every members’ help to make our 2014 Best of the Blues Awards process and event to be the best ever.

Who can nominate? Only current Washington Blues Society members are eligible to nominate artists or other nominees in our annual awards process. Please see your membership card or check the date on your Bluesletter label to make sure your membership is current.

Two privileges of Washington Blues Society membership include the right to 1) nominate potential BB Award recipients, and 2) vote for nominees on the final voting ballot. Without your participation the process is broken. To nominate, simply write the name of the Washington artist, nominee, or party in the category on the ballot on page 31 of the November and December 2013 Bluesletters. We encourage members to nominate in as many categories as possible. There is no requirement to fill in each slot; leaving some categories blank will not disqualify your nomination. Your nomination must be on the Bluesletter mailed to you with your mailing label attached. For couples, a copy for the second ballot should be included in a sealed envelope along with the original ballot that has the mailing label attached. This is our society’s primary method of verifying membership. You can mail your nomination ballot to the Washington Blues Society post office box, or deliver it to a Board member on or before January 14, 2013 at our Blues Bash. Nomination ballots received after this date will not be counted. Ballots received without the mailing label attached will not be counted unless membership has been verified by the Board of Directors. Only one ballot per member.

PLEASE NOTE: Previous recipients of both the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Blues Musicians Hall of Fame are ineligible for a second award in those categories. There are also three categories that the Board of Directors has named in honor of artists who have won these awards a number of times. The Male Vocalist, Blues Harmonica, and Blues Drummer awards have been renamed honoring Mark DuFresne, Paul Green, and Chris Leighton. Mark, Paul, and Chris are ineligible for an award in these categories, so please do not waste your vote.

Regarding the Best Washington Blues Recording category, the recording must have been released between the eligibility period of November 1st, 2012 and October 31st 2013. This eligibility period aligns with the Blues Foundation Best Self Produced CD competition

General Guidelines for Blues Image and Graphic Artist BB Award CategoriesFor nominations in the Blues Image category, please include a description of the image. Prior nominations include “Stacy Jones and Honeyboy Edwards, December 2010 Bluesletter on page 17” or “Big Rockin’ Blues cover photo from Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies’ CD.” For the Graphic Artist category, please also use specific examples, like “Denise St. John – Jam for Cans T-Shirt and Poster” or “Unknown Artist, Highway 99 to Highway 61 International Blues Challenge Fundraiser Poster.” These examples are old but should give you the idea of the information we are after.

What If I Forgot the Name of an Incredible Supporting Player?If you cannot remember the names of nominees in the bass, drum or keyboard categories, ask some of the musicians you know to name several to jog your memory. It is likely they will know the first name the musicians that regularly share the stage with them, but ask them to also name some other players. There is a wealth of talent in Washington and many local blues musician can probably list five to ten performers in each each category that may be worthy of the nomination. We strongly encourage members to consider nominating artists that have played “under the radar” as there are a great number of players who have not received recognition from Washington Blues Society members. Please also keep this in mind when voting for the other performer categories (e.g., Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar, etc). In the festival category, and in fairness to each of the other festivals that occur only once a year, please consider the Spring Sunbanks and Fall Sunbanks as two separate festivals. Please vote for one or the other as they are separate festivals.

Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement AwardsThe Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame began at the first annual BB Awards in 1991, and the first Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded in 1996.Please Note: Traditionally, each of these two awards have been reserved for performers. Nominations for non-performers will not be counted.

Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame Members

1991 Isaac Scott1992 Dick Powell1993 Little Bill Engelhart 1994 Buck England 1995 Leslie Milton 1996 Patti Allen

1997 Duffy Bishop1998 Rich Dangel 1999 Charles White & Kathi McDonald2000 Nick Vigarino/Dave Conant2001 Mark DuFresne

2002 Randy Oxford2003 Mark Whitman2004 Alice Stuart2005 Dave Conant2006 Jack Cook2007 David Brewer

2008 Paul Green2009 Kirk “KT” Tuttle2010 Nick Vigarino, Chris Leighton2011 LJ Porter2012 Tin “Too Slim” Langford2013 James “Curley” Cooke

1996 Bobby “Blue” Bland & John Lee Hooker

1997 John Mayall1998 Little Bill Engelhart & Luther Allison

1999 Dick Powell & Buddy Guy2000 Isaac Scott & Taj Mahal2001 Patti Allen2002 Dave Conant2003 Rich Dangel

2004 Patti Allen2005 Randy Oxford/Mark Whitman2006 Tommy Morgan2007 Fat James Grosvenor2008 Alice Stuart

2009 Kirk “KT” Tuttle2010 Lee Oskar2011 Charles White2012 Tim “Too Slim” Langford2013 Nick Vigarino

Washington Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

11

Remembering Ted Brown

Ted Brown – Founder of Old Town Blues Festival(Photo by Dan Hill)

Ted Brown (Robert T. Brown Jr.) 61, passed away on Septem-ber 25, 2013. Ted was a driving force in the Tacoma blues community. Ted founded the Oil Town Blues Festival and Sunday Blues Night at the Spar Tavern. May his bright star always shine down on Old Town Tacoma. A “Celebration of Life” was held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 13th. This special Blues Vespers for Ted was “SRO” – as you would expect.

BB Award Nomination Guidelines - Continued from Page 10Keeping the Blues Alive AwardThe Keeping the Blues Alive award is open to performers and non-performers alike and can be won multiple times. This award is intended to honor the recipient for their achievements above and beyond the “call of duty” to keep the blues music alive. Examples include a promoter of a benefit, a special show a festival; maybe as a volunteer or a historian, possibly doing work to present and pass the music on to new generations or in other ways sustaining the blues. This award was first given in 1993 and the following list is presented as a reference and as a reminder of the hard work and dedication to this American art form by individuals in your community.

Washington Blues Society Keeping the Blues Alive Award Recipients

1993 Patrick Lynch1994 Cholo Willsin1995 Rod Downing1996 Rikki & Kevin Cates1997 Raven & Sheri Humphres1998 Robert & Carol Sawyer

1999 Marlee Walker2000 Marlee Walker2001 Ken Page & Frankie Lee2002 Randy Oxford2003 Leslie Fleury2004 Rev. Dave Brown

2005 Randy Oxford2006 Jeff Hayes & Lloyd Peterson2007 Jimie Jean Tuttle2008 Rhea Rolfe2009 Dennis “Blues Boss” Dudley2010 Highway 99 Blues Club

2011 Tim & Michelle Burge2012 Tony Frederickson2013 Steve Sarkowsky

Blues CDs Reviewed in This Issue...Cyril Neville Magic Honey (Ruf Records)

Honey Island Swamp Band Cane Sugar (Louisiana Red Hot Records)RB Stone Loosen Up (Middle Mountain Music)

Curtis Salgado Soul Shot (Alligator Records)Robert Cray Band Nothing But Love (Provogue)

The James Hunter Six Minute By Minute (Go Records)Magic Slim & the Teardrops Bad Boy (Blind Pig Records)

Brother Dege How to Kill a Horse (Golar Wash Labs records/Psyouthern)Pete Anderson Birds Above Guitarland (Little Dog Records)

Shawn Holt & The Teardrops Daddy Told Me (Blind Pig Records)

Embodied Singing: A Lesson Plan and Practical ApplicationBy Suzie Chrysler - Photo of Suze Chrysler by Cristina Arrigoni

Preparedness: Physically & Mentally able - includes vocals, muscles, spirituality Study - Choice of material – you chose it for a reason. You have 3 minutes to: a) sing this song b) deliver this message c) change the world

Delivery: Dynamics and expression: What does that mean? Who’s take? Yours. Period. You chose this song for a reason! How do you want it delivered – Goosies? This is your soul now. How/what does your soul want to relate – HOW? With everything you’ve got and your personal experience.

PHYSICAL:Stretch: Be comfortable, ready, balanced, feet firmly on the ground, knees slightly bent; shake it out, muscles loose, deep breath – slow releaseBend: Slowly bend forward and hang loose. Gradually begin to raise vertebrae by vertebrae until standing and reach arms upwards and yawn loudly. Higher note and againNow your body is ready.

BREATHING:Shallow Breathing: Upper Lungs – i.e. speaking, quick yells, shout = Little Control = VERTICALDeep Breathing: Lower Lungs – still chest & still shoulders = Control = HORIZONTALExercise: 3 ratios:

Soft voice – whisper Mixed voice – combination of speaking voice and whisper Speaking Voice – loudest – the projector

Air: What ratio of air do you choose? Soft and airy – ethereal Mixed voice – determination Speaking Voice – demonstrativeResults: Resonance, tonal quality versus airiness, identifiable and unique

DELIVERYElements of dynamics & expression – How you tell your Story = Your expressionAudio – what are they going to hear: Volume: The 3 ratios Runs: Riffs, slides, spoken Effects: The “Gladys Knight” Enunciation: Exacting – Slur/Proper English – Gospel versus ChoralVisual – what are they going to see: Stance: Open – Closed (I love you exercise) Facial expression: Happy – Sad, Jovial – Serious, Tender – Confrontational

Appearance: Hippy, Formal, Casual, Choral – with a gown (period piece) A play: Easter, Christmas

THE EXPERIENCE : HOW????Examples of expressive effects:Crescendo/Descendo – Let’s all do it – Using the 3 Ratios Tremolo – square chain Vibrato – rolling hillsMore examples of expressive effects:Name some effects that you useHow do we decide – what, when, how to use these vocal effects?

Exercise:Speak it like you mean it! – Example – Demonstration – Stubborn Love - spokenSing it the same way – Example – Demonstration – Stubborn Love – sungAs it is sung let’s write down identified Dynamics and Expression – How many will you find?

RESEARCHFor more information, please consider visiting sites like the following: www.becomesingers.com – breathing, Mixed voice, scatting,

!On November 14th, 25 of the Northwest’s most talented musicians will help fight the cause for hunger on November 14th at Highway 99 Blues Club.

This year there is an overwhelming demand to help fill Northwest Harvest Food Bank. With the rise and demand for food and a drop in donations, there is a 12% increase statewide for food from last year. Families are having to make choices between food, fuel or utilities. Washington state has ranked the eighth in the nation for the worst hunger problem.

So this year’s 13th annual Jam for Cans show is more important than ever.

The musicians of the Northwest are well known for their generous spirit, and they welcome the opportunity to use their music to benefit this event. By donating their time and talent to help fill the Northwest Harvest food bank. This year’s show will also feature special performances by David Brewer, Son Jack Jr. Fat James, Annieville Blues, Stan Eike, Scotty Lind, Billy Reed, Steve Sarkowsky, Pattie Mey, Howard Hooper, Jeff Beals, Brian Butler, Alan Iverson, Michael Wilde, Rocky Rossi, Mark Davies, Marty Vadalabene, Ron Hendee, David Chapman, Dave Payne, Trever Cutler, and John Lee (among others).

One hundred percent of the proceeds and food donations collected during the show will benefit Northwest Harvest, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing hunger in Washington State. The Highway 99 Blues Club is located at 1414 Alaska Way across from the Seattle Aquarium tel:206-382-2171 Doors open for the Jam for Cans at 5:00 pm,. show will start at 6:00 Admission is $10.00 or 10 cans of non-perishable food.. The Northwest Harvest truck will be parked out front of the Highway 99 Blues Club and drive by donations are also welcome. Please come by the Highway 99 Blues Club on November 14th to share in an evening of music, raffles, fun and support the Jam for Cans effort to help eliminate hunger in our state.

Thank You to Our November Advertisers: Please Tell Them That

You “Saw it in The Bluesletter”

Arlington Performing Arts CenterBobby Lindstrom

Brian Lee & the OrbitersCascade Blues Association

Curtis Hammond BandInland Empire Blues Society

Jazz AlleyJeff & the Jet City Flyers

Jim AllchinJuxtamuse

Lisa Mann and Her Really Good BandLloyd Jones

The Madison Pub/Unbound JamMiles from ChicagoMoon Daddy BandSalmon Bay Eagles

South Sound Blues AssociationStickshift Annie with Kimball & The Fugitives

Walla Walla Blues Society

Raven’s 13th Annual Jam for Cans – A Benefit Show for Northwest Harvest at the Highway 99 Blues Club on November 14th

Jam For Cans Preview Photos by The Blues Boss From Top Left Clockwise:Fat James, Raven, David Brewer, Son Jack Jr., Brian Butler, Annieville Blues

14

Arthur Migliazza (Above) Snake Oil (Below)

Live Blues at the Red Crane!Story by Robert Horn/Photos by Blues Boss

October 8th 2013 summer was gone and the weather was changing. Weather predictions for the whole winter forecasted cold weather fairly soon for the Pacific Northwest. Also in the news that day was more coverage of the government shutdown and the worries about the debt ceiling deadline of October 17th.

Oh, hearing some music was such a good idea on such a day. Music therapist Joe Moreno conducted professional conferences on using blues music to deal with a lot of things. At one of the forums I put together with him on the Healing Power of Blues he presented research on changing tempo and changing chords to alter moods. Well perhaps the performers this night read the research because they were good doctors on October 8th.

Boogie Woogie pianist Arthur Migliazza was first. He did a solo act that reminded me a lot of Professor Longhair as well as D.K. Stewart. Being in that company means that he made sure you were bouncing around and smiling no matter what you thought you may be doing before the music started. He sang most songs too but some instrumentals knocked the audience dead the most, like St Louis Blues.

He is representing the South Sound Blues Society in Memphis this season, but it isn’t the first time he has been there. He was a finalist in Memphis in 2010. He has lived in NY and Arizona but is in Washington State now and plans to play in as many clubs as possible.

Arthur mentioned at the end of his performance that he will have a new CD coming out around

Christmas time. Get it as a gift to yourself or someone else or both.

After free CD’s were given to a number of people in the crowd (yes the raffle is free) and a few announcements were read, an electric and electrifying band took over.

The Snake Oil Elixir Blues Band is good enough to provide its healing medicine on any stage in the country. Three guys that sing well would be one reason to catch their act. The rhythm section deserves a lot of praise too and I will tell a little about them here as well.

Many are blown away by the guitar playing in this band. Between Rod Cook and Mark Riley there is not a guitar category they have not won BB Awards in. Sometimes their guitars harmonize in ways that would make vocalists in a choir jealous. Other times one plays lead guitar while singing, (like Rod singing his original song “I Ain’t the Fool I Used to Be”, or Mark singing and playing lead on the Robert Johnson classic, “Kind Hearted Woman Blues”.) Some other times either one of them makes mouths drop open watching a slide guitar flurry of brilliance or a soulful crying guitar speaking to the heart. These guys are great as the lead guitarist of any band but when they play together in one band you don’t see a battle, you see a symphony of world class quality.

Why don’t both of those guitar players have a few Grammy’s? Beats the hell out of me.

Rod Cook and Mark Riley sang great on October 8th but so did their bass player Jon Bayless. As Jon sang the Stevie Ray Vaughn classic, “Cold Shot” Bluesboss walked by and said to me “…the best singer nobody knows about.” Actually some do know about him but The Grammy nominating committee has not made their awareness of him known yet. He is good.

On drums for this band is a guy that I think may be the favorite drummer of Dave Brown and Blues Vespers in Tacoma. Often when I have been at Blues Vespers Marty Vadalabene has been the drummer. On October 8th 2013 there were some moments when his drumming was what got the “Oooo’s” and “Ahhhh’s” from the audience. This is another drummer to think about while filling out a BB Nomination ballot. There are no weak links in this band.

I hope to see them on big time stages like The Waterfront Blues Festival. Mark and Rod have been there before but I hope this whole band is someday there. Mark and Rod were in a slide guitar act with Big Monty Amundson and Henry Cooper and while they are among the best slide guitar players in the area, these are also among the great acoustic and great electric guitar players in the Pacific Northwest. They put on one of the best shows of the year at the October Bluesbash of the Washington Blues Society.

15

16

Blues ReviewsCyril NevilleMagic Honey(Ruf Records)

On his new album of soulful blues rock and funk, Magic Honey, Cyril Neville is joined by several other brothers from New Orleans and Ruf records featuring Neville Brothers band mates Cranston Clements on tasty guitar, and “Mean” Willie Green on pile driving drums. Special guests include the legendary Allen Toussaint on piano and Dr. John on organ, as well as Walter Trout and Mike Zito. The percussionist, vocalist and youngest of the Neville Brothers has never been afraid to tackle social and spiritual issues as well as heavy grooves and at 64 why should Cyril hold back now. Kicking off with the slinky title track paying homage to all southern funky blues, then giving us a bit of history lesson on Dr. John’s “Swamp Funk.” The heavy hitting begins with the Gales Brothers blues rocker “Something’s Got a Hold On Me.” Mike Zito collaborated with Neville for two scalding social rebukes: the stomping “Still Going Down Today,” and the heavy blues “Money and Oil.” Neville dives into Paul Butterfield’s “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide,” and Warren Haynes “Invisible,” both delivered with muscular funk. Walter Trout delivers a gritty groove for “Running Water,” a familiar sounding sermon of funk that could have easily been found on a Neville Brothers record. The southern ensemble takes on the Great White North and tears through the Rush classic “Working Man,” hitting it with fire adding a sing along chorus to spice up the end of this iconic anthem. Rick J. Bowen.

Honey Island Swamp BandCane Sugar(Louisiana Red Hot Records)

The Honey Island Swamp Band from New Orleans have an all encompassing sound of blues, roots, country and soul that has been described as “Bayou Americana,” on their third album Sugar Cane. The 12-song collection begins by referencing the Muscle Shoals sound on the opening track “Change My Ways,” injecting a funky groove with hot horns and soulful vocals. Aaron Wilkinson channels Leon Russell for the swamping, “Black and Blue,” and Chris Mule does his best Lowell George for the Little Feat- esque “One Shot.”The whole group gets together on some sweet harmony vocals to accompany the lush string tones on the Appalachian sing along “Miss What I Got.” Many of the songs feature classic southern and religious colloquialisms in the titles, lyrics and chorus hooks such as the bluegrass and brass band infected “Cast The First Stone,” and the Allman Brothers styled tale of redemption “Prodigal Son.” The spicy second line fueled “Johnny Come Home,”

features New Orleans bluesmen John Mooney on guitar and drummer Eric Bolivar on an authentic zydeco dance hall number. The band invited harmonica great Mickey Raphael to help them paint the proper honky tonk landscape simply titled “Pills,” with the line “I’ve got time to talk it over, over whisky weed and wine, and all I do is think of you and hang my head and cry,” words that Willie Nelson could have penned himself. Honey Island then parade down to the Ninth Ward with Dirty Dozen Brass Band founder Kirk Joseph and his Sousaphone in tow for the track “Never Saw it Comin’” paying tribute to Professor Longhair. Honey Island Swamp Band has given us a taste of southern hospitality that is indeed sweet as Cane Sugar. – Rick J. Bowen

RB Stone Loosen Up(Middle Mountain Music)

Veteran bluesman RB Stone cashes in all his chips and is going for broke with his new album Loosen Up by joining forces with Grammy winning producer, songwriter and drummer Tom Hambridge. Together with a group of crack studio musicians the duo have created a commercial rocking blues album of radio friendly tracks featuring hard driving drums and gritty guitars, exploiting familiar blues and country themes of hard luck in trouble with a tongue in cheek flair. The ten tracks cover all the bases beginning with a southern honky-tonk rocker “High Horse” to the whipping post style jam “Long Gone Lonesome Blues,” a gospel ballad “God Heals You When You Cry,” and a Texas boogie for the title track that features a “Pretty Woman/ Lucille” styled guitar riff. Things really bust loose on the rabble rousing “Texas Drunk Tank Blues,” as Stone trades scorching harmonica leads with guitarist Robert Britt until the driving beat crashed into the wall on the third turn. The album rumbles through a few more well known forms until hitting a stride with the closing barn burner “Harley Heart,” that turns into a sprint match between Stone on Cigar Box Guitar and Hambridge on drums. It is easy to forgive Stone and Co. for using some common lyrical platitudes on a record that sounds this good. – Rick J. Bowen

Curtis SalgadoSoul Shot(Alligator Records)

Curtis Salgado is no stranger to blues fans of the Pacific Northwest having spent time plying his trade early in his career in the region including in early line-ups of the Robert Cray Band prior to a stint in Roomful of Blues before venturing out on a

solo career. Curtis has garnered a number of BMA nominations and Awards including 2013 BMA’s for BB King Entertainer of the Year, Soul Blues Male Artist, Soul Blues Album for Soul Shot as well as a nomination for Song of the Year for “She Didn’t Cut Me Loose,” three out of four, not too shabby. Curtis’ band is a who’s who with Larry Fulcher on bass, Mike Finnigan on organ, Tony Braunagel on drums, Jim Pugh on piano, and many special guests. The CD features four originals and covers of songs by George Clinton, Johnny Guitar Watson, Bobby Womack, Otis Redding and more. Salgado opens strongly with the old school soul of Womack’s “What You Gonna Do?” I enjoyed the bouncy best of Clinton’s Getting’ To Know You” and the BMA nominated “She Didn’t Cut Me Loose.” The ballad “Let Me Make Love To You” gets the Al Green treatment, while Otis Redding’s “Love Man” has shades of James Brown. My favorite track is Curtis’ “He Played His Harmonica” with the lyrics about ‘girls came from blocks around, just to hear his righteous sound/ He was as bad as Al Capone on the Windy City saxophone.” It’s clear to me why Soul Shot has received all the accolades; it shows why Curtis Salgado is considered by many as one of the best in the business. - Malcolm Kennedy.

Robert Cray BandNothing But Love(Provogue)

The Robert Cray Band is Cray on vocals and guitar, Richard Cousins on bass, Jim Pugh on keyboards and Tony Braunagel on drums. Nothing But Love opens with the break-up song penned by Cousins and Hendrix Ackle “Won’t Be Coming Home” featuring Cray’s signature vocals, crying guitars and solid rhythm. Pugh’s “I’ll Always Remember You” is given the Bobby “Blue” Bland treatment replete with the horns of Ron Dziubla and Thornberg. Robert wrote that he “tried to stay true to the original version” of Bobby Parker Jr’s “Blues Get Off Of My Shoulder” ‘so that people still recognize it. Curtis Salgado covered this song on his debut Curtis Salgado & the Stilettos giving it a very bold treatment which makes an interesting comparison. My favorite song is “I’m Done Crying” with Robert’s ringing guitar and a string section with Cray singing ‘I’m done crying/I’ve got no more tears/you can’t hurt me anymore/ at least I know where I stand.’ It is a song about the recession, homes and jobs lost in which a man is left with little intact but his dignity. The limited edition deluxe version is a fabulous package with posed and candid photos, an essay by Henry Yates on the making of the album. and track by track notes on each song by Robert. I have been a big fan of Robert Cray since his days of playing at the Fabulous Rainbow, the Jolly Roger and other local

17

haunts and Nothing But Love exemplifies all the reasons why. - Malcolm Kennedy

The James Hunter SixMinute By Minute(Go Records)

British soul and R&B singer James Hunter spent time earlier in his career as a back-up singer touring with Van Morrison since then his band has been a supporting act for Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Chris Isaak, Boz Scaggs and more. Hunter’s 2006 debut album People Gonna Talk earned a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album. A cut (Don’t Do Me No Favors) from his highly acclaimed 2008 follow-up The Hard Way found its way onto the 2009 compilation album Live at KEXP Vol. 5. The James Hunter Six’s highly anticipated new CD features 12 originals with Hunter on vocals and guitar, Jason Wilson on double bass, Jonathan Lee on drums, Kyle Koehler on organ, Andrew Kingston on piano, Damien Hand on tenor sax and flute and Lee Badau on baritone sax. Minute By Minute opens with the vintage R&B sounds of “Chicken Switch” with James putting a little rasp into his vocals singing ‘when the going gets rough and you’ve had enough/hit the chicken switch.’ The title track is Curtis Salgado style soul featuring the horn section. The fluttering sax and emotive vocals make “Heartbreak” one of the standout cuts. The light, upbeat 1960s style soul of “One Way Love” belies the song’s message of betrayal. Other standout cuts include the reggae-tinged “Let The Monkey Ride,” as in the one on his back, and “Nothing I Wouldn’t Do” which has an infectious beat and fun horn accents and guitar solo. Minute By Minute is a soulful blast from the past time warp that I found very enjoyable. Malcolm Kennedy

Magic Slim & the TeardropsBad Boy(Blind Pig Records)

Bad Boy turned out to be Magic Slim’s final release as he passed away at the age of 75 in a Philadelphia hospital this past February. Slim, aka Morris Holt, was awarded the Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Award for Traditional Blues Male Artist posthumously in May 2013. The 12 cuts include three originals, and Slim puts his Magic stamp on covers like the title cut, Eddie Taylor’s “Bad Boy.” Magic pumps out straight-up Chicago style blues, and although his voice has some wear and tear, it fits the material well and his fingers were as fleet as ever. I particularly enjoyed the original blues shuffle “Sunrise Blues” with his signature guitar strumming runs. Another fun track is Roy Brown’s “Hard Luck Blues,” which is just a low down dirty blues. Few blues men could pull off Muddy Waters “Champagne and Reefer;” but Slim paid his dues and then some. The familiar refrain of “Matchbox Blues” rings true from Slim’s guitar as he makes the song his own. Slim closes out Bad Boy with a lively instrumental “Country Joyride” in a Slim

meets Freddie King style. Magic Slim doesn’t turn over any new stones on Bad Boy he just plays them like he always did with feeling from deep, deep inside, besides would you really want him to do otherwise? A few years back I had the honor of introducing Magic Slim at the Highway 99 Blues Club and I can tell you he was one of the great ones and will be missed. - Malcolm Kennedy

Brother DegeHow to Kill a Horse(Golar Wash Labs records/Psyouthern)

Brother Dege, aka. Dege Leg recorded his tenth album, How to Kill a Horse, in an empty warehouse in Lafayette, LA. Listening to the CD, you begin to smell the smoky residue, taste the grit and feel the hot wind that blows through the broken windows as you are transported to the lonely locale that inspired these artful tomes and desperate dirges. Dege delivers each with a gravelly Everyman voice remarkable in its presence of authentic pain as he strains to release each phrase. Dege uses Dobro resonator masterfully to evoke a heart wrenching wail throughout. Accompanied by sparse boot stomping percussion, organ and bass, leaving plenty of space for each note to ring out. “The Black Sea,” thunders in with a swamp grass ramble and a chorus inviting us to “get set free.” Dege then mixes Delta slide and a modern drum loop with great effect for “The Darker Side of Me.” The title track feels like a lost Civil War hymn from Stephen Foster that Dege has unearthed to light. Quentin Terantino chose one of Dege’s tunes for the Django Unchained soundtrack much like “Judgment Day,” and the expansive instrumental track “O dark 30.” Dege gets quite authentic with the solo back porch stomp “Poor Momma Child,” You will swear you have heard the exotic mournful tones of “The Last Man out of Babylon,” as the backing track to some action movie somewhere. Many more film makers will no doubt be tagging Brother Dege to license his music, as each of his songs so vividly paint a picture in the listener’s mind’s eye. Rick J. Bowen

Pete AndersonBirds Above Guitarland(Little Dog Records)

Surprisingly Birds Above Guitarland, the new album from veteran axeman Pete Anderson is not a completely guitar centric record. The collection of 11 new songs focus on Anderson as a vocalist by surrounding him with a large horn infused ensemble in a classic R&B setting reminiscent of Ray Charles or B.B King. But make no mistake Anderson , best known for his tenure with Dwight Yoakam, gives us plenty of tasty guitar throughout. Written and recorded at Anderson’s The Nest; a state of art facility he built at his home in Glendale and co-produced with his long time keyboardist Michael Murphy. The big horn arrangements were done by Lee Thornburg and are artfully woven into the CD, beginning with the opening track

“Outta’ The Fire,” and its loping forties dance hall swing, and the James Brown styled funk ”36 Hour Day.” Anderson does some sad and lonely crooning on the country tinged blues “Talkin’Bout Lonely,” and Dona Oxford rips some barrelhouse piano on the jump blues ”Talkin’ My Baby Down.” Anderson doesn’t hold back contempt for Wall Street on the Latin soul fueled “Big Money.” The broke down zydeco swing “Empty Everything,” is a too close to home blues for baby boomers with “Empty Nest” syndrome. The retro spy movie instrumental “Red Sunset Blues,’ with its super reverb guitar strains is bookended by two versions of the East L.A tango “Rock In My Shoes.” The first version with Anderson on vocals and the second a bonus track featuring some seductive vocals from Delaney and Bonnie scion Bekka Bramlett; a real treat for the listener to hear how each twist and turn both sides of the story. Rick J. Bowen

Shawn Holt & The TeardropsDaddy Told Me(Blind Pig Records)

Like father, like son. Think of Carey Bell and his sons. Think of Elmore James and Muddy Waters and their sons who have made their own way in the blues. Now add Magic Slim (Morris Holt) and his son to that list. Shawn Holt is following in his late father’s footsteps and Magic Slim would have added his signature “And You Know Dat!” shout to his son’s Blind Pig Records debut, the same label Magic Slim released 10 records on over nearly a quarter-century. Holt leads The Teardrops through 12 songs rooted in Chicago blues, honoring his father’s memory by covering Magic Slim originals “Please Don’t Dog Me” and “Buddy Buddy Friend,” and a longtime favorite: “Get Your Business Straight.”Holt’s guitar playing and vocals are less gritty than his dad’s, but each serves the song in a basic, no-frills way. I would have liked to have heard a harmonica or a slide guitar every now and again, but Daddy Told Me is a good example of crisply-recorded traditional and contemporary Chicago blues. Holt’s originals show that he’s an adept songwriter. Hopefully he will continue to mix it up with songs like “”Hold You Again” and “You Done Me Wrong.” While his vocals are pretty steady on the CD, you’ve got to like the way he reaches for just a little bit more on “You Done Me Wrong.” Tear Drop veteran John Primer sings and plays on Jimmy Reed’s “Before You Accuse Me” and “Buddy Buddy Friend,” adding a nice touch to the CD. On Daddy Told Me, Shawn Holt doesn’t break new ground or blaze new trails; instead, he shows us that Magic Slim’s considerable gifts live on through his son on an excellent debut CD. – Eric Steiner

18

By Suzanne Swanson

Editor’s Note: We are running Ms. Swanson’s article in its entirety to ensure that her suggestions are in one article and in one place.

What is about to be shared here are simple, easy to follow steps to assist all musicians. Whether you are a single, or a band, there are certain aspects in our industry that never change. Nothing new is shared here. What I have complied comes from my years of observations judging at the International Blues Challenge, held in Memphis every year, managing bands, holding an agents license, as well as filming thousands of music acts over the course of my life. Having cut my first single when I was fourteen and more or less growing up in this business, I have a certain perspective. Not all of what is given here may apply to you. The bottom line, for me, is that I would really like to give some basic ideas that I honestly hope will generate more income for musician and, in some cases, a different way to polish your act so you get more gigs.

In no particular order, here are the suggestions.

Do not be afraid to appear successful. Go see and hear popular acts in your area. You will find their production refined and as a unit, not individuals. They engage the audience, do not look at their feet, chew gum, and look as if they wish they were anywhere else. They “work” the crowd.

When you take the stage do not wander in separately, take your instrument, and play a few riffs. That wastes the benefit of surprise. Do your sound check beforehand, enter quietly and together. Count the song in, hitting the lights at the same time, and be prepared to begin showing high energy thus making audience conversations stop. It gives a dynamic first impression that lasts.

It is a given that you cannot control stages when you are travelling place to place. It is recommended that you invest in a black backdrop, making what lights are there far more effective. It can be very distracting to an audience to play in front of glass or gaming panels. You want to be the centre of attention.

If you carry your own gear, make sure you notice the condition they are in. If your speaker bins or horns look tired and worn, repair them or replace them. If you have props to hold your gear up cover them with black cloth.

Speaking of gear, make sure your personal instruments are in good repair. Make sure all connections are secure and soldered correctly. There is nothing worse than to have an amp, monitor, or peddles malfunction when you least expect it.

If you carry a lighting system with you, have everything in A-1 condition. For a non-LED system, make sure the gels are clean or new, the PAR cans dents should be knocked out if aluminum. Black cans can be painted should be painted if they are dirty or scratched. Keep the stage as orderly as possible.

Stage clothes are important. You do not have to look like an act from Las Vegas show lounges but you do have to look as if there was care and thought put into how you separate yourself from the audience. The clothes do not have to be expensive either, but co-ordinating them with your fellow band mates is important. Color draws attention to you. You do not want to appear to have just fallen out of bed or been out working on vehicles all day… even if you have. Dress pants are preferable over jeans any day. The successful blues/gospel/country acts always wear suits and look as if they have already

achieved success in their genre.

In pacing your set, think about using psychology when writing up your set list to be shared with everyone in the band. Audiences cannot endure music for an hour that is presented ‘at full tilt’. Your response will be greatly improved if you begin strong and end strong, using an emotional dip in the middle.

It does not matter what style of music you play, it is preferable to have a least most of it danceable. Music is enjoyed in a social setting or event most of the time; give the audience a reason to socialize.

A last word, please be positive and up-beat. A smile and looking like you are enjoying what you do does wonders for both band members and the audience.

Unfortunately, I was asked to judge a band this past year that I would like to take as an example. The leader/vocalist was dressed in a bright colored suit with matching hat. His energy was infectious, positive, and charming. The sidemen appeared to have just tumbled onto the stage from sleeping on a sidewalk somewhere. They never looked at the leader for direction. They did not seem to care when each of the other members were playing. It was a sad state of affairs as the leader was so good and they were so lacking. If you have been hired to play, or have garnered a position to compete, or even performing a benefit, remember you are being watched and listened to. You do not know who will be in your audience that might be keen on hiring you or even wishing to take you to the next level. Be smart; play and present yourself as if you are performing for royalty…. be it president or king.

Tips to Show You are a Professional Musician: Or, What to do to be taken seriously and make more money in this industry.

______________________________________________________________________________________________2014 Washington Blues Society Board of Directors Ballot

President: _________________________________________

Vice President: _____________________________________

Secretary: _________________________________________

Treasurer: ________________________________________

Bluesletter Editor: _________________________________

Please bring this ballot to our next regularly scheduled Washington Blues Society Blues Bash – Tuesday, November 12, 2013 – when we will take nominations from members for each of the elected Board positions for 2013. Nominations will be tabulated and a voting ballot will be printed in the December Bluesletter for the election of the 2014 Board of Directors which will be held during our monthly Blues Bash on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at the Red Crane Restaurant in Shoreline, Washington.

19

A.H.L. (206) 935-4592Richard Allen & the Louisiana Experience/Zydeco Trio (206) 369-8114AlleyKattz (425) 273-4172Annieville Blues (206) 994-9413Author Unknown (206) 355-5952Baby Gramps Trio (425) 483-2835BackGround Noise (425) 931-8084Back Porch Blues (425) 299-0468Backwoods Still (425) 330-0702Badd Dog Blues Society (360) 733-7464Billy Barner (253) 884-6308Bay Street Blues Band (360) 731-1975Norm Bellas & the Funkstars (206) 722-6551Black River Blues (206) 396-1563Blackstone Players (425) 327-0018Blues Attitude (360) 701-6490Blue 55 (206) 216-0554Blue Healers (206) 440-7867Blues To Do Monthly (206) 328-0662Blues Playground (425) 359-3755Blues Redemption http://www.bluesredemption.com(The) Blues Sheriff (206) 979-0666Blues to Burn (253) 945-7441Boneyard Preachers (206) 755-0766/ 206-547-1772Bill Brown & the Kingbees 206-276-6600Bump Kitchen (253) 223-4333, (360) 259-1545Brian Butler Band (206) 361-9625Charlie Butts & the Filtertips (509) 325-3016Ellis Carter - 206-935-3188Malcolm Clark Band (253) 853-7749Colonel (360) 293-7931Kimball Conant & the Fugitives (206) 938-6096Jack Cook & Phantoms of Soul (206) 517-5294Rod Cook & Toast (206) 878-7910James Curley Cooke (253)945-7441Cooke & Green (253) 945-7441Coyote Blues (360) 420-2535John Scooch Cugno’s Delta 88 Revival (360) 352-3735Crossroads Band (206) 935-8985Daddy Treetops (206) 601-1769Sean Denton Band (425)387-0620Double Cookin’ (253) 945-7441Double Scott’s on the Rocks (206) 418-1180Julie Duke Band 206-459-0860Al Earick Band (253) 278-0330Sammy Eubanks (509) 879-0340Richard Evans (206) 799-4856Fat Cat (425) 487-6139Fat Tones (509) 869-0350Kim Field & the Mighty Titans of Tone (206) 295-8306Gary Frazier (206) 851-1169Free Reign Blues Band (425) 823-3561Filé Gumbo (425) 788-2776Nicole Fournier & Her 3 Lb Universe (253) 576-7600Jimmy Free’s Friends (206) 546-3733Gin Creek (206) 588-1924Charlene Grant & the Love Doctors (206) 763-5074Paul Green (206)795-3694Dennis “Juxtamuse” Hacker (425) 512-8111Heather & the Nearly Homeless Blues Band (425)576-5673Tim Hall Band (253) 857-8652Curtis Hammond Band (206) 696-6134)Ryan Harder (253) 226-1230Scotty Harris & Lissa Ramaglia/Bassic Sax (206) 418-1180Terry Hartness (425) 931-5755Ron Hendee (425) 280-3994JD Hobson (206) 235-3234Hot Rod Blues Revue (206)790-9934Bobby Holland & the Breadline (425)681-5644James Howard band (206) 250-7494David Hudson / Satellite 4 (253) 630-5276Raven Humphres (425) 308-3752Hungry Dogs (425) 299-6435Brian Hurst (360) 708-1653K. G. Jackson & the Shakers (360) 896-4175Jeff & the Jet City Fliers (206) 469-0363Junkyard Jane (253) 238-7908Stacy Jones Band (206) 992-3285

Chester Dennis Jones (253)-797-8937Harry “The Man” Joynes (360) 871-4438James King & the Southsiders (206) 715-6511Virginia Klemens / Jerry Lee Davidson (206) 632-6130Mick Knight (206) 373-1681Bruce Koenigsberg / Fabulous Roof Shakers (425) 766-7253Kolvane (503) 804-7966Lady “A” & the Baby Blues Funk Band (425) 518-9100Brian Lee & the Orbiters www.brianleeorbiters.comBrian Lee Trio (206) 390-2408Scott E. Lind (206) 789-8002Little Bill & the Bluenotes (425) 774-7503Dana Lupinacci Band (206) 860-4961Eric Madis & Blue Madness (206) 362 8331Bill Mattocks Band (206) 601-2615Albritten McClain & Bridge of Souls (206) 650-8254Brian “Jelly Belly” McGhee (253) 777-5972Doug McGrew (206) 679-2655Mary McPage Band (206) 850-4849Miles from Chicago (206) 440-8016Reggie Miles (360) 793-9577Michal Miller Band (253) 222-2538Rob Moitoza / House of Reprehensibles (206) 768-2820Moon Daddy Band (425) 923-9081Jim Nardo’s Boogie Train Blues Band (360) 779-4300Keith Nordquist (253) 639-3206Randy Norris & The Full Degree (425) 239-3876 Randy Norris & Jeff Nicely (425) 239-3876/(425) 359-3755Randy Oxford Band (253) 973-9024Robert Patterson (509) 869-0350Dick Powell Band (425) 742-4108Bruce Ransom (206) 618-6210Red Hot Blues Sisters (206) 940-2589Mark Riley (206) 313-7849Gunnar Roads (360) 828-1210Greg Roberts (206) 473-0659Roger Rogers Band (206) 255-6427Roxlide (360) 881-0003Maia Santell & House Blend (253) 983-7071Sciaticats Band (206) 246-3105Shadow Creek Project (360) 826-4068Tim Sherman Band (206) 547-1772Billy Shew Band (253) 514-3637Doug Skoog (253) 921-7506Smoke N Blues Allstars (253) 620-5737Smokin’ J’s (425) 746-8186Son Jack Jr. (425) 591-3034Soulshaker Blues Band (360) 4171145Star Drums & Lady Keys (206) 522-2779John Stephan Band (206) 244-0498Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys (206) 236-0412Steve Cooley and the Dangerfields (253)-203-8267Stickshift Annie Eastwood (206) 522-4935Alice Stuart & the Formerlys (360) 753-8949Richard Sysinger (206) 412-8212Annette Taborn (206) 679-4113Dudley Taft (206)795-6509Tahoma Tones (253)851-6559Ten Second Tom (509) 954-4101Tone Kings (425) 698-5841Leanne Trevalyan (253)238-7908Tim Turner Band (206) 271-5384T-Town Aces (206)935-8985Two Scoops Combo (206) 933-9566Unbound (425) 258-4477Uncle Ted Barton (253) 627-0420Nick Vigarino’s Meantown Blues (360)387-0374Tommy Wall (206) 914-9413Mike Wright & the Blue Sharks (360)652-0699/(425) 327-0944Charles White Revue (425) 327-0018Mark Whitman Band (206) 697-7739Michael Wilde (425) 672-3206 / (206) 200-3363Rusty Williams (206) 282-0877Hambone Wilson (360) 739-7740C.D. Woodbury (425) 502-1917Beth Wulff and (206) 367-6186, (206) 604-2829

Washington Blues Society Talent Guide

20

Washington Blues Society CalendarNote: Please confirm with each venue the start time and price. We also apologize in advance for any errors as we depend on musicians and venues to send in their information and sometimes, changes happen after we go to press.

Friday, November 1Highway 99 Blues Club – Left Hand Smoke 8PMDimitriou’s Jazz Alley - Gerald Albright 7:30PM & 9:30PMEngels Pub, Edmonds - BoomtownZola, Spokane – The Fat Tones 9PMElliot Bay Pizza, Mill Creek - Annie Eastwood with guitarist Bill Chism 7PM

Saturday, November 2 Highway 99 Blues Club – Hot Roddin Romeos, Back Alley Barbers, The Shivering Dennisons & special guest + live burlesque 9PMDimitriou’s Jazz Alley - Gerald Albright 7:30PM & 9:30PMDestination Harley, Fife - Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys 12PMEngels Pub, Edmonds - 44th St. Blues BandAmante’s, Issaquah – The Fabulous Roof Shakers 7:30PMThe Repp, Snohomish – Kevin Jones 6:30PMZola, Spokane – The Fat Tones 9PMSalmon Bay Eagles- Roy Kay Trio 8PMTwo Twelve On Central, Kirkland - Annie Eastwood with guitarist Bill Chism 8PMElliot Bay Pizza & Pub, Mill Creek – James Bernhard 7PMWashington Sips, La Conner – Mia Vermillion solo 7:30PMH2O, Anacortes - Richard Allen and the Louisiana Experience 730PMMadison Pub, Everett – Harpageddon w/Jim McLaughlin, Paul Green, Jeff Nicely, Brian Lee and Dan O’Bryant, backed by Kevin Sutton, Paul Quilty and Dave McCabe 7PM

Sunday, November 3Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma – Little Bill Trio 5:30PMDimitriou’s Jazz Alley - Gerald Albright 7:30PMThe Central Club, Kirkland – The Fabulous Roof Shakers 8:30PM

Monday, November 4Kent Sr Center - Koffee Klatch w/ Norm Bellas 11AMThe Swiss, Tacoma - Blues County Sheriff 8PM

Tuesday, November 5Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - 91.3 KBCS welcomes Steve Smith and Vital Information 30th Anniversary Tour 7:30PMKent Sr Center - Bubbles ‘n Blues w/ Norm Bellas 12:30PM

Wednesday, November 6Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Little Bill Englehart/Rod Cook duo 7PM

Engels Pub, Edmonds - Sean Denton Trio, 8pmDimitrio’s Jazz Alley - 91.3 KBCS welcomes Steve Smith and Vital Information 30th Anniversary Tour 7:30PM88 Keys, Seattle - Blues on Tap 8PMWaterwheel Lounge, Ballard - Annie Eastwood, Larry Hill and Tom Brighton with guitarist Bill Chism 7PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Drummerboy w/Dean Reichert 8PMElliot Bay Pizza & Pub, Mill Creek – James Bernhard 7PMPike Place Bar and Grill - John Stephan Band 6PM

Thursday, November 7Salmon Bay Eagles Club, Ballard - Jeff Herzog and The Jet City Fliers 8PMDimitrio’s Jazz Alley - Rachelle Ferrell 7:30PM & 9:30PMSalmon Bay Eagles - Jet City Fliers 8PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Brian Lee & the Orbiters 8PM

Friday, November 8Quinault Beach Resort & Casino, Ocean Shores – The Kim Archer Band w/Rod Cook 8PMHighway 99 Blues Club – The Strange Kind w/Vaudeville Etiquette & Whitney Mounge 8PM Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - Rachelle Ferrell 7:30PM & 9:30PMCrossroads Center, Bellevue - Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys 7pmEngels Pub, Edmonds - Scott E. Lind BandSalmon Bay Eagles - Rock for FOSBE (fundraiser) 8PMThe Triple Door – Leroy Bell & His Only Friends 8PMMatch Coffee & Wine, Duvall - Annie Eastwood, Kimball Conant, Larry Hill Fugitives Trio 7:30PMH2O, Anacortes - Brewgrass w/David’s Drinking Band 9PMRockfish Grill, Anacortes - Brewgrass w/Betty and the Boy, David’s Drinking Band, Brer Rabbit, The Oly Mountain Boys, more 6PM

Saturday, November 9Der Hinterhof, Leavenworth – Backwoods StillDestination Harley, Fife – Little Bill Trio 12PMOne Eyed Jacks, Everett – Mustard Seed w/Suzie Chrysler and four other bands 8PM (benefit)Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - Rachelle Ferrell 7:30PM & 9:30PMJ&M Cafe, Pioneer Square - Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys 9pmSalmon Bay Eagles – Daddy Treetops 8PMEngels Pub, Edmonds : Marlin James BandDusty Strings, Seattle - Eric Madis’ Swing Blues “Hot Licks” Guitar Workshop 10:30AM & 1:30PMPanida Theater, Sandpoint, ID. – The Fat Tones 7:30PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Doctorfunk 8PMThe Triple Door – Leroy Bell & His Only Friends 8PMH2O, Anacortes - Brewgrass w/The Oly

Mountain Boys 9PMRockfish Grill, Anacortes - Brewgrass w/Betty and the Boy, David›s Drinking Band, Brer Rabbit, The Oly Mountain Boys, more 6PM

Sunday, November 10The Central Club, Kirkland: Gin Creek 8 PMDimitrio’s Jazz Alley - Rachelle Ferrell 7:30PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Jumaane Smith 7PMThe Triple Door - Vanessa Carlton w/Michelle Branch and Nelly Furtado 7 & 9:30PMLocol, Seattle – Mia Vermillion solo 7:30PM

Tuesday, November 12Red Crane, Shoreline -WBS Blues Bash w/Brian Lee & the Orbiters and Pete Anderson band 7PM

Wednesday, November 13Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Little Bill Englehart/Rod Cook duo 7PM88 Keys, Seattle - Blues on Tap 8PMEngels Pub, Edmonds - Who’s ur Daddy 8PMElliot Bay Pizza & Pub, Mill Creek – James Bernhard 7PMHighway 99 Blues Club – High and Lonesome Band 8PMRockfish Grill, Anacortes - Savage Jazz 6PM

Thursday, November 14Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - Steve Tyrell with special guest Diane Schuur 7:30PM & 9:30PMStarday Tavern, Portland, OR. – The Fat Tones 9PMSalmon Bay Eagles- Basic Blues: Dana Luppinacci 8-10PM,Jack Cook & Chris Stevens 10PM – 12AMHwy 99 Blues Club- Raven’s 13th Annual Jam for Cans 6PMThe Triple Door Musicquarium – Smoke & Honey 9PMRockFish Grill, Anacortes - Nick Nikolai 6PM,Jack Cook & Chris Stevens 10PM – 12AMHwy 99 Blues Club- Raven’s 13th Annual Jam for Cans 6PMThe Triple Door Musicquarium – Smoke & Honey 9PMRockFish Grill, Anacortes - Nick Nikolai 6PM

Friday, November 15Rendezvous, Enumclaw – Rod Cook solo 7PMHighway 99 Blues Club - Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band 8PMEngels Pub, Edmonds - Guy Johnson BandDimitrio’s Jazz Alley - Steve Tyrell with special guest Diane Schuur 7:30PM & 9:30PMDawson’s, Tacoma – The Crazy Texas Gypsies 8PMThe Lehrer Pub, Portland, OR. – The Fat Tones 9PMTula’s, Seattle - Dave Peck Trio w/Jeff Johnson and Eric Eagle 7:30PMSalmon Bay Eagles – Teen Rock Night 8PMElliot Bay Pizza, Mill Creek - Annie Eastwood w/Bill Chism 7PM

21

Saturday, November 16The Repp, Snohomish – Rod Cook solo 6:30PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Candye Cane w/Laura Chavez 8PMBad Albert’s Tap and Grill, Ballard - Jeff Herzog and The Jet City Fliers 8PMEngels Pub, Edmonds - Mary Mcpage and The AssassinsDimitrio’s Jazz Alley - Steve Tyrell with special guest Diane Schuur 7:30PM & 9:30PMDestination Harley, Fife - Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys 12PMSlider’s, Carnation - Eric Madis & Blue Madness 7:30PMThe Waucoma Club, Hood River, OR. – The Fat Tones 8:30PMTula’s, Seattle - Dave Peck Trio w/Jeff Johnson and Eric Eagle 7:30PMSalmon Bay Eagles – Dream Chasers 8PMElliot Bay Pizza & Pub, Mill Creek – James Bernhard 7PMThe Conway Muse - Skagit Songwriters in the Round w/Mia Vermillion 7:30PMH2O, Anacortes - Little Bill and the Bluenotes 730PMScotch and Vine, Des Moines - Brian Lee Trio, 8PM

Sunday, November 17The Central Club, Kirkland – Little Bill Trio 8:30PMDimitrio’s Jazz Alley - Steve Tyrell w/Diane Schuur 7:30PM New Orleans Restaurant: Gin Creek * PMThe Triple Door – Michael Kaeshammer 7:30PM

Monday, November 18Mr. Villa, Lake City/Seattle - Annie Eastwood, Kimball Conant, Larry Hill Fugitives Trio 7PM

Tuesday, November 19Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - The Four Freshmen 7:30PMThe Triple Door - Rokia Traoré 7 & 9:30PM

Wednesday, November 20Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Little Bill/Rod Cook duo 7PMDimitrio’s Jazz Alley - The Four Freshmen 7:30PMEngels Pub, Edmonds - Unezman, 8PMRockfish Grill, Anacortes - Stilly River Band 6PMElliot Bay Pizza & Pub, Mill Creek – James Bernhard 7PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Dirty Rice 8PMRockfish Grill, Anacortes - Little Joe Argo 6PM88 Keys, Seattle - Blues on Tap 8PM

Thursday, November 21Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - The Four Freshmen 7:30PM & 9:30PMSalmon Bay Eagles-All Stars No Stripes 8PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Family Affair Tour w/Klyntel & the E. Pruit Band 8PM

Friday, November 22Vino Bella, Issaquah – The British Beats w/Rod Cook 7:30PMColumbia City Theater – Modern Relics will be appearing w/Ian McFeron & Massy Ferguson Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - The Taj Mahal Trio 7:30 & 9:30PMEngels Pub, Edmonds - Dirty RiceThe Repp, Snohomish - Randy Norris & Jeff Nicely 6:30PMSalmon Bay Eagles - Jim Basnight Trio 8PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Mutha Knows Best 8PMThe Triple Door – The Dusty 45s 7PM & 9:30PM

Saturday, November 23Destination Harley, Fife – Little Bill Trio 12PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Nick Moss Band 8PMDimitrio’s Jazz Alley - The Taj Mahal Trio 7:30 & 9:30PMEngels Pub, Edmonds - The DogtonesSalmon Bay Eagles - Black River Blues 8PMH20, Anacortes - Billy Roy Danger and the Rectifiers 730PM

Sunday, November 24Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - The Taj Mahal Trio 7:30 The Triple Door - Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen 7:30PMThe Central Club, Kirkland - Brian Lee & the Orbiters 8:30PM

Tuesday, November 26Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - The Taj Mahal Trio 7:30

Wednesday, November 27Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Little Bill/Rod Cook duo 7PMEngels Pub, Edmonds - The Tim Turner Band, 8PMDimitrio’s Jazz Alley - The Taj Mahal Trio 7:30PM88 Keys, Seattle - Blues on Tap 8PMPike Place Bar & Grill at the Market - Annie Eastwood with Kimball and the Fugitives 6PMElliot Bay Pizza & Pub, Mill Creek – James Bernhard 7PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Little Ray & the Uppercuts 8PMRockfish Grill, Anacortes - Fidalgo Swing 6PM

Friday, November 29Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - The Taj Mahal Trio 7:30 & 9:30PMFeedback Lounge, West Seattle - Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys 9:30pm Engels Pub, Edmonds - Blues Playground 9PMSalmon Bay Eagles - Kami’s Karaoke 8PMThe Triple Door – The Paperboys 8PMHighway 99 Blues Club – The Missionary Position 8PM

Saturday, November 30The Repp, Snohomish – Billy StoopsThe Spar, Tacoma - Maia Santell and House Blend 8PM

Dimitrio’s Jazz Alley - The Taj Mahal Trio 7:30 & 9:30PMDestination Harley, Fife - Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys 12PMEngels Pub, Edmonds - The CD Woodbury Band 9PMH20, Anacortes - Boneyard Preachers 730PMSalmon Bay Eagles - Kami’s Karaoke 8PMThe Triple Door Musicquarium – Jelly Rollers 9PMThe Triple Door – The Paperboys 8PMHighway 99 Blues Club – Lloyd Jones Struggle 8PMRobin Hood Restaurant & Pub, Uniion – Mia Vermillion solo8:30PM

ATTENTION MUSIC PEOPLE!

If you would like to add your music schedule to our calendar, please send

in your information by the 10th of the month to wbscalendar@yahoo.com in the following format: Arial 9 point type, date, venue, city, band name, time – please no bold or caps.

ATTENTION BLUES MUSICIANS: WOULD

YOU LIKE YOUR LATEST CD REVIEWED IN THE BLUESLETTER? GOT A

BLUES CD FOR US? Need help in getting the word about your music? We’d like to help. While we cannot predict when or if a review will land in the pages of the Bluesletter, we’d like to encourage musicians to consider the Washington Blues Society a resource.

If you would like your CD r eviewed by one of our reviewers, please send two copies (one for the reviewer and one for our monthly CD giveaways at the Blues Bash) to the following address:

Washington Blues SocietyATTN: CD Reviews

PO Box 70604Seattle, WA 98027

22

SundaysDawson’s, Tacoma: Tim Hall Band, 7pmCastle’s, Sedro Wolley: Gary B’s Church of the Blues, 6-10pmRaging River: Tommy WallSilver Dollar: Big Nasty, 8pm Two Twelve, on Central Kirkland: HeatherBBlues, 7pm

PLEASE HELP US KEEP O UR LISTINGS CURRENT: please send in jam listings to calendar@wablues.org. As of press time, we are looking for a new volunteer who will help compile our calendar, jam guide, band listings, and radio station listings. P lease email volunteer director Rhea Rolfe: volunteers@wablues.org if you are interested!

Tues daysBarrel Tavern: hosted by Doug McGrew, 8pmDawson’s, Tacoma: hosted by Shelley & Jho, 8pmElmer, Burien: hosted by Billy ShewEngels Pub, Edmonds: Jam Session with Lou & Don, 8pmPacific im Marysville Best Western: Mike Wright & the Blue Sharks, 7 - 11pm907 Bar and Grill Snohomish Sean Denton & Richard Williams 8 PMPete’s in Carnation – Bootlegger’s Jam with Teri Wilson 8PMSummit Pub: Tim Hall & the Realtimes, 7:30pmUncle Thurms, Tacoma: Blenis, Ely Band, 7:30pmWild Buff lo, Bellingham: hosted by Rick Baunach, 6:30 - 9:30pm

MONDAYKSVR 91.7FM Mount Vernon / KSVU 91.9FM Hamilton –Blues in the Night (automated) 2:00 AM – 5:00 AM Monday through Friday www.ksvr.org – DJ, Janice Clevin Gage

KUGS 89.3FM Bellingham: Highway 61 8:00AM - 10:00AMas.wwu.edu/kugs/ - DJ, Chalkie McStevenson

Mighty Mouth Blues on NWCZ Radio - www.nwczradio.com - Monday 8:00-11:00PM Pacifi

TUESDAYKAOS 89.3FM Olympia: Blues On Rye 1:00PM - 3:00PM www.kaos.evergreen.edu - DJ, Val Vaughn

WEDNESDAYKEXP 90.3FM Seattle: The Roadhouse 6:00PM to 9:00PM www.kexp.org - DJ, Greg Vandy

KSVR 91.7FM Mount Vernon / KSVU 91.9FM Hamilton - The Blues Note with Janice 8:00PM - 10:00PM www.ksvr.org - DJ, Janice Cleven Gage

KSVR 91.7FM Mount Vernon / KSVU 91.9FM Hamilton - Lester’s Blues Tour 10:00PM -Midnight www.ksvr.org - DJ, Les Anderson

THURSDAYKSER 90.7FM Everett: Clancy’s Bar and Grill 8:30PM - 10:30PM www.kser.org - DJ, Clancy Dunigan

FRIDAYKEXP 90.3FM Seattle: Shake The Shack 6:00PM - 9:00PM www.kexp.org - DJ, Leon Berman

SATURDAYKAOS 89.3FM Olympia: Blues For Breakfast 8:00AM - 10:00AM www.kaos.evergreen.edu - DJ, Jerry Drummond

KPLU 88.5FM Tacoma: All Blues 6:00PM - 12:00AM www.kplu.org - DJ, John Kessler

KSER 90.7FM Everett: Audio Indigo 7:00PM - 9:00 PM www.kser.org - DJ, Robin K

KBCS 91.3 FM Bellevue College: Living the Blues 8:00 PM – 10 PMwww.kbcs.fm – DJ Kevin Henry, Kevin Morris, Oneda Harris,Winona Hollins-Huage

KPBX 91.1FM Spokane: Backwater Blues Hour 10:00PM - 11:00PM www.kpbx.org - DJ, Frank Delaney

KPBX 91.1FM Spokane: Beal Street Caravan 11PM-12AMwww.kpbx.org - DJ, Pat Mitchell

KZPH 106.7FM Wenatachee: The Blues 11:00PM - 12:00AM www.therock1067.com - DJ, Dave Keefe

KSER 90.7FM Everett: Blues Odessey 9:00PM - 11:00PM www.kser.org - DJ, Leslie Fleury

SUNDAYKBCS 91.3FM Bellevue: Beal St. Caravan 5:00AM – 6:00AMwww.kbcs.fm

KEXP 90.3 Seattle: Preaching the Blues 9:00AM - NOONwww.kexp.org DJ, Johnny Horn

KUGS 89.3 FM Bellingham: Exposure NOON – 2PMwww.kugs.org

KYRS 92.3 FM Spokane: Blues Now and Then 6:00PM - 8:00 PMwww.kyrs.org - DJs Patrick Henry and Jumpin’ Jerry

KPLU 88.5FM Tacoma: All Blues 6:00PM - 12:00AM www.kplu.org - DJ, John Kessler

KWCW 90.5FM Walla Walla: Blues Therapy 7:00PM - 9:00PM www.kwcwradio.tumblr.com - DJ, “Biggdaddy” Ray Hansen and Armand “The Doctor” Parada

KSER 90.7FM Everett: The Juke Joint 1:00PM - 3:00PM www.kser.org - DJ, Jon Noe

Blues on the Radio Dial

PLEASE SEND ANY RADIO UPDATES TO CALENDAR@WABLUES.ORG

Washington Blues Society Blues Jams

Monday sCaffe Mela, Wenatchee, 7pm (fi st Mon. of the month)88 Keys, Pioneer Square: Star Drums & Lady Keys host Blue Monday Jam, 8pmJR’s Hideway: Malcolm Clark, 8pmOpal Lounge, South Tacoma Way: Tim Hall, 8pmTen Below: hosted by Underground Blues Jam, every 1st Monday of the month, Wenatchee

23

Central & Eastern BBQ & Blues – Clarkston (509) 758-1227Breadline Café – Omak (509) 826-5836Club Crow – Cashmere (509) 782-3001 CrossRoads Steakhouse – Walla Walla (509) 522-1200Ice Harbor Brewing Co - Kennewick (509) 582-5340 Lakey’s Grill – Pullman (509) 332-6622Main Street Tavern – Omak (509) 826-2247Peters Inn – Packwood (360) 494-4000Pine Springs Resort - Goldendate (509-773-4434Ram’s Ripple – Moses Lake (509) 765-3942Rattlesnake Brewery – Richland (509) 783-5747Red Lion Hotel Wenatchee (Tomasz Cibicki 509-669-8200)Tumwater Inn Restaurant and Lounge – Leavenworth (509) 548-4232

SeattleBlarney Stone Pub and Restaurant (206) 448-8439China Harbor Restaurant (206) 286-1688Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley (206) 441-9729 x210EMP Liquid Lounge (206) 770-2777EMP Sky Church (206) 770-2777Fiddler’s Inn (206) 525-0752Grinder’s (206) 542-0627Highliner Pub (206) 283-2233Highway 99 Club (206) 382-2171J & M Cafe (206) 467-2666Lock & Keel (206) 781-8023Maple Leaf Grill (206) 523-8449Mr. Villa (206) 517-5660New Orleans (206) 622-2563Paragon (206) 283-4548Pike Place Bar and Grill (206) 624-1365The Rimrock Steak House (206) 362-7979Salmon Bay Eagles (206) 783-7791St. Clouds (206) 726-1522Thi d Place Commons, Lake Forest Park (206) 366-3333Triangle Tavern (206) 763.0714Tractor Tavern (206) 789-3599Triple Door (206) 838-4333

North End (Lynnwood, Everett, Edmonds, etc.):Anchor Pub – Everett (425) 252-2288Balefi e – Everett (425) 374-7248Bubba’s Roadhouse – Sultan, (360) 793-3950Canoes Cabaret – Tulalip (888) 272-1111The Conway Muse in Conway (360) 445-3000Demetris Woodstone Taverna, Edmonds (425) 744-9999Diamond Knot Brewery & Alehouse – Mukilteo (425) 355-4488Engel’s Pub – Edmonds (425) 778-2900Historic Spar Tree – Granite Falls (360) 691-6888 Madison Pub - Everett (425) 348-7402Mardini’s – Snohomish (360) 568-8080Mirkwood & Shire Café – Arlington (360) 403-9020North Sound:Star Bar, Anacortes (360) 299-2120 (Prohibition Grille, Everett (425) 258-6100 Stanwood Hotel & Saloon – Stanwood (360) 629-2888Stewart’s – Snohomish (360) 568-4684Timberline Café – Granite Falls (360) 691-7011Tracey’s Place – Everett (425) 259-0811Wicked Rack BBQ – Everett (425) 334-3800

South Sound Tacoma, Burien, Federal Way, etcAl Lago, Lake Tapps (253) 863-86362 Wheel Blues Club – TacomaBarnacles Restaurant, Des Moines (206) 878-5000The Barrel – Burien (206) 246-5488CC’s Lounge, Burien (206) 242-0977Capitol Theater/Olympia Film Society – (360) 754-3635Cascade Tavern – Vancouver (360) 254-0749Charlie’s – Olympia (360) 786-8181Cliff ouse Restaurant – Tacoma (253) 927-0400Destination Harley Davidson – Fife (253) 922-3700 Blues Vespers at Immanuel Presbyterian (253) 627-8371Jazzbones in Tacoma (253) 396-9169(The) Junction Sports Bar, Centralia (360) 273-7586Lighthouse – Des Moines (206) 824-4863Maggie O’Toole’s – Lakewood (253) 584-3278Magnolia Café – Poulsbo (360) 697-1447Mint Alehouse – Enumclaw (360) 825-8361Pat’s Bar & Grill – Kent (253) 852-7287rrPick & Shovel – Wilkeson (360) 829-6574The Pony Keg - Kent (253) 395-8022Riverside Pub, Sumner (253) 863-8369Silver Dollar Pub – Spanaway (253) 531-4469The Spar – Tacoma (253) 627-8215The Swiss – Tacoma (253) 572-2821Tugboat Annie’s – Olympia (360) 943-1850Uncle Sam’s Bar & Grill - Spanaway (253) 507-7808Wurlitzer Manor – Gig Harbor (253) 858-1749

North Sound Bellingham, Anacortes, Whidbey Island, etcChina Beach – Langley (360) 530-8888Just Moe’s – Sedro Woolley (360) 855-2997LaConner Tavern – LaConner (360) 466-9932Little Roadside Tavern – Everson (360) 592-5107Old Edison Inn – Edison (360) 766-6266Rockfish Grill – Anacortes (360) 588-1720Stump Bar & Grill – Arlington (360) 653-6774Watertown Pub – Anacortes (360) 293-3587Wild Buff lo – Bellingham (360) 312-3684Viking Bar and Grill – Stanwood (360) 629-9285

Eastside Bellevue, Kirkland, etc.Bake’s Place - Bellevue (425) 454-2776Central Club – Kirkland (425) 827-8808Crossroads Shopping Center – Bellevue (425) 644-1111Damans Pub – RedmondForecasters – Woodinville (425) 483-3212Raging River Café & Club – Fall City (425) 222-6669Rockin’M BBQ, Golf Range & Lounge - Everett (425.438.2843)Time Out Sports Bar – Kirkland (425) 822-8511Top Shelf Broiler & Tervelli Lounge - Kirkland (206) 239-8431Vino Bella – Issaquah (425) 391-1424Wild Vine Bistro, Bothell (425) 877-1334Wilde Rover – Kirkland (425) 822-8940Valhalla Bar & Grill, Kirkland (425) 827 3336Yuppie Tavern - Kirkland (425) 814-5200

Peninsula Clearwater Casino – Suquamish (360) 598-6889Destiny Seafood & Grill – Port Angeles (360) 452-4665 Halftime Saloon – Gig Harbor (253) 853-1456Junction Tavern – Port Angeles (360) 452-9880Little Creek Casino – Shelton (360) 427-7711Seven Cedars Casino – Sequim (360) 683-7777Siren’s – Port Townsend (360) 379-1100Upstage – Port Townsend (360) 385-2216

WednesdaysCharlies Olympia: Blues AttitudeDaman’s Pub, 8 PMDogghouse Tavern, Mt. Vernon Alan: Hatley Trio, 7pm88 Keys, Pioneer Square: Blues on Tap, 8pmHalf Time Saloon: Billy Shew & Billy BarnerLocker Room, White Center: Michael Johnson & Lynn Sorensen, 8-12pmMadison Pub, Everett: hosted by Unbound w/special guests 7:30pm November 6th - Tim Turner November 13th - Dan O’Bryant & Rafael Tranquilino November 20th - Andy “Badd Dog” Koch November 27th: - David Lee HowardPLEASE SEE AD THIS ISSUE FOR MORE! Oxford Saloon, Snohomish: hosted by Rick J Bowen Ages Open Jam 7-11pmSalmon Bay Eagles: Broomdust presents Blues of the Past jam (1st Wed.), 8pmYuppie Tavern, Kirkland (Totem Lake), HeatherBBlues Acoustic jam, 8pmOuld Triangle Pub: hosted by Jeff ass, Open Mic Blues Jam, 9pm

Thu r sdaysBad Alberts: Invitational w/Annieville BluesBarrel Tavern: hosted by Tim Turner, 8pmClub Flight Nightclub: w/Cory Wilde, 9pmConway PubDawson’s, Tacoma: Billy Shew, 8 pmO’Callahan’s: Tim Hall, 7pmOxford Saloon: Jam Night w/ Tommy Cook Trio 8PM

Fr iday sNew Orleans Restaurant: All Star Jam, hosted by Leslie “Stardrums” Milton & Lady Keys, 7pm (1st & 3rd Fridays)

Washington Blues Society

Venue Guide

2424

By J Henderson (Photos by Laddy Kite)

Stepping down the steps from street-level Seattle into the Highway 99 Blues Club has always felt like entering another world. You start from the street - bustling with tourists, casual fishermen, ferry riders, aquarium visitors - your senses assaulted by the noise of the waterfront and the traffic from the viaduct above, the smell of the harbor, the chill of the off-shore breeze – and enter a narrow hall, lined with album covers, posters, and art, that serves as a brief transition to something entirely different from the world above.

Dark and sophisticated, intimate and warm, the hall opens up to a long room, flanked by a substantial bar built from wood rescued from another era and centered around a generously-sized stage with the classically-styled logo, “Highway 99 Blues Club”, centered above it on weathered wood. Next to the stage is the “Wall of Fame,” adorned with the signatures of musicians who have performed there. The wall borders the dance floor, where it is not uncommon to witness guests searching the wall for the names of their favorites. The space is designed to evoke the feel of a juke joint, with a gracious staff serving up generous portions of southern-style comfort food in an atmosphere rich with original art, artifacts, and photographs of blues greats on the walls. With the dance floor and the guest seating within a few feet of the stage, the space is intended to encourage a strong connection between the performers and the audience. Now, for the eighth year, the venue has been named, “Best Blues Club” by the Washington Blues Society. With good reason -

The Highway 99 Blues Club, entering it’s 10th year of business, is the only venue in the Seattle area that fearlessly uses the word “blues” in its name. Music fans have come to count on the club to present the top touring blues artists, as well as showcasing local and regional talent. This is the venue where you’ll see Janiva Magness, Tommy Castro, Sista Monica, Jimmy Thackery, and Rick Estrin. The artists themselves have come to count on the Highway 99 Club as a crucial stop on any Pacific Northwest tour, a place where they know they will be treated fairly and well. These are the “constants” that have earned the club its status as the top blues venue in Seattle. Yet, over the nine years the club has been in existence, change has inexorably happened. In a recent interview, Steve Sarkowsky – founder/partner of the popular blues club- talked about its origins, how it has evolved over the years, and what changes are anticipated in the future.

Steve Sarkowsky’s Dream

The idea of creating a juke joint-like venue in the heart of Seattle did not just magically take root in Sarkowsky’s mind 9 years ago. In retrospect, he says, he can see how a progression of events in his life led him to the decision that the time was right to open a blues club. Like many folks in the business, Steve began with a love for music, particularly the rhythm end of things. His grandpa noticed that seven-year-old Steve was constantly pounding pillows to the beat of whatever music he heard and bought the boy a child-sized snare, soon broken, the victim of enthusiastic overuse. After about two years of begging, Steve was given his first drum set– a Pearl tiger-stripe kit. Drum lessons, school bands, concert and jazz bands in junior high were all a part of his life growing up in Bellevue. He and his friends formed a rock band that played purely instrumental versions of popular songs at school dances. Then, faced with a less than inspirational high school jazz band instructor, Steve limited himself to other school bands, as well as playing with multiple garage bands outside of school. His personal musical tastes at that time ran to Soul, Funk, R&B, and Blues. Among his favorites were Tower of Power, Cold Blood, and Earth, Wind, and Fire, in contrast to his peers’ taste for Top 40 pop.

Following high school, Steve enrolled at the University of Redlands in California, where he played in the jazz band with instrumentalists that were of a caliber beyond what he had ever experienced. “It was humbling,” he admits, but he stuck with it for a year. He transferred to the University of Washington, where he majored in communication. He also enrolled in the Jazz Workshop, a class specifically for musicians who were not music majors. Over the course of the three years he was a student at the workshop, he learned to drum in a wide range of band sizes and configurations and was exposed to a variety of styles. “It was a neat mix of interesting people,” Steve says. Outside of class, he was jamming with friends and exploring a variety of genres, including a brief flirtation with New Wave.

After graduation, Steve was hired by the Seahawks organization as a public relations assistant, then worked for the Stroum Jewish Community Center for two years, gaining experience in marketing, public relations, and fundraising for the non-profit organization. Both jobs gave him ample practice with many of the skills he now employs routinely as the owner of a music venue. Meanwhile, he started his own real estate business – buying, selling, and managing various (mostly)

The Highway 99 Blues Club: Change and Opportunity

This Page: Top: Hank Shreve - Middle: Duffy Bishop - Bottom: The Iconic Highwa99

Blues Club Brand

Next Page: Top - Kim Simmonds of Savoy BrownMiddle: Guitar Shorty - Bottom: Son Jack, Jr., and

Michael Wilde

25

commercial properties.

Steve’s experience at the community center led to his being appointed Vice-president of Cornish College of the Arts. Some of the programs he helped develop and sustain were a Music in the Schools program and an artist in residency, where he first came to know professional musicians, the acknowledged masters of their craft. Steve was particularly impressed with Bob Moses, who taught a master class on drum as well as speaking casually with students about the life of a working musician. His example gave Steve heart to try to do something more with his music than jam with friends.

Thus began what Steve calls his “weird odyssey,” when he made himself do what he knew he had to do to become a professional (employed) drummer, which came down to, “GET OUT THERE.” Never one to really enjoy bars, he pushed himself to go to all the jams in Pioneer Square, making connections with other musicians and joining the “one band leads to another” culture. He played for singer/songwriter Pamela Cook and Right As Rain and a classic rock “production band,” called Rudy and the Tube Shakers. Employing 6 musicians, a lighting crew, and a soundman, owner Doug Pratt ran a well organized, entertaining show and treated the band with respect, an example Steve tries to emulate in his club.

Steve auditioned for a country band and was hired, although he felt “clueless on that style of music,” he says. He had to learn fast. The audition was on a Sunday and his first gig with the band was on the next Wednesday. Although he was “drowning” during that first performance, he survived, learned and continued to work in the band - Mitch Montgomery and the Lost Posse. That led to Steve’s playing with Stampede Pass, led by Country Dave Harmonson, whom he describes as a brilliant musician, performing on 9 different instruments with other great players backing him. They worked a regular rotation of 5-6 clubs around the state, including the Little Red Hen. The bands High Noon and Lee Anderson & 90 Proof are on Steve’s country band resume, as well. Steve also drummed for Junkyard Jane for about four months, but left to help his wife of ten years with their first child.

At age 43, Steve refocused his love for music, the lessons he had learned as a working musician, and his experience as a businessman and promoter, into a dream of opening a blues club. One of his inspirations was a book of photographs by Birney Imes, called “Juke Joint.” Steve’s goal was to create a music venue that was different than any other in Seattle. After 2 years of searching, Steve found a space – previously a Godfather’s Pizza, before that a club called Captain Cook’s - and the Highway 99 Blues Club opened, July 4th, 2004.

Continued on next page.

26

Highway 99 Blues Club... ContinuedA friend introduced him to a young man who had a remarkable amount of experience in managing clubs for his age, including ones that featured live music. Steve and Ed Maloney formed a partnership 15 minutes into their first meeting, and Ed became “the face” of Highway 99. As Steve says, Ed took Steve’s “vision and developed it.” As for Ed, he feels that he’s living a dream …a music fan- a BLUES FAN- having the opportunity to operate a club.

Enter Ed Maloney

Ed Maloney grew up in Boston, part of a family that was in the restaurant and nightclub business. Ed grew up in that special culture, working part-time as a dishwasher through high school, always comfortable in a busy kitchen. After graduation he went to culinary school and upon completion of the program was snapped up to cook at the prestigious Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. But if you ask Ed how he came to be where he is now, he (like Steve) will tell you it started with the music. It was his older brother Eric who guided him toward music with a blues base, like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and some of the rock ’n roll of the 1980’s.

His Chicago Fairmont position led to a job at the flagship House of Blues, starting as server, then moving into management as special events supervisor, then club and restaurant manager. At that time, the House of Blues actually featured blues music, and Ed got to hang out with some great players. He worked with Junior Wells and was there for the benefit for Junior’s family after he passed, hosted by the House of Blues and featuring Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, and Jonnny Lang, and other top blues entertainers. Ed still considers the guitar “war” he witnessed, with Buddy Guy and Johnny Lang trading their best licks, as a hands down favorite of his career as a blues fan. Many of the blues artists he met back then have remained Ed’s friends to this day, especially Nick Moss and Studebaker John. The House of Blues job resulted in a management position with the Fado Irish Pub in Chicago. “Corporate” Fado transferred Ed to Atlanta, where he worked for a while and met his future wife. Then Fado sent him to Seattle, to manage the club there …or rather, here. For this is where Ed Maloney and Steve Sarkowsky’s stories meet and take parallel paths.

Oh, Them Changes

Under Steve’s ownership, Ed’s management, and with a staff that believes in excellence, certain standards are always in place at Highway 99. The show, the food, the drinks, the service, the way the artists and the patrons are treated – all of these factors have to executed with skill and class. And they are, thanks to the efforts of Steve, Ed,

and major support from club manager Jocelyn Beresford, bar manager Mark McKenna, and music director Eric Maloney. Most of the changes that have happened over the years are the result of efforts to maintain that standard. Success in a business is a matter of economics, which correlates directly to how many people choose to come to the Highway 99 Blues Club - with all the things there are to do in Seattle on any given night. Over the years, the club has been open 7, 5, and 4 days a week, depending on the kind of attendance each day of the week brings. There used to be pool tables and there once was a store, but as Steve says, you don’t just keep a tradition for traditions’ sake. There’s always been an all-star group, organized by Steve, but with different incarnations. The club has consistently worked to encourage and support local artists, but a relatively new strategy is the hiring of some bands for a “residency”. The band plays once a month on a Thursday, for example, for a series of months, giving them a chance to further develop a fan base that will follow them to a higher-profile Friday/Saturday gig. Good for the band; good for the club.

As for hiring bands, Steve points out that he examines every piece of promo for every band that sends one and always responds personally. Bottom line to get into the club – the music has to be blues-based, the band has to have a following, and they have to be able to promote the show. The very bottom-line – the performance has to bring people into the club. Steve is willing to take a chance on any band that can meet those criteria. As he says, he enjoys creating opportunities for people.

Expanding the scope of the blues has also created opportunities, despite criticism by some purists. As Ed explains it, keeping the blues alive is crucial, but to do that, young people must be brought into the fold. Offering blues-based music of other genres – singer-songwriter, rock and roll, funk, and rockabilly – draws new people into the club who will return for other shows, possibly a straight-up blues show. Creating showcases – harmonica, slide monsters, divas - and productions like that of Blues Velvet with Karen Lovely, Duffy Bishop, and Kim Archer – has also broadened the clubs appeal to fans from 21- 80 years old. Steve held up Kevin Selfe as an example of an artist who often features other guest musicians of notoriety to create a special show. Ed mentioned Peter Karp and Sue Foley, who played at the club recently, as an example of performers who stretch the blues genre in multiple directions. Their show started with a medley of country blues and blue grass, rolled into Chicago Blues classics, and later included a tribute to the English invasion of the ‘60’s.

Challenges Now and in the Future

Yes, the change we are all wondering about, the question everyone is asking is - what’s going to happen when construction works it’s way further down to the Highway 99 Blues Club. It’s starting NOW, with the building of a new sea wall. But another significant challenge that has arisen this summer is due to the loss of other blues clubs in the region – the Yale in Vancouver, B.C., the Wild Buffalo in Bellingham, and now the Upstage in Pt. Townsend. Touring acts depend on their ability to arrange gigs within close proximity of each other. The closure of these clubs has discouraged bands from touring in this area. Steve intends to work cooperatively with festival promoters in the future to help bring in the talent the fans want to see.

Washington Blues Society president Eric Steiner has long been a big fan of the Highway 99 Blues Club. Steiner is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Blues Foundation in Memphis and has been impressed with Ed Maloney’s and Steve Sarkowsky’s support of the Blues Foundation. «One year, Ed Maloney brought some of his key staff members to the Blues Music Awards in Memphis. This is the blues› biggest night that honors awardees voted by members of the Blues Foundation worldwide. This tells me that the club is serious about the blues when it makes that pilgrimage to Memphis and the Mississippi Delta: Ed and his team met with artists, nationally-recognized peer blues clubs, and showed everyone that the upper left hand corner of North America is serious about blues music.» Eric described efforts by the Washington Blues Society Board that have been done quietly behind the scenes, such as attempts to secure national recognition for the Highway 99 Blues Club from the prestigious Keeping the Blues Alive awards process of The Blues Foundation. «The Washington Blues Society Board of Directors has nominated the Highway 99 Blues Club for a national award - the Keeping the Blues Alive Award - several times, because the Board believes in the way that this unique club promotes blues music and hires talent from the Pacific Northwest,» he said. «Add to that a first-class menu, long-serving and knowledgeable wait staff, great live blues and roots music opportunities, and you have a recipe for a world-class blues club… which the Highway 99 Blues Club certainly is, just like Chan›s in Rhode Island, Buddy Guy›s Legends in Chicago or Biscuits and Blues in San Francisco, just to name a few.» While he did not know the specific details on how the construction of the new waterfront tunnel, or

27

the City of Seattle›s response to help businessesaffected by it, Eric›s praise and support of this Seattle blues venue is strong. «I just hope that the folks behind the scenes of this construction project, and at the City of Seattle and King County, work together to minimally impact the Highway 99 Blues Club - this club is an important cultural resource not only for the Seattle area, but America›s blues community as well.» Steve Sarkowsky seemed relatively calm, as he discussed the plan for keeping the Highway 99 Blues Club alive. He has known about the construction project for at least 9 years and has been actively looking for a new site for quite a while. Highway 99 is a brand name, one that has not only garnered a boatload of awards and honors, but has also earned the respect of the artists and their agents. Creating shows at other venues may work to keep the name alive, as in “Highway 99 Presents…” Steve pointed out that Jazz Alley has moved three times and is still Jazz Alley. So, for now, he plans to:

- Wait and see what the impact will be once construction starts, while the club is still open at its present location. Will the blues fans (and the tourists) be willing to brave the construction? Po-tential parking difficulties?

- Once the club is forced to leave, focus on maintaining the brand name. Try to maintain relationships with the club’s loyal artists, bands, and patrons. Develop “Highway 99 Presents…”

- Check out the landscape. Is there still support? Continue to search out a place to relocate. Brave the intricacies of city ordi-nances, codes, licenses, and taxes.

- Reopen and thrive – that’s the hope.

Change is in the wind, as it always is. A google search revealed one website with more than 1,000 quotes relating to change, but beyond the ones themed on the difficulty, the necessity, the inevi-tability of change, were the ones that focused on opportunity. The Highway 99 Blues Club – that is, the team of people who ARE Highway 99 - has survived and flourished by anticipating changes and embracing them – by changing itself, while maintaining itself. It will be of great interest to all of the club’s supporters and fans - and the blues community in general - to see what opportunities change will bring for the Highway 99 Blues Club in the next few months.

Tim Sherman at the Highway 99 Blues Club(Photo by Laddy Kite)

28

Welcome Back to the Pacific Northwest!Top: Buddy Guy - Above: Nick Moss

(Photos by Eric Steiner)

By Eric Steiner

This month, I am bringing back a column modeled after one that I wrote for Midwest Beat, published in Chicagoland in Northwest Indiana for most of the last decade.

In “Blues on the Road,” I want to highlight touring artists who will visit the Pacific Northwest this month, and give Bluesletter readers an additional opportunity to learn about live blues shows from a select group of nationally-touring bluesmen and blueswomen who are on the road. This information, found mostly on the award-winning www.pollstar.com websiste, is current as of our deadline of the fifth of last month. Here goes….

Buddy Guy returns to the Pacific Northwest on the 3rd to the Snoqualmie Casino. Quinn Sullivan opens: I’ve heard good things about Sullivan, an up and coming guitar slinger who has toured with Buddy Guy and his band for a number of years.

On the 9th, Charlie Musselwhite returns to the region for a show at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia and I hope he’ll showcase songs from his latest CD, Get Up!, that

does two very important things: 1) it brings back the legendary Memphis-born Stax label, courtesy of the Concord Music group, and 2) it represents an inspirational partnership between Charlie and roots-rocker Ben Harper.

While it’s decidedly not blues, I consider Hawai’an slack key guitar one of the most fascinating approaches to that six- or twelve-stringed instrument. On Sunday afternoon November 10th, the Fifth Annual Seattle Slack Key Festival returns to Seattle’s Town Hall, and this year’s event features many of the Hawaii’s master musicians including: Roland Cazimero, Jerry Santos, Palani Vaughan, Kamuela Kimokeo, Patrick Landeza, and Cyril Pahinui. I saw Cyril play in Hawaii on my last visit to the islands, and he is an exceptional guitar player and storyteller.

I’m also pleased that the Tractor Tavern welcomes Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band on the 15th – the same night that Lisa Mann’s Really Good Band will play the Highway 99 Blues Club.

On the 16th, the California Guitar Trio and the Montreal Guitar Trio join forces at the Mount Baker Theatre in Bellingham. Candy Kane returns

to the Highway 99 Blues Club on the 16th, and she will play Blues Vespers in Tacoma on the 17th.

Nick Moss and the Flip Tops return to the Pacific Northwest for two shows: one at Jazzbones in Tacoma on the 22nd, and another at the Highway 99 Blues Club on the 23rd. This month also marks Taj Mahal’s residency at Jazz Alley. While the venue is closed on Monday, November 25th and Thanksgiving Day, he’s returning from Friday, November 22nd through Sunday, December 1st. I hope that many Bluesletter readers will welcome Henry Saint Clair Fredericks (Taj Mahal’s birth name). back to Jazz Alley. Finally, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears play on the 29th at the recently refurbished Neptune Theatre in Seattle’s University District. Portland-based bluesman Lloyd Jones closes the month at Highway 99 on the 30th, and this is an opportunity to welcome him home after his fourth European tour. Welcome back, Lloyd!

So, there you have it. My first, somewhat abbreviated, Blues on the Road, along wtih some photos of nationally-touring artists. As always, I’d appreciate any feedback and suggestions for improvement: president@wablues.org.

Blues on the Road: Welcoming Nationally-Touring Acts to the Pacific Northwest!

29

Honoring John “Bear” Milner: A Special

MemorialBy Ted Todd (Photo by Deborah Conway)

Please join the Fat Tones at the Tonasket Eagles on Saturday, November 23, 2013, to celebrate the life of John “Bear” Milner. Doors open at 4:00pm, with dinner at 5:00pm, and music after.

60 years old, John passed away June 7, 2013. Born in Seattle, he lived in Arizona and Chelan in the 70’s and 80’s, and moved to Leavenworth in 1988. John & Barb married in 1989, and they moved to Tonasket in 2006.

John was a blues man. Lived it and loved it. I know you saw him at many festivals over the years, and did you know that Bear was the man who brought the Blues Cousins to the Northwest? Brought them here, got them gigs, loaned them his car!

Back in the early 90’s, Too Slim told me about this guy in Wenatchee that he called “Wenatchee Ted,” cause Tim said he looked just like me. A couple years later, when John and I met, we laughed about it and became good friends.

At one time, John handled the distribution of the Washington Blues Society newsletters in Central Washington, and he also did the Northwest Blues Festival listing on our Inland Empire Blues Society website.

An all around great guy, John “Bear” Milner will be missed. Come share your memories of John, dance and party with the Fat Tones, offer condolences to Barb, and have yourself a great time. Contact: 509.429.2967. All proceeds will go to his lovely wife Barb.

30

South Sound Blues Association Back to Beale Street Blues 2014 International Blues Challenge Fundraiser at Jazzbones in Tacoma on Sunday November 3rd from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

The South Sound Blues Association presents “Back to Beale Street Blues 2014” a fundraiser, concert and dance to help send The Randy Oxford Band (Band Winner) and Arthur Migliazza (Solo/Duo Act) to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee in January of 2014.

The fundraiser will be held on Sunday, November 3rd, from 4:00 PM -10:00 PM at Jazzbones at 2803 6TH Avenue in Tacoma. For more information please call the club at (253) 396-9169.

Donations are $10 for Blues Society/Association members, $12 for non-members, $8 for active duty military and children under 12 are FREE.

The Randy Oxford Band and Arthur Migliazza won this year’s regional competition, and will represent the South Sound Blues Association at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, January 21-25, 2014. The International Blues Challenge in Memphis is the largest gathering of blues artists in the world. Groups from around the globe are chosen to represent their states and countries. Last year, over a hundred and fifty bands competed on Beale Street. Each contestant performs in front of an international panel of music industry professionals who judge the event www.blues.org/ibc/

*Line-up4:00 - 4:45 PM Michelle Taylor and the Blues Junkies

5:15- 6:00 PM TBA6:30- 7:15 PM Blues Redemption

745 – 8:00 PM Maia Santell and her All-Star Blend8:15 - 8:45 PM Arthur Migliazza

9:00 - 10:00PM The Randy Oxford BandPlease Note: Lineup Subject to Change Without Notice

Cascade Blues Association25th Annual Muddy Awards

Thursday, November 7th from 6:30 to 10:00 PMThe Cascade Blues Association will honor regional blues musicians, venues, recordings and events at the 25th Annual Muddy Awards. Through a series of two ballots, Cascade Blues Association members vote for their favorites in twenty-two categories, with approximately 1100 ballots being sent out. One of the premier blues events every year in the Portland area, the Muddy Awards will be held at The Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland, on Thursday, November 7th. Admission is free for Cascade Blues Association members and only $5.00 for non-members.

The event will feature performances by the winners of the Journey To Memphis competition, The Ben Rice Band and solo artist Tevis Hedge Jr, who will represent the Cascade Blues Association in Memphis this coming January at the International Blues Challenge. Following the awards ceremony an All-Star jam of Muddy Award nominees and recipients will take place, led by keyboardist Steve Kerin. Confirmed performers for this jam will include many of the Northwest’s premier blues musicians: Lloyd Jones, Kevin Selfe, Duffy Bishop, Karen Lovely, Randy Oxford, Lisa Mann, Mary Flower, Mitch Kashmar, Norman Sylvester, Rae Gordon, Vicki Stevens, Sonny Hess, Peter Dammann and many, many more. More information: www.cascadebluesassociation.org

31

Mark Dufresne Male Vocalist Award:____________________________________

Blues Female Vocalist:

____________________________________

Electric Blues Guitar:

____________________________________

Slide Blues Guitar:

____________________________________

Blues Bass:

____________________________________

Chris Leighton Blues Drummer Award:

____________________________________

Blues Horn:

____________________________________

Paul Green Blues Harmonica Award:

____________________________________

Blues Piano / Keyboard:

____________________________________

Acoustic Blues Guitar:

____________________________________

Blues Act:

____________________________________

Traditional Blues Act:

____________________________________

Solo/Duo Blues Act:

____________________________________

New Blues Band:

____________________________________

Blues Performer:

____________________________________

Blues Songwriter:

____________________________________

Washington Blues Recording:

____________________________________

Blues Club:

____________________________________

Blues Writer:

____________________________________

Blues Image:

____________________________________

Blues Graphic Artist:

____________________________________

Blues DJ:

____________________________________

Keeping the Blues Alive Award:

____________________________________

Lifetime Achievement Award:

____________________________________

Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame:

____________________________________

Non-Festival Blues Event:

____________________________________

Blues Festival:

____________________________________

Open Blues Jam:

___________________________________

2014 Washington Blues SocietyBest of the Blues Nomination Ballot!

You Must Be a Member of the Washington Blues Society to Nominate in our Best of the Blues Awards Process! All Ballots Must Be Re-ceived at our PO Box or by a Board Member No Later Than Tuesday, January 14, 2014. Nominations received after that date won’t be counted. The ballot will be reprinted next month to provide members with two full months’ to participate in this process. Please Mail Your Ballot to: WBS, PO Box 70604, Seattle, WA 98127

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage Paid

Seattle, WAPermit No. 5617

P.O. Box 70604Seattle, WA 98127

Change Service Requested