Bluesletter - Blues Society of the Ozarks

Transcription

Bluesletter
Vol. 25 Issue 3
March 2016
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Artist in the Spotlight: Ronna Haxby
Speical Guest:
Leigh-Anne
Stanton
Memphis
Minnie
Biography
Photos by various artists, see inside.
MARCH 2016
The Bluesletter is published monthly by the Blues Society of the
Ozarks for the sole purpose of promoting and preserving the
Blues in the Ozarks, “Keeping the Blues Alive.”
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS
President ........................................ Brenda Seely, 818-1864
Vice President ................................................. Bob Bledsoe
Sergeant at Arms................................. Richard Pendergrass
Secretary ................................ Patty Hutchinson, 848-3922
Treasurer........................................ Retha Dawes, 234-3416
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Bob Bledsoe
George Hunt
Carolyn Brockman
Patty Hutchinson
Mitch Brockman Richard Pendergrass
Mary Certain
Brenda Seely
Retha Dawes
Robert Seely
Brent Easley
Conita Silva
STANDING COMMITTEES AND CHAIRPERSONS
Archives .......................................... Jim Coombs, 831-4781
BITS ................................................................ Mary Certain
Calendar ................................. Patty Hutchinson, 848-3922
Editor—Bluesletter/Web ...... Carolyn Brockman, 770-0722
Fundraising & Grants ....................................... Conita Silva
Greater Ozarks Blues Festival ........ Brenda Seely, 819-1864
Jingle the Blues .............................. Brenda Seely, 819-1864
Membership .............................. Mitch Brockman 770-3221
Merchandise .............................................. Miles Tompkins
Picnics ............................................ Brenda Seely, 818-1864
Public Relations ..................... Patty Hutchinson, 848-3922
Talent ................................................................ Conita Silva
Photography............ Marty Jones, Music Man Photography
BLUES SOCIETY MEMBER MEETING
Second Monday of the Month at the Library Station on North
Kansas Expy.
SUBMITTING INFORMATION TO THE BSO
Bluesletter: ...................................... [email protected]
Deadline ............................................15th of each month
Calendar: .............. [email protected]
Deadline ........................................... 20th of each month
Website: ................................ bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
Submissions ................................. [email protected]
Deadline ............................................................. anytime
or mail to
BSO Bluesletter
P.O. Box 8133
Springfield, MO 65801
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
MISSION STATEMENT
Since 1991 our goals have been to encourage appreciation
of the Blues, an original American music; to provide a
forum in the Ozarks for performance of the Blues at live
events and on radio and television; to educate and entertain the people of the Ozarks; to provide an organization
through which people can share their common love of the
Blues; and to join with similar organizations to accomplish the forgoing goals.
2 | March 2016 bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
BLUES SOCIETY OF THE OZARKS
President’s Letter
Hello everyone, hope this
finds you all doing great. We
are doing a wonderful job at
getting our Blues Society
updated and moving into the
future. I have to thank Carolyn Brockman,
Retha
Dawes, Mitch Brockman,
Miles Tompkins, and Patty
Hutchinson for all their hard
work. We are very fortunate
to have these amazing people on board this year!
Our trip to Memphis in January was super. We made
new friends and hung out
with old friends and family!
Thank you to all who came
down and supported the bands on
an amazing job at bringing aweBeale!
some talent to Misty's. Noah WithOur BSO Potluck Picnics are start- erspoon was beyond great. He gets
ing next month. This year there will better every time I see him. Thank
be The Blue Rooster Run, a 5K run you to Tripwire Blues Band for openand 1 Mile walk, that will start and ing for him. Our friends, Tas Cru and
end at Tom Watkins Park. This is The Tortured Souls rocked the
going to be a great event. Please house down. We were scheduled for
log into Facebook and get registered a BITS Program at the Boys and
to participate. Our first picnic will Girls Club but the weather did not
start right after with Tripwire hosting cooperate. Our BITS program on
this year!
bullying would have had a great
start with Tas's program he does on
We will be having only four picnics
this subject but we will get it up and
this year. April 17 is our first picnic.
June 19, Father's Day, we will have going soon.
The Brenda Meyer Band. August 21 Thank you to all the amazing supand October 16 have yet to get a porters of live music and of our
band assigned.
Blues Society!
Our Greater Ozarks Blues Festival
will be September 9 and 10 at The
American Legion Post 639. We will
have the line-up by the end of
March!
We lost a great one. Bonnie Garapic
passed the Tuesday after the Super
Bowl. There will be a party for Bonnie on April 15 at Cody's South with
the ABS Band hosting and having
their reunion! This will be a bitterWe are very thankful to Mary Cersweet amazing show. So mark that
tain for her hard work in Blues in the
date in your calendar!
Schools. She and George Hunt
have a few irons in the fire so keep Thanks again for all the love and
your eyes open for more infor- support.
mation. Our friend and corporate
Brenda Seely, Proud to be President
sponsor, Misty Faulkner, has done
Photo by CAROLYN BROCKMAN
What is the Blues Society of the Ozarks?
The Blues Society of the Ozarks
(BSO), founded in 1991, is based
in Springfield, Missouri and principally serves the Southwest Missouri region. We are a not-forprofit, tax-exempt organization,
affiliated with the Blues Foundation. While our members mostly
live in Missouri, our group also
extends into Arkansas, Kansas,
and Oklahoma.
The BSO’s mission is to: (1) Provide an organization in the Ozarks
area where people of all ages can
share their common appreciation
and love of the blues, (2) Encourage more people to experience the
blues, a unique Made-In-America
form of music, (3) Educate people
in the appreciation of blues music,
(4) Provide opportunities for the
younger generations to get involved with the blues to ensure the
preservation of music, and (5)
Support and encourage performance of the blues at clubs, at
festivals, and on the radio.
Award: In 2007, w e were proud
to be the recipient of the prestigious
“Keeping
the
Blues
Alive” (KBA) award from the nationally recognized Blues Foundation.
By being a member of the Blues
Society of the Ozarks , you are
helping to support the community
and the arts in addition to helping
preserve America’s original art
form known as the blues.
YOUR MEMBERSHIP HAS BENEFITS!
 Monthly newsletter delivered to your
email.
 Ability to attend monthly meetings
and vote on upcoming organizational
issues and elections.
 Opportunities to win tickets to events
and to volunteer at BSO fundraisers
& events.
 Discounts at many area stores and
restaurants with membership card. A
list is in the Bluesletter and on
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com.
 Social networking by meeting other
people who also love the blues.
Meet Retha Dawes, BSO Treasurer
by Carolyn Brockman
Retha Dawes is a multi-genre music fan who is
the BSOs Treasurer. She holds a masters degree in Business Administration and served as a
First Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy. Retha has several certifications in radiologic
diagnostic imaging and is employed with Citizens
Memorial Healthcare in Bolivar, Missouri.
Born on an Army base in Heidelberg, Germany,
Retha is the twin sister of the BSO editor, Carolyn Brockman. Retha grew up as a tomboy on
the Arkansas/Missouri line and loved playing outdoors. During this time she was exposed to local
musicians jamming at her house playing cover
songs from Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard,
and Willie Nelson, among others as well as grandparents,
cousins, aunts, and uncles who played living-room bluegrass
and gospel. A collection of 8-track tapes were in stacks around
the stereo. One such tape, Bob Segar’s Against the Wind, was
listened to so much that Retha’s mother pulled the tape from
the player, stepped out on the deck, and threw it over the hill.
Her parents are Kevin and Marcy Powell who teach conceal
and carry classes, offering discounts to BSO members (see
page 19).
As a builder with the Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 15,
otherwise known as the Seabees, Retha went on two tours to
the middle east. In 2008 she was stationed at Al Asad in Iraq
(Operation Iraqi Freedom) and in 2012-2013 at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom). Retha received an Army Commendation Medal, five Navy and Marine
Corps Achievement Medals, and numerous campaign awards.
She served the U.S. Navy for eight years from 2006 to 2014.
Photo by CAROLYN BROCKMAN
In her civilian job, Retha has earned multiple registrations in diagnostic radiology, mammography,
quality management, computed tomography (CT
Scan), and ultrasonography. Throughout her career, she has worked as a multiple modality technologist, clinic radiology training coordinator, and
a department director. Once out of the military
she taught radiation physics and ultrasound physics on top of radiologic technology core curriculum at Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha.
In addition to blues and her lifelong love of the
aforementioned 1970s outlaw movement, Retha
enjoys most genres of music, especially electronica, PBR&B, jazz, downtempo, and soul. Her favorite musicians are Marian Hill and Chet Faker.
She also likes Diana Krall, Jacob Dillon, Bush, Norah Jones,
1980s music, and Mary J. Blige. The list goes on depending on
her mood. Retha has taken lessons in piano and violin but
doesn’t consider herself beyond novice.
Despite all of her achievements, Retha considers her greatest
as being a mom to Daniel and Sarah and mother-in-law to Tiffany. She has two grandchildren, Hunter and Bentley. She considers her golden retriever Sammy, long haired dachshund Tater, and miniature catfish Sonar her three still-at-home children.
Retha’s contribution to the BSO is her thorough attention to
detail and knack for coordinating organizational structure. Her
MBA has seen her through managing the business aspect of
medical diagnostics as well as managing a multi-million dollar
radiological department in Tulsa.
She can be reached at [email protected].
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com March 2016 | 3
Artist Spotlight
Meet Ozarks Musician Ronna Haxby
by Carolyn Brockman
Chi, a form of Chi Kung. She
continues a weekly practice
of the art forms with her sister in the peaceful wilderness
around the Branson area.
She is also a Holistic Nutrition Consultant.
Ronna Haxby is a lifelong flutist and multi
-genre vocalist, known for performing
acoustic folk, rock, blues, and jazz music,
mostly in the Branson and Springfield
areas. In addition to playing the flute and
singing, Ronna is a beginning piano student.
Ronna’s family moved to
Although she has had some gigs with Branson in 1965. Her parents
other bands in a wide variety of music, were the first potters at Silver
Ronna has been a member of the Techs Dollar City (SDC), creating
& the Roadies since 1993. For the past and glazing beautiful pottery
10 years she has also played with Scott such as, but not limited to,
Lancaster and his group Scotfree (one t dinnerware and bakeware,
in Scot). During one set, Ronna de- vases, and flower pots. At the age of sevscribed playing a wide variety of covers, en, Ronna set up an interview with Pete
including songs by Hank Williams Sr., Hershend, co-owner of SDC, and told him
James Taylor, Bill Withers, ACDC, and that he ought to hire her since she knew
all the lines and songs to all the shows.
NIͶ all on the flute.
Of course this was not possible. HowevWhen asked what the best part of her job er, since she was a natural entertainer,
is, Ronna responded, “When you really Ronna would dress up and walk her invisget a connection with the other musicians ible dog around the park on her leash
and it’s like the music plays the band. made of a wire coat hanger.
You really get into this groove and you’re
connecting. It’s like a communication that When Ronna was ten years old she bejust happens, it just flows.” She likes to gan playing the flute in the Branson
sometimes play freestyle with new music school band under the close guidance of
but also appreciates when the group her teacher. During the time between
plays songs that they know really well then and her middle school years, she
learned to play her instrument as well as
and can just “get it tight.”
read music. After moving to a different
Ronna takes time to be involved in com- smaller school, she wasn’t able to continmunity organizations. She is heavily in- ue in band but didn’t want to give up the
volved in Missouri Stream Team and instrument. She advanced her skills by
works with volunteers on water quality playing classical music on her own at
monitoring. Her occupation is with the home. As a natural learner, she grew up
Ozarks Water Watch, which is a around music in the house with which she
“Nonprofit organization that works to pre- would play along. She also attended a six
serve the water quality of the upper White -week music camp at Inspiration Point
River watershed, located in Southwest near Eureka Springs, Arkansas during
Missouri and Northwest Arkansas which the summers her last two years in high
include the rivers, streams, and four ma- school.
jor impoundments: Beaver, Table Rock,
Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lakes.” Early music influences in Ronna’s life
More information on the organization can include her parents and several area mube found on their website at ozarkswater- sicians. Her earliest memories of being a
little girl were sitting between her dad and
watch.org.
his guitar while he played. Her step-dad,
In the past, Ronna has taught private tu- Gene Brown, was a well-known singer in
tor lessons to younger students. She also Springfield during the 1970s and 1980s
has taught the internal martial art, Tai and had a hit record in the 1960s titled
Photograph by MARTY JONES, MUSIC MAN PHOTOGRAPHY
China Girl which hit the top 40 in country
charts.
Music played in her home during her
childhood included early jazz and blues.
After her family got their first record player, the first album she bought was Elvis
Presley. She also listened to the Jackson
5, Beatles, Django Reinhardt, Segovia,
and Taj Mahal, among others.
Ronna has played at Chris Albert’s Fernando’s Hideaway. She is included, as
well as Don Shipps, in Chris’s large historic photo of musicians outside the club.
She has also played for the Rock House
Music Festival in Reeds Spring hosted by
Janette Bair.
As for the blues, Ronna stated, “I think
the blues has a root that goes through
most kinds of soulful music,” including
music she plays. She went on to say, “I
think music is the most consistent thread
and important thing that has continued in
my life, even when other things have
changed.”
Ronna’s performances with Techs & the
Roadies are listed on the bands’ site,
techsandtheroadies.com. They will also
be playing at Reeds Spring Pizza on
March 5.
The Blues musician in the Artist Spotlight has been chosen
randomly from a database of musicians by instrument/
talent and/or by bands. For instance, the musician chosen
for this month is the flutist, Ronna Haxby. This month was
specially selected from women in our database. Each
month the Bluesletter randomly spotlights area artists. To
be sure that your band and instruments are included in the
database, please email [email protected].
are doing to do that.” Angelia loves to
share the stage with other performers.
For seventeen years Angelia has sung
and recorded jingles in the Ozarks. She
received the Addy Award five times since
1999. She has been the voice for O’Reilly
Auto parts for 10 years. “I’m the
OOOO’Reilly… girl!”
Angelia King
by Carolyn Brockman
Angelia King is a critically acclaimed,
multiple genre vocalist living in southwest
Missouri. She has sung anywhere from a
front porch to the Metropolitan Opera
House on the same stage as Ella Fitzgerald sang in 1968. Hailing from Jonesboro,
Arkansas, she holds a degree in Music
and Performing Arts from Arkansas State.
On March 15, she will release her gospel
album, Then Sings My Soul, which was
recorded with the band Sounds of Praise.
With her on the album are Barry Stacey
on keyboard and Randy “Cool Daddy”
Claire on standup bass.
When asked her experience as a woman
performing in Springfield, she replied
there “Are not many female singers with
an all-male band.” Adding insight, she
said that she notices it appears difficult
for musicians to work with female singers.
To Angelia, a perfect band is comfortable
with women who are free to express their
May 13, 14, and 15, Angelia will be performing in a Sunday Showcase at the
intimate Springfield Contemporary Theatre (SCT) that boasts a stage that is a few
steps away from seating. There the audience gets “The intimacy that theatre people want to give and people love it. They
get the feel of their own personal performer.” Her first solo show there sold out
eight of the twelve shows. Last year they
had to turn people away because they
were full. The SCT is giving Angelia the
chance to showcase musicians with
whom she wants to perform. Tickets for
the show go on sale March 7 at SCT and
sell out quick.
own creativity and passions. She added,
“Down south in Arkansas and Tennessee
is different. They love the creativity and
absorb it. That is why the blues and all
the people drive down to Memphis. Because down there they know blues and
they don’t care if you are a woman or a Additionally, Angelia is planning a threeday theatre production of Broadway,
man, educated or not.”
blues, and gospel music called Angelia’s
Angelia enjoys working with several local Showcase with several of her respected
musicians. Besides bands that which she musician friends. Having never really
is a member, she mentioned the Blues- wanting to be famous because of the
berries, Sister Lucille, and Ernie Bedell, weight it carries, Angelia credits God for
among others. Of course, she believes her guidance. “My life is just fine. I prefer
the whole band is what makes the to have God in my life than anything else.
sounds. However, about guitarist Dave
Painter
of
the
Bluesberries, Angelia said he is
“Someone who can
lay singers on wire
strings and make
you feel what he is
feeling, every little
secret, every little
emotion. You have
to know what you
Gospel CD, released March 15, contact
Angelia King at (417) 569-5674
Correction: The February 2016 Bluesletter read that the album Then
Sings My Soul was recorded with RH Silverwood. The album is actually
Angelia’s OWN album. We apologize for the mistake.
Brenda Meyer
by Patty Hutchinson
Surrounded by musicians as a young
child, Brenda Meyer loved to sing.
After all, she was named after the
1960s vocalist, Brenda Lee. Growing
up in Rochester, Minnesota, Brenda
enjoyed watching her uncle practice
with his rock band. Brenda really liked
watching the drummer and decided
she wanted to play the drums. Her
parents bought her first drum set and
at the age of 14, Brenda taught herself to play drums and sing. “I worked
on two songs, over and over, to be
able to sing and play percussion at
the same time,” Brenda said. By age
16, Brenda was playing percussion
and singing in her first band. At 18,
she joined a traveling country show
called DJ and The DJ Band and after
high school graduation Brenda moved to
Auburn, Indiana to join them. They wore
country and western costumes as they
toured and performed in many cities
opening for many national acts.
In 1980, with her musical talent and her
natural beauty, Brenda was asked to enter the Miss Northeast Indiana Scholarship pageant and won. This took her to
the Miss Indiana pageant, a precursor to
the Miss America pageant. Brenda toured
in a country band for years, bringing the
nanny along to watch over her children
while performing. In 1992, Brenda and
her family moved to Branson where she
performed in theater shows and was in a
band called Iron Mountain Band. She
worked in the John Davidson and Tony
Orlando theaters in the group sales division. Brenda took an eight-year hiatus
from music and managed a friend’s resale shop until she met Burl Williams in
2006. Her first blues band was, except for
Burl, an all-girl band called Wind Blown.
They covered blues and rock songs. The
next band Brenda joined was Full Moon
Blues Band with Burl Williams (guitar/
vocals)
and
Martin
Probstfield
(keyboard).
The Brenda Meyer Band was formed four
years ago when Burl encouraged Brenda
to front the band and hire a drummer.
Brenda plays congas and sings lead vocals with Amber McCann on drums, Burl
Williams on guitar, and Larry Hastings on
bass. Two years ago Brenda discovered
Amber McCann could play guitar too, and
the Acoustic Suitcase trio was formed
with Brenda on drums, and both Burl and
Amber on guitar. Brenda still learns by
watching other musicians. She studied
Jody Guy Cottengim of Tripwire on drums
and learned to do the shuffle beat. She
credits Burl Williams for being her biggest
teacher of the blues. She enjoys the
sounds of Etta James, KoKo Taylor, and
Bonnie Raitt. As a regional blues band,
The Brenda Meyer Band has worked
hard and has intentions to play more outof-state shows. Currently they play in
Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois. Brenda
said, “I hope to get into the studio this
year to record our original songs.” Their
original blues songs are “Guitar Slinger,”
“All of You or Nothing,” “You Could Have
Rocked Me,” and “Heaven Help This
Man.
and bass. They are carrying on the family
musical tradition. Chris debuted his threepiece band recently performing in Lampe,
Missouri. Brenda’s grandson, Gavin also
has musical abilities as he is a drummer
and guitarist. “I love to see the fruits of
my labor through my children,” Brenda
says with satisfaction. “I am proud of their
legacy.” Brenda has fond memories of
her Aunt Nancy Martin who was a child
prodigy of the Hammond organ. Brenda’s
aunt was flown to California to be on the
Lawrence Welk show playing the organ
when her aunt was only eight years old.
Digging in the dirt is one of Brenda’s favorite pass times. If she isn’t in her home
practice studio, she will be outside tending to her flowers and vegetables. You
can reach Brenda Meyer at [email protected]. She is available
for festivals, special events, concerts,
clubs, private parties, and will provide a
great blues and classic rock show.
Brenda has won local Memphis Bound
competitions four times; three times in
the band category and
once as solo/duo with Burl
and performed at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee.
Brenda's children, Megan
Weaver sings and plays
keyboard
and
Chris
McDaniel sings and plays
drums, guitar, trumpet,
impromptu garage bands
with the kids from school.
She contributes her music to
staying away from drugs
and alcohol during her formative years. Conita said,
“Singing gives me peace. I
don’t need anything but music to feel better.”
After her divorce, Conita
began going to Monday
night jams at Stepchild's
Lounge where she was inspired by singer-songwriter,
Jimmy Guy Cottengim. She
kept hearing bluesy songs
about the man’s viewpoint of
lost love, so she went home
one night and wrote her first
song, “My Baby Left Me
Blues;” a song about a woman scorned. She never recorded this song but she performed it at the BSO Memphis Bound competitions two
years in a row in which she
competed as solo/duo. She
and Donnie Ray Stevens as the duo, Old
School, won the competition in 2014 and
represented the Blues Society of the
by Patty Hutchinson
Ozarks at the International Blues ChalConita Sue Silva has been singing since
lenge in January 2015.
she was a very small child. As she became a young lady, she quickly learned In 2004, Conita was in an Americana
she that could please an audience with genre acoustic group. Musicians would
her voice. Conita's grandmother was a send Conita a guitar or piano track of
traveling minister and Conita would their music along with the lyrics for Conita
sometimes accompany her as she to learn. After a little practice, she would
preached and sang the gospel. Conita record her voice to the track. You can
admired her grandmother who she de- hear her first recording, “Tecumseh Valscribed as having the singing voice of an ley” on YouTube. The song received over
angel. Conita said, “She had a glow 3,000 hits. Three songs written by Conita
around her – she was bigger than life are under a songwriter’s contract with
when she sang.” When Conita and her Paramount Song in Nashville, Tennesgrandmother sang together, people see; “Even Though It Wasn’t Right,” “April
praised their voices. She remembers Skies,” and “Is It Too Late?”
those who witnessed the two when they Springfield, Missouri has been Conita’s
performed said that the hair on their arms home most of her life. She moved to Indiand back of their necks would stand up anapolis, Indiana for three years and she
when they heard them sing.
was in an acoustic group in which they
Conita Sue Silva
Her grandmother sang and played piano,
but she wasn’t the only one, besides Conita, in the family who had musical talent.
Her father played guitar, most of her family also sang and played music, and her
uncle was in the Christian band, Living
Proof. By age 16, Conita would arrange
Easley (guitar/vocals) and Donnie Ray
Stevens (guitar/vocals) every Wednesday
night at W.F. Cody’s South. Her other
band, Riff Raff, is with Brent Easley, Steve Call, Kirk Easley, Doug Wilson, and
Eddie Valen.
Conita enjoys music so much, she is willing to volunteer her time and voice to
events such as Toys for Tots and other
fundraisers. She has performed during
benefits at Abou Ben Adhem Shrine
Mosque, and played at the Sertoma Chili
Cook-Off. She also sang for the troops
Christmas 2006 on a Florida-based radio
station. Recently, Conita has helped organize charity benefits for Sondra Burns
and for her own band member, Kirk Easley, who was seriously injured in an automobile accident. Conita is always coming up with fresh ideas when it comes to
her music. Coming soon will be a Fleetwood Mac tribute band called Gypsies
featuring Conita and other local musicians.
Working as a hairdresser and constantly
performing, Conita stays very busy. Two
years ago, Conita’s life got even better
when her granddaughter Haley was born.
“She loves to sing and wear hats just like
her grandma,” Conita said with pride.
Conita’s son, Russell and daughter-inlaw, Amy, along with Haley, are her pride
and joy.
You can contact Conita Sue Silva at 417894-6349.
named her “Fansie.” When she returned
to Springfield, Conita formed a biker rock
group called Fansie and the Midnight
Riders. She was the female vocalist in
Even Deeper, Acoustically Speaking, and
False Alarm. Conita formed No Stringz
Attached in 2014. She sings with Brent
Photo courtesy of CONITA SILVA
Katy Guillen
By Carolyn Brockman
Katy Guillen is a professional lead guitar
player and vocalist for the Kansas City
based Katy Guillen and the Girls band,
known for performing blues rock throughout the United States and internationally.
Her last name has Spanish roots and is
pronounce gee-yen.
In addition to being an electric guitar
player, Katy is a songwriter who is able to
transition between the mandolin, 4-string
bass, ukulele, and pretty much anything
with strings. She formally studied piano
for 12 years, starting at the age of seven.
A natural musician, she performs with
different groups such as the B’Dinas,
Claire and the Clouded Stage, and Katy
and Claire, gaining experience in a variety of genres including rock, indie, folk,
One track, “Gabriella”, on her self-titled
and flamenco.
release is dedicated to her niece.
Katy started joining in at blues jams at
the age of 14. She credits this for how Katy and the Girls were finalists in the
she got into playing publically. Her dad International Blues Challenge in 2014,
was influential in her music by exposing representing the Kansas City Blues Sociher to all genres and taking her to con- ety. Katy likes to jam with other musicerts and jams. Her mother’s family are cians in order to continually learn from
multi-instrumentally adept with her uncle those she admires. Because of her musiplaying several styles of stringed instru- cal travels, she especially appreciates
ments including Hamer guitar, dulcimer, getting the chance to meet so many difand banjo, among others. Katy preserves ferent people such as new musicians,
different bands, and different geographher grandfather’s flamenco guitar.
ical areas. The three-and-a-half-year-old
The girls, Claire Adams and Stephanie
band is working on a tour from California
Williams, come from a diverse backto Florida as well as the International
ground of genres which bring life and inMontreal Jazz Festival in Canada. Last
telligence to their music. Bassist and voNovember they completed a ten-day tour
calist, Claire has a rock background, forto Sweden.
merly playing in two punk bands. She is a
talented songwriter from Nashville who In addition to performing, Katy has taught
brings “intense harmony to Katy’s soulful young students beginning guitar classes.
vocals.” Drummer, Stephanie has rock The last five students have been young
and metal background and has a history girls. Katy especially likes this because
she feels there “Needs to be more female
playing jazz band.
guitar players… [in a] male
Other than being a full time musician,
dominated world.” She
Katy enjoys traveling, cooking, time with
said she had dealt with
her niece and nephew, and community
being the only female (as
involvement, to say the least. She origiwell as youngest) musician
nally enrolled in the UMKC Conservatory
at jams stating that those
of Music and Dance to attend music
with whom she played
school. However, her summer in Parawere supportive. This is
guay inspired her to change her study
what she feels has helped
major to sociology with a minor in Spanshaped her as a musician.
ish language. She graduated and holds a
degree in these subjects and is bilingual. Mentors to Katy have been
Photo retrieved at www.kclivemusicblog.com
her teachers such as pianist Donna
LaBach, flamenco guitarist Bo Bledsoe,
drummer and harpist John Paul, guitarist
Vince Kirk. She and her bandmates have
won several awards including, but not
limited to being finalists at the 2014 IBC,
KC’s Top Albums of the Year list, and
Pitch Kansas City music and arts publications “Best Emerging Act of 2014”. They
receive several various radio plays such
as 90.9 The Bridge in Kansas City and
KKFI the Kansas City Community Station
who are supportive of local independent
bands. Stations in Europe and online
have picked up their work from their first
CD and “are spinning it.”
When asked how she would like to remembered, Katy stated “As a good
friend, a good aunt, and a good musician.” Katy can be reached through her
website at katyguillenmusic.com or
kgandthegirls.com.
Blues Society of the Ozarks
March 2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
Thursday
Friday
2
No Stringz
Attached
W.F. Cody's
South
7:00 – 10:00
The Fogey’s
Misty’s Place
7:00 – 10:00
Saturday
3
4
Art Bentley
W.F. Cody's South
7:00 – 10:00
Sister Lucille
W.F. Cody’s South
8:00 – 12:00
Jericho Woods Band
Steve Hester
Cartoon’s Big Room
Papa Green Shoes
Blues and Brews
The Club inside
Classic Rock Coffee
7:30 – 9:30
Sean Monday
Jalen’s Lounge
6:00 – 9:00
Plush (90s rock)
The Club inside Classic
Rock Coffee
7:00 – 10:00
The Mason Dixon Band
Dennis’ Place
9:00 – 1:00
5
Four State Guitar
Show
Come by and see the
BSO booth!
Shrine Mosque
10:00 – 5:00
The Norman
Jackson Band
W.F. Cody’s South
8:00 – 12:00
ABC
(Andy Jenkins, Bill
Foster, & Conita
Silva)
Chili Cook Off to
benefit Rolling
Thunder
American Legion
Post 639
5:00 – 8:00
6
Kaps & Stems
Coulee’s Bar & Grill
(Branson)
6:00 – 9:00
7
BSO
Board
Meeting
Jalen’s
Lounge
6:30 –
8:30
8
9
No Stringz
Attached
W.F. Cody's
South
7:00 – 10:00
10
Art Bentley
W.F. Cody's South
7:00 – 10:00
Brenda Meyer
Band
Blues and Brews
The Club inside
Classic Rock Coffee
7:00 – 9:00
Bel Airs
Lindberg’s Tavern
7:00 – 10:00
11
Sister Lucille
Go Fast Betty’s (Osage
Beach)
8:00 – 12:00
Sean Clavin & the Dirty
Truth
Crazy Craig's Cheeky
Monkey (Branson)
7:00 – 10:00
Todd East & the Mix
(Ernie Bedell, Richard
Allen, Todd East)
Misty’s Place
8:00 – 12:00
Delbert McClinton
Gillioz
8:00 – 11:00
Opium Western
6:30 – 8:30
Cooter Brown
9:00 – 1:00
Tripwire
Rock Coffee
7:00 – 9:30
The Garbonzos
w/ Wild Hare
Misty’s Place
7:00 – 11:00
Classic Reunion
Cartoon’s Big
Room
6:30 – 8:30
Leather & Lace
Cartoon’s Big
Room
9:00 – 1:00
Kaps & Stems
The Roadhouse
Grill & Bar (Aurora)
9:00 – 1:00
The Mason Dixon
Band
Alford’s Place
(Lebanon)
9:00 – 1:00
12
Vic Vaughn, Eric
Guinn, & Dodge
Reunion
W.F. Cody’s South
8:30 – 12:30
O'Neil
Nathan P. Murphy’s
8:00 – 1:00
Back Road Story
6:30 – 8:30
Machine Gun
Symphony (80s
rock)
To benefit Rare
Breed
The Club inside
Classic Rock
Coffee
7:00 – 9:30
The Dropouts
Cartoon’s Big
Room
9:00 – 1:00
13
14
15
16
No Stringz
Attached
W.F. Cody's
South
7:00 – 10:00
BSO
general
meeting
Library
Station –
Santa Fe
room
6:30 –
8:30
The Fogey’s
Misty’s Place
7:00 – 10:00
Sister Lucille
Ozark’s Live
4:00
20
21
22
23
17
Acoustic Suitcase
American Legion
Post 639
7:30 – 10:00
Papa Green Shoes
Rhythm & Boom Show
Lindberg’s Tavern
6:30 – 8:30
Hillbilly Vegas
The Shotgun Billys
8:00 – 1:00
Sister Lucille
Blues and Brews
The Club inside
Classic Rock Coffee
7:00 – 9:00
The Mason Dixon Band
Just One More (Republic)
9:00 – 1:00
Acoustic Suitcase
Cruise Inn Throttle
Down (Kimberling City)
9:00 – 1:00
Art Bentley
W.F. Cody's South
7:00 – 10:00
N2 Deep
W.F. Cody's South
9:00 – 1:00
Art Bentley
W.F. Cody's South
7:00 – 10:00
92
Papa Green Shoes
Dennis’ Place
9:00 – 1:00
Outlaw Country
Reloaded
W.F. Cody's South
9:00 – 1:00
G-14 “Vilified”, G-14
“Scandalous”
6:30 – 8:30
28
29
Sister
Lucille
Acoustic
Millwood
Golf
Course
6:00 –
9:00
30
No Stringz
Attached
W.F. Cody's
South
7:00 – 10:00
Sister Lucille
Just One More (Republic)
9:00 – 1:00
Magnetik South
W.F. Cody's South
7:00 – 10:00
Professors & Mary Ann
6:30 – 8:30
31
Vic Vaughn &
Souled Out
W.F. Cody’s South
8:30 – 12:30
Brenda Meyer
Band
Blues and Brews
The Club inside
Classic Rock Coffee
7:00 – 9:00
Acoustic
Suitcase
Cruise Inn Throttle
Down (Kimberling
City)
9:00 – 1:00
25
Dan Conklin & the
Regulators
9:00 – 1:00
Violet
Rock Coffee
7:00 – 9:30
26
Soul Sounds
W.F. Cody's South
8:30 – 12:30
Steve Smith & the
Sneakers
Misty’s Place
8:00 – 12:00
Nadia
6:30 – 8:30
Glen McKenzie &
the Road King
9:00 – 1:00
27
Sister Lucille w/
Mark “Muleman”
Massey
Cartoon’s Big
Room
9:00 – 1:00
Big Iron
Misty’s Place
9:00 – 1:00
24
Nathan Bryce &
Loaded Dice
Blues and Brews
The Club inside
Classic Rock Coffee
7:30 – 9:30
No Stringz
Attached
W.F. Cody's
South
7:00 – 10:00
18
Upcoming Events:
April 17 BSO Blue
Rooster Run and
Picnic
Sister Lucille
Outback Pub
(Branson)
9:30 – 1:00
Acoustic Suitcase
Coulee’s Bar &
Grill (Branson)
9:00 – 1:00
The Mason Dixon
Band
515 On the Hill
(Pleasant Hope)
8:00 – 12:00
Treva Hufft Lund
by Carolyn Brockman
Treva Hufft Lund is a dynamic electric
violinist and multi-genre vocalist who is a
member of Treva and the Troublemakers
known for performing blues, country,
classic rock, and blended “Ozarks Rock”
in Springfield, Missouri and surrounding
areas. In addition to being a brilliant violinist she is able to transition between,
guitar, bass, keyboard, and mandolin.
Influential mentors for Treva include Red
Ormbsee who was her orchestra conductor in Junior High School. Through his
guidance, and some private lessons, she
learned to read music. He encouraged
her to continue to follow musical procedure even though she had quickly memorized the songs. He said to her, “You can
do anything in life with music, you can
make it happen.” Her parents were also a
large influence to her music.
When Treva was twelve and had a few
years of classical training, her parents
took her to a live radio show called the
Four Star Opry on Commercial Street.
Her father coaxed her into taking a few
fiddle lessons the Opry was offering. Her
dad had always wanted her to play bluegrass fiddle. Although she was reluctant,
Treva took two lessons from Donnie
Wright before they wanted to put her on
the broadcast stage. She played two
tunes and received standing ovations. It
was at this point that reluctance turned
into love for performance.
twenty-year break from music
performance.
Her music was put on hold
until 2008 when she met guitarist, Ric Lund. Jamming
together in his garage, and
with his strong support, she
soon got the fever to start
performing again. In 2011,
Ric and Treva were married
and sat in on the band, Puddle Stomp, at their wedding
reception. This was the moment they realized their desire to put a group together,
which is now known as Treva
and the Troublemakers.
For Treva, the best part of her
job is performing for her audience. She enjoys trying new
arrangements,
giving
a
‘Troublemakers twist’ to a
song, and learning songs of
different genres. She likes to
get out of her comfort zone.
Most of all, Treva likes when
members of her audience
“Are enjoying a song, singing
along with it, and clapping. It
just really makes my day.”
Treva takes time to be involved with community organizations such as Building
Bridges Hand in Hand to help homelessness, Rare Breeds youth services, and
donating at least 80% of her late mother’s
personal belongings such as blankets,
sheets, coats and more to help people
who are currently homeless or need help.
Presley’s performers. She said she enjoys anything from stained glass to candles.
Treva lives in Springfield with her husband, Ric and their rescued Shih Tzu,
Sophie, Lhasa Apso Dixie, and some
rescue kittens. Together Ric and Treva
play in their band with Seth Randolph on
In the late 1990s, Treva gave multi-genre drums, Don Randolph on bass, and Will
violin/fiddle lessons to beginning, inter- Richardson on keyboards. All perform as
mediate, and advanced students of all vocalists in the group.
ages in the studio at Music City.
When asked how she would like to be
A native of Springfield, Treva studied remembered, she responded “Musically
marketing and accounting at the then as somebody fun to watch on stage and
named, Southwest Missouri State Univer- personally as a wholehearted giving person” to all walks of life.
sity.
Before joining her current band, Treva
spent a number of years playing in various groups. For example, at the age of
twelve she began playing bluegrass
square dances as well as performed a
few songs on the Slim Wilson show on
Channel 10. At fifteen, she participated in
a talent contest at Presley’s Jubilee in
Branson, winning first place in the 16 and
under division. As a result, Treva worked
six seasons with Presley’s, playing the Treva’s musical influences for violin are Treva can be reached on her band’s
theatre shows in Branson and touring Bob Wills, Tommy Jackson, Jean Luc website, trevaandhetroublemakers.com.
during the off season in ten states.
Ponty, Mark O’Connor,
Charlie Daniels, Papa John
After Presley’s, Treva worked with the
Creech, and Anne Harris.
Eddie Asher Band where she gained her
Her vocal influences are
first studio recording experience playing
Barbara Mandrell, Linda
twin fiddles with Clint Johnson. They
Ronstadt, Stevie Nicks,
recorded Eddie’s original tunes for the
Janis Joplin, the Eagles,
album Nightlife at a studio in Springfield.
and Bonnie Raitt.
Other local groups she played with were
The Hits and the Misses with Donna Burr. Treva’s hobbies include
Afterwards, Treva joined the band Mid- crafting and sewing. At one
night Truce. At this time is when she time she handmade all of
moved to Oklahoma City and began a the stage clothes for the
Photo courtesy of RIC LUND
went on to record her first song, “Bumbe Bee” under the name
Memphis Minnie. This song became one of the most successful of the more than 100 sides she recorded before retiring.
Flush with success, the couple moved to Chicago, where they
took the Windy City by storm. By 1935 their marriage ended,
but their individual destinies were set. Joe went on to front the
Harlem Hamfats, Chicago’s premier hokum band (and one of
Al Capone’s favorite bands). Minnie became the undisputed
Queen of 1930s blues and was one of the first blues musicians to go electric in 1942. Minnie played a major role in the
electric revolution that would change the direction of the blues.
Memphis Minnie was not only an accomplished guitarist, but
put on a great show as well. She had a very flamboyant show,
often taunting the men in the audience. She reportedly beat
Big Bill Broonzy in a blues contest! Memphis Minnie recorded
for several labels including Vocalion, Decca, and Bluebird,
recording such blues classics as “Bumble Bee,” “Hoodoo Lady,” and “I Want Something For You.”
Memphis Minnie’s health began to fail in the mid-fifties. She
retired and moved to Memphis in 1957. Around this time, she
suffered a stroke that left her virtually helpless for the rest of
her days. She died in a Memphis nursing home in 1973. Minnie’s recording career spanned three decades and survived
numerous shifts in blues styles that occurred. She influenced
a number of prominent blues figures including Muddy Waters
and almost single handedly carved out a female presence in
what was a dominantly male art form. Memphis Minnie was
inducted into the Blues Foundations Hall of Fame in 1980.
MEMPHIS MINNIE
SINGER, SONGWIRTER, GUITARIST (1897–1973)
BLUES HALL OF FAME 1980
by Steve Smith, March 2004 Bluesletter
Memphis Minnie was an accomplished guitarist and an excellent songwriter. She sang the blues with gusto and a rough
edged passion unmatched during her time. From the days of
the depression through World War II, she was the biggest female star of the blues. Along with Big Bill Broonzy and Tampa
Red, Memphis Minnie was the all-important link between
acoustic country blues and electric urban blues.
Recommended Recordings:
Hoodoo Lady, 1933-1937/Columbia (CK46775)
Memphis Minnie, Vol.1/Earl (BD608)
Memphis Minnie, Vol. 2/Earl (BD617)
Memphis Minnie, Vol. 1/Blues Classics (1)
Memphis Minnie, Vol. 2/Blues Classics (2)
Memphis Minnie was born Lizzie Douglas June 3, 1897 in Algiers, Louisiana. Before she turned 10 ,her family moved to
Wall Mississippi just south of Memphis. Her father bought her
banjo when she was 10 and by 15 she was Lizzie “Kid” Douglas playing guitar on the Memphis streets and in jukes around
the Delta. A year later, she joined the Ringling Brothers Circus
and went off to tour the south.
During the 1920s she settled into the Beale Street blues scene, where she met and married guitarist Kansas Joe McCoy.
In 1929 she was discovered by a Columbia talent scout and
Photos from http://www.abbeville.com/blog/?tag=womens-history-month and https://
musicmemphis.wordpress.com/2011/01/05/memphis-minnie/
The International Blues Challenge
SATURDAY
KRWP FM 107.7 The Saturday Night Blues
Party 9 p.m. with Brian Sullivan
KSMU-FM
91.1.
Beale
Street Caravan Show.
10 p.m. to 11 p.m.
KSMU 91.1 FM, 90.5 FM
Branson, 88.1 FM
Mountain Grove, 90.9
FM West Plains, 98.9
FM Joplin
103.7 FM Neosho Route 66
Blues Express 11 p.m.
to 2 a.m. with John
Darkhorse
SUNDAY
Watch the April 2016 Bluesletter for interviews and articles about the International blues Challenge. Including area bands competing a the IBC for other societies. Such as: the Brenda Meyer
Band and third place winners, the Norman Jackson Band. Pictured are BSO representatives the
Tripwire Blues Band and Solo/Duo members. Left to right: Stoney Cottengim, Corey Swift, Bobby
G with Bo, Jody Guy Cottengim, and Nathan Bryce.
On March 25th, George Hunt
will be presenting a BITS
program at Springfield’s Musgrave Boys and Girls Club
from 6 to 7 pm. All other
Boys and Girls Clubs are
invited to attend.
KSPQ 94 FM Blues 9 a.m.
to 11 a.m., with Robert
Lynn Sunday, KSPQ
94 FM, House of Blues
Hour 11 a.m. to noon,
with Dan Aykroyd.
US 97, Dr. Bob 9 a.m. to
noon Sunday.
The
Cave 104.7FM –
House of Blues Radio
Hour w/Dan Aykroyd
@ 9am and repeating
@ 9pm.
Big Dog 97.9 FM (Joplin) House of Blues Radio
Hour
with
Dan
Aykroyd @ 6pm
Pictured are two dynamic
women musicians, Samantha
Fish and Danielle Nicole, who
have been involved in mentoring young girls in the
Ozarks via playing an instrument.
MONDAY
KCONLINERADIO.comWith Kool Breeze All
Day Lunch Hour (Live)
@ 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
THURSDAY
Samantha Fish
Both women have been involved in the blue
star connection, bluestarconnection.org, an
awesome collaboration of various musicians
and donors.
Danielle Nicole
Mary Certain, BITS committee chair, heard
from several youth who told her both Danielle
and Samantha have taken time with them.
KCONLINERADIO.comKC Bikes and Breeze
(Live) @ 8 p.m. to 11
p.m.
KCONLINERADIO.comKool Breeze and Sizzlin’ Blues @ 7 p.m. to
11 p.m.
IBC Photo by RETHA DAWES, Samantha Fish from cjonline.com, Danielle Nicole from kansascity.com
Kimberly Dill
by Carolyn Brockman
Kimberly Dill is a devoted blues vocalist
who is a member of the Sister Lucille
band known for performing blues music in
the Ozarks, Memphis, Tennessee, and
Clarksdale, Mississippi areas.
A lifelong singer, Kimberly began performing for her family at the age of three by
imitating Crystal Gayle’s music and style.
While using a curling iron as her microphone, she created a braided floor length
pantyhose wig and would sing every word
on Gayle’s album. She also played clarinet in high school.
Kimberly sang in Nashville, Tennessee,
then began performing with the country
music band, Ghosttown, with Rick
Holdren on guitar and vocals and Lee
Crossland on fiddle. While in this band,
Kimberly met Jamie Holdren, her future
husband and son of the guitarist. Inspired
by Jamie’s long hair, Billy the Kid’s gang,
and NASCAR’s prohibition era nomenclature, they changed the band name to the
Wild Bunch. Next, Kimberly and Jamie
created a multi-genre and blues duo
group, Double Shot, where Jamie recorded music in the studio. Afterword they
would dub vocals together.
For Kimberly, there are several reasons
why she loves being a vocalist. “First and
foremost to emulate to the crowd what
you’re feeling inside and they give that
back to you… that is the joy of it all”. She
is able to rely on her music and her bandmates as an outlet for inner stress and
emotional expression. Often she gets
goosebumps and tears when she hears
her favorite musical mentors and friends
Reba Russell and Danny Green who recognize her drive and ambition. She is recording “Another Man” on Memphis Mick
Kolassa’s future duet CD. Other musi- the BSO at the International Blues Chalcians recording for this album are Gracie lenge in 2015.
Curran, Barbara Blue, Red Velvet, Reba
Recently Kimberly and Jaimie were interRussell, and Long Tall Deb.
viewed by Mitch McCracken, Memphis DJ
Kimberly takes time to be involved in and entertainment examiner who has incommunity organizations by collectively terviewed the likes of Eric Clapton and
donating band time for groups such as B.B. King. He “believes in us and assures
Rare Breed youth drop in center, Gather- us that our journey is just beginning.
ing Friends for the homeless, Hailey’s
In her limited free time, Kimberly enjoys
Angels honoring Haley Owens, elemenwriting historical novels and is working on
tary schools and numerous charities. Kiman all era vampire novel. She also enjoys
berly has also had the privilege of percooking and creating down home soul
forming for Albert Castiglia, Sugar Ray
food. Kimberly lives in Springfield, MisRayford, John Nemeth, Geneva Magnus,
souri with her husband, Jaimie, and polyMike Zito, Mark Muleman Massey, and
dactyl cat, Hemmingway.
the Ori Naftaly Band, among others.
Sister Lucille has several road trips
At the age of nineteen, Kimberly sang on
planned for this summer and fall in Missisthe stage of the Grand Ole Opry as well
sippi, Kansas, and Colorado. They will be
as the “Mother Church of Country Music,”
performing at the West Plains Blues Festithe Ryman Auditorium. The producer of
val, Bona Fide Blues Festival in Memphis,
the show liked her and recorded Kimberly
and the Greater Ozarks Blues Festival in
in the B-movie Christmas ‘44 about World
Springfield.
War II, filmed in Alabama. A native of
Springfield, Kimberly holds a degree in Sister Lucille is looking forward to the
possibility of recording their next album
hospitality management.
with a highly respected producer and
Influential mentors contribMemphis based music ensemble. No
uting to her talents, include
spoilers yet. Members of Sister Lucille
Reba
Russell,
Barbara
include guitarist Jamie Holdren, drummer
Blue, and Lisa G. Her muKevin Lyons, and bassist Eric Guinn. In
sical influences include Etta
early May she and Jaimie will be performJames, Boo Mitchell, Lou
ing with Angelia King in a showcase at the
Ann
Barton,
Susan
Springfield Contemporary Theatre.
Tedeschi, Janis Joplin and
B.B. King. Kimberly and Kimberly can be reached through the
Sister Lucille represented band’s website at sisterlucilleband.com.
Photos courtesy of MODEL CITIZENS PHOTOGRAPHY
Mesa Mitchell
by Carolyn Brockman
Mesa Mitchell is a much-admired vocalist known for performing all genres of
music in the Branson, southern Missouri, and northern Arkansas areas.
She especially enjoys jazz and blues
music commenting that both go hand in
hand. Although she doesn’t include it in
her act, she has played the piano since
she was seven years old.
Early on Mesa displayed recognizable
vocal abilities and a passion for singing.
This drew the attention of her music
teacher, Mark Carlson. He got her on
track with private lessons which progressed into her becoming a member
of the school’s Chamber Choir, choral ,
and various groups attending state contests and travelling to Washington, DC.
Later she went on to perform as a guest
queen in the Miss Minnesota pageant
where she won an award and was catapulted into performance. This is where “I
got my feet wet and after that it was in
my blood.”
Not long after, Mesa formed the now 25year-old band Mesa Mitchell and the Blistering Blues Band with which at times
she still performs. Later she formed the
Mesa Mitchell Band which performs more
than just blues. With this band, Mesa
won the Memphis Bound Competition
and performed at the IBC in the 1990s.
As a passionate singer, Mesa said she
never sings a song she doesn’t like. She
looks for the message, good lyric value,
and something deliverable. She stated,
“what separates a good singer from a
really good singer is soulfulness.” Many
singers can do “vocal gymnastics”. However, music should “Move you. You feel
goosebumps… music is medicinal.”
Mesa takes time to be involved in community organizations. She volunteers for
Fishes & Loaves, which is an organization for helping get food for people who
are homeless. “My heart is with the
homelessness and children who are hungry.” She recognizes a growing homeless
issue in and around the Ozarks which is
very concerning to her. She is also involved in her church. She has seven
grandchildren and feels blessed to be
able to visit some of them in Branson as
well as in her home town of San Diego.
Mesa spent her teenage years in Minnesota where her mother still resides.
and Robin enjoy morning walks, peaceful
harmony, and healthy living. Mesa and
her family eat organically and healthy
eating is extremely important to her.
They live with her pianist mother-in-law
and their pomsky, Marilyn.
Influences to her full musical life are Bonnie Raitt, Tina Turner, Etta James, Dinah
Washington, Dione Warwick, the Eagles,
Pablo Cruz, Boz Scaggs, Steve Miller,
Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, and Harry
Connick, Jr.
Mesa acknowledged Don Shipps as being a person who recognized her talent.
He called her on several occasions to
play or to fill in for him. She felt a great
Mesa is happily married to her husband, loss when he passed.
Robin Hendry, a talented musician in his
Mesa has two albums, Meant to Be
own right. They met when he came to
(2015) and the compilation, I’ve got
cover as third-in-line drummer after her
plans. Mesa can be reached through her
first and second drummers couldn’t make
website at mesamitchellband.com.
it. Besides a musical household, Mesa
Photograph courtesy of MESA MITCHELL
Leigh-Anne
Stanton
By Carolyn Brockman
Leigh-Anne Stanton is a multi-award winning bass guitar player who is a member
of the Murray Kinsley and Wicked Grin
band (www.wickedgrin.ca) known for performing “full-tilt roots rock” and blues at
festivals and clubs throughout Canada.
Being a 5-string bass player in addition to
being female makes her somewhat unusual in a male 4-string bass dominated
musical arena.
A natural musician, Leigh-Anne began
performing with her high school’s concert
band in the early 1970s. She played the
euphonium, a baritone brass instrument,
but wanted to play dance and swing music. She convinced a friend to teach her
to play bass guitar and joined the
school’s stage band. Having grown up in
the Montreal area, she also speaks fluent
French.
After high school graduation, Leigh-Anne
entered the corporate world and put her
musical career on a 25-year hiatus since
there “was not a call for women bass
players.” In 2000, she was inspired to
take up the bass again and performed in
a 12 piece R&B band. Five years later
she joined her husband, Murray, in the
band Wicked Grin. Leigh-Anne retired 5
years ago and has since devoted herself
full-time to music. Not only is she an accomplished bassist, she has also helped
co-write several of her husband’s compositions.
Leigh-Anne mentioned the Mamas & the
Papas, Beach Boys, and Neil Diamond
as being her earliest musical influences.
However, it turns out that a studio rhythm
section known as the Wrecking Crew
played on many of their albums as well
as countless other hits and she credits
Wrecking Crew bassist, Carol Kaye as
being her strongest and most inspirational influence. Leigh-Anne attributes Kaye
with creating the sound that “got people
moving.”
“so fabulous it’s not even funny.” According to the Toronto Blues Society, “The
nominees are selected by a distinguished
panel of some 50 blues experts” made up
of disc jockeys, blues societies, bookers,
and promoters, etc. with candidates for
the instrumental categories being determined by the nominating panel. After
painstaking consideration, Leigh Anne
won the bassist category. She was only
the second woman to do so in the nearly
20 years the awards have been given.
In addition to this momentous personal
achievement, in 2014 Wicked Grin was
nominated by the panel as one of five
candidates and voted by the public as the
best New Artist or Group of the Year. According to their Stormy Water album
notes in cdbaby.com, Murray Kinsley and
Wicked Grin “represented the Ottawa
Blues Society in the International Blues
Challenge in Memphis in January [2014],
played the Ottawa Bluesfest, Kitchener
Bluesfest, Calabogie Blues & Ribfest and
Kingston Blues Festival, toured Western
Canada and was runner-up in the Toronto Blues Society’s 2014 Talent Search.
Several tunes from Wicked Grin’s second
album Shame on Me are getting widespread airplay, including on DAWG-FM
and on Sirius/XM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville
channel, and the album was chosen by
Blues Underground Network as Best Canadian Blues Rock Album of 2014.”
Wicked Grin has two songs in regular
rotation on B.B. King’s Bluesville channel
from their second album in addition to
spins on Internet radio on European,
Netherlands, and U.K. stations. Their latest Album, Stormy Water, was chosen by
Blues Underground Network as Best Canadian Blues Rock Album of 2015 and
was in the suggested playlist for Canada’s
national
public
broadcaster
(equivalent to the U.S.’s NPR) in January
2016. The band’s music is also played on
local radio stations, college radio and
Stormy Water has hit #5 on the National !
earshot Charts for Campus and Community Radio. They also receive airtime on
DAWG FM, Canada’s only blues and
blues-rock radio station.
“Juke Joints” she said they are not as
common in Canada although Mikey’s
Juke Joint is a well-known one in Calgary, Alberta that the band plays regularly
on their western tours.
When asked how Canada “Got the
Blues,” Leigh-Anne responded that she
felt Canadian blues music was inspired
by hearing American blues artists. She
pointed out that Canada did not have
segregation as did the United States and
although she was not an historian she
believed that race was not as much of an
issue in Canada. American artists inspired the blues in Canada much like that
of blues throughout the United Kingdom
and the rest of the world. She stated that
Canadians were fascinated by the sound
of blues music from the south then adopted and adapted it. Popularity of blues
music in Canada has increased ever
since. Leigh-Anne credited Canadian
musicians Dutch Mason, the Downchild
Blues Band, and Ronnie Hawkins for being forerunners and early pioneers of the
Canadian blues genre.
Leigh-Anne shared that she felt there is
still a breakdown in the perception of
women as blues musicians. She said
that since she essentially started working
as a professional bassist at the age of 53,
Local Ottawa venues that Leigh-Anne
“it is still a drag” because she feels likes
This year, Leigh Anne received Canada’s and the band play at include Irene’s Pub,
(Continued on page 19)
nationally recognized Maple Blues Award the Atomic Rooster Bistro, and the Rainfor bassist of the year. She said it was bow Bistro. When asked about traditional
Photo courtesy of RICK ARBUCKLE PHOTOGRAPHY
BSO Blues Crossword
Across
18. The band to perform at the 2008 IBC for the BSO.
1. Chicago Blues legend and slide guitarist who passed away peacefully in his Springfield home in December 2007.
20. Local songwriting legend who passed away in 2009.
3. Band members were Robert Smith, Steven Graham, Rick Shortt,
and Robert Scrivener III.
21. Grammy award winning fusion blues/hip-hop artist and actor who
played at Nathan P Murphy’s in 2009. Starred in O Brother, Where Art
Thou?
5. Blues event in Mountain Home, AR that ran from 2001 to 2008.
Headliner in 2007 was Reba Russell.
Down
7. From the Ozarks, was assigned as venue coordinator at Rum Boogie for the 2003 IBC.
2. The 2008 duo act to perform at the IBC for the BSO.
9. Lil’ Ed’s band.
6. The business whose lot was the location of the 2008 Greater
Ozarks Blues Festival.
10. Headliner, along with Indigenous band, at 2008 Eureka Springs
Blues Weekend.
12. Dancers for Bobby Rush.
14. An event held October 2003, a first for the BSO.
15. Blues, soul, and world music harmonica and digeridoo player from
Australia.
16. Introduced as a guitar player for Grady Champion by Pat Warford
in 2011.
4. BSO’s April 2016 fundraiser.
8. A house where a gun could be shot straight through the front and
back doors at one time.
11. Man who was killed in the line of duty saving his fellow Marines in
2004. Son of BSO members Tom & Debi.
13. Kansas City Blues Society vocalist for Blues Explosion who took
second at the 2011 IBC.
19. Performed at BITS at two local elementary schools in April 2010.
17. With the model B3, this 1930s 400+ pound instrument came from
the church to the juke joint.
Answers to February Crossword:
ACROSS: (1) Chris Beard, (3) Unlock the Door, (4) Joe Bonamassa, (7) Billy Gibbons, (11) Chico Banks, (12) Jonny Lang, (14) Scott Birum, (15) Cedell Davis,
(17) Paul Lamb, (18) “Rock Me Baby,” (19) Susan Tedeschi, (21) Jeff Healey, (23) Boogie Woogie, (24) Rusty Zinn. DOWN: (2) Anthony Gomes, (5) Just as Bad,
(6) Hound Dog Taylor, (8) Dan Auerbach, (9) Ronnie Earl, (10) Memphis, (13) Lavern Baker, (16) James Davis, (20) Derek Trucks, (22) Hoochie Koochie Man.
Discounts to
cardholding members
of the BSO
CROSSTOWN BARBECUE
1331 E. Division
(417) 862-4636
a pepper blend
Mary Certain
(316) 210-7720
[email protected]
JOE'S DINER
201 E. Chestnut St.
Strafford, MO Exit 88
(417) 736-2922
GEORGE HUNT
Harmonica & Guitar Instructor & Performer
[email protected]
Facebook: George Hunt
(417) 353-9180
MISSOURI SAFE CARRY
10% off any class for any BSO members
missourisafecarry.com
Facebook: Missouri Safe Carry
Kevin & Marcy Powell
417-840-5426
HOT STUFF
SCRAMBLERS
Women In Blues Showcase during the
International Blues Challenge in Memshe is continually breaking new phis. Leigh-Anne is looking forward to
ground. She described a women- in- the outcome of the influx of women
blues workshop at the Canadian Blues musicians and its impact on the blues.
Summit in 2015 as having discussions
Advice that Leigh-Anne would like to
similar to corporate sessions she pargive to blues musicians is “most imticipated in during the 1970s, 1980s
portantly to play what you love and
and 1990s… “How to make sure evestick to who you are. Be yourself berybody gets a fair shake.” She mencause being a professional musician is
tioned that there are a number of guys
a tough situation, especially for womwho “get it” and credited Tas Cru and
en in the blues. Stick with doing what
his drummer, Sonny Rock, for being
you love… because it’s likely not an
very supportive, especially of the
easy row to hoe.”
(Continued from page 17)
1131 E. Republic Rd.
Springfield, MO
(417) 886-4224
SPRINGFIELD VAPORS
829 W. Kearney Street and 1803 Grand Street
(417) 862-1075
WILSON'S CHUCK WAGON
1820 W Kearney
(417) 862-1101
Please let these businesses know you are
thankful to them for this opportunity! Keep
checking with us, as there are more businesses
getting ready to get on board. Must show your
membership card to get discount.
Corporate Sponsors
Billie Jacoby, Murney Steven F Groce, Atty
Realtors
Sunbelt
Brotherhood of
Environmental
Electrical Workers
Service Inc.
Margaret Phillips,
Dogwood Tavern
Tom Wittrock, Third
Eye Music
Selby Minner,
Friends of the
Rentiesville
Wilson’s
Chuckwagon
Misty’s Place
Springfield Music
If you want to be listed in the musician, band, or venue directory at bluessocietyoftheozarks.com or
see an error in the Bluesletter or website, please contact the bsoedi-
Trivia
According to Memphis
Slim, who were the high
class musicians and lower
class musicians on Beale
Street in the 1940s?
February Bluesletter Answer:
A gate is a fellow, a guy. Gate may be an
abbreviation of gatemouthed, which means
gator-faced, and by the 1920s came to
mean a jazz musician or any hip male.
Louis Armstrong reportedly claimed to be
the first to use Gatemouth this way.
In “Gimmie a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer,”
Bessie Smith sang:
Just at the break of day you can hear old
Hanna say,
“Bimme a pigfoot and a bottle of beer.
Send me, Gate.”
In the original version, the line was “send
me, daddy.”
DeSalvo, D. (2006). The Language of the
Blues: from Alcorub to Zuzu (p. 70). New
York, NY: Billboard Books.
Blues Society Inc.
Blues Society of the Ozarks
P.O. Box 8133
Springfield, MO 65801-8133
BSO MEMBERSHIP FORM
Signup at bluessocietyoftheozarks.com OR fill out this form and mail with check or money order to:
Blues Society of the Ozarks, P.O. Box 8133, Springfield, MO 65801
Date ________________
Name _________________________________________ Name ____________________________________________
(Two adults at same address, please list both names)
Street Address ___________________________________________________________________________________
City __________________________________________ State _________________________________ Zip_________
Phone ________________________________________ Phone 2 __________________________________________
Email (recommended) _____________________________________________________________________________
☐ $25/yr—Individual ☐$15/yr—Senior (62+), Student, Veteran
☐ $35/yr—Family
☐ $35/yr—Band Membership
☐ $165/yr—Corporate
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I will like to be an active member in the BSO! I will be willing to help in the following area(s):
☐ Picnics, ☐ Blues Festival, ☐ Fundraisers , ☐ Public Relations, ☐ Bluesletter, ☐ Other _________________________
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Bluesletter - Blues Society of the Ozarks

Transcription

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