candye kane sweetens up junkyard juke tab benoit at workplay

M AG i C
C i T Y
B LU ES NEWS
MAR 2013
iSSUE# 236
BiRMiNGHAM,
ALABAMA
spring is sprung
with candye & tab!
candye kane
sweetens up
junkyard juke
tab benoit
at workplay
IBC Recap p10
from the prez
March 30th. Candye had a checkered
Went to the Randall Bramblett’s
start to her career; she is a cancer
prerelease CD Party last night at
survivor, but above all she is one of the
WorkPlay. A great evening. There was
best entertainers in Blues today. She
room for more folks, but I’d estimate
has won many awards--in 2011 alone
there were 140 in the audience and
Candye was nominated for two National
a good number on the dance floor.
Blues Foundation – 2012 Blues Music
Randall was happy with the crowd.
Awards: BB King Entertainer of the Year
He was full of smiles all evening and it
& Best Contemporary Blues Female.
came through in the music. He played
Opening the show
some favorites
will be some of
like Driving to
Birmingham’s
Montgomery,
finest - Bourbon
some new
and Bleach – led
material from the
by former MCBS
new CD and one
board member
of the songs he
Bob Harrison.
penned for Bonnie
Great to see a
Raitt’s Slipstream
new club in town,
CD, Used to Rule
Iron City on 5th
the World. The
Avenue South at
line was long at
22nd Street. On
intermission with
February 9th they
everyone wanting
had a soft opening
to buy the new
inviting everyone
CD and get it
to a free concert
autographed.
by the nationally
Great...the show
known blues
ended at around
band Trampled
11pm, in bed
Under Foot.
before midnight,
They held their
nice.
ribbon cutting
You will see a
ceremony on
separate article
Roger Stephenson
February 21st and
on Tab Benoit’s
Randall Bramblett at WorkPlay
on February 22nd
show at WorkPlay
had a second free
on Sunday, April
concert with local offering Rock Candy.
7th at 8pm, tickets are $20. They are
I went down and the place was busy,
going to play a single 120 minute set
I’d say there were 400 people there.
so we can all get out by about 10pm.
They just inked a deal to get Bobby
Members can get reserved seats if
Rush to bring his show to town on April
they buy tickets before the end of the
5th, and it’s a bargain, only $12.50 a
month on a first come basis. We will
ticket (usually tickets for his show start
have tickets available at the March
at double that). Iron City wants to get
30th Junkyard Juke show at DanielDay
known in town and events like this will
Gallery. For more information or to buy
certainly establish them on the map.
tickets, contact Joan Hilner at jhilner@
Calling all musicians. Battle of the
gmail.com
Bands is scheduled for Sunday, July
Seem to be a little behind the last
few weeks. Bought a new fast computer 21st. Time to start talking about your
entry. Mark the date on your calendar.
and everything slowed right down.
Less than four months away.
Lots of problems. Finally I got it up and
See ya out and about supporting live
running and it’s faster than I can type,
Blues.
ha! At the last minute we managed to
Roger Stephenson
sign Candye Kane for Junkyard Juke on
2
Magic City Blues News march 2013
MAGiC CiTY BLUES SOCiETY
P.O. Box 55895
Birmingham, AL 35255
EXECUTiVE BOARD MEMBERS
President: Roger Stephenson
[email protected]
Vice President: Joan Hilner
[email protected]
Treasurer: John Wiles
[email protected]
Secretary: Wendy Walters
[email protected]
Board at Large:
Patti Langan
[email protected]
Elizabeth Hooks
[email protected]
Jamey McMahon
[email protected]
Webmaster: Tim Day
[email protected]
Librarian: Mark Giorgi
[email protected]
www.MAGiCCiTYBLUES.org
MARCH MEETING:
JUNKYARD JUKE
MARCH 30, 2PM
DANIEL DAY GALLERY
blu e mail
our FREE weekly e-mail service
Keep up with the latest
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‘Ham!
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CD review
Jake Lear
Diamonds and Stones
Magic City Blues Society
House Party performer Jake
Lear has released his second
solo recording, Diamonds &
Stones (available on CD or via
download at Jakelear.com;
interestingly, the funding for
D&S was done via Kickstarter,
i.e., fan supported, which
seems to be a developing
trend.)
Often described as a
combination of Bob Dylan
and Stevie Ray Vaughan,
I find that to be an apt
comparison. While a skilled
guitarist, Lear’s work is
always tasteful, restrained,
and fits within the context
of the song. He is never one
to be accused of playing
too many notes, too fast.
On this recording, Jake is
joined by Memphis veteran,
longtime partner and one
time Bar-Kays member Roy
Cunningham on drums and
Carlos Arias on bass.
The recording opens with
“Strange Things”, a midtempo rocker that is at once
new yet familiar. “Wasting
Time” is a highlight track,
with Jake waxing theoretical
about his life, singing “Ain’t
feeling too good, ain’t
feeling too bad.” “Diamonds
& Stones,” the title track,
reflects on the age-old
adage that some days you’re
the bat, some days you’re
the ball.
The album’s two cover
songs, “Jack O’Diamonds.”
by John Lee Hooker and
“Work Work Work” by Junior
Wells follow. “I See a Train
Coming” is as close to a slow
blues as the record has, and
contains come of Jakes most
tasteful guitar licks. “Quite
You” sounds a bit like one
of Stevie Ray’s covers of a
Howlin’ Wolf song. And the
lone instrumental, “Boogie
Time,” closes the album.
Every song in the record has
some redeeming quality, and
it doesn’t appear there is a
magic city blues news
is the official publication of the Magic City Blues Society,
a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. The Society is not responsible for the views and opinions expressed in Magic City Blues News
by individuals, who are solely responsible for their views.
WENDY WALTERS, Editor
[email protected]
Full Page
1/2-Page
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• ADVERTISING RATES •
(9.25”-H x 7.25”-W)............................$100.00
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throwaway track on it.
Diamonds & Stones is the
type of modern blues record
that your friends who “don’t
like the blues” will enjoy.
Meet the Board:
Elizabeth Hooks
In late 1994, I cruised
into Zydeco and met a
cool dude named Peter
Fielding. Peter kept telling
me I should join the
Magic City Blues Society.
I listened ( between sips)
for a couple of weeks and
decided I’d check out a
meeting. What a hoot! This
was the coolest thing since
wine in a box. I was hooked
after the first meeting. I’ve
met so many outstanding
members and musicians
over the years and been
given the opportunity to
participate in functions
that only our Society could
Jake Lear is not a modern
day guitar hero, but instead a
well-rounded singer, guitarist
and bandleader.
Jamey McMahon
offer. With this said, it is
now time to step up and
share my unique talents
(quit snickering!).
As one of your newest
Board members, I promise
I will not let the power
(?) entrusted to me go to
my head. Please let me
know of any suggestions/
concerns you may have
regarding the Society,
and I will make sure your
opinion is voiced at the
Board meetings. Thank
you for your support
and friendship over the
years and I look forward
to serving on the Board
and making even MORE
blueshound friends. I
guess all that is left to say
is: Thank you, Peter!
sponsors
We want to thank the following businesses
and individuals that help support the MCBS:
Bob Sykes BBQ
Cathead Vodka
Dreamland
FAR Distribution
Space reservations,
production requirements, etc.:
Wendy Walters, [email protected]
or Roger Stephenson, [email protected]
James McMahon
Billing inquiries:
John Wiles, [email protected]
Ranelli’s Deli
Publication design by Deluxe Interactive Services, LLC
[email protected]
Workplay
Iron City
march 2013 Magic City Blues News
3
Oh, brother! A juke like no other!
Candye Kane
to headline
Spring Juke!
Where: Daniel Day Gallery,
3025 6th Ave. S
When: March 30 at 2pm
How Much: $12 & BYOB
Opening band: Bourbon &
Bleach
The MCBS tried to get
Candye to the area a couple
of years ago for the inaugural
Shelby BBQ & Blues. At the
last minute one of their board
decided that perhaps Candye
wouldn’t put on a family show
and cancelled the contract.
It reflected badly on the
MCBS as we had made the
recommendation. Of course
Candye knew it was a family
show and as an entertainer
would have played to the
audience. Well I’m delighted
that at last we are getting
her to Birmingham. I think
she will size up her MCBS
audience and give us an
entirely appropriate show!
Uncensored.
A colorful mixture of the
traditional and the eclectic,
Kane cut her musical teeth in
the early 80’s onstage with
Hollywood musicians and
friends, Social Distortion,
Dwight Yoakum, Dave Alvin,
The Blasters, X, Fear and
4
Magic City Blues News march 2013
Los Lobos, to name just
a few. While raising two
sons, this role model for the
disenfranchised championed
large sized women, fought
for the equal rights for the
GLBT community and inspired
music lovers everywhere.
Her fans are a mixture of true
outsiders: bikers, Blues fans,
punk rockers, drag queens,
burlesque dancers, porn
fans, rockabilly and swing
dancers, grey haired hippies,
sex positive feminists and
everyday folk of all ages, flock
to see Candye and hear her
musical messages of love,
hope and empowerment.
Kane’s live shows are the
stuff of legend. She honors
the bold Blues women of the
past with both feet firmly
planted in the present.
She belts - growls - shouts
- croons and moans from
a lifetime of suffering and
overcoming obstacles. She
uses music as therapy and
often writes and chooses
material with positive
affirmations that leave the
audience feeling healed and
exhilarated. A show that is
part humor, revival meeting
and sexuality celebration,
she’ll deliver a barrelhouse-
Photo courtesy of Piedmont Talent
Candye Kane
tongue in-cheek Blues tune
or a gospel ballad like Jesus
and Mohammed, encouraging
audiences to leave behind
religious intolerance. She’ll
slay the crowd with her balls
out rendition of “Whole Lotta
Love” or glorify the virtues
of zaftig women with “200
pounds of fun”. She often
says she is a “fat black drag
queen trapped in a white
woman’s body” and she
dresses the part. Bedecked
in bright colored feathers,
sequins and rhinestones,
Kane’s performance is
Mississippi by way of Las
Vegas with a quick stopover
in San Francisco.
A Blues Diva of the 20th
century who can liven up any
party without shedding a
stitch
People Magazine
A true celebrity diva
New Yorker Magazine
This tough cookie wails with
a rousing confidence and
affirmation of identity and the
courage of her convictions
Downbeat Magazine
A serious and seriously
powerful singer who lays it all
on the line
The Philadelphia Inquirer
A voice that is a natural
wonder - like the Grand
Canyon.
The Washington Post
Candye Kane has that
big, brassy voice that has
authority and sass; the kind
of thing men like because it’s
seductive and women like
because it’s powerful
BB King
(to the San Diego Reader)
Roger Stephenson
T ab Benoit returns to Workplay
The Magic City Blues
Society, in conjunction with
Workplay and Cathead
Vodka, is thrilled to bring Tab
Benoit back to Birmingham
on April 7th at the Workplay
Theater. Benoit is a longtime
favorite of Birmingham and
the Magic City Blues Society,
and this show is sure to result
in a packed house – so get
your tickets early!!!
The Baton Rouge born,
Houma, Louisiana raised
Benoit, is a 20 year veteran
of the national touring
circuit, and has released
17 albums since he first
burst onto the blues scene
with 1992’s Nice and Warm.
Among the highlights of
Benoit’s discography since
then are 1999’s Homesick for
the Road with fellow Telarc
label mates Kenny Neal and
Debbie Davies and 2002’s
Whiskey Store with Charlie
Musselwhite, the legendary
Double Trouble rhythm
section, and fellow Magic
City Blues Society favorite
Jimmy Thackery.
Beginning with 2003’s
Sea Saint Sessions, Benoit’s
musical output focused
on modern interpretations
of native Louisiana music,
performed with Louisiana
musicians. The Sea Saint
Sessions found Benoit
teaming with Big Chief Monk
Boudreaux, Cyril Neville,
Brian Stoltz and legendary
Meters bassist George Porter,
Jr. Neville and Boudreaux
also joined Benoit on 2005’s
Fever for the Bayou.
In between those two
releases, Benoit and Thackery
took their show on the road
and released 2004’s Whiskey
Store Live, recorded at the
Unity Centre for Performing
Arts in Unity, Maine. Then
it was back to the Louisiana
Photo courtesy of tabbenoit.com
Tab Benoit
theme in 2006 with Brother
to the Blues, recorded with
Louisiana’s LeRoux. This
recording resulted in Benoit’s
only Grammy Nomination,
for Best Traditional Blues
Album, and also was the
impetus for Benoit’s winning
the 2007 Blues Music Awards
BB King Entertainer of the
Year and Best Contemporary
Male Performer Awards.
Benoit’s latest release was
2011’s Medicine, recorded
with New Orleans import
Anders Osborne, Ivan Neville,
and Michael Doucet of
BeauSoleil, among others.
Osborne co-produced, cowrote seven of the eleven
songs, and played guitar
along with Benoit on the
release.
Not only among the finest
of today’s contemporary
musicians, Benoit is
renowned for founding Voice
of the Wetlands, a non-profit
organization dedicated
to saving and repairing
Louisiana’s fragile and
vanishing coastal wetlands.
In 2010 he received the
Governor’s Award for
Conservationist of the Year
from the Louisiana Wildlife
Federation, and also stared
in Hurricane on the Bayou,
an iMax documentary film
on the effects of Hurricane
Katrina on the Louisiana
coastal areas.
Benoit gathered some
of his fellow Louisiana
musicians to form the
Voice of the Wetlands All
Stars – Osborne, Dr John,
Cyril Neville, Porter, and
Boudreaux, et al – and
released Voice of the Wetlands
in 2005, a fundraiser and
call to arms about the
devastation occurring on the
coast.
Benoit is the real deal.
When he straps on his
Fender Thinline Telecaster
and launches into either a
Mississippi Delta Blues or a
Swampified Louisiana Cajun
Boogie, you’ll be tapping
your toes, bobbing your
head, and itching to head
to the floor at Workplay,
either to dance and sing
along, or to witness Benoit’s
guitar wizardry up close and
personal. As the late Cajun
chef and humorist Justin
Wilson would say, “I gar-ontee!!!!!!!!”
SPECIAL. MCBS members
get reserved seating on a
first come basis but must
buy before the end of the
month. We will have tickets
at Junkyard Juke on March
30, but don’t wait to get best
seats. Contact Joan Hilner to
buy your tickets and she will
assign your seats. jhilner@
gmail.com (205) 936-6172.
Tickets are $20.
Jamey McMahon
march 2013 Magic City Blues News
5
library corner
There are some new CDs
that have come in this month
that are part of your perks of
being a member of MCBS. At
most of our events, our ever
energetic Mark Giorgi drags
out boxes and boxes of Blues
CD’s that have been donated
to our library. These are
available to you, dear member, just for being a part of
our organization. You check
them out of the library, give it
a listen or twenty, and return
it. We are always looking for
volunteers to write a review
of a CD that they particularly
enjoyed. This both helps the
artist and helps us get more
ads through record labels!
We have had this library for
many years with implied
consent that you would be
responsible in your use of the
music, but we are going to
add a new component to the
check-out process that will
have you sign the following
consent:
This latest release from Alligator features Boston’s Jesse
Dee, described by Boston
Globe as “tough-but-tender
soul and rollicking, rootsy
R&B...infectious, revivalmeeting furor.” I have fallen
for this CD...all eleven songs
are original, and his hair is
about 4 feet high! I see he
is playing in Mississippi in
August, need to grab him to
the ‘Ham!
MAGIC CITY BLUES SOCIETY
LIBRARY CHECKOUT
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Hadden Sayers
Rolling Soul
Blue Corn Music
I understand that any
unauthorized duplication
or storing of any music on
CDs or other media I check
out from the MCBS lending
library is a violation of federal law and also violates the
agreements that MCBS has
with the artists and record
An interesting CD in from
Blue Corn Music is Hadden
Sayers, hailing from Houston,
TX, but, per his bio, which
shows me he is a good man,
he relocated to the Midwest
to support his wife’s cancer
research. Hadden is currently
on the road in his Airstream,
6
Magic City Blues News march 2013
labels that provide these CDs.
This includes burning any
copies of the CD or storing
the music in my computer or
any mobile audio device like
an I-Pod. I agree not to copy,
duplicate or store or upload
to file sharing services any
music contained on CDs lent
to me by the Magic City Blues
Society.
Jesse Dee
On My Mind/ In My Heart
Alligator Records
love the album art, very Day
of the Dead-ish. One of my
all time favs, Ruthie Foster,
provides back-up on “Lay
Down Your Worries.”
Grady’s usual great harp
work. There’s a lot of feeling on this CD, especially in
his sweet “Mississippi Pride.”
Grady never disappoints.
Jake Lear
Diamonds and Stones
Self-produced
Ben Harper with
Charlie Musselwhite
Get Up!
Stax/ Concord Music Group
Born and raised in Vermont,
Jake Lear has spent the
last three years playing all
around Memphis. Check out
Jamey McMahon’s review of
this CD in this newsletter.
Grady Champion
Tough Times Don’t Last
Grady Shady Music
With his seventh release,
Mississippi fav Grady Champion is up to it again, with a
new CD of a dozen originals.
Great range of songs, with
Now here’s an interesting
combination, but one that
has been working for awhile
now, between long-time
beloved harmonica virtuoso
Charlie Musselwhite and the
eclectic Ben Harper, who
has always found his roots in
Blues and gospel. Invoking a
sound that captures the feel
of what was being recorded
at Chess Studios 40 years
ago. A real treat.
Wendy Walters
on a sad note
MARTY EAGLE
10/15/1941 - 2/1/2013
At age 71, the community
lost a very unique one of a
kind gentleman whose life
was well lived. He passed
away at home with his
companion and soul mate
Kay Ferguson by his side after
a short 6 week battle with
cancer. Marty was a personal
friend for over 19 years. He
opened his club, Marty’s Bar,
on Southside around the
same time we started the
Magic City Blues Society. For
over 19 years the club has
been open from 4pm to 6am
with live music every night (
not one day closed). He was
unique and one of a kind. He
embraced the local music
scene and the musicians,
and he was a cornerstone of
the Southside community.
A huge supporter of our
humble beginnings as the
MCBS, he always welcomed
us as a group or as individuals.
You were always greeted with
a smile by the man in black
and welcomed with open
arms. He hosted many a
Blues Open Jam as well as our
local blues musicians, often
giving them their first gig.
When Phelan Park was rained
out he graciously opened his
doors. Local and national acts
such as Sam Lay, MoBlues,
Kent Duchaine, Taylor Hicks
(American Idol Winner),
Little G Weevil (current IBC
Solo winner got his first gig
there) George Sherer, Todd
Simpson, Daniel Turner,
George & The G Men, Elnora
Spencer, Sassy Brown, Todd
Johnson, Rickey Castrillo ,
Clay Swafford and countless
others played his hole in the
wall. After the Blues Ball, Sloss
Blast or a show hosted at
another venue by the MCBS,
I always encouraged the
likes of Mo Blues, Microwave
Dave, Bob Margolin, Lil Ed,
Jimmy Thackery, Tab Benoit,
Eliott and the Untouchables,
Gip Gipson, Luther Allison
and many others to wander
down (and often drove them)
to Marty’s for a late night
“world famous” burger and
occasionally to sit in with the
local band.
His memorial service was
followed by a New Orleans
second line parade led by
Chad Fisher and some of
the finest horns in town
and followed by at least
1000 people. I have never
attended such a celebration
of life. He was honored by
everyone he touched in life.
Dancing down the street
Anne Rabson
Anne Rabson, best known as a
cofounder of Saffire – The Uppity Blues
Women, passed away on Jan 30 after a
long battle with cancer. A New York City
native, Rabson started performing professionally in the early 1960’s, although
it was not until she cofounded Saffire in
1987 that she became known throughout the world.
With Saffire and as a solo act, Rabson released almost a dozen critically
acclaimed recordings over the next 25
years, most on the Alligator label, and
Special to Magic City Blues News
Marty Eagle and MCBS President Roger Stephenson
with smiles on our faces I
knew in my heart he was
wrapping his arms around
us all and saying “go on
with life and live everyday”
and as Kay would say “Find
some joy everyday”. It’s
like he took all the grief
right up into the beautiful
blue sky. Kay is the new bar
owner and will keep the
atmosphere the same as
always. Everyone loved him
and he will be missed.
If you aren’t fortunate
enough to have been to
Marty’s you are missing out
on the best local joint in
was a perennial W.C. Handy/Blues Music
Award nominee for Traditional Blues
Female Artist of the Year. She was also
nominated for the Pinetop Perkins Piano
Player of the Year, Album of the Year for
her solo record Music Makin’ Mama, and
Song of the Year for Elevator Man. Her
latest release, recorded with Bob Margolin in 2012 while she was undergoing
chemotherapy, was titled Not Alone and
was nominated for Best Acoustic Album.
Rabson’s background, aside from music, was in teaching. Raised in Ohio, she
moved to the Fredericksburg, Va area
to teach college level computer science,
but continued to play music and teach
town. On weekends there
are early shows from 7 to
10 so you don’t have to stay
up all night to see the best
Birmingham has to offer. The
kitchen opens at 6 for early
shows and on other days
open from 11pm to 5am.
Check these out:
REMEMBERING MARTY
EAGLE – SECOND LINE on
www.youtube.com
Music Alabama:
Marty’s Song and Second
Line Parade www.
musicalabamablog.
alabamamusicoffice.com
Susan Collier
guitar on the side. When circumstances
conspired to put Anne and one of her
guitar students, Gaye Adegbalola, and
one of her college students, Earlene
Lewis, together, Saffire was born.
Anne always stayed dedicated to
education, and spent a large part of her
latter career performing for school aged
children throughout the Mid-Atlantic,
Northeast, Midwest and into Canada.
She was also a strong supporter of Blues
Foundation.
A self-taught guitarist, Anne did not
take up the piano until her mid-30’s,
Continued on page 14
march 2013 Magic City Blues News
7
on a sad note
William Braxton Schell
(1951-2013)
William Braxton Schell, Jr. “Braxton” passed away on
January 24, 2013 in Birmingham, Alabama at the age of 59.
Braxton was a member of the Magic City Blues Society almost
from its inception, joining in March 1994. In 2011 Braxton ran
for a board position and was elected as a Board Member at
Large. He said over the years that he had enjoyed and taken
advantage of so many events offered by the Blues Society,
that it was time to give back. For the next two years he
was a tremendous asset to the board and always a calming
influence. He could always analyze a problem and cut down
to the simple facts in a couple of seconds. We learnt quickly
that we could never gloss over the financials. Braxton had a
built in calculator. Tell him the ticket cost, expected number
of tickets to be sold, band costs, hotel costs, deduction for
sales tax and he’d know the likely profit instantly without
ever writing anything down. He once explained that he had
trouble in college because his math answers were always
correct, but that his professor had a hard time understanding
how he had the correct answer when he never wrote down
the steps to get there. Math just came naturally to Braxton.
Or maybe it was the beer that helped. Usually he’d bring a
six pack to board meetings, and it was never Bud Lite. He’d
8
Magic City Blues News march 2013
always be trying a new brew.
A member of the Cosmic Snake Handlers, he sang, played
harp and on occasion played a squeeze box. The band played
several MCBS event over the years. Braxton loved his music
and especially the Blues. In 2009 he and his wife Sherry were
gracious enough to host a Blues Stages concert at their
home. The entertainer that evening was Eden Brent. Before
the show Braxton was proudly showing off his stereo. He’d
had it for years and I think he was the only one who knew
how to use it.
He graduated from the University of North Carolina in
1975 and from The University of Texas School of Law in 1978
and practiced law in Birmingham for thirty four years. He
specialized in employment law. I understand that he was one
of the best in his field, yet he was a down to earth man. No
put on airs, he never made you feel he was better than you.
If there was a mundane task such as cleaning up the storage
area or sorting tee shirts, he’d be one of the first to volunteer.
I wish I had taken the time to know him just a little
bit better. But then I thought there was a lot of time left.
Certainly he was younger than me by several years. He was
planning on coming to our MCBS Birthday Party and election.
He called me the day before to say he wouldn’t come
because he had the flu, that it was nasty and he didn’t want
to spread his germs. Six days later he died. It is hard to accept
he is no longer here. He loved the Blues and was a strong
supporter of the Magic City Blues Society. In lieu of flowers
at his funeral his family requested that memorials be made to
the Magic City Blues Society. I know he liked that.
Roger Stephenson
march 2013 Magic City Blues News
9
A look back
at IBC 2013
The end of January saw
another International Blues
Challenge underway. Each
year the standard seems
to get higher. Close to 200
bands competed and the
quality of the music was,
with only a few exceptions,
amazing.
I arrived on the Thursday afternoon and just had
time to check into my hotel
before rushing down to
Beale Street to pick up my
program. Dang, 200 competitors and both of our entries
were scheduled to play at the
same time, 7:55. I decided to
head up to catch our band
entry DieDra at the Flying
Saucer. Arrived 30 minutes
early only to find DieDra halfway through her 25 minute
set. The crowd was loving it.
There was a bunch of Birmingham folks there showing some love and support.
DieDra did great. The good
news, I could rush down the
street to Dancing Jimmy’s
and catch John Bull and Sheffield Walker. As I left the Flying Saucer, talk about rush,
Bobby Rush was standing
there, he had come to support DieDra. He recognized
me and asked how things
were in Birmingham. He said
he’d heard of the Red Wolf
and wanted to perform there
and could I get him in. Well
I’m working on it, we’ll see.
Luckily John Bull and
Sheffield Walker had just
taken the stage. They put
on a great show. Sheffield
just sitting there playing his
Gibson Flying V so well. John
Bull was singing and playing his harp with feeling and
interacting with the crowd. I
thought certain they would
go forward to the semifinals.
Went for a last drink before
retiring. Walked into the Tap
Room and they were just
starting a jam organized by
the Memphis Blues Society,
Roger Stephenson
John Bull (l) and Sheffield Walker, MCBS’ solo/duo
entry in the IBC, played well but came up short.
10
Magic City Blues News march 2013
Roger Stephenson
Birmingham’s DieDra and the Ruff Pro Band made
the IBC semifinals in the band category.
now headed by once MCBS
member John Gemmill, aka
our “Memphis Correspondent,” a regular contributor to
the newsletter. My friend RB
Stone was on guitar so I told
him our friend Sassy Brown
was in town and could I put
her on the list. He okayed it
with the jam master Vince.
I called Sassy and she came
over. Well, all the locals who
were known quantities got
preference and by the time
Sassy was invited up we were
a pretty drunk and unruly
crowd (in a good way). Well
we had a good time and
were grateful the hotels were
within walking distance.
Next morning we checked
the results. DieDra made it to
the semifinals, John Bull and
Sheffield Walker didn’t. Only
four of the twelve bands
playing Dancing Jimmy’s
made it, but from what I
heard, John Bull and Sheffield Walker should have
gone forward. But then, at
this or any competition, the
best man doesn’t always
win. So many variables.
One judge loves Piedmont
Blues and hates Delta Blues.
Another prefers acoustic
guitar and feels there are
too many harmonica players. Hell, maybe a judge
can’t even distinguish a clear
note on a harmonica from a
garbled riff. It is what it is and
the organizers do the best
they can to find the eighty
or so judges needed for the
competition.
I was happy that Little G
Weevil had made the semi’s,
so I headed over to Silky
O’Sullivans for his set. Great
crowd and he executed his
repertoire flawlessly. He even
had the floor crowded with
dancers, not easy for a solo
artist to do. Out the door
and over to Blues City Café
to see DieDra. The place was
packed; I had to fight to get
up front to take a photo or
two. Lord, that DieDra gal
is a fireball of energy. Again
the crowd was loving it and
loving her original songs
including her charting “Hip
Swinging Blues”. Well, now
I had to kill time until the
results were announced. I
went to the Jam at the Hard
Rock Café, and young Christian Herring was there with
Dylan Johnson and Kris Cody.
They had been invited up
to jam and did Birmingham
proud. Seeing Sassy Brown in
the audience, they beckoned
her onto the stage for a song.
Not really kosher as there
was a sign-up list so full that
additional jammers were not
being added. The MC okayed
the one song which ended
up being two and the crowd
was loving it.
Checked the results.
DieDra didn’t make it to the
finals. Little G did.
Next day was a long one.
At the Orpheum for the finals
by noon. They alternated
with band then solo/duo in
alphabetic order. Seventeen
performances and it went
amazingly smoothly, great
organization. Some of the
bands couldn’t, in my opinion, come close to DieDra.
Yes, there were some great
bands, but in my opinion
DieDra could, on another
day, be on that stage with
the finalists competing for
the first prize. Little G put
on the best show I’ve ever
Roger Stephenson
IBC Solo / Duo Winner Little G Weevil
seen him do. He engaged the
audience, told a story or two
and just played so, so well. It
was barely ten minutes after
the last band that the results
were announced. Young
Selwyn Birchwood from
the Suncoast Blues Society
won the top band spot.
Second place honors went
to Mychael van Merwyk and
Bluesoul of the German Blues
Network, and the third spot
went to Dan Treanor’s Afrocity Soul band hailing from
the Colorado Blues Society.
The solo/duo winner was
no other than Little G Weevil
sponsored by the Atlanta
Blues Society and from what
I heard it was pretty much
a unanimous decision by
the judges. Second place
went to the Suitcase Broth-
ers from the Barcelona Blues
Society. Interesting that Little
G told me he was touring
Europe this summer with the
harmonica player from the
Suitcase Brothers.
Well, a great time. Mark
your calendars for next year.
Go up for a long weekend
and support the bands. It’s a
great time.
Roger Stephenson
march 2013 Magic City Blues News
11
Poppin’ Fresh tunes
each month!
Check out the MCBS Music Library
at our next event!
12
Magic City Blues News march 2013
an
cli
w. m a g i c
c
lu e s . o r g
d
i
b
ty
sh
t
er
w
ow
c k o n Me m b
joi n us
Not a member ? No worries!
Join us today !
Visit www.magiccityblues.org and click on Membership
You can also fill out and mail in the form on the back of this newsletter or
e-mail: [email protected]
Thanks to the following people for showing their support of the Blues by joining or
renewing their membership in the
Magic City Blues Society:
Eric Lester
Elizabeth Hooks
Bill Abadin
Greg Jones
Chuck Simmers
Mark Fielding
Sherri Simmers
Terry Waldren
Hunter Clark
Edwin West
Jim Stone
James E. Webb
Sandra Stone
Cheryl Williams-Booker
John Williamson
Greg McGill
Mark Mizzell
Lynn McGill
Jamie R Knox
A Birmingham Tradition
Since 1971
“Because you can’t beat quality”
1225 South 20th Street
933-6983 • M-F 11am-6pm
march 2013 Magic City Blues News
13
ip
Go
on a sad note
Precious
Bryant
Precious Bryant, the rural
Talbot County, Georgia musician who didn’t release her
first record until she was 60
years old, passed away on
January 12th in Columbus,
GA, where she has spent
virtually all of her 71 years.
Bryant, who learned to
play the guitar as a child,
was a frequent performer in
her home county all her life,
playing for family, friends,
parties, and in church, but
had never played to a large
public crowd until the early
1980’s when she first played
the Chattahoochee Folk
Festival.
It was still another twenty
years until she recorded Fool
Me Good and was nominated for “Acoustic Blues Album
of the Year” and “Best New
Artist” at the Blues Music
Awards. That recording was
also named as the Blues
Record of the Year by the
French Academy of Music,
and the best debut album
and best new acoustic and
traditional blues album by
Living Blues. Her second and
last release, The Truth led to
her nomination for a Blues
Music Awards “Traditional
Blues Female Artist of the
Year.”
Bryant had something in
common with a lot of the
legendary early blues pioneers. After marrying and
having a son, she later killed
her abusive husband in
self-defense. On the very few
occasions when she spoke
of that episode, she referred
to it as “that little trouble my
husband had.”
Bryant was never able to
turn her limited commercial
success and genre specific
fame into even a small fortune. She was a recipient of
assistance from the Music
Maker Relief Foundation, and
of well-known blues musicians Taj Mahal and Bonnie
Raitt. After her grandparent’s
log cabin burned, she ended
up living in a trailer, sometimes heating it by firing up
the stove. Friends collected
donations to help her family
pay for her funeral.
While she did make a
limited number of trips away
from home to play a handful
of blues festivals, including trips to the King Biscuit
Blues Festival, the Newport
Folk Festival, and to several
European Blues Festivals, her
advanced age, poor health,
dislike of travel, and general preference for her rural
home all combined to limit
her music career.
Editor’s Note: Sleepy and
I had the pleasure of seeing and being the hosts for
Precious at a music festival
hosted in the Lakeview area
Anne Rabson
continued from page 7
but became a well respected
blues pianist as evidenced by
her Pinetop Perkins nomination. She and Saffire were
best know for their lyrics,
which were from a strong
feminist point of view and
were often full of double
entendres, if not outright
suggestiveness. Anne Rabson
was one gal you would not
want to challenge to a game
of “the dozens.”
MCBS blues b and MEMBER directory
ALTAMONT
Contact: [email protected]
BIG DADDY’S NEW BAND
Contact: Frank Ranelli
205-785-4192
BIG PAPA
Contact: Greg “Big Papa” Franklin
205-222-3789 or [email protected]
THE CHARLIE SOUL BAND
Contact: Rick Ranelli
205-933-6983
CHRISTIAN HERRING & TRUE BLUE
Contact : Chad Johnson
205-516-8288
DEBBIE BOND &
THE KOKOMO BLUES BAND
Contact: Rick Asherson
205-752-6263
FAT MOUTH BLUES BAND
Contact: Tom Thomas
205-422-2178
JOHN BULL BAND
Contact: John Bull
(334) 430-6284
[email protected]
JUBAL JOHN
Contact: (205) 470-6328
[email protected]
THE LEFTY COLLINS BAND
Contact: Lefty Collins
[email protected] or
www.theleftycollinsband.com
MICROWAVE DAVE & THE NUKES
Contact: Dave Gallaher
256-519-9993 or [email protected]
MOE’S BLUES
Contact: Scott Lander
205-705-6775 or [email protected]
MOSE STOVALL & JOCK WEBB
& THE CONVICTION BAND
Contact: BEATS Entertainment, Carter Law
205-862-4723 or
[email protected]
ROADHOUSE
Contact: 205-478-0580
SAM POINTER
Contact: 205-967-8453
Sassy Brown
Contact: Lauren Brown
615-948-9669 or [email protected]
THICK AS THIEVES
Contact: Scott Lander
205-705-6775 or [email protected]
Thomas Henry Band
Contact: Mark Mizzell
205- 915-2735 or [email protected]
SOUL COLLISION
Contact: Greg Franklin
205-222-3789 or [email protected]
Please direct all additions & changes to: Carolyn Pocus ([email protected]).
14
Magic City Blues News march 2013
calendar of the blues - march
Call clubs to confirm! Birmingham listings in BOLD face.
To be listed in MCBS calendar, contact Carolyn Pocus ([email protected]).
Fri. 01
Wed. 06
Fri. 15
Sat. 23
MCBS Electric Jam
Open Blues & Soul Jam
After 2 Glasses
Glen and Libba
Aretta Woodruff &
The Review Band
Cigar Box Mini Ganza w/
Microwave Dave
Ranelli’s Soul Pit
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
2Blu
World of Beer
Microwave Dave
Swampers, Florence, AL
Sat. 02
Jeff Strahan
Red Wolf Lounge
Satterfield’s
Microwave Dave
Bandito Southside, Huntsville, AL
Thurs. 07
Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials
Capitol Oyster Bar, Montgomery, AL
Fri. 08
The Oasis
Todd Simpson & Mojo Child
A Touch of Black
CD Release Party
New Rain
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Spoonful
Gip’s Place
Sassy Brown
World of Beer
Microwave Dave
Below the Radar, Huntsville, AL
Sun. 03
George and The G-Men
15 yr. Reunion Show
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Microwave Dave &
The Nukes
Pub 261
Mon. 04
City Vineyard
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Microwave Dave &The Nukes
Main Street Station, Daytona Beach, FL
(Through 3/17)
Sat. 09
Johnny No Band
Gip’s Place
The Blue Devils
Tavern of St. Clair, Pell City
Sun. 10
Debbie Bond & The TruDats
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Sol Driven Train
Capitol Oyster Bar, Montgomery, AL
Rickie Castrillo and Friends
Wed. 13
Microwave Dave
Red Wolf Lounge
Garage Cafe
Mama Annie’s, Huntsville, AL
Open Blues & Soul Jam
Glen and Libba
Satterfield’s
City Vineyard
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Tim Boykin Blues Band
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Josh Garrett Band
Debbie Bond & The TruDats
Just Us Three
Sat. 16
Debbie Bond & The TruDats
Fountain City Arts Festival
Red Wolf Lounge
Gip’s Place
12 Bar Lounge, Columbus, MS
Prattville, AL
Earl ‘Guitar’ Williams and
The Juke Band
Sun. 24
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Justin and Friends Cigar Box
Workshop & Show
King Bee
Gip’s Place
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Sun. 17
Mon. 25
Tommy Scott and Toad’s
St. Patty Day Show
Microwave Dave
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Mama Annie’s, Huntsville, AL
Wed. 27
Albert Castiglia
Capitol Oyster Bar, Montgomery, AL
Open Blues & Soul Jam
Mon. 18
Red Wolf Lounge
Microwave Dave
Rickie Castrillo
Bandito Southside, Huntsville, AL
Garage Cafe
Mama Annie’s, Huntsville, AL
Fri. 29
Wed. 20
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Microwave Dave
UnChain the Melody
Open Blues & Soul Jam
Microwave Dave
Red Wolf Lounge
City Vineyard
Microwave Dave
Bandito Southside, Huntsville, AL
Sat. 30
Fri. 22
Junkyard Juke
Candy Kane
John Bull &
Sheffield Walker
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
City Vineyard
Vinyl Draft
DanielDay Gallery/
Dream Mecca Studio
Microwave Dave & The Nukes
Humphrey’s, Huntsville, AL
march 2013 Magic City Blues News
15
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