June 2016 Bluesletter - Blues Society of the Ozarks

June 2016
Vol. 25 Issue 6
BSO PICNICS
BRANSON’S CENTER
STAGE GRILLE & BAR
ROXY ROCA CD REVIEW
BLUES IN THE SCHOOLS
BILL WEAR, JR: WEAR & WEAR ● BROOKS
COOKS: IN HOME GOURMET ● GEORGE HUNT
● HOT STUFF MISTY’S PLACE ● MO’SPEED 2●
MUSIC MAN PHOTOGRAPHY
SPRINGFIELD MUSIC ●
STEVE F. GROCE, ATTY THE
STRESS MANAGEMENT CENTER ●
THIRD EYE MUSIC
June 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
2nd Vice President .......................................... George Hunt
Sergeant at Arms................................. Richard Pendergrass
Secretary ................................ Patty Hutchinson, 848-3922
Treasurer..................................................................... Open
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 Expressway.
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 | June 2016 bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
Hope everyone had a great
May! We had a wonderful Bluesletter that focused on our military
members who are musicians and
fans of live music. Everyone says
that I know everything about the
Springfield blues scene but I have
been getting educated along with
you. I have seen and heard David
Pease but I did not know about
him or that he was even a veteran. The group of people he played
with was before my time. I totally
remember seeing Granny's Bathwater and Benny Mahan and I
agree when he said that, "back in
the day they were entertainers
and the audience would listen to
what they were saying, there was
not a lot of noise!”
This past month was very
busy, besides all the great music
there were many events to help
support our community. Jim and
Paige Payne had their 6th
“STOMP THE BLUES OUT OF HOMELESSNESS." This fundraiser helps many
in Springfield with feeding and helping
the homeless to give them a hand up and
to let them know they are not forgotten.
Thank you Gathering Friends for all you
do!
The American Legion Post 639 had
their fundraiser for the Memorial Day
activities with the veterans from Mount
Vernon. Thanks to all the musicians who
gave their time for this. It was greatly
appreciated.
I am happy you are reading this
letter because we are very excited for the
upcoming months. There are many
things that are being planned to help us
keep the Blues Alive in the Ozarks!
This month we will be having our
Father's Day BSO Potluck and Jam on
June 19. Brenda Meyer Band will have a
special surprise for us, so mark this on
your calendar. There will be games and
prizes; bring a dish, a friend, and your
DAD! Starts at 1:00 p.m. so come on out
and see us!
I will be coming home from Clarksdale where Mary Certain and I will be
honored to help with hospitality at the
Pinetop Perkins Youth Workshop and I
will have stories to tell.
On July 1, we will be having a Blues
In The Schools event with Tas Cru and
the Tortured Souls at the Boys & Girls
Club so make sure you can come out to
see this and also come out to Misty's
Place that evening to see Tas and the
Band give us some of the songs from
their newly released album "Doggone
Blues!" This CD helps raise money for
the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis! Our
BSO members, Carolyn Brockman, Retha Dawes, Retha’s daughter-in-law,
Tiffany Campbell, and Mary Certain
have doggies in the booklet. Thank you
ladies for your contribution to help this
awesome cause!
We are gearing up for our Greater
Ozarks Blues Festival on September 9
and 10. There will be more about our
event in the next Bluesletter, so please
keep an eye out!
I want to thank everyone who has
supported the BSO and our many events
that have helped us grow. We have an
amazing group of people who have
stepped up to help us move forward and
I for one am glad to see the message we
have been trying to spread is spreading.
I personally want to thank my husband of ten years, Robert Gene Seely, for
all his support and love he gives me every day. Thank you everyone and I hope
to see you on the blues trail.
Brenda Mabel Seely
Proud to be President of Blues Society of
the Ozarks
Mark Rosen
Corban Sikes
Randy Flood
Park
Nathan Bryce
Sydney Reni’
Cottentgim
Tripwire was the BSO’s host band at
the first picnic of the summer. Preceded
by the BSO’s Blue Rooster Run, the picnic also drew attention of local news,
KY3.
The guys in the band welcomed
special guests, keyboardist and jam
hound, Mark Rosen and guitarist,
Randy Flood of Titanic Blues. The band
“bluesed” it out with their guests including a special request, King Bee.
No picnic is complete without the
young musicians. Harpists Corban
Jody Guy Cottengim
Photos courtesy MARTY JONES, MUSIC MAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Memphis Melton
Sikes, son of Wade and Joetta Sikes,
brought his case of harmonicas and
winded out a tune. Sydney Reni’ Cottengim, daughter of Tripwire bassist,
Stoney Cottengim and his wife, Jen Cottengim, wowed the crowd with her energy and skill on her harmonica. Memphis Melton, son of Nathan Bryce, had a
big day performing his drum debut after
beating his dad at the 1 mile fun run.
Next BSO picnic is June 19 at Tom
Watkins Park in Springfield with Brenda Meyer Band.
Stoney Cottengim
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com June 2016 | 3
Artist
Spotlight
Meet Ozarks Musician Lain Wendler
By Carolyn Brockman
Lain Wendler is a semi-professional
vocalist, harmonica, and guitar player
who heads Lain’z Hot Rod Gang known
for performing blues and rockabilly music
in the Branson, Missouri area. A lifelong
musician, he began performing with different groups early on, gaining experience
in a variety of genres including blues,
jazz, rock, rockabilly, big band, and bluegrass. He also sings and plays guitar and
harmonica with The FURY, a band known
for rock, blues, and country in the Branson area.
As a youth, Wendler attended several
music filled events and polka dances with
his parents in a strongly Germanic community in western Kansas. His dad was a
harmonica player and his mom was an
accomplished vocalist in their church. He
told of times when his family would stay
late after events where he would fall
asleep on the wrestling mats behind the
stage. In the fifth grade he took up saxophone where he credits learning how to
read notes. Later, his dad bought him his
first guitar. Inspired by The Beatles, he
taught himself to play along to surf music
bands such as The Ventures.
Western Kansas is known for its rich
history of rugged outlaws and extensive
prairies. Although the outlaws died out,
the prairies hadn’t. Wendler’s dad owned
an aerial spraying business to help farmers with their crops. After loading his two
brothers into a 1954 Chevy wagon, he
would drop them off at various places to
“flag the fields” for the airplanes. “I’d just
kinda make a circuit driving this old
Chevy and I’d take a couple harmonicas
with me.” He would play his harmonica
while driving around or while sitting at
the end of the field waiting on his brothers. It was at this time that he credits
learning the instrument.
His attentions turned to forming a
band with his high school friends called
The Monsoon Winds. The band had several bits including one song by the guitar
player’s sister. The 1960s styled “girl tor4 | June 2016 bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
nado” wore go-go boots and a
mini skirt and sang Nancy Sinatra songs. “She was old enough
to drive… she’d drive us around
to different jobs such as high
school and church dances.” In
the summer of 2015, his band
joined up to play 1960s rock and
roll at a concert for their high
school reunion. He said of the
band, “I guess we can still pull it
off pretty well.” After high
school, Wendler learned to fly
planes to help his dad with the
spraying business.
In college Wendler involved
himself with a band in Hayes,
Kansas called Broad Silk. Later
he joined with Willy and the
Poor Boys and played until his
college
attentions
became
strained. He refreshed his college focus and worked in the
fields in the summer while continuing to play in his band
throughout the winter. He said
that his music playing evolved
from this point. He laughed,
“After a long time you’d think
I’d be pretty good. [But] I keep
learning stuff… and trying new
things.” He graduated college with a degree in Business Administration with an
emphasis in accounting. He worked in the
aerial spraying business for 25 years then
on to companies such as Coleman and
Aeroquip, among others. He spent seven
years as a middle school science teacher
in Galena, Missouri, Garden City, Kansas,
and Forsyth, Missouri. Now he works full
time with Ozarks Auto Show, Inc.
Of music now, Wendler said, “I just
love playing music and getting the
crowd’s reaction.” Usually, Lain’z Hot
Rod Gang includes three musicians
pulled together at any given moment.
Wendler said about bands in the Branson
area, “a lot of time you don’t have a regular bass player or a regular drummer.” He
has compiled a list of bass players and
drummers he can call when he has gigs
come up. “They can either come and play
or say they can’t.” Bassists he has played
with include Rick McCuen, Mic Floss,
Todd Plimton, Jerry Riddle, Tony Walter,
Barry Johnson, Rich Brown, Eric Guinn,
and Don Shipps. Of Don Shipp’s band,
Wendler had fun playing dueling harmonica and guitar with Shipp’s harmonica player, Clay Goldstein.
Drummers on Wendler’s call list have
included, but not limited to, Steve Richie,
Kevin Lyons, Brian Wreath, Brenda Meyer, James Ingle, and Doug Clifford. On
occasion he sings and performs with
rhythm guitarist and keyboard player,
Jamie Asland. In the past, he has played
with Craig Kesner, Jory Clayton, and P.J.
Kershen. He said, “I have to find musiPhoto courtesy Lain Wendler
cians who get to know me and kinda what I do.
I get together with them and we show up and
play a gig. A lot of times, if it’s blues, we can
pull it off without having any rehearsal.” Keyboardists are currently on his radar for his
band.
With the Sandhill River Band, Wendler
opened for big names
such as Charlie Daniels, Reba McIntire,
and the Hager Twins
from Hee-Haw. With
the band, The Wampas Cats, Wendler
opened
for
blues
names such as James
Harmon and Mike
Morgan and the Crawl
for the Western Kansas Blues Society.
Several guitar students over the years
have had the privilege
of having Wendler as
their instructor. His
own mentors include
his high school band
teacher Arlin Eichman and his wife Yvette, the
school’s vocal music teacher. As for Eichman,
“He got me started playing jazz, big band, and
swing jazz... and big band stuff” on guitar with
horns such as saxophone, trumpets, and trombone. “I learned a lot from him on chords and
changes from big band era.” Eichman inspired
Wendler “more than anybody with his trombone playing. He would play improv leads on
everything. The stage band gave him an outlet
to express himself.... he could make that horn
talk. I try to convert that over to my guitar and
harmonica playing.” Yvette Eichman taught
him breath support essential to singing.
Inspiration to his harmonica playing comes
from heavy influences from artists such as
John Lennon, Kim Wilson, Paul Butterfield
Blues Band, James Harmon, Mike Morgan and
the Crawl, and Lee McBee. Of McBee, “he had
a really unique voice. I never could get that
good gravely sound.” He also used to copy the
licks of Delbert McClinton.
Wendler lives in Kimberling City with his
wife, Juline. When he’s not playing his guitar,
he enjoys working on airplanes and old cars
and to bird hunt. He
participates in cowboy
action shooting where
he holsters two single
action revolvers and
tables an old double
barrel
shotgun
he
bought from Roy Rogers, Jr., not to mention
his Marlin model 1894
shotgun that is an “old
gun but still works
good.” He sold a 1964
Cadillac Deville convertible that he drove
to BSO picnics at Ritter
Spring Park. He said,
that was a “hoot and
[my bassist and I] took
it down to Nathan P.
Murphy’s for a day event. It was a pretty good
hit.” However, he did not like hauling his instruments in the classic to prevent hurting the
back seat interior.
Original material of Wendler’s includes the
Rock’n Blues songs “Let Her Roll” from the self
-titled CD, “Tell Tale Heart,” “Grind and
Bump,” “Rock-it Radio,” and “I’m Gone.” He
recorded a self-titled country album with Kansas based Eric Vaughan and Cosmic Cowboys
in Nashville. Currently, Lain’z Hot Rod Gang
plays in venues such as The Rocks, Carrie’s,
Branson Center Stage, Waxy O’Shea’s, Outback
Pub, and the tornado fated, Ahoy’s, in Kimberling City, among others.
Lain Wendler can be reached through his
email at [email protected].
Vic Vaughan & Souled Out
R&B Review
The Club at Classic Rock Coffee
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
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
MONDAY
KCONLINERADIO.COMWITH KOOL BREEZE ALL
DAY
LUNCH
HOUR
(LIVE) @ 8 A.M. TO 4 P.M.
THURSDAY
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.
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com June 2016 | 5
Award-winning soul, blues, and R&B vocalist/harmonicist/songwriter Curtis Salgado,
touring in support of his new Alligator Records CD, The Beautiful Lowdown, will perform
at Cartoons Oyster Bar in Springfield on Friday, June 24, 2016.
With a career spanning forty years, Salgado is a one-of-a-kind talent whose music is as
compelling as his story. From co-fronting The
Robert Cray Band to leading his own band
(and recording nine solo albums) to helping
transform John Belushi into "Joliet" Jake
Blues to touring the country with Steve Miller
and Santana, he is a true musical giant. NPR
calls him "a blues icon" with a "huge voice."
The Beautiful Lowdown is the singer's
most fearless and adventurous release to date.
For the first time in his career, he wrote or cowrote virtually the entire album himself. He co
-produced it along with Marlon McClain and
Tony Braunagel and
contributed to the
horn arrangements
and background vocal
parts. "My heart and
soul are in this," he
says
proudly.
"I
worked my tail off
and let the songs lead
the way." As for the
title, Salgado explains, "During a recent show, I turned to
my guitarist and said,
'Play something lowdown. But make it
beautiful.' Then I
thought, 'Keep that.'"
Butterfield, fell in
Born February 4,
love with the har1954 in Everett, Washmonica and taught
ington, Salgado grew up
himself to play.
in Eugene, Oregon. His
By his early 20s, Salga"Inspired, powerful
home was always filled
do was already making
R&B showcases
with music. His parents'
a name for himself in
collection included eveEugene's bar scene
Salgado's exceptional
rything from Count Basie
with his band The
range and muscular,
to Fats Waller, and his
Nighthawks, and later
soulful vocals" -older brother and sister
as co-leader of The
turned him on to the
Robert Cray Band.
Billboard
soul and blues of Wilson
Salgado quickly develPickett and Muddy Waoped into a player and
ters. He attended a Count Basie performance singer of remarkable depth, with vocal and
when he was 13 and decided then and there musical influences including Otis Redding,
that music was his calling. Curtis began de- O.V. Wright, Johnnie Taylor, Muddy Waters,
vouring the blues of Little Walter and Paul Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson I and
6 | June 2016 bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
Friday, June 24, 2016
8:30pm
$10 advance / $13 door
Blues Down Under Concert Series
Cartoons Oyster Bar & Grill
1614 S. Glenstone Ave.
Springfield, MO
Phone: 417-889-6500
www.cartoonsoysterbar.com
II, Lightnin' Hopkins, Howlin' Wolf, Otis
Spann, and Magic Sam. In 1977, comedian/
actor John Belushi was in Eugene filming Animal House. During downtime from production, Belushi caught a typically ferocious Salgado performance and introduced himself
during a break. Once Salgado started sharing
some of his blues knowledge, a fast friendship
grew. Salgado spent hours playing old records
for Belushi, teaching him about blues and
R&B. Belushi soaked up the music like a
sponge and used his new awareness to portray
"Joliet" Jake Blues in The Blues Brothers, first
as a skit on Saturday Night Live and then a
best-selling record album (which was dedicated to Curtis) and finally as a major motion
picture (Cab Calloway's character was named
Curtis as an homage).
Photo via northwestcrossing.com
Once Salgado joined forces with his friend Robert Cray and began playing together as The Robert Cray Band, Salgado found himself sharing stages
with many of his heroes, including Muddy Waters, Bobby Bland, Albert Collins, and Bonnie Raitt. After Salgado and Cray parted ways in 1982, Curtis
went on to front Roomful Of Blues, singing and touring with them from 1984
through 1986. Back home in Oregon, he formed a new band, Curtis Salgado
& The Stilettos, and was once again tearing it up on the club scene, where he
honed his band to a razor's edge before releasing his first solo album in 1991.
Salgado signed with Shanachie Records in 1999, putting out four critically
acclaimed albums. He successfully battled back from liver cancer in 2006
and lung cancer in 2008 and 2012, reemerging stronger and more determined to share his music with the world.
Salgado joined Alligator Records in 2012, releasing the award-winning,
critically acclaimed Soul Shot. Salgado won three 2013 Blues Music Awards
including the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year. He also won Soul
Blues Male Artist Of The Year for the second consecutive year, and Soul
Blues Album Of The Year (Soul Shot). The strength of the record led to Salgado touring far and wide, with gigs in Manilla, Guam, Brazil, Saipan, and
Panama. He has performed at major festivals including Portland's Waterfront Blues Festival, The San Francisco Blues Festival, The Chicago Blues
Festival, Memphis' Beale Street Music Festival, The Tampa Bay Blues Festival, Denver's Mile High Blues Festival, Toronto's Waterfront Blues Festival,
Thailand's Phuket International Blues Festival, and Poland's Blues Alive
Festival.
On The Beautiful Lowdown, the deeply-rooted singer effortlessly
blends classic soul sounds and funk grooves with up to-the-minute lyrics.
His full-force vocals-intense and uninhibited-bring an urgency and edge to
his timeless original songs. Blues Revue, describing Salgado's performance
style, declares, "He starts at excellent before segueing into goose bumps,
ecstasy, and finally nirvana."
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com June 2016 | 7
By Carolyn Brockman
Shaun Munday is a professional musician
and bass guitar player known for performing
many musical genres including soul, jazz, and
blues in the southwest Missouri area. His
voice has been likened to Marvin Sapp, Donny
Hathaway, Sam Cooke, and Luther Vandross
by mentors and fans alike. In addition to being
an accomplished vocalist, he is able to transition to most string instruments, piano, and
percussion. Finding his musical self during
high school, he began performing with different groups early on, gaining experience in
nearly every style of instrumentation and
songwriting.
Before starting his solo career, Munday
spent several years playing in what one news
reporter described as “high-energy or groove
oriented rock, funk, and jazz bands.” (Peaco,
8 | June 2016 bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
2016). Besides his own projects, he has
worked with several musicians such as Mary
Wilson of The Supremes, country music star
Collin Raye, John Mayer, and Jimmy Buffett.
He has had the opportunity to open for Robert
Cray, guitarist for Otis Day and the Knights as
well as Bob Marley’s band, Aston Barret and
the Wailers.
Munday says the best part of his job as a
musician is “playing different styles of music
with different people in different places…
things are constantly changing. I enjoy constantly pushing myself… it’s never the same
day twice.” Mix his diverse background with
his philosophical approach to songwriting and
interpretation and you will find an eclectic
mix of music that defines his style.
When he has time during his busy schedule, the altruistic Munday enjoys performing
at charities, events, and church functions,
among others. In addition to performing, he
teaches guitar, bass, upright bass, piano, and
voice lessons to all ages through Palen Music
Center and by making house calls. Recently he
spent a week performing and talking about
music with fourth graders at Phelps Center for
the Gifted, his former elementary school,
much like Joe Bonamassa did at Munday’s
high school years earlier.
A native of Springfield, Munday grew up
listening to the jazz, blues, and R&B music of
his parents’ generation. He especially appreciates his father as “initially introducing me to
the love of music and all that instruments are
capable of.” Inspiration came from artists
such as George Benson, Babyface, Marcus Miller, Victor
Wooten, Grover Washington, Jr.,
Gino Vannelli, Prince, and Natalie Cole, among many others.
He attended Central High School
where he got his first taste of
performing music outside of his
home. It was at Central where he
met Chris Rohrbaugh, his band
director, who encouraged him to
further his musical studies
and introduced him to the
prestigious Berklee College
of Music in Boston.
After
following
Rohrbaugh’s advice, Munday was awarded a scholarship to Berklee where he studied Music Performance and Education. Munday spent six+
years in the Boston/New York area performing with a variety of musicians. He soon hit
the road playing music and found his way
back home.
While at Berklee, he studied with Matthew Garrison, son of John Coltrane’s bass
player Jimmy Garrison, and musician with
Herbie Handcock, Chaka Khan, and Whitney
Houston, who gave Munday his first private
lessons. Another mentor, Jetro Da Silva, pianist for Whitney Houston, challenged Munday
to pursue singing after noticing his unique
vocal abilities.
Munday notices that “the blues is present
in all of the music I do.” For example, in regards to jazz, “early jazz, regardless of all the
notes and all the chords can be broken down
to the point where it’s blues.” With that awareness in mind, he believes blues resonates
strongly with all audiences. His music characteristically is “soul that harmonically has a
core in blues.”
Munday has authored original material
including, “Remember My Name,” “The Quiet
Room,” “I Tried So Hard,” and “Last Time We
Say Goodbye.” He interweaves his original
material throughout his act which includes
songs such as the Stevie Wonder penned, B.B.
(Continued on page 18)
Photo courtesy SHAUN MUNDAY
By Patty Hutchinson
Titanium Blue is a high energy,
funky blues rock band from Kansas City,
Missouri featuring Kurt Allen on guitar
and vocals, Jemmie Hill on bass and
vocals, and Kellan Moore on drums. In
the five years since the band’s inception,
they have played in many venues such as
Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi
and Rum Boogie, Hard Rock Café, and
other venues away from Beale Street in
Memphis, Tennessee. They have traveled to Nashville, Nebraska, Chicago, and
Wisconsin. “There is no
place we won’t go!” exclaimed Allen.
Allen described the band as edgy, modern, and a little different than traditional
blues bands.
Lead guitarist and vocalist, Kurt
Allen, is from Kansas City and has been Left to Right: Jemmie Hill, Kellan Moore, and Kurt Allen.
playing music since he was nine years
old. Allen’s uncle taught him how to play
guitar after convincing his mother to
buy one of his old guitars from him. After he (back when the M stood for music). He has British and progressive rock bands from the
learned a few chords, Allen was on his own to played in more than 50 bands and worked 1970s such as Rush, Deep Purple, Yes, Kansas,
learn by listening to music on the radio and with some of the biggest producers in rock etc. “That is where my inspiration lives,” tells
duplicating what he heard. He practiced all the history. Hill lived in Austin, Texas for 14 years Moore.
time and still does. His influences were classic where he worked with many bands and recBlues originals and covers are performed
rock and British blues rock bands such as Led orded one solo album. He is currently working by Titanium Blue. Their first recordings beZeppelin, early Fleetwood Mac with Peter on a second solo album which consists of a came available two years ago on the selfGreen, Alvin Lee with Ten Years After, and blend of jazz, rock, blues, funk, hip-hop, and named album “Titanium Blue.” The songs
Free. Later, he enjoyed James Brown, Sly & R&B. After landing in Kansas City, Missouri in from “Titanium Blue” are, “Got a Line on
the Family Stone, Curtis Mayfield, then start- 2011, he worked with three top touring bands You,” “When I Fall,” “Busted,” “Elemental,”
ed listening to Robert Johnson, Muddy Wa- before finding a home with Titanium Blue.
“Hope I Can Change Your Mind,” Undisputters, and other blues artists.
The newest member of Titanium Blue is ed,” “Hard Road,” “Death Letter,” and “Better
On bass and vocals is Jemmie Hill. He is Kellan Moore on percussion. His musician Think Twice.” This album is available on
an accomplished musician who started playing parents introduced him to the drums at an iTunes. The songs are written mostly about
music in the symphony orchestra in the fourth early age. Moore said of his early recognition, everyday life and relationships. Their second
grade and continued until the eighth grade. He “I got my first drum set for Christmas at age album is in the works and should be recorded
played his first professional gig in 1974. Hill three and ever since I was hooked on hitting by the end of this year.
has been a studio musician as well as a profes- things such as magazines and pots and pans. I
In a Titanium Blue show, blues covers are
sional working musician. According to Allen, would practice with music on the radio every- performed alongside the originals. The band
he has played “everywhere,” including Miami, day as a kid!” Moore has performed all over performs covers with a twist to make it their
Florida, Los Angeles, California, and Fargo, the country and overseas. He toured with own. Their cover of “Come Together” sounds
North Dakota where he appeared on MTV Guns N’ Roses and Bob Seger tribute acts in like, “Aerosmith meets Sly & the Family
2005. He crossed over as a Stone,” according to Allen, with a rock and
country performer in 2007 funk combination. Other songs they enjoy
with County Road 5 for nine covering are “Tore Down” by Freddy King,
years before joining Titani- “Whipping Post” by The Allman Brothers
um Blue. Allen said of Band, “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Albert King but
Moore, “Our original song the Jerry Moore version, “Walk in My Shad‘Better Think Twice’ has an ow” by Free, and “Pride and Joy” by Stevie
intricate drum shuffle with Ray Vaughn.
an 1/16 note and triple shufYou may listen to Titanium Blue through
fle. Few drummers are able ReverbNation, YouTube, Pandora, and Spotito pull off that song and do it fy. They have been heard on Kansas City local
correctly.” Most of Moore’s radio and on European radio. They are coming
music influences come from
(Continued on page 14)
Photo by MRKING IMAGES
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com June 2016 | 9
10 | June 2016 bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
Blues Society of the Ozarks
JUNE 2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
No Stringz Attached
Cody’s South
7:00 – 10:00
The Fogey’s
Misty’s Place
7:00 – 10:00
Friday
2
Saturday
3
Juke Dawgs
Carrie’s
7:00 – 10:00
Blind Driver
Drunken Monkey
8:00 – 12:00
Opium Western
Cartoon’s Oyster Bar
6:30 – 8:30
Art Bentley
Cody’s South
7:00 – 10:00
Riff Raff
Just One More
9:00 – 1:00
Blues & Brews
Vic Vaughn
Classic Rock Coffee
7:30 – 9:30
Bel-Airs
Misty’s Place
7:00 – 11:00
Vintage Pistol w/
Mood Ring Circus
Cartoon’s Oyster Bar
9:00 – 1:00
Bluesberries
Bumsteads (Nixa)
Samalama
Carrie’s
8:00 – 12:00
6
June 5
Music Monday
Kaps & Stems of the Ozarks at
Coulee’s
University Plaza
(Branson)
Tom Wittrock –
5:00 – 9:00 Guitars & Blues
Noon
7
Mason Dixon
Bike Night at
Drunken Monkey
6:00 – 10:00
8
No Stringz Attached
Cody’s South
7:00 – 10:00
9
Blues & Brews
Bluesberries
Classic Rock Coffee
7:30 – 9:30
13
BSO Meeting,
open to everyone
Library Station
6:30
14
Kaps & Stems
Bike Night at
Drunken Monkey
6:00 – 10:00
15
Sister Lucille
Coulee’s
(Branson)
7:00
Riff Raff
Tap & Grill Lakeside
Brew Haus (Gravois
Mills)
6:00 – 10:00
Art Bentley
Cody’s South
7:00 – 10:00
Sister Lucille
Misty’s Place
8:00 – 12:00
Riff Raff
Carrie’s
7:00 – 10:00
Magnetik South
Cody’s South
8:00 – 10:00
Kris Lager Band
Lindberg’s Tavern
16
Blues & Brews
Nathan Bryce &
Loaded Dice
Classic Rock Coffee
7:30 – 9:30
Mind of Crows
Cartoon’s Oyster Bar
6:30 – 8:30
Dropouts
Cartoon’s Oyster Bar
9:00 – 1:00
Plush
Carrie’s
11:00 – 1:00
10
John D. Hale w/ Dan
Tedesco
Cartoon’s Oyster Bar
9:00
Outlaw Country Reloaded
Carrie’s
8:00 – 12:00
11
Riff Raff
Tap & Grill Lakeside
Brew Haus (Gravois
Mills)
6:00 – 10:00
Sister Lucille
No Wake Café
(Mutton Creek)
7:00
Titanium Blue
Roadhouse Grille &
Bar (Aurora)
Mind of Crows
Drunken Monkey
8:00 – 12:00
12
Kaps & Stems
Drunken Monkey
8:00 – 12:00
Vic Vaughn
Cody’s South
8:00 – 12:00
N2Deep
Cody’s S0uth
8:00
5
4
RockHouse 12th Annual Music Festival
(Reeds Spring)
Pokey La Farge
Nace Brothers
Auntie Em & the
Tornadoes
The Hurricanes
Tom Hall
Shannon Stine
17
Vic Vaughn
American Legion
Post 639
7:00 – 11:00
Sister Lucille
Outback Pub
Verbing Nouns
Cartoons Oyster Bar
6:30 – 8:30
Ryan Collins & Cooter
Brown Band
Cartoons Oyster Bar
Howie & the Hillcats
Misty’s Place
6:00 – 8:30
Kaps & Stems
American Legion
Post 639
9:00 – 1:00
Mixtapes
Cartoon’s Oyster Bar
9:00
The Third Degree
Carrie’s
7:00 – 10:00
Tripwire
MDA Ride for Life
Hideout 9:00 AM
18
Sean Clavin & the
Dirty Truth
Wild Oaks
Campground
(Windyville)
6:00 – 10:00
Kaps & Stems
The Rock’s Lakeside
Grill & Lounge
(Kimberling City)
8:30 – 12:30
George Hunt’s Blues
7:00
No Stringz Attached
Cody’s South
7:00 – 10:00
The Fogey’s
Misty’s Place
7:00 – 10:00
Vic Vaughn
Outback Pub
(Branson)
9:30 – 1:00
(Branson)
9:30 – 1:00
Hadden Sayers
The Coda Concert
House (Joplin)
7:00 – 10:00
Art Bentley
Cody’s South
7:00 – 10:00
Trampled Under
Foot Reunion
Knucklehead’s
(Kansas City)
9:00
Techs & the Roadies
Misty’s Place
8:00 – 12:00
Sunset Strip
Misty’s Place
8:00 – 12:00
9:00
ABS
Cody’s South
8:00 – 12:00
Lainz Hot Rod Gang
Carrie’s
7:00 – 10:00
ABS
Cody’s South
8:00 – 12:00
Sister Lucille
Drunken Monkey
8:00 – 12:00
for Kids
Eureka Springs Blues
Festival
Noon
Machine Gun Symphony w/ T.R.O.Y
Cartoons Oyster Bar
8:00 – 1:00
Mind of Crow
Carrie’s
7:00 – 10:00
19
20
BSO Picnic &
Potluck
Tom Watkins
Park
Brenda Meyer
Band
1:00
21
Jester
Bike Night at
Drunken Monkey
6:00 – 10:00
22
No Stringz Attached
Cody’s South
7:00 – 10:00
23
Juke Dawgs
Carrie’s
7:00 – 10:00
Blues & Brews
Papa Green Shoes
Classic Rock Coffee
7:30 – 9:30
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com June 2016 | 11
27
28
29
No Stringz Attached
Cody’s South
7:00 – 10:00
Kaps & Stems
Wacky Jacks
(Highlandville)
8:00 – 12:00
Sister Lucille
Go Fast Betty’s
(Osage Beach)
8:30 – 12:30
Sean Clavin & the
Dirty Truth
Carrie’s
8:00 – 12:00
Art Bentley
Cody’s South
7:00 – 10:00
26
24
30
Blues & Brews
Sean Clavin & The
Dirty Truth
Classic Rock Coffee
7:30 – 9:30
Art Bentley
Cody’s South
7:00 -10:00
Mind of Crow
Carrie’s
7:00 – 10:00
Looking ahead to
July…
July 1, Tas Cru,
Misty’s Place, 7:00 –
11:00
July 9, Rumble the
Blues Away and Car
Show, American Legion Post 639
July 9, Ernie Bedell
Jazz Bassist
Teamsters Union
Hall 1850 E Divison
25
Vic Vaughn
Cody’s South
8:00 – 12:00
Sister Lucille
Cody’s South
8:00 – 12:00
Blues Down Under
Presents Curtis Salgado
Cartoons Oyster Bar
8:30
Cate Brothers
Misty’s Place
7:00 – 11:00
ABC
American Legion
Post 639
11:00 – 2:00
Vic Vaughn
Crazy Craig’s Cheeky
Monkey (Branson)
BumpN Uglies
Carrie’s
7:00 – 10:00
Kaps & Stems
Kansas City’s Tougher than Hell Poker
Run (Blue Springs)
10:00 a.m.
ABS
Downstream Casino
Love Bomb
Misty’s Place
9:00 – 1:00
Riff Raff
Carrie’s
A Peek Inside and Out of
VISITOR’S GUIDE TO
LIVE MUSIC VENUES
By Barb Hensiek
Branson’s Center Stage Grille and Bar is located at 1810 W. State Highway 76 in Branson,
Missouri with parking around three sides and three
separate ramp or step entrances. The term visitor or
customer is quickly shed and the moniker of family
or friend is quickly adopted once inside. The employees, or Stage Hands as they are called, provide
hospitality over and above anyone’s idea of customer service. Ann Veeser Schmitz, Stage Hand,
declares, “Our goal is to make every customer’s
experience the best Branson has to offer!” Prepare
to be spoiled.
Branson’s Center Stage Grille and Bar is
quickly becoming known as Branson’s Center
Stage (BCS). The restaurant, bar, and live music
venue is family-owned and managed hands-on by
Leah Smith Kendall, Bill Kitchin, and Dan Smith.
Leah’s sister, Amber Brown, manages the Kaffee
Haus (KH) in a separate room at the very front of
the building. The KH offers a variety of sweet
treats, flavored iced and hot coffees, flavored iced
and hot teas, as well as many other delectable edibles and quenchibles. The Kaffee Haus also offers
gluten-free choices and is accessible from the parking lot, patio, or inside BCS.
Both BCS and the KH are open seven days a
week and provide live music from open to close on
the main, indoor stage. When weather permits,
musicians perform live music on a soon-to-be-
updated concrete wrap-around patio. The patio is
part of Branson’s Spirit of 76 beautification project. The indoor, elevated stage comes with it’s
own stages lights; spots lights run by Texas Dar;
and PA/sound system run by sound technicians
Rich Brown, Phil Morris, or Bobby Blackburn, or
musicians may bring their own sound technician if
they prefer.
“Branson Center Stage is such a fun, warm
atmosphere to be in! You can enjoy entertainment
any time of the day. As an artist, I love playing at
Branson Center Stage!” sincerely professes Stage
Hand and performer Kimberly Atwood. And make
no mistake, Kendall is emphatic that, as a stamp of
quality, all entertainment is live music:
no karaoke, no singing to tracks. The
schedule is built
weekly in a private
Facebook
group
open to the entertainers who wish to
perform. All Center
Stage
musicians
perform only for
tips. Every week, the
schedule is different
with the exception of
Timothy Critchley
who performs Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to
12 | June 2016 bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
The crowd enjoying the
Paddy O’ Furniture event.
3:00 p.m. and "Us Three,” (Larry Allred, Dino
Strunk, Matt Hanshaw) who perform Saturdays
from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Often the musicians’
names are recognizable from Branson shows and
performing at BCS provides opportunities for them
to play in a more intimate setting and interact with
fans or to showcase a side project. Additionally, up
-and-comers hoping to be discovered for Branson
shows or further other projects play at BCS. Kendall envisions BCS as a tool for musicians to promote their careers. Larry Allred, a Branson staple
and icon himself, affirms, “Leah, Bill, and Dan at
BCS give musicians a great environment to develop their craft and get their music out there.” The
Top photo by LEAH KENDAL, Bottom photo by MARSHALL MEADOWS
Timothy Critchley and little boy.
performers are top quality, professional, and cover
a wide variety of genres.
The decor at BCS is Americana. With several
American flags on display, real wood panels in 4”
to 12” lumber, and a scattering of ribbed metal
strip accents adorned in musical memorabilia and
other Branson-esque signage. BCS’s decor provides a warm, inviting, stay-for-awhile atmosphere. To the side of the stage is a long bar with 15
bar stools and three flat-screen televisions above
the bar. Another flat screen television rests on the
wall mid-restaurant. Currently, BCS offers 12 draft
beers along with their regular, complete beer, wine,
and alcohol inventory. Happy Hour is from 2:00
p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday with
$1.00 off beer and wine.
The real specials are the daily food specials.
Daily food specials are not old food discounted to
sell, but an offering of more choices not normally
on the menu. Here is a tip: every Thursday’s special is German food! BCS and KH employ a chef
and full-time baker. All the food is made on site
and made from scratch. Many of the recipes used
at BCS and the KH are passed down from generations long gone in the owners’ family, recipes worthy to be shared with their family of customers.
The steaks are all top quality beef, hand-cut on the
premises, and aged 21 days. The “Town Favorite
Sunday Brunch” is served buffet-style
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Sunday
buffet features smoked baron of beef,
smoked pork chops, fried chicken, fried
catfish, peel and eat shrimp, an omelet
station, signature salads, and so much
more that rotates on a weekly basis.
The kitchen and Kaffee Haus are open
until close, unlike other restaurants
where kitchens close early. Stage Hand,
Christine Albrecht, tells it like she sees
it, “The place with all the best homemade from scratch food, live entertainment, and our hard working, and
friendly staff, well, we wouldn't have
this if it wasn't for our amazing bosses,
Leah Smith Kendall, Bill Kitchin, and
Dan Smith!”
BCS has additional amenities for their guests
such as an ATM as you walk in up front, free WiFi, and the fact that the venue is open to all ages.
BCS has a 190+ seating capacity and is available for reservations for special occasions.
Menus are located on both Facebook and
the Web site. Texas Dar has a heartfelt
statement about BCS, “I have as much
fun on the back side of the spot lights
as I do on stage in the spot lights as
Texas Dar & Pure Country Band. BCS
has the best healthiest food, best entertainment, and best team workers.
We’re one big happy family serving our
locals and tourists.” Make plans to visit
BCS: let the BCS family adopt your family.
https://www.facebook.com/
centerstagebranson/
https://www.facebook.com/
kaffeehausatcenterstage/
www.bransoncenterstage.com
Hours:
Monday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hours may extend later in the summer season,
call 417-320-6079 or check online for the most upto-date information.
Nathan P. Murphy’s
June 4th
“Rock n' Roll, smooth and dirty”
Inspired by Blues
Photo by BRENDA OWENS MEADOWS, MEADOWS IMAGES
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com June 2016 | 13
By Wade Sikes
I missed these guys when they played Nathan P. Murphy's in April. After listening to
their latest LP and catching their YouTube
video of “Try My Love” from this album, I
know I won't miss the opportunity to see them
if they come through town again.
Roxy Roca puts together a funky stew that
simmers from the start and keeps it hot for the
duration of “Ain't Nothin' Fancy,” their most
recent release on Stag Records. Picture Delbert McClinton meets James Brown meets
Tower of Power and you'll have some idea of
the funky, bluesy stew that Roxy Roca serves
up with each cut. This is kick butt music that
unfortunately will never be on the mainstream
media outlets, and that's a shame, because this
band is the real deal.
Horn driven soul-funk-blues isn't usually
my forte, but this horn driven band has the
musical chops to change my mind. Great horn
work by Austin Johanning (trumpet), Austin
Phillips, Jr. (sax), and Michael Hayes
(trombone) brings to mind the Memphis
Horns, and keeps the music fresh and funky
throughout. You can picture James Brown,
spinning in front of his mic stand with the
horn riffs these guys play. A solid rhythm section of Eric Muench (bass), and Ryan Greenblatt (drums) gives each cut on the album a
bedrock foundation, and the work of guitarist
Charlie Babbis and keyboardist Bob Villwock
add a big dose of spice to the recipe. Babbis is
a true riffologist, and his funky fills add to
each cut. He also has solid blues chops, and he
gets to showcase them on “I Don't Want to
Dream No More,” a blues cut that's reminiscent of a lot of Robert Cray's work. All if this of
course, would still be missing the key ingredient without the vocal work of Taye Cannon,
who's powerful vocal stylings give a noticeable
nod to the roadhouse R&B of Delbert McClinton, an influence most noticeable on “Try My
Love.” (That's no surprise, since Delbert's a
Texan, and Roxy Roca hails from Austin, Texas.)
Every cut on the album is listenable, and
so many of them are great that it's hard to
choose any particular cut as a standout above
the rest, although I'm partial to the two cuts
mentioned earlier.
Keeper cuts: virtually every tune on the
album. My favorites are the title track, “Ain't
Nothin' Fancy (It's Love),” “I Don't Want To
Dream No More,” “Cornbread,” and “Try My
Love.”
Send it back: “When Lights Go Down.” A
forgettable song that doesn't keep with the
energy of the rest of the album. The song
doesn't fit well with Cannon's voice either,
arrange for them to play in bigger venues.
Marty Jones of Music Man Photography
to the Ozarks this summer. You may see has considerable appreciation for TitaniTitanium Blue live June 11 at The Road- um Blue. He states, [they are] “one of the
house Grille & Bar in Aurora, Missouri, best regional blues bands out there.”
and you may see them live August 19 at
Crazy Craig’s Cheeky Monkey in Branson, For bookings, you may reach Kurt
Missouri.
Allen with Titanium Blue at 816-651When asked what was the goal for 3986, titaniumbluemusic.com, facethe band Allen quickly answered, “World book.com/titanium-blue, or titanitour.” They will keep “plugging away” to [email protected].
achieve their goal. They would like to attract a manager with experience who can
since he's at his best when he lets it rip, something he doesn't do on this cut.
I'd give this a 4.5 out of five stars and if it
was vinyl, I'd wear it out. Check them out on
Youtube, you'll be glad you did. Then, buy
“Ain't Nothin' Fancy (It's Love),” and play,
play, play it.
Links:
For the Try My Love video on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFBdxw7LH48
For Stag Records: stagrecords.com
For Roxy Roca: roxyroca.com
https://www.facebook.com/roxyroca/
(Continued from page 9)
14 | June 2016 bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
musicmondayoftheozarks.com
By Barb Hensiek
Eastern Heights is a young band out of
Branson, Missouri. The band is young in
the fact that they have been performing
together only nine months, plus the
members are young in age. Rob Blackburn, 25, frontman and lead vocals,
and Grant Moody, 19, lead guitar and
harmony, put the band together
when the two started writing songs.
The current line up includes Tyler
Stephans, 20, on bass, harmony, and
harmonica; Zach Landry, 21, on drums;
and the just-added Colter Sullivan, 29,
on keyboard, lead vocals, harmony,
and guitar.
Although they are young, their
talent exceeds their years. Blackburn,
Moody, Stephans, and Landry are
second generation Branson performers raised in the music industry. Blackburn and Moody currently perform at Grand Country Music Hall and Pierce Arrow, respectively. The guys all play multiple
instruments beyond what
they play on stage with
Eastern Heights. The work
ethic and professionalism of the members of
the band come across clearly whenever they
give an interview, sit-in with another band,
mingle with fans in a crowd, or set up/do
sound check. The talent of the band is obvious
from the first notes of the first song they play
when jaws of first-time listeners hit the floor
and shouts of adulation fill the air from the
audience. The comments on Moody’s Facebook page under posts of gig videos express
repeated compliments of, “Great riff and tone,
Grant.” Dino Strunk, 2015 Branson Terry Music Award winner for Lead Guitar Player of the
Year, asserts, “I have watched Grant grow up
from a six-year-old little boy learning to
play...to a young man who has achieved effi-
Left to Right: Zach Landry, Tyler Stephans, Rob Blackburn, Colter Sullivan, and Grant
Moody. Photo: Marshall Meadows.
ciency on several instruments. He's one of the
finest overall musicians out there at his age
and I believe he has nowhere to go but to the
top.”
The band fills the venues with all ages
because the guys fill a niche no other band in
the area is filling. While fans the age of the
band members attend Eastern Heights’ shows,
the majority of the dance floor is literally filled
with 40-year-olds to 70-year-olds, both male
and female. Since the guys perform in Branson
shows, Eastern Heights’ shows typically start
at 10:30 p.m. and go until 1:00 a.m. Clearly,
Eastern Heights busts the
myth that senior citizens
won’t come out for late
shows. The seniors come out
and dance. The seniors dance
all night long. Blackburn’s
keen ear for what style of
songs the audience responds
to on a given night keeps the
playlist fresh for a particular
audience. The rhythm section
of Stephans and Landry does
Photo by MARSHALL MEADOWS, MEADOWS IMAGES
their part to keep the dance beat strong. Landry drums with his whole body. No exaggeration, as even his lips, nostrils, everything move
to the beat; a site that only adds to the already
tight visual performance the band provides.
Blackburn and Grant have approximately
10 to 11 songs written and seven to eight songs
ready to record. Eastern Heights has a professionally produced video of their first song,
“Without You” in which Blackburn and Grant
turn out polished acting performances. Blackburn and Grant describe their originals as
modern country and they definitely remind
listeners of the band Rascal Flatts. Eastern
Heights’ live performances are mostly covers
while they write and develop their original
material. Though not traditionally a blues
band, rockin’ southern blues and R&B are
included in the playlist mix, as well as country,
and rock ‘n’ roll from the 1950s to current
chart toppers.
The band makes the covers their own with
Blackburn’s vocals and a slight twist in the
arrangement. Every song is a dance song, even
(Continued on page 16)
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com June 2016 | 15
2016 MasterClass Workshop Experience
The Pinetop Perkins Foundation announces it's seventh Blues Workshop Experience for young and young-at-heart adult musicians. The classes will be held at the Shack Up
Inn and Hopson Commissary in Clarksdale,
Mississippi, where the youthful spirit of Pinetop (1913-2011) smiles on us.
The 2016 Pinetop Foundation Workshop
Experience will take place from Wednesday
through Friday, June 15-17. The workshops
offer piano, guitar, harmonica, and CD pro-
duction workshops and are led by internationally renowned, award-winning blues artists.
There will be a meet and greet dinner and jam
on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
In response to the 2015 survey of participants, we have extended the workshops for
2016. We have added an afternoon session to
Friday’s schedule and lunch for participants.
We have also added an additional workshop in
CD production and engineering for advanced
students in guitar, harmonica, or piano who
have attended at least two previous workshops. The goal of this workshop will be to
guide students through the process of recording a workshop showcase CD. Bob Margolin
will act as producer and Gary Vincent of The
Clarksdale Soundstage will be the recording
engineer.
To find out more, check out the Pinetop
Perkins website at pinteopperkinsfoundation.org.
(Continued from page 15)
harmony; the brilliance is that he knows just
when to do so effectively. Favorite, familiar
songs are played like an audience has never
heard them before and the audience wants to
hear those songs again and again. Eastern
Heights’ audiences and popularity grow with
each event. Larry Allred, a Branson icon and
staple himself, affirms, “Eastern Heights may
very well be the next big thing [nationally].
They have talent, the work ethic, and most
importantly they love playing music. That
comes natural, you can't teach that.”
Right now the demand for Eastern
Heights exceeds their scheduling allowance as
Blackburn and Moody work six days a week in
Branson shows, Sundays being their only current available day for an out of town performance. If a band is going to have a problem,
this is a good problem to have. Blackburn and
Grant agree that their goal is to get better as a
band and start playing outside of Branson.
Right now, fans are demanding more original
songs, demanding a release of a CD, demanding more shows. Help increase Eastern
Heights’ problems and growing pains by liking
their page and attending their events. https://
www.facebook.com/easternheightsmusic/
if it means increasing the tempo. Judging by
the response of the fans, no song is ever
harmed in the making of an Eastern Heights’
dance arrangement or by Blackburn’s vocals.
Blackburn’s vocals: oh, those vocals. Blackburn sings moments of melody lines in upper
Looking for a Blues CD for your
kids? Each song on this album has a
learning activity with lyrics inside for
sing alongs. Activities include healthy
living, manners, and
music, all
in a different musical
16 | June 2016 bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
“flavor.”
What does Adegbalola mean by
flavors? Each song exposes listeners
to different styles of music including
DC go-go, Piedmont blues, blues rock,
jump blues, boogie woogie, rock &
roll, doo-wop, Delta-style slide, Chicago blues with stop time, funk, Bo Diddley beat, street rhythm, New Orleans
blues, and reggae rhythm.
Adegbalola is a writer, speaker,
and performer who has several honors from the Blues Foundation
She has toured nationally and
internationally, and has won numerous awards including the prestigious
Blues Music Award as well as the Virginia State Teacher of the Year.
Check out her website at
www.adegbalola.com
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com June 2016 | 17
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-for-profit, 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 ap-
preciation 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 w er e
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.
BSO Officer Voting Event
There comes a
time in every
organization
where decisions
come fast. There
is no doubt,
with the addition of so many
talented volunteers this year, that
the BSO did just that. In February, executive officers were appointed from the BSO Board
members using urgent consideration.
Now that bylaw review and
restructuring of the organization
is well underway, it became necessary to hold an official election
of officers. On May 24, the BSO
Board met to elect executive officers carefully and reasonably using
Robert’s Rule of Order as per the
BSO bylaws.
(Continued from page 8)
King hit, “To Know You is to Love
You.” He performs several other
covers from artists such as, but
not limited to, Etta James, Otis
Redding,
Michael
Jackson,
Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway,
Bill Withers, and Terence Trent
D’Arby.
He would like to be remembered as “someone who made
people feel good and made the
world a better place.” Quoting
Next October, a call for nominations for the BSO Board will be
issued. The BSO’s monthly member meeting at that time will consist of taking nominations from
all BSO members for the upcoming year’s Board of Directors . The
BSO’s executive officers will be
elected following bylaw consideration from the newly elected
board members the following
January.
Through secret ballot the following officers were appointed
from the BSO Board of Directors:
President—Brenda Seely
Vice President—Bob Bledsoe
2nd Vice Pres.—George Hunt
Secretary— Patty Hutchinson
Treasurer— Open
Sergeant at Arms—Richard Pendergrass
from the Sermon on the Mount,
he wishes to do good in order to
“let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.” (Matthew
5:16.) Munday is a deep-thinking
and reflective musician who cherishes personal spiritual strength.
His music is no exception.
Munday can be reached at
shaunmunday.com and you can
listen to him on iTunes and Spotify.
Discounts to cardholding members of the BSO
CROSSTOWN BARBECUE
1331 E. Division
(417) 862-4636
GEORGE HUNT
Harmonica & Guitar Instructor &
Performer
[email protected]
Facebook: George Hunt
(417) 353-9180
HOT STUFF
a pepper blend
Mary Certain
(316) 210-7720
[email protected]
JOE'S DINER
201 E. Chestnut St.
Strafford, MO Exit 88
(417) 736-2922
SCRAMBLERS
1131 E. Republic Rd.
Springfield, MO
(417) 886-4224
MISSOURI SAFE CARRY
10% off any class for any BSO
members
missourisafecarry.com
Facebook: Missouri Safe Carry
Kevin & Marcy Powell
417-840-5426
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.
Answers to May Crossword: Across: 7. Tw enty Nine Palm s, 9. Titanic B lues B and, 11. Cu r tis Salgado , 14. Live Oak, 16. tip jar,
17. Hoover Music, 20. “Farther on up the Road”, 23. Zydeco, 24. Robert Cray, Down: 1. Blues Down Under, 2. head shaker, 3. Mule Handcock,
4. drafted, 5. Wayne Carson, 6. Ray Charles, 8. Whitchita* Blues Society, 10. David Pease, 12. dependents, 13. Guitar Center, 15. winter, 18.
school dances, 19 Guan, 21. Avid. *Whitchita is spelled Wichita. Apologies for the misspelling.
18 | June 2016 bluessocietyoftheozarks.com
Test Yourself!
Across:
3. Recorded Ain’t Nothin Fancy.
7. Neosho Route 66 Blues Express host.
11. Matthew Garrison gave private lessons to him.
16. First song of young band with video.
20. Person who studies music in its cultural context.
22. Wendler is looking for one of these.
23. Inspired John Belushi’s character “Joliet” Jake.
24. Band at MDA Ride for Life.
25. Income of all Center Stage musicians.
26. Artist of Kid’s CD about life and music.
27. Employees of Center Stage.
“I guess all songs is folk
songs. I never heard no horse
sing 'em.” - Big Bill Broonzy
June 2016 Bluesletter
Down:
1. CD to raise funds for the blues Hall of Fame.
2. Artistic friend of Titanium Blue.
4. Blues band a Rock House Music Festival.
5. Original song with intricate drum solo.
6. June speaker at Music Mondays.
8. For a particular band, every song is one of these.
9. June picnic host band.
10. Recording engineer from the Clarksdale soundstage.
11. Pattie Hays helps relieve this.
12. Two out of three young musicians this at picnic.
13. Bringing the Bel-Airs.
14. Band with Tas Cru hosting Blues in the Schools event at Boys & Girls
Club.
15. Company that turns kitchen into fine dining.
17. Played at Shaun Munday’s high school.
18. 2015 Terry Music Award winner for Lead Guitar Player of the Year.
21. Lain’z Hot Rod Gang genre in addition to blues.
Trivia
Blues was a heavy
influence in the early days
of this musically famous
street in Chicago.
May Answer:
“”... found the guitarist making
groundbreaking use of a Bigsby tremolo
bar that he appended to his trademark
Flying V guitar.”
Kreps, D. (2016, April 23). Lonnie Mack,
Blues-Rock Guitar Great, Dead at 74. In
Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 25, 2016,
from http://www.rollingstone.com/music/
news/lonnie-mack-blues-rock-guitar-greatdead-at-74-20160423
bluessocietyoftheozarks.com June 2016 | 19
Blues Society Inc.
Blues Society of the Ozarks
P.O. Box 8133
Springfield, MO 65801-8133





Your Membership Has Benefits
Monthly newsletter delivered to your email and postal mail.
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 and events.
Discounts at many area stores and restaurants with membership card. A list is in the Bluesletter and on bluessocietyoftheozar ks.com.
Social networking by meeting other people who also love the blues.
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_________________________________________________________________
Street Address _________________________________________________________
City ______________________________ State ____________________ Zip_________
Phone ________________________________________________________________
Email (recommended) ___________________________________________________
☐ 30yr—Individual
☐$20yr—Senior (62+), Student, Veteran
☐$50/yr Individual (free t-shirt and CD)
☐ $40/yr—Band Membership
☐ $200/yr—Corporate (include icon/image)
☐Renewal Membership ☐New Membership
I am interested in helping in the following area(s): ☐ Picnics, ☐ Blues Festival, ☐ Fundraisers , ☐ Public Relations, ☐ Bluesletter, ☐ Other _____________________________