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Issue 156 The Publication of the Linn County Blues Society- lcbs.org July 2007

Kicks Off Bluesmore 2007 raig Erickson’s newest release tive and inspirational sound. His earliest “Big Highway” is an appropriate musical influences were found growing Ctitle for the type of journey his up in a home with a guitarist father musical career has taken him on. Born and piano teacher mother. Craig started and raised in the midwestern heartland cornet at age 8 and switched to guitar at of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (which is con- 12. Fronting many bands in junior high nected to many highways t h a t and high school, composing and recording lead to midwestern music a vast number of on home demos meccas such as M i n - by age 16. He joined a fusion band at age neapolis, Chi- c a g o , 17 “Cirkus” playing guitar and keyboards. St. Louis, K a n s a s But, like many struggling musicians try- C i t y , M a d i s o n , ing to make a living, he played in a large etc.) Craig has number of cover bands, honing his for- drawn upon the inspi- midable guitar chops in a wild variety of ration of wide open spaces, styles including country, jazz, punk, funk, mysterious midnight highway folk, blues/rock, reggae and more. The excursions, and the nearby inten- mid-80’s found him teaching over 40 stu- sity of funky big city life. Mixing dents a week in styles from SRV Blues to styles and life influences into a Steve Vai and Van Halen shred. His dedi- stew of blues, rock, funk, jazz, fu- cation and determination lead him to the sion with a distinctive 70’s influence discerning ears of Mike Varney (the guitar akin to Cream, Hendrix, ZZ Top, Trower, Continued on page 5 Zeppelin, Johnny Winter, Tommy Bolin, Free, Frank Marino, and spicing it up We are excited once again to In this issue— with hints of more recent ingredi- have Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust ents such as Govt Mule, Derek as our main festival sponsor Craig Erickson Up Close Truck, Robert Randolph, KUNI Bicycle, Blues & BBQ! this year! A HUGE Bluesmore King’s X, Red Hot Chili Pep- thank you to CRB&T! Praire Dog Blues Fest Line-up! pers and others. From Rob- at BBQ Round-Up ert Johnson to , Chili Challenge Final Talley Chris Whitley to Shawn Big Mo’s CD Review Lane, Erickson draws from Local LIVE Entertainment many sources and his own in- Bluesmore Merchandise Special! tense life experience to forge Still No Karaoke a unique and somewhat addic-

©2007-Linn County Blues Society The Linn County Blues Society is a way cool, non-profit organization dedicated to Checker’s Prairie Dog the preservation of Blues music in Eastern Iowa as well as to provide charitable contri- “Best Damn Blues!” St. Feriole Island, WI butions to other community organizations. LCBS is an Affiliated Organization in the Blues Foundation’s international network. P. J. Harrington prairiedogblues.com The BLUESPAPER is a monthly publication of the LCBS. hat’s happening at Check- Friday, July 27, 2007 Website: lcbs.org ers tavern? The long awaited Bluesline: 319.399.5105 opening of our Outdoor Beer 5:00 PM The Tom Hunter Band W 7:00 PM Shannon Curfman LCBS Officers Garden. PLUS our Thursday evening out- 9:00 PM- Alvin Jett & the PhatnoiZ Blues President - Andy Dergo door live music nights starting at 5pm. Band Vice President - Evan Vulich Stop in and check out our line up begin- Secretary - Steve Springer 11:00 PM- Tab Benoit Treasurer - Sue Dergo ning July 12. Coming up yet this Blue TENT - Big Daddy Cade Sunday season: Clay McClinton, Lil Dave & The Blues Masters Directors at Large- Thompsen, Mem Shannon, Chubby Carri- Bob DeForest, Bill Meeks, Bob Dorr er, Studebaker John and more of the area’s Saturday, July 28, 2007 best damn Blues period. Only at Checkers Chairs Education - Open tavern & eatery. Do your part as a “Blues 12:00PM Everett Smithson Band 2:00PM - Kevin “B.F.” Burt Entertainment - Gary Gibson supporter” and get your butt off the couch Membership - Kevin Cutsforth & the Instigators and support it..... damn it. Without YOUR Merchandise - David Andrews 4:00PM - Mark Sallings constant support, the music WILL go Parliamentarian - Bill Meeks & the Famous Unknowns Program - Bob DeForest away! Then what? 6:00PM - Steve Arvey & The Saxtelles Public Relations - Open 8:00PM - Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials Web Administrator - Evan Vulich 10:00PM - Anthony Gomes TENT - Pete Cornelius (from Australia) The Bluespaper folks Daniel Arthur’s Editor - Evan Vulich Photographers - See bylines each issue Great food and beer. Vendors selling hand- Staff Writers - See bylines each issue made products and camping right on site. Blues in July Distribution - Andy Dergo, Bill Meeks Motel shuttles run to all motels in town. Jeff Craft -Tues. July 3, 8-10 Membership Kevin B.F. Burt -Thurs. July 5, 8 -11 Prairie Dog Blues Festival To learn more about the Linn County Blues Dennis Mcmurrin-Fri. July 6, 8-11 318 South Wacouta Avenue Society or to join, see the membership form in this Bluespaper or the LCBS website. BillyLee Janey Sat. July 7, 8 -11 Prairie du Chien, WI 53821 Phone toll-free: 888-567-1567 Your membership includes; Josh Misner - Tues. July 10, 8 -10 • Discount admissions to many local Billylee Janey Wed. July 11, 8-10:30 Blues activities. Kevin B.F. Burt - Thurs. July 12, 8 -11 • Monthly LCBS Bluespaper. • Voting rights in the LCBS elections. Billylee Janey - Fri. July 13, 8 -11 • Simply being way cool. Tony Brown - Sat. July 14, 8 -11 Matt Maybanks - Tues. July 17, 8 -10 Bluespaper Contact information Bryce Janey - Wed. July 18, 8 -10 Send news, band or club live entertainment listing or advertising to: Evan Vulich, 1116 Kevin B.F. Burt - Thurs. July 19, 8 -11 Daniels St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 or Jason Brown - Fri. July 20, 8 -11 preferrably e-mail at: [email protected]. Bryce Janey - Fri. July 21, 8 -11 Nick Stika - Tues. July 24, 8 -10 Bluespaper Ad Rates $15.00 - Business card size - 2” x 3.5” Billy Janey-Wed. July 25, 8:30-10:30 $25.00 - Quarter page ad - 3.5” x 4.75” Kevin B.F. Burt - Thurs. July 26, 8 -11 $50.00 - Half page ad - 4.75” x 7.25” Matt Maybanks - Fri. July 27, 8 -11 $100.00 - Full page - 7.5” x 10” Tony Brown - Sat. July 28, 8 -11 The Rock-O-Rama will be held Submission Requirements- All ads, Tim Daugherty - Tues. July 31, 8 -10 on Friday, August 3 at Green photos or scanned images, either color Square Park. The Cedar Is- or black/white, need to be 300ppi. Native Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, JPG, TIFF, Looky! Looky! land Band will be playing from EPS, PDF, BMP accepted. Deadline for The LCBS meets the 1st Monday 5pm to 8pm. Must be 21 or submissions is the 23rd of the month. of each month. See you at Cooper’s Mill, old for admission. Admission Moving? Send your new address to; LCBS, Suite 116 on July 2, 6:30PM is $5.00 per person. This is a PO Box 2672, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2672 for the LCBS Board & Member meeting. benefit concert for the Boys & so you won’t miss a single issue of your Guests are welcome! Bluespaper. 100 F Ave. NW • 366-5323 Girls Clubs of Cedar Rapids.

 / Linn County Blues Society ©2007 Bicycle, Blues & BBQ Festival KUNI Night at Clear Lake-Sat. July 7 The Surf Ballroom KUNI Night at Clear Lake’s live performances and recordings, “Bicycle, Blues & BBQ” Festival her lyrics, soul and passion are all her Saturday, July 7, 2007 – 7 p.m. own. Kelley will be touring in support The Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, IA of a brand new release and this stop in Clear Lake serves as Kelley Hunt’s CD The Bicycle, Blues & BBQ festival release party, so don’t miss it! gets underway in Clear Lake on Fri- day, July 6 at 5:00 pm with food and : In the tradition of cycling vendors and culminates with none-too-shy, brassy, larger-than-life Candye Kane a USCF-sanctioned race on Sunday, flamboyant blues singers like Mem- July 8 at 7:30 am. Inflate those tires, phis Minnie, , Big Mama Guitar’d and Feathered find your helmet and get biking! KUNI Thornton and comes CAN- Public Radio will participate in this DYE KANE. She sings of her life in a Release Date –May 22, 2007 Clear Lake event with a great night way audiences all over the world can of Blues beginning at 7:00 pm on relate to. Such candor, combined with Hold The Cheese Saturday, July 7 at the Surf Ballroom excellent showmanship and a crack- featuring a CD release party from erjack band has helped Candye Kane R&B pianist/vocalist KELLEY HUNT, rise in the world of the blues rather rap- That’s what I thought after Blues diva, CANDYE KANE in sup- idly. (See Big Mo’s review this month). Candye Kane’s last CD. Her port of her new release “Guitar’d and latest is less cheesy, shows Feathered,” and Iowa City’s ambas- DIPLOMATS OF SOLID SOUND fea- some restraint and refine- sadors of soul THE DIPLOMATS turing THE DIPLOMETTES: Steeped OF SOLID SOUND featuring THE in the sizzling, funky gumbo of Book- ment and “over the top” is DIPLOMETTES! er T & The MG’s, The Meters, James kept to a minimum. Brown and the B3-driven, backyard Bob Margolin co-produced KELLEY HUNT: A woman who has barbecue jams of Jimmy Smith, Lou and played so there are more muscled her way onto the scene on Donaldson, Jimmy McGriff, Lonnie Blues and less show on this her own terms with an identity that is Smith, and Brother Jack McDuff, THE clearly steeped in blues/roots/gospel DIPLOMATS OF SOLID SOUND surge CD. The guest guitarists but reaches out toward refreshingly forward in their passionate crusade to (Watson, Alvin, Foley, Ramos, unexpected horizons. That freshness steam-clean the planet’s dancefloors Popovic, Brozman, Chubby) together with a commanding, pas- with their instrumental soul stew. share equally and keep the sionate stage presence and superior reverb humming. skills as a vocalist, piano player and 2 FOR 1 SPECIAL AT THE SURF! Buy writer have earned Kelley the respect one ticket for KUNI’s Saturday night Candye Kane has enough of critics and fans across the coun- show with Kelley Hunt and Candye real vocal skill without all the try. Born in Kansas City, Hunt’s love Kane on July 7 and get one FREE affectations to keep me in- for her craft was fine tuned listen- ticket for The Surf’s Friday night terested and wrote six of the ing to early blues, R&B, roots rock, show with Blues axeman, Walter tunes. Bob Margolin is one of jazz and gospel influences including Trout on July 6 at 8 pm while sup- , Mahalia Jackson, Billie plies last. the best. Give it four breasts Holiday, Ann Peebles, Ray Charles, and a decolletage. , , Advance tickets can be ordered on- Charles Brown, Wanda Jackson and line at iowatix.com and kuniradio. —John Heim (A.K.A. “Big Mo”) a cross-section of the New Orleans/ org (in the STORE section) or by St. Louis/KC piano traditions of Pro- calling KUNI weekdays at 319-273- fessor Longhair, Toots Washington, 6400 or 800-772-2440, ext. 0. Johnnie Johnson and Kansas City masters Jay McShann and Mary Lou Advance tickets are also available Williams among others. While subtle at Bob’s Guitars in Cedar Falls and reminders of those very traditional CDGB’s in Mason City. influences can be heard in Kelley’s ©2007 Linn County Blues Society /  Blues ‘n’ Buffett Talley Canceled But Still A Huge Succe$$!

Jamie Gorecki

he weekend of February 25, Iowa Committee Members: experienced one of the worst ice Steve Springer - LCBS member Tstorms in recent memory. The Isle of Iowa Parrot Head Club member Blues ‘n’ Buffett Chili challenge also had Keith Wright- LCBS - Isle of Iowa Parrot one of the worst experiences in memory Head Club member ….the event was canceled. But that did Jeff Krabacher - Isle of Iowa Parrot Head not stop the Linn County Blues Society Club member and the Isle of Iowa Parrot Head Club Steve Petersen - Isle of Iowa Parrot Head from raising money for the kids of Cedar Club member Rapids. Despite a canceled event, the two Andy Dergo - LCBS member clubs were still able to raise $2935.00 and Chair Persons: as a result, the H.D. Youth Center and Jamie & Sue Gorecki the Boys and Girls Club of Cedar Rapids Linn County Blues Society each received $1467.50 for their fine or- Isle of Iowa Parrot Head Club members ganizations. This was a result of a Silent Photo by Jamie Gorecki Auction held at a later date, plus cash do- nations secured prior to February 25 by Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, during a 10 minute harp solo that a hard working planning committee. To absolutely astounded the adoring crowd at the 2007 BBQ Round-Up. The edi- put this into perspective, $2935 raised by tor along with Freddie Jones and a host of other friends, had ring side seats an event that did not happen exceeds re- since we all brought our own folding chairs. Apparently there was no plan to sults for each of the first three years the keep the audience at a distance so we were allowed to simply “camp out” front chili challenge was held. The Planning and center stage. Committee members are listed at the end of this article, please thank them the next time you see them.

Sue Gorecki, Henry Davison and Jamie Gorecki present Henry a check.

Pictured here are Committee Chair Per- sons, Sue and Jamie Gorecki presenting a check to Henry Davison on behalf of the Linn County Blues Society. Henry is Founder/President/CEO of the H.D. Youth Center, a non-profit organization in Photo by Jamie Gorecki downtown Cedar Rapids; designed to get Kim Wilson, the only original member who, along with Jimmy Vaughn— brother kids off the street and encourage a posi- of Stevie Ray— co-founded the Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1976. Pictured here tive attitude, academic progress, and pro- with Kim is lead guitarist . Also on lead guitar was Kirk “Eli” Fletch- mote a drug-free environment. To learn er who smoked on “Postman” and “She’s Tuff.” After all these years and Kim more about Henry and the youth center, Wilson can still bring the house down with his dynamic stage presence. visit their website at: hdyouthcenter.com. A huge thank you to General Mills for sponsoring this gig.

 / Linn County Blues Society ©2007 continued from cover story — Lee Firkins and many more. After a dark star discovering guru record company time of personal issues in the late 90s, Er- head of ) Varney had ickson returned to the scene in 2001 with unearthed guitar talents such as Shawn the triumphant minor masterpiece “shine” Lane, , , on Grooveyard Records. “Shine” began , Tony McAlpine, Vinnie an association between Craig and the leg- Moore, and others. He endary rock soul vocalist “Rob Lamothe” was starting another label with classic their transcendent version of Hendrix’s players such as , Leslie “Angel” is worth the price of the CD and West, , etc. And chose Craig shows a deep melodic sense in his music. as an upcoming modern shredding blues Craig and Rob traveled twice to Europe for “shine” tours and followed with a re- cording session in Canada resulting in a raw, funky, soulful record called “ride” for dutch label Mascot/Provogue.That record was followed up with his first ever full length instrumental fusion CD for Mike Varney’s “Tone Center” label. On “Cos- mic Farm” Craig was joined by an all-star cast of jam band performers including drum genius Jeff Sipe, Shawn Lane, ARV, Susan Tedeschi, Phil Lesh, Trey Anasta- sio, bass guru Rob Wasserman, Rat Dog, Rickie Lee Jones, Lou Reed, Banyan and keyboardist extraordinaire T. Lavitz, the Dregs, Jazz is Dead, Widespread Panic and others. Though Craig was again hum- bled in the presence of such brilliant and legendary performers he found the faith and inspiration to pursue the project, com- rocker. (a few years before Joe Bona- posing all the CD’s songs in short order massa and Kenny Wayne) Their first and flying to San Francisco to jam with the collaboration “Roadhouse Stomp” is a other “cosmic farmers” on the deep funky, modern classic, featuring kill- grooves and melodic riffs. 2005 reunited er grooves like “heartbreak train” “over- Erickson and Sipe for a heartfelt tribute time” and “the storm”. Erickson had to guitar genius Shawn Lane in Memphis. barely finished the record when he was They filmed samples of that and NAMM flown back to California to co-write and show/Tone Merchants performances with arrange first comeback al- bassist John Avila, Oingo Boingo and bum “Blues”. Glenn had recorded and drummer Tony Austin () toured with Deep Purple, Trapeze and show another side of Craig that doesn’t Tommy Bolin. Some friends who joined always make it to record. The jamming, Mike Bader back in CR him for his comeback CD included vari- creative free-flowing on the edge play- mikebaderblues.com ous members of Motley Crue, Great ing style that totally relies on the soul White, Ratt, Poison, The Firm etc. Craig and passion of the musical moment. The later joined Glenn for a Trapeze reunion latest recording “Big Highway” goes full tour in ‘94, a Tommy Bolin tribute tour circle back to “Roadhouse Stomp” with in ‘98 and various recording projects. barn burner blues rock grooves, blistering Glenn has recently collaborated with licks, melodic slow blues and the songs Chad Smith and other members of the cover classic blues themes of heartbreak, Red Hot Chili Peppers. Besides record- loneliness, pain, highways, trains country ing and touring with Hughes, the 90’s nights, city street and a spiritual longing found Erickson recording several home and hope. When he plays and sings these CDs for Mike Varney that gained inter- songs, you get the feeling that he’s seen national distribution and European tour- and been through some amazing and in- ing opportunities such as the “Salon De tense things... and it ain’t over yet. La Musique” in Paris where he shared the bill with Shawn Lane, Doug Aldrich, Jan Cyrka, The Hellecasters, Michael

©2007 Linn County Blues Society /  This publication of the LCBS is dedicated to the support of LIVE music and is guaranteed to be heart-healthy, low in fat, Local Music low in sodium and completely Karaoke FREE! Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he Support LIVE Music- It’s a Spectator Sport! sings—Ed Gardner

July Blues Calendar Sun.- Checkers Tavern-Blue Sunday-6PM Sun.- Mahoney’s - Various artists-Never a Cover, 6pm Sun. 1 Mahoney’s Bent Scepters 6-10 Sun.- Charlie’s, Coralville-Blues Jam Checkers Johnny Rawls Blues Revue 6pm Wed.- Checkers Tavern-Kevin BF Burt solo 6-9 Tues. 3 Chappy’s 4 BoxORocks 9-1 Wed.- Mahoney’s-D-Licious Vinyl w/ Bobby D 8-12 Thurs.-J.M.O’Malley’s-T-Bone Giblin Jam Fest Wed. 4 Ernie’s McMurrin & Johnson 6-9 EVERY Fri. 6 IC Ped Mall Grooveship 6:30 - Concert Series Ernie’s BillyLee Janey & Dan Johnson 6-9 The LCBS meets the 1st Monday of each month. Next Door DDog & the BBits 9-1 See you at Cooper’s Mill, Suite 116 on July 2, 6:30PM Chrome Horse O’Connell Brothers 6:30PM-outside for the LCBS Board & Member meeting. July only. Gibbs Brothers -inside 9PM Guests are welcome! Sat. 7 Chappy’s Meerkats 100 F Ave. NW • 366-5323 Chrome Horse Well Lit 9PM Sun. 8 Mahoney’s Oakhurst 6-10 The Shack Bryce Janey & Dan Johnson 6-10 • LCBS Members SAVE 10% off meals at Thurs. 12 J.M. O’Malley’s 4 BoxORocks 9-1 Leo’s Italian Restaurant! Fri. 13 Ernie’s McMurrin & Johnson 6-8:30 29 South Frederick Avenue, Olwein. Next Door 4 BoxORocks 9-1 Chrome Horse Funk 101-outside 6:30PM • SAVE at - Tic Toc Restaurant 24/7 -inside 9PM Buy one, get one ½ price Sat. 14 Chrome Horse Lickety Split 9PM on any regular breakfast entrée or sandwich! Chappy’s Triple Shot 9-1 • SAVE at - Genghis Grill Camp Euforia Fest Grooveship - Lone Tree, IA TBA 10% off entire ticket ANYTIME! Sun. 15 Mahoney’s Broke Out Steppers 6-10 Fri. 20 Chrome Horse Unknown Highway outside 6:30PM • SAVE at - Papa Juan’s Lockren inside 9PM 10% discount on meals only Sat. 21 Chappy’s Black Hats Backwards 9-1 SAVE at Hamilton Mortgage Chrome Horse Tricylic 9PM $250 off closing costs (ask for Jessica) Sun. 22 Checkers Tavern Rev. Raven & Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys Mahoney’s Valdez 6-10 Specializing in Fri. 27 Ernie’s McMurrin & Johnson 6-8:30 RIBS, STEAK, PRIME RIB, LOBSTER & CRAB Next Door Bryce Janey Group w/ DJ 6-9 Featuring our award winning Chrome Horse Sonic Holiday-outside 6:30PM BBQ Pork Ribs! Black Velvet Elvis-inside 9PM Seafood • 30 item salad bar Kids menus • Specialty desserts Sat. 28 Chrome Horse 4 BoxORocks 9PM Chappy’s Street Rad 9-1PM Sun. 29 Checkers Tavern Ross William Perry Band 6PM A very special THANK YOU to these businesses Mahoney’s J.W. Jones 6-10PM who have signed up to help us Keep the Blues Alive! Tim Razor, one of Cedar Rapids’ top bassists, unites with old band mates from Black Hats Backwards at Chappy’s on July 21! Should be a great night of R&B, Blues, Funk. • C.R. Bank & Trust • The Fifth Gear • Chappy’s Safari • 16th Avenue Prod. “It’s got a cop motor: a 440 cubic inch plant. It’s got • Chrome Horse • KCCK 88.3 cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It’s a model made before catalytic converters so it’ll run good on • Longbranch • Checkers Tavern regular gas. What do you say, is this the new Bluesmo- • Dudley Bros. Co. • Home Town Restyling bile, or what?” —Elwood Blues • Cocktails & Co. • Next Door

 / Linn County Blues Society ©2007 Blues Beat Nothin’ But the Blues Festival in Bloomington, IL. July 20-21 nothingbutthebluesfestival.com

Nothin’ But The Blues Festival

JULY 20 Gates Open at 5:00 pm 6:00 pm Rooster Alley 7:00 pm Dona Oxford 8:15 pm John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band 9:30 pm Blues Caravan 2007 “The Guitar Women” - Debra Coleman - ”

JULY 21 Gates Open at 12:00 NOON 1:30 pm TBA 2:45 pm Central Illiois Blues Challenge Winner 4:45 pm TBA 6:00 pm Big Ray and Chicago’s Most Wanted 7:30 pm Tab Benoit 9:00 pm C.J. Chenier

FOR THE KIDS 1:00 - 4:00 pm Kids Face Painting 1:00 - 4:00 pm The Unique Twist

©2007 Linn County Blues Society / 

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Cedar Rapids, IA Rapids, Cedar

72 6 2 Box PO Linn County Blues Society Blues County Linn

Bluesmore 2007 • August 4 Get your tickets at: • Brucemore • Tic Toc • Checkers • Cocktails • Music Lofts • West Music • J.M. O’Malley’s • Chappy’s Safari • CD Warehouse • The Longbranch • Bob’s Guitars, Cedar Falls kcck.org Tickets: $10 w/ coupon $13 at the gate Friday- *$11 in advance • 6-10 PM - Da Friday Blues with John Heim • 10-11 PM - Backstage Blues Children 10 and under admitted FREE when accompanied by an • 11 PM to midnight - Beale Street Caravan adult. Advance tickets available now at outlets through August 3. • Midnight Blues CD *No refunds on advance tickets. Saturday - No discounts the day of the show. • 6-10 PM - Da Blues with Bobby D • 10-11 PM - The Crawfish Circuit Brucemore Mansion • 11 PM -midnight - The Melting Pot 2160 Linden Dr. SE • Midnight Blues CD Cedar Rapids, IA

©2007-Linn County Blues Society