OBBS E-NEWSLETTER July / August 2014

Preserve Promote and Present the

RJ Harman & CO 2011 & 2012 Central FL Blues Challenge winners PG 4

Joel Dasilva & The Midnight Howl 2013 Central FL Blues Challenge winners Pg 5

1 Inside this issue:

Karen Stott –Editor

We need volunteers for the OBBS booth at :

Letter from July 11th Alive After 5 the President 3 July 20 Gary Ingber Musician Fund Benefit

Central Blues August 10 Central Florida Blues Challenge Challenge Please contact OBBS at [email protected] The 4 RJ Harmon & Co

Joel DaSilva We are looking to the membership to 5 assist with these committees – E Newsletter OBBS Events Single Issue  Publicity/Press - Market- Blues in School / 6 ing/Promotions Ladies of the Blues Rates

______ Newsletter

7 Business card SunFest w/ Daniel  Membership

Heitz Band 3.35” x 3.8  Entertainment $10  Blues In School—BITS Spot light 8 Don’t Scare the Dog ______Quarter page 3.5 Around Town 9 “x 7.875” $20 Mt Dora Blues Fest

______Half page 6.125” 10 x 7.875” $30 The Alley Blues Bar

Full page 11.25” and Blues Blog 11 x 7.875” $70

CD Releases 12 ______Back page 11.25”

Band Listings 13 x 7.875” $80

About OBBS Announcements 14- 16 Our BOD

Membership 2 Our Mission Hey Blues Lovers and Fans!!

We had a kick ass Bluesy Spring didn't we?? The Mt. Dora event was most excellent!! We all were waiting for the Blues scene in Central FL to get hot, and it got hot indeed!!! Big thanks to all the volunteers and support we had for the event. It was a success for Mt. Dora and OBBS!

The summer is shaping up to be a great one! We are in the midst of planning our Gary Ingber Musicians' Relief Fund Benefit and Fun Raiser which will be held on July 20th from 1PM-6PM @ Bleu 42 in Oviedo! Blue 42 is located at 2960 West State Road 426 in Oviedo FL. We have assisted a lot of our musician family and friends and recently did our part help a local legend and hero in his time of need. This fund is set aside yearly to help with medical expenses, travel expense, utility bills, funeral cost, or something as simple as food and necessities. We all need a helping hand some- times and we encourage members, friends, venues, artists, and patrons to always donate if you can. If you cannot make the event, you can always donate via PayPal. Just remember, in your payment memo insert text which directs us to apply those monies to the Gary Ingber Musicians' Relief Fund. We thank you for your support!!

Also on tap for the summer is our Central Florida Blues Challenge which will be held on August 10th from 1PM-6PM at Bleu 42 also!! More details will follow, but we are doing this event early this year so the wining bands have more runway to raise funds for the trip. The event in Memphis is 5-days long and as one can imagine, a band with 3, 4, 5, or 6 members has huge tab that week for travel expenses. The winners pot is really good, but it does not cover the entire week of expense. We are looking for sponsors, volunteers, and of course bands for this event. A separate correspondence for this event is forth- coming which will specifically provide the needed details for the bands and participants. Now is the time to tell all your musi- cian friends that their magic carpet to stardom awaits them at the CFBC!!! Applications submission is open as of today, June 16th and go to obbs.org for more info!!

(Advertisement) Social media is gonna drive us all to drink more!! We are constantly posting on our FaceBook page and to other groups on FB. Are there other social media sites you would like to see OBBS be a part of and post to? If so, let us know by contacting us. Don't forget to sign up for the OBBS Newsletter at obbs.org and also become a member to help Preserve, Promote, and Pre- sent the Blues here in Central Florida!! This area has been getting a great deal of press lately with so many of our talented friends touring, playing both national and regional festivals plus getting great recognition in the local press. Check out some great info about the historical Blues scene in San- ford, a good article about one the legendary local bands, and some great press for one of our local artist on the rise. Two of the articles were in the Orlando Weekly, one in the Orlando Sentinel, and one in the Wall Street Journal Speakeasy .

Take care Blues Lovers and Fans - GET OUT AND SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!!!!!

3 Preserve Promote and Present the Blues

Central Florida Blues Challenge Winners : RJ Harmon & CO (2011 & 2012)

In this series you will be introduced to the past and present Central Florida Blues Challenge winners. - K Stott Editor

RJ Harman and Company is a rockin' blues band from Orlando Florida. If you're craving Hip-shakin', Toe-tappin', blues jams, look no further. This harmonica driven band has toured all over the , played with many national touring acts and hold numerous titles from the International Blues Challenge. This group thrives on their youthful energy, funky grooves, and dedication to their craft. Don't let their youth fool you, however, these guys can hold their own with even the most veteran blues musicians. Check their tour dates for the next time they're playing near your; it's a guaranteed good time. Richard "RJ" Harman has been playing the harmonica since he was 16 and has already won numer- ous music awards including; a full endorsement with Hohner harmonicas, Currently the Two time harmonica champion of the Florida Harmonica Championship, 2011 People's choice Award and over all Winner's of the Central Florida Blues Challenge, and 2012 Semi Finalist at the International Blues Challenge. His style is fresh and vibrant; he brings a youthful passion and a love of the Blues, , Jazz, and HipShaking music to the stage. Harman started performing by himself and hiring musicians to play for him. He is now a renowned professional jazz and blues harmonica player at the age of twenty five and has graced the stage with such performers as Jason Ricci, Lupe Fiasco, Motion City Soundtrack, Rachel Goodrich, Joe Filisko, Phil Wiggins, Ian Walters, Rev Paytons Big Damn Band, Jp Soars and much more. RJ has also been featured in the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper, The Daily City, and Orlando Local Music Examiner. "The way Harman plays the harmonica is the way BB King plays his six stringed beauty with such soul and quickness into his face-melting jazz riffs that sounded like they were screeching out of a Gibson Les Paul, not a tiny harmonica." Nick Holcomb has been playing bas for a number of years and joined RJ Harman & Comany in 2011; he has been an integral member of this band ever since. His funky rhythms and pulsing bass lines keep their tunes moving and keep your hips shaking. Nick draws his inspiration from music across a wide range of genres. He hopes to continue pursuing deeper musical expression with the band

Tommy Shugart studies guitar with Bobby Koeble at Rollins College, with a focus in jazz perfor- mance. His adoration of soul and R&B music led the young musician to inquire into the harmony and rhythms rooted in jazz music, although Tom never quite became a straight ahead jazz cat. He has taken up a liking of the blues guitar, and enjoys playing loud music as well. No matter how juiced his vintage fender amplifier is, he will not stray far from players such as Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Johnny Guitar Watson, and David T. Walker. Mixed with a rock influence ranging from Randy Rhodes, to Jimmy Page, to , Tommy’s blend of styles is noteworthy. He has toured with R.J. Harman and Company (multiple award winning blues act), as well as the folk sensation Laney Jones.

Aaron "Bucky" Buckingham was born to a family of wolves but quickly became acclimated to life with humans after a short stint in Rehab in CIty. Once kicked out of rehab he learned to live on the streets; surviving off of the money he made as a bucket drummer in Brooklyn. It is a common miscomception that his nickname comes from his last name, while in reality it comes from his first career. Rhythm rattles through his hands and helps him create the astounding beats he plays. Bucky is sponsored by Battlefield Drum Co.

“As an Artist I have changed for the better, I know longer “try” to write “blues” I just write what I know and what has happened to me. I’m in this mind set to pay homage to but also just write great RJ HARMAN & COMPANY music as well. We are very much so going to be competing this year in the IBC and all I can say is we’re [email protected] coming harder than ever! Please visit our webpages and help spread our love of this music to everyone, remember that the little things are most important! “ RJ

4 Central Florida Blues Challenge Winners : Joel Da Silva & the Midnight Howl (2013) In this series you will be introduced to the past and present Central Florida Blues Challenge winners. Joel DaSilva & The Midnight Howl placed in the top 25 bands at 2013 IBC! - K Stott Editor High Energy All Original Bluesabilly Blues and Rock and Roll

With a resume that includes performances with heavy hitters like B.B. King, A.C. Reed, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Reverend Horton Heat and opening for acts as varied as: J.J. Grey, The White Stripes , The Black Crowes, , and ,

DaSilva has already made a mark in the industry; and is poised to become a power player….He is the real deal. His tone matches his soul. His voice matches his heart. Joel also en- joys Acting

as he has been in some regional theatre, some indie films , extrawork, and is currently playing

Sheriff Cousins and also doing the Soundtrack score for the indie film "Sleep" www.sleepthefilm.com which is in the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festi- val FLIFF and Orange County Film Festival

Joel DaSilva: Guitar ,Vocals

and the Midnight Howler himself George Ed Anderson: Keeper of the Monster Truckin’ Backbeat on the Drums

Bob "the Professor" Cleary: the Grizzle and Bones of the Group on the Bass

Doug "the Grenade" Treen : Saxophone

Contact: 954-865-3408 [email protected]

Website: www.jdandthehowl.com

5 As part of our ongoing dedication to community service, the OBBS sponsors Blues In The Schools (BITS) programs on the local level. Based on The Blues Founda- tion's Blues in the Schools program, BITS is designed to introduce students to the blues and educate them about the origins, styles and history of the music through exciting, interactive presentations at elementary, middle & high schools levels.

OBBS is looking for musicians and volunteers to help out with the BITS program.

This entails volunteers receiving training on the BITS program and attending the school programs throughout the school year. (Our goal is once a month). The programs are during the school day, so you will need to be available at those times.

Review our website to see the impact this is making on students in the community and the fun the musicians are having with this program. www.obbs.org/blues-in- schools.html

For more information or volunteering, please contact the OBBS at [email protected].

Preserve Promote and Present the Blues

The Gary Ingber Memorial Fund was created by the Orange Blossom Blues Society in April 2008 in honor of our dear friend, Gary Ingber, who passed away in February 2008. The mission of the fund is to offer modest financial aide in a timely and practical manner to any deserving area musician (or their immediate survivors.). The range of assistance is from $100 - $500 and the types of assistance that will be considered are medical, prescriptions due to illness, accident, emergency needs and burial/final expenses.

The fund is available to active, professional musicians (or an immediate survivor) in the Central Florida area. A recipient does not have to be an OBBS member to receive funds, but requests for assistance must come from an OBBS member. Assistance is limited to one application per person each six months, or a one-time request for funeral expenses. Please click on the below email link to email the board for further details. All inquiries are confidential. Please email us at [email protected] for more information

July 20th at BLUES 42

OBBS holds fundraisers featuring the Ladies of the Blues a few times a year. Please email or check our calendar for updates to these events.

Order your copy of the Ladies of the Blues—[email protected]

6 SunFest April 30-May 4 2014 Downtown West Palm Beach www.lineup.sunfest.com/band/daniel-heitz-band Our band was chosen to perform at Sunfest 2014 from over 500 bands that entered through Reverbnation. Being on stage at Sunfest was one of those moments that truly felt larger than life. To be able to play for such a huge crowd that supports and appreciates live music was surreal and a great experience for all of us. We put a lot of time and effort into making our show the best it could be and it certainly paid off from the crowds reaction and the reviews. One perk I could certainly get used to was having the stage hands unload our gear and equipment and set it up for us. It was a thrill to be able to represent Central Florida Blues in front of so many smiling faces and the jumbo trons made for some real cool photos. This was an event that is run like a fine oiled machine and we are thankful to have been invited to be a part of it and have our music heard by some many who had never heard our music. A great big thank you to the OBBS and everyone that has supported the band to this point because without your encouragement and support we would not be where we are at this point! Daniel Heitz Daniel Heitz Band on Facebook

7 (Advertisement) By Lonnie G

Don’t Scare The Dog Band To Celebrate 20 Years of Rockin’ The Blues!

The Central Florida blues scene continues to experience a resurgence. Local musicians, venues that embrace the music, and OBBS volunteers continue to pull together to preserve, promote, and present the blues. From live local shows, numerous weekly jam sessions, and festivals that include national acts, to the Biscuit, Bacon n Blues radio show Sundays on WPRK (91.5FM), the area serves up a variety of “blues plate specials” to satisfy the appetite of blues fans. On Saturday, July 26th local blues-rock band Don’t Scare The Dog will serve up their brand of at The Abbey, in Downtown Orlando’s Thornton Park District [100 S. Eola Drive 32801]. The band has been rockin’ the blues since 1994 and will perform at this special music event 20 years in the making!

From a humble beginning in the pubs and parties of the 1990’s, through countless shows throughout Florida, Don’t Scare The Dog has weathered the storm of the evolving Central Florida music scene. The band specializes in drivin' blues-rock. Their shows feature guitar-centric versions of traditional, classic, and mod- ern blues along with a few originals. The band puts their own spin on traditional artists like , Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson, JD Loudermilk, and the while also embracing the modern blues of artists such as Joe Bonamassa. The band’s sound simmers from the heat and influence of , , Kim Simmonds/Savoy Brown, Robin Trower, and the late Alvin Lee of Ten Years After. In addition to the current lineup of founding member Lonnie G (bass, vocals), Luke Elliot (guitar), and Frank Filipo (drums), the 20 Years of Don’t Scare The Dog concert will include guests and former members including original “Magic” Mike Sinacola who will travel from Ft. Wayne, Indiana for the show. The release of a feature length DVD, recorded this year at GRP Studios in Altamonte Springs, is also planned as part of the celebration.

A great thing about the blues is that it comes in many sizes and flavors. From the meat and potatoes of tra- ditional Mississippi delta blues, to home style city blues, and from Memphis BBQ blues to Texas hot sauce blues, the diversity is celebrated. For those who like their blues spicy and with a side of rock, Don’t Scare The Dog will be serving it up at The Abbey on July 26th! And, checkout the ad below click on it for a link to special half-price tickets for OBBS members. Now that’s a “blues plate special” members can sink their teeth into!

8 Around Town OBBS had the pleasure of partnering with the Visit Mount Dora team again this year. OBBS 2013 Central Florida Blues Challenge winners Joel DaSilva and the Midnight Howl and OBBS 2013 Peoples Choice winners the Paul Stott Group were invited to perform. The 3 day festival was amazing—what a great venue at the Elizabeth Evans Park in Downtown Mt Dora. This year was feature artists Ana Popovic ;Pat Travers Band, Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, Selwyn Birchwood and Big Bill Morganfield. OBBS looks forward to next years partnership with Visit Mount Dora! Pictures provided by OBBS members Bob Trester and R Keith Lambert.

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Our newest business member the Alley Blues has been owned and operated by Richard Boogart, Chris and Michelle Johnson and Tom Johnson for the last 4 and half years. They have supported our local music scene since the beginning by presenting great local, regional and national performers. They also host blues jams to support the up and coming local talent . Recently they hosted an event to raise money for Ernie Lancaster featuring Kenny Neal. Kenny generously donated to the cause by giving all money he made at the door to the fund. They host the Paul Stott Group and the best Thursday night jam every 2nd Thursday at Alive After 5! July 4th they brought the Paul Stott Group to Ft Mellon Park to celebrate with Sanford!

They are THE PREMIER BLUES BAR in Central Florida—come out and enjoy some of the best BLUES at the ALLEY BLUES!

Sign up for news from the Alley Blues Bar!

10 Borrowed with permission from Jazz and Blues

Jazz and blues news with a Florida focus, provided by www.JazzBluesFlorida.com - Florida's FREE online guide to live jazz & blues music with comprehensive club, festival & concert listings, news blog, online monthly magazine and a lot more!

Smokestack Lightnin’s Top 25 New Blues CDs for May 2014 - Three Florida Bands on the List!

Smokestack Lightnin’s Top 25 New Blues CDs for May 2014

#25 Annika Chambers/Trust Me/Making My Mark/Montrose #24 Raoul & The Big Time & Curtis Salgado/Curtis Charm/Hollywood Blvd./Big Time #23 Albert Castiglia /Bad Ave./Solid Ground/Ruf #22 Jeremy Spencer/Sweet Were The Days/Coventry Blue/Propelz #21 The Black Keys/Fever/Turn Blue/Nonesuch #20 JJ /Hey You/Tell You What I Know/DeChamp #19 Sunday Wilde/Sunday’s Midnight Blues/He Digs Me/self produced #18 Rip Lee Pryor/Nobody But Me/Nobody But Me/Electro Fi #17 & The Teardrops/Things That I Used To Do/You Can Make It If You Try/Wolf #16 & Kid Anderson/Tonight With A Fool/The Hustle Is Really On/Electro Fi #15 The Holmes Brothers/Lickety Split/Brotherhood/Alligator #14 Nick Moss Band/Bad N’ Run/Time Ain’t Free/Blue Bella #13 Tweed Funk/Blues In My Soul/First Name Lucky/ Tone #12 Mikey Junior/You/Traveling South/Swingnation #11 Warren Haynes & /End Of The Line/All My Friends: Celebrating The Songs & Voive of /Concord #10 John Nemeth/If It Ain’t Broke/ Grease/Blue Corn #9 Terry Hanck Band/Jam Up!/Gotta bring It On Home To You/Delta Groove #8 Bobby Rush & Blind Dog Smokin’/Stand Back/Decisions/Silver Talon #7 Kenny Wayne Shepherd/You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover/Goin’ Home/Concord #6 Selwyn Birchwood & Joe Louis Walker/The River Turned Red/Don’t Call No Ambulance/Alligator (Jazz & Blues Florida June 2014 Featured Artist)

READ MORE

2014 Blues Blast Music Award Nominations Announced - Florida Represented by Castiglia, Hanck, Chambers, Fowler, Coba & Tedeschi/Trucks

In early May, a group of Blues music industry professionals including music critics, journalists, festival promoters, music venue managers, producers, musicians and other Blues music industry professionals nominated the best in Blues music in twelve cate- gories. The complete list of nominees is listed below and is also available at our web- site complete with links to all the artist websites at:

READ MORE

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Central FL Bands CD Releases

Mike Quick Band : Evolution Released January 2014 www.mikequickband.com

Joe “ Survival” Caruoso : I Gotta Tell Somebody Released January 2014 http://www.reverbnation.com/joesurvivalcaruso Feature Artist in March Jazz and Blues online magazine

Paul Stott Group : Things Stay The Same Released February 2014 www.paulstottgroup.com

If you would like to have your CD release on this page email your jpgs of you CD and information to [email protected]

12 Support Live Music! Band Listings If you are interested in having your band listed email [email protected]. List your gigs on our calendar. obbs.org/calendar. Joe Caruso Blues Band www.reverbnation.com/joesurvivalcaruso Bird Dog Bobby Band http://www.birddogbobby.com/ Black Top Blues Band FL www.facebook.com/.../Blacktop-Blues-Band/ Daniel Heitz Band www.facebook.com/pages/...Daniel-Heitz-Band Paul Stott Group www.paulstottgroup.com The Smokin Torpedoes www.orlando-blues.com Les B More Band www.reverbnation.com/thelesbmoreband Nightly Blues Band www.nightlyblues.com/ RJ Harmon & Co. www.rjharmanmusic.com Mike Quick Band www.mikequickband.com/ Black Dust Revival www.facebook.com/BlackDustRevivalfl Bobby Blackman www.facebook.com/.../Beautiful-Bobby-Blackmon Robert Top Thomas www.wildrootsrecords.com/RobertTopThomas Selwyn Birchwood www.selwynbirchwood.com

Shaun Rounds Blues Band https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shaun-Rounds-Blues-Band/163840504448 Domino Effect www.facebook.com/domino.effect Joel DaSilva & the Midnight Howl www.jdandthehowl.com Pitbulls of the Blues www.thepitbullofblues.com Matt Sams Band www.facebook.com/pages/The-Matt-Sams-Band Albert Castiglia albertcastiglia.net Damon Fowler www.damonfowler.com JP Soar www.jpsoars.com Victor Wainwright www.wildrootsrecords.com Sean Chambers Band www.seanchambers.com Doc Williamson www.facebook.com/doc.williamson. Big Rick Mud Rooster www.reverbnation.com/mudrooster Betty Fox Band www.bettyfox.net Josh Miller Band www.joshmillerblues.com Plan B Baby Blues & the No Attitude Band www.babybluesband.com/ 2 Guys Named Moe www.2guysmoe.wix.com/2guysnamedmoe

The Kronics https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kronics/277901695583917 Preserve Promote and Present the Blues Preserve Promote and Present the Blues Preserve Promote and Present the Present and Promote the BluesPreserve Present and Promote the BluesPreserve Present and Promote Preserve Don’t Scare the Dog www.dontscarethedog.com 13 Sundays at 10 WPRK.org

14 JOIN OBBS!

Armed Forces $10 Student $15 Individual $25 Family $40 Business $150

Join the OBBS Membership

Enter OBBS in PROMO code when purchasing your tickets for $5 discount!

http://www.bradentonbluesfestival.org/ December 6, 2014 starts at 11AM

Raffle Tickets available soon! 3Kings custom motorcycle Copied from BB Kings, Albert Kings, and Freddie Kings bikes.

OBBS Stage with local talent to be announced soon!

15 The Orange Blossom Blues Society Board of Directors

Board Title Email

Herb Ransburg President [email protected]

Daryl Davis Secretary [email protected]

Karen Stott Treasurer [email protected]

Jann Childers Membership committee [email protected]

Michael Pappademos Vice President [email protected]

The Orange Blossom Blues Society (OBBS) was founded in 2004 and is comprised of volunteers including board and committee members and a paid membership devoted to the preservation, promotion and presentation of the blues. This organization has been established for it's membership and the advance- ment of education and charities related to blues music, by the distribution of its funds for such purposes and particularly to preserve, cultivate, nurture and promote one of America's indigenous artistic cultures in support of the blues in Central Florida and throughout the State of Florida. This society provides a forum for exchange of current blues news and events while increasing awareness of and appreciation for the blues through educa- tional efforts, sanctioned by the OBBS, while providing a network of associa- tion for Florida blues lovers and it's supporters.

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