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Orange Blossom S p e c i a l E d i t i o n “ T o P r e s e r v e , P r o m o t e a n d P r e s e n t B l u e s M u s i c i n t h e O r l a n d o R e g i o n ”

V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 1 - J u n e 2 0 0 7 J A N U A R Y - M A R C H , 2 0 0 8 In This Issue MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

THE EDITOR’S PEN: A RECAP OF 2007 ZAC HARMON IGNITES MCWELLS Goin’ to BACKSTAGE AT THE IBC

CENTRAL FLORIDA IBC: REFLECTIONS

BLUES TALENT JOEY GILMORE IN ORLANDO

BLUES FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES 2008 MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES Memphis! CURFMAN TEARS IT UP AT BALDWIN’S

TAKING THE TORCH

PINETOP PERKINS HITS BIG IN 2008 GRAMMY AWARDS

OBBS MEMBER WINS CRUISE

NATIONAL WOMEN IN BLUES

EDITOR: Zaida Zoller

CONTRIBUTORS: Ben Basile Daryll Davis Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro Wayne Valzania Jerry Waller

LAYOUT: Susan Baumann Brian Birkhofer Design

Advertising: For rate info contact [email protected]

Copyright © 2008 Orange Blossom Blues Society All rights reserved

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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT JERRY WALLER

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THE EDITOR’S PEN: A RECAP OF 2007 ZAIDA ZOLLER little over a year has gone by since our annual membership all her help with this project. While on the meeting on December 3, 2006 when I was unexpectedly elect- topic of obbs.org, the other great Aed president of the OBBS and found myself wondering how the improvement that happened was the heck that happened. At the time, we quickly held a board meeting and online Calendar. Jen Klask took the calen- reduced the board members from 9 to 5 with the goal of operating for a dar, which was basically nothing, and year with no working musicians on deck to see if we could advance this soci- made it a great place to go to find out ety positively into 2007. I feel we did just that. Here’s a recap. what’s going on in Central Florida. While Early 2007 found our membership numbers stagnating and I decided the Calendar is set up for musicians to to tackle this problem and began badgering the hell out of all those folks add their gigs, you would not believe how who hadn’t renewed. (Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about.) Our many do not take advantage of this great membership began turning around partially due to the badgering but also tool. To fill in the gap, there’s much due to our presence at various events throughout the year and by the research that goes into finding out who is playing where and Jen has spent beginning of December 2007, we had 117 new or renewed members in many thankless hours keeping us in the loop. Jen has now moved on to her addition to our current ongoing members, with 57 renewals (badgered true passion—getting in the Schools project in gear—and has renewals) and 60 new members. Since December 1, the list has grown passed the Calendar torch on to . Gary, you’ve got some big even more. Our very first business member joined in 2007—Baldwin’s shoes to fill. Pub—many thanks to David Dyer for his support of the OBBS and Blues in 2007 was a year of some pretty darn good entertainment as well. We Central Florida. Next, The Alley came on board as a business member, fol- kicked off the year with our carryover from 2006 Local Spotlight Series, this lowed by Susan Baumann Creative. Your membership dues are what fuel the time featuring Gary Ingber Band, then our direction changed and we decided ongoing efforts of the OBBS and while it might not seem like your $25 is a to do some bigger shows. Lil & Smokin’ Torps, & big deal, we need your money. AND, as you know, we a non-profit organiza- the Blues Survivors, Bryan Lee & the Blues Power Band, Mem Shannon & tion which means you can donate to your society and reap the benefits with the Membership, Zac Harmon, as well as “A Blues Evening” Part I and II at Uncle Sam. We very much need and appreciate your support. the Helen Stairs Theatre in Sanford (thanks to Jeff Willey) which featured the Another one of my goals in 2007 was to get this newsletter back on Smokin’ Torps and the Beautiful Bobby Blackmon, then Mark Hodgson and track. Originally, the newsletter was published every other month but some Art Harris & the Z-Tones respectively. And we just closed out our 2007 time in 2006 the board voted to make it a quarterly because every other musical season with the very recent OBBS Holiday Zydeco-Blues Bash fea- month was just a little too difficult to keep up with. Even with that change, turing Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band and Joe “Survival” Caruso six months had elapsed since our last issue and it was time we kicked it & the Boogie Woogie Boo-Fay. What a blast our Holiday party was! There back into gear. We did. We put out what I consider to be three excellent edi- was some serious dancing going on and if you didn’t go you really missed tions—April/June, 2007, July/September, 2007 and October/December, out. 2007 was a year of hot shows! Each one of these shows was an 2007—full of informative and well written articles about the subject we love opportunity to witness top notch entertainment. the best—The Blues! Brian Birkhofer in , —the artist who As an aside regarding Zac Harmon: you got your Memphis blues, you designed the current logo for the OBBS and has been doing all our got your down home blues, you got your blues, your sad blues, your posters gratis for nearly two years—laid out a template for the OBSE with happy blues, you got a whole heck of a lotta different kinds of blues . . . but the April/June 2007 issue and put that one together for us. Then—as if an NOBODY told me about those sexy blues! Holy smokes! (And all you ladies angel appeared from heaven—Susan Baumann said “I’ll help” and the local know exactly what I’m talking about—turn the air conditioner down, it’s get- production of the newsletter was off on a roll. The addition of Susan ting hot in here!) Zac! Phew! Moving on . . . Baumann on the last two issues was a huge plus for us, both graphically During 2007, the OBBS had a booth-presence at two Downtown and editorially, as she is an excellent writer as well! Again, many thanks to all Orlando shows— and Lindsey Buckingham, the Clearwater Blues our fine writers, photographers, graphics folks, and production staff as well Fest in March, the Tampa Bay Blues Fest in May, both the Deland and the as the volunteers who help with the mailing process. Much work goes into Winter Garden Music Fests, the Stephen Miller Memorial Blues benefit, two each newsletter and we appreciate all the help we can get. [By the way, if Helen Stairs events in Sanford, several events at the Orlando Science Center, you are interested in writing an article, reviewing a CD, or placing an ad to Fodor Grove , the recent Catfish Charlie benefit concert and other help support the ongoing efforts of your society, speak up!] venues around town. We also developed a new t-shirt design and have been Over the last year the OBBS website also made big improvements. selling those at our recent events which also helps support the OBBS and Christine Williams has been there at every turn, updating the site with ongo- give us more exposure in the community. ing information sent her way and in a very timely manner. Kudos to Chris for Continued on Page 10 4 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

ZAC HARMON IGNITES MCWELLS WAYNE VALZANIA

nce again die- hard OBlues fans who stepped up to the plate and supported the Orange Blossom Blues Society concert series were rewarded in spades, this time by master bluesman Zac Harmon and his band. Zac Harmon hails from Jackson, , location of the legendary Farish Street district, where he developed his craft in the presence of other notable practitioners, including . Harmon gigged as a guitarist with the likes of Z.Z. Hill, McKinley Mitchell, Dorothy Moore, King Floyd and . In 2004, Zac with his backup band, the Mid South Blues Revue, won the Blues Foundation’s prestigious International Blues Challenge (IBC), title of, “Best Unsigned Band." Zac Harmon is without question one of the more physical performers that we have presented. He moved fluidly across the stage all evening and his energy easily spread to the audience. The rhythm section was tight and provided a more than ade- quate foundation for Zac to perform much of his own material for which he is well known. This was another great Orange Blossom Blues Society show featur- ing some of the best players in Blues today. I highly recommend that all of you keep your eyes on the OBBS and support your Blues Society by coming out for what are always great shows. 5 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

BACKSTAGE AT THE IBC DARYLL DAVIS hen the Blues Society solicited for volunteers to help staff sound equipment seemed to have a life of its the inaugural Orlando International Blues Competition, this own. There were little problems every now and Wseemed like a good opportunity to see some fave acts then throughout the day, but in a difficult situa- again and to see some new performers. I was expecting the best num- tion, Rick held his own, finished the set that bers from seasoned acts and looked forward to a hard driving set from was seemingly cut a little short, and made the each band. best of it by sticking around to hang out with So I contacted the OBBS and didn’t know what a plum assignment I the other musicians. received when I was informed I was assigned to work stage management I was hanging with the musicians backstage when I heard one of for the day. I thought I’d be a humble roadie for the day but it turned them say that this was a rare opportunity for them to hang out with each into a little more. other, probably because they’re always competing for gigs and playing As a civilian in the , I got to work first hand with Jerry across town from each other. So it was nice to see the one side of the Waller and his team from Full Sail, helping set up the sound and band room and the outside porch at Timmy Mac’s turned into a casual place equipment. Their lead man on the soundboard, Dave Cherepy, could not for all members to talk a little business, catch up on each have been paid enough for his other’s family and careers, and admire and play each other’s . .” . . this was a efforts. Dave was an integral part Soul Cactus came to play and put together a hot set of originals for of dealing with every aspect of the some down home Florida blues. I see these guys regularly up in Sanford class event that performance and was especially and they always put on a great performance. They would go on to place important to helping each hopeful second in the judge’s voting. was not to be artist put their best out there for Next up was a guy I have a little history with. When I lived in Buffalo, the IBC judges. New York, I was active with the Western New York Blues Society. About missed and a So with the back line set after ten years ago, before I moved to Florida, I wrote an article about the two hours of on-the-job-training in central Florida blues scene for the WNYBS because so many folks from good time was sound production, I found out what Buffalo used to vacation in Orlando, myself included at the time. had by all . . .” that little more was that I was One night while I was downtown checking out a couple of acts, I was going to get today: a front row seat particularly impressed with a young guitarist by the name of Shaun to each and every performance, Rounds, and interviewed him for my article. Ten years later, here I am from the opening house band, Roadblock, to the all-star jam at the end backstage watching Shaun tune his before he goes out on stage of the night. and tears it up. Shaun was a little frustrated when he got to the IBC I also had the pleasure of personally working with the members of because he was without his scheduled bass player. I think everyone in each band throughout the day, particularly the drummers and keyboard the house would acknowledge that the young man took that energy and players, as I hauled equipment back and forth to the stage and help set- turned it into one smokin’ performance. Ten years later, Shaun has got- up and tear down. I have to give a special shout out here to some new ten noticeably improved chops and I’ve put on a few pounds. friends, Harvey Marshall, Dave Fiaccato, Charles Bossleman, Danny While I was pondering those ten years, the Band of Brothers took the Leach, (who put a left-handed drummer in the middle of the set-list?!), stage. Literally. These guys brought their own production team, public and Tom Bastedo. affairs staff and video production team. It was nice to take a brief break I ended up working closely with a few guys on keyboards that were and get something to eat while the twenty (or was it thirty) people they some nice folks too. This list included big Jack Bumgarner, Eddie Fields, brought with them took care of everything. And how many other bands and Paul Zerra (who had the heaviest set of keys, ugh). brought their mom and dad to the show?! This unique band of multi- The day started with an act I really like, Beautiful Bobby Blackmon. He instrumentalists brought a rockin’ show and wowed the crowd in what wasn’t given too much room to dance but he’s always the penultimate seemed like a way too short twenty minutes. showman. I felt he set the bar for the type of performance the rest of the Also providing a unique -infected approach to the blues was The acts had to match or go home. Kaleigh Baker Quintet. Like the band before, this was a group of young Next up was Bird Dog Bobby and The Honey Hounds. I’ve seen Bob people bringing fresh perspectives to the blues genre. They won over around town a few times and he was genuinely inspired this afternoon. the hearts of everyone at the show and came in second in the voting for Calling his guitar playing sizzling this afternoon would be an understate- the IBC’s People’s Choice award, notable for the fact that not many peo- ment. ple in the room had seen this act before this performance. Comprised of Big Rick and The Troublemakers lived up to their name when the Continued on Page 6 6 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

CENTRAL FLORIDA IBC: REFLECTIONS “BULLDOG BEN” BASILE here were many milestones in 2007 for burnin' bright! 2nd Place Soul Cactus

the Orange Blossom Blues Society—a The participating bands included many of the 3rd Place* Tie: Tbanner year in many ways. I'm quite better-known and hardest-working bands Shaun Rounds Blues Band confident when I say that the biggest event of around and a few which have just began to pay & Beautiful Bobby Blackmon 2007 was the International Blues Challenge. It their dues. The complete line-up, in alphabeti- *No actual award for third place, was a complete success by every measure: the cal order: this is merely an FYI. participation by top-shelf bands was very Band of Brothers heartening, the turn-out of the members and Beautiful Bobby Blackmon & the B-3 Band The People's Choice Award went to the fans was huge and the entire undertaking Big Rick & the Troublemakers Torps, with The Kaleigh Baker Quintet just a unfolded with a minimum of headaches and a Bird Dog Bobby & the Honey Hounds couple of ballots behind! The KBQ, Minister whole lot of good music, good times and happy Joe "Survival" Caruso & the Boogie-Woogie Theory and Band of Brothers were three less- blues fans. Timmy Mac's—the club formerly Boo-fay er-known acts who showed up ready to play known as Trizzy's—was most definitely the The Kaleigh Baker Quintet and brought their loyal fans with 'em. There's place for a blues lover to be on November 10, Minister Theory no doubt in my mind that Orlando-area blues 2007. The Shaun Rounds Blues Band fans will hear more from all these fine acts in Getting into the IBC was an obvious "next The Smokin' Torpedoes the future. step" for our fledgling society. The successful Soul Cactus The band awards were substantial and are holding of this annual event and the crowning I'm thinking that the results are most likely listed in the table above. of The Smokin' Torps as our Central Florida known to just about all self-respecting blues As we take a look at the over-all running of blues champs has helped put the OBBS where lovers in the Central Florida area, but for any the IBC, one would have to say that it flowed it belongs—a proud peer organization within who've been under a rock for the last few quite well. The organizer was our own Mark the larger family of Societies whose combined weeks, the results are: McCoy; his preparation and planning paid off. efforts are helping to keep the blues-flame 1st Place Smokin’ Torpedoes Mark, OBBS (past) President Zaida Zoller, vol-

Continued from Page 5 noon. Always a showman, Joe was also one of the few people who Full Sail students, proud poppa Jerry Waller was beaming after the set. jumped off stage to dance and play guitar for those lucky folks in the The suit-clad and coiffed Smokin’ Torpedoes were next. From the cut front row. Joe had a big smile on his face throughout his fiery set and of the suit to the set-up on stage, everything was a little more exacting, the audience applauded long and loud when he was done. For everyone had that little something extra that put them over the top. The band’s in attendance this proved to be the ideal show closer and ended the IBC all-around sound, with both sax and harp players, two guys swapping on a high note. leads, triple vocal threat and four-men fronting the stage approach was With the competition out of the way, those in attendance were treated what it took to win the IBC and the People’s Choice award at the same to a performance by the premier blues talents of Tommy McCoy and The time. Here’s to hoping the Torps all the best in Memphis! Tuff Tones. Not limited to a twenty minute set like those in the competi- Also wanting to show their stuff was a band from New Smyrna known tion, Tommy would perform some gems from his rich recording history as Minister Theory. This extended family of musicians was fronted by the and a variety of songs from his newly released cd, Kickin’ The Blues. His charming Gina Cuchetti and put on a classic neo- performance. latest recording features Commander Cody on , Curt McKenzie, and This is another group of young folks that have a promising career ahead Tampa’s resident harp master T.C. Carr. Tommy also proved to be one of them and we all hope we can see more of them in the coming year. generous guy as he walked around the room handing out copies to The last competing act of the IBC was Joe Survival Caruso. I’ll tell you, Kickin’ The Blues left and right. this guy is one of the best things to happen to Central Florida in the From the conversations I overheard to the various comments I heard wake of Katrina and his forced relocation to our town. Earlier in the from the musicians themselves, this was a class event that was not to be afternoon (Joe was onsite most of the day), I talked to Joe about his missed and a good time was had by all. For my part, carrying amps and seemingly being a little nervous while he paced backstage. He says to hauling keyboards around proved to be a small price to pay to be so me, “I’m not nervous, I’m just ready to play.” intimately involved in the IBC, the competing bands and the unique per- The rest of the house would find out how ready Joe was in no uncer- sonalities that comprise the central Florida blues scene. tain terms because I think this was the loudest performance of the after- I can’t wait for next year’s event! 7 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

unteer coordinator Jae Futch, and especially noteworthy. And Jerry The capable judges are also Blvd. What an afternoon it was! Jerry Waller had done their home- Waller, who has done so much deserving of our gratitude: Nancy One we'll not soon forget... work for this event and it showed. behind-the-scenes work for the Edwards of Blues Festival Guide, I have no doubt that The Getting eleven bands up on the OBBS on so many events, really stellar guitarist Floyd Radford and Smokin' Torps will "do us proud" stage, getting them tuned and came through for the IBC. Our Rob McKinney of Smokestack when they take the stage in ready to play is no easy task; manifold and generous sponsors, Lightnin' had the savvy and expe- Memphis. The dates are Jan 31— throughout the afternoon and listed here, stepped up for this rience to insure that the contest Feb 2, 2008. Getting a hotel room evening, the competition stayed event mostly because of Jerry's was fair and credible. in Memphis that weekend may be pretty close to the published efforts: On a personal note, it was such next-to-impossible, but if you're a rare treat to hear many of my going, be assured that "Big Willey,” IBC Awards fave bands sounding so good on Rob Mola, Leroy Cooper, Mike Each Band Guitar Center $50 Gift Card that fine November evening. Bird “Mo” Baker and Tom Bastedo will Dog Bobby, Shaun Rounds, Joe represent Central Florida and the Full Sail Mastered CD of their performance Caruso; they're all 100% top- OBBS in fine fashion. shelf! Chris Raynor, "Mad Dog" The International Blues Design, Promotion, Mahoney and Soul Cactus, or Big Challenge is sponsored by the & Marketing Assistance for their live CD Rick and the Trouble Makers— Blues Foundation. For more info IBC Winner OBBS 1 Trip to Memphis what can you say about acts like about the national competition for those? Top it off with Beautiful the I.B.C., keyboard these URLs Cox Communications 1 Gig at 2008 City Blues Festival Bobby Blackmon, some fine "new- into your browser window the next ish" talent and the eventual time you're on-line: Dexter’s 1 Gig champs, Jeff Willey's Smokin' www.blues.org DigiDesign Recording Software Torpedoes, and you have blues www.obbs.org heaven right here on earth. Right www.smokintorps.com Timmy Mac’s $150 Cash here at Timmy Mac's on Semoran 2nd Place Sonic Cauldron Studios Studio Time

Drop Shop 2 hours mixing/mastering People’s Choice Dexter’s 1 Gig

Abyssmal Entertainment 4 hours studio time/ photo shoot

schedule, and the door and vend- Timmy Mac's ing operations flowed smoothly as Guitar Center well. Full Sail I believe that the OBBS mem- Cox Communications bers and leaders were pleased to Dexter’s see this large an event go as well Sam Ash Music as it did. Daryll Davis, Jeanne Church Street Station Slack, Mirta Wallace, and Laurelle Smokestack Lightnin’ Radio McKinney were dedicated volun- The Blues Festival e-Guide teers who went the distance and Sonic Cauldron Studios did any task which Jae Futch asked Drop Shop them to do; many others too Abyssmal Entertainment numerous to mention also deserve Wazzabi our heartfelt thanks. So many did My City Eats so much to make this a successful, Olympia memorable and credible event; the Best Buy efforts of Mark McCoy, Zaida Zoller Subway and Jae Futch were, of course, Sun Cruz Casinos 8 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

Shaun Rounds

Beautiful Bobby Blackmon 9 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

Jeff Willey

Leroy “Hog” Cooper

Beautiful Bobby Blackmon

Photos from First Annual Central Florida Tommy McCoy Courtesy of Wayne Valzania 10 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

BLUES TALENT JOEY GILMORE IN ORLANDO ZAIDA ZOLLER

2006 IBC winner Joey Gilmore recently graced the stage at Cricketer’s Arms in Orlando as part of a fund raising event for Musicians Clinic and Music Maker Charities. The evening was a musical event arranged by Matt Festa, with a cookin’ collection of hot players to accompany the guitar maestro, including Dru Betts on drums, Barry Williams on bass and of course, Festa on sax. Doug “Little Mookie” Leeds joined the blues party early on in the evening with Joe “Survival” Caruso and Jann Childers making stage appearances on a few tunes later in the night. Regi Oliver topped off the night and slayed us with his For more info on Mr. Gilmore: www.joeygilmore.net saxical excellence. Joey indicated that he had more fun playing with the For more info on the New Orleans Musicians Clinic and Music Maker above entourage than his normal setup (but we won’t tell his band that). charities and how you can support these worthy endeavors: Joey Gilmore playing the blues in Orlando = one top notch show all the www.neworleansmusiciansclinic.org way around. www.musicmaker.org The Editor’s Pen I look forward to seeing the onward progress of this society to greater Continued from Page 3 levels in the next few years. Thank you for your support over the past year. In August, thanks to the efforts of Jerry Waller, we were given the honor of selecting the judges for the Guitar Center’s King of the Blues competition, yet another avenue of exposure for your society. And most recently I was contacted by the B.B. King of the Blues Club about supporting each others efforts. The club will be bringing top notch entertainment to Central Florida and we are working on developing this relationship so that we can offer our members incentives to attend these events. And then there was the IBC! At virtually the last minute we tackled throw- ing together something we’ve never done before and it was a great success— thanks to Mark McCoy, Jerry Waller, Jae Futch, Mirta Wallace and many, many others. You can read all about it in this newsletter. On another note, when we began 2007 the Board was alone. We had vir- tually no help and were trying to do everything ourselves. However, over the past year our volunteer base has grown extensively and I just want to thank all of you who have stepped up and made yourselves an active part of this Society. It is impossible for a Board of Directors—who are just regular folks working jobs with families and responsibility—to do everything. I feel that now we finally have some dedicated individuals who want to see this society suc- ceed. Thank you so much. 2007 was a great year for the growth of the OBBS and I’m looking for- ward to what 2008 will bring. At our recent annual meeting I withdrew my name from the running as I have served on the Board for over a year and a half and it was time to step aside. It’s time now for the next wave of leadership to give it a go and come in and move this society to the next level. To cultivate more volunteers to help with the growth of this society. To take advantage of our non-profit status and secure funding for this society to do spectacular things in the future—the possibilities are endless. 11 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

The Blues Foundation Delta both before and after the Awards show itself. Jimmy "Duck" Holmes - Done Got Tired Of Tryin' As the State of Mississippi continues to develop its Marie Knight - Let Us Get Together Announces Nominations for the Blues Marker Trail, you know Mississippi will be 2008 Blues Music Awards ready.” Acoustic Artist of the Year The Blues Foundation will present the Blues Online voting began December 13 for members Music Awards for the first time in their 29-year his- and ends at 11:59:59 (EST) Friday, February 29. Doug MacLeod tory in the Mississippi Delta, the birthplace of the Voting, ticket and host hotel information can be Eric Bibb Blues. Performers, industry representatives and found at The Blues Foundation’s website— Fruteland Jackson fans from around the globe will celebrate the best in www.blues.org. Guy Davis Blues recording and performance from the previous The Blues Music Awards are universally recog- Mary Flower year on May 8, 2008 at the Grand Casino Event nized as the highest honor given to Blues artists. Center in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, just down the The presenting sponsor will once again be The of the Year road from Memphis, the Awards’ home since their Gibson Foundation. In 2008, the State of Bettye LaVette - The Scene of the Crime 1980 inception. Mississippi, the Tunica Convention and Visitors James Blood Ulmer - Bad Blood in the City Among those heading the list of the honorees is Bureau and the Grand Casino and Resort are also - Old School Mississippi favorite son Bobby Rush who garnered sponsoring the Blues Music Awards. The Blues & the Flip Tops - Play It 'Til Tomorrow four nominations, including another historical first— Music Awards are also sponsored by BMI, Casey Omar Kent Dykes & - On the Jimmy nomination as Artist of the Year in both the Acoustic Family Programs, Eagle Rock Entertainment, FedEx, Reed Highway and Soul Blues categories. This singular achieve- and the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Sugar Ray & - My Life, My Friends, My ment stems from the nominators’ recognition of the The Induction Ceremony and Music two personas exhibited in his 2007 public perform- Charter Members' Dinner will be held the night Watermelon Slim & the Workers - The Wheel Man ances--some shows featuring his long-running soul before on Wednesday, May 7 at the Tunica RiverPark revue while others found him alone with a guitar museum situated on the banks of the Mississippi B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and a in support of his Acoustic Album of River. The 2008 inductees will be announced early Bettye LaVette the Year nominee Raw. next year. Bobby Rush Watermelon Slim & the Workers returned in force, The Blues Music Awards are produced by The Janiva Magness securing six nominations for the second consecutive Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization estab- Tommy Castro year on the strength of their Album of Year candi- lished to preserve Blues history, celebrate Blues Watermelon Slim date The Wheel Man. The “Queen of the Blues” excellence, support Blues education and ensure the Koko Taylor returns to form with four nominations, future of this uniquely American art form. The Band of the Year including one for her Album of the Year nominee Old Foundation consists of a worldwide network of 165 Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials School. The other artists with Album of the Year affiliated Blues societies and has individual member- & the Teardrops selections rode them to three nominations apiece, ships spanning the globe. In addition to the Blues Mannish Boys including On the Jimmy Reed Highway by Omar Kent Music Awards, the Foundation also produces the Nick Moss & the Flip Tops Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan; Bettye LaVette’s The Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, the Watermelon Slim & the Workers Scene of the Crime; Nick Moss & the Flip Tops’ Play International Blues Challenge and the Keeping the It ‘Til Tomorrow; My Life, My Friends, My Music by Blues Alive Awards. It fosters education through its Best New Artist Debut Sugar Ray & the Bluetones; and James Blood Blues in the Schools programming and supports the & Blue Mercy - Cotton Field to Ulmer’s Bad Blood in the City. also was medical needs of Blues musicians with its HART Coffee House honored with three nominations, including one he Fund. Throughout the year, the Foundation staff Gina Sicilia - Allow Me to Confess shares with his late father Carey in the newly-creat- serves the worldwide Blues community with Insomniacs - Left Coast Blues ed DVD category. answers, contact information and news. John Nemeth - Magic Touch “At this time of year, releasing the list of nomi- The Soul of John Black - The Good Girl Blues nees is like letting a Blues fan open a gift a little bit 2008 Blues Music Awards early,” according to Jay Sieleman, The Blues Presenting Sponsor: The Gibson Foundation Contemporary Blues Album of the Year Foundation’s Executive Director, “and members are Bryan Lee - Katrina Was Her Name able to play with it right away by rushing out to pur- NOMINEES James Blood Ulmer - Bad Blood in the City chase the nominated CDs, accessing the ballot to Kilborn Alley Blues Band - Tear Down Chicago start marking their choices or purchasing tickets to Acoustic Album of the Year Tommy Castro - Painkiller get the best seats for the show. Looking into next Bobby Rush - Raw Watermelon Slim & the Workers - The Wheel Man year, we are really excited about the opportunities Dave Riley and - Travelin' the Dirt Continued on Page 15 the 2008 event will offer Blues fans worldwide, the Road chance to soak up the deep Blues history of the Fruteland Jackson - Tell Me What You Say 12 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

CURFMAN TEARS IT UP AT BALDWIN’S DARYLL DAVIS

on the ack in 1999, the world was introduced to a 14 year old road. The girl who had some pretty decent chops on the guitar and band had a Bthe voice of a road-weary veteran many years her senior. lot of fun Shannon Curfman, now 20, is back with a vengeance and tearing with the up concert venues on a national tour behind her latest release, show’s final Fast Lane Addiction. This brought her to Baldwin’s Pub in number, a Orlando October 10th where she and her touring band tore hard rockin’ through a loose, rockin’ set of material that rattled the windows. string ben- Fast Lane Addiction, while stylistically reminiscent of her first der “Playing cd in 1999, Big Guitars, Big Suspicions, shows that Curfman’s With Fire,” songwriting and guitar chops have noticeably improved. A lot of that had the songs might sound like your typical 12-bar blues thing at first crowd cheering when they were finished. listen, but there’s actually a lot of structure in Curfman’s songs During the intermission and after the show, the charming and and a variety of change-ups that make listening to her in con- affable Curfman and her band held court and hung out to sign cert interesting. autographs and chat with the fans. Listening to what was going Curfman’s first set was heavy on her first release to get the on, it was discovered that the band had a set list but largely crowd back on familiar ground. After leading the set off with ignored it in order just to have a little fun and play the songs the title cut from her latest release, she played “Hard To Make A they enjoyed playing so much. Stand,” “Love Me Like That,” “Few And Far Between,” and “I One thing is sure with this tour and her latest release, Don’t Make Promises (I Can’t Break).” Few And Far Between Curfman is reasserting herself on the music scene and coming was played with a downright funky backbeat and was the first of out strong. She did this with the creation of her own record Curfman’s many opportunities throughout the night to feature label, Purdy Records, which released Fast Lane Addiction. Her her searing fret-work. Curfman can wail with the best of them music and future fully rests on the music she trusts and she’s and her voice now conveys a little more maturity from some time calling all the shots from here on out. TAKING THE TORCH? JERRY WALLER When they call you second generation Chicago has a total of 17—yes, 17 tracks. Most of the songs are over the four Blues royalty, they’re already setting the bar minute mark, so there's a lot of material to enjoy. Just to hit on a couple pretty high, but when you come out with a CD of my favorites: "Be A Good Man" shows RBB can do a classic rhythm entitled The Torch and sing about how the and blues song that would get ’s attention. We're talking a “torch of the Blues” is being passed your way real hip shaking, can’t sit still groove here. The very next song on the - you had better darn well be ready to deliver! disc, "Train" is a great instrumental that literally blasts off with the Well make no mistake about it, Ronnie sounds of honky-tonk boogie-woogie music, makes a brief pit-stop to Baker Brooks is up for the challenge and I’m add fuel, and then burns rubber to the finish with the guitar and organ not just talking about his guitar-playing, singing and songwriting. Being trading licks, until they pull up with a classic 12-bar blues break. Not the son of Blues great , Ronnie has a very deep under- only is it one hell of a ride, but it's a whole lot of fun. standing and appreciation of the Blues. He's definitely new school, but Being the son of a famous daddy can be both . comes from the old school, and yes, he’s done his homework! RBB, who In some ways, it leaves you in the position of being damned if you do composed every song on his three CDs, grew up with rock 'n' roll, pop, and damned if you don't. If you make it, it's only because of your dad country, reggae and gospel and this multi-genre influence permeates his and if you don't, then you must be some kind of loser. Well Ronnie not music. The Torch even includes a song with some vocals from Memphis only stepped up to the plate with this one, in my opinion, he smashed hip-hopper Al Kapone, and while recording in Minneapolis, Ronnie also the ball out of the park!! He was true to his roots and gave us some- solicited help from veteran Jellybean Johnson (Prince - Janet Jackson) thing fresh. What more could you expect? who co-produced this CD. Please don’t let that scare you; I promise, you can still hear the Chicago grit. Don't miss Ronnie Baker Brooks performing at the House of Blues You can't say Ronnie Baker Brooks skimps on the music. This release Kitchen on Friday, January 11. 13 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

It is a rare honor to appear on three of the five in his catego- HITS BIG ry, but not surprising for Pinetop. He is certainly the most legendary liv- ing blues piano player. He is more appreciated now than ever, in a class IN 2008 GRAMMY AWARDS by himself. "BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM" NOMINATIONS Here’s what Pinetop’s manager, Pat Morgan, had to say: "Pinetop con- tinues to enjoy good health with unbeliev- able amounts of ener- gy. To say he's one of Austin's best-loved musicians is not an understatement. He can be found out and about in one of his favorite Austin clubs every night, sitting in with local musicians, selling CDs and signing autographs. He also calls me every few days to ask when he's getting out on the road again. Basically he's hard to keep up with but easy to love." Here’s wishing Pinetop and his cohorts the best of luck come February 10, 2008 at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. At the tender age of 94, the legendary Pinetop Perkins appears on three of the five albums nominated for this year's "Best Traditional Blues OBBS MEMBER WINS BLUES CRUISE RAFFLE Album" Grammy Award. Great news! One of our own won The first is Pinetop Perkins On The 88’s – Live in Chicago, the bonus the Blues Cruise raffle the South CD that accompanies the DVD, Born in the Honey, released earlier this Florida Blues Society put on in late year by Sagebrush Productions and the VizzTone Label Group. Produced 2007. Congratulations to OBBS by Peter Carlson, the album contains nine live tracks recorded in Chicago member Steven Dworken of Eustis! Steve will be sailing the high seas and one studio track, "Rather Quit Her Than Hit Her." For the live tracks in style and groovin’ on the blues!! Pinetop is joined by Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on drums, on For more info on the Blues Cruise, bass and "Little" Frank Krokowski on guitar. The studio track features check out: www.bluescruise.com Pinetop backed by Chico Chism on drums, Johnny Rapp on guitar, Paul Thomas on bass and Bob Corritore on harmonica. The second is Last Of The Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live in , released by The Blue Shoe Project, honoring the musical talents of Pinetop Perkins, Henry James Townsend, Robert Lockwood Jr. and David "Honeyboy" Edwards. And if that’s not enough for a nonagenarian, Pinetop is also featured on ’s Ten Days Out: Blues From The Backroads (Reprise Records), another 2008 Grammy nominee for "Best Traditional Blues Album." 14 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

NATIONAL WOMEN IN BLUES: VOLUME 1, SONAR RECORDS PETER “BLEWZZMAN” LAURO his project had me excited from the very first minute I was on this strong vocal effort backed up by great organ and guitar work. asked to be involved with it. Working with MICHELE SEIDMAN at OCTAVIA belts out the blues from the gut on "SERVICE CALL.” This T"THE NATIONAL WOMEN IN BLUES FESTIVAL" and SCOTT THORN- one is good old raunchy blues at it's best. Hot, rippin' raw guitar, TON at JOMAR RECORDS, has been an absolute pleasure. Being asked harmonica and vocals highlight one of the discs real smokers. to write the liner notes for the "NATIONAL WOMEN IN BLUES" CD was As LARA PRICE gets driven "CRAZY,” she tells about it in this slow one of the biggest thrills that the blues has bestowed upon me. Now I and soulful ballad. Exceptional vocals and outstanding low down and get to savor the thrill even further, by sharing my thoughts about the dirty blues guitar make this one the best. Eight minutes in length also music with all of you. Man, it just doesn't get any better than this for makes it that much more pleasurable 'cause this is the kinda stuff you this over zealous blues fan. can listen to for hours on end. "NATIONAL WOMEN IN BLUES" is a compilation CD that includes six- PEGGY RATUSZ musically and vocally paints a very soothing, pas- teen original tracks by sixteen different, astounding, women in blues. sionate and sensual picture as she sings about being on a "SEXUAL These women are talented singers, talented , talented HIGH.” Trust me on this one, this sultry mood setting music is not musicians and on top of that, they all have looks as well. I guess this intended to be listened to while typing a review. is what it means to have it all goin' on. "CHEATING ON ME,” by SUZANNE THOMAS, is a nice blend of soul, In order to be fair to all of these lovely ladies, and more importantly R&B and funk. It features some of the discs best rhythm and has pos- - because each and every track certainly rates recognition, I'm going sibly one of the discs best guitar solos. to say something about all the songs. Having said that, let's start "THAT'S A PRETY GOOD LOVE" is a jumpin' jazzed up tune done by talking about the "NATIONAL WOMEN IN BLUES.” someone who's name you just may hear mentioned at this years Blues The disc opens with SANDY ATKINSON sexily telling someone to "LET Music Awards - GINA SICILIA. Great baritone sax and percussion work YOUR HAIR DOWN BABY”...and fool around with me. Typically, words a highlight this track. man does not need to be told twice. This one features great vocals SARAH LEMIEUX is cooking up a "BLUES STEW.” Just a few of the and guitar by SANDY and lots of rockin' by a great rhythm section. ingredients she's using are sass, soul and sultry - all in abundant On the next track, PATTY BENSON sings about how it took "2,666 amounts. Great vocals, guitar and possibly the discs best drum work MILES" to get over him. Hmmm, ya can't help but wonder if the 666 highlight this one. mile part of the trip is any indication as to how devilish this character MICHELE SEIDMAN, The "WOMEN IN BLUES FESTIVAL" organizer her- really was. Lots of great horns and a hot organ backing up PATTY and self, sings about something I am all too familiar with and easily relate her vibrant vocals. to - "MIDDLE AGED BONES.” As MICHELE points out, "they may look JULIE BLACK sings about what it takes to "LOVE THIS MOMMA,” and good on the outside, but it feels so bad inside.” And I can't agree the sultriness with which it's sung makes you want to do just that. more with her claim that they "creek and they moan.” This one's good This beautifully delivered track is highlighted by a constant and soft ol' rockin' blues. organ in the background with very smooth and precise piano playing. MICHELE LUNDEEN, or to those of us who know her better - the Good stuff right here. "QUEEN OF STEAM,” seems to be "STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN.” Simply The funksters and the dancers will absolutely love "ON MY WAY,” by said, this track kicks ass. MICHELE has one of the most powerful voic- KELLY DEES. This one's got a totally frantic and funkified jam thing es in the blues today and she's got the confidence to back it up. going on. Let the party begin. Having already done a review of her CD titled "SONG INSIDE ME,” I was NICOLE HART belts out some seriously soulful and very bluesy vocals looking forward to hearing this one. Top notch accompanying musi- on "THINK ABOUT LOVE.” She really gets to show her broad and ver- cians add to the quality of this one. satile range on this lovely ballad. This one's also highlighted by more MICHELE SEIDMAN and SCOTT THORNTON should be very proud of great organ and guitar work. themselves and deserve tremendous recognition for there efforts. "ASK YOUR MAN,” by PAT HUNTER is a great num- MICHELE for being THE woman in THE WOMEN IN BLUES FESTIVAL and ber that's nice and heavy on the blues. PAT'S strong vocals are nicely SCOTT @ JOMAR RECORDS for putting out - which more than likely will supported by several very good back up singers. The blues guitar on be this year’s best compilation CD - "NATIONAL WOMEN IN BLUES.” this one is some of the best on the disc. Below are the links to everyone involved with this project. Please If you've ever strolled the side streets of the French Quarter and stop by and check them out. While you’re there, pick up some prod- wandered into one of those obscure joints that didn't have a sign out ucts and don't be shy - tell them Pete the Blewzzman sent ya'. front but did have a bar and a piano inside, then one listen to "MID- www.jomarrecords.com NIGHT HOUR BLUES,” by SOPHIE KAY, will bring you right back to that www.myspace.com/theblueschurch joint. Great Nawlin's style vocals and piano on this one. www.sandyatkinson.net "WATCH ME WORK IT,” is ANDREA MARR'S contribution to the project. www.myspace.com/pattybenson Having already had the pleasure of reviewing her disc of the same www.angelforblues.com title, I knew what I was in for here. ANDREA displays lots of attitude www.kellydees.com 15 O r a n g e B l o s s o m B l u e s S o c i e t y

Continued from Page 11 Robert Randolph - Pedal Steel Sharon Jones Instrumentalist-Bass Sonny Rhodes - Lap Steel Sista Monica Parker Bill Stuve Contemporary Blues Female Bob Stroger Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of Soul Blues Male Artist of the Artist of the Year Calvin "Fuzz" Jones the Year Year Bettye LaVette Jeff Turmes Ann Rabson Bobby Rush Candye Kane Bruce Katz Eugene Hideaway Bridges Debbie Davies Michael "Mudcat" Ward Jackie Payne Henry Butler Mem Shannon Teresa James Instrumentalist-Drums Honey Piazza Tad Robinson Jimi Bott Contemporary Blues Male Artist Richard Innes Song of the Year Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year Robb Stupka 'Gonna Buy Me a Mule' - Koko Taylor, of the Year James Blood Ulmer Sam Carr Koko Taylor - Old School Diunna Greenleaf 'Jimmy Reed Highway' - Omar Kent Koko Taylor Ronnie Baker Brooks Dykes & Steve Callif, Omar Dykes & Nora Jean Bruso Tab Benoit Instrumentalist-Guitar Jimmie Vaughan - On the Jimmy Reed Ruthie Foster Watermelon Slim Highway Sharrie Williams 'Poor Man's Paradise' - Johnny DVD Kid Ramos Sansone, Johnny Sansone - Poor Traditional Blues Album of the Carey & Lurrie Bell - Gettin' Up: Live Lurrie Bell Man's Paradise Year at Buddy Guy's Legends, Rosa's and Nick Moss 'The Last Words of A Fool' - Sugar Big George Brock - Live at Seventy Lurrrie's Home Ray Norcia, Sugar Ray & the Five Kenny Wayne Shepherd - 10 Days Instrumentalist-Harmonica Bluetones - My Life, My Friends, My Darrell Nulisch - Goin' Back to Dallas Out: Blues from the Backroads Music Koko Taylor - Old School Pinetop Perkins - Born in the Honey 'The Wheel Man' - William Homans, - Long Time Coming Son Seals - A Journey through the Kim Wilson Watermelon Slim & the Workers - The Omar Kent Dykes & Jimmie Vaughan - Blues - The Son Seals Story Mark Hummel Wheel Man On the Jimmy Reed Highway Willie King - Down in the Woods Sugar Blue Soul Blues Album of the Year Traditional Blues Male Artist of Historical Album of the Year Eugene Hideaway Bridges - Eugene the Year Blind Pig - The Essential Magic Slim - Instrumentalist-Horn Hideaway Bridges Bob Margolin Magic Slim Big James Montgomery Holmes Brothers - State of Grace Blue Witch - House Rockin' and Blues Calvin Owens Mem Shannon - A Night at Tipitina's Lurrie Bell Shoutin' - Various Artists Deanna Bogart Root Doctor -Change Our Ways Magic Slim Delmark - Kidney Stew Is Fine - Eddie Tad Robinson - A New Point of View Nappy Brown "Cleanhead" Vinson Kaz Kazanoff Phillip Walker Delmark - Steady Rollin' Man - Robert Soul Blues Female Artist of the Jr. Lockwood Instrumentalist-Other Year For more information or to join The Epic/Legacy - Breakin' It Up, Breakin' Gerry Hundt - Barbara Carr Blues Foundation, log onto It Down - , Johnny Johnny Sansone - Accordion Denise LaSalle www.blues.org Winter, James Cotton Otis Taylor - Irma Thomas

www.thenrgband.com This review has been complimentary written www.misbhavin.com for your newsletter by Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro, a contributing writer for BLUESWAX www.myspace.com/misssophieherbluesboyz and the Blues Editor at www.saralemieux.com www.Mary4Music.com where you can read www.michelelundeen.com many more CD and live show reviews, view www.myspace.com/andreamarrband lots of blues photographs and find an abundance of blues material. I can be www.octaviablues.com reached at [email protected] www.laraprice.com www.peggyratusz.com www.micheleandthemidnightblues.com www.ginasicilia.com P.O. Box 561520 Orlando, FL 32856 www.obbs.org