Inside this April 2019 issue — issue 2019 April Inside this • Wooden Nickel Lottery, Phil Smith • Local music schedules • Anthony at Gomes The Redstone Room, Phil Smith • 5Inducted in to the IA Blues Hall of Fame! • Vin Mott- Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro • Bill reviews: Graham The Kentucky Headhunters • Big Muse by Phil Smith • H.D. Youth Center closing Issue 295 Issue APR2019 The Publication of the Linn County Blues Society -lcbs.org Publication Society Blues The of the County Linn The Redstone Room Redstone The Phil Smith Captures the Night! Anthony Gomes Anthony April 2019 April

LCBS Bluespaper. © Copyright 2019. All rights reserved The Linn County Blues Society is a way cool, non-profit organization dedicated H.D. Youth Center Closes to the preservation of Blues music in Eastern Iowa as well as to provide A difficult decision charitable contributions to other commu- nity organizations. LCBS is an Affiliated Steve Springer Organization in the Blues Foundation’s international network. The BLUESPAPER am sure the members of the is a monthly publication of the LCBS. LCBS have heard via local me- Website: lcbs.org dia that the Board of Directors LCBS Officers I President - David Antin of the Henry Davison Youth Center Vice President - Ric Holmquest recently made the very difficult deci- Secretary - Jeff Craft sion to close the Youth Center. Treasurer - Bill Graham Declining attendance coupled with Social Media - Phil Smith reduced donations and high fixed Directors at Large expenses leaves the Center with ap- Bob DeForest, Steve Miller

proximately one year of funding. The Committee Chairs Board plans to use current funding, Education: John ‘Big Mo’ Heim along with that received from liqui- Entertainment - Greg West Membership - John Lane dation of assets, to form a “Henry Merchandise - Anita Skelton Davison Scholarship Program”. All statistics verify that the driving force The Bluespaper & LCBS folks Bluespaper Editor - Evan Vulich for helping young people escape the Director of Development - Mark Rowell cycle of poverty is education and that Henry Davison Web Administrator: Kerry Cutsforth Photographers - see bylines is the direction the Board is taking Staff Writers - see bylines the Henry Davison Youth Center. an avid supporter of the Youth Center Distribution - Kevin Cutsforth All of the actions that Henry initiated and a huge fan of Henry’s efforts for Membership currently have city wide support and many years. We look forward to your To learn more about the Linn County the Youth Center has become “one of continued support for Youth Center Blues Society or to join, see the member- the crowd”. The Board and those that Scholarship Program as their benefit ship form in this Bluespaper or the LCBS website. Your membership includes; knew Henry are confident he would charity for the chili event. • Discount admissions to many local be thrilled that his organization con- If anyone has questions about the Blues activities. closing of the Youth Center, please feel • Monthly LCBS Bluespaper. tinues to follow his lead and strike • Voting rights in the LCBS elections. out in a new direction that will help free to contact me. • Being a part of the groove! young people achieve their dreams. Bluespaper Contact information Thus, this action will continue Hen- Send news, band or club live ry’s legacy for approximately ten entertainment schedules, advertising, years as opposed to going broke in donuts, Oreos®, or Bailey’s® to: Evan Vulich at: [email protected]. one. I have met with the LCBS presi- Bluespaper Ad Rates $15.00 - Business card size - 2” x 3.5” dent, Dave Antin, and his executive $35.00 - Quarter page ad - 3.5” x 4.75” staff and discussed the decision to $60.00 - Half page ad - 4.75” x 7.25” close the Center. The LCBS has been $75.00 - 2 colums (2/3) - 4.75” x 9.75” $100.00 - Full page - 7.5” x 9.75””

Submission Requirements- All ads, photos or scanned images, either color or black/white, need to be 300ppi. Native Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, JPG, TIFF, EPS, PDF, BMP accepted. Ads created in MS Word may cause dimentia, severe cramping or diarrhea. Deadline for sub- th

missions is the 20 of the month. in-between. love for looking and pain desire, and walking a wire between You’re

Moving? Send your new address to; LCBS, PO Box 2672, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2672 so you won’t miss a single issue of your Bluespaper.

2 / Linn County Blues Society ~ April 2019 Blue Muse Big Legal Mess Records

by Phil Smith The Music Maker Relief Founda- tion, whose mission is “to preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it, ensuring their voices will not be silenced by poverty and time”, is issuing a new book and CD package called Blue Muse to cele- The Kentucky brate their twenty-fifth year. Accord- of the late great Piedmont Blues artist Headhunters ing to their website, musicmaker.org, Algia Mae Hinton, who passed in Feb- “Live at Ramblin’ Man Fair” this organization, founded by Timo- ruary of 2018, as she delivers “Snap thy and Denise Duffy, has helped Your Fingers”. Guitar Gabriel’s “Land- Alligator Records 2019

with over 12,000 grants, and has sup- lord Blues” oozes with authenticity. The Kentucky Headhunters have always ported 435 artists. Blue Muse con- ‘The Blues Doctor’ Drink Small from been a problem for record companies. tains twenty-one tracks of southern Columbia, South Carolina wonderfully What kind of a band are they? Whatever they play, whether it’s a country song, a blues and roots music from various sings and picks “Widow Woman”, a pop song or a blues song, it comes out artists. It features recordings made melancholy and reflective piece paying sounding like a country bar band cover- from the nineties up to the present homage to those who have lost their ing the Rolling Stones. If the Headhunt- ers had happened along in 20 years be- day, with tracks contributed by both husbands. fore they did, they might have joined the Taj Mahal who beautifully performs This collection also contains “I am southern rock acts like the Allman Broth- ers Band, the Outlaws, Marshall Tucker or “Spike Driver Blues” and Eric Clap- the Lightning” from one my recent any of others in the southern rock move- ton who joins with Timothy Duffy favorites, Willie Farmer whose latest ment. They came along a few years later, for a sweet instrumental cover of album, The Man From the Hill was re- but at a time when country music still rocked and they just built on to that sound Willie Brown’s “Mississippi Blues”. viewed on my blog last month. This is for 30 years. Eddie Tigner who played many such cool song. I was also happy to The band has played together for many years with the Ink Spots and was at see Ironing Board Sam’s “Loose Dia- years Richard Young Guitar and vocals, Doug Phelps Bass, Greg Martin Lead and one time the lead of Elmore James’ monds” appear on this album too. His Slide Guitar, Fred Young Drums. Play- house band, tears it up on piano CD, Super Spirit, which this track is ing live they have always been drawn to a fairly eclectic repertoire. Here they play with his performance of “Route 66”. from, was one of my memorable finds everything from “Big Boss Man” to the When Alabama Slim kicks off “I Got in 2018 while visiting one of my favor- Beatle’s “Don’t Let Me Down” along with the Blues”, it puts a big smile on my ite stores on the planet, Cat Head Delta many of their original tunes. But in the hands of the Headhunters, everything face. His hypnotic guitar stylings Blues & Folk Art in Clarksdale, Mis- gets a hard blues-rock treatment. “Sufflin’ pull me deep into the song. The soul- sissippi. Back To Memphis” for instance, has some ful deep-cutting vocals of Robert Available by March 28th, 2019 , intense lead guitar work, and “Ragtop” sounds like ZZ Top. Finley marvelously sing out on “Age Blue Muse is also paired with a pow- This disc is another live one from them, Don’t Mean a Thing”. With Jimbo erful 152 page companion book titled and live is the way they should be heard. The crowd loves the show and it’s easy Mathus on guitar and Al Gamble on Blue Muse: Timothy Duffy’s Southern to guess that that’s the kind of response keys, this is southern soul at its best. Photographs, published in association the Kentucky Headhunters gets as a live Former Carolina Chocolate Drop co- with the New Orleans Museum of Art, act night after night. So even if the record business has never figured out how to founder Dom Flemons breaks out his and loaded with tintype photos taken handle them and market their music, they harmonica and sings “Polly Put the by Duffy of musicians representing continue to play and record. So who cares as long as they put out great music. Kettle On”. Ben Hunter appears on American roots music. For more in-

You’re walking a wire between pain and desire, and looking for love in-between. love for looking and pain desire, and walking a wire between You’re fiddle and Guy Davis on guitar, mak- formation or to purchase this set, visit — by Bill Graham ing this traditional song also covered musicmaker.org . by the blues-great Sonny Boy Wil- Then one fine mornin’ she turns on a New liamson, a delightful listen. Yeah, you right! - New Orleans’ York station. She doesn’t believe what she One can feel the blues in the voice hears at all. She started dancin’ to that fine, answer to every question. fine music

April 2019 ~ Linn County Blues Society / 3 Vin Mott 5 Inducted! “Rogue Hunter” IBHoF

Peter “Blewzzman” Lauro CIBS n the liner notes of Vin Mott’s second release, “Rogue Hunt- Oer”, he informs the listener that the album was recorded live in the studio with very little overdubbing. Vin’s take on that is he feels some of the charm of blues music includes its flaws and that the music should be tough, haunting, joyous and heartfelt, but not necessarily perfect. To that, I say, “You could’ve fooled me, bling”. If you need to know just how bad Vin”. it’s gotten, consider the fact that Vin now Five individuals have been selected On “Rogue Hunter” - Vin Mott, on feels he needs to “keep brass knuckles for induction into the Iowa Blues Hall of harmonica and vocals and composer of in his front pocket, a switchblade in the Fame in the Class of 2019: Jeff Banks, all twelve tracks, is joined by: Dean Shot back and both eyes open in case of an at- Kevin Burt, Janey Hooper, Frank Strong on guitar; Steve “Pretty Boy” Kirsty on tack”. The track’s sullen rhythm, drawn- and, Greg Sutherland. bass; and Matt Niedbalski on drums. out slow blues harp leads and edgy blues The induction ceremony for the Class In a roundabout way, the opening track guitar licks are the perfect eerie musical of 2019 will take place on Sunday, April explains to us that it wasn’t his woman accompaniment to the dark story sadly 7, 2019 at the River Center Eventorium, leaving him and taking their dog with her being told. Monster track! 330 SW 3rd St in Des Moines. The that gave Vin the blues. Nope, he’ll flatly Led by strong harp leads by Vin and event will begin with dinner provided tell you “Car Troubles Made Me A Good equally strong guitar leads by Dean, a by Flying Mango and a performance by Blues Singer.” Musically, it’s pretty much shuffle titled “I Got The Blues On My Sumpin’ Doo, featuring IBHOF mem- what you’re going to hear throughout the Mind” features the guys in such a cool bers, brothers George and Gil Davis. Af- disc - tough, haunting, joyous and heart- jam, that I wish it would have gone on for ter the award presentation and individual felt blues almost perfectly done. another three or four minutes. performances by the current inductees, As the saying goes, “the way to a man’s After this song’s first line - which took the night will end with a jam session heart is through his stomach” and with all of three seconds - I knew I was in for for any attending IBHOF members and this one being titled “Give Me Corn- a real treat. Being a HUGE fan of those friends. bread” it’s pretty obvious what’s high on slow dancing, fifties style blues songs, this Tickets will become available to the Vin’s food chain. C’mon Vin, I’m betting one - appropriately titled “Fire To Your public on February 1. a big ol’ plate of my mouthwatering Pasta Flame” really lit my fire. Think back to Last year’s event was sold out in ad- “Fazool” might just whet that appetite of somewhere around 1955 when you were vance so don’t delay. There are a limited yours. watching American Bandstand on TV number of V.I.P. tickets available at $50 With its country blues vibe and lyrics and those young lovers were doing the each. V.I.P. perks include early event en- like “Honey you must be crazy if you stroll. This could very well be a song to try and premium reserved seating. think I’d let you go, I feel like I’m in heav- stroll to. Vocally, Vin Mott outdoes him- Please contact Bryan Church to pur- en got to find a way to let you know”; and self on this one. Side note to Vin....”Yo chase V.I.P. tickets (515) 577-7749, bctur- “Honey you heat the oven baby I’ll keep Vin, I’d love for you to do a whole CD of [email protected]. the fire lit, I’m gonna make you happy in a these kinda songs”. The Iowa Blues Hall of Fame is spon- heartbeat lickity-split’; and other slightly Other tracks on this perfectly “not sored by:Frame Works, Flying Mango, more risque lines that require “Not FCC so perfect” CD include: the title track, Fat Tuesday Productions, River Center Clean” to have to be noted on the press “Rouge Hunter;” “Ice Cold Beer;” “Whis- Eventorium, Marriott, VividPix & De- release; I’m thinking that in the hands tlin’ By The Graveyard;” “Countin’ On sign, Hawkeye Elks Lodge 160 & Rose of a Chet Atkins or a Garth Brooks, this Those Chickens”; “Please, Mr. Devil;” Temple 33 and proudly supported by the love song title “Honey” could be a big and “Greaser.” six Iowa blues societies: Mississippi Val- hit. With the soft and tender vocals, the To find out more about Vin Mott just go ley Blues Society in Davenport, Linn smooth and sultry harp leads and the www.vinmottsrnb.com County Blues Society in Cedar Rapids, masterful bass lines, Vin and Steve are and if you’ve not yet received a copy of South Skunk Blues Society in Newton, easily at disc’s best right here. “Rogue Hunter” for airplay please con- Southeast Iowa Blues Society in Fair- Growing up in close proximity to Pa- tact Betsie Brown at www.blindraccoon. field, Lizard Creek Blues Society in Fort terson, New Jersey, it’s breaking Vin com. Regardless of whom you contact, Dodge and Central Iowa Blues Society in Talk about your plenty, talk about your ills, one man gathers what another man spills. another what man gathers one ills, your talk about plenty, your about Talk Mott’s heart that “Paterson Is Crum- please tell them the Blewzzman sent you. Des Moines.

4 / Linn County Blues Society ~ April 2019 Anthony Gomes LIVE at The Redstone Room! Davenport, Iowa. March 2, 2019

article & photos by Phil Smith

he first time I saw Anthony Gomes, the year was 2012, Tand he was opening up for the legendary B.B. King at the Para- mount Theater in Cedar Rapids. The sheer exuberance in his performance and mastery of guitar grabbed my full attention. Saturday, March 2nd, he gave a stellar performance at the Redstone Room in Davenport, Iowa. With Gomes on guitar and lead vo- cals, he was joined on stage by bass- ist, Sean Holland and drummer, Jer- emy Howard. From the git-go, he rocked out with “Nasty Good”, and “Your Mama Wants to do Me (and Your Daddy Wants to do Me In)”, from his latest album, Peace Love & Loud Guitars, an album which was a PhillyCheeze- Blues blog pick of the week in Janu- ary. He also tore it up on his ode to Crown Royal with “Purple Whiskey Sack” from his 2006 album, Long Way Home. His cover of Jimi Hendrix’s, “Voo- doo Child”, was outstanding. Gomes was totally in his element, as he let loose on this one. I was glad to hear “White Trash Princess”. It’s one of my favorites on the new album, as is the title track “Peace, Love, and Loud Guitars”. “Blues in the First Degree” also made the cut, and it sounded great. It was such a joy to hear him play the new material. For the encore, Gomes brought the show to close, splendidly ripping it up on his stately homage to the King of the Blues, with “Come Down”. It was magnificent, as was the show. I can’t wait to see him perform again.

It’s a long way to the top, if you wanna rock n roll.

April 2019 ~ Linn County Blues Society / 5 Local Music Be sure to CHECK this out! Sat. - The Village Market w/ Dan Johnson 11-2PM April 2019 Blues Calendar Sun. - The Rumors Jam, 4-7PM Tues. - The Famous Parlor City Jam. 7-10PM Tue. 2 Parlor City Pub Brook Hoover hosts jam, 7-10PM Wed. - 5th Wednesday B. Dorr, Skeeter & DJ @ QDogs BBQ Wed. 3 QDogs BBQ Skeeter Louis Trio, 6-9PM, Marion Thur. - Lark’s Restaurant & Brewery, Limestoners, 7-10PM Thur. 4 J.M. O’Malley’s Bryce Janey & Dan Johnson, 8-midnight Thur. - J.M.O’Malley’s, Tom T-Bone Giblin Jams, 8-midnight Parlor City Pub McMurrin & Johnson, 7-10PM Thur. - CR VFW, Wild Bill & Pony Express, 5-9PM Thur. - Dennis “Dadddy-O” McMurrin at Parlor City 7-10PM Lark Brewing Limestoners Blues Jam. 7-10PM Cedar Falls EVERY QDogs BBQ BillyLee Janey, 6-9PM Marion Fri. - Checkers Tavern & Asian Massage, LIVE MUSIC! 7PM Fri. 5 Famous Mockingbird Miles Over Mountains, 8PM Marion QDogs BBQ Jason Christensen & DJ, 6-9PM Marion Sat. 6 Village Market Jason Christensen & Johnson, 11-2PM QDogs BBQ Tom Buckmiller, 6-9PM Marion Famous Mockingbird Starship Pilgrims, 9PM Marion Mon. 8 George’s Buffet Johnny Kilowatt & Monday Night All-Stars 8-11P Tue. 9 Parlor City Pub Ryan Phelan hosts jam, 7-10PM Wed. 10 QDogs BBQ Bryce Janey, 6-9PM, Marion Thur. 11 J.M. O’Malley’s Kevin Burt, 8-midnight Parlor City Pub McMurrin & Johnson, 7-10PM Lark Brewing Limestoner Blues Jam. 7-10PM Cedar Falls QDogs BBQ Robert 1 Man Johnson, 6-9PM Marion Fri. 12 Famous Mockingbird Brass Transit Authority (BTA) 8PM Marion Local favorite for dining since 1968, now also featuring our new QDogs BBQ Craig Erickson, 6-9PM, Marion Huston Rogers Steakhouse. Nightly we feature mid-western USDA choice steaks, award winning BBQ pork ribs, slow cooked tender Sat. 13 Village Market Bryce Janey & Dan Johnson, 11-2PM prime rib of beef (Friday & Saturday nights), and seafood. We also QDogs BBQ Laid Back Band, 6-9PM Marion Gabe’s Aaron Kamm & The One Drops. Iowa City offer delicious sandwiches, burgers, pizza, and much more. You can also join us for our popular full lunch buffet Tue. 16 Parlor City Pub Doug Ducey hosts jam, 7-10PM with deluxe salad and soup bar Monday-Friday 11am-2pm. Wed. 17 QDogs BBQ Skeeter Louis Trio, 6-9PM, Marion Thur. 18 J.M. O’Malley’s Charlie Morgan, 8-midnight The LCBS meets on the 1st Monday of each month! Parlor City Pub McMurrin & Johnson, 7-10PM See you at Huston Rogers, formally The Longbranch, Lark’s Restaurant Limestoners Blues Jam. 7-10PM Cedar Falls QDogs BBQ Billy Lee Janey, 6-9PM Marion on April 1, 6:00PM for a soft-start. General meeting Fri. 19 QDogs BBQ Craig Erickson, 6-9PM Marion begins at 6:30PM. Guests are always welcome! Sat. 20 Village Market One Man Johnson & Dan Johnson Duo, 11-2PM 90 Twixt Town Rd., Cedar Rapids • 377-6386. QDogs BBQ Daddy-O & DJ, 6-9PM, Marion Famous Mockingbird Reina del Cid 8PM Marion A very special THANK YOU to these Tue. 23 Parlor City Pub Bryce Janey hosts jam, 7-10PM businesses who Keep the Blues Alive! Wed. 24 QDogs BBQ Bryce Janey, 6-9PM Marion Thur. 25 J.M. O’Malley’s Craig Erickson, 8-midnight • Chappy’s Safari • Dr. Ronald W. Miller Parlor City Pub McMurrin & Johnson, 7-10PM • The Longbranch • Ron Schantz Const. Lark Brewing Limestoners Blues Jam. 7-10PM Cedar Falls • KCCK 88.3 • Susan Novak QDogs BBQ Robert 1 Man Johnson, 6-9PM Marion • Village Meat Market Fri. 26 QDogs BBQ Skeeter Louis Trio, 6-9PM Marion • J.M. O’Malley’s Corporate Sponsors Sat. 27 J.M. O’Malley’s Flat Cat. Matinee Reunion! 5-8:30PM • Dudley Bros. Const. • Sports Clips Village Market Nate Hines & Dan Johnson Duo, 11-2PM • Checkers Tavern Famous Mockingbird Danika & The Jeb 8PM Marion • Q Dogs BBQ QDogs BBQ Mike Maas, 6-9PM Marion • Home Town Restyling • Wired Production Group Rumors Skeeter Louis All Stars w/ Craig Erickson 4-8PM • Tomaso’s Pizza DBA 16th Avenue Music Tue. 30 Parlor City Pub Bob Dorr & Jeff Petersen host jam, 7-10PM

Notice: Sometimes there just isn’t enough room for Blues in the Schools all the submitted schedules in the Blues Calendar.

Please be sure to check the EVERY MONTH box a man insane. drives love much brain, too my rattle you and nerves my shake You March 15 – 9:20 am – Summit May 3 – 10am – Wright above to see regularly scheduled gigs that are always May 7 – 9:15 am – Cleveland on for each day of the week. We certainly don’t want May 7 – 2:45 pm - Coolidge to exclude anyone from our schedule. Thanks!

6 / Linn County Blues Society April 2019 Wooden Nickel Lottery Opus Concert Café 12 March

article & photos by Phil Smith

ocal band, Wooden Nickel Lottery, took the stage at Lthe Opus Concert Cafe’ in downtown Cedar Rapids for three wonderful sets of music. They per- formed several songs from each of their albums, On My Way, Down the Line, and Long Time Running. Be- tween songs, Rich Toomsen explained the history and evolution of the band. Saxophonist, David Arnold, and key- boardist, Gerard Estella also made guest appearances to play on a few numbers which included spectacular covers of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come”, and Joe Bonamassa’s, “Mountain Time”.

WNL photo 1 : lead vocalist Rick Gallo , bassist Jess Toomsen WNL photo 2 : guitarist Rich Toomsen, drummer Delayne Stall- man

Join Us!

Linn County Blues Society Membership Application Name (Please Print) Phone / Street City/State/ZIP Email (Please Print Clearly) Annual Membership Levels $20 Member 2019 You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain, too much love drives a man insane. drives love much brain, too my rattle you and nerves my shake You $100 Blues Booster/ Corporate Sponsor Please mail form & check to: Linn County Blues Society, $250 Blues Contributor P.O. Box 2672, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2672. $500 Friend of the Blues We at the LCBS thank you for pledging your support for $1000 Sustaining Member LIVE music in the Linn County area.

April 2019 ~ Linn County Blues Society / 7 Linn County Blues Society PO Box 2672 Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2672 scan for LCBS web info

Current list of members of the IBHOF

Big Mike Edwards Joanne Jackson Ellis Kell Billylee Janey Joe Price Tony Blew Bo Ramsey Louis McTizic J.C. Anderson Bob DeForest Mel Harper “Sonny” Fletcher Lott Bob Dorr Patrick Hazell Bob Pace Perry Welsh Bruce McCabe Richie Hayward Catfish Keith Rico Cicalo Chicago Rick Lussie Ron DeWitte Craig Erickson Ron McClain Darrell Leonard Ronnie Brewer Rose Marie Webster Dartanyan Brown kcck.org Del Saxman Jones Sam Salomone Dennis McMurrin Scott Cochran Eddie Haywood Sid Wingfield Ella Ruth Piggee Speck Redd Elvin Bishop Stephen Miller Friday Blues- Ernie Peniston Steve George • 6-10 PM - The Big Mo Blues Show Eugene Jackson Steve Hayes Fred Walk Tom Giblin • 10-11 PM - Backstage Blues Gary Gibson Willis Dobbins • 11 PM to midnight - KCCK Jams Gary Jackson Dwight Dario • Midnight Blues CD George Davis Tommy Gordon Saturday Blues - Gilbert Davis Robert “One Man” Johnson Grant Townsell Philip “Bunky” Marlow • 6-10 PM - Da Blues with Bobby D Harlan Thomas Rob Lumbard • 10-11 PM - The Crawfish Circuit Hawkeye Herman Andre Mosqueda • 11 PM -midnight - The Melting Pot James Kinds Shaun Murphy • Midnight Blues CD Jim DeKoster Jeff Petersen Jimmy Pryor Dan ‘DJ’ Johnson

April 2019 ~ Linn County Blues Society Bluespaper