Volume Twenty-One, Number One • January 2016 Saturday, Jan. 30th @ 8 pm Holland Performing Arts Center THE BAND www.ticketomaha.com Wednesday, Jan. 6th @ 6 pm $10 adv., $12 dos Zoo Bar, Lincoln Thursday, Jan 7th @ 6 pm • $10 21st Saloon, Omaha

Dec. 31st (N.Y.E.- 9 pm)...... Moreland and Arbuckle ($15) Jan. 2nd (Sat. 8 pm)...... Backfire with the McLaughlin Brothers ($5) Jan. 7th...... Danielle Nicole Band ($10) Jan. 9th (Sat. 8 pm)...... Hamilton Loomis ($12 adv./$15 dos) IBC Send Off Party for Hector Anchondo Band Adv. tickets @ www.hamiltonloomis.com Jan. 14th...... The Nace Brothers ($10) Special Guest Jan. 16th (Sat. 6 pm)...... The Bel Airs with Electric Church @ 9:30 ($5) Jan. 17th (Sun. 6 pm)...... Drew Jude and the Cool Tones Thursday, Jan. 21st @ 6pm $10 CD Release Party with the 21st Saloon, Omaha Rex Granite Band feat. Sarah Benck Jan. 21st...... IBC Send Off Party with the Hector Anchondo Band and Gina Sicilia ($10) SWAMPBOY JAM Jan. 28th...... Biscuit Miller & the Mix ($10) Feb. 4th...... Band ($10) Weekly Open Blues Jam Feb. 6th (Sat. 8 pm)...... Dax’s Band ($5) Wednesdays 8 pm to 11 pm Feb. 11th...... Kelley Hunt ($15) Black Eye Dive • 72nd & Harrison, Omaha Feb. 18th...... Studebaker John and the Hawks ($10) PAGE 2 BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA

Please consider switching to the GREEN VERSION of Blues Notes. You will be saving the planet while saving BSO some expense. Contact Sher Dostal at [email protected] to switch to e-mail delivery and get the scoop days before snail mail members!

BLUES ON THE RADIO: Mondays 1pm-3pm on KIOS 91.5 “Blues in the Afternoon” with Mike Jacobs You can listen to the live stream at www.kios.org

Sundays 9am-Noon on KIWR 89.7 Rick Galusha’s “PS Blues” Pacific Street Blues & Americana podcast: http://kiwrblues.podOmatic.com/entry/2010-02-03T11_00_49-08_00

Lincoln’s KZUM Radio - Nebraska’s only community radio, and you can listen to it on the web at KZUM.org. Monday – 3:00-6:00pm “World Gone Wrong Blues” Tuesday – 3:00-6:00pm “Group W Blues” Wednesday – 3:00-6:00pm “My Deja Blues” Thursday – 3:00-6:00pm “Every Kind of Blue” Friday – 1:00-3:00pm “Women’s Blues & Boogie” • 3:00-4:30pm “Hudson Blues” Friday – 4:30-6:00pm “Highway Blues” BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA PAGE 3 THE DANIELLE NICOLE BAND Wednesday, Jan. 6th @ 6 pm • $10 adv., $12 d.o.s. • Zoo Bar, 136 N. 14th Street, Lincoln, NE Thursday, Jan. 7th @ 6 pm • $10 cover • 21st Saloon, 96th & L Street, Omaha, NE As a founding member and bass could at clubs that would allow player for Kansas City blues- minors. At 16, she began sing- rock band Trampled Under Foot, ing lead in her father’s band, Danielle Nicole has spent years Little Eva and the Works – un- growing her fan base around til he became too sick to play. the world. In 2014 she decided In March of 1999, she start- to push her musical boundaries ed her own band, Fresh Brew, further by forming the Danielle with Kansas City music veterans Nicole Band, which also features Steve Gronemeyer, Steve Hicks, Mike “Shinetop” Sedovic (key- Chuck Payne and Terry Roney. board), Jan Faircloth (drums) and They performed for four years Brandon Miller (guitar). Born a and even represented Kansas natural performer, Danielle got her start singing in coffee- City in the International Blues Challenge. houses and at open mic events while growing up immersed During this time that Danielle and her brothers Nick and Kris in the local Kansas City blues scene. Her talent and on stage began talking about a family band that would eventually charisma played a major role in the success of Trampled become Trampled Under Foot. Not only did she and Kris Under Foot and helped the band earn numerous awards have to move to Philadelphia (where Nick was living), but and nominations over the years, including multiple Blues she would have to learn the bass guitar to keep it a family Music Award nominations for “Band of the Year” and a two band. It took a few years of lessons and saving money be- nominations recognizing her individual accomplishments as fore that could become reality. a musician for “Bass Player of the Year”. Drawing compar- isons to Susan Tedeschi and , Danielle delivers After several acclaimed self-released albums, Trampled Un- a sweeping vocal range and powerful telling of her lyrics der Foot released Badlands on July 9, 2013 on Telarc, a di- every time she hits the stage. vision of Concord Music Group. Toughened by years of non- stop roadwork, Badlands revealed a musical sophistication Danielle comes from generations of singers. Her grand- well beyond the band’s years. Badlands debuted at #1 on mother, Evelyn Skinner, was a big band singer. Her moth- Billboard’s Blues Chart and Trampled Under Foot performed er, Lisa Swedlund, taught her everything she knew while live throughout the United States and Europe in support of growing up, listening to all different kinds of music from the the album. Everly Brothers to the B-52s. As Trampled Under Foot wound down, Danielle formed It wasn’t until she was 12 that Danielle took to the stage for her own band and now makes her Concord Records solo the first time singing, ’s “Never Trust a Man” at debut with the September, 2015 release of a New Orle- a Blues for Schools program that her parents were playing ans-flavored, blues-soul based albumWolf Den, featuring at Englewood Elementary. From then on, she knew music Grammy® winning producer and guitarist , would be her passion for the rest of her life. Galactic’s co-founding drummer Stanton Moore and her Danielle began singing in coffeehouses and at open mic regular keyboardist Mike “Shinetop, Jr.” Sedovic. events at age 14, jamming with her parents whenever she From the Danielle Nicole artist website

BSO CORPORATE SPONSORS BLUE CLUB Steve & Lisa Krueger Mo Barry Greg and Leslie Nichols Dan and Lanae Grieb Roger & Sheri Slosson Glenn Bauer John Pollack & Karen Berry Kit & Pam Kelley Dan Van Houten Kenny & Linda Benton Mikel Schmidt & Leslie Eurek Royce M Kreitman Richard Wolken John Campbell Ann Scolaro Terry O’Halloran Bel Air Merchant’s Association Geoff Clark Sid Sidner Christy Rossiter & Jerry Cyza Tim Sorrell CORPORATE 112 North Duck David & Kristine Evans Ernest Sutherlin Mitch Bolte Mama’s Pizza West Paul Gerber Bob & Becky Swift Jim Bradford, Jr. Ra Neurological – RDS Skin Care Mike & Sally Hansen Rodney Thorngate Chick Ganz West Point Rack Rick Hillyard Greg Virant & Lynn Kost Virant Conrad Good Troy & Susan Krupicka Down Under Lounge Paul Scott Hoagbin Blues Band SPECIAL Jo Mach Hawk’s BBQ, Craig Kelley, Inserra & Bill Bahrke Vanessa Marie Chris & Brenda Hawkinson Kelley Law Firm Matthew Barges Daniel Meyer PAGE 4 BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA What’s New with BluesEd? 2016 is an exciting year for BluesEd as we celebrate our perform in a band are requested to register on our website: 15th year! Many thanks to Doug Backer who had the fore- www.BluesEd.com. 2016 promises to be packed with per- sight and determination to start BluesEd in 2001 as the formance opportunities for our bands at many great area youth outreach program of the Blues Society of Omaha. We venues. have since grown to six performance bands with nearly 200 Some of our BluesEd alumni from various years have formed students involved in the program through the years. Many the band Electric Church. Their next show is at the 21st Sa- of our alumni have stated that BluesEd was one of the high- loon on January 16th following the Bel Airs. This will be a lights of their years in middle school and high school. great chance to hear these now grown men put their years In January we are sending one of our bands, Voodoo Vinyl, of experience together in an unique sound. to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. Keep an We would like to hear from all of our Alumni as we celebrate eye on the BluesEd Facebook page for their venue and time our 15th year. We hope to have a reunion this spring or as they perform in the Youth Showcase. Voodoo Vinyl is a summer and would like BluesEd alumni (and alumni par- seven piece band featuring students ages 14-18. Audiences ents too!) contact us so we have your current email address. love their energy and enthusiasm. They will be sure to rep- Please send us an email at [email protected]. resent Omaha, BluesEd and the BSO very well. --Kevin & Chris Shouse, BluesEd Directors We are in the process of registering stu- dents for Auditions to be held in February. Vocalists and instru- mentalists that are proficient in their instrument and are ready to BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA PAGE 5

HAMILTON LOOMIS Saturday, Jan. 9th @ 8 pm • $12 adv. $15 day of show Adv. tickets @ www.hamiltonloomis.com 21st Saloon, 96th L Street, Omaha “If blues, soul, and rock can be said plauded for being able to jam in several to form a triangle, you’ll find Hamilton music worlds, “comfortably, crossing sty- Loomis right in the center of it”, says listic boundaries with effortless precision. Guitar Player Magazine. There’s no reason to limit the man with a An apt description, as young Loomis is genre classification or tie him down with one of the young artists at the forefront old-school rules.” of bringing blues based American music Bridging the gap between generations of into the 21st century and redefining it music-lovers and redefining blues-based for a contemporary audience. Spanning American music for a contemporary audi- youth and tradition, Loomis bridges the ence, Loomis created his own path and gap between generations of music-lovers built a loyal following by blending myri- both in the U.S. and around the world. ad of influences, clever songwriting, and Below the musical notes on GIVE IT an expressive voice into a sound that de- BACK, the latest release from Hamilton fies description. Feeling his current style, Loomis, lies an altruistic message; show- layered onto his bluesy foundation, will casing a “pay it forward” philosophy, Loomis states his goal attract a new generation of fans, Loomis looks forward to to share the knowledge and information that was given to the appeal GIVE IT BACK will have on today’s young lis- him as a young musician. In a musical tribute to his mentors, teners. the title track, which features Victor Wooten (Béla Fleck and “I’ve struck on a style that works, and I’m adding to it. I the Flecktones) on bass and vocals, explains this mission don’t purposely set out to create one type of song; it’s really and provides the backdrop as Loomis reaches new musical just a hybrid. One of the by-products of it all is that it can heights on a record that will ignite fires in those who live appeal to all generations.” for funk & soul, rock, and a satisfying dose of the blues. “That one night began my education and I spent a lot of “When I was coming up in the music scene, I was lucky time with Bo over the years listening to him tell so many to have musical mentors like Joe ‘Guitar’ Hughes, Johnny stories,” said Loomis. “He was so generous and most peo- ‘Clyde’ Copeland, and of course, rock icon Bo Diddley,” stat- ple don’t know that he was really philanthropic. He played ed Loomis. “These ‘veterans’ took the time to teach and give free concerts around his hometown for homeless shelters, advice to us youngsters, as if ‘passing the torch.’ Now that schools and anyone that just needed help. He was always they have passed, it’s my duty, not just an obligation, to giving! That’s another thing that planted the GIVE IT BACK do the same with this generation’s young musicians. That’s seed in my mind. It’s all coming full circle.” giving it back, handing it down, passing it on, like the song Loomis and crew shine on stage proving his music is best says” experienced in person, where one can see and hear its in- Born and raised in Galveston, Texas, Loomis is the son of tended splendor. Described by Blues Blast Magazine as “a musician parents who listened to blues, rock and soul. Mu- non-stop turbo of power, one minute moving from side to sic ran in his veins and, with instruments readily available side of the stage, and then taking on his horn player in around the house, he picked up drums, piano, guitar and a head-cutting contest on the apron of the stage the next harmonica, honing his multi-instrumental talent in addi- minute.” Loomis’ energetic, get-in-with–the-crowd antics tion to performing regularly as part of his family’s doo-wop are infectious. The swaying and clapping are just as he en- group. visioned. “My parents had a fantastic record collection and, when I “Being comfortable on stage is something that comes com- started writing, I gravitated towards what I’d been listening pletely natural to me,” he says. “I feel joy when I play music to all my life. I have a huge reverence for the blues and all it and it literally moves me. It moves my body. I learned long encompasses, but I’ve always been fond of R&B and funky ago that whenever music is coming from you, from deep in- music.” side your soul and from the right place, people will feel that A protégé of Bo Diddley, Loomis met the icon backstage at on a deeper level and might not even know what’s going on the age of 16 at Houston’s famed venue Rockefeller’s. Before inside of themselves. I enjoy engaging the crowd and feel a the night was over, Loomis was onstage playing guitar with show should be an interactive experience.” the legend. Diddley quickly became friend, mentor, collab- Showing no signs of stopping, and always aiming to follow orator and supporter, appearing on two of Loomis’ albums advice from Bo Diddley to “innovate, don’t imitate,” GIVE IT and presenting a cherished red guitar that he still plays. BACK paves the way for Hamilton Loomis to introduce more Complimenting this sentiment, the musical foundation of of his modern sound and energetic musical style. It also pro- GIVE IT BACK is Loomis’ most mature and progressive to vides a glimpse into this talented artist’s philosophy on life, date. A diverse collection that No Depression says can “ex- a message alone that is worth its weight in gold records! pand the vocabulary of the blues,” Loomis is further ap- From the Hamilton Loomis artist website PAGE 6 BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA

Saturday, Jan. 2nd @ 9 pm, $6 Lil’ Slim Blues Band Wednesday, Jan. 6th @ 6 pm $10 adv., $12 dos Danielle Nicole Band Wednesday, Jan. 13 @ 6 pm Chicago’s Rockin’ Johnny Burgin Saturday, Jan. 30th @ 9 pm, $10 Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal and Kris Lager Band BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA PAGE 7 THE NACE BROTHERS Thursday, Jan. 14th @ 6 pm • $10 • 21st Saloon, 96th & L Street, Omaha, NE late 40’s their father was playing box suppers and square dances. Johnny Nace progressed from playing rural danc- es to leading the house bands on the regional radio and television programs “Hillbilly Jamboree” and “Circle Six Ranch”. He recorded rockabilly in the late 50’s before find- ing his musical home during the golden age of honky-tonk. An astute songwriter he led a top notch band to region- al success with songs like “Sing me the blues” and “Blue Notes”. Their 1997 release “Roots of Steel” is a tribute to their father and the lessons he taught them. Nearing their 31st year as a touring group the Nace Broth- ers are poised for a larger audience. Brilliant songwriting, expressive vocals, soaring guitar and a rock solid rhythm section combine for entertainment at its best. Well Traveled Road is their seventh c.d. and continues that tradition with a collection of thirteen well-crafted songs. “The Nace brothers each got half of their late father “Temptation” digs a groove and allows a flowing melody Johnny’s genetic gifts: Jimmy Nace is the songwriter to intertwine with soulful slide guitar riffs while “Let Me and older brother Dave is the singer.” Down Easy” and “Sunday Afternoon” taps into the band’s John Hansen - Sedalia Democrat bluesy side. The Nace Brothers feature expressive vocals and stunning From the Nace Brothers artist website guitar complimented by their longtime rhythm section. To- With 7 CD’s and countless shows the Nace Brothers gether they’ve created a body of work that appeals to a always bring a great show to the 21st Saloon. broad audience. Seasoned professionals, they’ve earned the respect of promoters, club owners, producers and peers for their dedica- tion to their craft, easy going confidence and their refreshing lack of pretense. A testimony to their affability lies in the fact the Brothers David and Jimmy have been performing together over 30 years. Along with T.J. Erhardt who has been with the band 15 years, and their newest addition, groovemaster Paul Greenlease on Bass, they are stronger than ever.

In 1993 the title track of their c.d. “Club 15” was also on the compilation c.d. “Margaritaville Cafe - Late Night Menu” on MCA Records featuring Jim- my Buffett and various other artists.

Fourth generation performers their mu- sical heritage began in the latter part of the 19th century with their great-great grandfather the classically trained vi- olinist Valandingham Nace. The legacy continued in the 1920’s and 30’s with their grandfather Percy a multi-instru- mentalist and square dance caller. By the PAGE 8 BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BSO MEMBERS! Thank you to these donors for joining BSO as brand new members: Enzo & Steph Floridia Linda Bauer • Deb Young Rick Hague • Curt Mentzer Terri Incontro • Mark Rhoades Bruce Barnhart • Johna Dueling Elspeth McKeon • Gayle Townsend Doug & Kim Laursen Doug Johns Cathy Bashami & Richard Halama Mitchell Pinkard • Michele McKelvy Mike Osborn • Ann Scolaro

BSO MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS Thank you to these donors for their ongoing support of BSO by renewing membership: Carlos & Kris Chavez Vikki Frank • Ron Sobczyk Gary McMillan • Jodi Nelson Daniel Meyer

The 10th Annual Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards January 17, 2016 at the Downtown Omaha DoubleTree BEST BLUES NOMINEES Christy Rossiter & 112 North Duck Clark & Company Hector Anchondo Band Mojo Bag • Steve Byam • Steve Lovett BEST R&B/SOUL NOMINEES Dani Cleveland • Dominique Morgan Edem • Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal Jus.B • TJ Saddler BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA PAGE 9

Blues in January & February

Thu Dec 31 Fri Jan 15 New Year’s Eve FAC with the Tijuana Gigolos (5:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) John Mertz, Terry Parker, and Thomas Wells (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Swampboy Blues Trio (9:00 pm) (Havana Garage) Hector Anchondo (9:00 pm) (Saloon No 10) (Deadwood, SD) Moreland and Arbuckle (9:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Sat Jan 16 New Year’s Eve with Lloyd McCarter (9:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) The Bel Airs 6-9 pm & Electric Church 9:30 pm (6:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Sat Jan 02 Ed Archibald , John Mertz & Friends Sax, Guitar &Vocals (blues & smooth jazz) Steve Lovett Blues Band (6:00 pm) (Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen) (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Backfire with the McLaughlin Brothers ($5) (8:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Hector Anchondo (9:00 pm) (Saloon No 10) (Deadwood, SD) Ed Archibald, John Mertz & Friends Sax, Guitar &Vocals (blues & smooth jazz) Harper and Midwest Kind (9:00 pm) (The Corner Bar) (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Steve Lovett Blues Band (9:00 pm) (The Harney Street Tavern) Swampboy Blues Band (8:00 pm) (Havana Garage) Sun Jan 17 Lil’ Slim Blues Band (9:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) Tim Koehn Solo (2:00 pm) (Soaring Wings Winery) Mon Jan 04 Drew Jude & the Cool Tones CD Release Party with Special Guest The Rex Michael Walker (Big Band /American Song Book) (7:30 am) (The Omaha Granite Band featuring Sarah Benck (6:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Lounge) Mon Jan 18 Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band (6:30 pm) (Ozone) Michael Walker (Big Band /American Song Book) (7:30 am) (The Omaha Zoo Bar House Band (7:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) Lounge) Tue Jan 05 Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band (6:30 pm) (Ozone) Brad Cordle & Friends – Blues Vocalist (7:30 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Zoo Bar House Band (7:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) Wed Jan 06 Tue Jan 19 Matthew Amandus & Friends Piano & Guitar or Sax combo (7:30 am) (The Brad Cordle & Friends – Blues Vocalist (7:30 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Omaha Lounge) Wed Jan 20 Danielle Nicole Band (6:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) Matthew Amandus & Friends Piano & Guitar or Sax combo (7:30 am) (The Swampboy Blues Jam (8:00 pm) (Black Eye Dive) Omaha Lounge) Thu Jan 07 Swampboy Blues Jam (8:00 pm) (Black Eye Dive) Danielle Nicole (6:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Thu Jan 21 Swampboy Acoustic Trio (6:00 pm) (Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen) Hector Anchondo – IBC send off party w/Gina Sicilia! (6:00 pm) (The 21st Steve Lovett Solo (6:00 pm) (Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen) Saloon) Fri Jan 08 Fri Jan 22 John Mertz, Terry Parker, and Thomas Wells (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) John Mertz, Terry Parker, and Thomas Wells (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) The Dust Jackets (9:00 pm) (The Harney Street Tavern) Sat Jan 23 Sat Jan 09 Ed Archibald , John Mertz & Friends Sax, Guitar &Vocals (blues & smooth jazz) Hamilton Loomis (8:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Ed Archibald , John Mertz & Friends Sax, Guitar &Vocals (blues & smooth jazz) (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Mon Jan 25 The Dust Jackets (9:30 pm) (The Keg) (Lincoln) Michael Walker (Big Band /American Song Book) (7:30 am) (The Omaha Lounge) Mon Jan 11 Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band (6:30 pm) (Ozone) Michael Walker (Big Band /American Song Book) (7:30 am) (The Omaha Zoo Bar House Band (7:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) Lounge) Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band (6:30 pm) (Ozone) Tue Jan 26 Zoo Bar House Band (7:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) Brad Cordle & Friends – Blues Vocalist (7:30 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Tue Jan 12 Wed Jan 27 Brad Cordle & Friends – Blues Vocalist (7:30 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Matthew Amandus & Friends Piano & Guitar or Sax combo (7:30 am) (The Omaha Lounge) Wed Jan 13 Swampboy Blues Jam (8:00 pm) (Black Eye Dive) Matthew Amandus & Friends Piano & Guitar or Sax combo (7:30 am) (The Omaha Lounge) Thu Jan 28 Swampboy Blues Jam (8:00 pm) (Black Eye Dive) Biscuit Miller (6:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Hector Anchondo (9:00 pm) (Saloon No 10) Tim Koehn Solo (6:00 pm) (Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen) Thu Jan 14 Fri Jan 29 The Nace Brothers (6:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Swampboy Acoustic Trio (6:00 pm) (Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen) Hector Anchondo (9:00 pm) (Saloon No 10) (Deadwood, SD) John Mertz, Terry Parker, and Thomas Wells (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Sat Jan 30 HEY BANDS & BARS Swampboy Acoustic Trio (6:00 pm) (Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen) If you want your schedule printed monthly in Shemekia Copeland at the Holland Center (8:00 pm) (Holland Center) BLUES NOTES, e-mail to [email protected] Ed Archibald , John Mertz & Friends Sax, Guitar &Vocals (blues & smooth jazz) All schedules must be received by the 23rd of each month. (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Get calendar updates @ www.omahablues.com Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal AND Kris Lager Band! (9:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) PAGE 10 BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA

Blues in January & February Mon Feb 01 Thu Feb 11 Michael Walker (Big Band /American Song Book) (7:30 am) (The Omaha Kelley Hunt (6:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Lounge) Fri Feb 12 Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band (6:30 pm) (Ozone) Swampboy Acoustic Trio (6:00 pm) (Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen) Zoo Bar House Band (7:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) John Mertz, Terry Parker, and Thomas Wells (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Wed Feb 03 Sat Feb 13 Matthew Amandus & Friends Piano & Guitar or Sax combo (7:30 am) (The Ed Archibald , John Mertz & Friends Sax, Guitar &Vocals (blues & smooth jazz) Omaha Lounge) (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Big Head Todd and the Monsters (7:30 pm) (Whiskey Roadhouse) Swampboy Blues Jam (8:00 pm) (Black Eye Dive) Mon Feb 15 Michael Walker (Big Band /American Song Book) (7:30 am) (The Omaha Thu Feb 04 Lounge) Nick Schnebelen Band (6:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band (6:30 pm) (Ozone) Fri Feb 05 Zoo Bar House Band (7:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) John Mertz, Terry Parker, and Thomas Wells (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Wed Feb 17 Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal (9:00 pm) (The Harney Street Tavern) Matthew Amandus & Friends Piano & Guitar or Sax combo (7:30 am) (The Sat Feb 06 Omaha Lounge) Dax’s Band (8:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Swampboy Blues Jam (8:00 pm) (Black Eye Dive) Ed Archibald , John Mertz & Friends Sax, Guitar &Vocals (blues & smooth jazz) Thu Feb 18 (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Studebaker John and the Hawks (6:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal (9:00 pm) (The Corner Bar) Swampboy Blues Band (9:00 pm) (Havana Garage) Fri Feb 19 John Mertz, Terry Parker, and Thomas Wells (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Mon Feb 08 Michael Walker (Big Band /American Song Book) (7:30 am) (The Omaha Sat Feb 20 Lounge) Swampboy Acoustic Trio (6:00 pm) (Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen) Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band (6:30 pm) (Ozone) Ed Archibald , John Mertz & Friends Sax, Guitar &Vocals (blues & smooth jazz) Zoo Bar House Band (7:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Tue Feb 09 Mon Feb 22 Swampboy Acoustic Trio (6:00 pm) (Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen) Michael Walker (Big Band /American Song Book) (7:30 am) (The Omaha Swampboy Blues Band (9:00 pm) (Havana Garage) Lounge) Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band (6:30 pm) (Ozone) Wed Feb 10 Zoo Bar House Band (7:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) Matthew Amandus & Friends Piano & Guitar or Sax combo (7:30 am) (The Omaha Lounge) Wed Feb 24 Swampboy Blues Jam (8:00 pm) (Black Eye Dive) Matthew Amandus & Friends Piano & Guitar or Sax combo (7:30 am) (The Omaha Lounge) Swampboy Blues Jam (8:00 pm) (Black Eye Dive) Thu Feb 25 Randy McAllister (6:00 pm) (The 21st Saloon) Tim Koehn Solo (6:00 pm) (Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen) Fri Feb 26 John Mertz, Terry Parker, and Thomas Wells (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Sat Feb 27 Ed Archibald , John Mertz & Friends Sax, Guitar &Vocals (blues & smooth jazz) (8:00 pm) (The Omaha Lounge) Swampboy Blues Band (9:00 pm) (Lightning Bowl) Mon Feb 29 Michael Walker (Big Band /American Song Book) (7:30 am) (The Omaha Lounge) Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band (6:30 pm) (Ozone) FIRST TUESDAY JAM Zoo Bar House Band (7:00 pm) (Zoo Bar) With Da Crabby Blues Band featuring Bucky McCann 7:00PM-10:00PM Tuesday, January 5th from 6 to 9 pm Shucks, 119th and Pacific, Omaha THE ZOO BAR HOUSE All proceeds to benefit QLI BAND • $300 BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA PAGE 11 New Year’s Eve at the 21st Saloon MORELAND & ARBUCKLE Thursday, Dec. 31st @ 9 pm • $15 “Deeply satisfying...gritty soul and blues with garage my knowledge, there isn’t a single independent label on overtones and fire-and-brimstone vocals” the planet who has been as successful for 45 years. That --Living Blues speaks volumes. One of our biggest influences ever, Hound Alligator Records is pleased to announce the signing of Dog Taylor, was the very first Alligator artist. One of the roots rock/blues band Moreland & Arbuckle. The self-de- reasons we have the non-traditional lineup of no bass play- scribed “roots and blues from the heartland” group (guitarist er was inspired by listening to Hound Dog’s music as we Aaron Moreland, harpist/vocalist Dustin Arbuckle and drum- were coming up.” mer Kendall Newby) will release their as yet untitled label According to Alligator president , signing Mo- debut – produced by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, The Sword) reland & Arbuckle to the label known for its Genuine Hou- – in Spring, 2016. Accord- serockin’ Music was an ing to Moreland, “The new easy choice. “I’ve watched album is consciously more this band grow from tal- traditional than our last ented interpreters of raw, two, but still has the sig- traditional blues into cre- nature grit and power that ators of fresh, original we have crafted the past roots-based songs. Live, 13 years. We achieved that the energy just pours out beautifully.” of them.” Since first joining forces in Upon first meeting at an Wichita, Kansas in 2001, open-mic jam in Wichita, Moreland & Arbuckle have Moreland and Arbuckle created an impressive made an immediate blues body of work, releasing connection, and soon six critically acclaimed after began making music albums. With a broad together. They formed The musical vision and a deep Kingsnakes, a four piece sense of history, the band unit, but couldn’t keep a plays smartly written contemporary songs delivered with steady bass player. They soon found they made a better musical muscle and fifth-gear urgency. Relentlessly merging sound without one, as Moreland kept the rhythm thumping raw Delta and Mississippi Hill Country blues, folk, and on his guitar while Arbuckle took the music into overdrive traditional country with energetic rock and soul, Moreland with his harmonica and vocals. The band quickly became & Arbuckle continually take their music in new, unexpected local heroes, filling clubs beyond capacity. It wasn’t long directions. No Depression says, “These guys have kegs full before they started touring larger cities around the country, of talent. Their songs will keep you driving fast and long.” earning new fans with every performance. From the 2005 self-release of their first album, Caney After three self-released albums and countless roof-raising Valley Blues to 2013’s 7 Cities (also produced by Bayles) tour dates, Moreland & Arbuckle signed with Telarc in 2010, on Telarc, Moreland & Arbuckle have grown from a fiery, releasing three more critically acclaimed CDs. They have crowd-pleasing duo to a genre-smashing three-piece band logged hundreds of thousands of road miles (they recent- impossible to categorize but rooted deep in the blues. To- ly replaced their van after driving it over 400,000 miles), gether, Moreland’s rhythmic and propulsive guitar work and performing in the United States, Canada and across Europe. Arbuckle’s emotionally-charged harmonica and edgy vocals In 2008 they spent 10 days in Iraq, playing for the troops. -- supported by Newby’s tough drumming -- create a sound They’ve shared stages with ZZ Top, George Thorogood, that is forceful enough to grab a listener’s attention and Buddy Guy, Robert Cray and Los Lonely Boys. They’ll return nuanced enough to hold it. American Songwriter says the to the road in support of the new album in 2016, with dates group’s music is “swampy, sweaty and muggy....mixing a in the United States and Europe already set. bluesy foundation with bits of country, folk and squawking From the Alligator Records website American rock and roll.” WNYC’s Soundcheck says the band plays “gritty blues with a thoroughly contemporary bite.” THE 21ST SALOON WILL HAVE CHAMPAGNE Moreland says signing with Alligator is a perfect fit. “We are AVAILABLE FOR A TOAST TO THE NEW YEAR. very happy to work with the Alligator team. To the best of PAGE 12 BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA

LOOKING FOR BSO MERCHANDISE COORDINATOR/ASSISTANT BSO is seeking a volunteer to either take over the Merchandise Coordinator position, or, work as an assistant with our current Merchandise Coordinator. JOB DESCRIPTION/DUTIES Merchandise Coordinator-Order and maintain inventory • Stock displays / manage storage / manage event set-ups Coordinate merchandise volunteers for events • Manage receipts and report to Treasurer-Report at BSO meetings Merchandise Assistant-Stock displays / manage storage / manage event set-ups • Coordinate merchandise volunteers for events Manage receipts and report to Merchandise Coordinator If you are interested in volunteering, or, if you have any questions, please contact Jeff Malloy at [email protected] or call 402-536-0739. Training will be provided.

2014 Nebraska Blues Challenge Finalists BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA PAGE 13

The Toy Drive for Pine Ridge fundraiser at the 21st Saloon on Sunday Dec. 6th packed the house. With the contributions from the door, raffle tickets, and the pot luck dinner $1950 and numerous toys were donated to the Toy Drive. The BSO sends a big Thank You to everyone for coming out to support a great cause. Many thanks to the bands for contributing their time and talent for this event. BSO member Paul Gerber won a set of Shemekia Copeland tickets donated to the raffle by Mary Elofson, and BSO member- ship coordinator Sher Dostal won a handmade Fender Telecaster guitar donated to the raffle by Dennis Mixan.

Check out B.J. Huchtemann’s column Hoodoo Blues each week in the Omaha READER for info on upcoming shows and other news in the roots-blues music scene. Look for B.J.’s byline under the Music tab at thereader.com PAGE 14 BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA

BSO BAND DIRECTORY Band Contact Phone # / Email COUNCIL BLUFFS The Packages...... Rick Hillyard...... 712-420-1232 Street Level Band...... Steven Rains...... 402-980-7898 / [email protected] FREMONT Punching Puppets...... Lance Clark...... 402-727-1999 / [email protected] HASTINGS Peace Hogs...... Rich Mattison...... 402-469-5818 / [email protected] Smokey B. and the XYZ’s...... Byron Starr...... 402- 462-5879 KEARNEY Kate Fly...... 308-627-3021 / [email protected] LINCOLN Blues Messengers...... Jake Wiese...... 402-601-4959 Church House Blues Band...... Danny Dakan...... 402-890-2533 / [email protected] The Dust Jackets...... Travis Koester...... 402 560 8415 / www.dustjackets.com Jared’s GoodTime BluesParty...... Jared Alberico...... 402-474-2473 John Walker and the New Hokum Boys...... John Walker...... 402-466-7254 Josh Hoyer & the Soul Colossal...... Josh Hoyer...... 402-416-3846 / [email protected] Jr. Stephens Blues Project...... Lary Lehman...... 1-800-422-1340 Levi William...... Levi William 402-310-2681, Cindy Patton 402-850-8549 / [email protected] The Mezcal Brothers...... Gerado Meza...... 402-438-5120 The Tijuana Gigolos...... Marty Steinhousen...... 402-742-5892 Tim Budig Band...... 503-719-3969 / [email protected] Upstairs Blues Band...... Caleb Long...... 402-430-1792 OMAHA 112 North Duck...... Michelle...... 402-210-9378 / [email protected] Back Alley Blues...... Craig A. Hassa...... 402-594-9147 Backer’s Blues...... Jeff Kangas...... 402-650-8580 Banjo Loco...... Blind Burrito...... 402-850-0245 Blue House with the Rent to Own Horns...... Joe Putjenter...... 402- 658-2222 / [email protected] The Blues Explosion...... Dave Skinner...... 402-330-7366 BluesEd...... Chris Shouse...... [email protected] / 402-578-3133 Brad Cordle Band...... Brad Cordle...... 702-533-2427 / [email protected] Chuck Brown and the Basement Devils...... Chuck Brown...... 402-610-1522 Dilemma...... Chris Shouse...... [email protected] / 402-578-3133 Drew Jude and the Cool Tones...... Drew Jude...... 402-714-1244 Elwin James and the Way Outs...... Patrick Peters...... 402-292-6435 / [email protected] George Walker...... George Walker...... 402-871-1469 Hector Anchondo Band...... Hector Anchondo...... 402-215-3956 / [email protected] John Crews Blues...... John Crews...... 402-714-7634 Johnny Reef & the Shipwrecks...... Tommy Kriegshauser...... 402-517-8248 / [email protected] Jorge Nila and the Jazz Ninjas...... Jorge Nila...... 402-932-JAZZ The Kris Lager Band...... Kris Lager...... 402-304-7269 Life of Riley...... Rebecca Packard...... 402-699-0958 / [email protected] Little Joe and Big Trouble...... Little Joe McCarthy...... 402-680-2924 / [email protected] Lou De Luca & the R & M Blues Band...... Lou De Luca...... 402-677-7156 / [email protected] Luther James Band...... L.J. Johnson...... 402-213-5234 / [email protected] The Matt Gagne Blues Experience...... Matt Gagne...... 402-212-0694 / [email protected] The Mighty Sapphire Kings...... Bill Ferleman...... 402-658-1785 Mojo Bag...... Barb Fisher...... 402-968-1127 Neptunes...... John Hartley...... 402-995-2926 or 402-391-4762 The Omaha Blues Society All-Stars...... Craig Balderston...... 402-208-1068 / [email protected] Paul Scott Hoagbin Blues Band...... Paul Scott Hoagbin...... 402-689-1183 / [email protected] The Rex Granite Band...... Kevin Loomis...... 402-306-9342 / rexgranite@cox,net Rhythm Collective Reggae...... Frank Fong...... 402-556-3568 Rich Patton Blues and more...... Rich Patton...... 402- 841-1110 / [email protected] Rich Mattison and the Peace Hogs...... Rich Mattison...... 402-469-5818 Sailing In Soup...... Gunnar Guenette...... 402 599-9255 Soulfinger...... Barry Clark...... [email protected] Spike Nelson Trio...... Mike Nelson...... 402-612-1250 Stephen Monroe...... Stephen Monroe...... 402-699-5905 Steve Lovett Blues Band AND Steve Lovett-Solo Acoustic Blues...... Steve Lovett...... 402-660-7146 / [email protected] The Stimulus Packages...... Rick Hillyard...... 712-420 1232 Sue Murray / The WILDFIRE Band...... Sue Murray...... 402-533-4791 / [email protected] Susan Thorne Group...... Susan Thorne...... 402 968-4991 Swampboy...... Tim Koehn...... 402-830-0021 / [email protected] Thrift Shop Radio...... K.C. Kelley...... 319-431-3508 Vintage...... Charlie Ames...... 816-678-8360 / [email protected] BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA PAGE 15 The Bel Airs with The Electric Church Saturday, Jan. 16th @ 6 pm • $5.00 • BelAirs @ 6 pm, Electric Church @ 9:30 pm 21st Saloon, 96th & L Street, Omaha, NE (1999) was recorded in St. Louis and among the guest mu- sicians featured is late-great pianist Johnnie Johnson, who emerged from Chuck Berry’s shadow during the 1990’s and often joined the Bel Airs on stage at St. Louis’ legendary Off Broadway. Their most recent recording effort is GOT LOVE on High- tone Records. Recorded at The Studio with Lou Whitney in Springfield, GOT LOVE features the intensity of the live shows that loyal fans know and love, with guests Jimmy Carpenter on horn and Joe Terry on hammond organ adding depth and polish in just the right places. Now based in Columbia, Missouri, the Bel Airs are easily one of the hardest working and most entertaining blues bands in the country. These veterans have delivered some of the “One of the best undiscovered musical treasures in the hottest dates at legendary clubs, many of which the Bel Airs country.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch have outlasted, like JB Huttos and Roger Nabor’s late great “The BelAirs deliver killer dance grooves, seamless Grand Emporium, and they continue to win over audiences medleys, and a contagious, unpretentious party spirit.” from Southern California to the DC Metro area and all parts Twin Cities Reader in between. They are perennial favorites in the US and Brit- ish Virgin Islands and recently began building a following “A knockout blend of excellent musicianship, solid vo- in Europe with performances in France, Corsica, Belgium cals and pure showmanship whenever the BelAirs take and the UK. Their musical approach and superbly crafted the stage.” Kansas City Times showmanship make for a more than memorable concert Fronted by brothers Dick and Dave Pruitt on bass and electric wherever they appear. guitars, with Michael Cherry on drums, the Bel Airs play a From the Bel Airs artist website danceable mix with an authentic but eclectic bluesy-coun- try-soul-and-rock-n-roll sound influenced by the likes of Wilson Picket, Slim Harpo, Howlin’ Wolf and Johnny Cash. ELECTRIC CHURCH The Pruitt brothers’ harmony vocal style sets them apart We are The Electric in the contemporary music scene--leading one reviewer Church. We have all to refer to them as the “Everly Brothers of Blues”. David’s performed in different “big guitar” and Dick’s howling vocals over soulful, right-on bands with varying rhythm playing make this trio a powerhouse. influences and have Formed in 1981, the original incarnation of the Bel Airs in- taken these experienc- cluded the Pruitt brothers, harp player Michael Henderson es to create The Elec- and drummer Pat O’Connor. In those days, rumor has it that tric Church, a unique in addition to playing guitar behind his head, little David sound that everyone Pruitt occasionally rode on Henderson’s shoulders at the can enjoy. Our group of end of an especially raucous set. BluesEd Alumni consist of Elliott Torrez, Ben Curran, Alex Wattenhoffer, Nick Stepanek, and Kevin Fries. Back in the days of vinyl, the original four members of the band released the Bel Airs’ first recording NEED ME A CAR Elliott Torrez’s eclectic and creative guitar work combined on Blind Pig Records in 1984. Later, Henderson moved to with his powerful vocals embody his entertaining presence. Nashville and played with the Snakes and toured with Mark Meanwhile, Ben Curran’s expressive melodies enhance Knopfler. the atmosphere of our band. Alex Wattenhoffer’s musical knowledge adds a fundamental layer to our sound. While, In 1991, the Bel Airs released DANGEROUS CURVES, record- Nick (The Duke) Stepanek’s rock solid grooves together with ed at Lou Whitney’s studio in Springfield, Missouri, as a trio. Kevin Fries’ rhythmic prowess simultaneously create the Later that year, when David moved temporarily to southern foundation for the band. California, drummer Pat O’Connor left for Nashville as well, and in 1995, brothers Dick and David recruited Indianapolis Despite our young age, we have vast experience in perform- native Michael Cherry, a veteran of the Paladins and the ing. We will continue to progress and evolve as we strive James Harman Band, to return to the midwest to take the to become a prominent force that will play for numerous helm of the rhythm section. The association has proven to audiences across the nation for years to come. be a fruitful one. The current line-up has been together over From the Electric Church Facebook page ten years, and has released two recordings. HOODOO PARTY PAGE 16 BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA

Matt Woods • Rob Lumbard • Tina & Brandon Findlay Sweet Tea • Hector Anchondo • Jason Vivone Scotty & the Wingtips • The Soul Searchers Buttercow Blues Band • Candye Kane • The Blue Band Danielle Nicole Band • Chris O’Leary Band Schedule will be posted when finalized TICKETS FRIDAY ONLY $20 • FRIDAY ONLY + BUFFET (CIBS members) $45 SATURDAY ONLY $25 • FRIDAY & SATURDAY $40 (save $5) FRIDAY + BUFFET & SATURDAY (CIBS members) $65 (save $5) BUFFET ONLY (IBHOF members w/VIP pass) $25

Please note: Children 12 and under free if accompanied by an adult. Two-day tickets and Buffet tickets are only available for purchase in advance. Admission at the door is $20 Friday and $25 Saturday. Buffet ticket purchase is restricted to CIBS and IBHOF members and the invited guests of inductees and must be purchased by Friday, Feb- ruary 5, 2016. CIBS membership can also be purchased at the CIBS website. Advance ticket sales will end at 5 pm on Thursday, February 11, 2016. Advance tickets will be available for pickup at the Will Call table beginning at 5:30 pm on Friday (3rd floor in front of Des Moines room) or at 4 pm on Saturday (2nd floor near Salon D). Please bring a copy of your receipt, paper printout or digital copy on your phone, or be prepared to show a photo ID. If you are purchasing tickets as a gift, please list the name of the authorized recipient in the comments section when placing your order. Advance tickets are only refundable in the case of event cancellation. HOTEL ROOMS Special group rates at the Downtown Marriott for this event are just $115 per night. To make room reservations call 1-800-514-4681 or book them online athttp://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dsmia-des-moines-marriott-down- town/. Be sure to tell them you are coming for the Winter Blues Fest

The Blues Society of Omaha is always a big supporter of this event, with enough members going to occupy 3 or 4 floors of the Hotel. It is the Central Iowa Blues Society’s yearly fundraiser, and also the best party in town!! Hard to beat 13 bands for $25 and discounted rooms for the event. The Marriott is a 1000 room Hotel, and sells out every year for this event. BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA PAGE 17 Biscuit Miller and the Mix Thursday, Jan. 28th @ 6 pm • $10 • 21st Saloon, 96th & L Street, Omaha, NE

“Bounding Energy and Funk....Loaded with Charisma!” the bands Biscuit frequently sat in with was the up and -Southwest Blues Magazine coming Anthony Gomes Band. During one of those sessions, “Miller has one of the best smiles in the blues.” he was asked to join the band full time and he decided to -Big City Blues Magazine take Anthony up on his offer. During the five years with the Anthony Gomes Band, they released five CD’s, Unity, Sweet Born and raised on the Stringin’ Soul, Long Way Home, Music is the Medicine, and south side of Chicago by his the latest, Live at the Triple Door. Grandmother; he was giv- en his childhood nickname, A heavy touring schedule of over 250 gigs a year in the US Biscuit, after always being and abroad, led to a dedicated fan base, not only for the in the kitchen and under- Anthony Gomes Band, but also for Biscuit’s fun and funky foot while she was trying to style of bass playing and his great rapport with his many cook. Growing up at Grand- fans and friends around the world. Biscuit Miller and The ma’s house also gave Biscuit Mix are once again on the road with his new CD “BLUES his love and appreciation for WITH A SMILE” and ready to bring a smorgasbord of fun to music, as gospel and soul your party. were played in the home on On May 10, 2012, Biscuit won the for a regular basis. “Instrumentalist-Bass”! While visiting his friend Dat- What’s better than a bowlful of Soulful, Funky Blues stew? rick’s house one afternoon, A pipin’ hot Biscuit, of course! Biscuit spotted a four string From the Biscuit Miller artist website electric bass sitting in a corner collecting dust and decided to check it out. The bass belonged to Datrick’s older brother, Darnell, who taught him a couple of songs and Biscuit took to it like a fish in water. “It was easy to play and I fell in love CD Review with it immediately.” So at the tender age of eleven years old, Biscuit Miller was born into the “Blues”. It didn’t take long till he formed his first band, Clever, with Ivan Wal- Charlie Musselwhite lace, his childhood friend and they moved to Minneapolis I Ain’t Lyin’ in 1982. Soon after, a mutual friend, Joe Rowe introduced Henrietta Records Biscuit to Sonny Rogers who taught him a lot about play- ing basic blues. During his time with Rogers, they recorded Charlie Musselwhite is a living legend “They Call Me the Cat Daddy”, which won Rogers a Handy in the blues. He has been recording Award for Best New Artist. Unfortunately, Sonny passed and touring for over 50 years. He has away before he was able to accept the award. Biscuit then won the Blues Music Award for best went on to play with other respected blues artists such as, harmonica player an unbelievable 25 Mojo Buford (formerly with Muddy Waters) and Lady Blue times! This cd demonstrates that he is (backup vocalist for Ike and Tina Turner). only getting better after all these years. One day, Biscuit received a phone call requesting him to This is a live recording that was made come back home to sub for Chicago’s own legendary Lonnie at two different venues with the majority penned by Mus- Brooks who needed a bass player for one night. That one selwhite. It is recorded so well that it is difficult to recognize night lasted for over ten years as Biscuit became the per- that this is a live cd. manent bass player for the Lonnie Brooks Band. “The years My Kinda Gal is a great cut that has an extended harp intro I spent with Lonnie were invaluable to me as a musician. done expertly by Musselwhite. It has a bit of a train song I learned so much about the music business and being on feel that is very appealing. The great jazz instrumental, the road – we played some incredible gigs such as Presi- Cristo Redentor, that Charlie is well known for, is included. dent Clinton’s inauguration and I met and performed with It wouldn’t be a Charlie Musselwhite concert without it. many of my own idols while traveling with Lonnie and the This is another outstanding cd in a long line of them from band. During the winter months, we didn’t tour as much, so Musselwhite. With his usual wonderful backup band, Mus- I spent time sitting in with various musicians and in 2000 I selwhite displays that he is the standard for Chicago blues formed Biscuit and the Mix to fill up some of the down-time”. music. During this time, he recorded a CD “Come Together”. One of --A. J. Foyt PAGE 18 BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA

2016 International Blues Challenge Send Off Party for HECTOR ANCHONDO BAND special guest GINA SICILIA Thursday, Jan. 21st @ 6 pm • $10 • 21st Saloon, 96th & L Street, Omaha, NE acoustic rock album, Somewhere in Middle America, and followed up with 2004’s The Audience is Waiting and an EP, 2006’s North of the Border. After years of touring and living on Ramen Noodles, Kings of Nowhere was re- leased in 2008. At the time, Anchondo had gained sig- nificant amounts of traction and even without promotion, would sell out shows. However, once the economy crashed, people suddenly stopped going to shows so around 2010, Anchondo made the brave decision to take the solo route. Only this time, his focus was on the blues, which didn’t happen by accident. Friend Tim Convy and owner of the St. Louis-based label, Red Bird Records, contacted Anchon- do about recording a blues album. He jumped at the op- Come out and catch the Hector Anchondo band as they portunity. In 2012, he released the Kickin’ Up Dust EP and head to the 2016 International Blues Challenge in Mem- hasn’t looked back. Sharing the stage with notable artists phis for the second time. In 2015 the band advanced to such as Mato Nanji of Indigenous, Magic Slim, Royal South- the semi-finals, and as the winner of the 2015 Nebras- ern Brotherhood, Hamilton Loomis, and Coco Montoya, and ka Blues Challenge will be representing Nebraska again getting private guitar lessons from James Brown’s guitarist this year. Damen Wood, gave Anchondo the confidence to pursue his dream. He’s currently writing material for his next album. His slide guitar is impeccable and voice, well for a With shows booked until the end of the year, Anchondo 30-something, it’s mature for a blues singer is on his way to becoming an established blues vet, and it –Kyle Eustice of The Reader won’t be long before he’s up there with his heroes. Omaha’s Hector Anchondo plays the guitar like a boss. “I’ve been actively working on guitar to get to the point –Kevin Krauskopf of Saint Joseph News Press where I could hang with Jimi or Stevie,” he says. “I want to Hector Anchondo doesn’t just play the blues — he lives and be able to take the stage with any guitar great and be able breathes the blues. At 16-years-old, the budding musician to hold my own. It’s things like that that keep me pushing picked up his first guitar and never looked back. He be- to play better, faster and with style. I knew at a young age gan an instant love affair with the instrument, especially that I loved everything about music and I want to do it pro- Fenders. Born in Omaha, but raised seven miles outside of fessionally for the rest of my life.” Salem, Missouri, Anchondo was able to take advantage of From the Hector Anchondo Band website the tranquil farm life and learn guitar at a steady pace. He was drawn to those artists who played Fender Stratocasters like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton, but also respected the country greats such as Johnny Cash and GINA SICILIA Hank Williams Sr. As he got older, his propensity for mu- “...impressive range and depth ...she’s going to get even sic only intensified. After playing countless shows at family better with age.” gatherings and hole-in-the-wall dive bars, Anchondo made –Philadelphia Inquirer the move back to Omaha, Nebraska in 2000. His first offi- cial recording, Rookies of the Year, was with his first band, “Not since Susan Tedeschi has a young female blues Anchondo, and featured more energetic, Latin-influenced singer made such a strong impression...remarkable grooves. Recorded by the infamous A.J. Mogis of Presto! voice” Studios (and later Saddle Creek Records), the album funded –Blues Revue any touring for the next few years. With a home base in “Gina Sicilia’s voice possesses Omaha, it made traveling much easier. such depth and breadth that she “At the time there was really huge radio support, area wide may indeed one day be mentioned album distribution, and a huge local music support that alongside the giants in the blues I’ve never come across in any other city I’ve ever traveled idiom.” to,” Anchondo recalls. “Omaha is still a great city to get –Music City Blues your legs, but 10 years ago it was unmatched. Omaha has To be sure, Philadelphia-based played a huge roll in propelling me forward and I owe a lot vocalist and songwriter Gina Si- to this city.” cilia has come a long way in a In 2002, Anchondo and cousin George Keele released an relatively short time in the blues BLUES NEWS • BLUES SOCIETY OF OMAHA PAGE 19 world. This is not to say that she’s some new up-and- released in 2007, the critical reaction was positive. She was comer, either, as this woman in her mid-twenties has been talked about as an important new voice in the blues with a actively singing the blues and writing her own songs since maturity far beyond her years, evident in her choice of cov- she was an adolescent. ers, where she interpreted oft-overlooked rhythm & blues Exposed to blues and roots music by her parents, Sicil- classics. In the spring of 2008, her album was nominated ia began writing her own songs as a 12-year-old. By the for “Best New Artist Debut” at the W.C. Handy/Blues Music time she was 16, she would have some of the songs that Awards in Memphis. would be included on her debut album. She graduated in Blues Revue magazine said of Sicilia’s 2007 debut, “Not 2007 from Temple University in Philadelphia with a degree since Susan Tedeschi has a young female blues singer made in journalism. It was during her sophomore year in college such a strong impression….a remarkable voice.” Coupled that she began attending the weekly blues jams at Warm- with good management and a good booking agency, Sicil- daddy’s in Philadelphia. She cut her teeth there and began ia should be touring the U.S., Canada, and Europe for years to learn and develop as she associated with blues veterans, to come. And given the current paucity of truly good female some of whom would help her record her first few demo blues singers, this would not be a bad thing. discs. When her debut album, Allow Me to Confess, was From www.allmusic.com

The Nick Schnebelen Band Thursday, Feb. 4th @ 6 pm • $10 • 21st Saloon, 96th & L Street, Omaha, NE Nick Schnebelen grew up with riety of guitars such as elec- parents who played music full tric, acoustic, Dobro, cigar box time in the Kansas City Blues guitar, and lap steel to mix up scene. In 1997, he moved to his show. Philadelphia to experience Nick formed the Nick Schne- music on a larger scale and belen Band in early 2015, started his own band. K-Floor with Nick on guitar and vo- quickly became one of Philly’s cals, Heather Newman on favorite early 2000’s Blues/ guitar and vocals, Joe Voye Jam bands known for their on Drums, and Cliff Moore on high energy funk/ blues. His Bass. The Nick Schnebelen music thrived with K-Floor band plays a variety of blues for the next five years until he and roots music styles and had an opportunity to get back with two strong front vocal- to his family and roots. ists, NSB hits classic electric In 2004, his siblings, Danielle blues, dirty stomp blues, funk and Kris, left Kansas City and moved up to Philadelphia to and jazz. Nick continues to feature many different types of form the family blues power trio “Trampled Under Foot”. For guitars during his shows to vary tones. Often during the the next year and a half the trio travelled between the two middle of a set, Nick heads behind the kick drum and high cities until they returned to KC and cultivated a large fan hat with a guitar in hand while Heather Newman grabs her base in the Midwest. acoustic guitar for a short rootsy breakdown. In 2008, Trampled Under Foot won the International Blues Heather Newman has been singing all her life and has Competition and Nick won the prestigious Albert King been a force of nature since she was young. When she was Award for “Best Guitarist”. This propelled TUF to begin 11 years old she joined the BluesEd program in Omaha as touring and recording in Los Angeles with Tony Brauna- a singer, where she had amazing opportunities to open for gel. Tony produced two records for TUF, “Wrong Side of the and play with many great national blues artists such as Blues”, and “Badlands”, which debuted #1 on Billboard and Toni Lynn Washington, Sonny Landreth, Anthony Gomes, won “Best Contemporary Blues Album of the Year” at the Corky Segal, Curtis Salgado as well as many others. With Blues Music Awards in 2014. Ending the band on a high the help of the Blues Society of Omaha and BluesEd, she note, Trampled Under Foot decided to stop performing sole- performed at venues such as The Playing with Fire Concert ly as a group and now intends to have a select few reunion Series at Lewis and Clark Landing, The Holland Perform- shows in 2016. ing Arts Center Auditorium as well as Holland’s 1200 Club During his years with TUF, Nick worked up a unique one winter series. Today, she is living in Kansas City and tour- man band performance which allowed for a mellow yet ing with the Nick Schnebelen Band. exciting set change. The simplicity of the kick drum and From the Nick Schnebelen Band website and high hat worked together with just one guitar and helped Heather Newman Music Facebook page to create an old school blues sound. He began to use a va- KELLEY HUNT Thursday, Feb. 11th @ 6 pm • $15 • 21st Saloon 96th & L Street, Omaha, NE Kelley Hunt remains an astonishingly well-kept secret on the blues circuit. She’s a powerful singer with a huge reservoir of blues and R&B muscle and can singe your eyebrows with a ballad or full-tilt boogie. She’s also a rollicking pianist... and a superior songwriter with a knack for going for the musical jugular. Hunt’s latest album, ‘Inspiration’ (88 Records) is a swaggering live slab of smokin’ blues, high-energy swing and boogie-woogie.” -CITY PAGES Twin Cities “One of the best new songwriters in the genre.” -Seattle Times GO GOGREEN!!! GREEN!!! GO GOGREEN!!! GREEN!!!  YES! YES!  YES! YES! I Iwould wouldI likewould like to to receivelike receive to receivemy I Iwould wouldI likewould like to to receivelike receive to receivemy mynewsletter newslettermy newsletter by ONLYemail. ONLY mynewsletter newslettermy newsletter by ONLYemail. ONLY GOviaNo the GREEN!!!needvia BSO the to mailWebsite.BSO me Website. viaNo the needvia BSO the to mailWebsite.BSO me Website. No needaNo newsletter. toneed mail to memail a me a No needaNo newsletter. toneed mail to memail a me a  newsletter.YES!newsletter. DONOR APPLICATION newsletter.newsletter. DONOR APPLICATION I would like to receive DONORDONOR DONOR APPLICATION APPLICATION DONOR DONOR APPLICATION APPLICATION MemberMember my newsletter by email. DonateDonateDonateDonate onlineonline online online at www.omahablues.comat www.omahablues.comat www.omahablues.com DonateDonateDonate online online online at www.omahablues.comat www.omahablues.comat www.omahablues.com No need to mail me a oror mailmailor thisthis mail Application this Application FormForm Formto: to: to: or mailor this mail Application this Application Form Formto: to: newsletter. BluesBlues Blues SocietyBlues Society of Society Omaha, Omaha,of Omaha, of Omaha,Inc. Inc. Inc. Inc. Blues Blues SocietyBlues Society of Society Omaha, of Omaha, of Omaha,Inc. Inc. Inc. P.O. BoxBoxP.O. 241698 Box 241698 P.O. BoxBoxP.O. 241698 Box 241698 Omaha,Omaha, NE 6812468124 NE 68124 Omaha,Omaha, NE 68124 NE 68124 BENEFITSBENEFITS NameNameName ______Name ______NameName ______Name ______AddressAddressAddressAddress ______AddressAddressAddress ______City ______State ___ Zip ______☞ Monthly newsletter CityCity ______City______State State State ______Zip______Zip Zip ______CityCity ______City______State State State ______Zip______Zip Zip ______PhonePhone ______Phone ______Phone ______Phone ______Phone ______Phone ______E-mail E-mail ______E-mail ______☞ Special events, parties E-mail ______E-mail ______E-mail ______E-mail ______ Renewal Renewal  Brand New DonorDonor  Renewal  Brand New Donor ¨ Renewal ¨ Brand New Donor ¨ Renewal ¨ Brand New Donor ☞ 10% off your bill on Mondays at ______General General General Donor Donor Donor ...... $25 .$25 . . $25 ______General General Donor Donor ...... $25 . . . $25 ______• GeneralMonthly Donor Newsletter . . .– .Blues . . . .Notes ...... $25 ______General Donor ...... $25 • Monthly• Monthly Newsletter Newsletter – Blue –Notes Blue Notes • Monthly• Monthly Newsletter Newsletter – Blue –Notes Blue Notes BAILEY’S BREAKFAST & LUNCH, • • Monthly1 Membership Newsletter –Card Blues Notes • Monthly Newsletter – Blues Notes • 1 Membership1 Membership Card Card • 1 Membership1 Membership Card Card • • 1 MembershipPlus• various Card venue specials • 1 Membership• Card 1259 S. 120th Street (next door to • Plus• variousPlus various venue specialsvenue specials • Plus• variousPlus various venue specialsvenue specials ______Family Family Donor Donor ...... $40 $40 ______Family Donor ...... $40 ______FamilyMonthly DonorDonor Newsletter ...... – .. Blues ...... Notes...... $40 $40 ______Family DonorDonor ...... $40 $40 Bronco’s), Omaha, with your current •• Monthly Newsletter – Blue Notes • Monthly Newsletter – Blue Notes • Monthly2 •Membership NewsletterMonthly – CardsNewsletter Blues Notes – Blue Notes • Monthly• NewsletterMonthly – Newsletter Blues Notes – Blue Notes •• 2 Membership Cards • 2 Membership Cards • • 2 MembershipPlus• various2 Membership Cards venue specials Cards • 2 Membership• 2 Membership Cards Cards BSO Donation Card • Plus• variousPlus various venue specialsvenue specials • Plus• variousPlus various venue specialsvenue specials ______Special Special Donor Donor ...... $75 $75 ______Special Donor ...... $75 ______• SpecialMonthly DonorDonor Newsletter ...... –. .. Blues ...... Notes...... $75 $75 ______Special DonorDonor ...... $75 $75 • Monthly Newsletter – Blue Notes • Monthly Newsletter – Blue Notes ☞ Special pre-sale and discounted •• Monthly2 •Membership NewsletterMonthly – CardsNewsletter Blues Notes – Blue Notes •Monthly• NewsletterMonthly – Newsletter Blues Notes – Blue Notes • •• 2 MembershipName2• Membership Listed2 Membership Cards in CardsBlues CardsNotes newsletter • •2 Membership2• Membership2 Membership Cards Cards Cards • • tickets to selected BSO events •• Name PlusName •Listed various ListedName in Blues venue inListed Blues Notes specialsin Notes BluesNewsletter newsletterNotes newsletter •Name Name •Listed ListedName in Blues inListed Blues Notes in Notes BluesNewsletter newsletterNotes newsletter ______Corporate• Plus• Donor variousPlus . various .venue . . . .specialsvenue . . . . specials ...... $125 • Plus• variousPlus various venue specialsvenue specials ______Corporate Corporate Donor DonorDonor ...... $125...... $125 $125 ______Corporate Corporate Donor DonorDonor ...... $125...... $125 $125 …and more • • MonthlyMonthly Newsletter Newsletter – Blues – Blues Notes Notes • Monthly Newsletter – Blues Notes •• 3Monthly •Membership Monthly Newsletter CardsNewsletter – Blue –Notes Blue Notes • Monthly• Monthly Newsletter Newsletter – Blue –Notes Blue Notes • •3 Membership3 Membership Cards Cards • •3 Membership3 Membership Cards Cards • • NameName •Listed Listed3 in Membership Blues in Blues Notes CardsNotes Newsletter newsletter • Name •Listed 3 in Membership Blues Notes Cards Newsletter •• PlusName• various ListedName venue inListed Blues specialsin NotesBlues newsletterNotes newsletter • Name• ListedName inListed Blues in NotesBlues newsletterNotes newsletter • Plus various venue specials • Plus various venue specials ______Blue Club Blue •Donor ClubPlus Donor .various . . . . .venue ...... specials ...... $250. . . . $250 ______Blue• ClubPlus Donor various .venue . . . . specials...... $250 ______•Blue • MonthlyBlueClubMonthly ClubDonor Newsletter Newsletter Donor . . –. 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Notes ...... $250. . . . $250 • •• 5 Membership5Monthly •Membership Monthly Newsletter Cards CardsNewsletter – Blue –Notes Blue Notes • •5 MembershipMonthly• Monthly Newsletter Cards Newsletter – Blue –Notes Blue Notes • •• Name 15st •Listed MembershipMonth5 in Membership Free Blues BusinessCards Notes Cards Newsletter Card Advertisement • •Name 5 •Listed Membership5 in Membership Blues Cards Notes Cards Newsletter • •• 1 st MonthName1•st Month Free Listed1st BusinessMonthFree in BusinessBlues Free Card BusinessNotes AdvertisementCard newsletter Advertisement Card Advertisement • •1 st Month1•st Month Free1st BusinessMonthFree Business Free Card Business AdvertisementCard Advertisement Card Advertisement •• PlusName• various ListedName venue inListed Blues specialsin NotesBlues newsletterNotes newsletter • Name• ListedName inListed Blues in NotesBlues newsletterNotes newsletter If this donation• isPlus •a gift, variousPlus BSO various venue gladly specialsvenue will specials notify the recipient of your gift. If this donation• isPlus •a gift, variousPlus BSO various venue gladly specialsvenue will specials notify the recipient of your gift. If this donation is a gift, BSO gladly will notify the recipient of your gift. Your name ______Your name ______Your name______Volunteers Volunteers are always are always needed. needed. Check Checkhere if hereyou areif you not are interested not interested. . ______Volunteers Volunteers are always are always needed. needed. Check Checkhere if hereyou areif you not are interested not interested. . YourYour addressaddress ______Your address ______Credit cardsCredit also cards accepted also accepted on line onat www.omahablues.comline at www.omahablues.com or at most or at of most our BSOof our events. BSO events. Credit cardsCredit also cards accepted also accepted on line onat www.omahablues.comline at www.omahablues.com or at most or at of most our BSOof our events. BSO events. YourYour phone # and email:email: ______Your phone # and email: ______Thank Thankyou for you your for generous your generous support support and for and helping for helping us Keep us the Keep Blues the AlliveBlues here Allive in here Nebraska in Nebraska !!! !!! Thank Thankyou for you your for generous your generous support support and for and helping for helping us Keep us the Keep Blues the AlliveBlues here Allive in here Nebraska in Nebraska !!! !!! Credit______cards Volunteersalso accepted are onalways line atneeded. www.omahablues.com Check here if you or are at mostnot interested of our BSO. events. Credit cards also accepted on line at www.omahablues.com or at most of our BSO events. ThankCredit you cards for youralso generousaccepted onsupport line at and www.omahablues.com for helping us Keep the Blues or Aliveat most here of inour Nebraska BSO events. !!! Thank you for your generous support and for helping us Keep the Blues Alive here in Nebraska !!! Thank you for your generous support and for helping us Keep the Blues Alive here in Nebraska !!! Non-ProfitNon-Profit 501(c)(3) 501(c)(3) Corporation Corporation Keepin’ Keepin’ the Blues the Blues Alive! Alive! Non-ProfitNon-Profit 501(c)(3) 501(c)(3) Corporation Corporation Keepin’ Keepin’ the Blues the Blues Alive! Alive! Blues Notes Editorial Staff A Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Corporation Keepin’ the Blues Alive! Editor: Blues Society of Omaha President ...... Mark Grubbs - [email protected] - 402-598-8644 JAY ANDERSON Vice President ...... Glenn Bauer - [email protected] Treasurer...... Kit Kelley - [email protected] [email protected] Assistant Treasurer ...... Ric Cowger - [email protected] Secretary ...... Bonnie Mercer - [email protected] Contributors: Volunteer Coordinators ...... Lisa & Steve Krueger - 402-619-0309 Membership Coordinator...... Sher Dostal - [email protected] A.J. Foyt, Kevin and Chris Shouse, Merchandise Coordinator...... pending Advertising Coordinator...... Dave Heuton - [email protected] Terry Sedivy, Lisa Stillahn Event Coordinator...... Cinda Tully - [email protected] BSO Lincoln Representative..... Moe Jasinski - [email protected] - 402-489-9033