May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society in This Issue

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hi Blues Fans,

May is here and the summer WASHINGTON BLUES SOCIETY is upon us! First up, this Proud Recipient of a 2009 month is the Retapped Brews Keeping the Blues Alive Award & Blues Festival. We have been busy putting the final OFFICERS pieces of the show together President, Tony Frederickson [email protected] and the Friday opening party Vice President, Rick Bowen [email protected] is almost done! You can keep Secretary, Marisue Thomas [email protected] up on all the details at our Treasurer, Ray Kurth [email protected] new Facebook “Retapped Editor, Eric Steiner [email protected] Blues & Brews.” Please go to the page and be sure to Like DIRECTORS and Follow them. Affordable Music Director, Amy Sassenberg [email protected] room packages are available Membership, Chad Creamer [email protected] at the Clover Island Inn. Education, Open [email protected] The Saturday starts with Be Volunteers, Rhea Rolfe [email protected] Tricky followed by Junk Belly Merchandise, Tony Frederickson [email protected] and they are a blues rock Advertising, Open [email protected] powerhouse! Next up is the Jan Harrison Blues Experience and Jan is on the cover of this issue. The fourth act is Polly O’Keary & the THANKS TO THE WASHINGTON BLUES SOCIETY 2017 STREET TEAM Rhythm Method. Our headliner is Big Al & the Heavyweights and Downtown Seattle, Tim & Michelle Burge [email protected] they have a new album and couple of their songs are on Sirius and North Sound, Malcolm Kennedy [email protected] other blues stations. These guys haven’t been here for a while and Northern WA, Lloyd Peterson [email protected] will rock the stage and send everyone home exhausted. Penninsula, Dan Wilson [email protected] Port Angeles Area Alvin Owen [email protected] We’ll have multiple craft beers from Tri-Cities breweries and Central Washington, Stephen J. Lefebvre [email protected] taprooms. With 6oz tasting glasses, you’ll sample many, and then Eastern Washington, Paul Caldwell [email protected] pick your favorite and vote in the Tri-Cities Craft Brew Challenge! The winning brew of the popular vote will pick a local non-profit Ballard, Marcia Jackson [email protected] charity that will receive 50% of the net profits from beer sales. We Lopez Island, Carolyn & Dean Jacobsen [email protected] will feature several Tri-Cities’ favorite food trucks and Retapped will be a first rate weekend to start of the summer festival season. SPECIAL THANKS As I said on Facebook, type in Retapped Blues & Brews. Follow & Webmaster Emeritus, The Sheriff [email protected] Like this new event to keep up with details over the next few weeks. Washington Blues Society Logo, Phil Chesnut [email protected]

This information will be on the Washington Blues Society Events MISSION STATEMENT Facebook page nd on our website (www.wablues.org) on the The Washington Blues Society is a nonprofit organization whose purpose homepage slider and in the calendar! Be sure to get tickets early to is to promote, preserve, and advance the culture and tradition of blues save $5.00 off gate price. Hope to see you there! music as an art form. Annual membership is $25 for individuals, and $35 for couples. The Washington Blues Society is a tax-exempt nonprofit There are volunteer opportunities too, so if you’re interested besure organization and donations are tax-deductible. The to email our volunteer director at [email protected]! Washington Blues Society is affiliated with The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. Thanks and hope to see you all out and about this summer!

WASHINGTON BLUES SOCIETY P.O. BOX 70604 SEATTLE, WA 98127

Tony Frederickson, President Washington Blues Society Board of Directors, Blues Foundation (2015-2017)

2 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society In This Issue...

BLUES RIFFS 2 Letter from the President 3 2019 Blues Society Officers & Directors 4 Contributing Writers & Photographers 5 Letter from the Editor

FEATURE ARTICLES 6 Rocky Allen: The Memory Maker 9 Another Walk Down Lower Broadway 14 Blues on the Road: Pompano Beach 15 Farewell to the Wildflower Wine Shop 27 Congratulations to the Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival!

BLUES REVIEWS & PREVIEWS 7 Preview: Toast & Jam Benefits Moms 11 Music4Life Everett Benefit & Auction 16 CD & Book Reviews 26 Rockin’ Johnny Burgin at Salmon Bay Eagles 26 Festival Preview: Spring Sunbanks 28 Great Music at the May Blues Bash 29 1st Annual Music on Main in Ritzville

29 WASHINGTON BLUES SOCIETY STUFF! This month’s Bluesletter is all over the Evergreen 20 Washington Blues Calendar State! Our cover features Retapped Brews & Blues performer 22 Updated Washington Blues Talent Guide Jan Harrison in Richland, Miranda Kitchpanich’s fond farewell to the Wildflower Wine Shop in North Bend and the 24 Membership Benefits & Membership Form issue includes a preview of the first annual Music on Main 25 Washington Blues Jams & Open Mics event in historic downtown Ritzville. 26 Washington Live Blues Venue Guide 30 2019 Blues Challenge Instructions 31 2019 Blues Challenge Application Form ABOVE: The historic H.E. Gritman Restoration Project in historic downtown Ritzville, spearheaded by Noxon, Montana-based entrepreneur Brenda Owens. Support the first annual Music on Main in Ritzville on Memorial Day weekend. (Photo by Stephen McFadden)

COVER IMAGE: Jan Harrison of the Jan Harrison Blues Experience (Photo by Laree Weaver)

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 3 MAY 2019 BLUESLETTER Volume XXX, Number V

PUBLISHER Washington Blues Society

EDITOR Eric Steiner (editor@ wablues.org)

PRINTER Pacific Publishing Company (www.pacificpublishingcompany.com)

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rick J. Bowen, Tony Frederickson, Malcolm Kennedy, Erika Olsen Amy Sassenberg, Eric Steiner, Little Bill Engelhart, Miranda Kitchpanich

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Blues Boss, Eric Steiner, Stephen McFadden, Laree Weaver, Dave Corry Rocky Allen, JJR Photography, Kalina Cimone, Paul Steiner, Erika Olsen

BLUESLETTER DEADLINES Ad Reservations 5th of the month [email protected] Calendar 10th of the month Submit to www.wablues.org Editorial 5th of the month [email protected] Camera-Ready Ad Art 12th of the month [email protected]

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4 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

The June issue will also include an Irish travelogue from Washington Blues Society bluesman Keith Scott from his week-long tour. Since Hi Bluesletter Readers, he’s “The Blues Fisherman,” we’ll learn about fishing destinations on Welcome to the May Bluesletter! the Emerald Isle, too. Due to the amount of content Until next month, please buy a CD at a local show from a local blues I’ve received for this issue, I’ve band in Seattle, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, at Retapped Blues & Blues temporarily removed our Venue in Richland, Yakima, Spokane or Vancouver (in both Washington Guide from the print edition. Please & British Columbia), visit our website, www.wablues.org, for a more interactive and user- friendly Venue Guide with 340+ listings of venues that offer live blues music. Please also check out our online Blues Calendar. It’s cool! Eric Steiner, Editor Amy Sassenberg’s thoughtful profile of Rocky Allen leads the issue Washington Blues Society Bluesletter followed by another walk down Tacoma’s historic Lower Broadway Member, Board of Directors, The Blues Foundation (2010-2013) from Little Bill. This issue is living proof that we are not “The Seattle Blues Society” as our cover features Retapped Blues & Brews The Washington Blues Society is a proud recipient of a 2009 Keeping performer Jan Harrison and a preview of the first annual Music on the Blues Alive Award from The Blues Foundation Main in downtown Ritzville. Malcolm Kennedy reviews the fourth edition of Steve Cheseborough’s must-have blues guidebook, Blues Traveling, and I bring back the “Blues on the Road” feature regarding a recent trip to Pompano Beach, Florida. Our 2019 International Blues Challenge youth representatives, Miranda Kitchpanich and Nick Mardon (along with Andrew Cloutier and Jesse James), reflect on the final days of the Wildflower Wine Shop in North Bend. This month’s issue includes previews on two important benefit opportunities in May: On the 9th, Music4Life Everett will hold a benefit concert and auction at the historic Everett Theatre and on the 11th, the Salmon Bay Eagles will host a special Mother’s Day event supporting the Chemical Using Pregnant Women’s Program at Swedish Medical Center in Ballard. Next month, I’ll include my review of Bitten by the Blues: The Alligator Records Story that I bought at The Blues Foundation during the International Blues Challenge earlier this year as well as additional reporting on this year’s exciting blues festival season.

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 5 BLUES NEWS

The Memory Maker Making memories with Rocky Allen at the Best of the Blues Awards By Amy Sassenberg County entertainment company, where he expanded to assisting other local bands If a picture is worth a thousand words, with photography and video, including Rocky Allen has said quite a lot, very well. blues acts Karen Lawrence & Blue by In addition to a lifetime of snapping great Nature, White Boy James and the Shari images, the Snohomish-based photographer Puorto Band. Seattle performers continue and musician has been creating the “In to utilize Allen’s skills for their marketing Memoriam” slideshow for the Best of the packages, though he is semi-retired now. Blues Awards since 2013. Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm Method are customers and fans. “Rocky is not only an He can’t quite remember how he got started amazing photographer, he is an amazing doing it, but now that he does, he pays human being. Working with him, we have more attention when he hears of someone’s always felt very comfortable and relaxed, passing. He says he feels a little like a virtual and that’s part of the reason why we always undertaker, in that he spends time learning get such great images from Rocky.” He has about the people who have passed the dozens of different kinds of photography on Sometimes he is called to use a photograph previous year, and then presenting them his website, rockyallenphotography.com. that he took. “The ones who really get to in an honorable way. He says he thinks The last time he played bass professionally me,” he says, “are the people who passed about each individual and the people they was at the 2015 Freedom Fest with Terry unexpectedly.” He also realizes, though, that left behind. He keeps them in mind as he Parker & the Back Alley Cowboys. no matter who it is, death is the great spends the 30 to 40 hours every spring equalizer. “It doesn’t matter how famous putting together the project. Allen works with Washington Blues Society you are or how much money you have, Board members to come up with a list you’re still going to die.” Allen has been contributing to the of recently deceased musicians for the Washington blues community since he slideshow. He then puts some thought into This year’s Best of the Blues Awards arrived here more than a decade ago, as choosing the images and where to place ceremony takes place at the Northwest a bass player and as a photographer. He them. He uses an older program called Music Hall in Everett. Allen is usually there played steel guitar as a kid, but started his Aperture to input the photos and the names. to see it when it goes from the laptop screen music career in earnest in his late 30s when The presentation is usually a combination to the big screen. Backed by live musicians, his children were grown. As a founder of of blues-inspired national and international it’s often experienced as the most powerful the West Coast blues group, The RoadDogz, performers, blended with local musicians and memorable few moments of the show. Allen used his photography skills in service and Northwest friends of the community Asked how he feels seeing the finished to the band’s marketing and website as they recently lost. “I try to look at it from the product at the theater, he hesitates. transitioned to Seattle from their California perspective, especially with local people, “Honestly…I’m sitting on the edge hoping base. In a cooperative effort between him that this is somebody that we know, that it all goes down without any problems,” and his then-girlfriend, they organized a somebody loved.” he says, and then turns thoughtful. “I’m group of friends and models called The certainly communicating something.” RoadBabes, who followed the band. He The exercise inevitably brings up thoughts honed his portrait skills doing photo of his own mortality. Allen has had his While not playing or speaking, through the shoots that would potentially benefit the share of challenges to his health in recent images and how they’re presented, it’s worth band and the women’s portfolios. “When years. Hospitalized and near death at least more than words to many in attendance. I learned what a website was and that the twice in the last three years, the good- Allen helps us remember how important it entire world could see it, that’s when my natured 65-year-old wonders aloud, with is: these people, this music, this life. marketing instincts kicked in,” he says. “The a laugh, who will be putting this together RoadBabes were responsible for a great deal when he’s no longer here to do it. “Probably Above: Rocky Allen of our publicity.” most of them didn’t know they were going Facing Page Upper: Dave McCabe to die that year,” he shrugs. Facing Page Lower: Michael Kahler He also worked briefly for an Orange (Photos on Page 7 by Rocky Allen)

6 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 7 Benefit Preview: Toast & Jam to Give Moms a Hand Mother’s Day Music Event Supporting Expecting Mothers at the Salmon Bay Eagles The Salmon Bay Eagles Aerie #2141 is CUPW cares for women in any stage of To get FREE parking, just park on the 4th excited to partner with the Swedish Medical pregnancy using any substance; drug and 5th floors of the Swedish Medical Center Foundation to host its first Mother’s or alcohol. The clinical staff specializes garage on Tallman Ave and present your Day music benefit that will raise funds in women’s issues and substance abuse parking ticket to the doorman. The first to help expecting mothers at Swedish in treatment and offers individual and group 100 guests will receive a validated ticket Ballard. therapy on a daily basis. This program provided by Swedish to exit the garage. has been serving pregnant women in the Toast & Jam will be held on May 11th from northwest for more than 25 years. It’s an Get your spot early. Come early for dinner 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Salmon Bay important cause that not only helps the and talk to representatives of CUPW. Then Eagles in Ballard. mother who wants to get healthy, but settle in and enjoy some great jams with benefits the child as well. family and friends. It’s an all-ages show that’s You’ll not only enjoy a wonderful night open to members and all ticket holders. of live music consisting of blues, rock, Your donation: Purchase your $20 and classics, but you’ll be supporting the advanced or $25 at-the-door tickets at Ticket prices include a donation to Swedish treatment of mothers and their babies. the club with a check or credit card. Medical Women’s Health Programs, two- Ticket purchases include a $1O donation week trial Salmon Bay Eagles membership, About the charity: For each ticket to CUPW plus a 2-week temporary and free parking validation. Additional purchased, about 50% of the proceeds goes membership to the Salmon Bay Eagles and donated funds encouraged. Credit cards towards the Chemically Using Pregnant free event parking at the Swedish Medical accepted. Women’s Program at Swedish Ballard Center Ballard parking garage. Additional (CUPW). donations are encouraged and welcomed.

8 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society NEWS & REVIEWS Another Walk Down Lower Broadway Featuring Felix, The Congo Cafe, Joe Johansen, Blind Pitts, Leana, the cops & a Paddy Wagon By Little Bill Engelhart (Photo by Blues Boss: Happy 80th Birthday at The Triple Door in Seattle)

As time went on, Joe Johansen and I were doing our best to live the life of the real pa- trons on Tacoma’s historic Lower Broadway. I actually had my hair processed. It all happened at Felix’s barber shop, the pool hall. I told him what I wanted done. He never asked why. He just asked me to get on the chair. Since he put a towel over my face I couldn’t see what was going on, but It was very clear that there was more than Felix working on my hair and they were having a great time. When it was over I looked like a white boy whose hair was dead. It just kind of just laid there.

I started wearing a cap.

Blind Pitts was one of the more popular at- tractions on the street. Always dressed to the max and sitting in front of the Congo cafe in a Cadillac. Story was he had been a big time pimp for several years right up un- I turned to get my money and there is a guy Well this smart aleck smiles and says, “my til his wife threw acid in his eyes for sleep- robbing me. money wasn’t stolen.” ing with one of his ladies. One of his ladies was Leana. She held court in a second floor I tell him: “Give me my bread.” The up side to all of this, they gave us a ride room above the Congo Cafe. She had a boy- in the Paddy Wagon back to our hotel. The friend who was a real deal gangster. Leana He gives me the finger. down side was the father of the girl I was and I were just hanging out together for dating was just coming to work and saw Joe laughs. That all stopped when I heard that Now check this. Joe and I are the only white and I getting out of the Paddy Wagon. he was getting out of the jail and WANTED guys in the place. What do I? I CALL THE TO TALK TO ME! COPS! End of story.

I’m thinking he is gonna kick my ass, shoot The Paddy Wagon pulls up, they come in Above (Left to Right): me or God only knows what. As it turned and ask me what happened. I lay it all out. Patti Allen, Rod Cook, Chris Leighton, Little Bill and out, he wanted to thank me for looking out They take Joe, me and the thief to the police Billy Stapleton at Seattle’s Triple Door Celebrating for his woman. station. There is another drunk guy in the Little Bill’s 80th Birthday. wagon. The dude who stole my money takes (Photo by Blues Boss) One evening Joe and I were eating in the the drunk guy’s watch. Once we get to the Congo. The waitress brought us our food station, I am taken to talk with the head cop. and I paid her. It gets better. She brought me My money is on his desk. He wants to know my change. if I have the serial numbers on my money. I ask him about the numbers on his money. for your Washington Blues Society Membership Perks! see page 24

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 9 10 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society Preview: Music4Life Everett Benefit Concert & Auction

Cody Beebe and the Crooks, Kara Hesse and Jaleigh Ann & The Lost Boys

Music4life Everett present a benefit concert can learn to play in school band and and auction to help the all-volunteer group & auction at the Historic Everett Theatre orchestra. achieve their 2019 goal of doubling those on Thursday, May 9, 7: 00.PM. The evening numbers and help as many kids as possible. features Cody Beebe and the Crooks, Kara To keep the instruments flowing into Hesse and Jayleigh Ann & The Lost Boys. Everett Public Schools, Music4Life Everett If you cannot attend, you still can help is holding a benefit concert and auction on by designating your donation for Everett The Western Washington mayors of May 9, 2019 at the Historic Everett Theater Public Schools at www.music4life.org Auburn, Kent Des Moines, Edmonds and on Colby Avenue at 7pm. Everett, along with the King and Snohomish County Executives, have officially declared The concert and auction features local May as Music4life Month. Americana recording artists Cody Beebe & The Crooks, Kara Hess, and a trio of high The Seattle based non-profit Music4Life school musicians Jayleigh Ann & The Lost provides ready-to-play musical instruments Boys will open the night. to students K-12 in need in six school districts in our region. To date, Music4life Everett has raised over $20,000 and provided over 300 instruments Through contributions and donatedfor Everett Public Schools. instruments, children who would never experience the joy of instrumental music Please consider attending the benefit show

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 11 12 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 13 Blues on the Road: Pompano Beach, Florida Notes from a recent visit to Florida - home to nine blues societies! Story and Photos by Eric Steiner Last December, I vacationed in Florida. I had never been to Pompano Beach before and it was an opportunity to enjoy some sun amidst the typical grey winters of the Pacific Northwest. I had joined the South Florida Blues Society to enter their 2018 cruise raffle and reconnect with president “Blues Bobby” Weinberg. When I accepted the 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award, “Blues Bobby” was there. He adopted our small blues society contingent and it was fun to see him play harp at jams along Beale Street.. I’m pleased that he’s still promoting the blues with the South Florida Blues Society and I think their calendar, and “Blues Bobby’s” Friday blues updates are informative and fun.

One late Thursday night, I went to Rip’s Sports Bar inside Diamond Strike Lanes in Pompano Beach. After I read more about The Blues Crusaders, I learned that they were slated to represent the Southwest Florida Blues Society at the 2019 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. The Blues Crusaders at Rip’s Thursday Night Blues Jam Session in Pompano Beach, Florida in December of 2018 (Photo by Eric Steiner) Florida is home to nine blues societies, including the Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie), Suncoast (Tampa), South Florida (Coral Springs), Orange Blossom (Orlando), North Center (Gainesville), Daytona Beach and the Blues Society of Northwest Florida (Pensacola). I look forward to returning to Florida to support a state with such a thriving blues community statewide.

14 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society A Fond Farewell to the Wildflower Wine Shop Live blues with Miranda Kitchpanich, Jesse James, Andrew Cloutier & Nick Mardon

By Miranda Kitchpanich

It was just a week after ‘SNOWMAGEDDON’ on March 9th at the Wildflower Wine Shop, a popular little restaurant and live music venue in North Bend.

I was booked for my very first headline gig, and needless to say, I was a little anxious and very excited. It was all thanks to Nick for this opportunity!

I had come to the Wildflower Wine Shop one night to see The Nick Mardon Blues Trio with Jesse James on bass as I had done many times before. I love sitting in with them and playing some of the songs that Nick and I did together at the 2019 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Club owner Kimberlea Miller came out to the parking lot as the guys were packing up their gear and loving faces, I began to get impatient to after the gig and offered another date to Nick get started. and his band. We opened with “Damn Right I Got the Out of the blue, Nick smirks at me and tells Blues” (Buddy Guy), and played two 90 to Kim “ Hey, Miranda isn’t doing anything minute sets that included some originals, that night.” plus “Ain’t No Sunshine” (Bill Withers), “Rock and Roll” (Led Zeppelin), “Chain of So, that’s how I got the gig. Kim had seen me Fools” (Aretha Franklin) and so many others on her stage countless times and was pleased that would not have been as successful to hear that Nick and Jesse would be backing without Nick, Jesse, or Andrew. me up as my band for that night. I absolutely love playing with these guys, especially Thanks to these guys, I was able to lay every another amazing musician. It has given me together. Nick brought in Andrew Cloutier, bit of what I had out on that stage that the chance to grow, learn, and adapt as a a beloved local drummer with well-known night. I still can’t get over how full the room working musician myself. I love calling talents. He’s played festivals, the Highway was and how loud that crowd was. I had Nick my “Blues Partner.” We’ve had some 99 Blues Club and has been the drummer invited so many people, at that point I had crazy adventures in our short time working for Left Hand Smoke and Lee Oskar! I was a absolutely no idea who would show up (so together and I hope there is much more to lucky girl with a line-up like that and I knew many of them did!) It really meant the world come! Maybe next time I’ll even have a set it. to me to see so many close friends and family with more original tunes!And, as always, there for my first show as a headliner! thank you so much to the Washington We pulled together a set full of blues and Blues Society for always being such a huge classic rock. So, naturally, I went about For the past few months, I’ve been stepping supportive part in my blues journey. inviting many of my favorite people.As I said in to play bass with Jesse James and the before, the snowstorms had just ravaged the MOB. Top: Andrew Cloutier, Miranda Kitchpanich and region and people were not sure they were Jess James going to make it out to the show. It’s been such a good experience getting out Above: Nick Mardon & Amanda Kitchpanich there and playing with Jesse - it’s given me (Photos by JJR Photography) As the room filled up with so many friendly the opportunity to share the stage with yet

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 15 Blues you can use... CD REVIEWS

Steve Riley & the Mamou music. The six tracks on the EP feature nickname (“Howlin’ Wolf Bass”). It is Playboys two originals and was recorded live at straight up post-war Chicago blues and Voyageurs the Highway 99 Blues Club in 2017. Ed shows Burgin to be a solid blues vocalist (Self-Released) Maloney introduces Brett and Gordon and a top-flight guitarist. Joining Rockin’ and then they go into Mississippi Fred Johnny on this CD is award-winning Steve Riley is the “real deal” in Cajun McDowell’s “Kokomo Blues.” Brett stays producer/guitarist Kid Anderson, Aki music, he is an acknowledged master of the close to the original style; but with Gordon Kumar on blues harp, Bob Welch on guitar Cajun accordion and fiddle. Steve formed he they add distinctive Hill Country and piano, Alabama Mike on vocals, Nancy the Mamou Playboys in 1988 and they elements. Next up is the original “I Got a Wright on sax and June Core on drums. have 14 releases with four being Grammy .45” a dark song with bristling slide guitar, Johnny brings in Steve Wills on accordion nominated in the Best Traditional Folk pulsing drums and crashing cymbals. A and Billy Wilson on rub board for “Kinda Album category, including their previous name that resonates for many folks hearing Wild Woman,” “Please Tell Me” and “Our release Grand Isle. (Steve has another pair the term Northern Mississippi Hill Country Time is Short” giving them all a Louisiana in side project winning a Grammy in 2012 is RL Burnside and RL is represented feel. Alabama Mike takes the vocals for with The Band Courtbouillon.) The 13 well on “Miss Maybelle,” which was on “Smoke and Mirrors” a relationship gone tracks on Voyageurs include four originals 2000 Fat Possum Records CD, Wish I wrong song and “I Did the Best I Could” and three traditional songs with Mamou Was in Heaven Sitting Down. Brett’s take singing “we never argued, and we didn’t Playboy arrangements. The Playboys open is particularly inspired. Brett and Gordon fight/oh; but something went wrong and Voyageurs with “Au revoir Grand Mamou” then open Mississippi Fred McDowell’s it never got right; but I did the best that I sung in Cajun French as is a majority of songbook on “Shake ‘Em on Down” with could” followed be a stinging guitar solo. their music. Grand Mamou refers to the an exceptional update. Brett introduced the Aki brings distinctive vocals and blues area in and around the town of Mamou in next one, an original, “Hard Love” saying, harp to his original “Self Made Man.” Aki south central Louisiana. The next tune is “this is the first song I ever wrote, and also sings and plays on a tune writtenby “Plus Creux” a bounce song with about I was mad this day too” then proceeds to Chicago’s singing and slinging drummer half the lyrics in English as they sing “you play a slow rolling blues Brett closes out Willie Williams, “My Baby’s Gone” with might find diamonds, you might find gold; the EP with Robert Johnson’s “Preachin’ Rockin’ Johnny channeling Hubert Sumlin but if you don’t dig you will never know.” Blues,” a song he recorded at his final 1937 and Aki doing Carey Bell’s blues parts The next track is a traditional song “Allons Dallas session. and was also the B side with Johnny “Cat” Soubrand playing Eddie boire un Coup” which has a folky feel and of the last 10” 78 rpm record released by Taylor’s guitar lines. On “My Life’s Enough a double-time beat. One of the standouts Vocalion after Johnson’s death in 1939. The for Me,” Rockin’ Johnny has an Albert King is the traditional “Bernadette” which got A side was “Love in Vain.”. They speed thing going on and closes out Neoprene me tapping my toes immediately. Another it up doing it in double time with several Fedora with “Goodbye Chicago” as he is the Cajun accordion and fiddle romp short tempo breaks giving it a unique feel. laments the dearth of a blues scene in a city “’Tite fillede la campagne” which also Brett is currently working on a new release so closely tied to blues music. This album’s features some fleet-fingered guitar work. and has some choice originals ready to the bomb. Malcolm Kennedy “Malcolm’s Reel” is an instrumental with a go that he performs at his shows. Highly brisk tempo and solos on accordion, fiddle recommended. Malcolm Kennedy Editor’s Note: This month, Rockin’ Johnny and guitar. Voyageurs is a fun album which returns to the Evergreen State with shows I highly recommended. Malcolm Kennedy Rockin’ Johnny Burgin in Seattle, Olympia, Conway, Edmonds, Neoprene Fedora Kenmore (and more), plus dates in North Brett Benton (West Tone Records) Vancouver and Nanaimo, British Columbia. Live at the Highway 99 Please visit www.rockinjohnnyburgin.com. Blues Club Rockin’ Johnny opens (Country Blood Records) his latest solo releasee from 2017, Neoprene Fedora which is half spy movie theme music and half surf rock The Brett Benton/Gordon Townsend Duo instrumental of the coolest kind, and there represented the Washington Blues Society is an interlude that brings in a Chuck Berry at the 2018 International Blues Challenged element giving it a bluesy feel. “Guitar where they were semi-finalists. Brett plays King” is a song by Andrew “Blueblood” a heady mix of Northern Mississippi Hill McMahon whose long association with Country Blues, Delta Blues and roots Howlin’ Wolf gave his electric bass it’s

16 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society CD REVIEWS

Brian Butler Joe Blue & the Roofshakers Mary Lane Butler’s Blues Keep It Real Travelin’ Woman (Self-Released) (Self-Released) (Women of the Blues Records) Brian Butler has been on the local blues Chicago blues promoter Lynn Orman and scene for some time and his last CD, Wait All The Fabulous Roofshakers began in 2006 her new record label, Women of the Blues, Night, was nominated by the membership of and were quickly BB Award nominated for has sparked Mary Lane’s first CD in 20 years the Washington Blues Society as Best Blues Best New Band. Founding members Bruce with Travelin’ Woman. It reminds me of how Recording as is Butler’s Blues for this year’s Koenigsberg on bass and Gordon Bensen Hound Dog Taylor and the HouseRockers awards. The album features 13 selections on sax are still part of this dynamic band. compelled Bruce Iglauer to form Alligator including 10 originals. In addition to solo Joe “Blue” Giorello (Tim Turner, Highway Records (more on that in my review, Bitten gigs Brian is one of Brian Lee’s Orbiters 99 All-Stars Band) has been the front man by the Blues: The Alligator Records Story, and plays in the new Spencer Jarrett Blues since 2013 and other Roofshakers are June Bluesletter). I’ve seen Mary Lane at the Band. Brian is an exceptional musician Conrad Ormsby on drums, Paul Sommer Chicago Blues Festival and at downtown playing guitar and blues harp, his singing on guitar and Ron Baker on sax. Keep It is top notch and his song crafting is also clubs over the past 15 years and I’ve thought Real is their first release as a unit. Joe Blue that Mary Lane was a straight, unbroken notable. Brian opens with “Johnny Young” has been nominated for BB Awards in 2010 a song about a mandolin player who was a link to blues artists who made the Great & 2015 for Best Harp and in 2015 for Best Migration from the South to the Chicago. regular on Chicago’s famed Maxwell Street Sax. Keep It Real is a collection of nine playing with Sonny Boy I and Muddy Prior to leaving Arkansas, she sang with well-selected covers from Louis Prima to Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Nighthawk, and Waters in the early 40’s and in clubs with War, Fats Domino to an uncredited Ronnie Little Walter with few sides of his own and James Cotton. After moving to Chicago, she Earl. The Roofshakers open with Prima’s sang with Junior Wells, Magic Sam, Howlin’ was rediscovered in the 1960’s. One of the classic “Jump Jive & Wail,” a song given standouts on Butler’s Blues is “Mississippi Wolf and Elmore James when clubs like new life by the Brian Setzer Orchestra in Silvio’s Gatewood’s Tavern and the 708 Club Woman. ” This song is the real deal and 1998. BB King’s “Got a Mind to Give Up deserves major radio play. The two of the were hoppin.’ On Travelin’ Woman, award- Living” features touches of the Peter Green/ winning producer Jim Tullio and Mary Lane covers are fairly obscure, “Lead a Horse to Fleetwood Mac version and the Butterfield Water” by R&B/blues singer Earl Thomas co-wrote nine of the 10 tracks (with the Blues Band take from East-West with Joe title track from Jim Tullio, Mary Lane and and “Yonder Comes the Blues” by the blowing solid blues harp. Wille Dixon wrote sparsely-recorded folk rocker Fred Neil. Leroy “Werewolves of London” Marinell). “Back Door Man” for Howlin’ Wolf and the Standout tracks include “Travelin’ Woman” The third cover is “A Nickle and a Nail” opening guitar lines and rhythm recall the a song sung by O.V. Wright which Butler with sax parts from Chicago Rhythm “Creeper Returns” with Gordon blowing and Blues King Gene “Daddy G” Barge does in a beautiful mellow bluesy style. some sweet sax. Lee Dorsay’s “Get Out “Oxbow Blues” is a solid finger picking and Terry Ogolini, “Some People Say I’m of My Life Woman” has been covered by Crazy,” with Corky Siegel, “Make Up Your instrumental and “News About Billy” is a Iron Butterfly, The Kingsmen, both Albert heartfelt song of the loss of a friend and Mind” that artfully pairs Mary with Colin and Freddie King and was on East-West, Linden on acoustic slide dobro and “Bad life’s lessons. Brian closes out the CD with too. “Bring It On Home,” also by Dixon, is “Place Pigalle” a song about a Pike Place Luck and Trouble” with Chicago guitarist classic Sonny Boy Williamson II and is a Dave Specter. Mary Lane is the subject of Market venue steeped in Seattle history that tune Led Zeppelin famously covered, and ranges from the Klondike Goldrush to a a documentary, I Can Only Be Mary Lane, this version fades out just like Sonny Boy’s that has screened at many film festivals. blues dive in the 70s affectionately called original. They close the album with a song “the Pig.” Ask any musician around town I urge Bluesletter readers to learn more frequently cited as the first rock & roll hit, about Mary Lane: Find the documentary, who was active at the time on the blues Jackie Brenston’s “Rocket 88 “with Joe on scene and they will have tales about “Place buy the CD and discover this Chicago blues harp and Gordon on sax. Keep It Real is a treasure. Buddy Guy introduced her as “the Pigalle.” I give the album my highest solid outing. Malcolm Kennedy recommendation: An instant classic. real deal” at his club at a screening of the Malcolm Kennedy documentary last year, and he knows what he’s talking about. Eric Steiner

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 17 CD REVIEWS

Terry Robb May, he’ll play the Old Liberty Theatre with Toronto Blues Society in the Harmonica Confessin’ My Dues Jeff Peterson in Ridgefield, Washington on Player of the Year category (2014, 2015 (NiaSounds)) the 4th and Seattle’s Moore Theatre with and 2016), Harpdog also has had three Robin Trower on the 17th. nominations in the Western Canadian Music Awards, received the Fraser Valley Harpdog Brown Music Award and a Juno nomination. In The CD release party forConfessin’ My For Love & Money addition, Harpdog is the only Canadian Dues, co-sponsored by NiaSound and (Dog House Records) blues artist who has won a Muddy Award in the Cascade Blues Association, kicked the Best NW Blues Release category from off Terry Robb’s 2019 Spring-Summer the Cascade Blues Association for his Home tour of the Pacific Northwest, California Is Where the Harp Is CD in 1995. In 2016, and British Columbia on March 1st at The I’m admittedly a big Harpdog Brown fan, Harpdog was nominated for Maple Blues Secret Society Ballroom in the Rose City. so this review won’t be as objective as it Awards in the Harmonica Player, Male As of press time, the tour has 60+ dates probably needs to be. Over the last 20 years, Vocalist and Album of the Year categories scheduled to showcase this exceptional 13- I’ve seen him at Grinder’s in Shoreline, for his 2016 CD Travelin’ With the Blues. song CD. Confessin’ My Dues is Terry Robb’s in local International Blues Challenge This year, Harpdog Brown & The Uptown 15th solo recording and it includes a diverse competitions at blues society events in Blues Band is nominated for Best Band in set of music ranging from traditional White Rock and Abbotsford, British the Washington Blues Society’s Best of the ragtime and fingerpicking to stinging slide Columbia and on the Kitchener Blues Blues (“BB Awards”). Natalie Hahn’s CD guitar blues. Terry Robb is one of the most Festival Main Stage in Ontario. For Love design, 16-page booklet with lyrics and accomplished and recognized bluesmen in & Money follows two strong 2016 blues background from Harpdog and award- the Pacific Northwest and he is a member CDs, Travelin’ With the Blues and What winning producer Steve Dawson, sets the of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame and the It Is. For Love & Money features 13 songs bar high for blues CD packaging. For Love & Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards that take us from the Crescent City, up the Money showcases a strong big band sound Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame. I Mississippi Delta and Chicago on a diverse influenced by New Orleans and Chicago was particularly impressed by Terry’s slide musical journey that includes jump blues, blues and will likely land on (or near) my work on “High Desert Everywhere” and second-line, post-war harp-fueled Chicago list of “top 10” blues CDs released in 2019. the uptempo title tune. Terry’s understated blues and a classic interpretation of “Blue Eric Steiner vocals fit “Heart Made of Steel” and a Light Boogie” from Louis Jordan and His ballad about Highway 61, “Darkest Road Tympany Five. Harpdog’s new band features Editor’s Note: Partial Tour List (Below) I’m Told,” nicely. “Now Vestapol,” a bright Dave Webb on keyboards, Bob Grant on instrumental, reminds me of classic drums, Jeremy Holmes on “Doghouse 4/26 – Conway, WA: Conway Muse – fingerpickers like Chet Atkins and Doyle Bass.” A dynamic, three-piece horn section Official US Release Party Dykes, and each time I listen to that song, gives For Love & Money a big band feel with 4/27 – Live in Hope, BC I hear something new. Terry plays acoustic William Abbott on clarinet and alto sax, 4/28 -Tractorgrease Café, Chilliwack, BC and Resonator guitars on a majority of the Jerry Cook on baritone and tenor sax and 5/2 - Royal Canadian Legion Branch 155, songs on Confessin’ My Dues, and on the Skye Lambourne on trombone. Harpdog’s Greenwood, BC remaining cuts, seasoned Portland-based original “Reefer Loving Woman” sounds 5/3 - Heritage Inn Hotel & Convention jazzmen Dave Captein (Tom Grant, Jessica like it’s straight out of Tipitina’s (or The Centre, Cranbrook, BC Williams) play stand-up bass and Gary Snug) in the Crescent City and a cover of 5/10 - Blue Frog Studios, White Rock, BC Hobbs (Stan Kenton, Michael Brecker) play Brandon “Yukon Slim” Isaak’s “I’ll Make It 5/13 - Blue Wing Saloon, Upper Lake, CA the drums. On “Keep Your Judgement,” Up to You” is buoyed by jaunty clarinet work 5/14 - Mission St. BBQ, Santa Cruz, CA Executive Producer and Photographer from William Abbott. Two of the songs are 5/15 - Club Fox, Redwood City, CA Stuart and Americana fingerpickerparticularly fanciful: “Stiff” and “Vicious 5/16 – Flynn’s Cabaret & Steakhouse, extraordinaire Adam Scramstand join the Vodka” are sure to be late-set crowd pleasers Felton, CA trio on backing vocals and rhythm guitar. (especially when the alcohol is flowing). 5/17 – Torch Club, Sacramento, CA, Confessin’ My Dues is new acoustic blues After listening to this CD a few times, I 5/18 - Lucy’s Lounge, Fresno, CA classic that I enjoyed from start to finish. marveled at how adept Harpdog Brown 5/19 – The Siren, Morro Bay, CA Eric Steiner is with a pen (or computer keyboard) as a 5/21 - Old Town Blues Club, Temecula, CA songwriter as well as the harp. In addition 5/22 - Gallagher’s Irish Pub & Grill, Editor’s Note: On April 28th, Terry Robb to being a three-time award winner of the Huntington Beach, CA will play the Tacoma Guitar Festival and on prestigious Maple Blues Award from the

18 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society BOOK REVIEW

Blues Traveling: The Many folks interested in the blues know Holy Sites of the that there is more than one grave marker Delta Blues for Robert Johnson. Last count, there are By Steve three headstones honoring Robert Johnson. Cheseborough There is also some uncertainty about the year Updated and Sonny Boy Williamson II (aka Aleck Miller) Expanded Fourth was born, too. Cheseborough takes thins far Edition deeper into the region and folks who made University Press of the blues. The latest edition of Traveling Mississippi, 306pp, Blues has invaluable information on places $25 like Mound Bayou, Margaret’s Grocery and Market in Vicksburg, about churches, small museums and juke joints. Fortunately, the book offers suggestions for juke joints that The fourth addition of Steve Cheseborough’s still offer live blues in the Mississippi Delta. Blues Traveling: The Holy Sites of the Delta Blues is a book I recommend to every blues Cheseborough’s travelogue takes readers enthusiast. Even if you haven’t traveled to the through important blues sites and towns land where blues began, this well-researched from Memphis to the Delta with stops on book is an interesting and educational read. Highway 1, Highway 61, Highway 49W and 49E to Highway 6 and the Natchez Trace The third edition of Blues Traveling had 258 Parkway. He also eloquently describes the Two Mississippi Blues Traveling Memories: pages and an 18-page index. The fourth Mississippi River, the Sunflower River and Top: Four Legends: Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Sam edition tops 306 pages and has a 22-page the Yazoo River, the Cold Water River and Carr, Hubert Sumlin and Bob Stroger at the index. The fourth edition includes extra the Tallahatchie as well as railroad towns that Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarskdale pages on Beale Street in Memphis, the have long been abandoned. Mid-Delta Area which covers Tutwiler to Above Middle: The door, circa 2005, of the Ground Glendora including Rosedale, Dockery As someone with a strong interest in the Zero Blues Club. and Drew. The journey from Greenwood artists who created and played the blues, to Vicksburg also features new information I find the history described in the fourth (Photos by Eric Steiner) on Indianola, Belzoni, Rolling Fork and edition to be fascinating, and in reading the Vicksburg. pages of Traveling Blues, I learned of new places and people not on my blues radar. Ten years ago, I reviewed the third edition of this book. The fourth edition is a substantial My library contains more than 50 blues update to the earlier edition. Blues Traveling books and I find Cheseborough’s book includes numerous sites that do not have invaluable. I have had the opportunity official Mississippi Blues Trail markers and to spend a few hours on Beale Street and includes interesting information about many Blues Traveling informed and enhanced my that do. There are helpful maps of regions experience. I highly recommend Traveling and small towns to locate these sites off the Blues, particularly for blues fans who beaten blues path. make the pilgrimage to Memphis and the Mississippi Delta. Malcolm Kennedy Steve takes us down to towns like Alligator, the home of Robert “Bilbo” Walker’s Wonder Editor’s Note: Next month, the Bluesletter Light City juke joint and Shaw, the birthplace will include my review of Bruce Iglauer’s of David “Honeyboy” Edwards, in the Mid- blues memoir, Bitten by the Blues; The Delta. We also visit Nitta Yuma, a small town Alligator Records Story (co-written by Dr. south of Hollandale on Highway 61 that is Patrick A. Roberts). home to Bo Carter’s grave.

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 19 CALENDAR

MAY 2 THU Court Supreme w/Braxmatics & Baby John Dam Plaza: Retapped Blues & 7pm Gramps 8pm Brews Festival 12:00pm Conway Muse: Cave Swallows & Sam Bad Albert’s: Annie Eastwood & Oxford Saloon: Third Rock 8pm & The Savages 7:30pm Friends Featuring Beth Wulff 6pm MAY 5 SUN The Mannette Saloon: Skinny Blue Historic Everett Theater: Fabulous Conway Muse: Back Room Lit Lab Thunderbirds with the Stacy Jones Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley: Charlie Salmon Bay Eagles Blues: Toast & Jam 6:30pm Band 7pm Musselwhite 7:30pm (Benefit for Swedish Medical Center), Conway Muse: Open Mic 7:30pm 6-11PM (See Preview This Issue) Jazzbones: Doctor Funk 8pm Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley: Charlie MAY 6 MON Ott & Murphy Winery: Sheri & Da Musselwhite 7:30pm MAY 12 SUN Boyz 7pm Neptune Theatre: Rival Sons w/sp. Madison Ave Pub: Monday Blues Pub 282: Scratch Daddy 7pm guests The Sheepdogs 8pm Review with Mad BoJo 7pm 192 Brewing Company: Sunday Afternoon Blues Jam 2pm The Brass Kraken: Betsy & the Boys Salmon Bay Eagles Blues: Hot Mess 9pm 8pm MAY 7 TUE The Spar Tavern: Jesse James & the MOB 7pm Bake’s Place: Billy Stapleton and The Triple Door: Coco Montoya w/ MAY 20 MON MAY 3 FRI Annie Eastwood Duo 8pm John “Greyhound” Maxwell 7:30pm Madison Ave Pub: Monday Blues At Michele’s: Bent On Blues 8pm Craft Bar & Kitchen: Rod Cook 6pm Review with Mad BoJo 7pm Bake’s Place: Mark DuFresne Band MAY 13 MON Paramount Theatre: Neil Young with 7pm MAY 9 THU Promise of the Real 7pm Madison Ave Pub: Monday Blues Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley: Charlie Bad Albert’s: Annie Eastwood & Review with Mad BoJo 7pm The Moore Theatre: Elle King 7pm Musselwhite 7:30pm Friends Featuring Billy Stapleton 6pm Conway Muse: Blue Moon Marquee Conway Muse: Andrew Kasab 7:30pm 7:30pm MAY 14 TUE MAY 21 TUE Historic Everett Theater: Music 4 Life Easy Monkey Taphouse: Stickshift Bake’s Place: Billy Stapleton & Annie Bake’s Place: Billy Stapleton & Annie Everett Benefit Concert & Auction Annie with Kimball and the Fugitives Eastwood Duo 8pm Eastwood Duo 8pm with Cody Beebe & The Crooks 7pm 8pm Madison Ave Pub: McPage & Powell Madison Ave Pub: Brett Benton 7pm J&M Café: True Romans 9pm Emory’s on Silver Lake: It’s About 7pm Paramount Theatre: Neil Young with Salmon Bay Eagles Blues: Moe Ribbs Time 7pm The Triple Door: John Nemeth & The Promise of the Real 7pm Blues Band 8pm McMenamins Anderson School: Cool Blue Dreamers 7:30pm Water 7pm Collectors Choice: Washington Blues MAY 23 THU Oxford Saloon: Moon Daddy Band MAY 10 FRI Society Blues Bash w/Brett “Bad Blood” Bad Albert’s: Annie Eastwood & 8pm Benton and TuN Maple Hall: 3rd Annual La Conner Friends Featuring Kimball Conant 6pm Snoqualmie Casino: George Guitar Festival 5/10-5/12 Conway Muse: Skagit Artists’ Art Thorogood & The Destroyers 8pm Bridge Press Cellars Spokane: Wine MAY 16 THU Opening! 6pm Skylark West Seattle: Reji Marc, Aline and Music Festival 5/10-5/12 12:00pm Bad Albert’s: Annie Eastwood & Conway Muse: Scott Cook & Mandy Vida, Shop Dog 8pm Conway Muse: Caught in the Web & Friends Featuring Beth Wulff 6pm Troxel 7:30pm Salmon Bay Eagles Blues: Blue 55 Toast 7pm Conway Muse: John Nemeth & The J&M Café: True Romans 9pm 8pm Conway Muse: Norris & Nicely 7:30pm Blue Dreamers 7:30pm Salmon Bay Eagles: All Stars No The Crystal Ballroom: The Atlantics Cypress Lounge at Bellevue Westin: J&M Café: True Romans 9pm Stripes Band 8pm 7pm Michele D’Amour and the Love Salmon Bay Eagles Blues: Johnny The Paramount Theater: Tedeschi Dealers 8pm Burgin 8pm Trucks Band 7pm MAY 4 SAT Hard Rock Cafe Seattle: Carvin Jones Sunbanks Resort: Sunbanks Music Band 8pm Conway Muse: Fanny Alger &The Festival 5/16-19, 5pm Salmon Bay Eagles Blues: Chris MAY 24 FRI Dizzys 8pm Vintage Café: Brett Benton Duo 7pm Stevens Band 8pm Seattle Center: 48th Annual Folklife Conway Muse: The Lonesome Town Festival 5/24-5/27 Painters 7:30pm MAY 17 FRI Conway Muse: The Holmes Shea Band Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley: Charlie MAY 11 SAT Conway Muse: DEAL: Celebrating the 7:30pm Musselwhite 7:30pm Amarillo: Nate Burch Band 8pm Grateful Dead 7:30pm Dawson’s Bar and Grill: Gin Creek Easy Monkey Taphouse: Sheri Anacortes Eagles: Scratch Daddy 7pm 9pm Roberts Greimes & JoMomma’s Cuatro Conway Muse: CC Adams Band Clock-Out Lounge: Shannon Shaw De Mayo Party 8pm 7:30pm Easy Monkey Taphouse: Billy 9pm Stapleton’s Powerhouse 8pm Granite Falls Eagles: Scratch Daddy Oxford Saloon: Rockfish & Friends Collectors Choice: Ronni Lee 8pm 8pm 8pm Neptune Theatre: The True Loves w/ Conway Muse: Double Duo MuseBird sp. guests: Prom Queen & Sun Breaks Madison Ave Pub: Ladies First The Brass Kraken: Planet Groove 9pm Cafe w/Notable Journey & Steve & Showcase XIII 7pm The Moore Theatre: Robin Trower Salmon Bay Eagles Blues: Women’s Kristi Nebel 7:30pm Rockin’ Blues Jam 8pm Rhodes River Ranch Restaurant: 7pm Elliott Bay Pizza & Pub: Chris Stevens Moon Daddy 6pm The Royal Room: Duffy Bishop 8pm Seattle Center Fountain Lawn Stage: & Annie Eastwood Duo 7pm Elliott Bay Blues Band 1:30pm The Mill: Boogie Chillin’ 8pm Historic Everett Theater: Heart By Seattle Center Armory Court Stage: The Point Casino: Zepparella 7pm MAY 18 SAT Heart 7:30pm Sheri Roberts Greimes & JoMomma Tractor Tavern: Eldridge Gravy & the Jazzbones: Coco Montoya 8pm Conway Muse: Duffy Bishop Band 2pm

20 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society MAY 24 FRI (CONT’D) MAY 29 WED The Paramount Theater: Tedeschi Bellevue Arts Museum: Bellevue Jazz Trucks Band 7pm & Blues Festival 5/29-6/2 Third Place Comons: Michele North City Bistro and Wine Shop: D’Amour & the Love Dealers 7:30pm McPage & Powell 7pm The Royal Room: The Highsteppers Classic Soul Revue 9:45pm MAY 30 THU Bad Albert’s: Annie Eastwood and MAY 25 SAT Friends feat. Cheri Adams 6pm Conway Muse: Johnny Burgin 7:30pm Conway Muse: Whiskey and Strings Conway Muse: Comfort Food (African workshop w/Andre Feriante 6:30pm Rhythms) Bard Loft 7:30pm Conway Muse: Russell Bartlett 7:30pm Dawson’s Bar and Grill: Gin Creek J&M Café: True Romans 9pm 9pm Neptune Theatre: Brandi Carlile 8pm Frankie’s B-Town Bistro: Chris Stevens Salmon Bay Eagles Blues: Whitman and Annie Eastwood Duo 7:30pm Jam 8pm Historic Everett Theater: Rockfish and Tractor Tavern: Whitney Mongé w/ Friends 7:30pm Supermother & Lyle 8pm Rhodes River Ranch Restaurant: Jimmy Wright Band 6pm MAY 31 FRI The Brass Kraken: Stephanie Anne Johnson 9pm Conway Muse: Pretty Gritty (Duo) 7:30PM The Point Casino: Skinny Blue 6pm Engels Pub: Polly O’Keary & The MAY 26 SUN Rhythm Method 9pm Port Gardner Bay Winery: Sheri & Da Ritzville Main Street Stage: Music on Boyz 7pm Main Festival 12:00 pm Salmon Bay Eagles: Blues Jazz Jam w/ The Spar Tavern: Billy Stapleton’s Collective 8pm Powerhouse 7pm Village Taphouse & Grill: Stacy Jones Band 8:30pm MAY 27 MON The Neptune Theatre: The Record Company w/sp. guest Becca Mancari Madison Ave Pub: Monday Blues Review with Mad BoJo 7pm

MAY 28 TUE FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE WASHINGTON BLUES SOCIETY Bake’s Place: Billy Stapleton & Annie CALENDAR, PLEASE VISIT OUR Eastwood Duo 8pm ONLINE CALENDAR AT Craft Bar and Kitchen: Rod Cook 6pm WWW.WABLUES.ORG Little Creek Casino: Stacy Jones Band IT’S REALLY COOL! 8pm

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 21 TALENT GUIDE Whom to Hire, Get in Touch Please send any updates, additions or corrections to both [email protected] and [email protected]. We’re working to build a better Bluesletter! # CC Adams Band: 360.395.8540 JD Hobson 206.235.3234 Charles White Revue 425.327.0018 Jeff Boutiea & the Blues Choo Train 425.345.5399 44th Street Blues Band 206.714.5180 or 206.775.2762 Charlie Butts & The Filtertips 509.325.3016 Jeff “DRUMMERBOY: Hayes: 206.909.6366 Charlie Saibel 360.357.8553 Jeff & The Jet City Fliers 206.818.0701 A Chester Dennis Jones 253.797.8937 Jeff Menteer and The Beaten Path 425.280.7392 Chris Egar Band 360.770.7929 Jeremy Serwer 520.275.9444 A.H.L. 206.935.4592 Chris Lord 425.334.5053 Jesse Weston 425.610.0933 Al Earick Band 253.278.0330 Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys 206.236.0412 Jill Newman Band 206.390.2623 Albritten McClain & Bridge of Souls 206.650.8254 Coyote Blues 360.420.2535 Jim Caroompas (Rumpus) 925.212.7760 Alice Stuart & the Formerlys 360.753.8949 Crooked Mile Blues Band 425.238.8548 Jim McLaughlin 425.737.4277 AlleyKatz 425.273.4172 Curtis Hammond Band 206.696.6134 Jim Nardo Blues Band 360.779.4300 ALTAI BAND [email protected], Jimmy Free’s Friends 206.546.3733 [email protected] D Joe Blue and the Roof Shakers 425.766.7253 Andrew Norsworthy andrewnorsworthy@ yahoo.com Daddy Treetops 206.601.1769 Joe Cook Blues Band 206.547.1772 Andy Koch’s Badd Dog Blues (formerly Badd Dog Dana Lupinacci Band 206.860.4961 Joe Guimond 509.423.0032 Blues Society) 360.739.6397 David Hudson / Satellite 4 253.630.5276 Joel Astley 206.214.7977 Annette Taborn 206.306.3398 Dennis “Juxtamuse” Hacker 425.423.9545 John “Scooch” Cugno’s Delta 88 Revival 360.352.3735 Annieville Blues 206.994.9413 Dick Powell Band 425.742.4108 John Stephan Band 206.244.0498 Author Unknown 206.355.5952 Doug McGrew 206.679.2655 JP Hennessy 425.273.4932 Doug Skoog 253.921.7506 Julia Francis and the Secrets of Soul 206.618.4919 B Dudley Taft 513.713.6800 Julie Duke Band 206.459.0860 Baby Gramps Trio 425.483.2835 Junkyard Jane 253.238.7908 Back Porch Blues 425.299.0468 E Backwoods Still 425.330.0702 El Colonel 360.293.7931 K Badd Dog Blues Society 360.733.7464 Elliott Bay Blues Band (206) 300-6802 K. G. Jackson & The Shakers 360.896.4175 Bay Street Blues Band 360.731.1975 Ellis Carter 206.935.3188 Keith Nordquist 253.639.3206 B.E.S.T. Band 206.817.1663 Eric Madis & Blue Madness 206.362 8331 Bill Brown & The Kingbees 206.276.6600 Keith Scott 773.213.3239 Billy Barner 253.884.6308 F Kevin & Casey Sutton 314.479.0752 Kid Quagmire 206.412.8212 Billy Shew Band 253.514.3637 Fat Cat 425.487.6139 Kim Archer Band 253.298.5961 Black River Blues 206.396.1563 Filé Gumbo 425.788.2776 Blackjack Kerouac 206.697.8428 Kim Field & The Mighty Titans of Tone 206.295.8306 Blackstone Players 425.327.0018 G Kimball Conant & The Fugitives 206.938.6096 Blue 55 206.216.0554 Gary Frazier 206.851.1169 Kosta Panidis (Kosta la Vista) 509.991.7623 Blue Healers 206.940.9128 Greg Roberts 206.473.0659 Blues on Tap 206.618.6210 Groove Tramps 720.232.9664 L Blues Playground 425.359.3755 Gunnar Roads 360.828.1210 Blues Redemption 253.884.6308 Lady “A” & The Baby Blues Funk Band 425.518.9100 Larry Hill 206.696.1789 Blues Sheriff 206.979.0666 H Blues To Do Monthly 206.328.0662 Leanne Trevalyan 253.238.7908 Hambone Blues Band 360.458.5659 Bobby Holland & The Breadline 425.681.5644 Leo Muller (206) 300-6802 Hambone Wilson 360.739.7740 Boneyard Preachers 206.755.0766 or 206.547.1772 Lissa Ramaglia 206.650.9058 Heather & the Nearly Homeless Blues Band Brian Butler Band 206.361.9625 Little Bill & the Bluenotes 425.774.7503 425.576.5673 Brian Hurst 360.708.1653 Lucille Street [email protected] Hot Mess Duo 206.214.7977 Brian Lee & The Orbiters 206.390.2408 Hot Wired Rhythm Band 206.790.9935 Bruce Govan 206.817.1663 M Hungry Dogs 425.299.6435 Bruce Koenigsberg / Fabulous Roof Shakers Maia Santell & House Blend 253.983.7071 425.766.7253 J Mark A. Noftsger 425.238.3664 Bruce Ransom 206.618.6210 Mark Hurwitz & Gin Creek 206.588.1924 Bump Kitchen 253.223.4333 or 360.259.1545 Jack Cook & Phantoms of Soul 206.517.5294 Mark Riley 206.313.7849 Jam Animal (206) 522-5179 Mark Whitman Band 206.697.7739 C James Howard 206.250.7494 Mary Ellen Lykins Band: 360.395.8540 James King & the Southsiders 206.715.6511 C.D. Woodbury Band 425.502.1917 Mary McPage 206.850.4849 Janie Cribbs and the T.Rust Band 360.331.6485 Michael ‘Papa Bax’ Baxter 425.478.1365

22 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society Michael Wilde 425.672.3206 or 206.200.3363 Steve Bailey & The Blue Flames 206.779.7466 Michal Miller Band 253.222.2538 Steve Cooley & Dangerfields 253.203.8267 Michelle D’Amour and The Love Dealers Steven J. Lefebvre 509.972.2683 or 509.654.3075 425.761.3033 Stickshift Annie Eastwood 206.941.9186 Mike Haley 509.939.5838 Susan Renee’ “La Roca Soul” Sims 206.920.6776 Miles from Chicago 206.440.8016 Suze Sims 206.920.6776 Moon Daddy Band 425.923.9081 Mule Kick 216.225.1277 T N Terry Hartness 425.931.5755 The Bret Welty Band 208.703.2097 Nick Vigarino 360.387.0374 The EveryLeaf Band 425.369.4588 Norm Bellas & the Funkstars 206.722.6551 The Fabulous MoJo Kings 206.412.9503 The Jelly Rollers 206.617.2384 P The Mongrels 509.307.0517 or 509.654.3075 Paul Green 206.795.3694 The Nate Burch Band 425.457.3506 tax-deductible Polly O’Kerry and The Rhythm Method The Naughty Blokes 360.393.9619 206.384.0234 The Rece Jay Band 253.350.9137 contributions The Soulful 88s/Billy Spaulding 206.310.4153 R The Spinoffs/Dawnzella Gearhart 206. 718.1591 Rafael Tranquilino Band /Leah Tussing The Tonic 206.214.7977 are always 425.329.5925 The Wired Band 206.852.3412 Randy Norris & Jeff Nicely 425.239.3876 or The Wulf Tones 206.367.6186 or 206.604.2829 425.359.3755 Tim Hall Band 253.857.8652 in tune Randy Norris & The Full Degree 425.239.3876 Tim Turner Band 206.271.5384 Randy Oxford Band 253.973.9024 Tommy Wall 206.914.9413 Contribute to this important Raven Humphres 425.308.3752 Town Hall Brawl 206.940.9128 fund today! Contact us at Red House 425.377.8097 Two Scoops Combo 206.933.9566 Reggie Miles 360.793.9577 [email protected]. Richard Allen & The Louisiana Experience 206.369.8114 U Richard Evans 206.799.4856 Unbound 425.231.0565 Right Hand Drive 206.496.2419 RJ Knapp & Honey Robin Band 206.612.9145 V Robert Patterson 509.869.0350 Virginia Klemens Band 206.632.6130 Rod Cook & Toast 206.878.7910 Roger Rogers Band 206.255.6427 W Ron Hendee 425.280.3994 West Coast Women’s Blues Revue 206.940.2589 Roxlide 360.881.0003 Willie B Blues Band 206.451.9060 Russ Kammerer 206.551.0152 Willie & The Whips 206.781.0444 Rusty Williams 206.282.0877 S Sammy Eubanks 509.879.0340 Scott E. Lind 206.789.8002 Scotty Harris 206.683.9476 Scratch Daddy 425.210.1925 Shadow Creek Project 360.826.4068 Sheri Roberts Greimes 425.220.6474 Smokin’ J’s 425.746.8186 Son Jack Jr. 425.591.3034 Spencer Jarrett 510.495.4755 Stacy Jones 206.992.3285 Star Drums & Lady Keys 206.522.2779 If you don’t know your googily moogily from your wang dang doodle, join the Washington Blues Society!

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I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE FOLLOWING FUNDS: ¨ Musicians Relief Fund in the amount of $ ______providing assistance to local musicians in their time of need ¨ Passing the Torch Fund in the amount of $ ______educating the next generation of local musicians

TOTAL ENCLOSED: $ ______. Please send check or money order to WBS PO BOX 70604 ¨ PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES SEATTLE, WA 98127

* Due to postage fees, non-US residents will receive their Bluesletter electronically † With valid WBS membership card and advanced reservation. Reservations must be made by calling Jazz Alley at 206-441-9729 and requesting the WBS Special. This offer is not applicable to all shows.

24 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society JAMS & OPEN MICS Go Out and Support Local Live Music! Jam hosts listed and Open mics are either blues-friendly or full band-friendly. Please send listings & updates to [email protected] to contribute to this listing! SUNDAY Mic/Band showcase hosted Dawson’s, Tacoma: Linda Myers Center: Uptown All-Stars Jam 730-11P by Barefoot Randy/Dirty River Wicked Wednesday Jam 8-11 PM Oxford Saloon, Snohomish: Haunting Darrell’s Tavern, Shoreline - Jazz Jam Entertainment 8pm (All Ages until Darrell’s Tavern, Shoreline: Open Mic Rock Jam 730-11PM 7-10 PM 10:45PM) 8:30-11PM Jacksons Sports Bar & Clubhouse, 192 Brewing, Kenmore: 192 Blues Wee Blu Inn Again Bar & Grill, Dragon Gate, Des Moines: Open Jam Yakima: Open Jam 8-11PM Jam w/ The Groove Tramps 3-7 PM All Bremerton: Tim Hall Band Jam 5-9 PM 9-11PM Ages Times vary on Seahawk games JB Bungalow, Kirkland: HeatherB Filling Station, Kingston: Open Mic 7 Blues’s Open Mic/Jam 8-11PM nd Anchor Pub, Everett: Open Jam (2 PM All Ages, styles & instruments rd TUESDAY Luther’s Table, Renton: Open Mic 7P Sunday) 2-5 PM All Ages Jazz Jam (3 welcome & 4th Sundays) Bean &Vine, Everett: Open Mic 6-9 The Village Inn Pub, Bellingham: Jam Grumpy D’s Coffee House, Seattle: w/Jimmy D 8-11PM Blue Moon Tavern, Everett: Jam w/ PM Open Mic 630-9 PM the Moon Dogs 7-10 PM Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle: Blues Royal Esquire Club, Seattle: Sea-Town George’s, Kirkland – Heather B’s Captain Jacks, Sumner: Open Mic All-Stars 8-10 PM Jam w/Mark Whitman 8-11 PM (Last Open Mic/Jam 7-9 PM Thursday) hosted by Lady Carter & The Gents Antique Sandwich Co. Tacoma: Open 7PM Hi-Fidelity Lounge, Bremerton: Open Slippery Pig Brewery, Poulsbo: Blues Mic 7-10 PM Mic 8 PM Collectors Choice, Snohomish: & Brews Jam Night w/Thys Wallwork Dave’s of Milton: Blues & Beyond Jam Hopvine Pub, Seattle: Open Mic 8 PM (All Ages) 7-11 PM Acoustic Open Mic hosted by Patrick w/ Jerry Miller Trio 7-10 PM Thayer & the Reclamation Project 6PM Jazzbones, Tacoma: Live It Out Loud Gordon & Purdy’s Pub, Sumner: Open Double J Saloon Seattle: Open Mic All Ages Jam 6-930PM (3rd Wednesday) Blues Jam 7-11 PM Club Crow, Cashmere: Jam Session 8:30PM (1st & 3rd Tuesdays) st Madison Ave Pub, Everett: Unbound Stoneway Cafe, Seattle: Acoustic 7-10PM (1 Sunday) Elmer’s Pub, Burien: Jam w/Billy Shew Blues Jam 730-11 PM Open Mic 7-10PM Couth Buzzard Books Espresso 7-11 PM Muk Cafe, Langley: Open Mic 7PM Buono Cafe, Seattle: Buzzard Blues Engel’s Pub, Edmonds: Jam Night w/ Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, Open Jam hosted by Kenny Mandell Dano Mac 8-11 PM Nauti Mermaid, Port Orchard: Open Stanwood: Tightwad Thursday Jam 7-9 PM (1st Sunday All Ages) Mic 7-11 PM Paragon, Seattle: Open Mic 9P-12 AM Rhythm & Rye, Olympia: Olympia Dawson’s, Tacoma: Tim Hall Band Jam Nickerson Street Saloon, Seattle: Jazz Jam hosted by Tarik Bentlemsani 7-11 PM Pogacha, Issaquah: Jam Hosted by Open Mic 9 PM-12AM Open Jam (Last Doug McGrew. 8PM 21+ The Dam Bar, Port Angeles: Open Mic El Sarape Cantina, Shelton: Open Wednesday) Stewarts, Snohomish: Open Jam w/ Band Jam 4-8PM (3rd Sunday) Poppe’s 360 Neighborhood Pub, Old Triangle, Seattle: w/Jeff Hass Bellingham: Open Mic Night w/Brian Open Mic & Jam 8-11 PM Pole Cat & Co. 7-1130 PM Finaughty’s, Snoqualmie Ridge: Hillman 6:30-9 PM Tommy Wall’s Wicked Blues Jam Skylark Café, West Seattle: Open Mic Rolling Log, Issaquah: Open Jam 7-11PM Oxford Saloon, Snohomish: Acoustic 8-11PM hosted by Doug McGrew, 8P-12AM Open Mic Jam, All Ages 7-10 PM Peabo’s Bar & Grill, Mill Creek: Peace Stoneway Cafe, Seattle: Acoustic San Juan island Brewing Co, Friday N Love Jam w/ Tommy Cook, Eric Rice J&M Café in Pioneer Square, Seattle: Open Mic, 7-10 PM Harbor: Open Mic 6-8 PM Blues Jam 9-11 PM & Scotty Harris 7-10 PM Tony V’s Garage, Everett: Open Mic The Loft Pub, Victoria B.C: Open Jam O’Malley’s Lounge, Olympia: Blues Stewart’s, Snohomish: Tuesday Jam 9-11 PM night w/the Shortcuts 8 PM 7PM Jam w/ The Pleasure Hounds 6-9 PM Twin Dragon, Duvall: Open Jam The Royal Bear, Auburn: Sunday Stoneway Cafe, Seattle: Acoustic 7:30-11pm Open Mic, 7-10 PM FRIDAY Unloaded Jam Session 6-10 PM The Tin Hat, Kennewick – Open Mic & Slippery Pig, Poulsbo: Monthly All Jam w/Mondo Ray Band 7-11 PM La Copa Café, Seattle: Victory Music Ages Open Mic 7 PM Open Mic 6:30-9PM, All Ages The Living Room Coffee, Marysville: MONDAY Tim’s Tavern, Seattle: Open Mic 7PM Open Mic, 6-9 PM The Living Room Coffee, Marysville: Student Jazz Jam 6:30-9:30 PM All Mac’s Triangle Pub, Seattle: 8-10 PM Tweede’s Café, North Bend – Open Rhythm & Rye, Olympia: Open Mic Ages (Last Friday) Nectar Lounge, Seattle: Mo Jam Mic 6:30-9:30 PM hosted by Scott Lesman 8-11 PM Urban Timber Coffee, Sumner: Open Mondays 9 -11 PM North End Social Club, Tacoma: 192 Brewing Company, Kenmore: Mic 6:30-10PM All Ages Dawson’s, Tacoma: Music Mania Jam Open Mic Tuesdays w/Kim Archer 8PM Open Mic 7-10PM 7 -11 PM Ben Moore’s, Olympia: Open Mic 7PM Dragon Gate, Des Moines: Open Jam 9-11PM The Swiss, Tacoma: Open Mic Hosted The Cherry Bomb, Port Angeles: THURSDAY by Chuck Gay 7-10 PM Blues Jam w/Big Al & the Gang 7-10P Dreadknott Brewery, Monroe: Open Anchor Pub, Everett: Open Mic 9-11 Mic 7-10PM Red Dog Saloon, Maple Valley: Jam PM All Ages w/Scotty FM & the Broadcasters 7PM WEDNESDAY Kana Winery, Yakima: Open Mic 7PM Bridgepress Cellars, Spokane – All Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle: Open Mic Riverside Pub, Wenatchee: North Bethel Saloon, Port Orchard: Open nd Genre Jam 7-10 PM w/Linda Lee 8-11PM (Third Thursday) Central WA Blues Jam 7-10PM (2 & Mic 8 PM 4th Mondays) The Cedar Stump, Arlington: Open Soul Food Coffee House &Fair Trade Black Dog Arts Cafe, Snoqualmie: All Jam w/The Usual Suspects 7 PM Emporium: Jazz Jam 7 PM (Last The Mill, Milton: Open Mic w/Walker Ages Open Mic 7PM Sherman 7-10PM Port Gardner Bay Winery, Everett: Friday). Blue Moon Tavern, Seattle: Open Mic Open Mic 6:30-9:30 PM The Mint, Victoria B.C: Open Mic w/ 8-11 PM Pete & Mo Dave’s of Milton: Open Jam w/ Power SATURDAY Collectors Choice Restaurant, Cell 8-11 PM The Village Taphouse & Grill, Café Zippy’s, Everett: Victory Music Snohomish: Blues Jam w/Usual Dawson’s, Tacoma: Blues Jam w/Billy Marysville: Jam Night w/ Scotty Harris Open Mic 5:30-8:30PM All Ages (1st Suspects 8-11 PM Shew 730-11 PM & Tommy Cook 7- 10 PM Saturday) Couth Buzzard Cafe, Seattle: Open Drunky Two Shoes BBQ: White Emerald of Siam, Richland: Open Mic at 7:30-10 PM

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 25 PREVIEWS Rockin’ Johnny Burgin at the Salmon Bay Eagles Save the date: May 16th in historic Old Town Ballard for a special blues event By Malcolm Kennedy nationally with Sam Lay. In 1994, Burgin Tail Dragger and Terry Hanck. formed his own band with Jimmy Burns Chicago blues guitarist Rockin’ Johnny on vocals and guitar and they soon scored Johnny’s most recent solo CD, Neoprene Burgin has perfomed across the the a Monday residency at Smoke Daddy. In Fedora, followed 2015’s Greetings from world playing 250 shows a year. Born in 1996, Delmark signed Jimmy Burns with Greaseland (Kid Andersen’s studio). Rockin’ Pennsylvania, Johnny Burgin grew up in Johnny’s band and released Johnny’s debut Johnny has a live album in the works, and Mississippi and South Carolina. He learned Straight Out of Chicago in 1997 followed by a new CD, Dos Hombres Wanted, with guitar parts from his father before moving Man’s Temptation in 1998. Shortly after that, Spanish blues harp player Quique Gomez to Chicago in 1988 to attend the University Johnny toured Europe and North America. on VizzTone. In 2019, Johnny moved of Chicago where he was a DJ. to Portland, and he plays the Salmon In 2002, Burgin took a break from music Bay Eagles for a very special show after a Quickly enamored with the blues, Johnny to be a family man. He returned in 2009 month-long tour of Japan and a show at paid his dues and apprenticed with the Ice with four CDs between 2010 and 2017. In the the Redwood Coast Music Festival Cream Men with notable Chicago bluesmen 2016, he moved to the wine country near in Eureka. Come on down and help give Steve Cushing on drums, Scott Dirks on San Francisco. There, he worked with harp Johnny a warm Old Town Ballard welcome harp and Dave Waldman on guitar. Tail masters Andy Santana and Aki Kumar for his Salmon Bay Eagles debut, the home Dragger hired Johnny and they played four and guitarist, producer Kid Andersen and of live blues in Seattle on Thursdays for 29+ nights a week on the West Side with Lurrie others. Johnny worked on DeLay Does years. The Eagles is a private, membership Bell, Jimmy Dawkins, Little Arthur Duncan Chicago, Tail Dragger Live at Rooster’s club, guests or non-members can buy two- and Johnny Littlejohn. Burgin toured the Lounge DVD, Howlin at Greaseland: A week memberships for $5 at the bar. Midwest with Pinetop Perkins and then Tribute to Howlin’ Wolf with Alabama Mike, Festival Preview: Spring Sunbanks An exceptional line-up at an exceptional Washington blues festival May 16th -19th By Leanne Trevalyan & the Dirt Angels open the mainstage on will rock the festival on Saturday night, Friday with Americana-flavored originals. following Sunbanks favorite Hamilton Greetings music lovers of the Great The Mike Elred Trio from Phoenix brings Loomis and his funk-inspired originals. Northwest! First the good news: Spring hot, rockin’ Arizona blues to Sunbanks Southern California’s The Rayford Brothers Sunbanks has a stellar line-up of tried and for the first time, and fresh off of his will rockabilly you into the midnight hour! true favorites, national headliners, and of International Blues Challenge second place course, some first timers, too. finish, Sammy Eubanks closes the night On Sunday, Patrick Tetreault & the Pride with his lean, mean four piece machine. of the North Bank makes their festival The bad news: This will be the only debut with their acoustic Americana blues. Sunbanks this year as there will not be a Saturday opens with Ruby Flambé making Emily Burgess (former guitarist, 24th September event. Resort management has a long awaited return with her swinging Street Wailers) graces the mainstage as cut back to one festival per year and make it ukulele driven music. One of the few true a frontwoman for the first time. Another a great one! If you wanna get your Sunbanks blue blues bands in our region, (say that Sunbanks newcomer, Nakia and the Blues fix on for 2019, May is the time! three times fast) The T-Town Aces will dish Grifters from Austin, Texas brings his up a healthy helping of blues on Saturday soulful voice (he was a finalist on The The party kicks off Thursday night in the afternoon. Ben Rice from Portland will Voice) for a rare Northwest appearance. Cantina with dynamic singer songwriter take the stage celebrating three Blues Music Maddy Dullum on vocals and piano. The Awards nominations (possibly wins: we’ll Sunbanks favorite Patti Allen closes the Twang Junkies, followed by Hillstomp know May 9th) in the acoustic album, festival with Monster Road, featuring round out this foot stompin,’ low down, hill acoustic artist, and emerging artist album vocalist Susan Apple. country blues rockin’ bash. categories! For schedule sunbanksfestival.com The Trevalyan Triangle and Billy Stoops Among headlining acts, John Nemeth Tickets and reservations 509-633-3786

26 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society Congratulations to the Winthrop R & B Festival! Winthrop wins big at the Washington Festival & Events Association’s 2019 Gala!

The award-winning, Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival was honored last month at the Washington Festivals and Events Association’s (WFEA) Summit Awards gala in Bellevue, winning a stunning seven Gold Awards.

The Awards, given annually by the festival association, recognize outstanding work in marketing and communications. Entries were judged by professionals in their fields of radio, television, photography, website, development, promotions, graphics, advertising, public relations, marketing, social media and special event production.

Winthrop received Gold Awards for:

- Best Photo by photographer Peter Dervin

- Best Radio Ad (voiced by David Keefer of the Quake 102.1. Its membership includes all facets of the event - Best Website (designed by Promolab) Alive award for Best US Festival from the production industry, ranging from chambers Memphis-based Blues Foundation, which of commerce and community based non- - Best Social Media (Facebook and lauded the event for its strong, long-time profits and vendors to park departments and Instagram) commitment to its community and for mega events like Seafair. presenting the best of the blues. - Best Social Media Ad Campaign (fueled In attendance, Winthrop Music Association by Project Bionic This year’s Winthrop Rhythm & Blues (WMA) President Rick Northcott, WMA Festival will be held July 19-21, 2019. Board Member Peter Dammann, ticket - Best T-Shirt Design partner Amy Maxwell of Ticket Tomato Above (Left to Right) Director Erika Olsen. - Best Event Recap/Annual Report Amy Maxwell of Ticket Tomato, Erika Olsen, Winthrop festival Director, Winthrop Music “We are proud to work with all our partners “We had the highest quality of competitive Association Board President Rick Northcott and without whom this legacy event would not entries in our Summit Awards program Winthrop Music Association Board Member Peter happen,” said Winthrop festival Director history,” said WFEA Executive Director Dammann. Olsen. “They help make our festival a truly Bruce Skinner. “All organizations should (Photo Courtesy of Erika Olsen) Golden Event! Kudos to all.” be proud of the work they are doing for their festivals and events. Their efforts are Celebrating its 32nd year, the Winthrop making a difference for attendees and their Rhythm & Blues Festival is the longest community as well.” running, most successful blues event in Washington State, and takes place in one of The Association provides professional and the region’s most spectacular festival settings— leadership development, and technical the Methow Valley of the North Cascades. assistance state-wide for the festivals and events industry in Washington State. A truly world-class event, the festival this past year received the coveted Keeping the Blues

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 27 A Raucous Night in Store for the May Blues Bash Brett “Bad Blood” Benton & TuN will rock the Blues Bash at Collectors Choice Restaurant Brett “Bad Blood” Benton Fish and International Blues Challenge sound is mesmerizing, warm and polished. winners Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons. Composer, keyboardist, and vocalist Chris Benton followed in their footsteps, winning Cootsona founded the group and writes the regional spot and going to Memphis with classically-trained guitarist and the next year to represent the Washington vocalist Nick Fair. These Seattle natives Blues Society in the International Blues welcomed Chicago-born Lauren Santi as Challenge. Known for his fierce rhythmic the lead vocalist, adding fiery flare and a finger-picking and melodic slide guitar, as sophistication beyond her years. With Keith well as his booming voice, Brett’s raw style is Moon-influenced, LA session-player Will best heard paying homage to its roots. He’s Bagby on drums, and longtime Bay Area exciting to watch, “stompin’ and hollerin’ musician Bill DeHart on bass, the group ” solo with acoustic slide guitar or playing comes together like a secret recipe where electric alongside a heavy, dynamic style of each stand-out ingredient complements the drums that really emphasizes what country others. Originally scheduled to play back blues is all about: the hypnotic groove in February, when we had to cancel due to that gets folks up and dancing! Both styles weather, TuN agreed to come back in the Alabama-born and Southern-raised, Brett remain true to the nature of country blues, spring. We are so excited to feature this “Bad Blood” Benton has been obsessed with while adding some grit and weight. This band whose music breathes new life into the country blues ever since he was a child, music will keep you moving and grooving! funky sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Check out listening to his parents’ and grandparents’ More at brettbentonmusic.com. their new single “Cicero” from their album records at an early age. By his teens, he now in production, at tuntheband.com, and was playing behind a drum kit, and by his TuN come check them out in person on Tuesday, early 20’s, was learning his way around slide May 14. guitar. In 2016, he left the South to perform his own brand of Delta and country-style The Washington Blues Society is a non-profit blues around the country and the world. organization. The Blues Bash is a member Currently in the Pacific Northwest, he has meeting open to the public, every second played many local, regional, and national Tuesday from 7-9:30 p.m. at Collector’s festivals and a countless number of venues Choice Restaurant in Snohomish. in just a few years’ time, and most recently, he has signed with Seattle’s own Knick Upper Left: Knack Records. His first studio release, You Brett “Bad Blood” Benton (Photo by Dave Corry) Got to Pray, is just out, and the CD will be available at the Blues Bash. Lower Middle: TuN This smokin’ five-piece ensemble sizzles Bill Bagny, Bill DeHart, Lauren Santi, Nickolas Fair Benton has shared stages with his friend, with soul and a rockin’ blues-infused and Chriss Cootsona Cedric Burnside, and with Walter Trout, blend of originals and classics. Their (Photo by Kalina Cimone) the Selwyn Birchwood Band, Samantha

28 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society PREVIEWS Music on Main During Memorial Day Weekend! Music on Main brings a special live music event to historic downtown Ritzville, Washington Blues, Southern rock and country sounds features Art in the Park on Saturday and are destined for Main Avenue in Historic Sunday, Alumni Banquet on Saturday Downtown Ritzville on Sunday, May 26, night, Classics on Main on Sunday and the 2019. Free live entertainment is being made Ritzville Fire Department Pancake Breakfast possible through the efforts of Brenda on Monday. And now, Music on Main! Owens and her H.E. Gritman Building nonprofit organization. For a first effort, Owens’ has ensured that the music will be epic. The new event is free to all ages and will Sheri Roberts Greimes has a beautiful, include music, vendors and raffle drawings. powerful voice worthy of any blues stage. Music on Main will coincide with the In fact, it has been said that Sheri “Can sing annual Ritzville Classics on Main car show the blues like nobody’s business.” She will be hosted by the Ritzville Classic Car Club. joined by her band, JoMomma. The stage will be located on Washington Avenue adjacent to Main Avenue where the Earlier this year Sheri competed in the Sheri Roberts-Greimes car show’s participants have their vehicles International Blues Challenge in the solo/ on display. duo category. Her powerful voice and and he and Ritzville have some serious bluesy, country rock sound has earned her history. Eubanks played there at least 10 Music begins at 12:05 PM with four Pacific many accolades. She has been nominated times during the previous festival’s run. Northwest bands gathering to liven up the for the Washington Blues Society’s 2019 He even anchored the Friday night kickoff Memorial Day weekend Spring Fest events Best Female Blues Vocalist and Best Solo/ parties at the fairgrounds. in Ritzville. Sheri Roberts Greimes with Duo Performance. JoMomma opens things. The Hankers take Sunbanks Blues Festival coordinator Billy over at 1:45 PM. The Sara Brown Band turns The Hankers deliver a strong mix of country, Stoops sums it up: “If you can look up ‘cool’ up the heat at 3:30 PM. At 5:15 PM, Sammy Southern rock and blues and they do so in the dictionary, you’ll see this cat’s picture.” Eubanks comes on board to take us out with using a powerful combination created by a a bang with special guest Peter Rivera (Rare wicked fiddle player and a fiery, vivacious Sammy’s often referred to as “The Voice.” Earth) joining him in his set! lead vocalist that has a sultry southern voice. He’s won Best Male Vocalist 12 times and is a Hall of Fame member on the Inland Owens is combining her love of music with a Front man Keith Niehenke uses his fiddle Empire Blues Society, an organization he passion for restoration of the H.E. Gritman and bow to energize the stage. Julie Layne helped create. Building, which she owns. The classic Niehenke turns that up a notch when she structure is located at the heart of Ritzville’s lets loose with her vocals. This band brings He’s spent a lifetime thrilling audiences and Historic Downtown. While Owens resides extraordinary vocals and powerhouse building a music legacy that has evolved in Montana, she has spent the past year instrumental talent. into a national touring band. Earlier this implementing a plan to fully restore the year Sammy Eubanks & The Work’In Class two-story brick building constructed in The Sara Brown Band, based in Kettle Falls, represented the Washington Blues Society 1902 by H. E. Gritman. A corner turret with can take an audience’s breath away. When and advanced to the finals of the 35th conical roof and a corner tower room on the you hear “Don’t Mess with a Redhead International Blues Challenge and captured second story make this building a true icon. from Stevens County,” don’t take the lyrics second overall out of a field of 260 Blues for granted. That tune can only be about acts. Music has long been in Owens’ veins. She Sara Brown. She packs powerhouse vocals currently helps coordinate the Big Sky in with a stylish, traffic-stopping stage For information regarding accommodations Blues Festival in Noxon, MT. Knowing how presence. Her musical influences should visit: https://www.ritzvillechamber.com/ popular the former Ritzville Blues, Brews provide a few clues. She pays homage to lodging & BBQs was during its 18-year run, Owens some legendary vocalists, listing Etta James, set out to bring music back to Main Avenue. Billie Holiday and Beth Hart among her top To support the H.E. Gritman Building Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect inspirational favorites. Nonprofit and the restoration project, opportunity. It’s the annual gathering for the contact Brenda Owens at h.e.gritman@ Ritzville Alumni on Saturday. The weekend Rounding out the night is Sammy Eubanks, gmail.com or (509) 850-7371.

May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 29 30 May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society May 2019 BLUESLETTER Washington Blues Society 31 Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Seattle, WA Permit No. 5617

P.O. Box 70604 Seattle, WA 98127

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The Washington Blues Society is a Proud Recipient of a 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award from the Blues Foundation!