In This Issue...

Rafael Tranquilino and Leah Tussing 2016 IBC Competitor Ben Hunter 2016 IBC Representative James Howard (Photo by Dave Corry) (Photo by Paul Brown) (Photo by Paul Brown)

Letter from the President 2 The Star Drums Showcase at The Muse! 7 Membership Opportunities 14 Letter from the Editor 3 James Howard Band: Mystic Path to Memphis 8 The BluezeeTees Story 17 Empire Awards 2015 In Review 5 Band in Seattle! 10 Blues CD Reviews 18 Introducing the Fraser Valley Blues Society 6 Takin’ Time w/Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons 12 Blues Grammy 2016 Nominees 19

Letter from Washington Blues Society President Tony Frederickson Hi Blues Fans, Wablues.org website. Rick Bowen who has taken searching for a software that will integrate the card the lead in continuing to make improvements for printer with our membership database to assign The start of another year! I wonder what new our online presence has found a new company Membership numbers for each individual member, adventures await us as we move into 2016! to work with who will be providing us with new to send out reminder notices when it is time for software that makes it easier for musicians, clubs, renewal automatically, to print membership cards First of all, I would like to introduce to Bluesletter and others to post their events on our website. This and welcome letters for both new members and readers to the 2016 Washington Blues Society new software is a just fill in the blanks application returning members, and a ton of other features that Board of Directors as voted on this last December that will be intuitive and as the software is used will add value and substance to being a member at the Holiday Party, the Blues Bash and through more and more it will learn to fill in a lot of the of the Washington Blues Society! I have come the mail by dues current members of the event form with addresses, phone numbers, and across several different software programs in my Washington Blues Society. The members have other information as it is used by those who wish search and have settled on a few different ones elected Eric Steiner for another year as our editor to share their gigs. Another feature of this calendar to explore and have the board select one for us to of the Bluesletter. Chad Creamer returns to fill is that it is easily shared with other calendars so purchase and active! I want to “Thank You” for the Treasurer’s role. Chad is the longest serving that with one post the event information will be your patience as the Membership Cards have been director on this board and well he would love to shared with multiple other sites. What a time saver one of the items most requested by members! We step aside he has agreed to return for another year. in getting as much word out about shows with as will have this very important feature solved within Hopefully, we will find someone to step up and fill little effort as possible. The end result that we are the first calendar quarter this year! this role over the course of the year. We have a new shooting for is that as musicians and clubs use our secretary as the members voted in Carolyn Palmer- calendar their show schedules will be shared on As we finish up these leftover tasks we will begin Burch for this position on the board. Returning as multiple sites so the information is shared with the to add more fresh and exciting items for our Vice President is Rick Bowen, one of the hardest most potential attendees as possible! Let’s hope for membership to take part in and enjoy! The future working individuals on the board over the last few bigger audiences so our clubs are more successful, is bright and I look forward to this next year! years. I look forward to another productive year our musicians get paid more because audiences are Thanks for your continued support and see you all working with Rick and the rest of the team as the bigger and we get more shows with the energy of a out at a show! members have elected me for another term in the happy crowd with more fans, potential friends and President’s chair. more options for entertainment in the “Blues and Tony Frederickson, President, Roots” genre! Washington Blues Society We have some unfinished business from last Member, Board of Directors-The Blues Foundation year to finish up moving us as an organization The second and most pressing item is the activation into the 21st century. Part one of that is we have of our membership card printer and the “Member’s a new calendar application being installed on the Only” section on our new website! I have been 2 Kevin Sutton Honoring SRV in STL! Anita Royce of the Inland Empire Blues 2016 IBC Representative Joe Seamons (Photo by Monty Brown) Society(Photo by Maya Brennan) (Photo by Rosie McPherson)

Pacific Northwest Blues Showcase at the IBC 20 Washington Blues Venue Guide 26 Honoring SRV in STL 30 Blues Calendar 22 Attention Music People: Listings! 27 2016 BB Award Nomination Form 31 Flat 5 Blues Cartoon 24 Washington Blues Talent Guide 27 Please note: Our membership form will return Washington Blues Jams & Open Mics 25 Photos from Year-End Blues Events 28 next month! Sorry for any inconveniece.

Eric Steiner’s Letter from the Editor Hi Bluesletter Readers, The International Blues Challenge is an important a number of years, I am confident that Ben Hunter event for Blues Foundation affiliates. At each local and Joe Seamons, as well as the James Howard This month’s Bluesletter features the Washington competition or our finals in Snohomish, acts are Band, will represent the Pacific Northwest well on Blues Society’s representatives at the 2016 judged against a Blues Foundation scoresheet. Beale Street at the end of this month. International Blues Challenge: Ben Hunter and Joe Washington Blues Society president Tony Seamons as a duo and the James Howard Band. Frederickson took extra care in informing the This month’s issue features photos from Each act has had to not only compete at a local audience of this key fact: the acts do not compete last December’s Holiday Party thanks to the Washington Blues Society judged contest, but also against each other; instead, they are evaluated contributions of photographer Denise Hathaway. receive the highest scores at our blues society’s by judges that review the act’s blues content, I am also pleased to introduce the Fraser Valley International Blues Challenge finals held at the instrumental and vocal talent, originality and stage Blues Society, through an article submitted by Taste of Music in Snohomish, Washington. presence. the society’s president, Cora Price. The Fraser Valley is just across the USA-Canada international However, before I introduce Amy Sassenberg’s Every January, we do our best to feature our border in British Columbia at the center of the profiles of our acts who will compete in Memphis, International Blues Challenge representatives, Evergreen State and there are many opportunities I want to apologize to Little Bill and the Blue because this is the issue that will represent the to experience live music in and around the Notes for not inserting the right Best of the Blues Washington Blues Society on Beale Street in Abbotsford, British Columbia area. Last month, I (“BB Awards”) nomination form in the last issue. Memphis. Coincidentally, the January issue will included a short article on the White Rock Blues So, if any member who has submitted his or her also be placed in every cabin on the Legendary Society in nearby Surrey and I hope that more nomination on the December ballot, please email Rhythm and Blues Cruise, too! I am pleased that Washington Blues Society members and fans will me and I will get you a corrected ballot. I did not Amy Sassenberg volunteered to tell the stories add both of these exciting blues societies on their catch the error; the name of the award formerly of our solo/duo competitors as well as our band blues calendars in 2016. known as Traditional Blues Act. Honoring Little in this issue. Given that each act is busy (they Bill and the Blue Notes’ legacy in the Evergree are working musicians who perform across the Until next month, enjoy the January Bluesletter State, the Board of Directors of the Washington USA), I can only imagine how difficult scheduling and go out and see live blues! Blues Society elected to rename this award the interviews must have been. Little Bill and the Blues Notes Traditional Blues Eric Steiner, Editor Act Award. To make this right, we will honor I am also pleased that long-time Washington Washington Blues Society Bluesletter request of Washington Blues Society members Blues Society volunteer photographer Paul Brown Past President, Washington Blues Society who wish to re-do their nomination with a has captured each of these performers for the Former Board Member, corrected ballot prior to next month’s deadline. cover shots and interior pictures. Based on my The Blues Foundation (2010-2013) experience in Memphis as a volunteer judge over 3 Washington Blues Society February 2016 Deadlines Proud Recipient of a 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award Ad Reservations: January 5th - [email protected] 2016 Officers Calendar: January 5th - [email protected] President Tony Frederickson [email protected] Editorial: January 5th - [email protected] Vice President Rick Bowen [email protected] Camera Ready Ads: January 12th - [email protected] Secretary Carolyn Palmer-Burch [email protected] Treasurer (Acting) Chad Creamer [email protected] Please Note: All camera ready art and photos need to be in CMYK Editor Eric Steiner [email protected] format (for color) or grayscale (for black and white) at 300 dpi or higher and sent only as attachments (and not embedded in emails). 2015 Directors (2016 Directors Appointed During January Blues Bash) Music Director Janice Cleven Gage [email protected] Graphics: 300 dpi PDF, TIF or JPG in CMYK Format Membership Michelle Burge [email protected] Text: Plain .txt or Microsoft Word (as an attachment) Education Roy Brown [email protected] Volunteers Rhea Rolfe [email protected] B/W COLOR HT X WIDTH Merchandise Tony Frederickson [email protected] Full Page: $300 $375 (11” x 8.5”) Advertising Open Half Page: $175 $220 (5.5” x 8.5”) Back Half Page: $260 $325 (5.5” x 8.5”) Thank You to the Washington Blues Society 2016 Street Team Quarter Page: $100 $125 (5.5” x 4.25”) Downtown Seattle Tim & Michelle Burge [email protected] Fifth Page: $75 $95 (3.5” x 4.25”) West Seattle Jeff Weibe (206) 932-0546 Business Card: $30 $38 (2” x 3.5”) North Sound Malcolm Kennedy [email protected] Northern WA Lloyd Peterson [email protected] Bluesletter Advertising Discounts: Penninsula Dan Wilson [email protected] 20% off - 12 month pre-payment Pt Townsend & PtAngeles Alvin Owen [email protected] 15% off - 6 month pre-payment Central WA Stephen J. Lefebvre [email protected] 10% off - 3 month pre-payment Eastern WA Open Ballard Marcia Jackson [email protected] On the Cover: The James Howard Band - The Wshington Blues Lopez Island Carolyn & Dean Jacobsen [email protected] Society’s band representative in the 2016 International Blues Challenge Welcome Home “Rock Khan” [email protected] (Photos by Paul Brown). Below: Tim Kraft on keyboards for The Naughty Blokes performing at a 2015 Washington Blues Society Special Thanks December event (Photo by Paul Brown). Webmaster Emeritus The Sheriff [email protected] Web Hosting Adhost www.adhost.com WBS Logo Phil Chesnut [email protected] Calendar Janie Walla [email protected] Cover Graphics Paul Steiner [email protected] Blues Cartoonist Sylvia Breece [email protected]

Mission Statement: The Washington Blues Society is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote, preserve, and advance the culture and tradition of blues music as an art form. Annual membership is $25 for individuals, $35 for couples, and $40 for overseas memberships. The Washington Blues Society is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible. The Washington Blues Society is affiliated with The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. Washington Blues Society P.O. Box 70604 Seattle, WA 98127

January Bluesletter - Vol. XVI, Number I

Publisher Washington Blues Society Editor Eric Steiner ([email protected]) Calendar Janie Walla ([email protected]) Advertising Open Printer Pacific Publishing Company www.pacificpublishingcompany.com

Contributing Writers: Eric Steiner, Malcolm Kennedy, Tony Frederickson, Rick Bowen, Anita Royce, Cora Price, Kevin Sutton, Rick Nolanm Kevin Sutton, Amy Sassenberg

Contributing Photographers: Denise Hathaway, Monty Brown, Eric Steiner, Dave Corry of Corryography, Paul Brown, Jeri Goodwin, Maya Brennan, Cherished Moments Photography of Walla Walla, Marilyn Stringer 4 Empire Awards 2015 in Review By Anita Royce (Photo by Jeri Goodwin) Dan & the Blues Blazers with Dan Franklin at the have won in the past and some who will probably helm playing guitar so well and singing loud and win in the future. At any rate, this was our 2015 The 2015 Inland Empire Blues Awards show and clear with his wonderful voice. He is young and party honoring our winners and nominees. ceremonies was one to be remembered, that is for energetic, and it shows in all he does. With his sure. If you were there, you heard two wonderful father Doug Franklin on bass, this father-son team The first category was Best Writer for Inside bands, and from the first to the last note of the is backed by Mike Dietrich on drums. Blues, and the nominees included Al Blum, and night and everything in between, the music was Dick Callison (from Canada), and myself.. My first class and each performance was very special. The Blues Blazers played for an hour and a half, name was called, and I was thrilled to accept the This year, we were fortunate to have generous and then it was time to start givin’ stuff away. award. I do a whole lot of writing for the Inland award sponsors who helped make our event The three boxes were crammed with wrapped Empire Blues Association’s Bluesletter, it was fiscally responsible, and we want to thank each of awards. Mel made sure she was unwrapping the the first time I had ever won. Now that Mr. Craig them so very much. right award for the category, and our two “Vanna Heimbinger is in the blues society’s Hall of Fame, Whites,” Marva Ulleland and Kathy Blair took people actually had to vote for someone else. Mel Warren was in charge this year, and along turns taking the awards out to Dean Davis, where with help from Kay Miller and me: we put this he called out the winning name. Of course, if one Don’t get me wrong: we all love Craig, and we event together. Mel introduced our Master of was nominated for a category, they actually were love what he writes. I wish more people would Ceremonies, Dean Davis, who is one of the very deserving as well, and sometimes it would send us articles, and when I accepted, I called founding members of the Inland Empire Blues have been hard to pick the winner. for people to actually do it. We could use more Society in Spokane. Dean said he recognized writers for Inside Blues, and this year, we’ll see if some of the faces, but because we have a lot of However, someone must win, and the name was someone else does. newer members, he was happy to see them as well, called. although he did not recognize them. What was The second category was Best Blues Radio apparent though, was the joy on the faces and the I wanted to make sure that each nominee and each program and the nominees were Blues Therapy happiness throughout the room. The only sad note winner received the Inland Empire Blues Society’s (KWCW, Walla Walla, WA), Mojo Boogie was that Ted Todd was with us only in spirit, and most sincere congratulations, and indeed the names (KYRS 92.3 & 88.1 FM, Medical Lake, WA), and we all miss him more than words can say. on the voting ballot represented many of our finest. Blowtorch Blues (streaming online). I actually There are some very deserving musicians whose went on two radio shows to promote the Awards Monte Price introduced the opening band, Spokane names were not on the ballot this year, some who this year, (Continued on Page 11)

5 Introducing the Fraser Valley Blues Society! By Cora Price, President The Fraser Valley Blues Society’s Jam Session will be held on Friday, January 8th Fraser Valley Blues Society and Friday, February 12th at the Eagles Hall, 33868 Essendene in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Doors open at 7:30 and there’s no cover charge. However, a donation is Founded in October of 2013, the Fraser Valley Blues Society has greatly appreciate to offset the cost of the equipment, sound and jam-related expenses. been hosting live blues music shows in the Abbotsford and Mission The jam sessions continue to grow and it’s an exciting opportunity to see local blues areas of British Columbia since April of 2014. In addition to live talent. We have musicians and bands coming from many outlying areas - Vancouver, shows, the society holds monthly Jam Sessions for 10 months of the Burnaby, Coquitlam, White Rock, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, Chilliwack and year (September through June – this is like a “blues school year) Abbotsford. Would love a few Washington Blues Society musicians to come up and featuring a no cover venue that attracts musicians from the Greater join in on the fun! Vancouver region, British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, and the Fraser Valley, on a regular basis. Jam Sessions are held on Friday If you’re financially embarrassed, there’s an ATM at the Back of the Eagles Hall as the evenings, making it a great way to end a week. venue does not accept debit or credit cards. If you bring guests, please remind them.

This month, the Fraser Valley Blues Society is proud to host James Speaking of guests - who have you invited to an event or jam, or told about the “Buddy” Rogers on the 23rd at the Eagles Hall in Abbotsford. Fraser Valley Blues Blues Society? Share, share, share. The more, the merrier. James “Buddy” Rogers was one of those precocious kids who Long & MacQuade (who gratefully contribute the guitar for autographing), What’s On! knew at an early age what he wanted to do. James’ love of music Abbotsford (for space in the magazine to inform readers about the Fraser Valley Blues and blues came as a result of his Dad bringing home records Society), Bourquin Printers (who printed a banner for us and gave us discounted pricing and a guitar from his job on the railway. At 10 he was already on our printing), CiVL Radio - where we have three radio programs that promote our demonstrating a strong musical talent and by 15 his band Texas shows. Listen in on Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 PM for the Delong John Show, on Storm was opening for major acts featured at Vancouver Blues Clubs Saturdays from 1:00 – 3:00 PM for A Jazz & Blues Journey and from 3:00 to 5:00 PM (special permission was granted by the LCB for him to do this). for the Boogety Shoe Blues Show.

When he was 19 he teamed up with former BB King Bassist, Russell Jackson and they played together for the next five years. Rogers then formed his own band and toured throughout Canada, Europe and the US, before settling back into the Vancouver scene.

As a tribute to his father who passed in 2010, James incorporated “Buddy” into his stage name. His Dad was one of his biggest supporters and accompanied him on many of his tours and was instrumental in getting him into the local Vancouver scene at such an early age.

Rooted in the lean sound of Texas Blues, James’ influences are Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson and Jimmie Vaughan, along with the three Kings - B.B., Albert and Freddie. James’ voice is a dominant force reminiscent of a cross between Robert Cray and Buddy Guy, with a little Duke Robillard thrown into the mix for good measure.

In an interview with Michalis Limnios BLUES @ GREECE on November 15, 2012, Rogers had this to say:

“Blues is the roots and the rest are the fruits. A root will always need to live for something to grow from it. BB King once said to me, ‘James when I was your age it was Rhythm and Blues, now it’s just Blues. I guess we lost the Rhythm.’ So maybe I can wish people don’t become so scared of the word ‘Blues’. Open up and realize Blues is universal and not boring, sad, and rough around the edge whiskey voice music.”

6 7 James Howard Band: A Mystic Path to Memphis By Amy Sassenberg (Photo by Paul Brown) To be clear, the band pays homage to traditional a third time after performing with The Rafael blues themes in original compositions like Tranquilino Band last year and helping the Randy “Music is the mediator between the spiritual and “Trouble,” a slow blues that pokes a little fun at Oxford Band reach the finals in 2012. the sensual life.” This quote by Beethoven lives doomed relationships, and the boogie-woogie on James Howard’s Facebook wall and provides number, “Good Man.” They will enthusiastically Dosumov has been with Howard about three years a solid introduction to the man and his band. jump through a well-loved standard like and says he loves playing with this band because Watching the seasoned Seattle foursome at a “Caledonia” and then turn around with an ethereal Stout is so great at his job and because of the recent showcase, James Howard straddled that blues-tinged treatment of a gospel classic. But positive attitude generated by the members. He chasm like a pro: feet planted wide apart, hips there is an ethereal element here, too, a vibrance, can let his creativity kick in. thrust forward, his guitar rising up to meet his something beyond the norm, that elevates the hands, neck arched back, and face to the heavens performance to a transformative realm. “James can be very melodic or very intense in his in a grimace of ecstasy. playing,” says Dosumov, “and that gives the band Howard is a guitar player’s guitar player. The a huge range of places to go.” Bassist Farko Dosumov, is thumping, bouncing feel and sound and dexterous style is definitely right next to him, matching his incredible energy, unique, and it’s easy to see why he’s admired by Each member of the band is poised at the top of looking back and locking in with drummer John students and lovers of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie his game. They have a huge amount of support in Stout, while keyboardist Frank “Hot Rod” Holman Ray Vaughn. Two decades ago, he was already the blues community and raised enough money glues it together, compounding the sound, raising impressing judges as a finalist in Guitar Player crowd-funding to release two albums this month, the vibe to gospel proportions with his badass Magazine’s Hendrix Contest where he composed and they’re bringing it all to Beale Street. B3. The group is so kinetic that the stage looks and performed his own Jimi-inspired composition, like it’s moving. Individually they appear to in addition to interpreting a classic of the late, great “I’m passionate to bring it there,” Howard says, be improvising, playing to the moment, while guitar legend. More recently, his guitar virtuosity adding, “We’re ready to expand.” His smile is collectively managing to sound like they’re all and emotional presentation earned him the Best contagious and he seems at once excited and building to the same, intense crescendo. Blues Guitarist award in a 2011 Yamaha Global relaxed: not unusual for a man who blends his Guitar Competition. spirituality and social conscious with his music. Just as suddenly the band breaks for a dramatic Howard says he is careful not to give his music to pause where the pleading sound of Howard’s “I generate the music in my body,” he says. “I his ego, and intends to enjoy the fruits of the spirit, guitar is all you hear. But there’s something more. am connected to the guitar so that I can sing the regardless of where the competition takes him. He As his fingers work the strings on those hard- notes in my body and instantly translate them to likens it to a friendly game of baseball. “You want driving or long dreamy sequences, his mouth the guitar.” He calls it ‘toning,’ and says if he ever to play baseball, you want to hit the ball, you want moves and companion sounds spring forth from starts to feel disconnected he will improvise with runs,” he says, matter-of-factly, “but your overall his lips. While performing, and on many of his singing into the guitar to feel the life in it. happiness doesn’t depend on it.” recordings, Howard’s songs are accompanied by this other-worldly punctuation of howls, moans But Howard does not rely solely on his own talents. This particular game is really icing on the cake, and whispers, a style referred to as ‘singing into He praises the band members for their individual and in another sense, perfect timing for this global the guitar.’ The combination is dramatic and gifts and their abilities to improvise and work off introduction. Because he almost wasn’t here. transports the music to a different level. of each other. Fifteen years ago, in his mid-30s, Howard was a The James Howard Band is fired up and headed “Frank Holman’s B-3 really takes me back to my hard-working professional musician in Northern to Memphis this month for the International love for early Journey and Santana’s keyboardist California’s bay area. Over the years he had the Blues Competition. Representing the Washington Gregg Rolie,”says Howard. opportunity to open shows for some big name acts Blues Society, the band won the contest with including Boston, Journey, Robin Trower, John fresh songwriting, masterful instrumentation and “Frank is great at signature riffs, gluing the songs Waite, UFO and Greg Kihn. While he enjoyed thoughtful themes, with Howard beaming out together, holding it down.” Holman has played various levels of success, after a lifetime in the front, his guitar and voice united and infused with in rock, ska and blues bands up and down the music business, he lost interest in pursuing it so passion and soul. west coast for decades, including the Hot Wired doggedly and decided to take a break. He began Rhythm Band, Living Dolls and Robbie Laws focusing much of his energy inward and says “You want joy? Then give joy.” This is the first Bigger Blues Band. it was time to heal issues around his health and line of the title song on the new release, Path his family of origin. Born into an environment of the Mystic. “You want love? Smile on your Multi-instrumentalist, music teacher and in- where addiction issues kept things off balance, brothers and your sisters. Be the change you want demand session musician, John Stout, has been his parents could not always manage to keep the in the world.” The lyrics could have sprung from a drumming with Howard, off and on, for about family together. At one point Howard spent part of modern guru or a church hymnal. On the surface, seven years and they work together like a well- his childhood in an orphanage. there is no pain, no train, no waking up with the oiled machine. Stout is also a prolific bandleader, blues, wishing his woman was there. The words has played percussion with Hootie & the Blowfish, While he never gave up music or playing, he trusted are conceptual, not concrete, unabashedly positive, and toured nationally with his outfit Shades of his instincts and closed the door to the business of and seeking a higher plane. But then they swoop Grey. Together with bassist extraordinaire, Farko it all, mourning the loss. Then he set about doing down and are growled low and dripping with a Dosumov, known for his blistering bass solos, the tough inner work to heal from trauma endured thick sweetness onto super funky guitar and bass, Howard says this rhythm section collectively earlier in life. In time, his sabbatical from the sounding like Jimmy Witherspoon grooving at a boosts the band’s special chemistry with their music business brought him deeper into the music house party with an Ohio Players rhythm section, incredible creativity. Dosumov, who is also itself and it became inseparable from his spiritual the spiritual definitely meeting up with the sensual regularly paired with the original Santana drummer practice. world. Michael Shrieve in his band Spellbinder, is an International Blues Challenge veteran, returning 8 the guitar. In addition to serving the community through music at the Center for Spiritual Living, Howard teaches at The Seattle Drum School of Music. He says he’s more like a coach, and sometimes views the process like therapy. “The solar plexus: that’s your place of personal power, and a lot of people are closed down there because of society, because of messages they received,” he says. “So one of the first things I ask people to do is scream, and some can not do it.” He says he works with many who wanted to do music their whole lives but didn’t or couldn’t and now they know they need to. He says, “I help them reach through to access that.”

He says that process has also helped him reach that place of transcendence for himself. He acknowledges his vocalizations and style evoke a primal feeling, reminiscent of relationships indigenous peoples had with nature. He compares it to riding a bucking horse: “Music is the horse and I’m just riding the force, trying not to fall off.” Maybe he tames it a little, he says, but he’s along for the ride. “It’s me interacting with the universe, with the musicians and with the audience. It’s not an isolated event. It’s energy.”

Howard points to a serious football injury in his sophomore year of high school as the first musical turning point in his life. He had already been playing in a band but it was when he broke his femur that he became truly dedicated to his music.

“I was laid up for half the year, with a tutor coming to my house only an hour a day to do school work. The rest of the time I played guitar.” For months, he Around the same time circumstances brought him them—Farko, John and James—each of them has spent the majority of his days practicing, playing to Seattle and he fell in love with the area. He such talent, such originality,” says Holman. “It’s by ear, working from songbooks, perfecting his began playing at the Center for Spiritual Healing fun to create with those guys, nothing but fun. It’s technique. “I learned how to pick up guitar riffs, in Seattle, where his recent album of improvised such a respectful group and James is such a gentle licks and solos by ear,” he says, listening to Led instrumentals, Devachan, was recorded. In 2008 leader,” Holman says. “We’re just beginning to Zeppelin, Pat Travers Band, Santana, Clapton, etc. he says he was ready to enter again from a different explore the possibilities, which is so exciting.” He found he had a knack for improvising. place in his heart, from a place of gratitude and service. He set about putting a band together Highway 99 continues to be one of the premiere When he discovered that the guitar sounds he liked and started playing clubs. “I followed my inner blues clubs in the country and The James in popular music originated from farther up the guidance to come to the Northwest and my career Howard Band will continue to play those second road, so to speak, he searched out their influences. has blossomed here more now than ever,” he says. Wednesdays. On those nights the music never He rattles off a list and then stops. “Albert King, stops. “I play for three hours with no break,” Freddie King, Robert Johnson... Finding Robert One of the Seattle venues, the waterfront Highway Howard says. The band usually breaks for about Johnson was like discovering the Holy Grail. I 99 Blues Club, figures prominently in the story 15 minutes in the middle while he solos. “I like to could hear where Led Zeppelin came from.” Many of the band’s evolution. Over the years Holman keep the energy building,” he says. “I like to keep blues lovers can identify with this listening journey had been playing keyboards with many artists the flow.” of discovery. He kept listening and studying and at the venue, including the All-Star house band shifted in that way we do when insight opens the since soon after its inception in 2004, along James Howard is all about flow. He talks about mind. He says he heard the roots of so many things with Randy Oxford and co-owner and drummer music like a priest speaks of God, describing in the sounds of the blues greats. Steve Sarkowski. Howard started playing there sound as “the essence of matter.” He says, “Music occasionally too, with Stout on drums, when he is sacred geometry; a pure spiritual language.” Later that same year Howard began playing came back on the scene. Dosumov joined them, If you press further he will wax poetic regarding professional gigs. He played house parties as a and the band enjoyed a regular slot on second math ratios, solar systems, pentatonic and diatonic teenager with legendary Metallica bassist Cliff Wednesdays. But Holman says it wasn’t until just scales, right and left brain, etc. He’s fascinated and Burton. Also highly influential was the playing of two years ago that Sarkowski put him together fascinating. Eddie Van Halen, which he says he experienced with Howard one night and it worked so well as “blues-rock guitar from outer space,” and then they’ve played together ever since. In addition to playing from a very early age, he has Stevie Ray Vaughn, who, he says, “brought the educated himself, steeped himself, in all aspects of blues back down to earth,” and whom he sights as “You know this blues scene, it’s just like a big music and the creation thereof. And now he teaches his biggest lasting influence. family. It’s such a pleasure to play with all of what he learned, including the style of singing into (Continued on Page 14)

9 Band in Seattle: An Opportunity for Washington Blues Bands! By Eric Steiner me a slot at the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey, California for a year-long I found the following schedule on the Band in During the production of this Bluesletter, I had course in the Russian language and the opportunity Seattle website (please check it for more up-to- the privilege of discovering a potential new to complete basic training where my father did at date information): resource for Washington Blues Society bands and Fort Dix, New Jersey. Our service in the US Army fans. En route from Maui, Hawaii to Bellingham, differed markedly: my dad earned the prestigious Thursday, January 7th, 2016: The Stacy Washington aboard Alaska Air Lines flight 808 Ranger tab and served in the Korean police action Jones Band and Paula Boggs (that’s Hawaii’s statewide area code), I pressed in combat in the 1950s, and I went on to basic play on the Alaska Airlines Beyond in-flight interrogator school at Fort Huachuca, Arizona in Friday, January 8th, 2016: Hounds of the entertainment system powered by a Toshiba the 1980s and served in the reserves and on active Wild Hunt and Dude York tablet running Windows 10 to watch a 22-minute duty for close to nine years. segment featuring Grace Love and the True Loves. Thursday, February 11th, 2016: Powers and I am pleased that the former Naval Air Station Sundries I was pleasantly surprised at the collection of at Sand Point in Seattle (where I used to shop at movies, TV shows and games on Alaska Airlines’ the Commissary and the PX), the former MEPS Friday, February 12th, 2016: Fox and the Beyond entertainment service, although I must building –as Victory Studios have become peace Law and Brent Amaker and the Rodeo admit that I am simply a dunce in the Microsoft dividends with former military facilities turned solitaire games that I could just not navigate. So, over to civilian use. I think that Band in Seattle is an ambitious I selected the Band in Seattle TV program from undertaking in a very crowded and fiercely Seattle’s channel 11 – also known as CW11. Band For me, it’s exciting that one of the more popular, competitive musical marketplace. I hope that in Seattle features local talent every Saturday and award-winning Washington Blues Society Victory Studios will continue to be successful for produced by Victory Studios in the Interbay/ bands will play Victory Studios’ Band in Seattle years to come and also open doors for Washington Ballard neighborhood. It’s been around for several program on January 7th: the Stacy Jones Band will Blues Society bands and fans. I’m heartened that seasons and I think it’s a great way to discover new play for a small live audience and the show will the first show of the new year will feature the musical talent of all genres. The playlist reflects be broadcast live online three days after recording. award-winning Stacy Jones Band and hope that the exceptional musical diversity of the Pacific This truly is an exciting opportunity for bands and Washington Blues Society members will add this Northwest: there’s Gospel, hip-hop, reggae, hard solo/duo artists throughout the Pacific Northwest. to their blues calendars. rock and folk (but I just know that Band in Seattle could use some more blues programming and During each night of concert taping, each band I can’t wait to see the likes of our International will play a 45 minute set immediately followed by Blues Challenge acts, the James Howard Band or a recording of the interview program “Band Talk.” Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons, on this program). Doors open at 6PM at Victory Studios, 2247 15th Avenue West between Queen Anne and Magnolia On this return flight home, I discovered Grace in Seattle. The show starts at 7PM and ends at February Blues Love and the True Loves, a Seattle nine-piece soul approximately 10PM. Admission will include free outfit that reminded me immediately of Sharon beer provided by our sponsors and soft drinks and Bash Jones and the Dap Kings. In between professional, snacks. Sponsors include Naked City Brewery, multi-camera shots of original songs from the American Music, North Coast Brewing, Wide featured performers, Band in Seattle hosts provide World Spirits. Reminder: ongoing commentary and include interviews with each member of the band. I was pleasantly The company behind this effort is impressive; surprised that the hosts were well-versed in soul according to the company’s website: Victory Acoustic Act: music, asked intelligent questions that elicited Studios Originals produces programming for Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons thoughtful responses from each musician and Television, Corporate Customers and the Web. helped focus on the unique aspects of each Each program is unique and reflects the years of featured act. The production values were first- experience of Victory Studios team members to class: the crisp editing reminded me of the cable tell stories and create memorable high quality still Electric Act: television program produced by Daryl Hall (of and video production imagery. Most important is The James Howard Band Hall and Oates’ fame), “Live at Daryl’s House, and the storytelling, whether it’s to entertain, inform or I’ll revisit Band in Seattle when I am back home persuade. Each story is designed with care to keep in Edmonds to discover new, original music from the viewer’s attention and always entertain, even For the most up-to-date Pacific Northwest artists. when informing or persuading are the primary purposes. Whether it’s for the local sports teams information on our monthly I’ve passed Victory Studios many times over the like the Seahawks or the Sounders, Microsoft, Blues Bash, please visit the years in a building on 15th Avenue Northwest not Starbucks or Boeing, Victory Studios Originals far from the Ballard Bridge and North of Mercer Team can create what is needed to produce Washington Blues Society on Street and Queen Anne Hill. In 1984, I enlisted in the desired results. Whether it’s a case study, a Facebook! the US Army when that building was the region’s documentary, a commercial, a corporate image Military Entrance and Processing Station. At video, or a television program, Victory Studios MEPS, I took the All-Services Vocational and Originals is ready to create a masterpiece with Aptitude Battery of tests and my scores landed great storytelling and artistic flare. 10 Empire Awards 2015 in Review (Continued) (Continued from Page 5) The Best Blues Harmonica award was next, and or otherwise she could have won it again. Anyway, Dave Allen, Tuck Foster, & Charlie Butts were my name was called, Anita Royce, and I was Mojo Boogie Blues and Dirt Road Blues (KCHW, nominated. There are some fine harp players in the happy to receive this recognition for the first time. Chewelah) which was not nominated. We played Spokane area, and it was hard for our voters to pick In the end, I am just a girl with a guitar who loves tunes from as many of the nominees as we could, the best of these three, but in the end Charlie Butts to sing and play the blues, and perhaps it shows as well as cuts from both our opening and our won. Charlie said he has been enjoying playing his sometimes. I just love you all, as without you, headliner bands. You should tune into these harp a lot lately, and we heard him last month at we performers would not get seen (special thanks programs; please check out the online listings our Boogie. He deserves this award, although he is to my fellow nominees and voters who share a at www.ieblues.org. Anyway, the winner of this also a fine sax player as well. Bolo’s Bar & Grill common bond through a love for blues music). category was Blowtorch Blues, and Kay Miller was the sponsor, for this event, so Barney Barnhart came up to accept this award. This was Ted Todd’s presented Charlie with his award. Thanks, Barney. Best Male Performer had nominees Robb show, who left us way too early. It is still being Boatsman, Tuck Foster, and Jesse Weston. Now broadcast for the time being. If you listen, maybe Category numero eight was Best Female Vocalist. after seeing Jesse sit down on his keyboard and you will catch it as he says something like, “Blues Nominees were Sara Brown, me and Missy get out in the audience with a belly dancer’s metal so strong they will pull the panties off a nun!” I Califano. Sara and I have both won it before, but belt on over his clothes and do the hip shake, you hope I got the quote close to what he had said, but Missy walked away with the award this year. This realize he does more than sit behind his keyboard. it was something like that. We will miss Blowtorch year Missy has done a lot to promote herself and So who knew? And Robb puts on a good show, too. Blues with Ted at the controls. Blues Edition, and really taken her lovely voice However, in the end people voted for the smooth out there, doing festivals, benefits and more. She stage presence of Tuck Foster, who has also won For Best Blues Drummer, the nominees were Ken just finished a new CD, Keep Stirrin’, which is this award in the past. Thanks Tuck, and I know Danielson, Mike Hays and Wayne Curtis. Ken really worth more than a listen. Get it and play it so I speak for fellow Inland Empire Blues Society Danielson with his schooled finesse and just great you can have some Missy Califano of your own. members when I say that I am looking forward to playing took home this award. This is not the first seeing more of you. time he has won. The Best Male Vocalist category followed with Tuck Foster, Robb Boatsman, and Dan Franklin Best Acoustic Blues Act found The Doghouse For Best Blues Bassist, the nominees were Ramiro having been nominated. All these guys were in the Boyz, Robb Boatsman, and Jeff Aker in the ranks. Vijarro, Randolph Knowles, and Pat Potter. house, and Dan was with the opening band. Tuck Each of these artists have won this award in the Randolph won, and this guy sure gets around and Foster traveled the farthest, all the way up from past, but in the end The Doghouse Boyz came plays with a lot of bands, including Rampage, Yakima with his lovely wife, and it was worth the away with the votes. People just love that Neil Blues Edition, and now the Bobby Patterson band, trip, ‘cause he sure did take home the award. If you Elwell and Ramiro Vijarro, who make up this and more. All the bassists were very accomplished, have not heard Tuck Foster & the Mossrites, catch duo. They are past Hall of Famers, and they laid but then again, one had to win. them at the Coeur d’Alene Blues Festival in a few out just long enough for someone else to win, but months. Tuck is a consummate showman, with a now they are back in the running. Catch them as Next was Best Blues Instrumentalist (other), which smooth blues voice that gets right out there. often as you can at a blues festival or blues club in means that the person nominated plays something Washington’s Inland Empire. besides those instruments for which we have Category 10, best Blues Guitarist, featured categories, such as guitar, harmonica, keyboards, nominees Robb Boatsman, Forest Govedare and Best New Blues Band had three fine bands etc. That usually leaves the horn players, although Joe Brasch. All these guys are really “hot” guitar nominated, Slow Cookin’, Spokane Dan & the one year a lap steel player was nominated. players, and two of them have been around a while, Blues Blazers, and the Jesse Weston Band. Slow Anyway, nominees were Chuck Swanson, Mike but Forest is right up there with his blues, too. Joe Cookin’ has been a favorite and playing all over Lenke, and Charlie Butts. Now, Chuck and Charlie Brash, who is currently playing with Charlie Butts the place. This band is made up of Larry Brown, usually seem to trade this award every other year & the Filter tips, among others, won this award. Forest Govedare, Art Quine, and now Mike or so, but this year Mike Lenke won. Mike has Joe says he often plays guitar all day, doing studio Dietrich on drums (yes he has more than one band. had his health problems throughout this year, but work and more. He is very accomplished and What do you expect? He is a drummer.) But then, now he is better. He said to say a prayer for the deserving of this award. We are very happy to have so does Forest. Anyway, as a group they have guitar player in his Baja Boogie Band. This is a Joe a part of our blues family. come on strong, and they were very happy to get band which has mostly local members, some from this award. Sandpoint, but they have often played in this area Best Slide Guitar had nominees Bryan Warhall, with David Raitt. Mike is their trumpet player, John Kelley (Montana), and Ben Rose, who won The Best Blues Band category was sponsored by and what a good one he is, with a long history of it last year. John Kelley emailed us that he and his Bobbi’s Bar, so Bobbi Doupe’ presented this award. playing in this area with Pat Coast, Big Mumbo, wife were very sick and could not make it over Thanks so much, Bobbi. There were nominations and out of this area with the big name guys! here, so we wish them the best, and it looks as of Bakin’ Phat, Tuck Foster & the Mossrites, and though John will be over here playing soon, so Robb Boatsman & Rampage. Bakin’ Phat won a For now, he was humbled to have won our award, more people could hear him. Ben Rose is also couple of years ago, and it was deja-vu this year although it was not the first time he had won it. very accomplished, but Bryan Warhall, who plays with them coming up again for the award. The mostly, if not all, acoustic slide guitar, too home difference was that last time Dennis Higgins was The Best Blues Keyboardist category featured the award. He was in the house and grinning ear to with them, and more recently they now have Pat nominees Richard Dines, Danny McCollum and ear and very happy to receive the award. Coast playing guitar and singing with them. The Jesse Weston. Jesse won, and what a showman he band is a bit different, but the band will continue is on the keys. Dennis Higgins, who is the very Best Female Blues Performer had a sponsor, Gerry on in its’ popularity. People seemed to agree, talented guitar player in his band, was there to Stone, who we thank very much. Nominees were because this year they again got the votes. accept the award for him. Missy Califano, Patrice Thompson Rose, and me. Sara Brown is in the Hall of Fame for this award (Continued on Page 15)

11 Takin’ Time with Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons By Amy Sassenberg Seamons reflected, some of these stories might be music made for social purposes and pure self- (Copyright 2015 Amy Sassenberg and Photo by only mostly true, but they describe the truth of the expression.” He says they want to encourage Paul Brown) people who experienced them. people not to hurry through life, to make music for its own sake. As Ben Hunter and Joe Seamons launched into Eric Steiner, Bluesletter editor and former board their first song, I felt an odd sensation, a buzzing member of The Blues Foundation, says he was And that is exactly what their music calls to or tingling, like the air contained electricity. It instantly impressed by their performance at a mind: the warm scents of coffee and bacon in wasn’t just the composition, haunting as it was, Washington Blues Society event earlier in 2015. the morning, laughter over big shared meals but that the very sound seemed to emanate from “Few acts capture the sounds, emotions and and gatherings on the porch at sunset, tipping beyond, like I’d been transported back in time. feelings of acoustic blues like this duo. After their back a few and remembering songs learned at a The song was an obvious antique and yet here it set, I encouraged them to compete in our local grandparent’s knee. was breathing and beating right in front of me. International Blues Challenge.” So where did they learn this stuff? Well, they arrived from different paths and then developed There is a freshness and immediacy fused into Other industry professionals have been taking it on their recent journey together. Joe Seamons, these old tunes; one reason the duo will be notice. Well-established DJ, promoter and who plays guitar, banjo, harmonica and sings, representing the Washington Blues Society at the creator of Blues-To-Do TV, Marlee Walker, was raised in Oregon in a musical community. International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis booked the duo for several shows in Seattle Folklorist Hobe Kytr was a key member of this winter. Hunter & Seamons have been playing this fall. She holds them in high esteem, that community, and taught him to play banjo. their laid-back mix of traditional folk-blues calling them “strikingly talented” in presenting Seamons calls Kytr a living repository of the together locally for more than three years, so I’m a “their deep repertoire of old folk, blues and northwest logging and fishing culture, whose little embarrassed they didn’t show up on my radar mountain music featuring delicious harmonies.” original songs described those traditions in detail. until just recently. “He’s my Mr. Miyagi,” he adds. Not surprisingly, At one such show, Seattle-based guitarist, Seamons earned his degree in English Literature From the moment they walked on stage at the composer and storyteller Steve James, considered with a minor in music. During college he studied regional IBC finals at Taste of Snohomish in one of the top interpreters of early folk blues, American balladry and British folk songs in August, their unique yet unassuming style, and student of blues great Furry Lewis, has been London. He also began listening to his parent’s their impressive collection of instruments spotted coming in to catch their sets when he’s not Bob Dylan records and from there, dug deeper into and their quiet confidence had the crowd touring. The three sat hunched at a table during Dylan’s influences, which lead him to the blues. taking notice before they ever played a note. a recent break at downtown Seattle’s J&M Cafe, swapping stories and examining instruments. Ben Hunter is classically trained in performance Seamons, 31, shouldering a small acoustic violin, graduating from Whitman College. He guitar, and wearing short dark hair and Here in Washington, there seems to be a fresh also plays mandolin, guitar, the bones, and sings. beard, seemed to harken from an earlier swell in the popularity of this kind of music— Once in a while he even pulls out a kazoo. Born time, with his neat slacks, rolled up plaid carried from town to town from folks like James, in Lesotho, a mountainous country within South sleeves, button down vest and porkpie hat. Terry Robb and Lloyd Jones—music that builds Africa, and primarily raised in Phoenix, with a few bridges between Dixieland and gospel, country formative years in Zimbabwe and Seattle, Hunter Hunter, 30, with dark dreadlocks, shades, brown blues, folk, jazz and ragtime. draws on a very broad musical background. fedora and breezy print shirt, raised a fiddle to his Travelling through Africa, Europe, Central and chin as gladly and as nonchalantly as some of us An organizer for the Far-West Folk Festival and North America with his mother as he was growing raise a glass of beer. And played it just as easily. well-respected multi-instrumentalist Joel Tepp up, he was exposed to many musical environments. has shared the stage with Bonnie Raitt and Little He says he eventually found himself drawn to folk, But it was the surprising blend of their acapella Feat, and traces his blues roots lineage back to blues and world music, and just kept digging till he voices that seemed to draw an instant hush over first-hand experiences with legends like John Lee found the roots of what he was hearing. the audience. Harmonies curled into the air like Hooker, Shakey Jake Harris and Sippie Wallace. smoke rings, seeming to hover and linger with He says Ben and Joe represent a true embodiment The two found each other through an interesting a hypnotizing sweetness. Body percussion was of the roots music tradition. “They combine twist. When Seamons happened to meet Hunter’s added by Ben, and then some “bones,” a clackety- artistic skill with enthusiastic delight to remind us college buddy Lauren at a festival, she suggested clicking percussion instrument akin to castanets or all why this music was so engaging to audiences the two should meet. They finally made that spoons. I’ve seen and heard Ben and Joe do this a in its original time and continues to inspire happen when their respective bands played a half-dozen times; each time, it never fails to make and delight listeners almost a century later.” Portland show in spring 2011. Within a year they me catch my breath. began playing together regularly.” In their performances, the pair samples selections For some modern-day blues fans, new to this genre, from their recording, “Take Yo Time,” a At the 2012 Centrum Acoustic Blues Festival their quickest connection to this music is what title originally derived from something Ben was in Port Townsend, WA, the then-new Program they remember from the Coen Brothers film, “Oh overheard singing to himself in the recording Manager, Mary Hilts, remembers meeting and Brother Where Art Thou?” And indeed, a Hunter studio; a fragment of Bill Broonzy’s Long Tall hearing them both for the first time. She says & Seamons show is the only time I’ve ever heard Mama. They said it just seemed to fit the music, since then she has happily watched them develop a college student in a Seattle bar request the song, which recalls a simpler way of life, perhaps, when their musical relationship and become fantastic “Constant Sorrow.” But that’s kind of cool and things were not so hectic and friends could take performers. “They are brilliant,” she says. “I’m so here’s why: Ben and Joe are educating listeners of time to tell or listen to a story, and enjoy playing impressed by their integrity. They have a constant all ages—through performance and storytelling— music together informally, just for the joy of it. hunger and seeking for the old music. They do to the music and narratives of North America from “What we want to incite is a revival,” Says their due-diligence. They travel and seek out the the Civil War years to the mid-20th century. It is a Seamons, “A revival of the good things that ones who are still with us. They do the research.” narrative only touched on in history books. And as have been lost: elements of life, a quality of art, collaboration. River. They visited, interviewed and played with

Joe and Ben are intensely involved in South Seattle Artists throughout the region, making good on educational non-profits, including their their mission to build community through arts

Hilts says the two performers live the music. their own Rhapsody Program, which features events and to learn from and connect with the “They dress that era. Their culture and their sense monthly concerts of local talent. Through culture bearers of the genres they explore in of community is of that era.” She says she respects Rhapsody, they also introduce folk and blues their music. Now in the editing process, the that the duo plays the music in the spirit in which traditions to youth through reaching out to local documentary will debut sometime in 2016. it was developed; more than a band presenting on schools. They teach a program for junior fiddlers a stage. “Everyone in the room is involved. It’s at Washington Middle School in South Seattle. In addition to editing their film footage, and about the whole community.” They’ve also brought their Rhapsody Program preparing for their Memphis debut, they are also to kids across the country, including Chicago, putting the finishing touches on their new album, Vocalist Farren O’Farren is program assistant for Portland, and Davenport, Iowa. due to be released in February. the Port Townsend program and is well-acquainted and enthusiastic about their music. “From Lonnie The Hillman City Collaboratory advertises itself You can find more about their music, shows Johnson to Duke Ellington, from fiddle tunes to as an “Incubator for Social Change.” It is a and projects at benjoemusic.com/ and blues, Ben and Joe bring a crisp authenticity to the foundational space where Seattle arts meet social hillmancitycollaboratory.org/. music they play. They wake up your senses and needs, where social justice is cooked up alongside carry you to a different time with good energy, delicious meals. Hunter started one of the If you find yourself on Beale Street this January, good dynamics, gritty vocals, deep harmonies and founding groups, CommunityArtsCreate, and he take the time to get a spot at one of their shows. polished instrumentation.” was recently recognized by the Washington State Because they both play several instruments and Arts Commission with a 2015 Governor’s Arts & sing, and both have different and varied influences One set from these two can include a 1920s Heritage Award. The “Young Arts Leader Award” and interests, the compositional configurations are gospel tune, a mournful blues song recorded in winner has been described as “a talented musician, endless. the 1930s by a quartet in a Georgia prison, and, as a dedicated music teacher, and an incredible arts the performers explained in a bit of tragic trivia, a activist with a bold vision of how the arts create The experience satisfies in the same way as piece written by a white man as a “victory” song community.” an old-style family reunion dinner: so much to be used to rouse and recruit ex-slaves to fight to choose from, new takes on old recipes, in the Civil War. These songs, and the stories that Despite their involvement in several ongoing and many delicious nuances we don’t get to travel with them, are a link to our collective past, projects, Hunter and Seamons really do ”take experience in our everyday lives. One leaves replete with much of the ugliness humanity has time” to create community wherever they go, and the table spent and satisfied, and full up with to offer, and some of the beauty of which we are likewise, they are driven to explore the people gratitude and the knowledge that this moment is capable. This knowledge creates compassion and and areas that create these historical musical hubs at once unrepeatable and part of a grand tradition. community, and this links to the duo’s partnered across the country. Earlier this year they raised passions of social justice and creative cultural funds to film their travels along the Mississippi Washington Blues Society New Membership Opportunities! By Eric Steiner will continue to enjoy their membership for the Corporate and Business Membership Levels duration of their membership. At a Board meeting earlier this year, the Board of Directors of the Washington Blues Society decided Gold Duo Membership to offer two new membership levels: one for One monthly color business card-sized ad, a pass- Duo acts will be similarly priced: dues for the first corporate and business members and one for blues through link to the Washington Blues Society member is $25 with the second half of the duo acts (Duos and Bands). Contributions may be tax- website, and four voting memberships. Dues paying $20 – the same replacement membership deductible; please check with your tax preparer to donation: $1,000. discounts as in the Band Membership category see which new opportunity is right for you. will apply. Silver Each corporate, business or band membership One bimonthly color business card-sized ad – Our membership form will return next month includes a blues society membership card (with that’s six placements per year, plus four voting on page 24! discounts!), a subscription to the Bluesletter, memberships. Dues donation: $600. and nominating and voting privileges for the Update on International Memberships annual Best of the Blues (“BB Awards”) awards Bronze Due to rising postage costs and delays associated celebration. One quarterly business card-sized ad – that’s with international mail, all international four placements annually, plus four voting memberships will receive the Bluesletter Corporate and Business Memberships: these memberships. Dues donation: $400. electronically effective immediately. International opportunities have been designed to attract subscribers’ dues will be the same as USA for-profit businesses to support the mission of Blues Performer Memberships members’ dues - $25 for a single membership the Washington Blues Society. Modeled after Band Membership and $35 for a couple’s membership. As an added similar membership opportunities available from The following example is for a four-piece blues bonus, international subscribers will receive the The Blues Foundation or the Cascade Blues band: $25 annual dues for the first member; each link from the Bluesletter editor on the 1st of the Association, this is the Washington Blues Society’s additional member, $20 (for a total of $85 – that’s month. International members will nominate and inaugural attempt at providing a range of benefits a $15 savings off the standard membership rate!). vote in the BB Awards process electronically. to Gold, Silver and Bronze business members. When personnel members change, replacement members will pay $20 and each original member James Howard Band: A Mystic Path to Memphis (Cont’d) (Continued from Page 11) can save us if we heal the inequality. James Howard knows how to change direction. He knows how to ride the horse. He is no stranger He then topped that off with a little jazz. “I feel “The blues is the lotus flower that grew out of the to standing at the crossroads. White curls give very settled into my style,” he says, which, may mud of slavery,” he says, noting that dirt is still away that youthful face has weathered a few more be evident by now, is not easy for one to pin down. everywhere. “It’s so prevalent in our society, the years than it’s letting on. And that beaming smile He’s also backed up Loretta Lynn’s granddaughter, domination and subjugation, the propensity to own. has seen real suffering. But because he’s worked Tayla Lynn, and performed a Flamenco duet I have a sense that we are in a time in our world through it, is always on the path, making his way, with Danny Godinez and a 25-piece orchestra at where we can change this, we can transcend this,” stretching to come out the other side, there is a Benaroya Hall in Seattle. Not your usual map to he says. “Music is a spiritual gift, it’s the spiritual pure and wild abandon that comes across when he Memphis. salve for that great wound, the blessing bestowed plays, like a phoenix rising, like an eagle soaring. upon a people, that enabled their survival. It’s not But Howard is not your average guy and he’s not talked about a lot. We forget.” Beethoven knew it and now the James Howard content with just playing and singing and writing Band is preaching it on Beale Street. Music is the and teaching. He’s also helping to bring attention Howard wants to help us remember. He says in mediator, the magic, the healer and the salve. and balance to the issue of economic equality some ways we are still socially immature and he with the group Global Abundance Intentional wants to help foster growth and understanding. Like many bluesmen before him, Howard survived, Community and by serving on the board of He says his new view of success is the hope that then succeeded, and then got off the bus to really Harmonic Humanity, a non-profit that offers any newfound popularity “comes with a certain look around and explore the journey and heal the supplies and financial grants to the homeless. amount of opportunity to say something of value, wound. He learned how to scream. Now he helps The organization was founded on making music to be of value to society.” others learn and heal, and his breakthrough, his CD’s which homeless people can purchase for transcendence, is what we connect with, connect a dollar or two and sell for $10 using the Real Frank Holman echoes the positive hopeful outlook with our own pain that carved that empty space in Change Newspaper model. Howard has also of his bandleader and says the songs on their new our hearts that music rushed in to fill. contributed a song, along with artists like Jason blues recording, Path of the Mystic, demonstrate Mraz and Maroon 5. Read more about it at http:// it. “He’s got a positive message and he’s an “I think that James has a message for the world,” harmonichumanity.org/ insanely talented guitarist. His songs and the way adds Holman. If you’re in Memphis in January, he plays, it’s so compelling and inspirational…and you may just have the chance to see him deliver it. He’s also concerned that society, as a whole, does fun! It’s a little self-deprecating, yet bold. These not support music financially. We see it every day, tracks just absolutely grab you. They come at you Copyright 2015 Amy Sassenberg clubs closing and independent musicians finding it from a bunch of different directions.” More info at jameshowardmusic.com harder each year to make a living. He says music Read more at BehindTheBlues.com

14 Empire Awards 2015 in Review (Continued)

(Continued from Page 11) Keeping The Blues Alive is a category in which an Everyone laughed, and eventually Mark did come individual has displayed exceptional achievement in to find out that he had won. The guitar was Best new blues album saw Luck Said No by Bryan in the survival blues music. Nominees were Al getting played within moments of him getting his Warhall, Blues After Dark by Reese Hodge & Blum, our current President, who, in addition to hands on it. He was thrilled to have won, and says Mary Anne Kerns, and Howl by Robin Barrett and many other things he did, took our blues booth it means a lot to him because it belonged to Robb. Coyote Kings. Howl spoke for itself, as many of to a whole bunch of our area’s festivals; me, Thanks again Robb. the songs off the album were played by Coyote for working in many areas including editing Kings, our headliner band for this year’s award the newsletter, managing advertising accounts, The second guitar given away was a Signature show. And yes, Howl did win the award. organizing many things, including memberships Guitar, and a very special one with artwork of Von and a new accounting system for our society; and Dago on the front. It was the Ted Todd Memorial The Best Blues Event (non-festival) category had Mic Benson, my husband, who says he just was Guitar. Signatures of performing artists were nominations of Blues Cats for Kids, the Too Slim doing a job in the rain and keeping the music going collected by Al and others at all the festivals we Benefit at The Knitting Factory, and the Echo at Wallace Blues Festival. Actually, he deserves attended, and hardly any more room on the guitar Elysium/Devon Allman Band show at The Red the award for helping me out so I can do more for for another signature. The guitar was black, Lion Dam Bar. The Too Slim Benefit won out, all of you, as well, and in the end, Mic lovingly and many signed with a special silver pen. The just ‘cause everyone loves Tim Langford so dang voted for me. I thank you all for putting me into winning ticket had the name of a Montana blues much, and of course we are so happy he is now the Hall of Fame, as it is my third year of winning lover, Mitch Buerkle, and Al Blum has now taken doing well. We also love Sammy Eubanks, who this award. Next year, do not put my name on the it to Montana, meeting the lucky winner halfway put on this benefit, and he came forward to accept nomination ballot. Above all, I will still work very on the journey. the award. He said he would take it to Tim. Thanks hard for all of you. to all who attended these events to make each of The show’s headliner band was Coyote Kings, them all a big success! The winner of our photo contest for 2015 was and although these guys were a three-piece last Jeri Goodwin. Her photo included Randy Oxford time they played for us, this time they had a Dean Davis Photography was the sponsor for this and his trombone, with Tiphony Dames singing special young lady with them. Tiphony Dames event, and we thank Dean for his generosity. The behind him at Sapolil Cellars in Walla Walla. Jeri brought the house down with her beautiful and Inland Empire’s Best Blues Festival was won three was not at the awards, as she had work a photo strong vocals. She is something special, as Robin years in a row by the Wallace Blues Festival in shoot, but Tiphony came forward to look at the calls her “The icing on the cake.” If you missed Idaho, but since they are in the Hall of Fame, they picture and then receive it for Jeri, and has now Tiphony and Robin Barrett and his fine bunch, could not win it again. So, this year nominations taken the framed picture to her. Jeri was thrilled including Steve Kuhlman on bass and Gordon were Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival, the to have won. “Fryin’ Pan” Townsend on drums, you will be Coeur d ‘Alene Blues Festival, and Blues & Brews sure to see them somewhere else this year. We all Festival in Joseph, Oregon. Coeur d ‘Alene Blues The Musician’s Choice Award was again presented danced and jumped around to their music, and we Festival has won one other time, and this time Mr. this year by Larry Brown, and it went to Luther wished they did not have to ever stop. But they had Craig Heimbigner was there to accept the award Hughes, who is a wonderful individual and fine a long drive back to Walla Walla, so we had to let as the winner. Each these festivals deserve to win, drummer who is playing with Charlie Butts, so them go. Thank you again, Coyote Kings. but one has to, and this is a fine springtime festival he is a Filter Tip. He has never won it anything, that pretty much sold out last year. Of course, the although he should have, and that is exactly what I sincerely want to say again, congratulations to boat cruise always sells out early, which is a big this award is all about. Luther was present to all the nominees and to all the winners. Everyone part of it, too. This festival offers lots of fun with accept, driving all the way from the Tri-Cities. deserves the big round of applause from all of blues on the water. you, even from those who were unable to attend. The last presentations were two guitar give-aways. The Inland Empire has some very fine musicians The Best blues Club nominations were for The first was a Johnson Strat Style guitar from and other individuals who help out and between Bobbi’s Bar (Plummer, Idaho), Bolo’s Bar & Grill the collection of Robb Boatsman. This guitar all of us we will keep our blues society strong (Spokane Valley, Washington), and the Viking Bar was to be awarded to someone who had signed and growing. This year, find another person and & Grill (Spokane, Washington). In the end, that up or renewed their membership during this last introduce them to what we do, bring them to a little bar in Plummer won the award. Bobbi has had calendar year. Robb came forward holding the festival or other performance. Sign them onto the quite a few blues events this past year, like Buffalo guitar, and Kay Miller drew out the winning ticket newsletter so they can get it at their home. And Blues and Bar-be-Que, and much more. She hopes with the name of Mark Bryan on it. We all thought remember to nominate and vote. Next year we will more blues fans from the greater Spokane area will we had seen Mark during the night, and someone have another great party, but ‘til then, have a great venture down to her bar, which is only one hour held up his coat which was draped over the back of time in between. south of Spokane Valley. a chair, saying, “His coat is here.”

15 16 The BluzzeeTees Story By Rick Nolan (Photo by Marilyn Stringer) strong and getting stronger every show and every festival. BluezzeeTees.com was started in January 2010. Rick and Tom Nolan were two brothers who loved “I just love meeting the fans and the musicians listening to Blues and were constantly attending who stop at our booth to comment on our unique Blues shows, festivals, and any small bar that designs and to see what is new,”Rick says. offered music by a blues group. “Blues fans are just great people” the two would say, “and Blues “We try to have something new each year and music always made us feel happy and would always have something for any Blues fan no lighten any load and improve any mood” Rick matter what their background. We especially try would always purchase a band or festival T-Shirt to have something fun and sharp for the ladies.” at nearly every venue. So, stop by our booth at the next festival you Then, he started taking notice of what other fans attend. You can find where we will be on the “Find were wearing. He never did find a design that had Us” page here on the website (www.Bluezzeetees. a theme or showed how much the wearer loved com) In the meantime, we hope you enjoy your the blues. Just advertisement for the festival or the visit here on the site and drop us a note if you have band. Even searching on the internet, Rick did not any suggestions on what we can do better or what see anything he felt was really COOL! So he said you would like to see offered at the next festival the heck with it and began working on his own or show. designs that are clearly different and meet the definition of COOL! You can reach Rick directly at rick@bluezzee- tess.com. Starting with just four designs at the Fountain Blues Festival in San Jose, California, Rick found Now be sure to stop by and say Hi! at the next he may have hit on something. The Festival was festival. a huge success and BluezzeeTees has been going

17 Blues CD Reviews Walter Trout the perfect support. The opening track “Somebody’s Mike Zito and the Wheel Battle Scars Walking in My Home,” is an example of “B-Side” Keep Coming Back (ProVogue –Mascot) material that Mark took and put his signature on. (Ruf Records) The title track “Tryin’ To Make You Understand, Walter Trout completes his personal odyssey with a written by Walkin’ Cane with lyrics given to him It is totally appropriate that he included two hot raging final chapter of blistering riffs and bleeding by the legendary Junior Wells. “Arizona Woman,” cover versions of tunes by Bob Seger and Credence ear anthems of vintage blues rock for his October written by Howling Wolf Side Man Chico Chism Clearwater Revival on his new album, for Mike 2015 release, Battle Scars. His record label was set is given a loving acoustic treatment. The New and Zito and the Wheel take a journey back to to celebrate his 25 years as a solo artist, but those Orleans flavored “Ellada Ellada,”was written in the time when Midwest rock and roll dominated plans came to a halt with Trout facing the prospect tribute for Mark’s wife. The quartet kicks it into FM radio in the seventies with their November, of imminent death due to liver failure. The new high gear for the heavy shuffle “Let Me In While 2015 CD, album Keep Coming Back. The fine disc album chronicles his two-year battle to fight You Can.” “Take Me Back to Bergen” features fine features fat analog sounds of big guitars and drums cancer and embark on a journey of recovery and mandolin fills from Hawley and tasty brush work and the soaring tenor sax of Jimmy Carpenter second chance at life in his 50th year as a guitarist. from Rumbaugh. Album closer “Eddies Boogie,” who does a fine job channeling Alto Reed from Backing Trout and his signature “Stratocaster is a classic twelve bar dedicated to Mark’s baby Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band. Zito and his on 11” sound are his long-time backing band of boy Eddie, and how much he loved his daddy’s everyman-styled, gravelly vocal delivery wrote keyboardist Sammy Avila, drummer Michael harp playing. Rick J Bowen most of the tunes, wearing his St Louis influence Leasure and a new bassist Johnny Griparic on 11 on his sleeve as he mixes metaphors from country, tracks cut live off the floor, dropping the listener blues and rock with ease and controlled effect. His smack-dab in the middle of their bombastic Eric Bibb and JJ Milteau noted slide work is front and center for the opening assault. The lyrics, at times, rely on rock and roll Lead Belly’s Gold title track, and the band grinds hard for the George clichés’, but that is probably endemic of facing (Stony Plain) Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers-styled death and trying to relate the experience as truthful boogie, “Chin Up.” Anders Osborne co-wrote as possible, for the truth isn’t pretty or as poetic Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Lead Belly, three of the tracks and joins Zito for the lilting as we would want it to be. Trout takes us from is arguably the most famous African-American confessional “I Was Drunk,” that spells out the the beginning of his troubles on “Almost Gone” folksinger ever, a man who strove to entertain troubled years they both spent down in the bottle. through his long wait for a transplant among the and to testify to the plight of African Americans Seattle’s Suze Simms spars with Zito on several doomed and desperate in “Omaha.” He reflects on in the time of Jim Crow. For their latest project, tracks add her supersonic soul backing vocals to his mistakes over a rocking groove on “Tomorrow Lead Belly’s Gold; Eric Bibb and JJ Milteau pay the mix. Zito does his best Delbert McClinton on Seem So Far Away,” and he delivers another homage to his legacy by performing some of his the Texas styled funk “Nothin’ But The Truth.” sentimental ballad to his wife Marie “Please take best loved songs and continue his work by writing Zito gets political during “Cross the Border,” and Me Home.” Trout dreams of better days during new tunes that carry on the message of peace, digs deep into desperate love on the ballad “What’s the straight ahead rocker “Fly Away,” and the six- hope, tolerance and non-violence. Lead Belly on Your Mind,” showing that he is expanding his plus minutes’ long heavy blues track “Cold, Cold influenced several generations, who embraced his songwriting skills beyond your typical “riff out- Ground,” is about as deep, dark and desperate as a repertoire to create what we know as blues, Rock, style” guitarist. Rick J Bowen. man can get. Thankfully, Trout offers us a reprieve Punk, Soul and more. Bibb and Milteau carefully from the sonic suffering and closes the album with chose songs they could dig deep into and make an acoustic testimony of triumph “Gonna Live their own. This November, 2015 CD features live Andy Santana & the West Coast Playboys Again.” – Rick J. Bowen performances on the first half of the CD recorded Watch Your Step at the famed Parisian jazz club, The Sunset. The 11 (Delta Groove) song set kicks off with a seemingly benign nursery Walkin’ Cane Mark rhyme,”Grey Goose,” which is given a world Andy Santana has been plying his trade in the Bay Tryin’ to Make You Understand – Remastered music treatment that reveals the morality tale held Area for many years now, and Watch Your Step, (Enable Records) within. Big Daddy Wilson adds his huge baritone his Delta Groove Music debut, will introduce his to several of the selections beginning with “Swing music to a wider audience. Delta Groove is well At the heart of every bluesman there lies a Low, Sweet Chariot,” and the prison work song known for putting together incredible line-ups storyteller, and Walkin’ Cane Mark has studied “On a Monday,” that is delivered over a hip hop for their releases, and that is definitely the case the masters. With his gravelly baritone and gritty beat by drummer Larry Crockett. Bibb slows down on Watch Your Step with guitarists Kid Andersen, harmonica playing, Mark delivers a style that is the sordid tale, “The House of the Rising Sun,” to Rusty Zinn, Mighty Mike Schermer, Anthony equal parts sophisticated, eccentric, soulful and emphasize its desperation with Milteau giving Paule and Bob Welsh. Each of these musicians sinister. In 2010, Mark produced a collection of poignant counterpoint on harmonica. Several lend lend their talents, and Lorenzo Farrell (Rick old favorites and alternate takes into a CD for his more of Lead Belly’s tunes that were made famous Estrin & the Nightcats) adds keyboards on this CD. friends and family that needed to be professionally by other artists are covered with flair, such as Andy Santana sings, plays harp, various guitars mastered, graphics designed and pressed before “Midnight Special,” and “Good Night, Irene.” The (lead, rhythm, baritone and acoustic) in addition to being made available to the public. The result is second half of the CD features five studio tracks, playing other instruments on this release. He wrote his first studio recording in over 11 years Tryin’ beginning with “Bourgeois Blues” (a song that is three of the 13 cuts and co-wrote one more with To Make You Understand: Remastered, released as topical today as when Lead Belly wrote it in Rick Estrin. Andy displays his guitar prowess on a this past November. The 12 song collection favors 1938). Bibb wrote two biographical songs based cover of Bobby Parker’s “Watch Your Step” which a lo-fi sonic reminiscent of those beloved Chess on the life of Lead Belly, and these two original features Kid on baritone guitar, and ZZ Hill’s Records by Wolf, Dixon and Muddy. Producer songs complete the loving tribute. Rick J Bowen “One Way Love Affair” with both Kid and Rusty Kirk Hawley leads the ensemble on guitar and adding rhythm guitar backed by a three-piece horn mandolin, supported by the tasty rhythm section section. Andy lays down some gritty blues harp on of drummer John Rumbaugh and bass players Dave Bartholomew’s “Playgirl” alongside Kid’s Brenden McBride and Gordon Lynde Jr. who give unmistakable lead guitar. The guitar-driven 18 original instrumental “Greaseland” features lead Colin Linden guitarists Welsh, Santana, Paule, Andersen (who Rich in Love Blues Grammy also adds Moog) and Schermer; this song has (Stony Plain) a cool, grooving beat. Andy whips out his harp Nominees 2016 News for the scrumptious “You Smell Like Cookies” An intriguing book could be written about the Congratulations from the Washington Blues singing “so creamy in the middle/so good on the life and times of Colin Linden. Born in Toronto, Society to the 2016 Grammy nominees in the top/let me taste your cookie man I just can’t stop/ Canada in April of 1960, his family moved to Best Blues Album category! According to the you smell like cookies/better get it while I can” White Plains, New York when he was a boy. They Grammy website, the nominees were selected while Welsh tinkles the ivories and Paule plays moved back to Toronto in 1970. At age 11, Colin from more than 21,000 submissions entered from lead guitar. Watch Your Step gets my highest picked up the guitar after meeting Howlin’ Wolf the only peer-based music award, voted on by The recommendation and landed on my Top Ten list of at a show. Since the late 1990s, Colin has made Academy’s membership body of creators across all 2015. Malcolm Kennedy Nashville, Tennessee his home. The accolades disciplines of music, including recording artists, Colin has received for projects that he has songwriters, producers, and engineers. The eclectic produced, participated on as well as his own works nature of this year’s nominations is exemplified in Anthony Geraci & the Boston Blues All-Stars are legion, and include Grammy nominations and the Album of the Year category, where nominees Fifty Shades of Blue awards, Juno Canadian Music Award nominations, range from the alternative and soulful rock of (Delta Groove) among other awards. Linden has produced over Alabama Shakes and Lamar’s thought-provoking 100 releases by artists like Bruce Cockburn, Colin jazz-infused rap to the classic country sounds of For many blues fans, especially those that regularly James, Janiva Magness and, as a highly in-demand Chris Stapleton, the pop emergence of Swift, and read liner notes, the name Anthony Geraci may not session player, he has contributed to over 400 the genre-bending R&B style of The Weekend. be immediately recognized; but it’s quite likely albums over the course of his career. He toured that you have heard him play. Geraci has been a with Bob Dylan for 11 dates in the summer of “The diversity in the creative community is regular contributor on keyboards to Ronnie Earl‘s 2013 and did a world tour playing lead guitar for what makes music a universal language, and it’s and Sugar Ray Norcia’s projects, and there is Emmylou Harris in 2009. Linden is also a musical gratifying to see the vibrancy of today’s artistic a long list of artists he has played with on stage force, and guitar technician, on the hit ABC TV landscape reflected in this year’s nominations — a or in the studio. The Boston All-Stars supporting show “Nashville.” He wears many hats: on this testament to The Academy’s voting members,” said Geraci on this CD are Monster Mike Welch on show, he’s a music producer, director, guitarist and Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording guitar, Michael “Mudcat” Ward on bass and Marty songwriter. Rich in Love is at least Colin’s 12th solo Academy. “Artists are pushing boundaries in Richards on drums. Add to that two of the best release and his first studio album since 2009s’ Juno exciting ways, making it an exceptionally strong vocalists on the scene, Sugar Ray Norcia and Award-nominated From the Water. Linden was year for music.” Darrell Nulisch, who also each also play some also a member of the house band for this year’s blues harp, and you have a solid line-up. Geraci Gospel Music Concert at the White House. Rich Final-round GRAMMY® ballots were mailed wrote each of the 13 tracks on this CD that opens in Love opens with “Knob & Tube” with Linden on December 16, 2015 and the winners will with “Everything I Do is Wrong” with Nulisch on playing mandolin accompanying Amy Helm’s be presented on Monday, February 15, 2016, vocals and Monster Mike delivering an emotive harmony vocals. On “I Need Water,” Colin sings live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and guitar solo. The title track follows, and features a “but; don’t you know it’s hard to cry/when all the broadcast on the CBS Television Network from 8 rollicking piano boogie with Norcia and Michelle rivers have run dry/I’ve been holding on for years/ – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). “Evil Gal” Willson sharing vocals. Norcia sings but; I need water to build these tears.” Charlie and plays robust blues harp on the medium slow Musselwhite’s unmistakable blues harp wails on Best Blues Album Nominees shuffle “Heard That Tutwiler Whistle Blow” and “The Hurt,” which also features Reese Wynans Nulisch adds his magic on harp and vocals to the on piano. The title track stands out with ethereal Descendants of Hill Country steady groove of “The Blues Never Sleeps.” The guitar, Charlie’s harp drops as Colin sings “My Cedric Burnside Project toe-tapper, “Diamonds and Pearls,” features Toni baby used to cry, cry, cry while I lay sleeping,” Label: Cedric Burnside Project Lynn Washington on vocals as she sings “I used while the slide guitar style and Wynans’ organ give to serve you breakfast in bed/scramble your eggs, both “No More Cheap Wine” and “Luck of a Fool” Outskirts of Love put jam on your bread/make love to you until a slight touch of twang. Recommended. Malcolm Shemekia Copeland your face turned red/do everything that you said/ Kennedy Label: Alligator Records but if you want me to be one of your girls/buy me diamonds and pearls.” One of the many standout Editor’s Note: The Bluesletter will feature more Born To Play Guitar cuts on this CD is the heartfelt, slow blues “Cry on Colin Linden in 2016, including a story on his Buddy Guy a Million Tears” with Nulisch on vocals. Geraci stalwart support of the Blues Foundation during Label: RCA Records/Silvertone Records includes a pair of instrumentals, too: the brisk International Blues Challenge week, his work with “In the Quicksand, Again” prominently featuring Canada’s legendary Blackie and the Rodeo Kings Worthy Welch’s lead guitar work and the piano workout and his ongoing mentorship of blues musicians. Bettye LaVette “Blues for David Maxwell” and is a song within (Bluesletter Editor Eric Steiner also watches the Label: Cherry Red a song with Sugar Ray on Native American flute. TV show Nashville just for the opportunity to see Fifty Shades of Blue is dedicated to the memories Colin Linden play onstage with his trademark Muddy Waters 100 of Anthony Geraci Sr., Randy Chortkoff and David hat). The show’s story about Reyna James and John Primer & Various Artists Maxwell. Malcolm Kennedy the other characters is great TV: it’s much more Label: Raisin Music Records fun when Colin Linden joins the actors onstage to fine ensemble cast from Australia, the USA and the United Kingdom. Fans of a certain age with recognize JD Souther as one of the many music men behind the scenes on several episodes.

19 20 21 January Washington Blues Society Bluesletter Calendar Note: Please confirm with each venue the start 7:30PM & 9:30PM Copeland & Naomi Wachira 7:30PM & 9:30PM time and price. We also apologize in advance Engels Pub, Edmonds - $Cratch Daddy 9PM Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – Nearly Dan for any errors as we depend on musicians Cedar Stump, Arlington - Stacy Jones 9PM 8PM and venues to send in their information and Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla - Carolyn North City Bistro, Shoreline – Paul Green Jazz sometimes, changes happen after we go to Mildenberger 5PM Quartet 8PM press. Drift On Inn, Shoreline - Mark Hurwitz & Gin Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla - Carolyn Creek 8:00PM Mildenberger 5PM Friday, January 1 Brother Don’s, Bremerton - Norm Bellas Trio Engels Pub, Edmonds – Cadillac Jack Revue 9PM Swiftwater Cellars, Cle Elum – Four w/Rod Cook 6PM Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle – Teen Rock Nite 7PM Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle – File’ Gumbo 8PM 8PM Jazzbones, Tacoma – Sonny Landreth 8PM Saturday, January 2 Saturday, January 9 Swiftwater Cellars, Cle Elum – Four w/Rod Cook North City Bistro, Shoreline – Rod Cook & Toast Saturday, January 16 7PM 8PM Madison Ave Pub, Everett – Rod Cook, Geoffery Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Pearl Django w/ Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Lee Oskar 7PM & Castle, Dave McCabe & Paul Quilty 7PM Gail Pettis 7:30PM 9:45PM Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Ventura Highway Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle – Some Other Guys Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Peter White Revisited 7PM & 9:45PM 8PM 7:30PM & 9:30PM Engels Pub, Edmonds - The Tim Turner Band Bake’s Place, Bellevue – DoctorfunK 8PM Engels Pub, Edmonds - Chester Dennis Jones 9PM J&M Saloon, Seattle - Mark Hurwitz & Gin 9PM Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – Karen Lovely Creek 8:30PM Cedar Stump, Arlington - Stacy Jones 9PM Band 8PM Engels Pub, Edmonds - Scott E. Lind Band 9PM Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla - Kevin Morgan 6PM Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla - Kevin Morgan 6PM Easy Monkey, Shoreline - Eric Madis & Blue Stewarts, Snohomish - Cadillac Jack Revue 9PM Stockton’s Restaurant & Spirits, Maple Valley - Madness 8PM Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle – Joe Barton Trio Cadillac Jack Revue 9PM H2O, Anacortes - Stacy Jones 7:30PM 8PM Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle – Thrasher’s Corner Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla - Kevin Morgan 6PM 8PM Sunday, January 10 Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Shemekia Sunday, January 3 The Spar, Tacoma - Anthony Estrada 7PM Copeland & Naomi Wachira 7:30PM & 9:30PM Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Pearl Django w/ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Peter White H2O, Anacortes – Badd Dog Blues Society Gail Pettis 7:30PM 7:30PM 7:30PM The Spar, Tacoma - Chris Stevens & the Surf Monkeys 7PM Monday, January 11 Sunday, January 17 Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma - Maia Santell & House 88 Keys, Seattle - Blues on Tap 7:30PM Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – “Sunday of Blend 5PM Honor” Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Tuesday, January 12 Wounded Warriors and Disabled American Monday, January 4 Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM Veterans through Music 7PM 88 Keys, Seattle - Blues on Tap 7:30PM Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Martin Taylor The Spar, Tacoma - Norman Baker & Back Roads 7:30PM 7PM Tuesday, January 5 Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Shemekia Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM Wednesday, January 13 Copeland & Naomi Wachira 7:30PM Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Jeremy Pelt Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM Power Quintet 7:30PM Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Martin Taylor Monday, January 18 7:30PM The Triple Door, Seattle – Sonny Landreth Wednesday, January 6 Engels Pub, Edmonds - Dave Miller Band 8PM 7:30PM Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – James Howard 88 Keys, Seattle - Blues on Tap 7:30PM Engels Pub, Edmonds - Brian Lee Trio 8PM Band 8PM Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Jeremy Pelt Tuesday, January 19 Power Quintet 7:30PM Thursday, January 14 The Triple Door, Seattle – Sonny Landreth Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Javier Anderson 6PM 7:30PM Thursday, January 7 Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Shemekia Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Javier Anderson 6PM Copeland & Naomi Wachira 7:30PM Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Marc Cohn Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Peter White Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle - John Stephan solo 7:30PM 7:30PM 8PM, Ross Robinson solo 10PM Bad Albert’s, Ballard - Annie Eastwood, Larry Bad Albert’s, Ballard - Annie Eastwood, Larry Wednesday, January 20 Hill &Tom Brighton w/Beth Wulff 5:30PM Hill &Tom Brighton w/Cheri Adams 5:30PM Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM Victory Studios, Seattle - Stacy Jones 7PM Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – Kevin Andrew Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – Big Road Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle – The Paul Green Sutton & the Northwest All-Stars 8PM Blues 8PM Band 8PM Engels Pub, Edmonds - Red 8PM Friday, January 15 Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Marc Cohn Friday, January 8 The Repp, Snohomish - Rod Cook solo 6PM 7:30PM Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Javier Anderson Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Javier Anderson 6PM, 6PM,Wired Blues Band 9PM Shaggy Sweet 9PM Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Peter White Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Shemekia

22 Thursday, January 21 Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – Black Clouds Wednesday, January 27 Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Javier Anderson 6PM Blues Band 8PM 11:00am-2:30pm IBC Act Registration TBD Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Tower of Power 11:00am- 4:00 pm Pacific Northwest Showcase 7:30PM & 9:30PM Thursday, January 28 Club 152 First Floor Bad Albert’s, Ballard - Annie Eastwood, Larry Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Javier Anderson 6PM 11:30am–5:00pm Blind Raccoon Showcase Hill &Tom Brighton w/Bill Chism 5:30PM Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Herb Alpert w/ Purple Haze Nightclub Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – Trailer Park Lani Hall 7:30PM 12:00-10:00pm Will Call, IBC Merchandise & Kings 8PM Bad Albert’s, Ballard - Annie Eastwood, Larry CD Sales Club 152 2nd Floor Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle – Blue 55 8PM Hill &Tom Brighton w/Bill Chism 5:30PM 1:00-3:30 Health Fair (cholesterol, blood Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – Patti Allen & pressure, diabetes, etc. screenings) Club 152 2nd Friday, January 22 Monster Road 8PM Floor Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Javier Anderson 6PM, 2:30pm IBC Act Orientation Meeting TBD Rod Cook & Toast w/Suze Sims 9PM Friday, January 29 4:30/5:00/5:35pm First Night of 32nd IBC Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Tower of Power Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Javier Anderson 6PM, Quarterfinals Beale Street IBC Pass or $10 7:30PM & 9:30PM Butch Harrison & Good Company 9PM wristband Engels Pub, Edmonds - The Scotch Tops Band Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Bobby Caldwell 11:30pm All-Star Jam with Jonn Richardson, 9PM 7:30PM & 9:30PM Sean Carney and many more!! TBD Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – Kalimba 8PM Engels Pub, Edmonds - The Dogtones 9PM Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla - Carolyn Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – Hank Shreve Thursday, January 28 Mildenberger 5PM Band 8PM 9:30am Blues in the Schools Downtown Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle – Safar Blues Style Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla - Carolyn Elementary, 10 N 4th St 8PM Mildenberger 5PM 10:00am Blues Foundation Board of Directors meeting Doubletree Hotel-Gayoso Room Saturday, January 23 Saturday, January 30 11:00am-4:30pm Galaxie Agency Showcase J&M Café, Seattle - Rod Cook & Toast w/Suze Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Darelle Holden 8PM B.B.King’s Sims 9PM Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Bobby Caldwell 11:30am Great Canadian Polar Bear Blues Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Mark DuFresne Band 7:30PM & 9:30PM Showcase Kooky Canuck 9PM Engels Pub, Edmonds - Guy Johnson Band 9PM 11:30am–5:00pm Blind Raccoon Showcase Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Tower of Power Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – DoctorfunK Purple Haze Nightclub 7:30PM & 9:30PM 8PM 12:00-10:00pm Will Call, IBC Merchandise & Engels Pub, Edmonds - Mod Men 9PM Rockin’ M BBQ, Everett - Stacy Jones 8PM CD Sales Club 152 2nd Floor Dusty Strings, Seattle - Music Theory for Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla - Kevin Morgan 12:45pm Blues in the Schools with Tas Cru Blues Players Class 10:30AM 6PM Downtown Elementary School Dusty Strings, Seattle - Flatpicking the Blues Rockin’ M BBQ, Everett - Brian Lee & the 1:00-3:30pm Health Fair (cholesterol, blood Class 1:30PM Orbiters 8PM pressure, diabetes, etc. screenings) Club 152 2nd Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle – Hot Wired Floor Rhythm Band 8PM Sunday, January 31 1:00-2:00pm BMI & Ardent Studios – Making Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla - Kevin Morgan The Spar, Tacoma – Paul Green Band 7PM Music and Making Money Blues City Cafe 6PM Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Bobby Caldwell 4:30/5:00/5:35pm Second Night of 32nd IBC Easy Monkey, Shoreline - Annie Eastwood, Larry 7:30PM Quarterfinals Beale Street IBC Pass or $10 Hill & Tom Brighton w/Bill Chism 8PM Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Overton Berry/Bruce wristband Salmon Bay Eagles, Seattle – Scratch Daddy Phares duo 7PM 11:00pm International Jam Club 152 First Floor Band 8PM 11:30pm All-Star Jam with Jonn Richardson, ATTENTION MUSIC PEOPLE! Sean Carney and many more!! Sunday, January 24 If you would like to add your music -When the scores have been tabulated, the semi- The Spar, Tacoma - Stickshift Annie w/Kimball schedule to our calendar, please send in finalists will be announced at various Beale Street Conant & the Fugitives 7PM your information by the 10th of the month to clubs. Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Tower of Power [email protected] in the following 7:30PM & 9:30PM format: (Please, very important! No bold or Friday, January 29 ALL CAPS) 11:00am-2:15pm IBC Youth Act Registration Monday, January 25 Date - Venue, City - Band Name Time 11:00am 2016 Keeping the Blues Alive Awards 88 Keys, Seattle - Blues on Tap 7:30PM Doubletree Hotel, Tennessee Ballroom Calendar Update: Noon- 4pm National Women in Blues Alfred’s Tuesday, January 26 2016 International Blues Challenge 11:30am–5:00pm Blind Raccoon Showcase Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM Purple Haze Nightclub Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Herb Alpert w/ Schedule subject to change–check back from time 12:00-10:00pm Will Call, IBC Merchandise & Lani Hall 7:30PM to time as seminars, workshops and more musical CD Sales Club 152 2nd Floor Scotch & Vine, Des Moines - Brian Lee Trio events are added. 1:00-2:00pm Bandzoogle seminar Blues City 7PM Cafe Tuesday, January 26 2:15pm IBC YOUTH Act Orientation Meeting Wednesday, January 27 5:30-9:00pm WILL CALL Club 152 2nd Floor TBD Bake’s Place, Bellevue – Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM 5:30pm International Showcase Beale Street IBC 4:20/5:00/5:40pm Youth Showcases Beale Street Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle – Herb Alpert w/ Pass or $10 wristband IBC Pass or $15 wristband Lani Hall 7:30PM 8:00pm Tas Cru’s Generation Blues Fundraiser 5:20/5:40/7:00pm 32nd IBC Semi-Finals IBC Engels Pub, Edmonds - John Pinetree & Allen Jam Rum Boogie Cafe Donation at door Pass or $15 Beale Street Degenerates 8PM (Continued on Next Page) 23 International Blues Challenge Schedule (Continued from Previous Page)

-These events will begin when the semi-finals are concluded in the club somewhere between 10:00 and 11:00pm IBC Pass or $15 wristband Youth Jam B.B. Kings All-Star Jam with Jonn Richardson, Sean Carney and many more!! TBD -When the scores have been tabulated Friday, the finalists will be announced at various Beale Street clubs.

Saturday, January 30 11:00am Doors Open for Finals Orpheum Theatre IBC Pass or $42.50 at door, if available 11:00am Silent Auction 12:00pm 32nd IBC Finals & Best Self-Produced CD Winner Announcement - See more at: http://www.blues.org/international-blues-challenge/ schedule/#sthash.XrEWte6Y.dpuf

24 Washington Blues Society Blues Jams & Open Mics! Sundays Mondays Anchor Pub, Everett : Open Jam Hosted by Leah Tussing & Cafe’ Mele, Wenatchee, 7Pm (first Monday of the month) Rafael Tranquilino – 2-5pm 2nd Sunday of the month- All 88 Keys, Pioneer Square Seattle: Blues On Tap, 7pm Ages Swim Deck, Port Orchard The The Malcolm Clark Band’s t Monday Conway Pub: Gary B’s Church of the Blues 6-10pm night blues jam 6-9 every Mac’s Triangle Pub, Seattle 8pm Dawson’s, Tacoma, Tim Hall Band 7pm Mo Jam Mondays, Nectar lounge Seattle 9pm La Connor Pantry and Pub, la Connor, CC Adams 4-6pm Red Dog Saloon, Maple Valley: Scotty FM & The Broadcasters, 7 PM Raging River Café’, Fall City, Tommy Wall 7pm Wild Buffalo, open mic, Bellingham 8pm Sound Check Bar & Grill, Lynnwood 730P Chester Dennis Jones Wild Hare, Everett; T-N-T Jam w Teri Wilson & Tommy Cook, 7-10pm Wednesdays Westside Lanes, Olympia w Blues Bentley, 7pm Blue Moon tavern Seattle, open mic 8pm Royal Bear, Algona, 7pm Celtic Bayou, Redmond, open mic 8pm Shuga Jaxx Bistro, Renton: Eric Verlinde Trio – Live Jam Collector’s Choice Restaurant, Snohomish, The Sean Denton Band jam, 8 - 11pm Darrel’s Tavern, Shoreline, open mic 830pm Half Time Saloon, Gig Harbor Tuesdays Madison Ave Pub, Everett; Unbound Blues Jam 730pm 88 Keys, Pioneer Square Seattle : Sea Town All Stars ,8pm Wed Jan 6 Unbound with Jeff Menteer Antique Sandwich Co. open mic, Tacoma 7pm Wed Jan 13 Unbound with Erik Scott & Travis Johnson Elmer’s Pub, Burien w Billy Shew 7pm Wed Jan 20 Unbound with Paul Green & Brian Lee Engel’s Pub, Edmonds: Lou Echerverri, 8pm Wed Jan 27 Unbound with Randy Norris Peabo’s (formerly Baxter’s) Taylor Tuesday Jam w Michelle Taylor Band, 730pm-11pm The Mix, Seattle, open mic 8pm J&M, Pioneer square Seattle, Seth Freeman, 9PM Skylark Café, West Seattle, open mic 8pm Madison Ave Pub, Everett: Acoustic Blues Jam hosted by Kevin Yuppie Tavern, Totem Lake/Kirkland; Heather B Blues Acoustic Jam 8pm Sutton or Nick Vigarino (alternating jam hosts) Razzal’s Smokin’ Blues Jam, Smokey Point, hosted by Rick Bowen and Sean Denton, 7 -11pm Fridays Sound Check Grill, Lynnwood; Doug McGrew; 8pm Urban Coffee Sumner, open mic 7pm The Q Café, Seattle, open mic 630pm Tim’s Tavern, Seattle, open mic 7pm Tweede’s Café North Bend, open mic 630pm Saturdays Old Village Pub, Lynnwood: Lou Echeverri & Friends

Thursdays The Austin Bar and Grill, Everett; School of Jam all ages 7-11pm Bad Albert’s, Ballard/Seattle: Invitational w Annieville Blues 530-9pm The Dog House Bar & Grill, Seattle: Blues Jam W/The Uptown All-Stars, 7PM The Junction, Centralia w Blues Bentley 630pm The Stanwood Hotel and Saloon, Stanwood, The Sean Denton Band jam, 8 - 11pm The Village Inn Pub, Bellingham; w Jimmy D, 8pm The Old Village Pub, Lynnwood (3rd Thursday of the month); Chester Dennis Jones Band

25 Washington Blues Society Venue Guide

(Please Note: Our listings sections are under The Moore (206) 682-1414 O’Callaghan’s, Key Center 253-884-9766 construction. The following features opportuni- The Ould Triangle (206) 706-7798 Pickled Onion Pub, Renton (425) 271-3629 ties to hear live music in downtown Seattle, South The Paramount (206) 682.1414 Performance Grill, Auburn (253) 939-9851 Sound, the East Side and the North Sound). The Mix (206) 767-0280 Rhythm & Rye, Olympia (360) 705-0760 The Royal Room(206) 906-9920 Riverside Golf Club, Chehalis (360) 748-8182 The Tractor Tavern (206) 789-3599 Royal Bear, Algona (253) 222-0926 Seattle: Downtown/West Seattle The Triple Door Theater and Musicquarium (206) Scotch and Vine, Des Moines 206-592-2139 Bad Albert’s Tap and Grill (206) 789-2000 838-4333 Silver Dollar Pub, Spanaway (253) 531-4469 Barboza (206)-709-9442 The Shanty Tavern (206) 526-9854 Stonegate, Tacoma (253) 473-2255 Ballard Elks Lodge (206) 784-0827 The Sunset Tavern (206) 784-4880 Shuga Jaxx Bistro, Renton (425) 274-3074 Bastille Cafe & Bar (206)-453-5014 The Showbox (206) 628-3151 The Spar, Tacoma 253 627 8215 Blue Moon (206) 675-9116 The 2 Bit Saloon 206-708-6917 The Swiss, Tacoma 253-572-2821 Café Racer (206) 523-JAVA Tim’s Tavern (206) 789-9005 Uncle Sam’s, Spanaway (253) 507-7808 Capitol Cider (206) 397-3564 Town Hall (206) 652-4255 World OF Beer - Renton (425) 255-0714 Café’ Solstice (206) 675-0850 88 Keys (206) 839-1300 Wurlitzer manor, Gig Harbor 253.778.6831 Central Saloon 206.622-0209 Third Place Books (206)366-3333 Y Sports Bar, Spanaway (253) 655-5350 Connor Byrne Pub (206) 784-3640 Thirteen Coins /13 Coins (206)682-2513 Yella Beak Saloon, Enumclaw 360-825-5500 Columbia City Theater 206 722 3009 Tula’s Jazz Club (206) 443-4221 Club Hollywood (206) 546-4444 Vera Project (206) 956.8372 China Harbor (206) 286-1688 East Side Vito’s (206)-397-4053 C&P Coffee House (206) 933-3125 Alexa’s Café, Bothell (425) 402-1754 White Center Eagles (206) 248-1400 Darrell’s Tavern (206) 542-6688 Bakes Place, Bellevue 425.454.2776 East Lake Zoo Tavern (206)329-3977 Beaumont Cellars, Woodinville 425-482-6349 Easy Monkey Tap house (206) 420-1326 South Sound Cypress Wine Bar at Westin, Bellevue (425) 638- Eighty-Eight Keys/ 88 Keys (206) 839-1300 B Sharp Coffee House, Tacoma 253-292-9969 1000 Egan’s Jam House (206) 789-1621 Bob’s java jive (253) 475-9843 Central Club, Kirkland (425) 827-0808 El Corazon (206) 262-0482 CC’s Lounge, Burien (206) 242-0977 Crossroads Center, Bellevue 425-402-9600 El Gaucho (206) 728.1337 Capitol Theater Olympia 360.754.6670 Cypress Wine Bar, Bellevue (425) 644-1111 EMP (206) 770-2700 Cascade Bar and Grill, Vancouver 360-254-0749 Finaghty’s Snoqualmie Ridge 425.888.8833 Fiddlers Inn (206) 525-0752 Charlie’s Bar and Grill, Olympia (360) 786-8181 Grazie, Bothel 425-402-9600 Hard Rock Café Seattle (206) 204-2233 Culpeppers, Graham (253) 271-6527 Ground Zero Teen Center, Bellevue 425-429-3203 High liner Pub (206) 216-1254 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma (253) 594-7777 Horseshoe Saloon, Woodinville (425) 488-2888 Highway 99 Blues Club- (206) 382-2171 Elmer’s Pub, Burien (206) 439-1007 Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland J&M Café- Pioneer Square (206) 402-6654 Dave’s of Milton, Milton (253) 926-8707 425.893.9900 King Street Bar (206) 749-9890 Dawson’s, Tacoma 253-476-1421 Lake Trail Tap Room, Kenmore, 425-424-2337, Little Red Hen (206) 522-1168 Delancy’s on Third -Renton (206) 412-9516 Mt Si Pub, North Bend (425) 831-6155 LUCID (206) 402-3042 Destination Harley Davidson, Fife 253) 922-3700 Noble Court, Bellevue (425)641-6011 Mac’s Triangle Pub (206) 763-0714 Doyle’s Pub, Tacoma (253) 272-7468 North Shore Performing Arts Center, Bothell Mr. Villa (206) 517-5660 Draft Choice, Auburn 253.858.4980 (425) 984.2471 Nectar (206) 632.2020 Forrey’s Forza, Lacey 360 338-0925 Northwest Cellars, Kirkland (425) 825-9463 Neptune Theater (206) 682.1414 Gloria’s, Maple Valley (425) 432-6880 Pete’s Club, Carnation (425) 333-4300 Neumos (206) 709-9442 Gonzo’s, Kent 253.638.2337 Pogacha of Issaquah, Issaquah 425-392-5550 North City Bistro (206)365-4447 Great American Casino, Lakewood (253) 396 Raging River Café’, Fall City 425.222.6669 Owl and Thistle (206) 621-7777 0500 Second Story Hideaway, Redmond 425-881-6777 Paragon (206) 283-4548 Iron Horse Casino, Auburn (253) 833-7100 Sky River Brewing, Redmond (425)242-3815 Rendezvous (206) 441-5823 Jazz bones, Tacoma (253) 396-9169 Snoqualmie Casino, Snoqualmie 425-888-1234 Salmon Bay Eagles (206) 783-7791 Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma (253) 627-3186 Soul Food Books &.Café, Redmond (425) 881- Scarlet Tree (206) 524.6221 Junction Sports bar, Centralia 360.273.7586 5309 Seamonster Lounge (206) 992-1120 Louie G’s, Fife 253-926-9700 Chateau Ste. Michelle Woodinville (425) 488-1133 Serafina (206)323.0807 Lucky Eagle Casino, Rochester 1-800-720-1788 Black Dog, Snoqualmie 425-831-DOGS (3647) Skylark Cafe & Club (206) 935.2111 The Matrix Coffeehouse, Chehalis 360.740.0492 The Den Coffee House, Bothell 425-892-8954 Ship Canal Grill (206) 588-8885 Mint Alehouse, Enumclaw (360) 284-2517 Twin Dragon Sports Bar, Duvall 425) 788-5519 Slim’s Last Chance Saloon (206) 762-7900 Monte Carlo Tavern, Kent (253) 852-9463 Village Wines, Woodinville 425-485-3536 St. Clouds (206) 726-1522 Muckle Shoot casino, Auburn 800.804.4944 Vino Bella, Issaquah (425) 391-1424 Stone Way Café’ (206) 420-4435 Nikki’s Lounge, Covington (253) 981-3612 Wild Rover, Kirkland (425) 822-8940 Studio Seven (206) 286-1312 Nisqually Red Wind Casino, Olympia 1-866-946- The Barrel Tavern (206)246-5488 2444 The Crocodile (206) 441-4618 Northern Pacific Coffee, Tacoma (253) 537-8338 Please send any venue guide additions, deletions The High Dive (206) 632-0212 The Northern, Olympia 360 - 357 - 8948 or corrections to [email protected] and we’ll do Oasis café, Puyallup, (253) 840-2656 our best to update the venue guide next month! 26 Washington Blues Society Talent Guide A.H.L. (206) 935-4592 JP Hennessy (425)-273-4932 Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys (206) 236-0412 Richard Allen & the Louisiana Experience Ron Hendee (425) 280-3994 Steve Bailey & The Blue Flames (206) 779-7466 (206) 369-8114 JD Hobson (206) 235-3234 Steve Cooley & Dangerfields (253)-203-8267 AlleyKattz (425) 273-4172 Bobby Holland & the Breadline (425)681-5644 Steven J. Lefebvre (509) 972-2683, Annieville Blues (206) 994-9413 Hot Wired Rhythm Band (206) 790-9935 (509) 654-3075 Author Unknown (206) 355-5952 James Howard (206) 250-7494 Stickshift Annie Eastwood (206) 523-4778 Baby Gramps Trio (425) 483-2835 David Hudson / Satellite 4 (253) 630-5276 Alice Stuart & the Formerlys (360) 753-8949 Back Porch Blues (425) 299-0468 Raven Humphres (425) 308-3752 Suze Sims (206) 920-6776 Backwoods Still (425) 330-0702 Hungry Dogs (425) 299-6435 Kid Quagmire (206) 412-8212 Badd Dog Blues Society (360) 733-7464 Brian Hurst (360) 708-1653 Annette Taborn (206) 679-4113 Billy Shew Band (253) 514-3637 K. G. Jackson & the Shakers (360) 896-4175 Leanne Trevalyan (253)238-7908 Billy Barner (253) 884-6308 Jeff & the Jet City Fliers (206) 818-0701 Tim Turner Band (206) 271-5384 Bay Street Blues Band (360) 731-1975 The Jelly Rollers (206) 617-2384 Two Scoops Combo (206) 933-9566 Norm Bellas & the Funkstars (206) 722-6551 Junkyard Jane (253) 238-7908 Unbound (425) 231-0565 Black River Blues (206) 396-1563 Stacy Jones (206) 992-3285 Nick Vigarino (360)387-0374 Blackstone Players (425) 327-0018 Chester Dennis Jones (253)-797-8937 Tommy Wall (206) 914-9413 Blues Bentley Band (360) 701-6490 James King & the Southsiders (206) 715-6511 Charles White Revue (425) 327-0018 Blue 55 (206) 216-0554 Virginia Klemens Band (206) 632-6130 Mark Whitman Band (206) 697-7739 Blue Healers (206) 440-7867 Bruce Koenigsberg / Fabulous Roof Shakers Michael Wilde (425) 672-3206 / (206) 200-3363 Blues on Tap (206) 618-6210 (425) 766-7253 Willie B Blues Band (206) 451-9060 Blues To Do Monthly (206) 328-0662 Lady “A” & the Baby Blues Funk Band Hambone Wilson (360) 739-7740 Blues Playground (425) 359-3755 (425) 518-9100 C.D. Woodbury Band (425) 502-1917 Blues Redemption (253)884-6308 Steven J. Lefebvre (509) 972-2683, The Wulf Tones (206) 367-6186 (206) 604-2829 Blues Sheriff (206) 979-0666 (509) 654-3075 Tommy Cook Trio (206)-384-0234 Boneyard Preachers (206) 755-0766/ Scott E. Lind (206) 789-8002 Michelle D’Amour and the Love Dealers (206)547-1772 Little Bill & the Bluenotes (425) 774-7503 (425)761-3033 Bill Brown & the Kingbees 206-276-6600 Dana Lupinacci Band (206) 860-4961 Polly O’Kerry and the Rhythm Method Brian Lee & the Orbiters (206) 390-2408 Eric Madis & Blue Madness (206) 362 8331 (206)384-0234 Bump Kitchen (253) 223-4333, (360) 259-1545 Albritten McClain & Bridge of Souls Rosewood Embargo (206) 940-2589 Nate Burch Band (425)-457-3506 (206) 650-8254 West Coast Women’s Blues Revue (206)940-2589 Brian Butler Band (206) 361-9625 Doug McGrew (206) 679-2655 Kim Archer Band (253)298-5961 CC Adams Band (360) 420 2535 Jim McLaughlin (425)737-4277 Cheatin River (425-334-5053 Charlie Butts & the Filtertips (509) 325-3016 Mary McPage Band (206) 850-4849 The Wired Band (206) 852-3412 Ellis Carter - 206-935-3188 Scott Mallard (206) 261-4669 Chester Dennis Jones (253)797-8937 Malcolm Clark Band (253) 853-7749 Miles from Chicago (206) 440-8016 Groove Tramps (720)232-9664 Colonel (360) 293-7931 Reggie Miles (360) 793-9577 Rafael Tranquilino Band /Leah Tussing Kimball Conant & the Fugitives (206) 938-6096 Dave Miller Band (805) 234-7004 (425) 329-5925 Jack Cook & Phantoms of Soul (206) 517-5294 Michal Miller Band (253) 222-2538 Mustard Seed (206) 669-8633 Rod Cook & Toast (206) 878-7910 The Mongrels (509) 307-0517, 509-654-3075 Jeff Menteer and the Beaten Path (425)280-7392 Coyote Blues (360) 420-2535 Moon Daddy Band (425) 923-9081 Chris Eger Band (360) 770 7929 Crooked Mile Blues Band (425) 238-8548 Jim Nardo Blues Band (360) 779-4300 John Scooch Cugno’s Delta 88 Revival Keith Nordquist (253) 639-3206 Please send updates to [email protected] by the (360) 352-3735 Randy Norris & The Full Degree 5th of the month. We’ll do our best to update your Daddy Treetops (206) 601-1769 (425) 239-3876 listing! Dudley Taft (513) 713-6800 Randy Norris & Jeff Nicely Julie Duke Band (206) 459-0860 (425) 239-3876/ (425) 359-3755 ATTENTION MUSIC PEOPLE! Al Earick Band (253) 278-0330 Randy Oxford Band (253) 973-9024 Sammy Eubanks (509) 879-0340 Robert Patterson (509) 869-0350 If you would like to add your music schedule to our Richard Evans (206) 799-4856 Dick Powell Band (425) 742-4108 calendar, please send in your information by the Fat Cat (425) 487-6139 Bruce Ransom (206) 618-6210 10th of the month to [email protected] in Kim Field & the Mighty Titans of Tone Mark Riley (206) 313-7849 the following format: (Please, very important! No (206) 295-8306 RJ Knapp & Honey Robin Band (206) 612-9145 bold or ALL CAPS): Date - Venue, City - Band Gary Frazier (206) 851-1169 Gunnar Roads (360) 828-1210 Name Time. Filé Gumbo (425) 788-2776 Greg Roberts (206) 473-0659 Jimmy Free’s Friends (206) 546-3733 Roger Rogers Band (206) 255-6427 Mark Hurwitz & Gin Creek (206) 588-1924 Roxlide (360) 881-0003 Paul Green (206)795-3694 Maia Santell & House Blend (253) 983-7071 Dennis “Juxtamuse” Hacker (425) 423-9545 $cratch Daddy (425) 210-1925 Heather & the Nearly Homeless Blues Band Shadow Creek Project (360) 826-4068 (425)576-5673 Doug Skoog (253) 921-7506 Tim Hall Band (253) 857-8652 Smokin’ J’s (425) 746-8186 Curtis Hammond Band (206) 696-6134) Son Jack Jr. (425) 591-3034 Hambone Blues Band (360) 458-5659 Star Drums & Lady Keys (206) 522-2779 Terry Hartness (425) 931-5755 John Stephan Band (206) 244-0498

27 Snapshots from 2015 Year-End Washington Blues Society Events

28 Left Page:

Santa’s Elf Dancing with Rick Bowen Polly O’Keary Nate Hurch Mark Riley (Photos by Denise Hathway)

This Page: Blues Sheriff (Photo by Paul Brown)

Mark Erak (Photo by Denise Hathaway)

29 Honoring SRV: The Annual Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute at the Pageant in St. Louis

By Kevin Sutton (Photo by Monty Brown)

Stevie Ray Vaughan’s life tragically ended in a helicopter accident outside the Alpine Valley Theater in East Troy, Wisconsin on August 27, 1990 just a few short weeks after he played a sold out show at the Fox Theater in St. Louis. Shortly thereafter, the idea for a SRV tribute in St. Louis was spawned by Jimmy Lee Kennett and Steve Pecaro after a gig at the historic 1860’s Saloon in Soulard. They contemplated Stevie’s death and the recent passing of so many of St. Louis’s blues greats, such as James Crutchfield, Johnnie Johnson, Ben E. Smith, Big Bad Smitty, and Henry Townsend (who frequently told stories of his time working with Robert Johnson and the first Sonny Boy Willliamson).

Perched 69 feet above sea level on the Mississippi River, St. Louis’ blues heritage is well known. Next April, the doors of the National Blues Museum will open not far from the iconic St. Louis Arch and St. Louis is home to the first recipient of a Keeping the Blues Alive Award in the Internet category in 2008 thanks to the work of Dave Beardsley and his team for STLBlues.com.

One of the first stories I heard upon arriving in the early ‘80’s was from Gus Thornton about the great times they had doing a video with “the kid” from Texas along with his bandmate Albert King. Jimmy Lee Kennett loved to recall when Jimmie Vaughan walked up to him after his set at the WestPort Playhouse in St Louis and said: “I got a little brother that plays fast like you and he’s comin’ up!”

When I got the call from former bandmate and mentor Jimmy Lee that he was not well and wondered if I was available to “back me little” for the annual SRV show at the Pageant, I jumped at the chance. It was an honor to play once again with Jimmy Lee with whom I had gigged with for years in and around the St. Louis area. It was a bittersweet night watching my old friend struggle with the disease that would take his life in 2013. The following year, another former bandmate, Steve Pecaro, called me and asked if I would recreate our special version of the song that Jimmie Vaughan wrote with several of the Neville to be part of. If you talk to any of the young guns Brothers in honor of his younger brother in 1994. from St. Louis, such as Mike Zito, Marquis Knox, “Six Strings Down” included the names of our Devon Allman, Vino Alan, or Jerimiah Johnson, fallen friends, and that was one of the songs that these bluesmen will be more than happy to tell the I had played at the previous year’s SRV tribute. stories of the great St. Louis blues musicians who came before them. It was a pleasure and a privilege to open the 2015 tribute with “Sing Strings Down.”

The SRV tribute show has become an annual St. Louis Thanksgiving tradition that I am quite proud 30 2016 Washington Blues Society Best of the Blues Nomination Ballot (Corrected)!

You Must Be a Member of the Washington Blues Society to Nominate in our Best of the Blues Awards Process! The 2016 BB Awards will return to the Kirkland Performance Center on Sunday, April 3, 2016. All Ballots Must Be Received at our PO Box or by a Board Member No Later Than Tuesday, February 9, 2016 (The February Blues Bash). Nominations received after that date won’t be counted. The ballot will be reprinted next month to provide members with two full months’ to participate in this process. Please Mail Your Ballot to: WBS, PO Box 70604, Seattle, WA 98127. Mark Dufresne Male Vocalist Award: Blues Performer:

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Blues Female Vocalist: Blues Songwriter:

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Electric Blues Guitar: Washington Blues Recording:

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Slide Blues Guitar: Blues Club:

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Blues Bass: Blues Writer:

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Chris Leighton Blues Drummer Award: Blues Image:

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Blues Horn: Blues Graphic Artist:

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Paul Green Blues Harmonica Award: Blues DJ:

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Blues Piano / Keyboard: Keeping the Blues Alive Award:

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Acoustic Blues Guitar: Lifetime Achievement Award:

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Blues Instrumentalist - Other Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame:

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Blues Act: Best Non-Festival Blues Event:

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Little Bill & The Blue Notes Traditional Blues Act: Best Regional Blues Festival:

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Solo/Duo Blues Act: Best Community Blues Festival:

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New Blues Band: Open Blues Jam: ______

31 Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Seattle, WA Permit No. 5617

P.O. Box 70604 Seattle, WA 98127 Change Service Requested

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