Blues News Volume 35 January 2012 - February 2012 “To Support and Promote the American Art of the Blues on the Treasure Coast” The Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast, Inc. is a non-profit organiza- Officers Bob “Cougar” Whitt-President tion comprised of musicians, vocalists, song writers, bands and folks who just Patti Gamble-Vice President love music, especially the BLUES, here on the Treasure Coast of Florida. The Elaine Romano Souza-Treasurer Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast supports all types of music, however, the Caren Belowch-Rec. Secretary basis of the organization is the BLUES. The Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast has many fine community programs: Board of Directors Richard Griffith Blues Newsletter–Interesting articles, mailed every other month to members Tom Brown and distributed throughout the Treasure Coast. Sonny Owens Belowch Sandra Griffith Monthly membership meetings- Come and socialize with the other Blues Alliance members and discuss the local area blues scene. Advisory Committee Gerry Mullaney Member– The National Blues Foundation. Vern Melvin Steve “Hawk“ Levy Listed– The Blues Festival Guide, the “BIBLE OF THE BLUES”. Elaine Romano Souza Participant– The IBC, International Blues Challenge. Phone Committee Sandra Griffith Benefit Program– for local musicians. Newsletter Editor Patti Gamble Scholarships- Provides two worthy children with music scholarships to IRSC Eric McManis each year. Newsletter Printer Ocean Grafix Let Us Play Program- Recycle program providing instruments free of cost to children unable to buy or rent their own. Website Wes Neal Hooked on Blues - Supporting our bands each month. Media Teresa Vincent Tom Brown Blues website- Packed with blues information, music, lessons, scheduled events, happenings, links and more. Hot Line: 772-467-1851 www.bluesalliance.org www.myspace.com/bluesalliancetc Next Blues Alliance Membership Hooked on Blues Event Hooked on Blues Event Elections Meeting Greg Jackson and the Mojo Band The Nouveaux Honkies Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 Thursday, Mar. 8, 2012 7:30 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM Town Crier Pub at Tradition Treasure Coast Mall Pirates Cove/Marina 10501 SW Villiage Center Dr., Food Court 4307 SE Bayview St., Port St. Lucie, FL 34987 Stuart, FL 34997 Directions: 772-345-4577 Directions: 772-287-2500 Volume 35 Page 2 MEMBER BANDS Support our member bands by going out to see them. Upcoming Event-Blues Alliance Category 5: Stevie and the Hot Rods “Let Us Play” Recital/Jam, www.category5blues.com www.myspace.com/johnybeamsderfer by Elaine (Romano) Souza www.facebook.com/Cat5blues Joel Zoss www.reverbnation.com/category5blues www.joelzoss.com “It’s that time of year”…..No, Not Christmas. But, I’m The Mojo Band: The Party Dogs singing this tune in my head regarding our Fourth An- www.myspace.com/greggjacksonthemojo- www.thepartydogsband.com band Sophisticats nual Recital/Jam tentatively proposed for May, 2012. www.facebook.com/gjmojoband www.s-cats.com To refresh memories: The Blues Alliance of the Treasure The Nouveaux Honkies: www.nortonmusic.com Coast sensed the need to institute the “Let Us Play” Pro- www.tnhband.com or www.myspace.com/ Don Bestor/Trademark Duo/Trio gram in 2004. The availability of the arts and the ability thenouveauhonkies www.trademarkduo.com to participate in the arts in schools and elsewhere come Soul Rebel: www.trademarktrio.com and go with the fluctuation of the economy and other www.soulrebelband.com www.donplayspiano.com factors. We gratefully accept donations of new/used Stoney and the House Rockers: musical instruments from the public to benefit needy www.facebook.com/stoneyhouserkrs Masquerade Band children in our area. After presenting these instruments www.masqueradeband.net to the children for years, we felt a recital/jam would help Ben Prestage to enhance their appreciation of music and give them an www.benprestagemusic.com opportunity to present their capabilities to an audience Steve “ Hawk” Levy comprised of family, friends and all those interested in www.hurricanehawk.com the future of the children and music. The Pitbull of Blues Band www.thepitbullofblues.com Mary Ann Stefanik Our first recital/jam was funded by a grant. Since www.maryannsmusic.com then, no grants have been available. The “Port St. Lucie www.reverbnation.com/maryann Downtown Lion’s Club” was gracious in donating the David Shelley and Bluestone funds for the second and third events. “Ocean Grafix” www.davidshelleyandbluestone.com donated programs and certificates and the “American Legion Post 40” in Fort Pierce returned portions of the fees for the hall and clean-up. We’ve been so grateful for the generosity. At this time, funding is questionable. But, the planning is in the works and the show will go on…..it’s too important, and too much fun for everyone! If you haven’t had the pleasure of attending one of these events, you have missed an evening which is so unique and special. We will keep you informed….and it’s free!!! To continue the mission of the “Let Us Play” Program, if anyone wishes to donate new/used musical instruments, provide storage for the instruments, or donate time as a committee member, please contact The Blues Alliance: (772) 467-1851. Our web site is: www.bluesal- liance.org. And by all means….please!!! If you know a child who has an interest in music but little or no means to obtain an instrument, please con- tact us. We especially welcome written requests from the children themselves. “Happy New year”, everyone! Nicolette Smith and Alexandra Smith receiving their certificates Volume 35 Page 3 The Year in Review by Patti Gamble 2011, well it was a great year for The Blues Alliance. New members, new ideas, some new programs topped the list of happenings. Thanks to our all-volunteer board that help to preserve and promote blues music on The Treasure Coast. Over the years we have been well-represented at the annual IBC events in Memphis. Even in the nation’s most stressful economic times, we continue to do so! The IBC has been increased to a four day event! The BATC has increased memberships, sponsors and ideas to keep the blues alive in 2011. We MUST keep going! And we will! We MUST have a blues organization in our local counties. The philosophy is this: you pay your dues locally, we pay nationally. Thus, we all support The American Art of the blues! It’s NOT, repeat NOT what you get for your money! The National Blues Foundation is sup- ported by you and me! In 2011, our Recital/Jam was a huge success thanks to Elaine Romano Souza and Tom Brown. The BATC works with Helping People Succeed and Future Generations Music Enrichment Program of Fort Pierce for this yearly event. Thank you to The Port Saint Lucie Downtown Lion’s Club for the generous donation to help us fund this project. The turnout was great and the Core Band headed by Gerry Mullaney, did a fantastic job working with the children. Instruments have been donated and stored for our Let Us Play Program. All it takes is a child to write us a letter of need and voila…. we make their dream come true! Our now, Hooked on Blues Event supports our bands each month. We simply check with the band, check with their site and connect at their gig. We do not book these events; we just hook up and have a good time. The Alliance had the annual playoffs at Mickey Finn’s this year and Joel Zoss and The Pitbull of Blues Band will be going to Memphis the end of January. We wish you all the best. The Alliance will be contributing to their trip through our funds and through the two benefits we have produced. The BATC helps to “launce careers in music”, says, long standing member, Vern Melvin. Two music scholarships were awarded this year through IRSC to, Joshua Schiffke and James Staggs. We wish you well in your future endeavors. Ben Prestage As you have noticed, our monthly meetings are no longer always on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. We have had to change things up a bit to include our Hooked on Blues Event. As always, you are noti- fied via e-mail and newsletter of meetings and events. Congratulations to Ben Prestage on his BMA nomination for instrumentalist of the year for Diddley Bow! Ben, you’re unique and a true bluesman, we wish you the best! 2011 was an incredible year for Mark Barnes! Mark won the LA Music award for composer of the year! Also, let’s not forget “Casa Morningside”, loved it, loved the music! The best human achievements are passed from generation to generation through a language made up of symbols called music. These symbols are the keys to exchanging creative thoughts. Let us all value music, especially for us the blues and to increase the awareness of music study….pass it on! V T Y, Patti Volume 35 Page 4 Stevie B. and Friend Soul Rebel at Kona, Jensen Our girl, Ellen, with Catrina at Crawdaddy’s Joel Zoss @ Finz’s Waterfront Grille BATC Core Band: Patti, Michael, Rich, Al and Gerry Josh, Rich, and Denny of The Pitbull of Blues Band Benefit for IBC Port St. Lucie Downtown Lion’s Club JAMES L. AUTIN, M.D. Sinus –Ear- Nose- Throat Facial Plastic Surgery Meeting place Bristo on the Green Care of the Professional Voice 2nd Tuesday of every month at MUSICIAN’S SPECIAL Includes: Consult with Dr. Autin, Video Exam of Vocal Cords and complete Hearing Evaluation $99.00 11:45AM P. O. Box 9301 Port St. Lucie, FL 34985-9301 10377 S. US #1, PSL Phone for appointment (772) 337-3700 psldowntownus.lionswap.org Featured Sponsors Holiday Party Recap by Sandy Griffith The Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast had a very successful holiday celebration and fundraiser on December 8th at the Am Vets Post 92 of Jensen Beach.