Livin' for the Weekend

Lots going on as always this weekend!
Kris Lager Band is opening for Ha Ha Tonka down in Lincoln at the Bourbon Street Theatre tonight. Friday. April  29.
Cornmeal brings a cool musical virtuosity to bluegrass that attracts a diverse crowd. They are  at The Waiting Room tonight.
The Blues Society's Nebraska Blues Challenge continues on Sunday.  May 1,  at the Waiting Room. Music starts at 2 p.m.
Kate & Karen of the OK Sisters gig at the Heartland Cafe In Elkhorn on Saturday night at 6:30.
See omahablues.com for more show listings!
Don't forget soul great Curtis Salgado plays the Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln on Saturday, May 14. Tickets are onsale at ETix.com!o

Gaffney Remembered, Magness at Zoo Bar & More

Gaffney Remembered, Magness at Zoo Bar & More

by B.J. Huchtemann

Sitting down to write this on April 17, I am remembering Chris Gaffney, who passed away three years ago on this date. He died after a brief but valiant battle with inoperable liver cancer. Gaffney was one of the most formidable singers of country and soul in his generation. He was just beginning to get the recognition he deserved.

Thankfully his music remains with us. Just look up Chris Gaffney on youtube to have a listen to this great singer. He was one of my musical heroes and he became a friend too. He was a member of the Zoo Bar family during his solo career and returned often both with Dave Alvin’sThe Hacienda Brothers. The Hacienda Brothers was co-fronted by Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez of The Paladins band and then with his own band, fame.

The Hacienda Brothers final release, Arizona Motel (Proper American), showcases the power and soul in Gaffney’s voice. I highly recommend the disc as a great introduction to Gaffney. Find out more about the life and music of Chris Gaffney at HaciendaBrothers.com or at DaveAlvin.net. Gaffney’s best friend Dave Alvin produced a tribute to Gaffney, The Man of Somebody’s Dreams (Yep Roc), in 2009, which you can sample at Alvin’s site. Gaffney’s great songwriting is celebrated through performances by many of his friends. 

Duarte & Zito Bring Guitar Power
If you’re reading this on Wednesday, April 20, you can still catch incomparable blues-rock-funk-jazz guitarist Chris Duarte at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar, 6-9 p.m. On Thursday, April 21, Duarte plugs in at The 21st Saloon, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, The 21st Saloon presents a special Wednesday show on April 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m. with the guitar-driven blues of Mike Zito. Zito takes the stage at the Zoo Bar for a special early show on Thursday, April 21, 6-9 p.m.

Marvelous Janiva Magness
On Tuesday, April 26, remarkable vocalist Janiva Magness hits the Zoo Bar stage at 6 p.m. Soulful and sultry, Magness is a multiple winner in the national Blues Music Awards. She is nominated for five more this year. In 2009 she received the top honor, The B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award. Her disc The Devil is an Angel, Too (Alligator) was named the number one blues disc of 2010 by Living Blues magazine.

Blues Challenge Continues
The Blues Society of Omaha’s first-ever Nebraska Blues Challenge continued with a second round in Lincoln on Sunday, April 17, at the Zoo Bar. The band receiving the highest scores from the judges in the second preliminary round was the Lil’ Slim Blues Band. Judges for the second round were musician Karen Earhart of Kearney, BluesEd founder Doug Backer of Omaha and Jeff Wagner from the Central Iowa Blues Society. The guest judges use the criteria and point system set up by the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge.

The Brad Cordle Band scored the highest points in the first round on Sunday, April 10. Judges were local musicians Matt Amandus, Seth Ondracek and Greg Jones, musician and part-owner of the Barley Street Tavern.

The final preliminary round happens on Sunday, May 1, at The Waiting Room. Performing are the Luther James Band (2 p.m.), the Paul Scott Hoagbin Trio (3 p.m.), 112 North Duck (4 p.m.) and Elwin James & the Wayouts (5 p.m.).

The finals for the Nebraska Blues Challenge are on Sunday, May 15, at the 21st Saloon at 5 p.m. Finalists from the three preliminary rounds will perform again, with the judges’ selection that night winning the chance to represent the Blues Society of Omaha in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in February 2011. See OmahaBlues.com and Blues.org for details.

Zoo Bar Highlights
The Lil’ Slim Blues Band, featuring guitarist Shawn Holt, son of Magic Slim, is on deck at the Zoo for the Friday, April 22, 9 p.m. show. Coming up at the Zoo are Guitar Shorty on Wednesday, April 27, for the 6 p.m. show and The Bel Airs next weekend, Friday & Saturday, April 29 and 30. The 6 p.m. early show on Wednesday, May 4, is Too Slim & The Taildraggers. There’s an acoustic show with Kris Lager & Friends at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4.

21st Saloon Blues
I previously mentioned Mike Zito on Wednesday, April 20, and Chris Duarte on Thursday, April 21, at the 21st Saloon. The 5:30 p.m. blues shows continue with the high-powered roots music of Too Slim & The Taildraggers on Thursday, May 5, and the fiery guitar of Michael Burks on Thursday, May 12.

Hot Notes
One of the top soul-blues singers in the country, Curtis Salgado, performs at the Bourbon Theatre on Sunday, May 14. See ETix.com. Catch an archival interview I did with Salgado for Blues Access magazine in 2001 online at bluesaccess.com/No_44/salgado.html.

The Sunday Roadhouse & One Percent Productions present Lucinda Williams at Slowdown on Monday, May 16. The Sunday Roadhouse series has founding BR5-49 member Chuck Mead at the Waiting Room on Sunday, May 8, at 5 p.m. See SundayRoadhouse.com for more info.

Visit HoodooRootsBlues.blogspot.com for Hoodoo updates. 

All work printed or posted here is the property of B.J. Huchtemann, copyright 2011. It may not be reused or reposted without permission.

Blues Challenge, Rockabilly Night & More
by B.J. Huchtemann

The Blues Society of Omaha’s Nebraska Blues Challenge 

concluded the first round of the local showcase on Sunday, 

April 10. Judges were local musicians Matt Amandus, Seth 

Ondracek and Greg Jones, musician and part-owner of the 

Barley Street Tavern. The Brad Cordle Band received the 

most votes from the judges and will advance to the finals, 

which will be held May 15 at The 21st Saloon. 

Check omahablues.com for details.

The Nebraska Blues Challenge continues this Sunday, April 17,

 at the Zoo Bar with an evening round of Lincoln bands. 

Due to a scheduling conflict at the Zoo,the NBC will not 

start until 7 p.m. Four bands entered from Lincoln. A $5

admission fee will go towards assisting with expenses for 

the NBC, which will send one band to represent the Blues 

Society of Omaha in the International Blues Challenge in 

Memphis in February 2011. The IBC is hosted each year by 

the national Blues Foundation and is a great springboard 

for up-and-coming bands to be seen and heard by people 

on the national blues scene. See blues.org for more details. 

This is the Blues Society of Omaha's first effort at participating 

in this event, with goals of further building our blues community 

and supporting local bands.

Performing at the Lincoln event will be the Blues Orchestra (7 p.m.),

The Sons of 76 (8 p.m.), The Lil’ Slim Blues Band (9 p.m.) and 

Levi William (10 p.m.) There will be one more preliminary round on 

May 1 at The Waiting Room and winners from the preliminary 

rounds will perform again for the judges in the finals on May 15 

at The 21st Saloon.

21st Saloon Blues
Nick Moss & The Flip Tops play the 5:30 blues matinee at the 21st 

Saloon on Thursdsay, April 14. The 21st hosts a special show next 

Wednesday, April 20, when guitarist Mike Zito plugs in. 

Blues-rocker Chris Duarte plays on Thursday, April 28

Rockabilly A-Go-Go
Omaha Rockabilly Night #4 happens Thursday, April 14, after 8 p.m.

This is a free 21 and over show at Gator O’Malley’s featuring Cat 

Club from Spain and The Afterdarks from Iowa. Join the Omaha 

Rockabilly group on Facebook to stay up to date on these events.

Also check out The Sandbox at 2406 Leavenworth on Saturday, 

April 16, at 9 p.m. for three hot rockabilly bands including Reckless 

Ones from Minneapolis, Th’ Empires from Indiana and The Blacktop 

Ramblers from Omaha. This is an all-ages show.

Curtis Salgado in Lincoln

Tickets are on sale now at etix.com for soul great Curtis Salgado at

 Lincoln’s Bourbon Theatre on Saturday, May 14. Brad Cordle Band 

opens. As many folks know, Salgado received a life-saving liver 

transplant in Omaha in 2006 and has gone on to make more great 

music. It's always a treat to have him back in the area.

Here's a link to a 2001 interview I did with Salgado for BLUES ACCESS 

magazine that includes lots of great history and background on the 

award-winning soul-blues man who inspired John Belushi's BLUES 

BROTHERS character. Check out the article at  

bluesaccess.com/No_44/salgado.html
 

Hot Notes

Keep your eyes on SundayRoadhouse.com for a very exciting May 

concert announcement.

Travelling Mercies has just released a new disc called Ghosts in the 

Bloodline. Catch the band at Barley Street Tavern on Saturday, 

April 16, and get a copy of this vibey mix of electric troubadour 

gypsy folk that rocks. You can also find Travelling Mercies new 

music at CDBaby.com.

Tuesday, April 19, Kris Lager Band is featured all evening at Slowdown.

Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears...Horns!

Black Joe Lewis...

Black Joe Lewis at Waiting Room last Monday.

Those Darlins opening for Black Joe Lewis

James McMurtry performing at the Sunday Roadhouse show at The Waiting Room last Sunday, April 3. The gal onstage dancing was invited up by James himself during McMurty's crowd favorite "Choctaw Bingo."

A New Blog Site, Rockabilly, Blues & More

A New Blog Site, Rockabilly, Blues & More

by B.J. Huchtemann

I've been asked to take a hiatus from the print issue of The Reader in April, so welcome to the new world of Hoodoo, where I’ll be giving you updates online when you can't find me in print....and hopefully even when you do find the column in the paper I'll still get some new content in here. Maybe even some live show photos like the one I just added from the James McMurtry show!
Please come visit me here at HoodooRootsBlues.blogspot.com. Reader column content will also be reposted. Look for the next print version of the column in the April 21 issue and please bookmark this blog site.

Pinetop Perkins Remembered
The great blues piano man Pinetop Perkins passed peacefully in his sleep on March 21, 2011, at the age of 97. Pinetop was an active presence in his adopted hometown of Austin, Texas, where he was checking out shows at SXSW the week before he died. Pinetop was always dressed to the nines, still smoked and had an eye for the ladies, according to friends. Perkins was buried in Clarksdale, Miss., on April 2. Find more on Perkins’ career and the foundation established in his name to help fledgling and senior musicians at PinetopPerkins.com.

21st Saloon Blues
So far attendance at the early Thursday 5:30 p.m. blues shows under the new ownership has had great fan support. Remember that consistent audience attendance is the key to the series remaining at the 21st Saloon, formerly The New Lift and Murphy’s.
Thursday, April 7, don’t miss Chicago’s guitar-driven Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, multiple winners of the Blues Music Award for Band of the Year.
Thursday, April 14, Chicago’s jump-blues band Nick Moss & The Flip Tops take the stage.
Wednesday, April 20 , there’s a special show with rockin’ guitarist Mike Zito at 5:30 p.m. And Thursday, April 21, blues-rock guitar star Chris Duarte plugs in. Thursday, April 28, veteran showman Guitar Shorty is scheduled. Thursday shows begin at 5:30 p.m. Watch OmahaBlues.com for updates and for other blues shows in the metro.

Zoo Bar Blues
The Zoo Bar is gearing up for its summer anniversary celebration in July. Headlining the outdoor stage Friday, July 8, is the great Dave Alvin and Saturday, July 9, it’s keyboard queen Kelley Hunt.
Tuesday, April 26, the Zoo has a special early 6-9 p.m. show with the soulful and sultry Janiva Magness. Highlights from the next couple of weeks include a double-bill with Son of 76 & The Watchmen (now going by the new name Sons of 76) and Stonebelly on Friday, April 8. Chicago’s Nick Moss & the Flip Tops play Wednesday, April 13, 6-9 p.m. See ZooBar.com for the full schedule.

Rockabilly Revival
Omaha Rockabilly Night No. 4 revs up Thursday, April 14, after 8 p.m. This is a free 21 and over show at Gator O’Malley’s featuring Cat Club from Spain and The Afterdarks from Iowa. Join the Omaha Rockabilly group on Facebook to stay up to date on these events. It’s really fun to see a new generation of music fans embracing old-school rockabilly, including retro clothes and vintage rides.
Also check out The Sandbox at 2406 Leavenworth Saturday, April 16, at 9 p.m. for three hot rockabilly bands including Reckless Ones from Minneapolis, Th’ Empires from Indiana and The Blacktop Ramblers from Omaha. This is an all-ages show.

Nebraska Blues Challenge
The winning band in the Nebraska Blues Challenge will represent the Blues Society of Omaha in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in February 2012. The IBC is run and judged by the national Blues Foundation. See Blues.org for details.
Area bands had about six weeks to enter the Nebraska Blues Challenge. A judging panel will select what bands advance to play again in the finals, but the whole series of shows is open to the public. We all know bands are more excited to play in front of an audience, so consider coming out to support our local talent.
Sunday, April 10 , at The 21st Saloon hear Swampboy Blues Band (2 p.m.), Matt Gagne & The Blues Experience (3 p.m.), Chuck Brown & The Basement Devils (4 p.m.) and The Brad Cordle Band (5 p.m.).
Sunday, April 17 , playing at the Zoo Bar are The Blues Orchestra (2 p.m.), Son of 76 & The Watchmen now known as Sons of 76 (3 p.m.), Lil’ Slim Blues Band (4 p.m.) and Levi William (5 p.m.). There will be one more preliminary round on May 1 at The Waiting Room and winners from the preliminary rounds will perform again for the judges in the finals on May 15 at The 21st Saloon. Check OmahaBlues.com for details. NOTE: After this issue went to press it was determined that the Zoo Bar showcase will likely take place in the evening rather than the afternoon as scheduled, please stay tuned to OmahaBlues.com for updates.

Hot Notes
Tickets are on sale now at ETix.com for soul great Curtis Salgado at Lincoln’s Bourbon Theatre Saturday, May 14. Brad Cordle Band opens.
Travelling Mercies has just released a new disc called Ghosts in the Bloodline. Catch the band at Barley Street Tavern Saturday, April 16, and get a copy of this vibey mix of electric troubadour gypsy folk that rocks.
Tuesday, April 19, Kris Lager Band is featured all evening at Slowdown.

Hoodoo is a column focusing on blues, roots, Americana and, occasionally, other music styles with an emphasis on live performances. Hoodoo columnist B.J. Huchtemann is a Reader senior contributing writer and veteran music journalist who has covered the local music scene for nearly 20 years. For more, visit HoodooRootsBlues.blogspot.com.
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Icons, Heroes and Funky Bears

by B.J. Huchtemann

Roots and boogie keyboard queen Kelley Hunt hits The 21st Amendment Saloon, formerly The New Lift Lounge and Murphy’s at 96th & L, for the Thursday show for March 31, 5:30-8:30 p.m. The popular singer-songwriter and keyboard virtuoso is at home in styles from old-school boogie-woogie and R&B to tunes shaded with jazz or pop influences. It’s her Omaha CD release party for her latest effort, Gravity Loves You. Hailing from neighboring Kansas, Hunt has built a career as an independent roots artist. She’s played the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Seattle’s Bumbershoot event and Portland’s prestigious Waterfront Blues Fest.


Eric Thom of Blues Revue magazine writes, “Kelley Hunt delivers the goods with a voice that grafts passionate blues to scorching soul — instantly endearing her to all within earshot, as her band surrounds her in a greasy funk that completes the package and brings you back for more.”




James McMurtry & The Bottle Rockets
Iconic Americana songwriter James McMurtry brings his searing band to Omaha as part of his current tour with alt.country faves The Bottle Rockets. McMurtry holds court every Wednesday night at Austin’s Continental Club, where he follows his friend and Hoodoo hero Jon Dee Graham. McMurtry’s simmering, fiery show packs the South Congress Ave. bar with devoted fans for his midnight sets. From booty-shaking rock to heart-stopping ballads, McMurtry is one of Americana’s consummate storytelling songwriters. Hear song samples at jamesmcmurtry.com and don’t miss this show.


The Bottle Rockets open the show with their high-octane alt.country and roots rock. See bottlerocketsmusic.com. For ticket info, more reviews and links visit sundayroadhouse.com. The Bottle Rockets and the James McMurtry band play the Sunday Roadhouse series at The Waiting Room on Sunday, April 3, at 5 p.m. Come ready to rock.


Get Wild
Americana showman Webb Wilder returns to Lincoln’s Zoo Bar on Sunday. Wilder takes the stage Sunday, April 3, for a 6-9 p.m. show. PasteCreative Loafing says his live shows “vibrate with sizzling surf, crackling country, gutsy garage and classic Chuck-Berry-styled guitar rocking.” See WebbWilder.com and ZooBar.com. magazine calls his music “rockabilly-juiced mayhem” and


It’s a busy week at the Zoo with the wry wit and engaging jump-blues of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats playing a special early show on Tuesday, April 5, 6-9 p.m. Then on Wednesday, April 6, Sarah & The Tall BoysLil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials takes the stage. open up at 5 p.m. with their Americana and country sounds before the great Chicago blues of


Farewell Cowboy Larry
A beloved member of the Omaha and Lincoln music community, “Cowboy” Larry Bowers passed away on Saturday, March 26, after a brief but serious fight with several recently diagnosed illnesses. Bowers was known to many as simply “the dancin’ cowboy.” If you attended a blues or roots-oriented event over the last 15 years or so, you likely saw him gliding soulfully around the dance floor, Budweiser in hand, often tapping his heart as he moved. Larry was my friend and his loss is devastating to all those who loved him, in circles of friends that extend beyond the music community.


HearNebraska.org founder and colleague Andrew Norman asked me to write about why Cowboy Larry, as we called him, was important to so many people. It was a blessing to get to tell a little of Larry’s story before we lost him. 


My essay on Cowboy Larry can be found at hearnebraska.org/content/cowboy-dancin-our-prayers-guest-column. 


You are welcome to log into the site and add your own stories on the page. Larry was one of those rare people who left everyone’s life better for having known him. He was a larger-than-life man who lived his life his way. We have lost a great friend and an important, much-loved member of Omaha’s music community.


Hot Notes
Kris Lager Band returns from a month on the road. Catch them in Lincoln on Friday, April 1, at Heidelberg’s South. On Saturday, April 2, they play Bigunz in Columbus, Nebr. See krislagerband.com.
Omaha’s own rockabilly kings The Mercury's celebrate their 17th Anniversary of rockin’ the metro on Friday, April 1, at Gator O’Malley’s. The Blacktop Ramblers open the show at 9 p.m.


Iconic roots-rockers the Old 97’s play the Slowdown on Thursday, March 31.
Austin’s up-and-coming soul-funk band Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears bring their infectious, greasy grooves to The Waiting RoomThose Darlins open. on Monday, April 4, at 9 p.m.


Popular singer-songwriter David Dondero hits The Waiting Room on Thursday, April 7. In 2006, NPR’s “All Things Considered” named Dondero one of the “best living songwriters” alongside artists like Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and Tom Waits.


Chicago’s award-winning Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials gig at the 21st Saloon on Thursday, April 7, 5:30-8:30 p.m. They are multiple winners of the Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Award for Band of the Year and also play the Zoo Bar Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

posted at 02:33 pm
on Wednesday, March 30th, 2011