Zoo Bar Family Celebration

by B.J. Huchtemann 
Earlier this summer former Zoo Bar owner Larry Boehmer found out he has stage four inoperable lung cancer. Boehmer has been enjoying retirement in Eureka Springs, Ark., for over 11 years. Lincoln's Zoo Bar is now co-owned by older son Jeff Boehmer and longtime bar manager Pete Watters.
Larry Boehmer is a hero and a friend. All the years he booked the Zoo Bar, even before I really knew him, the music he brought to Lincoln changed my life.

When Larry received the cancer diagnosis, he led by example again. He threw himself an early birthday party and invited everyone to come. Daughter-in-law Eileen Boehmer arranged a bus trip from the Zoo to Eureka and 33 of us were on board. About 70 more folks came from Lincoln and beyond, according to the Lincoln Journal Star’s Catharine Huddle. She took down everyone’s name on an order pad at the Chelsea’s Pub & Cafe party where love for Boehmer overflowed. Read Huddle’s Aug. 17 article at journalstar.com.

Guests included Boehmer’s dear friend and blues legend Charlie Musselwhite and original Zoo co-owner Jim Ludwig. I could not agree more with Huddle’s assessment that Larry Boehmer’s Zoo Bar built not just a home for the blues, or a local hang out, but a family.

Just a few of the folks who gathered for Larry Boehmer's early birthday party in Eureka Springs, Ark., on Aug. 14.  Seated in center left to right, "Baby" Jason Davis, Boehmer and special guest Charlie Musselwhite. Photo by Kenny Benton.

Via email after the emotional weekend, Boehmer wrote me, “It was really a high ... just an unbelievable amount of positive energy. I'm battling the cancer as best I can. Would love to have another party next year but that decision is not in my hands. However with all the love and positive energy I'm feeling, I think there's a chance I might be around a year from now. The party was simply amazing ... It's all life with high points and low points. But I'm typing this by an open upstairs window with a wonderful breeze coming in and a yard full of beautiful trees to look at. Life is good and I feel blessed.”

Celebrating Larry Boehmer's Birthday in Eureka Springs, Ark.: B.J. Huchtemann, Larry Boehmer, Terry O'Halloran. Photo by Conrad Good.

Sunday Roadhouses Not on Sunday
If you’re reading this on Wednesday, Aug. 24, check out Americana songwriter David Olney with Sergio Webb in a Wednesday Roadhouse. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at the Side Door Lounge.
The next Roadhouse presents Eilen Jewell on Friday, Sept. 9, at Slowdown. Tommy Womack is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept.. 13, at The Waiting Room. Hoodoo hero Jon Dee Graham is solo acoustic on Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Side Door Lounge. See sundayroadhouse.com.

 David Olney & Sergio Webb perform "Headed for Jerusalem."

They play the Sunday Roadhouse 

at the Side Door Lounge, 35th Ave. & Leavenworth, 

on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 7:30 p.m.

Guitar Heroes Turn It Up

by B.J. Huchtemann

Guitar fans have three big blues-rock guitar shows to look forward to in The 21st Saloon's Thursday 5:30 p.m. blues series. Popular Chicago axe-slinger Ronnie Baker Brooks hits the stage on Thursday, Aug. 21. He’s the son of the great Lonnie Brooks and himself a guitar star.

The following Thursday, Aug. 25, new fan favorite Mike Zito plugs in.
Zito’s high-energy, positive vibe and guitar power should appeal to fans of Tommy Castro or Hadden Sayers. Zito is a survivor who credits Walter Trout with helping him give up a drug-and-alcohol-fueled lifestyle. Zito has been gaining momentum on the touring circuit with a series of acclaimed discs for Eclecto Groove Records. Zito took home the 2010 Blues Music Award for Song of the Year for his tune "Pearl River."
His brand new recording is Greyhound. Blues Revue magazine calls Zito “one of the finest, most creative musicians on the competitive blues-roots scene.”  See eclectogroove.com and mikezito.com.

On Thursday, Sept. 1, The 21st presents Oli Brown. The name may not be familiar but this young English player is being praised as “the hottest young pistol in British blues” by Mojo magazine.

Goodbye Nick
One of the baddest keyboard cats in the metro, Nick Semrad, is moving to New York City. His last show is Friday, Aug. 19, after 9 p.m. at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar where he’ll reunite with Sons of 76 & The Watchmen. Special guests will include Matt Cox and Darryl White.

Come down to the Zoo early and catch the Lil’ Slim Blues Band for the 5-7 p.m. show. See zoobar.com.


Sayers’ Hard Dollar
Hadden Sayers ’ Zoo Bar show on Wednesday, Aug. 10, was his first in the area in support of his acclaimed new disc Hard Dollar. The gig showcased Sayers’ new quartet with a fine keyboard player added to his solid rhythm section. Sayers balances guitar power with finesse, restraint and an equal emphasis on soulful vocals and fine songwriting. His new disc is his best yet. Sayers returns for a 21st Saloon show on Thursday, Jan. 5. Sample Hard Dollar at haddensayers.com.

Hot Notes
The Zoo Bar hosts an early show with the honky-tonk soul sounds of Dave Gonzalez's Stone River Boys on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. The bulk of their critically acclaimed disc Love o the Dial was recorded in Lincoln by Charlie Johnson (Mezcal Brothers) at Fuse Recording.  Check stoneriverboys.com to sample the disc and go like Fuse on facebook.com/FuseRecording.
 
 After 9 p.m. catch the gritty, Chicago-style blues of the Kilborn Alley Blues Band. See kilbornalley.com. 

Soul man Terry Evans hits the Zoo Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.
 

Bottomline: Josh Garrett

by B.J. Huchtemann

Louisiana music from Josh Garrett & the Bottomline is one of the highlights of this week’s shows. Garrett’s high-energy music is complete with horns and fueled by the Cajun and zydeco sounds of his Louisiana bayou home. Garrett’s music should appeal to fans of Tab Benoit’s swampy blues. Garrett’s fiery guitar attacks, great vocals and excellent original songs stand up to the caliber of more well-known acts like Tommy Castro. Garrett is a roots star on the rise. Check joshgarrettmusic.com for more. He and his great band plug in at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar on Saturday, Aug. 13, after 9 p.m. Just found out that Kris Lager Band will share the bill. Gonna be a big party!
 
Also at the Zoo
 
An Omaha musician who has transplanted to Austin, Cass Brostad, brings her Guided by Vices tour featuring new Austin friends Mandy Rowden and Charlie Mason to the Zoo on Thursday, Aug. 11, after 9 p.m.  On Friday, Aug. 12, it’s jazz with The Darryl White Quartet after 9 p.m. Keyboardist Nick Semrad performs with acclaimed trumpeter Darryl White, bassist Seth Ondracek and guest percussionist Dana Murray. Murray has played with Wynton Marsalis and Norah Jones. Visit zoobar.com for details.
 
Next Wednesday, Aug. 17, it’s California's David Vidal plus Lincoln's The Hundred Miles. Heads up now for a cool double show on Saturday, Aug. 20 when Dave Gonzalez’s Stone River Boys plays at 6 p.m. Then it’s old-school blues steeped in the sounds of Chicago’s South side from The Kilborn Alley Blues Band at 9 p.m.
 
English Guitarist Russ Tippins
 
Pacific Street Blues radio show host Rick Galusha presents England’s Russ Tippins Band at Gator O’Malley’s on Thursday, Aug. 11, after 9 p.m. Galusha is enthused about “Tippins’ mix of Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin) vocals over
Humble Pie arena blues-rock [guitar] styling.” See russtippins.com and KIWRBlues.PodOMatic.com.
 
21st Saloon Blues
 
Thursday, Aug. 11, Texas guitarist Andrew “Jr. Boy” Jones rocks the 21st.
On Thursday, Aug. 18, it’s Chicago blues-rocker Ronnie Baker Brooks. Shows start at 5:30 p.m. See OmahaBlues.com.
 
Hadden Sayers Band Shines
The Hadden Sayers show at the Zoo Wednesday, Aug. 10, was beautiful. Sayers has a knack for mixing up just the right set list, his new band is killer and he's touring behind the best CD of his career. It was a great night of music. In case you missed it, Sayers is set for an Omaha gig at the 21st Saloon on Thursday, Jan. 5. Mark your calendar and be there. If you are a fan of Tommy Castro, Mike Zito or other blues-rock guitar stars, you will appreciate Sayers. 
Here's what I wrote about his new CD a few weeks ago...worth repeating.
Do yourself a favor and check out Hadden Sayers' great new disc HARD DOLLAR. Sample about half the CD's tracks and see a couple of cool videos produced for the launch at haddensayers.com. I've been a fan for a long time, but I think this is Sayers' best release to date. 
His guitar playing is stellar but he can keep it in the pocket too, so that when he lets loose with a guitar solo you are reminded again that he's a fine player. There's beauty, muscle and heart in this recording: lots of excellent guitar solos here along with Sayers' emotive vocals fleshing out a collection of fine songs that he's spent the last few years crafting. The duet with Ruthie Foster on Sayers' own "Back To The Blues" is a love letter to the music that is pure perfection. Follow Hadden Sayers Band on Facebook for notes from the road as Sayers puts some hard-touring behind the new disc. Here's Ruthie joining Hadden and his band to perform the tune at Sayers' SXSW showcase at Austin's Saxon Pub. This song deserves to be up for Blues Music Award for Song of the Year 2012. Check it out. 

   
Also dig Sayers' tribute to those "Sweet Texas Girls"...a catchy song with a cool, classy video that is a tribute to all kinds of great women from Sayers' home state and beyond.

Go to haddensayers.com and buy the disc. It's really good.

In case you missed these items from last week:
Lager Van Repair Fund
I wrote last week about the Kris Lager Band’s van fire enroute back to Omaha from a South Dakota show. Friends of KLB have set up a fund to help with vehicle repairs. Look up the Kris Lager Band Transportation Fund page on Facebook for details.


Also mark your calendars now for Hoodoo hero Jon Dee Graham on Sunday, Sept. 25, in a special Roadhouse at the Side Door Lounge. Seating is limited. See sundayroadhouse.com/shows.htm.
Graham will also perform at the Zoo Bar on Saturday, Sept. 24, in a 9 p.m. set that will be followed by the Sons of 76. Watch zoobar.com for details. It will be a special treat to have Graham in the metro for two shows, slated to be solo acoustic at this point. Check JonDeeGraham.com for the latest info on Graham's fan-fueled JonDeeCo Co-Op that offers a bunch of member-only exclusives for those who join up for a modest $10 a month. The Co-Op members have already received member-only links to a special acoustic performance of "Look Up" and a humorous short film.


Hot Notes
 
Kim Bowen hosts Slowpoker’s, a Neil Young tribute band, visiting from Italy. They have a welcome acoustic jam at the Benson Grind on Friday, Aug. 12, 8 p.m. The full Slowpoker’s band plays The Waiting Room on Sunday, Aug. 21 at
8 p.m. See reverbnation.com/slowpokers.
 
Lincoln’s Ribfest Aug. 11 through 14 features great music including The Derailers and The Bel Airs. See pershingcenter.com/ribfest.
 
The Ruthie Foster show scheduled for Glenwood, Iowa, on Aug. 13 is cancelled.
 
 

Hadden Sayers CD Release, Brothers Comatose, Guided By Vices

by B.J. Huchtemann

Hadden Sayers’ CD release party at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar is Wednesday, Aug. 10, 6-9 p.m.. His latest disc, Hard Dollar, is his best yet. Sayers’ Texas-rooted blues-rock puts his soulful vocals and serious guitar skills front and center in the service of mighty fine original songs. Be there.

Roadhouse Gets Comatose
Sunday Roadhouse presents The Brothers Comatose on Sunday, Aug. 7, 5 p.m. at The Waiting Room. The San Francisco group describes themselves as “a 5 piece old-timey, rowdy string band.” They have been gaining attention and momentum at notable events like The Strawberry Music Festival and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. Check thebrotherscomatose.com for info and free music downloads.

Coming up on Aug. 24 are David Olney & Sergio Webb. Chanteuse Eilen Jewel has been added on Sept. 9. Tommy Womack plays on Sept. 13.

And mark your calendars now for Hoodoo hero Jon Dee Graham on Sunday, Sept. 25, in a special Roadhouse at the Side Door Lounge. Seating is limited. See sundayroadhouse.com/shows.htm.
Graham will also perform at the Zoo Bar on Saturday, Sept. 24, in a 9 p.m. set that will be followed by the Sons of 76. Watch zoobar.com for details. It will be a special treat to have Graham in the metro for two shows, slated to be solo acoustic at this point. Check JonDeeGraham.com for the latest info on Graham's fan-fueled JonDeeCo Co-Op that offers a bunch of member-only exclusives for those who join up for a modest $10 a month. The Co-Op members have already received member-only links to a special acoustic performance of "Look Up" and a humorous short film.

Weekend Hullabaloo
The Hullabaloo Music & Camping Festival is August 5, 6 and 7 at River West Park, 233 & Maple on the Elkhorn River. Over 25 great bands perform including Kris Lager Band, Funk Trek, Matt Cox and Sons of 76. For lineup, tickets and info visit hullabaloomusicfestival.com.

Brostad & Guided By Vices
Former Omaha musician Cass Brostad is bringing two fellow Austin songwriter friends, Mandy Rowden and Charlie Mason, to visit. They’re calling it the Guided by Vices Tour. They hit the Barley Street Tavern on Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 8 p.m. with Bad Country, The Fergesons and a Family Gram reunion. Brostad and friends play Lincoln’s Zoo Bar on Thursday, Aug. 11, 9 p.m., with special guests All Young Girls Are Machine Guns. For more info check facebook.com/guidedbyvicestour

Lager Van Repair Fund
I wrote last week about the Kris Lager Band’s van fire enroute back to Omaha from a South Dakota show. Friends of KLB have set up a fund to help with vehicle repairs. Look up the Kris Lager Band Transportation Fund page on Facebook for details.

Hot Notes
The boogie-blues of The Bel Airs takes over The 21st Saloon on Thursday, Aug. 4. Next week the Texas blues of Andrew “Jr. Boy” Jones
is featured. Both shows start at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 6 at Barley Street Tavern catch Travelling Mercies with The Betties, Platte River Rain and John Klemmensen & The Party.

The female-fronted punky-pop of Nashville’s Those Darlins is paired with The Killigans at the Zoo Bar on Aug. 9, 9:30 p.m.