Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Don't Miss Hadden Sayers this week!
Jan. 4
Hadden Sayers Band
Zoo Bar, 136 N. 14th St., Lincoln
6 p.m., $8, 402-435-8754, zoobar.com

Jan. 5
21st Saloon, 96th & L
5:30 p.m., $8, 402-339-7170



Texas-born Hadden Sayers is a personal favorite and he knocked audiences out when he returned to the metro to play the big stage at Playing with Fire a couple years ago. Sayers has been playing roots and blues guitar since his teens. He is an accomplished triple-threat artist with great, soulful vocals who writes memorable songs. His guitar work is both powerful and thoughtful. He delivers his stage shows with passion, precision and plenty of just plain old-fashioned, good-time Texas music fun. 
His new CD Hard Dollar has hit #36 on the Americana Music Association charts and went to #21 on the Living Blues magazine playlists. Sayers’ expressive song “Back to the Blues” was recently announced as a nominee for Song of the Year in the prestigious Blues Music Awards. 

On Hard Dollar the song is a duet between Sayers and Grammy-nominee Ruthie Foster. Sayers has been playing in Foster’s band over the past few years. Now he’s back at his solo career with dynamic focus. Check out Sayers' story and music at haddensayers.com.

Hot Notes & Videos

One of the notable items you might have missed in recent editions is the great collaboration between Kris Lager and Grammy-nominee Tab Benoit when Benoit's band played The Slowdown in December.

Here are a couple of Youtube videos from the ten minutes or so where Benoit invited Lager up to share the stage. Lager showed again why he and his band are one of the best in the region.


Meanwhile, if you missed the Thursday, Dec. 29, show at The 21st Saloon you missed a star on the rise, Samantha Fish from nearby KC. Fish is nominated for a Best New Artist award in the recently announced Blues Music Award nominations. At 22 years old, this young lady can play and sing and has plenty of stage presence. If she sticks with the music biz I think she'll become an in-demand artist on the scene.

Check our her style in these videos. Yes, 22 years old.

Fish's new CD Runaway was produced by Mike Zito.
Happy New Year
New Year’s Eve offers plenty of holiday music options. Brad Cordle Band plays a special show at the Bel Air Banquet Room, 12100 West Center Road. Details and advance ticket reservations are available by calling 402-333-5505.
In Lincoln, the Zoo Bar presents a double header with Tijuana Gigolos 5-8 p.m. followed by the outrageous
Self Righteous Brothers after 9 p.m.  Kris Lager Band plays Dec. 31 at Playmaker’s in Lincoln. Swampboy Blues Band gigs at the OBar, The Confidentials at the Hilton and Hector Anchondo’s band at The Edge in Missouri Valley. Hotel packages and a shuttle are available for that show, call The Edge at 712-642-2229 for details.
Check omahablues.com for the Blues Society of Omaha’s listing of other live music options in the area.
 

Samantha Fish
Nominated in the Best New Artist category in the recently announced Blues Music Awards, Samantha Fish has two local shows. The 22-year-old guitarist appears at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, Dec. 28, 6-9 p.m. and at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Dec. 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Premier Guitar magazine writes that “by all signs, she seems poised to become a key figure in modern blues.” Fish made a guest appearance when Mike Zito played The 21st a couple months back and she definitely showed she’s got guitar skills and a fine voice. She is from nearby Kansas City but has already made a national impression as part of Ruf Records’ Girls with Guitars compilation CD. She’s touring in support of her debut CD Runaway, produced by Zito. See samanthafish.com.


Hadden Sayers
Hoodoo favorite Hadden Sayers returns for two local shows. Sayers has been touring hard behind his disc Hard Dollar, a track on the excellent disc was just recognized with a Blues Music Award Nomination for Song of the Year. Sayers plugs in at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, Jan. 4, and plays The 21st Saloon Thursday, Jan. 5. See haddensayers.com and 8 Days.

 
Hot Notes
Dynamic Kansas City blues singer and keyboard player Kelley Hunt hits the Zoo Bar Thursday, Dec. 29, 6-9 p.m. Sons of 76 and Cornerstone Dub play the late show on Thursday. Friday, Dec. 30, Lil’ Slim Blues Band plugs in 5-7 p.m.
If you missed the book release events for Gary Grobeck’s Peckerwood Bar-B-Q: Cuisine of the Sunday Roadhouse, copies are available for sale at the downtown Homer’s.
Louisiana Heat
The Blues Society of Omaha presents charismatic bluesman Tab Benoit at Slowdown Tuesday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Benoit is a Grammy nominee and winner of Blues Music Awards honors both as the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year and as Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year. Benoit’s music is an exciting mix of blues, rock and traditional Cajun music. His latest disc is Medicine (Telarc) featuring Ivan Neville and Anders Osborne. See tabbenoit.com. Kris Lager Band opens.

This is a membership recruitment event for the Blues Society of Omaha. Those paying the $20 admission will also receive a one-year Blues Society membership that includes an electronic version of the monthly Blues Society of Omaha newsletter. Current members get in for $10. See omahablues.com.

 
Josh Garrett at The Zoo
The Zoo Bar hosts more Louisiana music with Josh Garrett on Saturday, Dec. 10, 9 p.m. Now going by the Josh Garrett Band, this high-energy group celebrates the Louisiana sound of Cajun, zydeco and New Orleans music along with plenty of rockin’ blues. The band’s new CD String of Problems hit the blues Top Five charts for two weeks in a row after its November release. Check joshgarrettmusic.com.


Sunday Roadhouse
Austin singer-songwriters Shelley King and Jess Klein showcase their music Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Sunday Roadhouse at Side Door Lounge, 35th Ave. & Leavenworth, 5 p.m. The soulful King has been seen in Omaha before with Carolyn Wonderland. Mojo magazine calls Klein “moving and intense” and gave Five Stars to her CD City Garden. See sundayroadhouse.com.

 
Toy Drive on the Radio
Lash LaRue’s
eighth annual Toy Drive takes over KIWR, 89.7 The River, Sunday, Dec. 11, 8 a.m. to noon. I’ll be joining Lash and special guests on the air with Rick Galusha who donates his Pacific Street Blues time to help LaRue raise funds. The Toy Drive brings some holiday hope and cheer to the very impoverished families on the Pine Ridge reservation.
 
Hot Notes
Chicago blues guitarist John Primer gigs at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Dec. 8, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Brad Cordle Band plays Glo Lounge at Midtown Crossing Friday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m. Travelling Mercies and Snake Island join Dan Tedesco at Barley Street Tavern Friday, Dec. 9. Kris Lager Band and Funk Trek rock The Waiting Room Saturday, Dec. 10. Popa Chubby
  plugs in at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Sunday, Dec. 11, 6-9 p.m.
Davina Dazzles & Lash’s Toy Drive
“A modern day, female version, of Louis Armstrong,” that’s what Elmore magazine says of  Davina Sowers of Davina & The Vagabonds. Since the release of their latest disc, Black Cloud, the Minneapolis band has been racking up rave reviews. A track from the new disc was chosen for an NPR Song of the Day feature. Downbeat magazine applauds “They dare to be different.” Blues in Britain magazine says “Think of a meld of Bessie Smith, Etta James, Alberta Adams and Amy Winehouse, and you come close to understanding what Davina Sowers is all about.”


Classically trained pianist  Sowers creates an amazing fusion of blues, swing and old-school New Orleans jazz with her horn-driven band. They are one of my new favorites. Check out davinaandthevagabonds.com. Hear them at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, Nov. 30, 6-9 p.m. and at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
 
Toy Drive Giving
Lash LaRue’s
annual Toy Drive to bring joy to the children of the Pine Ridge reservation is this weekend. Toys are collected for the youth in the poverty-stricken area, who otherwise may receive nothing for Christmas. At The Waiting Room Friday, Dec. 2, at 9 p.m. catch Filter Kings, The Mercurys and Blacktop Ramblers. Admission is $10 or a new, unwrapped toy.
The Blues Society of Omaha hosts a holiday party and benefit show Sunday, Dec. 4. Performing are Christy Rossiter & 112 North DuckBrad Cordle Band (3:45 p.m.) and Alligator Records guitar great Michael Burks (5 p.m.) Admission is $10. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are also encouraged. There will be a BSO potluck holiday dinner, to participate please bring a covered dish to share. (2:30 p.m.),

Hot Notes 
Chicago blues-rock guitarist Scott Holt plays Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Dec. 1 at 9 p.m. On Friday, Dec. 2, at the Zoo, Kansas City’s The Good Foot shares a double bill of funk with Sons of 76. Nick Semrad will be back in town rejoining Sons of 76 on keys.

Chicago blues guitarist John Primer takes the stage at the Zoo Bar Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6-9 p.m. and at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Dec. 8, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Upcoming shows of note at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar include Josh Garrett & the Bottomline Saturday, Dec. 10, and Popa Chubby Sunday, Dec. 11. The Blues Society of Omaha presents Tab Benoit at Slowdown Tuesday, Dec. 13. Kris Lager Band opens the 7 p.m. show. See omahablues.com.
 
Thankful for Music
If you’re heading out on Thanksgiving Eve, be sure to stop in at the Barley Street Tavern after 9 p.m. for Matt Cox’s second annual Canned in Benson event to benefit the Omaha Food Bank. A cornucopia of local songwriters perform including Cass Brostad, Brad Hoshaw, Kyle Harvey, Rebecca Lowry, Justin Lamoureux, Sarah Benck, Andrew Bailie, Matt Whipkey, Ashley Rayne Boe, Lash LaRue, Dylan Davis, Brett Vovk and Reagan Roeder. Admission is a non-perishable food item or a cash donation. No glass containers please.
 
Vince Guaraldi Holiday Music
Last year Donovan Johnson hosted an extremely popular show celebrating the music of The Peanuts’ cartoons composer Vince Guaraldi. This year Johnson offers three performances: Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. See donovanjohnson.net for advance tickets. Performing with Johnson are George Laughery, John Rosseter and special guests Steve Raybine, Lyle Yates, Merritt Smith and Willie Karpf.

 
Brostad Visits
Singer-songwriter Cass Brostad is back for a Thanksgiving family visit and a show Friday, Nov. 25, at O’Leaver’s, 9 p.m. Other performers include The Travelling Mercies, who tear it up extra fine with Brostad on harmonies and tambourine, plus Mike Clark (Haunted Windchimes) and Bret Vovk (Underwater Dream Machine).

 
Zoo Bar Music
The Darlings
reunion show fires up the Zoo stage with their wild psychobilly Wednesday, Nov. 23, 9 p.m. Thanksgiving night, Nov. 24, 9 p.m., the Lil’ Slim Blues Band takes the stage. Kris Lager Band plays after 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 25 and 26.
 
Divine Davina
The ultra-fabulous swing, jazz and jump-blues music of Davina & The Vagabonds is back at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar for a show Wednesday, Nov. 30, 6-9 p.m. The band’s sparkling and passionate sound hits the The 21st Saloon Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Get hip to Davina at davinaandthevagabonds.com.

 
Hot Notes
Wednesday, Nov. 23, you can also check out The Jazzwholes reunion show at the House of Loom.

Lash LaRue Toy Drive shows to benefit the children of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation are set. Friday, Dec. 2, at The Waiting Room features the Filter Kings, The Mercurys and The Blacktop Ramblers. Admission is $10 or one new, unwrapped toy. Sunday, Dec. 4, at the 21st Saloon, doors open at 2 pm with Christy Rossitter & 112 North Duck, Brad Cordle Band and guitar star Michael Burks performing. Admission is $10, in addition toy donations are encouraged.