Louisiana Heat

by B.J. Huchtemann

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.