Happy Halloween to All!

And a rendition of Jon Dee Graham's October,

 from the man himself....

who will be at the Sunday Roadhouse at the Side Door Lounge on Sunday, Dec. 9!

New column is online here.....more to come:

http://www.thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/roadhouse_zoo_more/ 

Roadhouse, Zoo & More

by B.J. Huchtemann    

Dean Dobmeier’s and Gary Grobeck’s Sunday Roadhouse series is back with the first of several notable shows this Sunday, Nov. 4. The duo presents Americana buzz band Shovels & Rope at The Waiting Room, 5 p.m., with special guests Shivering Timbers. Shovels & Rope’s recent gigs include some opening slots for Jack White. NoDepression.com says “There is lust and death and triumph and loss...and boy howdy, are they joyful.”
Other coming Roadhouse shows include Lake Street Dive Sunday, Nov. 11, at Slowdown and the just-announced, always luminous Jon Dee Graham Sunday, Dec. 9, at Side Door Lounge. See sundayroadhouse.com for details and links.  

Zoo Bar in Art
Lincoln artist and longtime part of the Zoo Bar scene, Linda Benton, has an art opening as part of Lincoln’s First Friday at the Burkholder Project, 719 P Street, that includes images inspired by photos from the Zoo Bar. The collages incorporate photos taken at the bar through the years by Benton’s husband Ken Benton. There are 17 works in the Zoo Bar series, along with two other painting groups, one related to the Platte River and the other to the fossil exhibits of Morrill Hall. Lincoln’s First Friday gallery openings are 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2.

Larry Boehmer Honors
Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler’s Chief of Staff Rick Hoppe responded to a letter-writing campaign looking for a way to honor the late Larry Boehmer on Lincoln’s 14th Street. Hoppe responded via group email to Boehmer’s friends in part “The Zoo Bar is a Lincoln treasure and a community attraction that generates regional and national excitement...We are hopeful that we can find a fitting tribute that captures the very passion Larry built as owner of the Zoo Bar.” Watch for updates on discussions.

Hot Notes
Speaking of Art, the artists of Benson First Friday showcase their work at a variety of Benson venues Friday, Nov. 2, with a focus on Dia De Los Muertos. See Facebook.com/BensonFirstFriday.
Blues from Hector Anchondo plus Dry County Winos hits Lincoln's Zoo Bar Nov. 1, 9 p.m. Chuck Brown & The Basement Devils play Shamrock’s Pub Nov. 2, 9 p.m.
Mississippi Heat is at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Nov. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Oklahoma blues-rockers the Dustin Pittsley Band play Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, Nov. 7, 6-9 p.m., and The 21st Thursday, Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m. Pittsley’s band has won multiple awards including the 2010 Beale Street Blues Kings Award at that year’s International Blues Festival.

TerryO's Las Vegas Vacation, Dr. John and More

The New READER HOODOO column is online with details on TerryO's announcement of his destination Las Vegas Blues Vacation (Keep reading) and more including the great show the Zoo Bar and Bourbon Theatre are hosting at Lincoln's Bourbon Theatre tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 20) with two legends, Dr. John and the Blind Boys of Alabama...gonna be epic and magical.

If you are looking for something to do Friday night (Tonight), Rockin' Johnny Burgin from Chicago is in town playing with the Honeyboy Turner band at Havana Garage...after 9 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night. Check out Johnny's sound here
rockinjohnnyband.com  
Here's a nice home-town write-up of Johnny
chicagobluesguide.com/features/rockin-johnny/rockin-johnny-interview-page.html

Here's Johnny playing the title track from his new disc, Grim Reaper (Delmark).

Please check last week's blog for some thoughts on the sad passing of the great Nick Curran, who lost his battle with cancer...and a link to donate to Kid Ramos' medical fund. Kid was recently diagnosed with cancer and is getting treatment. Both are guitarists who are among the coolest, Nick still has a new disc coming out. There are a few videos posted to last week's blog also.
http://hoodoorootsblues.blogspot.com/2012/10/friday-sequins-curtis-tommyhappy-oh-yes.html

Last week's Curtis Salgado, Tommy Castro, Joe Louis Walker show was epic, with music from 7:30 to after midnight for the $35 ticket... a great crowd, high-energy performances and Curtis came out and joined Joe Louis Walker and his band for a gospelish number and to play harp on another tune. Be on the lookout for details on the next Playing With Fire fundraiser, which will happen in Feb. 2013. 
Here's a little video interview from Portland with Curtis talking about his super-fine disc, Soul Shot (Alligator). It's soul based and got lots of great grooves, arrangements and flat-out soul-burnin' stuff...some of Curtis' best recorded work!

Here's a cut from the CD that Jackie Newman captured LIVE at the Slowdown last week....it's cell phone video but it gives you a little of the cool vibe that was goin' on that night.

and here's Curtis and the full band with horns and singers doing another track from the disc, Nobody But You!

Jeff Davis is hoping to pull enough funds together to do a "10 in 10" 10 year PWF Anniversary event, a three-day festival that would feature 10 headliners, likely taking place Thursday through Saturday, July 11-13, 2013.
If you are a business who would be interested in  helping fund the 2013 shows, check out playingwithfireomaha.net for details and contact info.

Also Kevin Coffey broke the news today that the beleaguered Red Sky Music Festival has called it quits, and will not be back for 2013. This year's event had even less to offer blues-oriented music fans than 2010, which did have some cool acts in the afternoon. See Kevin's comments at
omaha.com/article/20121019/GO/121019447

Here's this week's Reader column. We are lucky to have a lot of great entertainment hitting our metro area this fall, as TerryO likes to say, "Get out and get into it!"
thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/dr._john_the_blind_boys/

Dr. John & The Blind Boys

BY B.J. HUCHTEMANN

This Saturday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m., Lincoln’s Zoo Bar and Bourbon Theatre present two legends of American roots music: Dr. John and The Blind Boys of Alabama at the Bourbon Theatre. They will be performing together in what is billed as a “Spirituals to Funk” celebration of jazz, blues and gospel. Either act is a show-stopper on their own, together this promises to be a truly electrifying, don't miss night of music. See bourbontheatre.com or the Zoo Bar for tickets.

O’Halloran’s Blues Vacation
Longtime Omaha venue owner and former Blues Society of Omaha president Terry O’Halloran this week announced his new venture. It’s a three-day Las Vegas blues festival at the Rio All-Suites Hotel, Sept. 15-17, 2013. SeeFacebook.com/LasVegasBluesVacation. The hotel will host all the music on various stages with 20 bands planned.

O’Halloran told me, “huge fests can be pretty uncomfortable. Las Vegas Blues Vacation will be the opposite with hotel rooms an elevator ride away...it will be a mix of my favorite touring blues acts and bigger acts that play 3,000 plus [capacity concert halls]. We are going to limit attendance to 3,500, only selling tickets with hotel packages, so it will not be too crowded.”

O’Halloran’s excellent taste in music and long association with top-flight blues artists and agents is sure to mean a true world-class event. O’Halloran, who plans to continue living in Austin, was honored by the national Blues Foundation with the 2007 Keeping the Blues Alive Promoter of the Year Award.

Zoo Bar
Lincoln’s Zoo Bar has some great upcoming shows includingPete Watters' birthday celebration Thursday, Oct.18, 6-9 p.m. with Brad Cordle Band. East Coast jump-blues singerGina Sicilia is scheduled Monday, Oct. 22, 6-8 p.m., followed by the Zoo Bar House Band. Wednesday, Oct. 24,Larry Garner plays 6-9 p.m. Mark your calendar now forDave Gonzalez and his Stone River Boys Friday, Oct. 26, 9-11 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 27, in a special 3-6 p.m. show prior to the Husker game, which will be shown on the big screen. Kris Lager Band will play post-game.

Hot Notes
The 21st Saloon presents Oregon’s Too Slim & The Taildraggers Thursday, Oct. 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Louisiana bluesman Larry Garner plays Thursday, Oct. 25. Chicago’sRockin’ Johnny Burgin is gigging this weekend with theHoneyboy Turner Band. They play Friday, Oct. 19, at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar 5-7 p.m. and at Omaha’s Havana Garage Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20, after 9 p.m. Seerockinjohnnyband.com.

Friday, Sequins, Curtis, Tommy...Happy! Oh, yes!

It is Friday and tonight is the much-anticipated triple-bill (in order of performance) of Tommy Castro, Curtis Salgado and Joe Louis Walker at the SLOWDOWN to benefit Playing With Fire!

Tickets are $35 at the door and this show is gonna be off the chain!

In the Blast from the Past department, if you are a Curtis fan, you might be interested in this 2001 profile I did with Curtis for BLUES ACCESS magazine. (Prior to his liver cancer diagnosis and miraculous, life-saving liver transplant right here in Omaha on Sept 30, 2006.)
bluesaccess.com/No_44/salgado.html

Also, if you didn't know, Curtis was the inspiration for John Belushi's Joliet Jake character in the Blues Brothers. Check out the story in John's own words from this vintage interview posted to Curtis' site. curtissalgado.com/index.php/media-press/belushi-connection

Also this weekend Cass Brostad comes home and gets married, with a Benson blow-out at Barley Street Tavern Saturday night that likely will have most of Benson's music family in attendance. Performances are expected from Brad Hoshaw, Reagan Roeder, Dylan Davis, Cass Brostad (Davis?!), Matt Cox, and Underwater Dream Machine.

Gary Grobeck's brew fest is going on this weekend too! Saturday, Oct. 13, noon - 3 p.m. at Krug Park in Benson:

10 Homebrewers offer you their best recipe. Taste them all and vote for your 3 favorites. Music by Matt Cox. Catering from Peckerwood BBQ. $25.00 Donation helps support the Marlin D.Nelson Scholarship Foundation. Tickets available at Krug Park, 6205 Maple St.

Texas singer-songwriter Darden Smith plays the FolkHouse Saturday night. See FolkHouseConcerts.com

The new READER column is online with all this and more including Lincoln Calling festival this weekend, Kris Lager Band at Waiting Room Friday night and more........check it at thereader.com/index.php/comments/tommy_curtis_joe/

Check these details on memorial options for remembering Larry Boehmer, including contact info to write Lincoln's mayor in support of 14th Street between O and P being renamed in Larry's honor.

Memorials to the Larry Boehmer Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, to be divided among American Cancer Society, Academy of Rock and Eureka Springs Humane Society. Cards can be sent in care of Zoo Bar, 146 N. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68501.
In addition to -- and not to detract from the family’s choices listed above -- a fund has been set up to create a UNL scholarship in Larry’s name.
Checks should be made out to: “Memorial Account for Larry Boehmer” and sent to:
Union Bank & Trust Co.
121 S. 13th Street
P.O. Box 82535
Lincoln, NE 68501

There is also a letter and email campaign to have 14th Street between O and P renamed in Larry's honor. If you support the idea please send your letters or emails to  Mayor Chris Beutler, c/o Mayor's Office 555 South 10th St., Suite 301  Lincoln, NE 68508  Email: mayor@lincoln.ne.govPhone: 402-441-7511  Fax: 402-441-7120 

Sadly, last weekend roots guitar great and cool cat Nick Curran lost his warrior's battle with cancer. Such a loss. He was a fine player and a super good guy. His career ran from working as guitarist with Ronnie Dawson and Kim Lenz, to great solo work, to playing guitar alongside Kirk Fletcher in the Fab T-Birds. Rest in Peace, Nick.

Another great blues guitarist, Kid Ramos has recently been diagnosed with cancer. You can donate to his medical fund here kidramos.chipin.com/contributors/public/id/256fc4e65ba5172d

Ironically both Nick and the Kid spent time in Kim Wilson's Fabulous Thunderbirds...here's a cool clip of the Kid in action with Kim and the T-Birds -- one of my all-time favorite bands. 

And...it's OCTOBER...

Respect, Praise, Music, Don't Forget to Dance

Well, with the tremendous Sept. 23 Zoo Bar memorial and celebration of Larry Boehmer's life, the family that Larry brought together through years of amazing music and Zoo Bar camaraderie came together again in powerful fashion.

Like the birthday event Larry threw in August 2011 in Eureka Springs for himself, that drew over 100 people from Lincoln, Omaha and across the country, this event brought together generations of Zoo Bar family.

Folks like Jon Emery, Billy Dye and Baby Jason Davis came from out of town...guys who played with Larry in the early days of Little Jimmy Valentine & The Heart Murmurs like Cid Cidlak,  Sean Benjamin and "Hollywood" Doug Rosenkrans got back together on stage....the music started at 3 p.m. with a rousing blast of gospel from the Quinn Gospel Choir and the music went on and on from there. 

 I truly felt Larry was with us in spirit and enjoying the celebration of music, friendships and family that he helped bring together and nurture.

Link to my updated history of the Zoo Bar, if you haven't read it...
www.hoodoorootsblues.blogspot.com/2011/07/everybodys-rockin-at-zoo-bar-by-b.html


The 21st Saloon and the Blues Society of Omaha host a Tribute to Larry Boehmer on Thursday, Oct. 4, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at The 21st Saloon, 96th & L. Several generations of Lincoln's Zoo Bar all-stars will perform including Larry's son and current Zoo co-owner Jeff Boehmer, plus Sean Benjamin, Dave Robel, Dave Boye, Josh Hoyer, Ll' Slim, Kris Lager, John Fairchild and Levi William. Brad Cordle will be a special guest.

I realize I have been writing a lot about Larry the last few weeks....all I can tell you is that he changed MY life and so many more, by the very existence of the Zoo Bar...the music I saw there, the music I learned from, the friendships and music family I made...and he certainly changed my life by virtue of his example of grace, class, humor and how he conducted himself both in business and in his life,  including how he handled his illness. 

To keep all this info together, here is the info on memorials and efforts to remember Larry. 

Memorials to the Larry Boehmer Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, to be divided among American Cancer Society, Academy of Rock and Eureka Springs Humane Society. Cards can be sent in care of Zoo Bar, 146 N. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68501.
In addition to -- and not to detract from the family’s choices listed above -- a fund has been set up to create a UNL scholarship in Larry’s name.
Checks should be made out to: “Memorial Account for Larry Boehmer” and sent to:
Union Bank & Trust Co.
121 S. 13th Street
P.O. Box 82535
Lincoln, NE 68501

There is also a letter and email campaign to have 14th Street between O and P renamed in Larry's honor. If you support the idea please send your letters or emails to  Mayor Chris Beutler, c/o Mayor's Office 555 South 10th St., Suite 301  Lincoln, NE 68508  Email: mayor@lincoln.ne.govPhone: 402-441-7511  Fax: 402-441-7120 

In other blues news, there are two big shows coming up that you don't want to miss. Curtis Salgado, Tommy Castro and Joe Louis Walker at Slowdown Friday, Oct. 12, for the Playing With Fire fundraiser. A $35 ticket is a margin to see these top-flight contemporary blues artists. See playingwithfireomaha.net for details.

Please note the show starts at 7:30 p.m. and the performance order is Tommy Castro, Curtis Salgado and then Joe Louis Walker as the final act of the night. You can also check out the event page at theslowdown.com/events/playing-with-fire-fundraiser/

I am also super-excited to see the Dr. John/Blind Boys of Alabama collaboration at The Bourbon Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 20. This is a Zoo Bar and Bourbon Theatre collaboration and is going to be one helluva show. Tickets are on sale now at the Zoo, the Bourbon, at bourbontheatre.com. Here is a clip of the Blind Boys in action...they are a force to be reckoned with!

Thursday night after the Larry Boehmer tribute at The 21st, head on over to the Waiting Room Thursday, Oct. 4, to catch John Fullbright opening for The Devil Makes Three. Fullbright is a young Oklahoma roots singer-songwriter who gets nothing but raves from folks who've seen him live. I think this is his first Omaha performance. 

Also, Friday, Oct. 5, is the final show for Josh Hoyer's Sons of 76 project....showtime 9 p.m. at Lincoln's Zoo Bar. 
Mezcal Brothers will have the FAC 5-7 p.m.

Josh is one of the most remarkably talented songwriters, vocalists and bandleaders on the local scene, and while I am excited to see what he's up to next, I have sure enjoyed following and dancing to Sons of 76 over the last few years.
Here's a clip of Josh's song Imaginary Man (incorrectly titled in the video clip) with Jon Dee Graham joining the Sons a few months ago onstage at the Zoo.

I was re-listening to Peter Karp and Sue Foley's fine CD Beyond The Crossroads again this week....great writing, great performances, great chemistry. The whole disc is very good, if you don't have it -- check it out. Here's a track...

I also go back periodically to Kevin Welch's excellent disc Patch of Blue Sky. This track has a lot to say about the Power of Love... don't take it for granted, don't let it slip by you, don't think that tomorrow will be the day, the time, the hour....tomorrow may not come...and love is the answer. Don't let the very wonderful things this life has to offer pass you by!

Oh, and it's October!

This week's READER HOODOO column is online here, much the same content but be sure to check it out.
thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/boehmer_tribute_hot_shows/