Friday, December 21, 2012

Sin City Soul & Blues Fest, Phil Alvin's medical fund, Holiday Music Options & Blues Music Award Nominees

The new READER column is online and includes the exclusive to Hoodoo Blues FIRST announcement of Terry O'Halloran's first headliner for the Sin City Soul & Blues Fest. The Tedeschi Trucks Band is scheduled to perform, with more headliners to come. The event takes place Sept. 15-17 at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. 

The current list of confirmed acts so far includes Tedeschi Trucks Band, Los Lonely Boys, Tab Benoit, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, The Austin All-Stars featuring Malford Milligan and W.C. Clark, Ruthie Foster Band, Carolyn Wonderland, Curtis Salgado's Big Band, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Royal Southern Brotherhood, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Trampled Under Foot, James Harman, Orgone, Monophonics, The Iguanas, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, John Nemeth, Karen Lovely, Contino, Brad Cordle Band, Kris Lager Band and Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers. 

O'Halloran expects to play over 30 bands during the three day destination blues fest. Admission to the performances is limited to those purchase room/hotel/festival packages. Packages will go on sale Jan. 1, 2013.
Sign up for the email notifications at www.sincitysoulandbluesrevival.com

Dave Alvin's big brother Phil had a medical scare in Europe while on tour with the current Blasters earlier this year. Phil is OK now but has some serious medical bills to take care of and friends are hosting a benefit in January that is already sold out. But you can still send a donation if you are so inclined. Dave reports, 
"The benefit show for my brother is SOLD OUT! Sincere thanks to everyone who bought tickets to help him out. It means the damn world to us. 
For those of you who've asked me about a way to donate because you can't attend the concert, here's the information: Make checks/money orders payable to: New Highway, Inc. 1563 Solano Avenue #439 Berkeley, California 94707 Please also address the envelope to New Highway, Inc. 
Thank you all again for your extremely kind support and generosity." - Dave Alvin

Dave & Phil performing earlier this year.

Still smiling from catching three Jon Dee Graham shows in four nights earlier this month...here're a couple of clips from friends who did some recording of songs at the shows.

Having Jon Dee in town sent me back to listening to his HOBART BROTHERS & LIL' SIS project with Freedy Johnston and Susan Cowsill. I really like this song a lot. 
Jon Dee's been playing in Austin with a bunch of cool cats for a Sunday brunch at Strange Brew, they are calling themselves the Purgatory Players...here's a little something called "I Will Walk With You" from one of those shows since I can't find a version of Jon Dee's song "I Hate Christmas," with the Resentments, online. 

Oh, and the Blues Music Award nominations are out, and they include Curtis Salgado in the B.B. King Entertainer of the Year category. Find the link to the BMA nominations in this week's READER column.


Have a fearless, joyous holiday season. Celebrate with music, laughter, friends and love. The world didn't end, so get out tonight and see some music...!

Here's this week's READER column. See ya in the New Year!

www.thereader.com/index.php/comments/sin_city_soul_blues/

Sin City Soul & Blues & More
By B.J. Huchtemann


Former Omaha promoter Terry O’Halloran’s Las Vegas blues festival continues to take impressive shape. Scheduled for Sept. 15-17, 2013, at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino, O’Halloran plans for over 30 bands performing on three stages. O’Halloran has just confirmed 2012 Grammy winner the Tedeschi Trucks Band as one of the headliners, with more headliner announcements to come. Acts currently booked include Tab Benoit, Ruthie Foster, Tommy Castro, Royal Southern Brotherhood, The Iguanas, The Monophonics, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds and more. Several local acts also will showcase their talents at the much-anticipated event. O’Halloran’s Sin City Soul & Blues Revival is unique because when the hotel packages are gone, the festival is sold out, guaranteeing that festival guests will enjoy an exclusive experience. See sincitysoulandbluesrevival.com or follow the link on the site to the event’s Facebook page. Costs and pre-sale ticket discounts will be posted Jan. 1, 2013. O’Halloran currently resides in Austin, Texas, after being a major force on the Omaha music scene for over 25 years.


21st Saloon
Samantha Fish, 2012 Blues Music Award winner for Best New Artist Debut, plugs in at The 21st Thursday, Dec. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m. High-energy bass player Biscuit Miller & The Mix is scheduled at The 21st Thursday, Dec. 27, for their Omaha debut. Miller is familiar to local audiences from his years with Anthony Gomes’ band.


Zoo Bar Music
Lincoln’s Zoo Bar has The Mezcal Brothers unplugged plus The Betties Thursday, Dec. 20, 9 p.m. Levi William is up Friday, Dec. 21, 5-7 p.m. followed by the Tijuana Gigolos End of the World Party. Assuming the Mayans are wrong, Saturday, Dec. 22, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials crank up old-school Chicago blues 6-9 p.m. The Zoo Bar House Band hosts a special holiday blues jam Sunday, Dec. 23, 5-9 p.m.  Magic Slim appears for his traditional Christmas night show, Dec. 25, after 8 p.m.
Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers debut Friday, Dec. 28, 9 p.m. Boogie-blues heroes The Bel Airs rock it up Saturday, Dec. 29, 9 p.m.

Hot Notes
Runny Nose Pete heats up Sullivan’s, 40th & Dodge, Friday, Dec. 21, after 9 p.m. with gritty, guitar-driven, gutbucket blues.
Blues Music Award nominations were announced last week by the national Blues Foundation. Oregon’s Curtis Salgado, a favorite of Omaha audiences, received four nominations including one for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year. See blues.org/bluesmusicawards.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

a little Christmas...

The Landfill Harmonic Orchestra in Paraguay

Jon Dee Graham reminds us it's a World So Full

Jon Dee Graham with the Zoo Bar House Band, Feb. 2012

....a week of unbelievable joys and sorrows....
hold your dear ones close....

The video at the top of the blog was shared with me by a friend....proof of the visceral power of music to change lives...a youth orchestra in Paraguay where the impoverished children play instruments made from recycled items....never give up on anyone, the trailer says. There is a documentary in the works about this extraordinary group who call themselves the Landfill Harmonic. Take three minutes and watch this, it will lift your spirits.

I had a wonderful week of catching three Jon Dee Graham shows in four nights...a musical and personal hero, Graham is doing great and each show was magnificent.....Monday night he sat in with Josh Hoyer and the Zoo Bar House Band at the Zoo Bar in Lincoln....pure joy of music...
second in line is a video from last February when Jon Dee and the House Band tore it up...this week's show was just as gloriously full of fun.

Please be kind to each other, hold your loved ones close...tell people you love them. 
Don't take this "world so full" for granted.

This week's column is online here
www.thereader.com/index.php/comments/scottie_miller_shines/



Minneapolis musician Scottie Miller hits The 21st Saloon Thursday, Dec. 13, 5:30-8:30 p.m.  Miller’s day job is playing keyboards in Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster’s band. It’s a CD release party in support of his very fine new disc Rise Up. The CD showcases his excellent original tunes from funky New Orleans party boogies to introspective, thought-provoking songs set to sweeping arrangements with strings. This is a don’t-miss show for dedicated music fans.
The 21st Saloon has launched a Sunday music series. The bookings will be a mix of local and touring acts. Of special note is the rock and blues of Chicago’s The Steepwater Band Sunday, Dec. 16. Dirty Impound writes “fans of Mick Taylor-era Stones, early Hendrix and The Black Keys will eat this up with impolite gusto.” See steepwater.com.
The 21st also presents Hamilton Loomis in a special Friday show on Dec. 28, 6 p.m.
See 
omahablues.com for The 21st Saloon schedule updates.
Zoo Bar Blues
The Zoo Bar stacks up great shows including a Lincoln appearance by 
The Steepwater Band Saturday, Dec. 16, 9 p.m. The Lil’ Slim Blues Bandand Matt Cox Band share the bill on Thursday, Dec. 13, 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, the Tijuana Gigolos get the party started 5-7 p.m. followed by the high-energy blues of Louisiana’s Josh Garrett Band. Garrett is a triple-threat with great guitar chops, soulful vocals and original songs.
Mark your calendars for Chicago’s Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials next Saturday, Dec. 22. Josh Hoyer & the Shadowboxers make their debut on Friday, Dec. 28, 9 p.m.
Graham’s Garage Sale
Jon Dee Graham delivered his anticipated soul-lifting show at Dean Dobmeier’s and Gary Grobeck’s Sunday Roadhouse at the Side Door Lounge Dec. 9. If you missed the wonderful show, preview Graham’s latest disc, Garage Sale, at jondeegraham.com. My face hurts from smiling.Mike June, touring with Graham, showcased some gritty, working man blues from his brand new disc Talkin’ Revolution Blues. Seemikejune.com.
Hot Notes
Samantha Fish gigs at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, Dec. 19, 6-9 p.m. and at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Dec. 22, 5:30 p.m. She is this year’s Blues Foundation Blues Music Award winner for Best New Artist Debut.Brad Hoshaw and Elizabeth Webb have collaborated with the Blue Barn Theatre’s Witching Hour to create and perform music for the original ghost story Grass So Tall, Sky So Black. Final performances are Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 & 15, 11 p.m.  Seefacebook.com/bbwitchinghour.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Toy Drive on 89.7 The River & Jon Dee Graham at the Side Door Lounge!

Please Listen to the Lash LaRue Toy Drive show on KIWR 89.7 The River 8 am to noon on Sunday, Dec. 9!
Lash & I will be on the air with Rick Galusha, Mike Fratt, many in studio musical guests and playing cuts from the Christmas for Pine Ridge benefit CDs....see www.toydriveforpineridge.com.... AND then JON DEE GRAHAM at The Side Door Lounge, Sunday, 5 p.m. Yes, Yes. See www.sundayroadhouse.com
I also highly recommend you stop in at the Zoo Bar House Band's late show on Monday, Dec. 10! Yes, Yes!
NEW COLUMN WITH MORE DETAILS IS ONLINE HERE
http://www.thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/fearless_joyous_ music/


Sunday, December 2, 2012

Lash's Toy Drive Today & Jon Dee Graham Countdown to Sunday, Dec. 9

Today... Sunday at the 21st Saloon it's Lash LaRue Toy Drive day with the Blues Society of Omaha...headlining the party is zydeco from Grammy Award winner Chubby Carrier.....also opening the show are The Loose Brothers and Christy Rossiter & 112 North Duck ...music starts Sun at 3 pm. Doors open at 1 pm. Admission is $10 cash.. Toy donations of new unwrapped toys will be accepted for those who also want to donate a toy. Be sure to purchase your copy of Vol IV of the Toy Drive CD. Check the new column for details or Toy Drive For Pine Ridge on FB www.thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/lashs_toy_drive/

And Next Sunday, Dec. 9, we'll be on the radio with information about Pine Ridge on KIWR 89.7 The RIVER 8 am. - noon.... you can donate anytime online at www.toydriveforpineridge.com

And I am counting the days till next Sunday evening when Jon Dee Graham & Mike June play the Sunday Roadhouse at the Side Door Lounge. Showtime 5 pm. See www.sundayroadhouse.com.
Bad Jon Dee Santa & Mike June as the serious Elf poster by Mark Gerking.