May Day, Zoo Bar, JD McPherson

Well, I am sorry for the sporadic way that I update this blog space, or don't -- however I did think that the Gurf Morlix review was a cool thing to leave up as the latest post for a while. Gurf will be in Omaha for a Sunday Roadhouse show on Tuesday (yes, yes, I know) May 14 show at the Side Door Lounge, doors at 6:30, show at 7:30. Gurf's latest disc FINDS THE PRESENT TENSE is haunting, good stuff. Come see his live show. See sundayroadhouse.com.

Meanwhile, the Zoo Bar has announced their 40th Anniversary schedule for the outdoor stage July 4, 5 and 6. Four words. Dave Alvin. The Paladins.
Yes!
Here's the whole schedule for the outdoor stage.
Thursday July 4th
1:00 PM: Lloyd McCarter and The Honky Tonk Revival
3:00 PM: Tijuana Gigolos
5:00 PM: John Primer
7:00 PM: Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience
9:00 PM: Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers
11:00 PM: Universe Contest

Friday July 5th
3:00 PM: The Mezcal Brothers
5:00 PM: Tinsely Ellis
7:00 PM: Junior Brown
9:00 PM The Paladins
11:00 PM: The Self-Righteous Brothers

Saturday July 6th
3:00 PM: Freakabout!
5:00 PM: Walter Trout
7:00 PM: DaveAlvin & The Guilty Ones
9:00 PM: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
11:00 PM: Sidewalk Chalk
See zoobarfestival.com for more details. Ruthie Foster was just announced to be playing in the club on Monday, July 1. There will be multiple bands indoors July 1, 2 and 3. 

J.D. McPherson with Jimmy Sutton who produced his most recent disc.

Friends who know highly recommend J.D. McPherson at the Bourbon Theatre on Friday night, May 3. Mezcal Brothers and The Black Lilies open. 
Check bourbontheatre.com/2013/04/03/jd-mcpherson

 more J.D. McPherson

I've had some musical experiences lately that have reminded me of all the great times I've seen great bands in great clubs and danced all night...the happiest of happy....through the years.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to still search out the music that moves me... and to share it with others.
Speaking of music fans, MarQ Manner throws himself a 40th Birthday Party at Waiting Room on Friday, July 3 -- gonna be a great night of music. Find the details on Facebook at  MarQ is finally 40

Here's this week's READER column... 
remember what matters to you and don't ever let go of that.
 www.thereader.com/index.php/comments/zoo_bar_turns_40/ 

Zoo Bar Turns 40

by B.J. Huchtemann

Lincoln’s Zoo Bar celebrates 40 years as a live roots music mecca this year. The official 40th Anniversary events are July 1-6, with three nights of multi-band shows inside the club Monday through Wednesday, July 1-3. Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster plays the club Monday, July 1, to kick things off. Other indoor performances include Bernie Worrell Orchestra (July 2), the Bel Airs and John Nemeth Band (July 3).
The music takes to the streets July 4, 5 and 6. Highlights include John Primer and Terrance Simien (Thursday, July 4), Tinsley Ellis, Junior Brown and The Paladins (Friday, July 5), and Walter Trout, Dave Alvin & The Guilty Ones, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Sidewalk Chalk (Saturday, July 6). A number of local bands that are audience favorites will also perform. See zoobarfestival.com for the current schedule and breaking additions.

J.D. McPherson
Rockabilly, roots and R&B fans need to check out J.D. McPherson at Lincoln’s Bourbon Theatre Friday, May 3. Opening are The Black Lilies and Mezcal Brothers. McPherson’s most recent disc, Signs and Signifiers (Rounder), was produced by Chicago’s Jimmy Sutton in his all-analog Hi-Style home studio. The sound is old-school, primal, slammin’  rock. See jdmcpherson.com and bourbontheatre.com.

In press materials McPherson prefers not to be pigeonholed: “What is retro?...With the recurring interest in soul or even R&B, there seems to be a line most artists won’t cross—that line into the world of the swinging, visceral abandon of real rock ‘n’ roll.”

MarQ’s 40th Birthday
Local music scene mainstay MarQ Manner celebrates his 40th birthday with a special show at Waiting Room Friday, May 3, 8 p.m. Proceeds go to Angels Among Us, a cancer charity, in memory of his father who died of cancer last year. Performing are Matt Banta, Pat Gehrman and Michael Campbell in an acoustic song swap followed by Witness Tree, The 9’s, Whipkey Three, The Seen and Bennie & the Gents.

Hot Notes
KIOS 91.5 FM airs a two-hour documentary on Jim Hendrix “The Jimi You Never Knew” Sunday, May 5, 7 p.m. See kios.org for details.
Chicago’s Steepwater Band plays The 21st Saloon Thursday, May 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m. They gig Saturday, May 4, 6-9 p.m. at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar. Lil’ Slim plays the Zoo Wednesday, May 8, 6 p.m.
12-year-old classical-turned-rock female guitarist and songwriter Jaden Carlson sits in with the Zoo Bar House Band Monday, May 6, and gigs at Barley Street Tavern Tuesday, May 7. See jadensound.com.