Updates, Zoo Bar Turns 38, Suhler, Lager, Cox’s New CD

By B.J. Huchtemann

Playing With Fire has announced a new second location site due to continued Missouri flooding. There is only one PWF concert this year on Saturday, July 16. The event is now scheduled for Stinson Park in Aksarben Village, 67th & Center. The lineup is exciting with headliners Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings bringing their retro-fueled funk and R&B to town. Also performing is acclaimed Austin soul-blues vocalist Malford Milligan and his band, along with the Brad Cordle Band. BluesEd youth band Crimson Dawn opens the show.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blankets. No coolers or pets. Please park in the parking garage off of 64th & Center Sts.

PWF organizer Jeff Davis is also hosting a series of ticketed concerts in Glenwood, Iowa, to benefit their outdoor amphitheater there. The first concert with Carolyn Wonderland was cancelled due to concerns about flooding in the area and Davis hopes to reschedule it. At press time there was no word on the second Glenwood concert, set for Saturday, July 9, featuring Dawn Tyler Watson, Paul Deslauriers and Trevor Finlay. Watch playingwithfireomaha.net for late-breaking announcements and details on the July 16 PWF Concert.

Suhler Rocks
Don’t forget that the great Texas blues-rock band Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat hits the Zoo Bar on Wednesday, June 29, 6-9 p.m. Suhler and his mighty fine band plug in at The 21st Saloon on Thursday, June 30, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Suhler matches his considerable guitar chops with taste and imagination. So, for example, if he covers a Hendrix tune, he takes out his vintage National Steel guitar. Suhler released a new CD earlier this year, Texas Scratch. This is a collaboration with three other Texas guitarists: Vince Converse, Buddy Whittington and special guest Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Suhler’s previous release, Tijuana Bible, was nominated for Best Blues-Rock Album at last year’s Blues Music Awards. Suhler and his band Shawn Phares (keyboards), Carlton Powell (bass) and Jimmy Morgan (drums) are a serious force to be reckoned with, playing with what often seems like telepathic abandon. Suhlers “day job” is as guitar sideman in George Thorogood’s band. Check jimsuhler.com.

21st Saloon Blues
The 21st Saloon Thursday blues shows are scheduled to continue through the summer. On Thursday, July 7, it’s Earl & Them featuring Baby Jason Davis and Earl Cate. On Thursday, July 14, Lincoln’s high-octane Lil’ Slim Blues Band has their Omaha CD release party. For those who don’t know, Lilí Slim is Shawn Holt, son of Magic Slim, and he is doing his daddy proud with his blistering Chicago-style playing and sound. On Thursday, July 21, catch British guitar star Matt Schofield. Look him up, he’s one of those “guitar player’s guitar players.” The month closes out with award-winning Southern California blues and soul vocalist Janiva Magness and her great band on Thursday, July 27.

Zoo Bar 38th Anniversary
This year’s Zoo Bar birthday party starts up on Tuesday, July 5 when you can catch Sons of 76 (6 p.m.), Lucas Kellison (8 p.m.) and Kansas City R&B/funk band The Good Foot (10 p.m.). Wednesday, July 6, it’s Baby Jason and Earl Cate in Earl & Them (6 p.m.), the funky country of Austin’s Stone River Boys (8 p.m.) and Mezcal Brothers (10 p.m.). On Thursday, July 7, catch Kill County (6 p.m.) Kris Lager Band (8 p.m.) and Lil' Slim Blues Band (10 p.m.) See zoobar.com for details on the Street Fest scheduled for the weekend, with Dave Alvin headlining on Friday, July 8, and Kelley Hunt on Saturday, July 9.

Matt Cox CD Release
Matt Cox celebrates his new studio CD release Tracks in the Sound at The Waiting Room on Sunday, July 3, at 9 p.m. The Filter Kings and The Mezcal Brothers also play. The new CD was produced by Charlie Johnson of the Mezcal Brothers at Lincoln’s Fuse Recording. Cox’s rich, distinctive voice, fine songwriting and great playing all set him apart. His sound should appeal equally to fans of Americana, indie folk and blues. The disc reflects the best of Cox’s excellent original material as played regularly through the last year by his amazing band: Seth Ondracek (bass), Ben Zinn (electric guitars), Nick Semrad (piano), and Andrew Tyler (drums). See them now, as Semrad and Tyler are planning to move to New York City to try their musical luck there.

Hot Notes
The Holland Performing Arts’ next Music & Movie event is Friday, July 1. Kris Lager Band rocks out and the movie is Jurassic Park. Gates at 7:30, music begins at 7:45. No outside food or pets allowed. See omahaperformingarts.org.
Lincoln roots-rockers Tijuana Gigolos bring their party sound to Harrah’s Stir nightclub on Friday, July 1, after 9 p.m.
The Lil’ Slim Blues Band has their Lincoln CD release party on Saturday, July 2, at the Zoo Bar.
Sioux City’s Saturday in the Park is on for Saturday, July 2, with acts including Ben Harper, Cee Lo Green, Grace Potter and Los Lonely Boys. See saturdayinthepark.com.
Visit HoodooRootsBlues.blogspot.com for Hoodoo updates.