Benoit, Magness, Lager, Bel Airs & PWF

by B.J. Huchtemann

Multiple-award winner Janiva Magness is a don’t-miss artist. She's one of the top female blues-roots-soul artists. She brings her powerhouse blues and soul to The 21st Saloon this Thursday, July 28, at 5:30 p.m. She's also performing at Lincoln's Zoo Bar on Wednesday, July 27, 6-9 p.m.

Fiery Louisiana bluesman Tab Benoit plays Knickerbockers in Lincoln on Friday, July 29. Award-winning Louisiana bluesman Benoit is on the road with New Orleans singer-songwriter Anders Osborne in support of their acclaimed CD Medicine (Telarc). Charismatic Cajun guitarist Benoit is a Grammy nominee, multiple Blues Music Award winner and activist for Louisiana wetlands. Osborne’s style encompasses blues, rock, soul and classic R&B. Medicine was produced by David Z who worked with Benoit on three previous discs. Z has also worked with artists like Prince, Buddy Guy and Gov’t Mule. Benoit and Osborne cooked up the songs 
that form the heart of the disc on the Louisiana bayou. Soak up their guitar-driven swamp-funk when the duo bring their band to Knickerbockers on Friday. See knickerbockers.net. This is an 18+ 9 p.m. show.

“What Should We Do? Run?”
Kris Lager Band’s van caught fire while driving home from South Dakota to make their Red Sky gig on Saturday, July 23.

Lager says his first thoughts were “What should we do? Run?”

While Lager and John Fairchild moved equipment and their trailer, bandmates Jeremiah Weir and Brandon Miller got the fire out with water bottles and a blanket . No one was injured. Miller’s family helped the band get to their Red Sky gig. They enthusiastically rocked the small crowd for a good 90 minutes despite the heat and the day’s bad luck, with the usually mellow Lager joking onstage about his reaction. Next time you see the group, buy a CD or a T-Shirt. Every little bit will help get their touring vehicle fixed.

In happier news, Lager may start writing lullabies. Congratulations to Lager and girlfriend Gina Blobaum who became proud parents of a beautiful baby girl named Journey on July 18.

The Lager band and bassist Brandon Miller are behind the Hullabaloo Music & Camping Festival on Aug. 5, 6 and 7 at River West Park, 233 & Maple. Check hullabaloomusicfestival.com.

Playing With Fire Needs You
This year’s sole Playing With Fire concert with Sharon Jones got the attention of fans outside the blues. Even rock colleague Tim McMahan jumped on the PWF bandwagon, writing several times about the event including a post-show commentary in last week’s Lazy-i column.
Though the heat cut down attendance it was an amazing night of soulful music. Founder Jeff Davis and the PWF team hope the event continues in 2012, but that is contingent on finding significant financial sponsorship. Visit PlayingWithFireOmaha.net to see how to help.

Hot Notes
Also check last week’s Lazy-i.com for a wrap up of the first ever Omaha Girls Rock camp for budding teen musicians, also find the link at thereader.com/lazy-i
The Bel Airs are on tap for the 21st Saloon next Thursday, Aug. 4, at 5:30 p.m. The Bel Airs also play Lincoln’s Zoo Bar on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 6-9 p.m.
Austin honky-tonk & country band Horse Opera plays Louis in Benson onThursday, July 28, (9 p.m. free show) and the Zoo Bar on Friday, July 29, 5-7 p.m.

The Sugar Thieves are back in the area with their retro-fueled blues sound. They play Jazz on the Green on Thursday, the Zoo Bar on Friday after 9 p.m. and The Hearland Cafe in Elkhorn on Saturday night. They were called "Arizona's most ass-whoopin-est band, Blues or otherwise" by the Washington Blues Society's Highway 99 Blues Club.