Happy New Year

by B.J. Huchtemann

New Year’s Eve offers plenty of holiday music options. Brad Cordle Band plays a special show at the Bel Air Banquet Room, 12100 West Center Road. Details and advance ticket reservations are available by calling 402-333-5505.
In Lincoln, the Zoo Bar presents a double header with Tijuana Gigolos 5-8 p.m. followed by the outrageous Self Righteous Brothers after 9 p.m.  Kris Lager Band plays Dec. 31 at Playmaker’s in Lincoln. Swampboy Blues Band gigs at the OBar, The Confidentials at the Hilton and Hector Anchondo’s band at The Edge in Missouri Valley. Hotel packages and a shuttle are available for that show, call The Edge at 712-642-2229 for details.
Check omahablues.com for the Blues Society of Omaha’s listing of other live music options in the area.  

Samantha Fish
Nominated in the Best New Artist category in the recently announced Blues Music Awards, Samantha Fish has two local shows. The 22-year-old guitarist appears at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, Dec. 28, 6-9 p.m. and at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Dec. 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Premier Guitar magazine writes that “by all signs, she seems poised to become a key figure in modern blues.” Fish made a guest appearance when Mike Zito played The 21st a couple months back and she definitely showed she’s got guitar skills and a fine voice. She is from nearby Kansas City but has already made a national impression as part of Ruf Records’ Girls with Guitars compilation CD. She’s touring in support of her debut CD Runaway, produced by Zito. See samanthafish.com.

Hadden Sayers
Hoodoo favorite Hadden Sayers returns for two local shows. Sayers has been touring hard behind his disc Hard Dollar, a track on the excellent disc was just recognized with a Blues Music Award Nomination for Song of the Year. Sayers plugs in at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, Jan. 4, and plays The 21st Saloon Thursday, Jan. 5. See haddensayers.com and 8 Days.
 
Hot Notes
Dynamic Kansas City blues singer and keyboard player Kelley Hunt hits the Zoo Bar Thursday, Dec. 29, 6-9 p.m. Sons of 76 and Cornerstone Dub play the late show on Thursday. Friday, Dec. 30, Lil’ Slim Blues Band plugs in 5-7 p.m.
If you missed the book release events for Gary Grobeck’s Peckerwood Bar-B-Q: Cuisine of the Sunday Roadhouse, copies are available for sale at the downtown Homer’s.