Jon Dee Graham at the Zoo Bar and the Sunday Roadhouse
by B.J. Huchtemann




Well, as most of you know I'd been really looking forward to Jon Dee Graham's appearances in Lincoln and Omaha this past weekend.
The shows did not disappoint.


In Lincoln, Graham shared the bill with Zoo Bar favorites Sons of 76. Josh Hoyer and his band played an opening set, followed by a few tunes from Graham's manager and touring partner, Mike June (more on Mike in a bit) and then Graham played some solo songs...His music is breathtaking and inspiring to those who get it...and I guess you either get it or you don't. But for those of us who do....the music and the spirit behind it are life-changing, life-affirming and uplifting.

Graham invited first Josh, then Sons of 76 to join him onstage. Josh Hoyer on keys augmented Graham's rendition of "When a Woman Cries" from his debut disc, ESCAPE FROM MONSTER ISLAND.

Jon Dee Graham is joined on stage at the Zoo Bar on Saturday, Sept. 24, by Sons of 76 including Joshua Hoyer and Werner Althaus (pictured).

It was a delight to see a local favorite and a hero from the national scene sharing the historic Zoo Bar stage. I was too busy soaking up the music to keep  a solid set list, but the night ended with Graham's "Something Very Wonderful" and Graham's son Willie's tune "Rock 'n' Roll in the Streets" (written when Willie was 5 years old). Graham returned to the stage to play Dan Stuart's song "The Greatest" with the chorus "Dreamin' of Muhammad Ali." It's a song Graham says Stuart wrote to "give people hope and courage" and it's a song Graham often closes his show with.

The Sunday show at the Sunday Roadhouse was just a gem from start to finish. Graham opened the show with "Faithless" & "$100 Bill" back-to-back and played through a series of older, lesser-known songs along with newer ones, including "Yes, Yes," the new song he just released exclusively to his JonDeeCo Co-Op. (See "The Manifesto" at jondeegraham.com for details.)

Here is Jon Dee performing "Faithless" & "The Restraining Order Song." (Videos by Toni & Mark Gerking from Sioux City)

He also played a remarkably beautiful and haunting song by Roky Erickson called "Starry Eyes." The sweetness of the song is undermined by the story Graham shared about how Erickson wrote the tune after undergoing shock therapy so excessive that it tore the pupils of his eyes.

Graham played it in sound check and also during the show. (And now I can't find the video online, maybe I will locate it later, but look up Roky's version of the song.)

Here's another older song of his own that Graham's been including in his sets lately, "Kings."

Graham's agent and touring partner Mike June took the stage for a few songs including his engaging song about Austin blueswoman Miss Lavelle White, who was his neighbor for a while. Here's one of Mike's other originals, he's an excellent songwriter and it sounds like he'll be back through our area in March with his own band. Hear more of Mike's music  at reverbnation.com/mikejune

Mike June performing "Mama, You Been On My Mind."

The weekend of great music from Jon Dee was over all too soon, but I soaked up all the hope, courage, love and inspiration that I could. I hope some of the folks that came out who are new to Graham's music got caught up in the fierce joy and no-holds-barred fearlessness that are Graham's calling cards. Graham's music is full of Luminous Hope and the admonition to, in the words of his father, "Pay attention!" Something Wonderful is always happening, if we only allow ourselves to see it.

In keeping with the changing season, here's Graham's ode to "October"....

it's Jon Dee Graham Weekend....

 Jon Dee Graham performing "World So Full"....

Graham’s Wonderful World

by B.J. Huchtemann

If there is one artist I would get everyone to listen to if I could, it is Jon Dee Graham. The Austin-based musician is an extraordinary songwriter and guitarist whose music is as real as it gets.

His words come from the heart of a survivor and from an ability to stay optimistic even in the face of adversity. Reviewers praise Graham for his "raw intensity" and say "his songs always sound like truth." I've called his outlook "cynical optimism." He writes about life and loss with courage. His luminous performances brim with hope and love. In 2008, Graham's daily life as a working musician, husband and father were profiled in Mark Finkelpearl's insightful documentary, Swept Away. 
 
Graham is an award-winning 30-year-plus veteran of the Austin scene. His earlier work includes seminal Austin punk band The Skunks and co-founding The True Believers with Alejandro Escovedo. Graham can be found most Wednesdays laying down fiery guitar and soul-filled songs at Austin's Continental Club. 

Graham is a survivor whose take on the world is filled with wit, wisdom and sometimes flights of whimsy. In 2008 he suffered a near-fatal car crash driving home from Dallas to Austin. His first words to the State Trooper who found him were “It’s not as bad as it looks!” This became the title of his 2010 studio CD. He was back onstage, against doctor’s orders, almost a month to the day after the accident, performing his weekly, fiery Wednesday night show at Austin’s Continental Club. He treated the audience to his usual wickedly fierce guitar licks, cracked jokes about the emergency spleen surgery that followed his arrival at the ER (and a cigarette he tried to sneak in the bathroom) and showed off the giant zipper scar the accident and surgery left on his chest. He also suffered a broken back, racked up shoulder and other injuries.

Graham launched the JonDeeCo Co-Op this past summer, allowing fans the opportunity to support his creative work on a subscription basis, receiving exclusive deliveries of new songs, artwork and more. See jondeegraham.com. Graham has also been working with Freedy Johnston and Susan Cowsill on a side project called The Hobart Brothers & Lil' Sis Hobart. See thehobartbrothers.com.

Jon Dee Graham returns to Dean Dobmeier's and Gary Grobeck's Sunday Roadhouse at The Side Door Lounge, 35th Ave. & Leavenworth, on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 5 p.m. See sundayroadhouse.com. 

He performs at Lincoln's Zoo Bar on Saturday, Sept. 24, after 10 p.m. with Sons of 76. (See 8 Days below.) There's been talk between Josh Hoyer of Sons of 76 and Graham to have So76 back him up for some songs, so the Zoo show may be epic and truly one of a kind!

Jon Dee Graham performing "(I Am Not) Faithless"

The trailer for Mark Finkelpearl's 2008 documentary on Jon Dee Graham, Swept Away....
Jon Dee and I chatted for Rick Galusha's PS Blues radio show on 89.7 The River. The interview without music tracks is here
kiwrblues.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-10T07_25_04-07_00 
 
Benefit for Larry Boehmer
As mentioned previously in this column, Zoo Bar founder Larry Boehmer is fighting stage four lung cancer diagnosed this summer. So far treatments seem to be helping, according to Boehmer, who now lives in Eureka Springs, Ark. The Zoo Bar hosts a benefit for Boehmer's ongoing expenses this Sunday, Sept. 25, 3-9 p.m. Bands include The Fabtones (3 p.m.), Sons of 76 (4 p.m.), Lil' Slim Blues Band (5 p.m.), Mezcal Brothers (6 p.m.) and Kris Lager Band (7 p.m.). See zoobar.com.

Larry Boehmer with his good friend Charlie Musselwhite at the Birthday Bash Larry threw for himself in Eureka Springs, Ark., on Sunday, August. 14, 2011.

Hot Notes
Last week's column contained an error, International Blues Challenge winner the Lionel Young Band actually plays Gator O'Malley's this Thursday, Sept. 22, at 9 p.m. Jimmy Thackery plugs in at The 21st Saloon on Thursday, Sept. 22, at 5:30 p.m. (See 8 Days.)

This PICK also appears in this week's issue of The Reader....Suffice to say Jon Dee Graham is one of my heroes...I hope you'll make it a point to catch one of these shows!

thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/sept._24_jon_dee_graham_and_sons_of_76/

Sept. 24: Jon Dee Graham and Sons of 76

by B.J. Huchtemann

Zoo Bar, 136 N. 14th St., Lincoln
10 p.m., $8
zoobar.com, 402-435-8754
Jon Dee Graham makes his Zoo Bar debut Saturday, Sept. 24. The Austin artist is a legend of the Texas music scene. He is a three-time inductee into the Austin Music Awards Hall of Fame, recognized for his earlier work with Alejandro Escovedo in The True Believers, and for accomplishments as a solo artist. Graham's remarkable solo work is equal parts realism and lyricism. His songs take on the big topics: love and loss, hope and courage, family and the grace and grit of day-to-day life. His music glows with luminous hope in the face of obstacles and he's a masterful guitarist. In 2006 he was named Musician of the Year in the Austin Music Awards. At the Zoo, Sons of 76 will follow Graham's solo set, and there might be a few surprises. Graham also performs Sunday, Sept. 25, 5 p.m., at the Sunday Roadhouse at The Side Door Lounge, 35th Ave. & Leavenworth. (See Hoodoo)
-B.J. Huchtemann

Swing & Soul

by B.J. Huchtemann

The award-winning trio of siblings, Trampled Under Foot, takes the stage at The 21st Saloon on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 5:30 p.m. Based in Kansas City, the band is built around the powerful, soulful vocals of Danielle Schnebelen. See tufkc.com.

CORRECTION TO WHAT APPEARS IN THE PRINT ISSUE OF THE READER: The Lionel Young Band plays on Thursday, Sept. 22, NOT on Sept. 15 as I originally wrote. My apologies for the error.  2011 International Blues Challenge winner the Lionel Young Band plays a show at Gator O'Malley's on Thursday, Sept. 22, after 9 p.m. The Denver-based band has won Best Blues Band in weekly paper Westword's Best of Denver Awards. Young is a classically-trained violinist who has also performed with the Denver Chamber Orchestra. Visit lionelyoung.net.

Cowtown Jamborama
Meanwhile, the ninth annual Cowtown Jamborama kicks off with up-and-coming Minneapolis band Davina & The Vagabonds. They have become favorites of the blues crowd with their infectious mix of jump-blues, New Orleans jazz and swing, featuring Davina's versatile vocals, keyboard riffs and a horn section. Their new CD, Black Cloud, has received great reviews around the country. Elmore magazine calls Davina "a modern-day female version of Louis Armstrong," adding, "This is killer stuff, played with aplomb, humor, grace and passion." Davina & The Vagabonds performs at the Eagles Club ballroom, 24th & Douglas, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15.

The Jamborama weekend includes a Saturday show by Meschiya Lake & the Lil' Big Horns. Lake was honored in the Big Easy Awards as Female Performer of the Year. There is late-night music Friday and Saturday. Other bands include The Careless Lovers and The Grand Marquis. Swing dance sessions from beginning to advanced are offered during the day. See jamborama.com for all the details.

Jimmy Thackery
Guitar star Jimmy Thackery plugs in at Lincoln's Zoo Bar on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thackery gigs at The 21st Saloon on Thursday, Sept. 22, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Jon Dee Graham Interview
Thanks to Rick Galusha for letting me hijack a segment of Pacific Street Blues on 89.7 The River. I chatted with Austin legend Jon Dee Graham prior to his local shows. The interview will air on Galusha's Sept 18 radio show. Until then, you can hear our conversation at kiwrblues.podomatic.com/entry/2011-09-10T07_25_04-07_00.

Graham plays the Zoo on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 10 p.m. with Sons of 76. He returns to the Sunday Roadhouse on Sept. 25, 5 p.m., at The Side Door Lounge, 35th Ave. & Leavenworth. See sundayroadhouse.com.

Hot Notes
Omaha blues-rockers Matt Gagne & The Blues Experience are at McKenna's on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The Zoo Bar became a riverside attraction for a while on Wednesday evening, Sept. 14, when a water main brake turned 14th Street into a small stream. The Zoo had to close after the early show Wednesday and suffered some water in the basement. The next door neighbor, the Hitchin' Post & Wooden Nickel, apparently received more damage. At last report the Zoo had reopened at its usual time on Thursday and was using donated fans and dehumidifers to get things dried up. Check facebook.com/zoobarblues for a short video of the water filling up the street early Wednesday evening. I'm very glad the Zoo didn't suffer any more serious damage. Read more details at  blog.zoobar.com/.

Girrrl Power

by B.J. Huchtemann

Over a half dozen world-class roots and blues women visit the metro this weekend.
The fireworks start when Ana Popovic’s sultry, guitar-driven blues takes the stage at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar on Thursday, Sept. 8, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Eilen Jewell
On Friday, Sept. 9, at 8 p.m. the Sunday Roadhouse presents the return of Eilen Jewell at Slowdown. Jewell has received praise from everyone from New Yorker magazine, USA Today to American Songwriter and NPR. American Songwriter wrote of Jewell’s last CD “an undiscovered gem ... a layered, shimmering pearl of an album that shines like cut crystal.” Listen in at eilenjewell.com.
Candye & Laura
The remarkable Candye Kane hits the Zoo Bar on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Her last disc, Superhero, is a barnburner of souful music and fun. She’s just released her latest disc, Sister Vagabond. Allmusic.com calls her the 21st Century version of Bessie Smith. Catch Kane’s show and discover one of the finest young guitarists working today, Laura Chavez. Chavez plays with a power, muscle and depth that already distinguishes her from the pack. See candykane.com.
TUF
Kansas City’s Trampled Under Foot is making a name on the national blues scene. The distinctive, soaring voice of Danielle Schnebelen is the powerful heart of the music made by this trio of talented siblings. Visit tufkc.com for band bios and videos.
Davina
Minneapolis band Davina & The Vagabonds is landing rave national reviews for their new disc Black Cloud. If you like Ms. Kane and Ms. Schnebelen, check out Davina. She’s got a rich, versatile voice that gets comparisons ranging from Etta James to Amy Winehouse. Davina writes most of the material, from jump-blues to jazz and to old-school New Orleans’ sounds. Davina kicks off the annual Omaha Jitterbugs’ Cowtown Jamborama weekend with a show on Thursday, Sept. 15. Their show hits the stage at the Eagles Club, 24th & Douglas. See jamborama.com for showtime.
The weekend also features Meschiya Lake & dem Little Big Horns, recognized in New Orleans Big Easy Awards as Female Performer of the Year.
The Boys are Back in Town
Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials bring their houserockin’, old-school Chicago blues to The 21st Saloon this Thursday, Sept. 8, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Kris Lager Band tears it up at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar on Saturday, Sept. 10, after 9 p.m.
Hoodoo hero Jon Dee Graham plays the Zoo in two weeks, on Saturday, Sept. 24, and hits Omaha's Sunday Roadhouse on Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Side Door Lounge. See sundayroadhouse.com.

New column is online....

Check it here
http://www.thereader.com/music/C12/
Been a crazy, insane week so please check The Reader site!

Zoo Bar Family Celebration

by B.J. Huchtemann 
Earlier this summer former Zoo Bar owner Larry Boehmer found out he has stage four inoperable lung cancer. Boehmer has been enjoying retirement in Eureka Springs, Ark., for over 11 years. Lincoln's Zoo Bar is now co-owned by older son Jeff Boehmer and longtime bar manager Pete Watters.
Larry Boehmer is a hero and a friend. All the years he booked the Zoo Bar, even before I really knew him, the music he brought to Lincoln changed my life.

When Larry received the cancer diagnosis, he led by example again. He threw himself an early birthday party and invited everyone to come. Daughter-in-law Eileen Boehmer arranged a bus trip from the Zoo to Eureka and 33 of us were on board. About 70 more folks came from Lincoln and beyond, according to the Lincoln Journal Star’s Catharine Huddle. She took down everyone’s name on an order pad at the Chelsea’s Pub & Cafe party where love for Boehmer overflowed. Read Huddle’s Aug. 17 article at journalstar.com.

Guests included Boehmer’s dear friend and blues legend Charlie Musselwhite and original Zoo co-owner Jim Ludwig. I could not agree more with Huddle’s assessment that Larry Boehmer’s Zoo Bar built not just a home for the blues, or a local hang out, but a family.

Just a few of the folks who gathered for Larry Boehmer's early birthday party in Eureka Springs, Ark., on Aug. 14.  Seated in center left to right, "Baby" Jason Davis, Boehmer and special guest Charlie Musselwhite. Photo by Kenny Benton.

Via email after the emotional weekend, Boehmer wrote me, “It was really a high ... just an unbelievable amount of positive energy. I'm battling the cancer as best I can. Would love to have another party next year but that decision is not in my hands. However with all the love and positive energy I'm feeling, I think there's a chance I might be around a year from now. The party was simply amazing ... It's all life with high points and low points. But I'm typing this by an open upstairs window with a wonderful breeze coming in and a yard full of beautiful trees to look at. Life is good and I feel blessed.”

Celebrating Larry Boehmer's Birthday in Eureka Springs, Ark.: B.J. Huchtemann, Larry Boehmer, Terry O'Halloran. Photo by Conrad Good.

Sunday Roadhouses Not on Sunday
If you’re reading this on Wednesday, Aug. 24, check out Americana songwriter David Olney with Sergio Webb in a Wednesday Roadhouse. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at the Side Door Lounge.
The next Roadhouse presents Eilen Jewell on Friday, Sept. 9, at Slowdown. Tommy Womack is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept.. 13, at The Waiting Room. Hoodoo hero Jon Dee Graham is solo acoustic on Sunday, Sept. 25, at the Side Door Lounge. See sundayroadhouse.com.

 David Olney & Sergio Webb perform "Headed for Jerusalem."

They play the Sunday Roadhouse 

at the Side Door Lounge, 35th Ave. & Leavenworth, 

on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 7:30 p.m.

Guitar Heroes Turn It Up

by B.J. Huchtemann

Guitar fans have three big blues-rock guitar shows to look forward to in The 21st Saloon's Thursday 5:30 p.m. blues series. Popular Chicago axe-slinger Ronnie Baker Brooks hits the stage on Thursday, Aug. 21. He’s the son of the great Lonnie Brooks and himself a guitar star.

The following Thursday, Aug. 25, new fan favorite Mike Zito plugs in.
Zito’s high-energy, positive vibe and guitar power should appeal to fans of Tommy Castro or Hadden Sayers. Zito is a survivor who credits Walter Trout with helping him give up a drug-and-alcohol-fueled lifestyle. Zito has been gaining momentum on the touring circuit with a series of acclaimed discs for Eclecto Groove Records. Zito took home the 2010 Blues Music Award for Song of the Year for his tune "Pearl River."
His brand new recording is Greyhound. Blues Revue magazine calls Zito “one of the finest, most creative musicians on the competitive blues-roots scene.”  See eclectogroove.com and mikezito.com.

On Thursday, Sept. 1, The 21st presents Oli Brown. The name may not be familiar but this young English player is being praised as “the hottest young pistol in British blues” by Mojo magazine.

Goodbye Nick
One of the baddest keyboard cats in the metro, Nick Semrad, is moving to New York City. His last show is Friday, Aug. 19, after 9 p.m. at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar where he’ll reunite with Sons of 76 & The Watchmen. Special guests will include Matt Cox and Darryl White.

Come down to the Zoo early and catch the Lil’ Slim Blues Band for the 5-7 p.m. show. See zoobar.com.


Sayers’ Hard Dollar
Hadden Sayers ’ Zoo Bar show on Wednesday, Aug. 10, was his first in the area in support of his acclaimed new disc Hard Dollar. The gig showcased Sayers’ new quartet with a fine keyboard player added to his solid rhythm section. Sayers balances guitar power with finesse, restraint and an equal emphasis on soulful vocals and fine songwriting. His new disc is his best yet. Sayers returns for a 21st Saloon show on Thursday, Jan. 5. Sample Hard Dollar at haddensayers.com.

Hot Notes
The Zoo Bar hosts an early show with the honky-tonk soul sounds of Dave Gonzalez's Stone River Boys on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. The bulk of their critically acclaimed disc Love o the Dial was recorded in Lincoln by Charlie Johnson (Mezcal Brothers) at Fuse Recording.  Check stoneriverboys.com to sample the disc and go like Fuse on facebook.com/FuseRecording.
 
 After 9 p.m. catch the gritty, Chicago-style blues of the Kilborn Alley Blues Band. See kilbornalley.com. 

Soul man Terry Evans hits the Zoo Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.