Sin City Blues & Soul Heats Up & Other Hot Stuff

thanks to the holidays....last Friday's blog is still the most recent....but it's still got news on TerryO's Vegas Venture....Lash's Toy Drive...Jon Dee Graham's Dec. shows and some cool videos....

Terry O'Halloran is down in Austin (I'm jealous, except for right now when my other Austin friends are bemoaning the influx of activity AND HELICOPTERS associated with the Formula One Race going on down there).... and TerryO is hard at work on his Las Vegas destination blues festival, which is now going by the name Sin City Soul & Blues Revival. It's happening September 15-17, 2013 at The Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. O'Halloran expects early-bird packages to be ready for sale in January. 
You can like the Facebook page to get the latest updates, still operating as Facebook.com/LasVegasBluesVacation
to get regular updates. O'Halloran expects to offer up to 40 acts in a resort setting with only a limited number of tickets sold that will include hotel accommodation on the festival site. 

With O'Halloran's world-class taste in music and the contacts he has developed as a club booker in Omaha and Vegas and as the president of The Blues Society of Omaha for over 11 years, I expected him to put together something special So far he is ahead of my expectations in bringing together "favorite" artists with some newer, accomplished talent. Aside from his "street cred" with his track record of booking venues in Omaha and Vegas, O'Halloran was has received industry honors including "The Keeping Blues Alive Award" for "Promoter of the Year" in 2007 from the International Blues Foundation. He was recognized by The Omaha Entertainment Awards in 2006 for "Best Musical Ambassador" and received the "Boehmer Award" in 2000 for his "support and promotion of the blues in Nebraska" from the Big Bottom Blues Festival. 

Here's the latest on the line-up from TerryO:

Artists confirmed as of 10/30/12: Tab Benoit, Ruthie Foster, The Austin All-Stars featuring Malford Milligan & WC Clark, Trampled Under Foot, Royal Southern Brotherhood, John Nemeth, Tommy Castro & The Painkillers, Sister Sparrow, The Iguanas, Karen Lovely, The Red Elvises & Orgone.

Two excellent local bands have also been added to the line-up, giving a great showcase opportunity for our home-grown talent to get seen by some movers and shakers. Kris Lager Band and Josh  Hoyer & The Shadowboxers are confirmed to perform.

Hoyer says that his new band Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers will have their first gig at The Zoo Bar Dec.  28. Given Hoyer's talent and taste in music and soulful grooves, this oughtta be very good stuff!

Mark your calendar now for the annual Lash LaRue's Toy Drive events to bring toys and some holiday hope to the children and families of the Pine Ridge Reservation. Things kick off this year with a CD listening party for this year's Vol. IV benefit CD on Thursday, Nov. 29 at The Waiting Room, 8 p.m. The CD is always a much-anticipated item filled with local musicians' specially written Christmas tunes, happy or sad. Then there is an acoustic show at The Side Door Lounge Friday, Nov. 30, a roots and rock show at The Waiting Room Saturday, Dec. 1 and the big Blues Society of Omaha show on Sunday, Dec. 2, featuring Grammy Award Winner Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band. The following Sunday, Dec. 9, we will be back on the radio on KIWR The River from 8 a.m. till Noon (yes, me too), sharing songs from the benefit CDs I-IV and featuring some special in-studio performances. Check out all the details at  toydriveforpineridge.com where you can also make an immediate donation via PayPal.

If you missed Lake Street Dive at Dean and Gary's moveable Sunday Roadhouse Concert Series at Slowdown last Sunday, you missed an exceptionally cool show. A bit of a divergence from Americana, but then again, the 60s-70s R&B/Soul/Pop complete with drop-dead-cool harmonies the Brooklyn band puts down is nothing but American Music (to quote Dave Alvin). Check them out, and be on the lookout for their next local appearance. A don't miss live show for music lovers. Think Davina meets Amy Winehouse at James Brown's house party in New Orleans....cool stuff.

Jon Dee Graham Countdown. Personal favorite Jon Dee Graham is coming back to the metro area for several shows including Sunday, Dec. 9, at The Side Door as a Sunday Roadhouse show. Graham will be touring in a solo-duo acoustic format with agent and singer-songwriter pal/sidekick Mike June. Both have new CDs out - Graham's is the wonderful Garage Sale and June's is the excellent Talkin' Revolution Blues, which was finished through a Kickstarter program that exceeded its set goal.
For audio sneak-peaks and digital downloads see 
jondeegrahamco.bandcamp.com
reverbnation.com/mikejune/song/15078176-talkin-revolution-blues

Regional shows on the tour include

Dec. 8th Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads  

http://www.knuckleheadskc.com/

Dec. 9th Omaha, NE Sunday Roadhouse at the Side Door http://sundayroadhouse.com/

Dec. 12th Sioux City, IA Vangard Arts
421 Pierce Sioux City, IA 51101

Dec. 13th Manhattan, KS Auntie Mae's
http://www.auntiemaes.com/

There's lots of great music going this weekend in Linoma including the always super-bitchin' good boogie-blues of The Bel Airs tonight (Friday, Nov. 16) at Lincoln's Zoo Bar. If you're staying in Omaha, the Honeyboy Turner Band is at McKenna's. 

Saturday night, Jerome Brich would sure like to see some new folks come out and check out his FolkHouse concert series. Saturday, Nov. 17, FolkHouse presents Greg Trooper, known for his mix of soul, twang and folk. Admission is a $20 donation that goes to the artist, but Brich says don't let the lack of $20 keep you from attending, any donation will be welcomed. The FolkHouse is in Brich's private home in central Omaha. 
To reserve your seat and get directions 
see 
folkhouseconcerts.com/schedule.htm#trooper

Last Video Clip for Tonight...Springsteen show, which I missed...but there are already video clips up from last night's show on youtube....here's somebody's cell phone capture of Highway Patrolman from his iconic Nebraska disc, which he treated the Omaha crowd to six songs from during the three-plus hour show. The audio is pretty good....Everyone says it was the Boss' usual excellent throw-down. Gotta say the man respects The Music and The Audience.

Meanwhile the new column is online and on the street, with more music info including some preliminary, very cool musical "to dos" for Thanksgiving weekend. Check it here:

thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/the_chief_nightcats_magic/

The Chief, Nightcats & Magic

by B.J. Huchtemann

There are excellent touring shows coming up at The 21st Saloon, beginning with Alligator Records’ Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater this Thursday, Nov. 15. Born in Macon, Miss., in 1935, Clearwater is one of the creative guitarists who helped forge the distinctive West Side Chicago blues sound. Expect vintage rock, gospel and country blues too.
There is an early show Wednesday, Nov. 21, with Southern California harmonica player, singer and inventive songwriter Rick Estrin fronting The Nightcats for a Thanksgiving Eve gig. Estrin was the longtime vocalist for Little Charlie & the Nightcats. There is no show on Thursday, Nov. 22.
Winding up November is “Braille Blues Daddy” Bryan Lee Thursday, Nov. 29. The 21st has a slew of Hoodoo favorites in December, starting with Texas blues-rockers Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat Thursday, Dec. 6. Coco Montoya plugs in for a special show Tuesday, Dec. 11. Mark your calendar now for the Dec. 13 CD release party by Minneapolis’ Scottie Miller. Miller’s new disc, Rise Up, is excellent. It showcases his original music that mixes New Orleans keyboard funk, blues, rock and Americana. Miller’s “day job” is playing keys in Ruthie Foster’s band. The 21st Saloon blues shows happen 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Zoo Bar Blues
The Red Elvises shake up some high-octane rockabilly Thursday, Nov. 15, 6-9 p.m. The Bel Airs bring their boogie blues to town Friday, Nov. 16, 9 p.m. The Tijuana Gigolos play Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 p. m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, the Zoo hosts a singer-songwriter showcase with Josh Hoyer and Manny Coon featuring L.A.’s soulful David Vidal, one of Hoyer’s personal favorites. Jazzocracy plays Tuesday 6-9 p.m. Thanksgiving Eve it’s bluegrass with the Toasted Ponies 6-9 p.m. followed by honky-tonk & country with Lloyd McCarter’s band after 10 p.m. Magic Slim and friends perform at the Zoo Thanksgiving night, Nov. 22, after 9 p.m. Tommy Castro hits the stage Tuesday, Nov. 27, 6-9 p.m.
Hot Notes
Lawrence, Kansas, band Dumptruck Butterlips features Kris Lager Sunday, Nov. 18, 9 p.m., at The Hive and Monday, Nov. 19, 10 p.m., at the Zoo Bar. Matt Cox hosts his third annual Thanksgiving food drive at The Barley Street Tavern Wednesday, Nov. 21, 9 p.m. See mattcoxmusic.net. Honeyboy Turner gigs at McKenna’s Friday, Nov. 16. Lash LaRue’s Toy Drive is gearing up for another year, launching with the benefit CD release Nov. 29 at Waiting Room. See toydriveforpineridge.com. Jon Dee Graham returns for Sunday Roadhouse at the Side Door Lounge Sunday, Dec. 9.

OEAA showcase, Billy Bacon, Runny Nose Pete, Branford Marsalis, Lake Street Dive....

Heckuva lot going on tonight and this weekend including the always highly entertaining OEAA Music Nominees Showcase in Benson -- starting right now (I am already late!)

Below is the schedule of bands and artists that will be performing (subject to change)....changes are usually posted at the venues....which are Waiting Room, Star Deli, PS Collective (inside Pizza Shoppe), Barley Street Tavern and The Sydney.

Waiting Room:
7:00-7:35 The Confidentials
7:50-8:25 Save the Hero
8:40-9:15 Matt Cox
9:30-10:05 All Young Girls Are Machine Guns
10:20-10:55 Bloodcow
11:10-11:45 DJEM
12:00-12:35 Jimmy Hooligan feat. OEAA Best DJ nominee Surreal
12:50-1:25 The End in Red

Star Deli:
7:00-7:35 Wrekafekt
7:50-8:25 Dominique Morgan
8:40-9:15 Daniel Christian
9:30-10:05 AZP
10:20-10:55 Matt Amandus
11:10-11:45 Mitch Gettman
12:00-12:15 Enjoli
12:20-12:45 ShiShi Shakari
12:50-1:25 Hector Anchondo

PS Collective:
9:30-10:05-Belles & Whistles
10:20-10:55-Steve Raybine
11:10-11:45-Jamazz feat. OEAA Best DJ Nominee E Babbs
12:00-12:35 The Bishops
12:50-1:50-Hemmingbirds (non-OEAA touring band)

Barley Street Tavern:
7:00-7:35 Field Club
7:50-8:25 Cornerstone Dub
8:40-9:15 Edge of Arbor
9:30-10:05 Good Show Great Show
10:20-10:55 The Electroliners
11:10-11:45 Traveling Mercies
12:00-12:35 Rock Paper Dynamite
12:50-1:25 Snake Island!

The Sydney:
7:50-8:25 Moses Prey
8:40-9:15 Purveyor’s Of The Conscious Sound
9:30-10:05 Galvanized Tron
10:20-10:55 The Seen
11:10-11:45 Cannonista
12:00-12:35 Lonely Estates
12:50-1:25 Secret Weapon

Meanwhile, the always riotously entertaining and bad-ass guitar man Steve Byam is slinging some old-school blues at Sullivans, 40th & Farnam, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.
Billy Bacon is back at the Zoo Bar tonight and Saturday night.
Dean and Gary host Lake Street Dive at Slowdown this Sunday, 5 p.m. See www.sundayroadhouse.com. 

In Art...Jamie Danielle Hardy has an opening reception 7-10 p.m. tonight at the NEW BLK, 1213 Jones Street, for her work REVEL: The Installation Work of Jamie Danielle Hardy...
Find more of Jamie's work here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.498422846843153.116011.100000263263958&type=1&l=d95c3881b4

Brandford Marsalis is at the Holland....there is so much to choose from! 
New READER column is online with all that and a little more.
Check it here...
www.thereader.com/index.php/comments/oeaa_showcase_more/
Have a great and fun weekend, everyone.

Happy Halloween to All!

And a rendition of Jon Dee Graham's October,

 from the man himself....

who will be at the Sunday Roadhouse at the Side Door Lounge on Sunday, Dec. 9!

New column is online here.....more to come:

http://www.thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/roadhouse_zoo_more/ 

Roadhouse, Zoo & More

by B.J. Huchtemann    

Dean Dobmeier’s and Gary Grobeck’s Sunday Roadhouse series is back with the first of several notable shows this Sunday, Nov. 4. The duo presents Americana buzz band Shovels & Rope at The Waiting Room, 5 p.m., with special guests Shivering Timbers. Shovels & Rope’s recent gigs include some opening slots for Jack White. NoDepression.com says “There is lust and death and triumph and loss...and boy howdy, are they joyful.”
Other coming Roadhouse shows include Lake Street Dive Sunday, Nov. 11, at Slowdown and the just-announced, always luminous Jon Dee Graham Sunday, Dec. 9, at Side Door Lounge. See sundayroadhouse.com for details and links.  

Zoo Bar in Art
Lincoln artist and longtime part of the Zoo Bar scene, Linda Benton, has an art opening as part of Lincoln’s First Friday at the Burkholder Project, 719 P Street, that includes images inspired by photos from the Zoo Bar. The collages incorporate photos taken at the bar through the years by Benton’s husband Ken Benton. There are 17 works in the Zoo Bar series, along with two other painting groups, one related to the Platte River and the other to the fossil exhibits of Morrill Hall. Lincoln’s First Friday gallery openings are 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2.

Larry Boehmer Honors
Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler’s Chief of Staff Rick Hoppe responded to a letter-writing campaign looking for a way to honor the late Larry Boehmer on Lincoln’s 14th Street. Hoppe responded via group email to Boehmer’s friends in part “The Zoo Bar is a Lincoln treasure and a community attraction that generates regional and national excitement...We are hopeful that we can find a fitting tribute that captures the very passion Larry built as owner of the Zoo Bar.” Watch for updates on discussions.

Hot Notes
Speaking of Art, the artists of Benson First Friday showcase their work at a variety of Benson venues Friday, Nov. 2, with a focus on Dia De Los Muertos. See Facebook.com/BensonFirstFriday.
Blues from Hector Anchondo plus Dry County Winos hits Lincoln's Zoo Bar Nov. 1, 9 p.m. Chuck Brown & The Basement Devils play Shamrock’s Pub Nov. 2, 9 p.m.
Mississippi Heat is at The 21st Saloon Thursday, Nov. 1, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Oklahoma blues-rockers the Dustin Pittsley Band play Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, Nov. 7, 6-9 p.m., and The 21st Thursday, Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m. Pittsley’s band has won multiple awards including the 2010 Beale Street Blues Kings Award at that year’s International Blues Festival.

TerryO's Las Vegas Vacation, Dr. John and More

The New READER HOODOO column is online with details on TerryO's announcement of his destination Las Vegas Blues Vacation (Keep reading) and more including the great show the Zoo Bar and Bourbon Theatre are hosting at Lincoln's Bourbon Theatre tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 20) with two legends, Dr. John and the Blind Boys of Alabama...gonna be epic and magical.

If you are looking for something to do Friday night (Tonight), Rockin' Johnny Burgin from Chicago is in town playing with the Honeyboy Turner band at Havana Garage...after 9 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night. Check out Johnny's sound here
rockinjohnnyband.com  
Here's a nice home-town write-up of Johnny
chicagobluesguide.com/features/rockin-johnny/rockin-johnny-interview-page.html

Here's Johnny playing the title track from his new disc, Grim Reaper (Delmark).

Please check last week's blog for some thoughts on the sad passing of the great Nick Curran, who lost his battle with cancer...and a link to donate to Kid Ramos' medical fund. Kid was recently diagnosed with cancer and is getting treatment. Both are guitarists who are among the coolest, Nick still has a new disc coming out. There are a few videos posted to last week's blog also.
http://hoodoorootsblues.blogspot.com/2012/10/friday-sequins-curtis-tommyhappy-oh-yes.html

Last week's Curtis Salgado, Tommy Castro, Joe Louis Walker show was epic, with music from 7:30 to after midnight for the $35 ticket... a great crowd, high-energy performances and Curtis came out and joined Joe Louis Walker and his band for a gospelish number and to play harp on another tune. Be on the lookout for details on the next Playing With Fire fundraiser, which will happen in Feb. 2013. 
Here's a little video interview from Portland with Curtis talking about his super-fine disc, Soul Shot (Alligator). It's soul based and got lots of great grooves, arrangements and flat-out soul-burnin' stuff...some of Curtis' best recorded work!

Here's a cut from the CD that Jackie Newman captured LIVE at the Slowdown last week....it's cell phone video but it gives you a little of the cool vibe that was goin' on that night.

and here's Curtis and the full band with horns and singers doing another track from the disc, Nobody But You!

Jeff Davis is hoping to pull enough funds together to do a "10 in 10" 10 year PWF Anniversary event, a three-day festival that would feature 10 headliners, likely taking place Thursday through Saturday, July 11-13, 2013.
If you are a business who would be interested in  helping fund the 2013 shows, check out playingwithfireomaha.net for details and contact info.

Also Kevin Coffey broke the news today that the beleaguered Red Sky Music Festival has called it quits, and will not be back for 2013. This year's event had even less to offer blues-oriented music fans than 2010, which did have some cool acts in the afternoon. See Kevin's comments at
omaha.com/article/20121019/GO/121019447

Here's this week's Reader column. We are lucky to have a lot of great entertainment hitting our metro area this fall, as TerryO likes to say, "Get out and get into it!"
thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/dr._john_the_blind_boys/

Dr. John & The Blind Boys

BY B.J. HUCHTEMANN

This Saturday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m., Lincoln’s Zoo Bar and Bourbon Theatre present two legends of American roots music: Dr. John and The Blind Boys of Alabama at the Bourbon Theatre. They will be performing together in what is billed as a “Spirituals to Funk” celebration of jazz, blues and gospel. Either act is a show-stopper on their own, together this promises to be a truly electrifying, don't miss night of music. See bourbontheatre.com or the Zoo Bar for tickets.

O’Halloran’s Blues Vacation
Longtime Omaha venue owner and former Blues Society of Omaha president Terry O’Halloran this week announced his new venture. It’s a three-day Las Vegas blues festival at the Rio All-Suites Hotel, Sept. 15-17, 2013. SeeFacebook.com/LasVegasBluesVacation. The hotel will host all the music on various stages with 20 bands planned.

O’Halloran told me, “huge fests can be pretty uncomfortable. Las Vegas Blues Vacation will be the opposite with hotel rooms an elevator ride away...it will be a mix of my favorite touring blues acts and bigger acts that play 3,000 plus [capacity concert halls]. We are going to limit attendance to 3,500, only selling tickets with hotel packages, so it will not be too crowded.”

O’Halloran’s excellent taste in music and long association with top-flight blues artists and agents is sure to mean a true world-class event. O’Halloran, who plans to continue living in Austin, was honored by the national Blues Foundation with the 2007 Keeping the Blues Alive Promoter of the Year Award.

Zoo Bar
Lincoln’s Zoo Bar has some great upcoming shows includingPete Watters' birthday celebration Thursday, Oct.18, 6-9 p.m. with Brad Cordle Band. East Coast jump-blues singerGina Sicilia is scheduled Monday, Oct. 22, 6-8 p.m., followed by the Zoo Bar House Band. Wednesday, Oct. 24,Larry Garner plays 6-9 p.m. Mark your calendar now forDave Gonzalez and his Stone River Boys Friday, Oct. 26, 9-11 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 27, in a special 3-6 p.m. show prior to the Husker game, which will be shown on the big screen. Kris Lager Band will play post-game.

Hot Notes
The 21st Saloon presents Oregon’s Too Slim & The Taildraggers Thursday, Oct. 18, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Louisiana bluesman Larry Garner plays Thursday, Oct. 25. Chicago’sRockin’ Johnny Burgin is gigging this weekend with theHoneyboy Turner Band. They play Friday, Oct. 19, at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar 5-7 p.m. and at Omaha’s Havana Garage Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20, after 9 p.m. Seerockinjohnnyband.com.

Friday, Sequins, Curtis, Tommy...Happy! Oh, yes!

It is Friday and tonight is the much-anticipated triple-bill (in order of performance) of Tommy Castro, Curtis Salgado and Joe Louis Walker at the SLOWDOWN to benefit Playing With Fire!

Tickets are $35 at the door and this show is gonna be off the chain!

In the Blast from the Past department, if you are a Curtis fan, you might be interested in this 2001 profile I did with Curtis for BLUES ACCESS magazine. (Prior to his liver cancer diagnosis and miraculous, life-saving liver transplant right here in Omaha on Sept 30, 2006.)
bluesaccess.com/No_44/salgado.html

Also, if you didn't know, Curtis was the inspiration for John Belushi's Joliet Jake character in the Blues Brothers. Check out the story in John's own words from this vintage interview posted to Curtis' site. curtissalgado.com/index.php/media-press/belushi-connection

Also this weekend Cass Brostad comes home and gets married, with a Benson blow-out at Barley Street Tavern Saturday night that likely will have most of Benson's music family in attendance. Performances are expected from Brad Hoshaw, Reagan Roeder, Dylan Davis, Cass Brostad (Davis?!), Matt Cox, and Underwater Dream Machine.

Gary Grobeck's brew fest is going on this weekend too! Saturday, Oct. 13, noon - 3 p.m. at Krug Park in Benson:

10 Homebrewers offer you their best recipe. Taste them all and vote for your 3 favorites. Music by Matt Cox. Catering from Peckerwood BBQ. $25.00 Donation helps support the Marlin D.Nelson Scholarship Foundation. Tickets available at Krug Park, 6205 Maple St.

Texas singer-songwriter Darden Smith plays the FolkHouse Saturday night. See FolkHouseConcerts.com

The new READER column is online with all this and more including Lincoln Calling festival this weekend, Kris Lager Band at Waiting Room Friday night and more........check it at thereader.com/index.php/comments/tommy_curtis_joe/

Check these details on memorial options for remembering Larry Boehmer, including contact info to write Lincoln's mayor in support of 14th Street between O and P being renamed in Larry's honor.

Memorials to the Larry Boehmer Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank, to be divided among American Cancer Society, Academy of Rock and Eureka Springs Humane Society. Cards can be sent in care of Zoo Bar, 146 N. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68501.
In addition to -- and not to detract from the family’s choices listed above -- a fund has been set up to create a UNL scholarship in Larry’s name.
Checks should be made out to: “Memorial Account for Larry Boehmer” and sent to:
Union Bank & Trust Co.
121 S. 13th Street
P.O. Box 82535
Lincoln, NE 68501

There is also a letter and email campaign to have 14th Street between O and P renamed in Larry's honor. If you support the idea please send your letters or emails to  Mayor Chris Beutler, c/o Mayor's Office 555 South 10th St., Suite 301  Lincoln, NE 68508  Email: mayor@lincoln.ne.govPhone: 402-441-7511  Fax: 402-441-7120 

Sadly, last weekend roots guitar great and cool cat Nick Curran lost his warrior's battle with cancer. Such a loss. He was a fine player and a super good guy. His career ran from working as guitarist with Ronnie Dawson and Kim Lenz, to great solo work, to playing guitar alongside Kirk Fletcher in the Fab T-Birds. Rest in Peace, Nick.

Another great blues guitarist, Kid Ramos has recently been diagnosed with cancer. You can donate to his medical fund here kidramos.chipin.com/contributors/public/id/256fc4e65ba5172d

Ironically both Nick and the Kid spent time in Kim Wilson's Fabulous Thunderbirds...here's a cool clip of the Kid in action with Kim and the T-Birds -- one of my all-time favorite bands. 

And...it's OCTOBER...