Fe ature d Ar ticles

The BB Awards: 2012 Gabe McM anus: The Man, the Music and the Tap es Alice Stuart : C elebr ates 70 Blues Music Awards 2012

On the C over : Alice Stuar t

by Jef Jaisun

In This Issue...

Letter from the President Alice Stuart Celebrates 70 Blues Hall of Fame International Songwriters The BB Awards

7 8 10 11 12

NWCZ Radio Gabe McManus: the Man... June Blues Bash Donald Duck Dunn: RIP Festival Preview

14 14 15 16 16

E-book Review Dry Side Blues Winthrop Festival Preview Housekeeping with the Editor Talent Guide

17 20 20 23 24

Letter from
the

Editor

Suze Sims, Terri Wilson and Charlene Grant took the stage with Nick Vigarino and Larry Dennis and literally stole the breath from my body. Suze Sims breathes smoke when she sings. And Nick tortured an entire band out of one guitar. It was incredible. The WIRED! Band fully deserved every award they recieved both here and in Memphis - my feet ached to dance the whole time they were on stage. Midway through this crazy night, Reverend Dave Brown stood up and spoke the names of those Blues greats who have passed on this year. The room was silent as we honored them all. Then, of course, someone had the lack of common sense to give Billy Stoops and Leanne Trevelyan a microphone; there was so much laughter, the Triple Door was turned into a comedy club. And dont even get me started about Blues on the Vaccuum. Im not even sure thats legal in this state. The Blues speaks to our hearts; it speaks of love and hate and tortured souls. It pulls at our heart strings

and speaks when words fail us. It screams of sorrows that cannot be put into words, and whispers of joys so complete that tears spring into our eyes. Listening to the Blues, in a room full of people for whom the music has aligned our heartbeats, is a magical, life altering experience. It feels like more than just good friends - it feels like family. So there it is: the BB Awards for 2012 would down and out - so now what do we do? Why we get out our suntan loction and our calendar and try to squeeze in as many events as possible this summer! Make sure you check them out and go support our local festivals! Were adding in as many Festival Previews as we can to get you all excited and motivated! Get on out and enjoy the gorgeous Northwest weather and some saucy blues as well. Until next time, Jesse Phillips, Editor Washington Blues Society Bluesletter

Hullo to all of you out there in Bluesland! This year, it was my great honor to be nominated for a Best of the Blues Award alongside some of the most talented designers and artist that I have ever met. ( I didnt win this time, man, what an honor!) That being said, this years BB Awards were my first as well. Can I just say, wow? WOW! I have never been in the room with so many Blues lovers - and everyone knew each other! It was like a giant family reunion, with backslapping, private jokes, laughter everywhere, and a spirit of comaraderie. The lineup for the event (thank you, Suze Sims!!) was spectacular, and, as a new inductee to this side of the Blues world I was blown away. I finally got see WIRED! in concert, along with greats like Brian Lee, Stacy Jones, Randy Norris, Curtis Hammond, - the list goes on.

Celebrating 23 Years of Blues

June 2012 Bluesletter
Vol. XXIV, Number VI
Publisher Editor & Art Director Secretary Calendar Advertising Printer Washington Blues Society Jesse Phillips (jesse@jessephillipsdesigns.com) Rocky Nelson Maridel Fliss (mflissm@aol.com) Malcolm Kennedy (advertising@wablues.org) Pacific Publishing Company www.pacificpublishingcompany.com

1989 - 2012

Blues on the Radio Dial Jam Guide Venue Guide Calendar

26 26 27 30

Contributing Writers: Robert Horn, Eric Steiner, Malcolm Kennedy, Jerry Peterson, Jesse Phillips, Tony Frederickson, Anson Laytner, Susan Lucci, Rodney Dangerfield, Erika Olsen, Peter Dammann, Debra Devi and Rocky Nelson Contributing Photographers: Robert Horn, Jerry Peterson,
Margene Schotz, Jef Jaisun, Laddy Kite, Eric Steiner

On the

Cover:
Alice Stuart Photo by Jef Jaisun Jef Jaisun has been photographing blues and jazz for over 30 years. His photograph of blues icon Taj Mahal, taken at the 1999 Chicago Blues Festival, graced the cover of Living Blues magazines 30th Anniversary issue. His work appears regularly in Blues Revue, and he has contributed to countless publications and websites over the years, including Rolling Stone. A typical year finds Jaisun photographing festivals in New Orleans, Chicago, Arkansas, and Oregon. Jaisun still spends his nights in Americas blues and jazz clubs, documenting both national and international artists.

Cover Photo:

Alice Stuart, Photo by Jef Jaisun

The Bluesletter welcomes stories and photos from WBS members! Features, columns and reviews are due by the 10th of each month in the following formats: plain text or Microsoft Word. Graphics must be in high-res 300 dpi .pdf, jpg, or .tiff formats. We encourage submissions. If a submitter intends to retain the rights to material (e.g., photos, videos, lyrics, textual matter) submitted for publication in the Bluesletter, or the WaBlues.org website, he or she must so state at the time of submission; otherwise, submitters rights to the material will be transferred to WBS, upon publication. We reserve the right to edit all content. The Bluesletter is the official monthly publication of the Washington Blues Society. The WBS is not responsible for the views and opinions expressed in The Bluesletter by any individual. WBS 2011 The Washington Blues Society is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote, preserve, and advance the culture and tradition of blues music as an art form. Annual membership is $25 for individuals, $35 for couples, and $40 for overseas memberships. The Washington Blues Society is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible. The Washington Blues Society is affiliated with The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee.

Mission Statement

Washington Blues Society P.O. Box 70604 - Seattle, WA 98127 www.wablues.org

Washington Blues Society Hotline: 1-888-90BLUES 1-888-902-5837

Proud Recipient of a 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award from The Blues Foundation President Vice President Secretary Treasurer (Acting) Editor Music Membership Education Volunteers Merchandise Advertising Downtown Seattle West Seattle Eastside Northern WA Penninsula South Sound Central WA Eastern WA Ballard Lopez Island Middle East Webmaster Web Hosting WBS Logo 2012 Officers Eric Steiner Tony Frederickson Rocky Nelson Chad Creamer Jesse Phillips 2012 Directors Suze Sims Michelle Burge Roy Brown Rhea Rolfe Tony Frederickson Malcolm Kennedy president@wablues.org vicepres@wablues.org secretary@wablues.org treasurer@wablues.org editor@wablues.org music@wablues.org membership@wablues.org education@wablues.org volunteers@wablues.org merchandise@wablues.org advertising@wablues.org

2012 Street Team Tim & Michelle Burge blueslover206@comcast.net Rev. Deb Engelhardt deb@revdeb.com Vacant Lloyd Peterson freesprt@televar.com Dan Wilson allstarguitar@centurytel.net Smoke smkdrms@aol.com Stephen J. Lefebvre s.j.lefebvre@gmail.com Cindy Dyer cindalucy@hotmail.com Vacant Carolyn & Dean Jacobsen cjacobsen@rockisland.com Rock Khan rocknafghanistan@gmail.com Special Thanks The Sheriff webmaster@wablues.org Adhost www.adhost.com Phil Chesnut philustr8r@aol.com

July 2012 DEADLINES:

Advertising Space Reservations: June 5th malcarken@comcast.net Calendar: June 10th calendar@wablues.org Editorial Submissions: June 5th editor@wablues.org Camera Ready Ad Art Due: June 12th malcarken@comcast.net Camera ready art should be in CMYK format at 300 dpi or higher.

Advertising Rates:
Space Reservations 5th of the month Camera Ready Art 12th of every month Graphics: 300 dpi PDF, TIF or JPG Text: Plain .txt or Word Full Page: $260 (8.5 x 11) Half Page: $150 (8.5 x 5.5) Back Half Page: $200 (8.5 x 5.5) Quarter Page: $90 (4.25 x 5.5) Fifth Page: $65 (4.25 x 3.5) Business Card: $25 (3.5 x 2) ADD COLOR: ADD 25% Weve Got Discounts! 20% off- 12 month pre-payment 15% off- 6 month pre-payment 10% off- 3 month pre-payment Contact: advertising@wablues.org We value your business. Please send all advertising inquriries and ad copy to advertising@wablues.org with a copy to Malcolm Yard Dog Kennedy at malcarken@comcast.net

ATTENTION BLUES MUSICIANS: WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR LATEST CD REVIEWED IN THE BLUESLETTER? GOT A BLUES CD FOR US?
Need help in getting the word about your music? Wed like to help. While we cannot predict when or if a review will land in the pages of the Bluesletter, wed like to encourage musicians to consider the Washington Blues Society a resource. If you would like your CD reviewed by one of our reviewers, please send two copies (one for the reviewer and one for our monthly CD giveaways at the Blues Bash) to the following address: Washington Blues Society ATTN: CD Reviews PO Box 70604 Seattle, WA 98027

THANK YOU FOR READING THE BLUESLETTER AND SUPPORTING LIVE BLUES IN THE EVERGREEN STATE!

Whats Goin On?

placing Bluesletters in blues cruisers cabins as the ship gets underway every year. Tonys got another ambitious year planned for our merchandise booth, and I encourage Bluesletter readers to shop at our societys traveling blues mall. Its not just a table with trinkets and stuff: its a full-service blues shopping center where you can buy gifts, renew your membership, and get great deals off of his discounted sale racks. Ill close my comments with part of my script from this years BB Awards. If you have a favorite CD that youve discovered of a local artist, please buy two of them at their next gig. One for yourself and one for a friend. Its never too early to think of local CDs that may land on next years BB Awards ballot, so please, if a local artist has released a CD that has caught your musical fancy, please remember that CD when our 2013 award nomination ballots are out! And, please buy another copy for a friend at work (or play). Until next month, lets play the blues! Eric Steiner President, Washington Blues Society Member, Board of Directors, The Blues Foundation We got to find a way to bring some lovin here today Marvin Gaye was right and this lyric is from the title tune from his LP, Whats Going On? Id like to send a personal shout out to those individuals that keep blues music alive here in the Pacific Northwest. It is a labor of love. To the Board of Directors of the Washington Blues Society, those stalwart defenders of Americas classical music. To Washington Blues Society members and volunteers - without which we would not be one of the largest all-volunteer nonprofit blues societies in world. To the venue owners, producers/promoters of concerts and festivals, makers of music products and the many fans who follow blues music for giving us a taste of the blues scene for all of our senses. Last, but more importantly, not least, to those blues musicians - without their labor of love for that music all would be lost to time. Thank you all for sharing and keeping the blues alive! Remember as Marvin Gaye says only love can conquer hate.
By Rocky Nelson

Hi Blues Fans,

President

Letter

from the

Im writing this on Cinco de Mayo on the eve of the 2012 Best of the Blues (BB Awards) annual showcase of blues music in the Evergreen State. This year, we received an unprecedented number of voting ballots from our membership. This was a record year of our members participation in voting for their favorite artists. If you werent at the BB Awards this year, you didnt hear me talk about the unprecedented growth our blues society has enjoyed since our last BB Awards show. Since last May, our society had a presence at well over 40 events in Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (and, if you count our members participation on the Legendary Blues Cruise or Blues Foundation events in Memphis), nationwide thanks in large part to our Vice President and Merchandise Director Tony Frederickson and his ability to retain a talented crew of festival supporters around the region. Wait. I guess I should say on the high seas, too because hes got volunteers

Alice Stuart Celebrates 70

By Tony Frederickson Photos by Jef Jaisun

Over the last few years I have had the pleasure of working closely with Alice Stuart. At first helping her with fundraisers for trips to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge, then the Little Bill Tribute album, and at multiple festivals across the Pacific Northwest. And, because of that, I have been able to get to know her and have developed a friendship and deep appreciation of her as a person and as a musician. This is one very talented lady. She is a very humble and straight forward individual. Her sense of humor is quick, and she easily shares it with her friends and fans. She is very loyal to her closest friends and supportive of them as well in their endeavors.

She found early success right after graduating from high school in Lake Chelan and moving to Seattle. Folk music was the focus of her music at this time and she got started at the Pamir House, an early Seattle folk music hangout, which led to a weekly spot on Hootenanny, a local television show in Seattle. In 1962, she played at the Worlds Fair in Seattle. During this time, she was also exposed to the music of Bessie Smith, Blind Willie McTell, Furry Lewis, and others, and developed her connection to the blues. She was invited to play at the 1964 Berkeley Folk Festival, and again in 1966 and 1970. She met and got to perform with artists such as Mississippi John Hurt, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Rosalie Sorrelis, and many others. She also connected with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention and was a part of the early days of that band. Throughout her career Alice has been a successful songwriter, with many of her songs performed by multiple artists. It was in the early 70s that Alice played with guitarist John Shine and her songwriting moved to a new level. She submitted a demo to the Fantasy label and began her long recording career. She also formed her first band, Alice Stuart and Snake, and played Phil Grahams famous Winterland Ballroom in 1974. Check out the video of this band at www. wolfgangsvault.com/alice-stuart-and-snake/ video. Alice is credited with opening the door for women by many in the music industry, such as Dick Waterman, who has said that There would be no Bonnie Raitt without Alice Stuart, and Taj Mahal, Alice cut the road that Bonnie traveled, to write their own music, play lead guitar and front a band. In the late 70s, Alice took a hiatus from music and moved back to Washington to raise her family. She developed many of her other talents

during this time period; organic gardening and gourmet cooking to name a few. Once her children were grown up the music bug was still itching to get out and Alice resumed recording and performing. Her 2002 release, Cant Find No Heaven on Burnside Records garnered Alice a Grammy nomination, a W. C. Handy Award (renamed the Blues Music Award) nomination and lots of media attention. In 2003, her song I Ruined Your Life was included on the soundtrack for the film The Station Agent. Picking up right where she left off, Alice was chosen as the Seattle Weeklys Best Guitarist in 2005 and her band Alice Stuart & The Formerlys the Best Band in 2004, 2005, and 2006. She also received the Washington Blues Societys Best in the Blues Songwriter award from 2003 thru 2006. To date, Alice is still performing both by herself and with her band The Formerlys. As I write this, Alice is in Bermuda performing at an International Folk Festival, then she tours through the Midwest and lectures at Northwestern University, before returning home to celebrate her seventieth birthday at the Triple Door on June 16th. Better get your reservations now! The following are some of the questions that I asked Alice for this article, in addition to hours spent on the internet learning more about another one of our Pacific Northwest icons. Growing up in Chelan, how did you find music or it find you? From an early age, it found me. I played piano from age 5 read music before words. I have always known where my lifes joy and fulfillment would be. I am many different people in one, actually, as are a lot of people, I suspect. When I quit playing for those years to raise my youngest daughter and do a better job raising my son, who was 10 when my daughter was born, I discovered other interests, like becoming a gourmet cook, and having a huge organic garden. Was music your first love or did you have other influences that moved you? Nope, nothing else, just music and boys .All kidding aside, I was very into horses. I had my own and rode her a lot. Went on weekend camp outs occasionally with the Saddle Club. Before I got old enough to have a horse, I dreamed of being a real cowboy like Roy Rogers, my idol at the time. Honestly. I polished my cowboy boots every Saturday for the matinee at noon and dressed up in my best cowboy shirt and pants and guns. Six shooters for sure. Oh,

and my black hat.

Being 19 or 20 and playing your first major gig at the 1962 Worlds Fair in Seattle. That must have been an incredible experience! Please tell us a little about it. Youth is incredibly bold, no matter how inexperienced. All I knew is that I needed to do this no matter how terrified I was. I had always wanted to be able to sing and play in front on other people and be accepted as a bonafide musician. There was no PA at my school except for one microphone for speakers, so it wasnt possible to sing and play the songs I was writing on the piano to my friends. I was able to play them for some of my school mates but just individually. You have had the opportunity to play with some great talent over the years, from Mississippi John Hurt, Van Morrison, Frank Zappa, Joan Baez, etc., please tell us about your favorites and some of your top experiences with these folks? Well, meeting John and Joan at the Berkeley Folk Festival in 1964 opened up a lot of opportunities for me. I drove him to my house in Los Angeles, where I was living at the time, right after the festival and he stayed with me for a week before he had a gig at the famed Ash Grove in Los Angeles. I drove him to the gig and I didnt plan on actually playing but when we got there, he insisted I play with him and we played both sets together, me on my autoharp and harmonizing a bit. Wow, a 22 year old playing with this man I revered. I didnt feel worthy a very humbling experience. Regarding Joan, she invited me to her house in Monterey for a few days and Im sure by the time I left she had decided I needed psychiatric help (which Im sure I did). I was extremely insecure and couldnt believe I was being befriended by this person who had had such a huge impact on my early career. So, one day she took me for a drive in her Jaguar to Big Sur and I just broke down. I started crying and couldnt explain why. Thats when she decided to refer me to her psychiatrist. I just was overwhelmed with this sudden success that I didnt feel Id worked long enough to deserve. Your songs have been covered by many people (Kate Wolf, Irma Thomas, Jackie DeShannon and Eddie Rabbit. As well as others). Did you get to interact with these artists and have much influence in their use of your songs? Any personal favorites or highlights for you by other artists who have performed your music? (continued on page 23)

Blues Hallof Fame:

By Eric Steiner Photos by Blues Boss

Congratulations to the Class of 2012

The Blues Hall of Fame is a historical record of those who have made the Blues timeless through performance, documentation, and recording. Since its inception in 1980, The Blues Foundation has inducted new members annually into the Blues Hall of Fame for their historical contribution, impact and overall influence on the Blues. There is no submission or nomination process for induction in to the Blues Hall of Fame. Rather, each year in the fall, a distinguished panel of blues scholars begins the process of discussing who they believe should be given consideration for induction into the Blues Hall of Fame. After some back and forth, they vote in each of the five categories. The number of nominees in a year may vary. The Blues Foundation this year are: Chicago Blues radio force Per vis Spann; German American Folk Blues Festival promoters Horst Lippmann and Fritz Rau; and songwriting legend Doc Pomus. The books Bessie by Chris Albertson and The Voice of the Blues: Classic Interviews from Living Blues Magazine, edited by Jim ONeal & Amy van Singel, were also be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. These albums were also being honored: Damn Right, Ive Got the Blues by Buddy Guy (1991) and Bad Influence by Robert Cray (1984). The following singles were inducted during the ceremony: It Hurts Me Too by Tampa Red (1940); Pine Tops Boogie Woogie by Pine Top Smith (1928); and All Your Love by Magic Sam (1957). The Blues Hall of Fame committee, consisting of scholars, record producers, radio programmers, and historians, is chaired by Jim ONeal, founding editor of Living Blues. The following is a complete list of the 2012 inductees: Classic of Blues Literature The Voice of the Blues: Classic Interviews from Living Blues Magazine, edited by Jim ONeal & Bessie, by Chris Albertson The Voice of the Blues: Classic Interviews from Living Blues Magazine, edited by Jim ONeal & Amy Van Singel

Last month, I had the good fortune to return to the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame dinner the night before the 33rd annual Blues Music Awards. The Hall of Fame dinner is a prized and limited access event reserved for Blues Foundation Charter Members, Blues Music Award nominees, and current Blues Foundation Board members and guests. It was great to see BMA-nominated Too Slim with his wife Nancy in the audience, and meeting Lazy Lester, Allen Toussaint, Otis Clay, and Mud Morganfield was a real treat. As a member of the Board of the Blues Foundation representing blues societies, I consider this a rare and time-limited privilege, and hope that Bluesletter readers would not only consider joining the Blues Foundation, but also consider supporting the bricks-andmortar Hall of Fame in Memphis to honor and celebrate Blues Hall of Fame inductees that have made significant contributions to blues music and culture since the first induction ceremony in 1980. That night, Memphis Redd Velvet from the Memphis Blues Society joined me, and we marveled at the evenings presentation that honored Performers, Individuals, Classic of Blues Literature, Classic of Blues Recording (Song), Classic of Blues Recording (Album). Throughout the evening, Masters of Ceremonies Bill Wax and Rob Porter kept things moving with a lively banter that gave each of the inductees representatives time at the podium to fully appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revel in this well-deserved recognition.

2012 Blues Hall of Fame Inductees The Blues Foundation has announced the 2012 inductees for the Blues Hall of Fame, including Chicago harp master Billy Boy Arnold; bluesrock guitar virtuoso Mike Bloomfield; brother/ sister recording act Buddy & Ella Johnson; South Louisiana swamp blues artist Lazy Lester; Memphis bluesmen Furry Lewis and Frank Stokes; guitar genius Matt Guitar Murphy; and New Orleans musician, songwriter, and producer Allen Toussaint. Among the other individuals recognized by

10

Bob Corritore Billy Boy Arnold Lazy Lester

Too Slim wife Nancy Kevin Selfe

Allen Toussaint

Too Slim

Classic of Blues Recording - Album Damn Right, Ive Got The Blues - Buddy Guy (Silvertone, 1991) Bad Influence - The Robert Cray Band (HighTone, 1983) Classic of Blues Recording - Single or Album Track All Your Love - Magic Sam (Cobra, 1957) It Hurts Me Too- Tampa Red (Bluebird, 1940) Pine Tops Boogie Woogie - Pine Top Smith (Vocalion, 1928) Individuals Doc Pomus Horst Lippmann and Fritz Rau Pervis Spann Perfomer Allen Toussaint Billy Boy Arnold Buddy & Ella Johnson Frank Stokes Furry Lewis Lazy Lester Matt Guitar Murphy Mike Bloomfield The Blues Foundation is currently engaged in a $3.5 million campaign to establish a physical Blues Hall of Fame at its headquarters at 421 South Main in downtown Memphis. Major funding is provided by ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission. The 33rd Blues Music Awards and Blues Hall of Fame events are also sponsored by Blue Mountain Artists, BMI, Catfood Records, Eagle Rock Entertainment, FedEx, First Tennessee Foundation, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Sony/Legacy Records

International Songwriters Honorees Announced

From top, clockwise: Carlos del Junco, Leann Atherton, Matthew Curry, Tommy Castro.

2011

The prestigious US-based International Songwriting Competition (ISC) has announced its 2011 winners. The ISC Grand Prize has been awarded to Auckland, New Zealand songwriter Kimbra for her infectious pop song Cameo Lover. The Grand Prize is ISCs highest honor, and prizes include $25,000 US cash and over $25,000 US in merchandise and services. The competition received over 16,000 entries from 112 countries, making 2011 the most competitive year ever. The winners were chosen by a prestigious panel of celebrity and industry judges including Tom Waits; Jeff Beck; Ozzy Osbourne; Robert Smith (The Cure); Tori Amos; McCoy Tyner; Kelly Clarkson; John Mayall; Monte Lipman (President, Universal Republic Records); and many others. More than $150,000 US in cash and prizes will be shared by the winners. The first place blues honorees are Tommy Castro and Bonnie Hayes for the title track to Tommy Castro Bands Alligator CD, Hard Believer. Second place honors go to Matthew Curry of Matthew Curry and the Fury for Blinded by the Darkness, and Leann Atheron received third place for Change of Heart. Canadian bluesman Carlos del Junco took second place honors in the instrumental category for Heddon Tadpolly Spook. A number of blues artists were recognized with an Honorable Mention in the Blues category, and many Bluesletter readers may recognize performers from British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest:

You Aint Gonne Make A Woman Out Of Me, Geir Arne Westby (Norway) Addicted, Gina Sicilia (USA) Hard Times, Blue Jay Slim (USA) Get Inside This House, Joe McMurrian (USA) Preachin The Blues, Keith Thompson (Scotland) Heaven Send Me An Angel, Kenny Blues Boss Wayne (Canada) Woman in Blue, Rita Chiarelli (Canada) These Four Walls, Rita Chiarelli (Canada) Save Me For Later, Suzie Vinnick and Kristi Magraw (Canada) On My Way, Thorbjorn Risager (Denmark) Elvis Jesus And The Devil, Tom McEwan and Louis King (Australia) Second place blues finisher Matt Curry received an Honorable Mention in the Teen category for If I Dont Got You. In addition to the top winners and Honorable Mention recipients, the ISC posts semifinalists on its website. Oregons Ben Rice Blues Band, was a semi-finalist with one song in each of the Adult Album Alternative and Americana categories, while Diunna Greenleaf was recognized for two songs in the Blues category. Blues Blast Award-winners Jackie Scott and the Housewreckers made it to the semi-finals, as did Floridas Joey DiSilva and Albert Castiglia. British Columbias Wes Mackey (and frequent performer at the Highway 99 Blues Club) landed on the semi-finalist list, and I hope that songwriters who read the Bluesletter consider this important opportunity for original material written in 2012. For more information, including links to songs and additional background on this international competition, please visit:

Johnny Sansone Lazy Lester

www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners
11

Photos by Laddy Kite

(Top) Curtis Hammond, Mary McPages feet, Brian Lee, Patrick McDanel, Mary McPage (Bottom): Ed Maloney, Suze Sims, Roy Brown and Ed Maloney

Congratulations to the 2012 Washington Blues Society Best of the Blues (BB Awards) Recipients
Mark DuFresne Blues Male Vocalist Award: Kevin Sutton Blues Female Vocalist Award: Suze Sims Electric Blues Guitar Award: Rod Cook Slide Blues Guitar Award: Nick Vigarino Blues Bass Award: Lissa Ramaglia Chris Leighton Drums Award: Andrew Cloutier Blues Horn Award: Scotty Harris Paul Green Harmonica Award: Lee Oskar Piano & Keyboards Award: Ron Weinstein Acoustic Blues Award Mark Riley Blues Act Award: The WIRED! Band Traditional Blues Act Award: Little Bill and the Blue Notes Solo/Duo Act Award: Son Jack Jr & Michael Wilde New Blues Band Award: T Town Aces Blues Performer Award: Kevin Sutton Blues Songwriter: Brian Lee Blues Recording: Brian Lee & the Orbiters, Identity Theft Blues Club: Highway 99 Blues Club Blues Writer: Malcolm Kennedy Blues Image: WIRED! Washington Blues Poster Graphic Artist: Rick Jacobson Blues DJ: Jonathan Oogie Richards, KSER Everett Keeping the Blues Alive Award: Tony Frederickson Lifetime Achievement: Tim Too Slim Langford Hall of Fame: Tim Too Slim Langford Non-Festival Blues Event: Taste of Music Snohomish Blues Festival: Sunbanks Blues Festival Open Blues Jam: Oxford Saloon Monday Night Jam Blue to the Bone Award: #1: Lloyd Peterson, Mt. Baker R & B Festival #2. Victor Coupez, Red Crane, Shoreline
Photos by Jef Jaisun

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Washington Blues Society 2012 Best of the Blues Awards

The WIRED! Band, Brian Lee and the Orbiters and Tim Too Slim Langford garner multiple honors at the 2012 Washington Blues Society Best of the Blues Awards
The WIRED! Band built upon their 2012 International Blues Challenge win in Memphis by garnering multiple honors at the 2012 Washington Blues Society Awards held Sunday, May 6th at Seattles Triple Door. Voted Best Blues Act, The WIRED! Band also took home BB Plaques in the Graphic Artist, Blues Performer, and Mark Dufresne Male Vocalist categories for the bands promotional poster designed by drummer Rick Jacobsen, and Kevin Suttons work as a performer and vocalist. Brian Lee and the Orbiters took home the BB Award for their new CD, Identity Theft, and front man Brian Lee was voted Best Blues Songwriter. The recipient of the Best Blues Club Award, proprietor Ed Maloney of the Highway 99 Blues Club in Seattle, accepted Tim Too Slim Langfords awards in the Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement categories. Too Slim is in Memphis this week as his BB-nominated CD Shiver is also on the prestigious Blues Music Awards ballot in the Rock Blues Album category at the 33rd annual Blues Music Awards on May 10, 2012. Returning BB Awardees include KSER-FMs Jonathan Oogie Richards as Best Blues DJ, Mark Riley as Best Acoustic Guitarist, Rod Cook as Best Electric Guitarist, Nick Vigarino as Best Slide Guitarist, Malcolm Kennedy as the Best Blues Writer, and Little Bill and the Blue Notes in the Traditional Blues category. Lissa Ramaglia and Scotty Harris each returned to the stage to accept awards for Best Blues Bass and Best Blues Horn, and Suze Sims received another Best Female Blues Vocalist BB Award. Son Jack, Jr. and Michael Wilde received top honors in the Solo/Duo Act category and Lee Oskar received the Paul Green Blues Harmonica award. New BB Award recipients included the Taste of Music in historic downtown Snohomish in the Best Non-Festival Category, and the Washington Blues Societys Tony Frederickson received the Keeping the Blues Alive Award. Ron Weinstein was busy working to receive the Blues Piano and Keyboards award, and long-time local bluesman Tom Boyle accepted the Best New Band Award on behalf of Tacomas T-Town Aces. Each year, the blues society Board recognizes the contributions of select volunteers with the Blue to the Bone award. This years recipients were Vic Coupez for his tireless work behind the soundboard the Red Crane restaurant during the societys monthly Blues Bashes, and Mount Baker Rhythm and Blues Festival promoter Lloyd Jones for hiring Fat James full band for the 2011 festival. The Washington Blues Society is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and advancing the culture of blues music in Washington State and is affiliated with the Blues Foundation (www.blues.org) in Memphis, Tennessee. More information: www.wablues.org

BB Awards
By Eric Steiner

Clockwise: Christine Leighton, Curtis Hammond and Brian Lee, The WIRED! Band, Scotty Harris, Kevin Sutton and Stacey Jones, SOn Jack Jr and Michael Wilde, Lissa Ramaglia and Scotty Harris, James King, The WIRED! Band, Suze Sims, and Eric Steiner and Tony Frederickson. (Bottom): Suze Sims, Roy Brown and Ed Maloney

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GABE MCMANUS: The Man, the Music and the Tapes

By Anson Laytner

Press Release
Multi-Award Winning Blues DJ Jonathan Oogie Richards and Sweet Danny Ray OBryant join forces with NWCZ Radio in Tacoma, Washington beginning on Monday, June 4, 2012 from 8:00PM to 11:00PM PST as they debut their new Internet Blues Radio Show Mighty Mouth Blues. This program will bring the best of Independent blues artists and bands from the Pacific Northwest. The show will be produced live with a focus on weekly interviews and performance from the regions top acts. Oogie and Sweet Danny Ray are known for their high energy, humor driven personality radio show. They will bring blues entertainment to a global audience presented in a real, honest and sometimes raw format, which is the blues! NWCZ Radio is proud and feels very privileged to be adding the award winning Jonathan Oogie Richards and Sweet Danny Ray to the Monday night line up on www.nwczradio.com. Jonathan and Danny bring years of experience to the new show. Jonathan says I am excited to launch the next phase of my radio career in partnership with NWCZ Radio. Internet radio is revolutionizing how consumers get what they want; good radio from relevant artists, delivered by a DJ not suffocated from a broken terrestrial radio business model. Internet radio is neither unfiltered nor polluted, it is the new frontier! Content will be king again and we are now positioned for this exciting revolution! This is an exciting time to be in radio, says Danny. The way our music is delivered to us has been, and will continue to be in flux. The shift to Internet radio gives us more opportunities than ever before. Independent artists are now able to get exposure on a global scale, easily and affordably. We intend to showcase local and regional blues artists on an international platform Streaming 24/7 online at www.nwczradio.com we are proud to play independent Northwest bands and give them the platform and exposure they deserve. NWCZ Radios goal is to take the proud heritage of music and talent the Northwest has to offer and deliver it to the world!

I never met my father-in-law, Gabe McManus. He died about six years before I even had met his daughter. But I heard stories, lots of stories, about the man and his taverns and, most of all, about his music. Gabe was famous in his day for his tavernsthe Shamrock and, later, Gabesbut really for the music he played there: blues and jazz from the golden years of the 30s through the 1950s. He apparently had an amazing collection of 45 rpm records from which he used to create his own playlists. When Gabe was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, his son, Mike McManus, worked with him to copy many of these records onto cassette tapes. Their plan was to turn these into a collection of blues albums such as has never been heard.

came with that box of cassette tapes, 20 in all, each 60-90 minutes in length. Gabes Dirty Blues was just one of these many tapes. How she got the collection of tapes, I dont know. I never asked and she died a year and a half ago. And as to Gabes collection of 45s, they may be in someones collection in Japan because Mike had been trying to sell them there, or they may still be in boxes in a basement or garage somewhere in our area, or who knows? Mike died several years before Merrily, as did their sister, Jane, and mother, Esty. But Im not here to cry the blues, only to play them I recently asked my good friend, Charlie Freedenberg, a blues fan and computer geek, to try to convert the cassette tapes to CDs. He told me that he would need better equipment and then suggested I contact Eric Steiner to see if the Washington Blues Society or the Blues Foundation would be interested in taking on the task of converting these tapes into CDs or other electronic formats and thereby preserving them (and making them available) to current and future generations. When I sent Eric the playlists of these tapes, whose musicians read like a whos who of vintage jazz and blues artists, he was quick to realize their value, but cautioned that the project involves a great number of challenges, including securing rights to songs (there are over 50 labels in the list), accessing professional mixing and mastering services. The legal rights and permissions thickets we would have to navigate would be significant (whether thats securing mechanical reproduction rights from either BMI, ASCAP or the Harry Fox Agency). The rest, as they say, is historyor at least I hope it will be.

Unfortunately, the devil is in the details and most recording companies either refused to give permission or asked for too much money for Gabe and Mike to proceed. Only Gusto Records came through. The result, as some readers may know, was the album Gabes Dirty Blues with a dapperly-dressed, darkhaired and white-templed Gabe and dark, big-eyed beauty on the front cover and Gabes idiosyncratic liner notes on the back. The album itself featured music by Little Willie John, Jack Dupree, Lula Reed, Roy Brown, the Midnighters, Little Esther Phillips, Billy Ward and the Dominoes, the Lamplighters, Wynonie Harris, Todd Rhodes, Connie Allen, Bull Moose Jackson, the Five Royales, Tiny Bradshaw, and Freddy Kingwith some of the nastiest dirty blues lyrics around. The album came out in 1978 and now is a collectors item. When I married Gabes daughter, Merrily, she

Some of the 650 Singers and Songs on Gabes Private Tapes

Bessie Smith/Charley Greene Jimmy Witherspoon/Ben Webster Billie Holiday/Billie Kyle Trio Joe Turner/Pete Johnson Lizzie Miles/Shakey Bonano Louis Armstrong/Jack Teagarden Joe Williams/Count Basie Dinah Washington/Lionel Hampton Clare Austin/Kid Ory Jimmy Yancey Cab Calloway Fats Domino Amanda Ambrose Nina Simone Empty Bed Blues Id Rather Drink Muddy Water Billies Blues Cherry Red A Good Man is Hard to Find St. James Infirmary Every Day Evil Gal Blues Mecca Street Blues How Long Blues Minnie the Moocher Aint it a Shame This Little Light of Mine Trouble in Mind

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The June 2012

Blues Bash

at the Red Crane

By Susan Lucci and Rodney Dangerfield eardrums and the souls of patrons of The Red Crane Restaurant that night came through to impassioned vocal chords of Vicki Stevens. Next to her with a guitar part of the time and the bass part of the time was Ken Miller. Vicki also showed her harmonica playing and our ears knew that it was good. On some songs Ken played just the guitar but when his bass accompanied Vicki on some other songs something magical happened. The voice from above was paired with the thunder from down under. It is sometimes the borderline between opposites where genius is born (that is a theme in much of Robert Horns writings and if writing this he would illustrate it with some poetry.) The first song was a sultry rendition of 29 Ways with Vicki on harmonica and vocals and Ken on guitar. Ken also can sing and showed that on several songs. When they performed Red River Valley the two of them showed how greatness in one genre can be adopted and transformed into greatness in another genre. Vickis singing of Walkin After Midnight may have been one of the best renditions ever heard. It had the slow, held back tension of a volcano under control and sensuously waiting for the right moment that would come in a later song. The recent interview of Roy Rogers in the Bluesletter contained the best explanation of what is being touched on here. They performed some traditional great standards like Built For Comfort and by 8 PM the great set they did was over. Go to www.vickistevensband. com for much more information about this vocal volcano from Oregon. After a break where announcements were read, CDs given away, and other recuperation was done, there was more music. Steve Cooley and The Dangerfields (no relation to Rodney here according to Susan) was a pleasant surprise to anyone unfamiliar with them. The guitar playing of Steve Cooley is what blues guitar is supposed to be aboutit has to penetrate the soul of anyone who has one. In songs like Louise, Help Me, Goin Down and others this band showed that it is the real deal. Steve Cooley himself has performed with or opened for Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robert Cray, Rod Piazza and many other blues legends. It must be something to be great and underrated or ignored by much of the public, but this guy is such an unsung singer-guitar player. Some may be familiar with the roots of this band: go back just a little ways in time and take a little trip with me to the South Sound. There was a band called Loose Gravel and it had a guitar player named Steve Cooley. Yes, that would be him. In this band with Steve is Johnny Burgess on keyboards, Rich Nesbitt on bass, and Glen Hummel on drums. They are worth catching live for sure and you can get a taste of their treats at www.stevecooleyblues.com

Bob Horn usually writes this monthly article but asked us to handle it this month. He may be in the desert doing a vision quest to decide if he keeps writing about music or something else somewhere else. After that, he may return and write this usual monthly article plus keep writing many of the feature articles he has done for the last 10 years on topics like rhythm sections, blues and therapy, blues festivals and on musicians like John Nemeth, Roy Rogers, Sugar Blue, Kevin Sutton, Rod Cook, Tom Boyle, Mia Vermillion, etc, etc, etc, etc. Rodney Dangerfield and Susan Lucci placed bets on whether he would ever write for the Bluesletter again. Rodney thought he would now walk away and the name Robert Horn will never be in the Bluesletter again. Susan Lucci bet the other way, saying that Robert is driven by a force more powerful than even the will to live and will continue writing with a fire and poetic passion beyond the comprehension of the majority of the people who skip over his articles. She predicts he will soon be back, but may re-evaluate his plans next spring after the BBs as he weighs his options for artistic expression. That being said, here is the summation of what happened at the May 2012 Blues Bash. The first sounds of inspired art to massage the

Steve Cooley and the Dangerfields

Vicki Stevens and Ken Miller

Vic Coupez

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Donald Duck Dunn

(24 November 1941 - 13 May 2012)

By Rocky Nelson

Bass player, songwriter and native son of Memphis Tennessee, Donald Duck Dunn, a member of the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame band Booker T and the MGs, session bassist for Stax Records and the Blues Brothers band, has died peacefully in his sleep in Tokyo. He was 70 years old. Dunn was in Tokyo for a series of shows. Dunn passed away the morning of the 13th after performing in the last venue he played, Tokyo Blue Note, May 12th, while he was on tour with longtime friend and musician, Steve Cropper. While the Ritzville Blues Festival had called it quits after 18 years, the fine folks of Wallace, Idaho decided to team up with Craig Heimbigner and Too Far North Productions, creator of the Coeur dAlene Blues Festival, and make the second weekend of July their own for bringing the blues to the Inland Northwest. The First Annual Historic Wallace Blues Festival will happen this July 13 & 14. There will be various blues artists and bands around town, inside and outside, playing afternoon and evenings of July 13 and 14. On Saturday, July 14th, Cedar Street will be blocked off from 7th to 6th Avenues and a Main Stage will be erected featuring local and regional blues bands all day long starting at 11:30AM. Main Stage Acts to appear include: Curtis Salgado: Winner of the 2010 Blues Music Award for Soul Blues Artist Of The Year, Salgado effortlessly mixes blues, funk and R&B with a delivery that is raw and heartfelt. Portland Oregon based,

Dunn, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1941, grew up with Cropper, performed on recordings with Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Muddy Waters, Levon Helm, Wilson Pickett, Sam and Dave, and Jerry Lee Lewis, among others. Dunn specialized in blues, gospel and soul. He played himself in the 1980 hit movie The Blues Brothers and again for the encore of Blues Brothers 2000. He received a lifetime achievement Grammy award in 2007 for his work with Booker T and the MGs.

Bruce Iglauer, owner and founder of Alligator Records, told me: he and Al Jackson Jr. (Stax session drummer) created an iconic groove and rhythm sound that were crucial to the whole way classic soul is defined. They were kings of funky simplicity, and knew just what to play and what to leave out to make a song groove, be danceable and to emphasize the melody and let the song breathe. Donald Duck Dunns music will remain immortal. May he rest in peace.

2012 Inaugural Historic Wallace Blues Festival

but an internationally known artist, Curtis and his band are touring major festivals this year in support of the just released album Soul Shot. He is also nominated again for the 2012 BMA Soul Blues Artist award. Nick Vigarinos Meantown Blues: 2011 International Blues Challenge Finalist in Memphis following his 2010 induction into the Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame as a multiple winner of multiple awards, including Best of Blues. Nicks shows are always described as consisting of passion, skill, slashing slide guitar and powerful vocals all in a non-stop blues show. Too Slim & The Taildraggers: They have a BMA nomination for 2012 Rock Blues Album for his latest release, Shiver. Tim Langford leads a powerhouse trio that has been a rocking Northwest favorite for many years. Too many awards to mention, in every Northwest Blues Societys Hall of Fame, this is a no-brainer for a Northwest Blues Festival headliner and proud to have him at our first. The Pat Coast Band: From the band Caf Blue in 1990 and then The Pat Coast Band since 1999, this Idaho native and beloved regular at all the great Northwest festivals for many years has thrilled many a blues audience. Blues Revue Magazine said of this band Coast combines

rockabilly fire with greasy swing licks on his axe...juicy stuff! The Fat Tones: The Fat Tones are Hall of Famers with the Inland Empire Blues Society having won multiple awards multiple times. The Fat Tones Bobby Patterson just won 2011 Best Blues Guitarist as well. Hoodoo Udu: Made up of several amazing long time area musicians, but a newer Northwest blues band that we hope to give the live showcase they deserve. This band creates a modern blues sound with a strong rock edge, showcasing powerful female vocals, an unbelievable guitarist, a solid, aggressive bassist, and an amazing, rock-steady drummer. There will be other acoustic blues music outside on the streets featuring Ray Roberson, Brother Music, and and the Doghouse Boyz. . In addition, three additional bands will also appear in other locations around Wallace: Laffin Bones: This band was voted Best Blues Band 2011 by The I.E.B.S. for good reason. They always bring the party with foot stompin rockin blues and incredible slide guitar from frontman Mr. Neil Elwell.

Festival Preview:
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Acknowledgement of Donation
The Passing the Torch project of the Washington Blues Society, in conjunction with Seattle Teen Music would like to thank an anonymous donor from Bellingham, Washington for a generous donation of $500 to aid in the 2012 goals of our project. That donation is being matched by the donors employer, US Bank, for a total donation of $1,000. This money will go 100% to the funding of two scholarships to Centrums Country Blues Week this July. Thanks to this donor and their employer for helping us to Pass the Torch.

E-Book Preview:
Theres a new eBook out thats been recommended by Bonnie Raitt, Joe Bonamassa, Bob Margolin, Jimmy Vivino and Hal Willner. Its Debra Devis The Language of the Blues: From Alcorub to Zuzu, rock musician and author Debra Devi explores over 150 terms like buffet flat, mojo, and killing floor. Reuters calls it one of the wittiest, bawdiest, most fascinating dictionaries ever. Bonnie Raitt adds: What a great resource--as fascinating as it is informative. Debras passion for the blues shines through. The Language of the Blues opens with a hilarious foreword by Dr. John, who helped Devi uncover the illegal gambling origins of terms like gig and axe. The book features stories from Devis interviews with blues legends like Dr. John, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Hubert Sumlin, Henry Gray, Milton Campbell, Smiley Ricks, Jody Williams, Bob Margolin, Jimmie Vaughan, Robben Ford and Bonnie Raitt. As a musician myself, not a scholar, Devi explains, I thought I could best make a contribution by talking directly to artists about what the words in blues songs mean to them. She combines her interviews with research into African language, voodoo culture and oral histories. But dont think The Language of the Blues reads like a reference book, says former Muddy Waters guitarist Bob Margolin, you can open it at random and fall into the world of your favorite Blues songs. I learned a lot more about the Blues music I already loved. Sold for $9.99 on Amazon Kindle, The Language of the Blues includes 40 photos of blues artists and a free download of Devis powerful rock album, Get Free. No Kindle? No problem, with free apps for reading the book on any eReader, tablet, phone or computer. The Language of the Blues was first published by Billboard

The Language of the Blues

By Debra Devi

Books. It received the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award in 2008, yet disappeared from bricks and mortar bookstores during a merger. Since her books successful eBook release March 2012 by Guitar International, Devi has become a Huffington Post blogger on the blues. Blues Revue deems The Language of the Blues an essential purchase for scholars and fans. New York Times columnist Shelton Ivany adds, If you have any questions about songs, lyrics, musicians or events, chances are you will find your answers in this unparalleled publication. Devi fell in love with the blues as a Milwaukee teen sneaking out to live shows by Chicago legends like Son Seals and Koko Taylor. A gifted rock guitarist inspired by the blues, shes a Fender Girl Rock Nation artist who leads the band DEVI. The bands debut album, Get Free, is earning her comparisons to Hendrix, and singers Sheryl Crow and PJ Harvey. A former associate editor of Blues Revue, Devi has also written for The Village Voice, Rolling Stone.com, Vintage Guitar and Guitar.

Kenny James Miller Band: Hailing from Kalispel, Montana. This very rocking trio has tore it up around the Northwest lately, having just been given the Best New Blues Band award from the Inland Empire Blues Society. They are loved for their great live performances and original music. Last Spring they were also a Washington State Blues finalist for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis winning the Spokane Semi-Final Competition. This band rocks the blues. Award winning vocalist and favorite frontman Sammy Eubanks and his band will be hosting a jam somewhere in town. His last album Riding Alone just won Best Blues Album from the I.E.B.S. and he was also awarded Best Male Vocalist by The Washington State Blues Society. Also, be prepared to dance. Tickets for this first-ever festival in Wallace are $20 and available through Tickets West http:// www.ticketswest.com or call 1-800-325-SEAT. Other outlets in Spokane: Replay Music & The Bronco, and in Coeur dAlene: The Long Ear. In Wallace, tickets are available at The Wallace Inn, The 1313 Club and Harvest Foods. Please also look for the Historic Wallace Blues Festival on FaceBook!

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Dry Side Blues

Inland Empire Blues Society

O n e of t h e c o o l t h i ng s ab out b eing involved in the music scene on the Dry Side of the Evergreen State is being able to introduce new musical groups to our Wet Side friends, such as Bakin Phat. This jumpblues combo was started by guitarist Dennis Higgins, most lately of Laffin Bones and the Shakers, who has put together an outrageously fun blues band that does not play slow songs the idea is that you should just keep dancing. Dennis is joined by long time Spokane players Eric Lindstrom on bass and Dave Allen on harmonica and vocals, and the three of them share just shy of 100 years of musical experience. I have been listening to this group every Wednesday evening for the past several weeks, and tight doesnt quite describe that these cats have going on. Look them up on Facebook, and they should soon have some recordings posted for your enjoyment.

get down. Thanks once again to Don Parkins at Bluz at the Bend for bringing this immensely talented and entertaining act to town. For the second year in a row, I celebrated Cinco de Mayo at the Tecate Grill with Laffin Bones, the 2011 Inland Empire Blues Society award-winning Best Blues Band. Front man Neil Elwell on guitar and vocals was joined by Ramiro Vijarro on bass, Ken Danielson on drums and special guest Bob Tortorici on harmonica and vocals. Neil brought out several of the songs from their 2011 release Drive That Road, as well as a few lesser-played songs, such as Daddys Coming Home, which to the surprise of a few listeners, documented Daddys wishes once he arrived. Thanks, guys for a fun evening listening to some of Spokanes best blues. I mentioned to Ken Sederdahl of the Kenny James Miller Band that I would like to be able to record some of the music that I listen to and replay it for the listeners to my radio show. He promptly gave me his digital recorder! Wow, what a cool dude! Please listen to Blues Now and Then, on Sunday nights from 6 to 8 pm on KYRS.ORG, where I play live recordings of the bands that I talk about in the Bluesletter. So far, I have played live cuts from bands such as Too Slim, Sammy Eubanks, the Shakers, the Sara Brown Band, Bakin Phat and Kevin Selfe, with more to be added to the list ever y week. Please join us on Sunday nights and help support something that nobody else is doing: playing live recordings of local blues for the entire world to hear. Give us a call in the studio during the show at (509) 747-3807 and tell us how it sounds over there on the Wet Side.

Bones with Guest Bob Totorici on Harp

By Jerry Peterson, Vice President

Kevin Selfe and Jimi Bott

On April 27th, the fabulous Kenny James Miller Band made another visit to Bluz at the Bend and did their best to rock the socks off of a whole bunch of people. They played several of the hard hitting cuts from their most recent release, Revelator, as well as their tribute to B.B. King, Thank-You, Lucille, from their upcoming CD. The band joined our efforts in securing donations for Jennifer Kemple, lead singer for Big Mumbo Blues band, to travel to North Carolina for the next level of the X-Files talent competition. Since then, Jen passed two auditions and surpassed approximately 8,900 other hopefuls, and the judges should be contacting the finalists by the end of the month. Thanks again to our friends at Bluz at the Bend and to the Kenny James Miller Band for helping Jennifer achieve her dreams. May 4th brought Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes to Spokane, and the Friday night crowd at Bluz at the Bend was ready. Supported by the legendary Jimi Bott (13-time Blues Music Award nominee) on drums and Allen Markel on bass, Kevins showmanship was one of the highlights of the evening. Jimi watched as Kevin and Allen played their guitars while laying flat on the stage during one number, showing the audience that they could really

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Late one night after his gig at the infamous Winthrop Palace, Tim Too Slim Langford pondered the future of the blues in the Methow Valley with owner Jimmy The Blues Smith. The areas big shows to that point with acts like Robert Cray, Paul Butterfield, Savoy Brown, and Elvin Bishop outgrew the one suitable venue in town, the Winthrop Barn. What could they do to help quench the valleys thirst for blues?

25th Annual WINTHROP RHYTHM & BLUES FESTIVAL July 20-22

By Erika Olsen & Peter Dammann

band includes ace Texas guitar slinger Rocky Athas, a friend and bandmate of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Mayall and Bishop have a tough act to follow: Chubby Carrier & his Bayou Swamp Band. Louisianas Carrier has recorded five CDs over the past 10n years and 2011s Zydeco Junkie, won the 2011 Grammy for Zydeco/Cajun recording. Making a rare Northwest appearance Saturday will be Chicago harmonica ace, Sugar Blue. Blue has played and recorded with such legends as Willie Dixon, Johnny Shines, Frank Zappa and Bob Dylan, but hes best known for his signature riff and solo on the Rolling Stones Miss You. Blue won a Grammy in 1985 for his work on Atlantics Blues Explosion.

for Traditional Blues Female Artist of the year. Fosters recent touring partner, Paul Thorn returns for a Pimps & Preachers Gospel Hour. Born in Mississippi, the son of a preacher, and nephew of a pimp, Thorn was a prizefighter and skydiver before being a songwriter. Thorn once went seven rounds in a nationally-televised fight against Roberto Duran; as a musician, he has toured with Sting, Tanya Tucker, Ronnie Milsap, Mark Knopfler and Carole King.

In the summer of 1987, Smith, with encouragement from Langford, and help from his friends, launched the Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival at the KOA campground outside of town, and featured Charlie Musselwhite, Seattle Women in R & B, Jerry Miller Band, and Too Slim & The Taildraggers. With 1200 in attendance, the festival lost money, but the organizers resolved to return next year.

Twenty-five years later, the Winthrop WIRED! Band, who brought home top honors competing R&B Festivalhaving weathered a Lionel Young is the first double against dozens of talented acts from across world. series of producers, locations, and champion in the history of the years when it seemed the event could foldis International Blues Challenge held each year Washingtons largest, longest-running, most Duffy Bishop, a Winthrop favorite, returns in Memphis. In addition to grabbing the 2011 successful blues event. Under the stewardship Saturday. This Grammy-nominated, WBS and honors with his band, Lionel won the 2008 the of the non-profit Winthrop Music Association CBA Hall of Famer has toured the US, Canada, solo-duo category. since 2005, the Festival has become one of the Europa and Asia. When not touring with the true jewels in the festival season. From those band, Duffy her long-time collaborator, guitarist The story in Memphis at this years IBC, however, early days, common threads remain: Langford, and husband Chris Carlson, join the Teatro was The WIRED! Band, who brought home top whose Taildraggers have played every Winthrop ZinZanni, in Seattle and San Francisco. honors competing against dozens of talented but one; Smith, very involved in running the acts from across world. The multiple BB Awardfestival since its inception, and who sits on the Featuring some of the Spokane areas finest winning band features Kevin Sutton on lead WMA board; and the best rhythm & blues music musicians, Big Mumbo has been a mainstay at vocals and guitar, along with Keith Bakke on for the Methow. Inland Empire festivals and concerts as well as bass and his nephew Rick The Stick Jacobson nightclubs. on drums. For the third year, the Festival opens with the Lowdown Hoedown on Friday in its Beer Originally from Portland, lap-steel roots-bluesman The Festival closes, appropriately, with Winthrop Garden, featuring three of the Northwests Colin Lake has called the Crescent City home favorites, Too Slim & The Taildraggers, celebrating hottest acts: Too Slim & the Taildraggers, the since 2009. Hell open Saturday and Sunday with their 25th year in the blues as Winthrop celebrates Duffy Bishop Band and Spokanes Big Mumbo. a repertoire than includes soul, rock and folk. its silver anniversary. The bands 2011 release, Shiver, was nominated for a Blues Music Award The Festival hits high gear on Saturday with Elvin The action continues after-hours in the Festival for Blues Rock album of the year. Bishop making his third headlining appearance. Beer Garden both Saturday and Sunday with With 12+ solo albums and four decades of touring high-level jam sessions featuring festival artists, The Allstar jam at the Beer Garden, hosted by to his credit, Bishop reigns as the good ol boy emceed by Seattle blues-funk diva, Lady A. Lionel Young and WIRED!with appearances of the blues. Since his days in Chicago with the Saturdays jam will be hosted by Taildraggers by Paul Thorn and John Nmethpromises to Paul Butterfield Band, Pigboy Crabshaw has rhythm section, Polly OKeary and Tommy Cook, be explosive after the main stage action ends. blended blues, rock, gospel, country and R&B with longtime Paul deLay Band guitarist Peter with his high energy. Elvins been Grammy- Dammann. Expect the festivals heavy hitters to The Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival is nominated, has seven Blues Music Award nods, turn out to join them at the jam! produced by The Winthrop Music Association, and pop success with the hit, Fooled Around a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation formed in and Fell In Love. This year, Ruthie Foster makes her Winthrop 2005 to insure the continued success of the debut. She came from humble church choir Festival. Under WMAs direction, the festival This year, John Mayall, returns to Winthrop to beginnings in rural Texas, followed by a tour of has consistently run in the black, and last year co-headline with Bishop. In his nearly 50-year duty with the U.S. Navy Band. Since then shes was its most successful ever. Current board career, Mayall has introduced the world to won a slew of Austin Music Awards, garnered a members are William Stolberg, Mark Seguin, such stunning musicians as Eric Clapton, Mick Grammy nomination, and won many Blues Music Robin Wheeler, Jim Smith, Peter Dammann, Taylor and Mick Fleetwood. Mayalls current Awards, including the 2012 Koko Taylor Award Rich Reeves and Erika Olsen. 21

Since his 2007 debut CD, Magic Touch, John Nmeth has wowed critics and audiences alike with his riveting vocals and harmonica prowess.On his latest,Name The Day!, Nemeth continues to reinvigorate American rhythm and blues. Nemeth, now based in San Francisco, last appeared at Winthrop in 2004 with his Boise The story in Memphis at this years IBC, however, was The band, The Jacks.

Alice Stuart Celebrates 70

By Tony Frederickson Photos by Jef Jaisun

continued

I was lucky enough to have the ear of Jerry Wexler who loved my song Fulltime Woman. He called in an icon and tried to get Aretha to do it. When he couldnt do that, he had Irma Thomas do it with an arrangement that fit her style more. Unfortunately, I dont think she really got it. I had met Jackie DeShannon, who was also on Atlantic Records, when I opened for Van Morrison who she was working with at the time. She heard me do the song and loved it so when she made another album, she recorded it. Kate Wolf probably heard the song from Barry Olivier, who taught guitar in Berkeley and taught a lot of my songs to students. Eddie Rabbit was a DJ in LA who played my albums and he recorded another one of my songs, I Lose Control.. Waylon Jennings produced that album. Youre often credited with opening the door for women in music by many industry people (Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, etc.) What are your personal thoughts about this? Any insights for other women interested in making music a career? It certainly wasnt intentional. I wasnt being a Girl Scout; I was just following my dreams. I was told by producers and band members that I would never be able to play like a boy and should just leave the guitar playing up to the guys. It was hard to break through that kind of thinking but I just kept trying, and working hard on it. If you go to Wolfgangs Vault and click on Videos and then enter Alice Stuart and Snake, you will see some film from 1974, about 4 years after picking up the electric guitar. It was a trio and trial by fire. There was no other instrument like piano or another guitar player to lean on. As far as advice to any women or men, for that matter, who start playing and thinking theyre going to become a huge success overnight is making a big mistake. Playing and listening to music is good for the soul. If you do become successful, its just a beautiful (sometimes) perk...

The reason to do something well, you have to be passionate and persistent. I was pushed into a few things before I was really ready mentally to do them, like the first east coast gig I did in 1965. It was booked by Manny Greenhill who booked Joan Baez. I played the Gaslight in New York City and other folk haunts of the day. I was painfully shy and not good at making friends, especially with people on the east coast who were, at the time, not easy or eager to let new people in. I was a west coast girl who was so clean and well dressed (you couldnt perform professionally in Seattle unless you wore a dress!) that I found out years later that they thought I was a narc. That explains a lot, but too late to do me any good. Your career has taken you all over the world. Can you tell us about some of your personal highlights and favorite gigs? A definite highlight was being asked to do the Dick Cavett show with George Carlin hosting. Obviously, playing with John Hurt was another one. The European tour with Van Morrison, getting to play great venues like the Rainbow Theater in London and other huge halls all over Germany and Holland. My six week tour in Australia was a wonderful experience too. I am presently in Bermuda playing and will continue on to Chicago on May 22nd where I will be performing at lecturing at Northwestern University as well as gigging in other venues in Chicago. I will be doing a country blues workshop at the Old Town School of Folk Music. The Triple Door is such a great venue for music, and to celebrate your birthday with all your friends and local fans must be a real treat. Its going to be a very special day, celebrating your long career to date. What are you most looking forward to and any special treats for your guests at this very special show? Well, 70 is a real landmark year. I feel very lucky

to be fairly healthy and still be able to perform my music. I have a couple that are coming that live in Arizona now. They decided to celebrate their anniversary by coming to Seattle for the show. A couple of my California friends, where I lived for about 35 years, are coming, too. One is Chris Earley, a songwriter friend of mine. I will be performing one of his songs called Good Hands and he will play acoustic guitar on it. Another is my friend, Rebb Firman, who wrote a song called Only a Love Song will do that I will be doing. He has always been a big fan of mine and he bought tickets for a lot of his friends here. Patti Allen and Kathi McDonald will join us on a few songs. An extra special treat is having our special guest, guitarist Terry Davison. My whole family will be there except for my oldest daughter and her family in Arizona and my cousin who is in Portugal. Are you still writing new material? Any plans for a new CD? Whats next for Alice Stuart? I may be making a new CD next year in Nashville of a lot of my new material and some older ones that I have not recorded yet. I am thinking about another Australian tour and some east coast tours. I would really like to make enough money in the next couple years that I could afford to buy a house of my own with a big garden space, possibly somewhere that I can grow things for more than 3 months. In California, I had a 3000 square foot organic garden. We planted in February and in October we covered our lettuce plants and some others with row cover and had lettuce all winter. There arent many mortgage companies that would want to give a 70 year old a mortgage so were talking some real money down (and probably a co-signer) One can dream.

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The Bluesletter has had a lot of changes over the past year - from the look and feel to how much weve been able to squeeze into it each month. The behind the scenes stuff is the most fun to be a part of, and I wanted to let the rest of you in on a few of our secrets as well as our changes going forward.

Housekeeping with the Editor

From the bands to the writers to the photographers to the designer and finally, to you.
Writing and/or Photos: So, I am the editor of the Bluesletter, but I am (and Im sure you all know this) kind of new here. I dont know you all by name, and Im still learning about the bands and the artists and the musicians, etc; Eric Steiner, President of WBS, has had his finger on the pulse of the Blues world since God was a boy. The Wrap-up: Once the Bluesletter is finished, I send it Eric and the board (whoever is available at the time) to be reviewed. Last minute changes go in, and then we send it to print. So, to keep me informed, and more importantly, to keep YOU informed correctly, all articles, reviews, photos, etc go to Eric Steiner ( ericrichd@aol.com ); Eric reviews all of the articles and drops them in a file folder for me in dropbox. (Thats dropbox.com - the easiest way I have ever found to share large amounts of info in an organized manner.) This way I dont miss anything and Eric knows whats going in the Bluesletter. Strictly for Photographers: As far as photos are concerned - send me the largest file you can (preferably 9 x 13 x 300dpi). I ask everyone send the largest size they have just because it may end up on the cover. (you never know!) And if you label the photo with the credits (i.e. Mickey Mouse playing bass at the Triple Door - photo by Jane Doe) it makes my world SO much easier!! Calendar: The Blues Calendar and the Blues Jams are overseen by Maridel (mflissm@aol.com); she sends me The Mailout: The Bluesletter team gets an email from the printer and the party is on. One member organizes the bulk mailouts, one person prints out all of the individual address labels, theres a flurry of emails back and fourth and then the team meets up one evening at the end of each month to sticker, pack, organize, stamp and mail out the thousands of Bluesletters that go out across the country each month. Its no exaggeration that Washington has the best Blues Society; we really do. This amazing group of men and women, who give of their precious time and energy each month to keep people interested in the Blues, promote and support the local bands, grow the Blues community and keep the Blues alive. Get Involved: If you are interested in writing, photographing, or volunteering with this incredible group of people each month, please contact WBS President Eric Steiner at ericrichd@aol.com. Project Thank you: And now a personal request: I, as the newly appointed Editor, have over this last year, watched these amazing people fight tooth and nail to preserve the blues; Ive watched them encourage, challenge and donate their time to this endeavor, and I would love to offer them a huge verbal round of applause from all of you who receive the Bluesletter each month. If you are willing, please send me an email at editor@wablues.org so that I can put together

The Bluesletter is a completely volunteer run magazine. Now, that does not, in fact, mean that those of us who write, design, photograph or research for the Bluesletter have tons of time to do this every month; we just have a wild, frothing passion for the Blues. So, in an effort to streamline some of our processes to make the Bluesletter a well oiled machine and make the chain from the bands to your front door as quick and painless as possible, I am creating processes for getting articles/ photos/ads etc from the writer/photographers/ designers into the Bluesletter in an efficient manner. Heres what you can do to help: Advertising: Going forward all ads go to Malcolm Kennedy (advertising@wablues.org) Malcolm keeps

up with whos paid what, what goes where, and whats happening each month. He has the magic list and if you are interested in placing an ad or promoting an event or band in the Bluesletter, Malcolm is the one to connect with. Specs: All ads need to be in CMYK (not RGB) for color ads and GRAYSCALE for black and white ads. Ads should be sized correctly for the slot that you have purchased (see page 7), and set at no lower than 300dpi. 300dpi ensures that your ads are NOT pixilated and look fabulous in print.
Plug for the Editor: I am a freelance Graphic Designer; if you need help designing your ad. I am available for hire. jessephillipsdesigns.com

all of the info on whos playing what, where and when so that we can pass it on to you. So, if you have a gig, a jam or a performance, we want to hear about it so that we can tell people! (and also, so that we can come, too!)

CDs: Musicians, we are all about telling the world about you! If you would like your CD reviewed by one of our reviewers, please send two copies (one for the reviewer and one for our monthly CD giveaways at the Blues Bash) to Washington Blues Society, ATTN: CD Reviews, PO Box 70604, Seattle, WA 98027. Please note, if you send it, we will be using the art work from your CD in our Blues Reviews section - so send us your amazing artistry along with your music.

a massive thank you card from all of us who truly appreciate their hard work.

And to all of you out there in Bluesland, thank you for supporting the blues in your neck of the woods, and keeping us going every month. 23

24

A.H.L. (206) 935-4592 AlleyKattz (425) 273-4172 Annieville Blues (206) 994-9413 Author Unknown (206) 355-5952 Baby Gramps Trio (425) 483-2835 BackGround Noise (425) 931-8084 Back Porch Blues (425) 299-0468 Badd Dog Blues Society (360) 733-7464 Bare Roots (206) 818-8141 Billy Barner (253) 884-6308 Bay Street Blues Band (360) 731-1975 Norm Bellas & the Funkstars (206) 722-6551 Black River Blues (206) 396-1563 Blackstone Players (425) 327-0018 Blues Attitude (360) 701-6490 Blue 55 (206) 216-0554 Blue Healers (206) 440-7867 Blues To Do Monthly (206) 328-0662 Blues Playground (425) 359-3755 Blues Redemption http://www.bluesredemption.com (The) Blues Sheriff (206) 979-0666 Blues to Burn (253) 945-7441 Boneyard Preachers (206) 755-0766/ 206-547-1772 Bill Brown & the Kingbees 206-276-6600 Bump Kitchen (253) 223-4333, (360) 259-1545 Brian Butler Band (206) 361-9625 Charlie Butts & the Filtertips (509) 325-3016 Ellis Carter - 206-935-3188 Malcolm Clark Band (253) 853-7749 Colonel (360) 293-7931 Kimball Conant & the Fugitives (206) 938-6096 Jack Cook & Phantoms of Soul (206) 517-5294 Rod Cook & Toast (206) 878-7910 James Curley Cooke (253)945-7441 Cooke & Green (253) 945-7441 Coyote Blues (360) 420-2535 John Scooch Cugnos Delta 88 Revival (360) 352-3735 Crossroads Band (206) 935-8985 Daddy Treetops (206) 601-1769 Sean Denton Band (425)387-0620 Double Cookin (253) 945-7441 Double Scotts on the Rocks (206) 418-1180 Julie Duke Band 206-459-0860 Al Earick Band (253) 278-0330 Sammy Eubanks (509) 879-0340 Richard Evans (206) 799-4856 Fat Cat (425) 487-6139 Fat Tones (509) 869-0350 Kim Field & the Mighty Titans of Tone (206) 295-8306 Gary Frazier (206) 851-1169 Free Reign Blues Band (425) 823-3561 Fil Gumbo (425) 788-2776 Nicole Fournier & Her 3 Lb Universe (253) 576-7600 Jimmy Frees Friends (206) 546-3733 Charlene Grant & the Love Doctors (206) 763-5074 Paul Green (206)795-3694 Dennis Juxtamuse Hacker (425) 512-8111 Heather & the Nearly Homeless Blues Band (425)576-5673 Tim Hall Band (253) 857-8652 Curtis Hammond Band (206) 696-6134) Ryan Harder (253) 226-1230 Scotty Harris & Lissa Ramaglia/Bassic Sax (206) 418-1180 Terry Hartness (425) 931-5755 Ron Hendee (425) 280-3994 JD Hobson (206) 235-3234 Hot Rod Blues Revue (206)790-9934 Bobby Holland & the Breadline (425)681-5644 James Howard band (206) 250-7494 David Hudson / Satellite 4 (253) 630-5276 Raven Humphres (425) 308-3752 Hungry Dogs (425) 299-6435 Brian Hurst (360) 708-1653 K. G. Jackson & the Shakers (360) 896-4175 Jeff & the Jet City Fliers (206) 469-0363 Junkyard Jane (253) 238-7908 Stacy Jones Band (206) 992-3285

Talent Guide

Washington Blues Society

Chester Dennis Jones (253)-797-8937 Harry The Man Joynes (360) 871-4438 James King & the Southsiders (206) 715-6511 Virginia Klemens / Jerry Lee Davidson (206) 632-6130 Mick Knight (206) 373-1681 Bruce Koenigsberg / the Fabulous Roof Shakers (425) 766-7253 Kolvane (503) 804-7966 Lady A & the Baby Blues Funk Band (425) 518-9100 Brian Lee & the Orbiters www.brianleeorbiters.com Brian Lee Trio (206) 390-2408 Scott E. Lind (206) 789-8002 Little Bill & the Bluenotes (425) 774-7503 Loose Gravel & the Quarry (253) 927-1212 Dana Lupinacci Band (206) 860-4961 Eric Madis & Blue Madness (206) 362 8331 Bill Mattocks Band (206) 601-2615 Albritten McClain & Bridge of Souls (206) 650-8254 Brian Jelly Belly McGhee (253) 777-5972 Doug McGrew (206) 679-2655 Mary McPage Band (206) 850-4849 Miles from Chicago (206) 440-8016 Reggie Miles (360) 793-9577 Michal Miller Band (253) 222-2538 Rob Moitoza / House of Reprehensibles (206) 768-2820 Moon Daddy Band (425) 923-9081 Jim Nardos Boogie Train Blues Band (360) 779-4300 Keith Nordquist (253) 639-3206 Randy Norris & The Full Degree (425) 239-3876 Randy Norris & Jeff Nicely (425) 239-3876/(425) 359-3755 Randy Oxford Band (253) 973-9024 Robert Patterson (509) 869-0350 Dick Powell Band (425) 742-4108 Bruce Ransom (206) 618-6210 Red Hot Blues Sisters (206) 940-2589 Mark Riley (206) 313-7849 Gunnar Roads (360) 828-1210 Greg Roberts (206) 473-0659 Roger Rogers Band (206) 255-6427 Maia Santell & House Blend (253) 983-7071 Sciaticats Band (206) 246-3105 Shadow Creek Project (360) 826-4068 Tim Sherman Band (206) 547-1772 Billy Shew Band (253) 514-3637 Doug Skoog (253) 921-7506 Smoke N Blues Allstars (253) 620-5737 Smokin Jays (206) 707-2018 Son Jack Jr. (425) 591-3034 Soulshaker Blues Band (360) 4171145 Star Drums & Lady Keys (206) 522-2779 John Stephan Band (206) 244-0498 Chris Stevens Surf Monkeys (206) 236-0412 Stickshift Annie Eastwood (206) 522-4935 Alice Stuart & the Formerlys (360) 753-8949 Richard Sysinger (206) 412-8212 Annette Taborn (206) 679-4113 Dudley Taft (206)795-6509 Tahoma Tones (253)851-6559 Ten Second Tom (509) 954-4101 Tone Kings (425) 698-5841 Too Slim & the Taildraggers (425) 891-4487 Leanne Trevalyan (253)238-7908 Tim Turner Band (206) 271-5384 T-Town Aces (206)935-8985 Two Scoops Combo (206) 933-9566 Unbound (425) 258-4477 Uncle Ted Barton (253) 627-0420 Nick Vigarinos Meantown Blues (360) 387-0374 Tommy Wall (206) 914-9413 Mike Wright & the Blue Sharks (360) 652-0699 /(425) 327-0944 Charles White Revue (425) 327-0018 Mark Whitman Band (206) 697-7739 Michael Wilde (425) 672-3206 / (206) 200-3363 Rusty Williams (206) 282-0877 Hambone Wilson (360) 739-7740 C.D. Woodbury (425) 502-1917 Beth Wulff Band (206) 367-6186, (206) 604-2829

25

Blues on the Radio Dial

PLEASE SEND ANY RADIO UPDATES TO CALENDAR@WABLUES.ORG

Monday

KUGS 89.3FM Bellingham: Highway 61 8:00AM - 10:00AM www.kugs.org - DJ, Chalkie McStevenson KAOS 89.3FM Olympia: Blues On Rye 1:00PM - 3:00PM www.kaosradio.org - DJ, Val Vaughn Northwest Convergence Zone Online Radio: NWCZradio.com: Dave Samsons BluesShow 7:00pm - 10:00PM

KPLU 88.5FM Tacoma: All Blues 6:00PM - 12:00AM www.kplu.org - DJ, John Kessler KAOS 89.3FM Olympia: Blues For Breakfast 8:00AM - 10:00AM www.kaosradio.org - DJ, Jerry Drummond KSER 90.7FM Everett: Audio Indigo 7:00PM - 9:00 PM www.kser.org - DJ, Robin K KPBX 91.1FM Spokane: Blues Kitchen 10:00PM - 12:00AM www.kpbx.org - DJ, Tina Bjorklund KZPH 106.7FM Wenatachee: The Blues 11:00PM - 12:00AM www.therock1067.com - DJ, Dave Keefe KSER 90.7FM Everett: Blues Odessey 9:00PM - 11:00pM www.kser.org - DJ, Leslie Fleury KEXP 90.3 Seattle Preaching the Blues with Johny Horn Sunday Mornings 9am to Noon KYRS 92.3 FM, KYRS.org Blues Now and Then 6-8 PM. DJ, Patrick Henry and Jumpin Jerry. KPLU 88.5FM Tacoma: All Blues 6:00PM - 12:00AM www.kplu.org - DJ, John Kessler KWCW 90.5FM Walla Walla: Blues Therapy 7:00PM - 9:00PM www.kwcw.net - DJ, Biggdaddy Ray Hansen and Armand The Doctor Parada KKZX 98.9FM Spokane: Blowtorch Blues 7:00PM - 10:00PM www.kkzx.com - DJ, Ted Todd Brion Foster.

Tuesday

KBCS 91.3FM Bellevue: Eh Toi! 11:00PM - 1:00AM www.kbcs.fm - DJ, DJ Marte

Wednesday

KEXP 90.3FM Seattle: The Roadhouse 6:00PM to 9:00PM www.kexp.org - DJ, Greg Vandy KSVR 91.7FM Mount Vernon: The Blue Boulevard 8:00PM - 10:00PM www.mail@ksvr.org - DJ, Jackson Stewart KSVR 91.7FM Mount Vernon: The Blues Note with Janice 10:00PM - 12:00AM www.janice@ksvr.org - DJ, Janice Gage

Sunday

Thursday

KSER 90.7FM Everett: Clancys Bar and Grill 8:30PM - 10:30PM www.kser.org - DJ, Clancy Dunigan KSER 90.7FM Everett: The Blueshouse 10:30PM - 12:30AM www.kser.org - DJ, Jonathan Oogie Richards

Friday

KEXP 90.3FM Seattle: Shack The Shack 6:00PM - 9:00PM www.kexp.org - DJ, Leon Berman

Washington Blues Society

Sundays

Saturday

Blues Jams

KSER 90.7FM Everett: The Juke Joint 1:00PM - 3:00PM www.kser.org - DJ, Jon Noe

Mondays

Alki Tavern: Jam hosted b y Manuel Morais Dawsons, Tacoma: Tim Hall Band, 7pm Castles, Sedro Wolley: Gary Bs Church of the Blues, 6-10pm Eastlake Zoo Tavern: Eastlake Zoo Social Club & Jam featuring the Seattle Houserockers, 7pm Evelyns Tavern, Clear Lake: Gary Bs Church of the Blues 6 10pm Lighthouse, Des Moines: Northpoint Tacoma: Loose Gravel & the Quarry, 7pm Raging River: Tommy Wall May 13 Mark Whitman Silver Dollar: Big Nasty, 8pm Two Twelve, Kirkland: hosted by HeatherBBlues, 7pm

Caffe Mela, Wenatchee, 7pm (first Mon. of the month) 88 Keys, Pioneer Square: Star Drums & Lady Keys host Blue Monday Jam, 8pm JRs Hideway: Malcolm Clark, 8pm Opal Lounge, South Tacoma Way: Tim Hall, 8pm Oxford Saloon: All ages open jam, 7 11pm Ten Below: hosted by Underground Blues Jam, every 1st Monday of the month, Wenatchee

Tuesdays

26

Barrel Invitational: hosted by Billy Shew, 8pm Dawsons, Tacoma: hosted by Shelley & Jho, 8pm J & M Cafe Jam: May 8 & 22 Tim Turner Pacific Rim Marysville Best Western: Mike Wright & the Blue Sharks, 7 11pm Snohomish Spirits & Sports: Sean Denton & friends Summit Pub: Tim Hall & the Realtimes, 7:30pm Wild Buffalo, Bellingham: hosted by Rick Baunach, 6:30 - 9:30pm Yuppie Tavern, Kirkland (Totem Lake), HeatherBBlues Acoustic jam, 8pm

Venue Guide
Seattle
Clearwater Casino Suquamish (360) 598-6889 Destiny Seafood & Grill Port Angeles (360) 452-4665 Halftime Saloon Gig Harbor (253) 853-1456 Junction Tavern Port Angeles (360) 452-9880 Little Creek Casino Shelton (360) 427-7711 Seven Cedars Casino Sequim (360) 683-7777 Sirens Port Townsend (360) 379-1100 Upstage Port Townsend (360) 385-2216

Washington Blues Society

Peninsula

Al Lago, Lake Tapps (253) 863-8636 2 Wheel Blues Club Tacoma Barnacles Restaurant, Des Moines (206) 878-5000 The Barrel Burien (206) 244-7390

Tacoma, Burien, Federal Way, etc

South Sound

CCs Lounge, Burien (206) 242-0977

Blarney Stone Pub and Restaurant (206) 448-8439 China Harbor Restaurant (206) 286-1688 Dimitrious Jazz Alley (206) 441-9729 x210 EMP Liquid Lounge (206) 770-2777 EMP Sky Church (206) 770-2777 Fiddlers Inn (206) 525-0752 Bellingham, Anacortes, Whidbey Island, etc Grinders (206) 542-0627 China Beach Langley (360) 530-8888 Highliner Pub (206) 283-2233 Just Moes Sedro Woolley (360) 855-2997 Highway 99 Club (206) 382-2171 LaConner Tavern LaConner (360) 466-9932 J & M Cafe (206) 467-2666 Little Roadside Tavern Everson (360) 592-5107 Lock & Keel (206) 781-8023 Old Edison Inn Edison (360) 766-6266 Maple Leaf Grill (206) 523-8449 Rockfish Grill Anacortes (360) 588-1720 Mr. Villa (206) 517-5660 Stump Bar & Grill Arlington (360) 653-6774 New Orleans (206) 622-2563 Watertown Pub Anacortes (360) 293-3587 Paragon (206) 283-4548 Wild Buffalo Bellingham (360) 312-3684 Pike Place Bar and Grill (206) 624-1365 Viking Bar and Grill Stanwood (360) 629-9285 The Rimrock Steak House (206) 362-7979 Salmon Bay Eagles (206) 783-7791 St. Clouds (206) 726-1522 Third Place Commons, Lake Forest Park (206) 366-3333 Triangle Tavern (206) 763.0714 Bellevue, Kirkland, etc. Tractor Tavern (206) 789-3599 Central Club Kirkland (425) 827-8808 Triple Door (206) 838-4333 Crossroads Shopping Center Bellevue (425) 644-1111 Damans Pub Redmond Forecasters Woodinville (425) 483-3212 Ice Harbor Brewing Co - Kennewick (509) 582-5340 Raging River Caf & Club Fall City (425) 222-6669 Time Out Sports Bar Kirkland (425) 822-8511 BBQ & Blues Clarkston (509) 758-1227 Vino Bella Issaquah (425) 391-1424 Breadline Caf Omak (509) 826-5836 Wild Vine Bistro, Bothell (425) 877-1334 Club Crow Cashmere (509) 782-3001 Wilde Rover Kirkland (425) 822-8940 CrossRoads Steakhouse Walla Walla (509) 522-1200 Valhalla Bar & Grill, Kirkland (425) 827 3336 Lakeys Grill Pullman (509) 332-6622 Main Street Tavern Omak (509) 826-2247 Peters Inn Packwood (360) 494-4000 Pine Springs Resort - Goldendate (509-773-4434 Rams Ripple Moses Lake (509) 765-3942 Rattlesnake Brewery Richland (509) 783-5747

North Sound

Capitol Theater/Olympia Film Society (360) 754-3635 Charlies Olympia (360) 786-8181 Cliff House Restaurant Tacoma (253) 927-0400 Destination Harley Davidson Fife (253) 922-3700 Blues Vespers at Immanuel Presbyterian (253) 627-8371 Jazzbones in Tacoma (253) 396-9169 (The) Junction Sports Bar, Centralia (360) 273-7586 Lighthouse Des Moines (206) 824-4863 Maggie OTooles Lakewood (253) 584-3278 Magnolia Caf Poulsbo (360) 697-1447 Mint Alehouse Enumclaw (360) 825-8361 Pats Bar & Grill Kent (253) 852-7287 Pick & Shovel Wilkeson (360) 829-6574 Riverside Pub, Sumner (253) 863-8369 Silver Dollar Pub Spanaway (253) 531-4469 The Spar Tacoma (253) 627-8215 The Swiss Tacoma (253) 572-2821 Tugboat Annies Olympia (360) 943-1850 Uncle Sams Bar & Grill - Spanaway (253) 507-7808 Wurlitzer Manor Gig Harbor (253) 858-1749 Cascade Tavern Vancouver (360) 254-0749

Eastside

Central & Eastern

Red Lion Hotel Wenatchee (Tomasz Cibicki 509-669-8200)

Tumwater Inn Restaurant and Lounge Leavenworth (509) 548-4232

Anchor Pub Everett (425) 252-2288 Balefire Everett (425) 374-7248 Bubbas Roadhouse Sultan, (360) 793-3950 Canoes Cabaret Tulalip (888) 272-1111 The Conway Muse in Conway (360) 445-3000 Demetris Woodstone Taverna, Edmonds (425) 744-9999 Diamond Knot Brewery & Alehouse Mukilteo (425) 355-4488 Engels Pub Edmonds (425) 778-2900 Historic Spar Tree Granite Falls (360) 691-6888 Madison Pub - Everett (425) 348-7402 Mardinis Snohomish (360) 568-8080 Mirkwood & Shire Caf Arlington (360) 403-9020 North Sound:Star Bar, Anacortes (360) 299-2120 ( The) Oxford Saloon Snohomish (360) 568-3845 Prohibition Grille, Everett (425) 258-6100 Stanwood Hotel & Saloon Stanwood (360) 629-2888 Stewarts Snohomish (360) 568-4684 Timberline Caf Granite Falls (360) 691-7011 Traceys Place Everett (425) 259-0811 Wicked Rack BBQ Everett (425) 334-3800

(Lynnwood, Everett, Edmonds, etc.):

North End

Wednesdays

Charlies Olympia: Blues Attitude Damans Pub, 8 PM Dogghouse Tavern, Mt. Vernon Alan: Hatley Trio, 7pm Eddies Trackside Bar & Grill, Monroe: every 1st & 3rd Wed., 8pm Half Time Saloon: Billy Shew & Billy Barner Locker Room, White Center: Michael Johnson & Lynn Sorensen, 8-12pm Madison Pub, Everett: hosted by Unbound w/special guests 7:30pm June6 - Dave Albert June 13 - Vaughn Jensen June 20 - Scott Drexler June 27 Jammie Jam night w/Unbound& special guests Mary McPage&Willy Straub Salmon Bay Eagles: Broomdust presents Blues of the Past jam (1st Wed.) 8pm

Thursdays

Bad Albert Invitational w/Annieville Blues CCs Lounge Burien Club Flight Nightclub w/Cory Wilde, 9pm Conway Pub Dawsons, Tacoma: Billy Shew, 8 pm OCallahans: Tim Hall, 7pm Oxford Saloon: Invitational Jam w/Steve Ater, 8pm Ruston Inn: Loose Gravel & the Quarry, 8pm

27

28

29

Calendar
June 1 - Friday Crossroads Market Stage, Bellevue: Mia Vermillion Band, 6:30pm Highway 99: Kim Fields 2nd AnnuaI Harp Blast feat. Hank Shreve (Ty Curtis, Karen Lovely band), Grant Dermody & Kim Field & the Mighty Titans of Tone Jazz Alley: Shemekia Copeland Jazzbones, Tacoma: Randy Oxford Band, 8pm Kirkland Eagles Hall: Zydeco dance, 8:30pm LaConner Festivals of Music & Arts, LaConner, Maple Hall: Nick Vigarinos Meantown Blues, 6pm New Orleans: Flexicon w/Thomas Marriott Norms Place, Everett: Michelle Taylor & the Blues Junkies Oxford Saloon: Dirty Rice Sonny Newmans Dance Hall, Greenwood:Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie, Brian Kent,8:30pm June 2 - Saturday Anacortes Waterfront Festival: Randy Oxford Band, 4 pm Bad Alberts, Ballard: Jeff & the Jet City Fliers, 7pm Esquire Club, Columbia City: Zydeco dance, 8:30pm Highway 99: Lloyd Jones Struggle CD Release party H2O, Anacortes: Randy Oxford Band Jazz Alley: Shemekia Copeland Louie Gs, Tacoma: Fat Tones Marcos, Everett: Michelle Taylor & the Blues Junkies Muse, Conway: Nick Vigarinos Meantown Blues, 8pm Oxford Salon:Wired Salmon Bay Eagles: Heather Banker & the Nearly Homeless Blues band Scotch and Vine, Des Moines, Surf Monkeys, 8pm Third Place Books: The Blue Notes, 7pm Yuppie Tavern: Astro Cats June 3 - Sunday Central Tavern, Kirkland: Fat Tones Jazz Alley: Shemekia Copeland Johnnys Dock, Tacoma: Lil Bill Trio, 5pm Spar: Dana Lupinacci band Two Twelve on Central, Kirkland, HeatherBBlues, 7pm Central Ave Pub, Kent: Randy Hansen, 7 pm Central Ave Pub, Kent: Terry Hanck, 8pm June 4 - Monday 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Vicki Stevens Preston Miller Project New Orleans: New Orleans Quintet June 5 - Tuesday Crossroads Farmers Market, Bellevue, HeatherBBlues, 1pm New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pm June 6 - Wednesday Highway 99: Drummerboy w/Terry Robb Mr. Villa,Lake City:Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie Trio,7pm New Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm Pike Pl. Bar & Grill, John Stephan band, 6pm Salmon Bay Eagles: Jam from the Past June 7 - Thursday Bad Alberts:Bill Chism w/Annie Eastwood, Larry Hill, Tom Brighton,6pm Destination Harley, Fife: Lil Bill Trio, 5pm Highway 99: Timmons Wall band New Orleans: Selbred/Jackson Quintet Salmon Bay Eagles: Dana Lupinacci Band June 8 - Friday Balefire, Everett:Kimball & the Fugitives w/ Stickshift Annie Trio Cooth Buzzard Books,Pacific NW Folklore Society Concert, Greenwood: Alice Stuart & the Formerlys Eddies Trackside, Monroe: CD Woodbury Highway 99: Curtis Hammond band Oxford Saloon:Bill Mattocks Band Repp, Snohomish: Nick Vigarino Rockfish Grill, Anacortes: Mia Vermillion Band Sapolil Winery, Walla Walla: Fat Tones Scotch and Vine, Des Moines,Surf Monkeys,8pm Yuppie Tavern, Kirkland: Brian Butler w/Blues Buskers June 9 - Saturday CrossroadsShopping Center (food court stage), Bellevue: Alice Stuart & the Formerlys New Orleans: Surf Monkeys Oxford Saloon:Bill Mattocks Band Salmon Bay Eagles: Daddy Treetops & the Howlin Tomcats Slaughter House, Monroe: Nick Vigarinos Meantown Blues, 8pm Yuppie Pub, Kirkland, John Stephan Band June 10 - Sunday Central, Kirkland: Nick Vigarinos Meantown Blues, 8:30pm Red Crane: Passing the Torch Fundraiser, Randy Oxford Band, 7pm Spar, Tacoma: The Blue Notes, 7pm Triple Door: Dan Hicks & his Hot Licks Two Twelve on Central, Kirkland, HeatherBBlues, 7pm Woodland Park, lower, Seapeace concert series: Bare Roots, 4pm June 11 - Monday 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Stevie Ray Guns (SRV Tribute band) New Orleans: New Orleans Quintet June 12 - Tuesday New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pm June 13 - Wednesday Bad Alberts, Ballard:Bill Chism w/Annie Eastwood, Larry Hill, Tom Brighton,5:30pm Bakes Place, Bellevue: Mia Vermillion Band w/ Special Guest Kevin Sutton, 7pm Highway 99: Whozymamma, Zydeco New Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Oxford Saloon: Richard Allen Zydeco June 14 - Thursday Bad Alberts:Bill Chism w/Annie Eastwood, Larry Hill, Tom Brighton,6pm Crossroads Shopping Center, Bellevue, HeatherBBlues, 6:30pm Highway 99: James King & the Southsiders New Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Salmon Bay Eagles: Mark Whitman band Oscars, Tacoma: Lil Bill Trio, 6pm June 15 - Friday Highway 99: Joe Krown Trio feat. WalterWolfman Washington & Russell Baptiste Jr. New Orleans: Flexicon w/Thomas Marriott Oxford Saloon: Vaughn Jensen Band Rockfish Grill:Kimball & the Fugitives w/ Stickshift Annie Scotch & Vine, Des Moines, Brian Lee Trio, 8pm Triple Door: Vicci Martinez Vino Bella, Issaquah,Surf Monkeys,7:30pm

Blues

30

Blues Reviews

New music reviews will return next month - but make sure you check them out at wablues.org for all the Blues you can use.

June 16 - Saturday Central Saloon, Pioneer Square: CD Woodbury Hawkeye, Lake Stevens: Nick Vigarinos Back Porch Stomp Highway 99: Too Slim & the Taildraggers Oxford Saloon: Vaughn Jensen Band Happy Birthday Alice!!! Triple Door: 70th Birthday Bash & House Party CD/DVD release party, Alice Stuart & the Formerlys Yuppie Tavern: Wired June 17 - Sunday Triple Door: Life is a Carnival, Celebrating the Music of Levon Helm Two Twelve on Central, Kirkland, HeatherBBlues, 7pm June 18 - Monday 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Eric Freeman & West Side Mojo (traditional Country Blues) New Orleans: New Orleans Quintet Sorcis, Sumner: Dana Lupinacci, 1pm June 19 - Tuesday New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pm June 20 - Wednesday Central, Kirkland: CD Woodbury Highway 99: John SchoochCugno & the 88s Mr. Villa,Lake City:Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie Trio,7pm New Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm June 21 - Thursday Highway 99: Bottoms Up Blues Gang Hogs & Dogs Festival: W.Richland, WA: Nick Vigarinos Meantown Blues, 6pm Jazz Alley: Spectrum Road: Jack Bruce, John Medeski, Cindy Blackman Santana & Vernon Reid New Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Salmon Bay Eagles: Blue 55 June 22 - Friday Bob Rivers Show: Randy Oxford Band, 9:30am Highway 99: Duffy Bishop band Jazz Alley: Spectrum Road: Jack Bruce, John Medeski, Cindy Blackman Santana & Vernon Reid OCallahans, Vaughn: Alice Stuart, solo Oxford Saloon: Ravinwolf Band Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla: Nick Vigarinos Meantown Blues Yuppie Taven: Red House

June 23 - Saturday Amantes Pizza & Pasta, Issaquah: Eric Madis & Blue Madness, 7:30pm Destination Harley, Fife: Lil Bill Trio, 12pm Highway 99: Randy Oxford band Oxford Saloon: Curtis Hammond Band Jazz Alley: Spectrum Road: Jack Bruce, John Medeski, Cindy Blackman Santana & Vernon Reid Salmon Bay Eagles: Snake Oil Snoqualmie Brewery: Brian Butler & Paul Green, 8pm Rockfish Grill, Alice Stuart & the Formerlys Rockin The Lowboy Festival,Walla Walla: Nick Vigarinos Meantown Blues, 2pm Washington Sips, La Conner: Mia Vermillion (solo), 7:30pm Yuppie Taven:Chris Stevens Surf Monkeys June 24 - Sunday Blackdog, Snoqualmie: Nick Vigarinos Meantown Blues, 6pm Jazz Alley: Spectrum Road: Jack Bruce, John Medeski, Cindy Blackman Santana & Vernon Reid Lopez Islander Resort, Fisherman Bay Rd, Lopez Island: Alice Stuart & the Formerlys Two Twelve on Central, Kirkland, HeatherBBlues, 7pm June 25 - Monday 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Wendy DeWitt (boogie woogie piano Queen) New Orleans: New Orleans Quintet June 26 - Tuesday New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pm June 27 - Wednesday New Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm Oxford Saloon,: Richard Allen Zydeco Pike Place Bar & Grill at the Market:Stickshift Annie w/Kimball & the Fugitives,6pm June 28 - Thursday Bad Alberts:Bill Chism w/Annie Eastwood, Larry Hill, Tom Brighton,6pm Highway 99: Monster Road after a benefit for United By Music Jazz Alley: Diane Shuur New Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Oscars, Tacoma: Lil Bill Trio, 6pm Salmon Bay Eagles: Tom Bourg 9

June 29 - Friday Highway 99: Lee Oscar & Friends Jazz Alley: Diane Shuur Match Coffee & Wine, Duvall:Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie Trio,7:30pm New Orleans: Flexicon w/Thomas Marriott Oxford Saloon: The Fonkeys June 30 - Saturday Bakes Place, Bellevue: The Blue Notes, 8pm Crossroads Bellevue: Brian Butler Blues Band, 7pm Dusty Strings Music, Seattle: Eric Madis & Grant Dermody Guitar-Harmonica Duet Workshops, 10:30am Engels Pub: CD Woodbury Highway 99: T-Town Aces and the Timmons Wall band Jazz Alley: Diane Shuur Oxford Saloon: the Shortcutz Scotch & Vine, Des Moines, Brian Lee Trio, 8pm Yuppie Taven: Fabulous Roofshakers

July
July 1 - Sunday Old Edison Inn, Edison/Bow:Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie & Dan Duggin,5:30pm Jazz Alley: Diane Shuur July 2 - Monday 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: New Orleans: New Orleans Quintet July 3 - Tuesday New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pm July 4 - Wednesday New Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm

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