Fe ature d Ar ticles

Guess who won the 28th Annual Blues C hallenge? The Sweet S ound of Sugar Blue: An Inter v ie w The C oeur dAlene Blues Festival

On the C over :WIRED Band Photo by Margene S chotz

In This Issue...

Letter from the President 7 The Coeur dAlene Blues Festival 8 Meet David Boxcar Gates 10 Experience the City of Music 11

The Sweet Sound of Sugar Blue 12 Keith Scotts Return 15 February Blues Bash 16 Dry Side Blues 18

Blues Reviews Best of the Blues Ballot Talent Guide Blues on the Radio Dial

20 23 24 26

Letter from
the

Editor

Blushing and blessed this month, let me tell you what. Big City Blues in Detroit mentioned the WBS Bluesletter in a very encouraging way, complimenting the new look and feel of the Bluesletter. And The WIRED! Band (our cover photo this month, winner of the 28th Annual International Blues Challenge and one of Seattle premier blues bands) spoke up at the February blues bash to say that Washington has the most supportive Blues group in the Nation.) Ladies and Gentlemen, I know that I am new here - both to the WBS and to the world of Blues Music, but that is so cool! In the short time that Ive been a part of the WBS, I have been in awe - literally in awe - of the passion and

support that is shown to our Seattle bands as well as the encouragement and welcome shown to visiting bands. The WBS is more than just a group of blues lovers who get together to have a party, or listen to blues music: we are artists, musicians, dancers and we are the support system for the Blues Community. What an incredible group to be a part of. Going forward this year, the Bluesletter is always looking for photographers, designers and writers to talk about the Blues in their community. Strangely enough, Ive found that there are dozens of people who know blues music, and go to blues events, but who have no idea how to get involved. Its super easy, here at the Bluesletter: shoot Eric Steiner (President of WBS) or myself an email and tell us what you want to do, or how you want to be a part of growing the Blues Community in your area. Spring and Summer bring with them a host of amazing Blues Festivals all across our lovely state

and we want to hear from all of you! I would love to have three or four different opinions and feedback on local events, showcasing different areas of each event. There are so many ways to get involved and if you are interested, let us know. And as always, go out and support your local bands. Its amazing to watch how blessed our bands are to see and feel our support! And next month, well have a full report with photos on the 2012 International Blues Challenge. (crossing fingers!) So, as spring frantically tries to crawl into the gray Northwest skies, crank up your favorite Blues Album, and dance until the sun shines. Until next time, Jesse Phillips, Editor Washington Blues Society Bluesletter

Celebrating 23 Years of Blues

March 2012 Bluesletter
Vol. XXIV, Number III
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

Jam Guide Venue Guide Calendar

26 27 30

Contributing Writers: Robert Horn, Eric Steiner, Malcolm Kennedy, Jerry Peterson, Suzanne Swanson, Rick J Bowen, Mario Brox, Chrisda Hamilton Contributing Photographers: Suzanne Swanson, The Blues Boss, Jerry Peterson, Tom
Hunnewell, Margene Schotz

Cover Photo:

The WIRED! Band, Photo by Margene Schotz

On the

Cover:
The WIRED! Band Photo by Margene Schotz Margene Schotz is a music lover who has enjoyed an abundance of performances by bands from The Beatles to Miles Harris and Triple Threat with hundreds of other superb acts in between. Capturing the music visually is what she strives for, as well as attempting to give something back, through her photos, to the artists she admires.

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. All submissions become the property of the WBS and will be used at our discretion. 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

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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 2012 Officers
President Vice President Secretary Eric Steiner
president@wablues.org

Tony Frederickson Rocky Nelson

vicepres@wablues.org secretary@wablues.org treasurer@wablues.org

Treasurer (Acting) Chad Creamer Editor Jesse Phillips

president@wablues.org

2012 Directors
Music Membership Education Volunteers Merchandise Advertising Suze Sims
music@wablues.org

Michelle Burge Vacant

membership@wablues.org education@wablues.org

Rhea Rolfe

volunteers@wablues.org

Tony Frederickson Malcolm Kennedy

merchandise@wablues.org advertising@wablues.org

2012 Street Team

Downtown Seattle Tim & Michelle Burge West Seattle Eastside Northern WA Peninsula South Sound Central WA Eastern WA Ballard Lopez Island Middle East Rev Deb Engelhardt Jim DiIanni
deb@revdeb.com blueslover206@comcast.net

education@wablues.org

Lloyd Peterson Dan Wilson Smoke

freesprt@televar.com allstarguitar@centurytel.net smkndrms@aol.com

Steven J. Lefebvre Cindy Dyer

s.j.lefebvre@gmail.com, cindalucy@hotmail.com

George Jordy Sigler

jordysigler@yahoo.com

Carolyn & Dean Jacobsen

cjacobsen@rockisland.com

Rocky Rock Khan Nelson

rocknafghanistan@gmail.com

Editorial Advisory Board & Proofeaders

Mary McPage Carolyn Kennedy Eric Steiner Son Jack Jr.

Webmaster Web Hosting WBS Logo

Special Thanks
The Sheriff
(webmaster@wablues.org) Adhost (www.adhost.com)

Phil Chesnut

(philustr8r@aol.com)

March 2012 DEADLINES:

Advertising Space Reservations: March 5th malcarken@comcast.net Calendar: March 10th calendar@wablues.org Editorial Submissions: March 5th editor@wablues.org Camera Ready Ad Art Due: March 12th malcarken@comcast.net

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 (8.5x 11) Half Page: $150 (8.5 x 5.5) Back Half Page: $200 (8.5 x 11) Quarter Page: $90 (4.25 x 5.55) Fifth Page: $65 (3.5 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

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!

Letter
Hi Blues Fans!

President

from the

Tony Frederickson, visiting Chicago musician, Keith Scott, and Eric Steiner, enjoyed an evening of acoustic blues, at the Skagit Brewery & Restaurant, in Mt. Vernon. Keith was in the area entertaining at a number of local hot spots with his wit and tunes, promoting his latest CD release, UNIVERSAL BLUES. We hope he returns soon. quarter-final competitions were held on Wednesday and Thursday nights, and the judges selected Randy Norris and Jeff Nicely to advance in the solo/ duo category and The WIRED! Band in the band category. Over 240 acts competed, and the fact that our representatives advanced to the semi-finals was quite an achievement. A great many competitors return to Memphis four and five times to reach for International Blues Challenge prizes. When I learned that The WIRED! Band made it to the finals, I was proud of the hard work that Tony Frederickson had done in coordinating fundraisers, and selling merchandise one CD at a time. One set of beads at a time, and by the time these words land in print, Ill give him the three bucks I owe him for a second set of ear plugs. I was also proud that The WIRED Bands set was well-received by the panel of judges at the finals at the Orpheum Theater. I was in the back of the hall in the first balcony when I learned that our band had won the 28th Annual International Blues Challenge. First place. It still hadnt completely sunk in after a group of us joined the band upstairs at the Rendezvous to celebrate over ribs and brisket. Eric Steiner, President Washington Blues Society Member, Board of Directors, The Blues Foundation Kevin, Rick, and Keith now have a number of choices to make. I am sure that multiple Blues Music Award recipient Janiva Magness would say they guys have a Cadillac problem in selecting which stateside and international festivals to play. International Blues Challenge winners, depending on availability and logistics, get gigs at a number of festivals like the St. John Blues Festival, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, the Tremblant International Blues Festival in Montreal, or the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. Congratulations to The WIRED! Band for their exceptional performance at the 28th Annual International Blues Challenge! Stay tuned to the Bluesletter and our website for details on this years multi-site Washington Blues Society competition, and more importantly: go out and see some live blues. Ill close with a quote from Papa Dog of the White Rock Blues Society: If you love the blues, spread the news. Because, if no one knows no one goes.

I am writing this Letter from the President en route from the 2012 International Blues Challenge on Delta Airlines. Unlike my upgraded traveling partner, Rocky Nelson, I am sitting in coach and using the in-flight GoGo internet service to send this letter to our new editor, Jesse Phillips. I would like to thank the 100+ residents of the Evergreen State who made it to Memphis; some of us have attended the worlds largest gathering of blues bands for a number of years, and some of us were first-time attendees. I really should use the word participants, because whether you attend the full menu of workshops, Keeping the Blues Alive Award luncheon and networking sessions with a Big Blue ticket, or buy a wristband each night just to get into 15+ clubs each night on Beale Street, you are an active participant experiencing some of the best unsigned blues talent sponsored by blues societies affiliated with the Blues Foundation. This year was a very special year. For starters, Ted Todd received a Keeping the Blues Alive Award in the commercial radio category for his 20+ years work on the air at KKZX-FM in Spokane. While each International Blues Challenge participant will have a number of storied memories from this event, I am heartened that each of our acts made it to the semi-final competition on Friday night. The

The Coeur dAlene Blues Festival returns to the Coeur dAlene Resort, March 30th through April 1st. The Inland Empire Blues Society awarded the Best Blues Event for 2011 to the Coeur dAlene Blues Festival, and festival planners selected a line-up consisting of all-Inland Empire Blues Society performers. Two internationally-touring blues acts will join these award-winning musicians: Coco Montoya and Roy Rogers. The weekends blues events include the awardwinning acoustic Delta Preachers sets at the newly-remodeled Whispers Lounge on Friday and Saturday with no cover charge, plus the fan-favorite Blues Cruise and Dock Party, plus the award-winning Sammy Eubanks in the Splash Lounge also on Friday night. Fridays Blues Cruise will feature The Fat Tones & Laffin Bones. 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, and Laffin Bones just won Best Blues Band. This is the Tones & Bones Fat & Laffin Party Time Blues Cruise! The festival will hook two cruise boats together, and join sound systems as well. Each band will perform alternating sets, and this party will start dockside, and cruise from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, and true to festival tradition, there will be a post-cruise party with a full bar and dancing. After the Blues Cruise Friday night, Splash will feature Sammy Eubanks. Award winning vocalist and frontman Sammy Eubanks and his band will rock the house. His last album Riding Alone just won Best Blues Album from the Inland Empire Blues Society, and Sammy received the Best Male Vocalist Best of the Blues Awards from the Washington State Blues Society.

On Saturday night, there will be four great bands on two stages in the Resorts Convention Center on March 31st at 7:00 PM: Big Mumbo Blues Band, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, Coco Montoya, and the Kenny James Miller Band. With a stage at each end of the facility, there will be continuous music with no downtime. The Fat Tones will also continue to help people get Toned as they play the Splash Lounge, at 9:30 PM, featuring Bobby Patterson, the Inland Empire Blues Societys Best Blues Guitarist. The Big Mumbo Blues Band have won the Best Blues Band from the Inland Empire Blues Society three years in a row, so were ineligible to win again this year, so they won in five other categories, including Best Male Vocalist, Best Female Vocalist, Best Keyboardist, Best Drummer, Best Female Performer. A six piece soul thumping R&B blues band that has started this party every year for a good reason. Theyre really good at it. One of this years two international headliners, Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings, features arguably the best slide guitarist performing today. He has had eight Grammy nominations as a producer and performer. He has received numerous accolades for his songwriting (Grammy Nomination for Song for Jessica, Grammy nomination with Bonnie Raitt on Gnawin On It which he co-wrote), as well as his work on movie soundtracks and television. Rogers was a featured guitarist with John Lee Hookers Coast to Coast Blues Band in the early 1980s. He has recorded not only on his own to critical acclaim, but with others including Carlos Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, Norton Buffalo, Steve Miller, Sammy Hagar, Ray Manzarek and many others. He has been touring worldwide since 1982 and has performed in some of the worlds most prestigious festivals including Montreux, North Sea Jazz Festival, Pori, Pistoia, New Orleans Jazz Festival and more.

The festivals second headliner was mentored by legendary bluesman Albert Collins. Coco went on to become the guitarist for John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers for ten years before leading his own band to win Best New Blues Artist in Memphis at the W.C. Handy Blues Awards back in 1996. Critics rave and audiences adore this true master of the electric blues. A self taught guitar slinger who plays with an emotional intensity few string benders possess, he plays left-handed and upside down in the style of Albert King and Jimi Hendrix. He has played every major blues bestival around the world. The festivals closer, hailing from Kalispel, Montana, is the Kenny James Miller Band. This rocking trio has tore it up around the Northwest lately, having just received the Best New Blues Band award from the Inland Empire Blues Society. Known for great live performances, this mostly original band has become a mainstay at area festivals. Last Spring they were also a Washington State Blues finalist for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis having won the Spokane SemiFinal Competition. The Gospel Brunch on Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Shore Lounge will feature the Spokane Community Gospel Ensemble and a cappella vocalists from the Spokane Community Gospel Mass Choir. Ticket and room packages are available at www.cdaresort.com/, or call the Coeur dAlene Resort business office at 1-800-688-5253. More information about the 2012 Coeur dAlene Blues Festival is online at www.cdabluesfestival. com/. Tickets for Festival are $23, and the Blues Cruise is $12. Separately, the Blues Cruise is $20.

Meet David Boxcar Gates

By Mario Brox
His story is certainly not one unheard of before, but it still bears its own individual twists and kinks to make it the unique story of the unique David Boxcar Gates. Gates was a semi-finalist in the 2012 International Blues Challenge as he represented the White Rock Blues Society in British Columbia. Through the humble beginnings of growing up in blue collar suburbia of Vancouver, British Columbia, Davids musical inspiration got sparked by his performing grandparents and the exposure to his fathers early Muddy Waters records. He was given his first guitar at the tender age of 10 and strumming his first notes and chords woke Davids deeper interest in the traditional roots of the music, which resulted in his life-long fascination with and appreciation for the blues genre. Eventually, he was heavily influenced by forefathers of the genre, like Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy and Mississippi Fred McDowell. David Boxcar Gates has evolved into one of Canadas most renowned acoustic Piedmont, Ragtime & Delta blues guitar players. His astonishing playing styles are drenched with bottleneck slide and alternate finger picking with a Ragtime twist. He accompanies himself on the Blues Harp, which he mounts to a unique, homemade harmonica rack, constructed out of bicycle and lampshade parts. His young career has already seen David Boxcar Gates mesmerizing audiences across Canada and most recently in Europe, where he had the pleasure to perform on festival stages throughout France, Holland, Belgium, Germany and Austria. On this journey, David visited a number of club stages, some as legendary as the Crossroads Caf in Antwerp, Belgium. His widely celebrated participation at the International Blues Challege this year marked Davids first exposure to the US blues market, and resulted in a flood of positive reviews and invitations to perform for some of the local blues communities and blues societies that sent blues acts to Memphis. Davids career development experienced a significant impact in 2010, when after many close encounters finally and almost by accident our paths crossed for the first time. A defining moment for each of us, it instantly sparked a deep friendship and led to a very fruitful collaboration regarding Davids International Touring and Management affairs. Unbeknownst to both that first night it would also lay the first pebble in Davids road to his participation at the IBC in Memphis 2 years later. Mario tells the pebble story: .. that first night I met David I instantly knew that weve had something special going. I was blown away by his incredible talent, effortlessly playing the most amazing stuff up and down the fret board of his 1923 Washburn Acoustic original all night long and being so modest, humble and appreciative about all the attention hed gotten that night. Hes just such a wonderful person, we became best of friends right there on the spot. Weve met a few times afterwards and started working on Davids career right away, especially planning his first European touring. Shortly after I set off to attend the IBC in Memphis for my first time. Completely overwhelmed ( in the most positive sense of the word ) by the incredible networking opportunities that presented themselves during the Festival and the industry representatives I was so fortunate to chat with people I thought Id never have the chance to meet. After my last act of business on the last day of the event, on my way to enjoy the Finals at the Orpheum Theatre I decided to take a quick break to clear my head and walked right past the Theatre a few blocks down the street to the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. Sitting down, reflecting on all the positives of the past few days one cant help but thinking about the perfect artist to attend the next IBC with and to share such a perfect moment with. This is when I knew, that I needed to come back here with David Boxcar Gates. To put some credibility to the thought, I picked up 2 pebbles to bring home to David: One for him to keep and the one for him to return with me to the Mississippi upon his first trip to and performances at the IBC in Memphis. Well 2 years, many local performances and 3 European tours later we stood on the banks of the river together just a few days ago and returned the pebble to the mighty Mississippi David Boxcar Gates as a Semi-Finalist of the IBC 2012. And thats how the story goes The release of his highly celebrated first CD World is a Train Station serves as a true testament to these first years of David Boxcar Gates career. The CD is available for purchase through the WBS merchandizing department.

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Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Launches a Groundbreaking Initiative Showcasing the Regions Music Culture
In Partnership with PlayNetwork and the Seattle Music Commission, Sea-Tac Airport Welcomes Travelers with In-Terminal Music, Web Radio, Celebrity Announcements and Videos Featuring Northwest Music Profiles
Seattle, WA --Your next visit to Sea-Tac Airport will come with a free upgrade -- to include the sights and sounds of northwest music. The Sea-Tac Airport Music Initiative, Experience the City of Music -- a cooperative effort by the Port of Seattle,Seattle Music Commission and PlayNetwork-- will launch this week to showcase the northwest regions music culture and enhance the experience of millions of passengers who pass through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport each year. The Sea-Tac Airport Music Initiative, Experience the City of Music is a comprehensive program that enhances the travelers experience by utilizing speakers and screens airport-wide to feature a diverse variety of northwest music from the soulful sounds of Quincy Jones to the poignant lyrics of Eddie Vedder. Travelers will also hear artist-read public announcements, enjoy curated videos on terminal and baggage claim monitors, and listen to a multi-channel web radio player available through the free airport Wi-Fi network. The Port is pleased to be a leader in this effort to promote the regions music industry and to increase the visibility of local musicians at the airport, said John Creighton, Port of Seattle Commissioner. From Jimi Hendrix to the Wilson sisters, Chris Cornell and many others, the Seattle area has a strong music heritage. Over 32 million passengers pass through Sea-Tac Airport each year, giving us a unique opportunity to introduce a new generation of local musicians to travelers and tourists. Seattle is known around the world for its music culture, so its great to see this identity embraced and showcased to all the travelers going through the airport, said Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn. Jet City, meet Music City. This campaign will launch dynamic media elements curated and developed by branded entertainment specialist PlayNetwork, including: Overhead music featuring local emerging artists like Fences, Beat Connection and Allen Stone with legends like Ray Charles, Heart and Nirvana O verhe ad safe ty and informationa l announcements read by local musicians such as Ben Gibbard, LeRoy Bell, Macklemore, Jerry Cantrell and Sir Mix-A-Lot Video segments on terminal monitors throughout the airport featuring exceptional original content from KEXP, EMP, MTV, Chase Jarvis, the Seattle Channels Art Zone, Light in the Attic Records, and The Seattle Band Map A web-based multi-channel music player available via the airports free WiFi An Android mobile app, developed by Front Runner, which will feature access to the PlayNetwork music playlist, videos and KEXP concert listings; iPhone, Windows Phone 7 and Blackberry apps coming soon We are incredibly proud of our city and its an honor to be working on a project that will touch the lives of 80,000 passengers every day, said Nadine Zgonc, VP of Client Management for PlayNetwork. From licensing to creative, our team is excited about the work were unveiling. Its been an amazing opportunity to collaborate with such a talented array of community leaders that share our commitment to the regions artistic culture. This project has been so much fun to work on because of all the community support and excitement to show off our music culture in such a significant way, said Seattle Music Commissioner Marcus Womack. I am proud to be on the Seattle Music Commission and drive this forward. Additional support for this project comes from The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and other valued Seattle-based organizations.

Experience the City of Music,

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The Sweet Sound of

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A taste of something sweet can be nice and on January 24th and 25th Seattle got lucky enough to be given that. The Grammy Award winning Sugar Blue brought his sweet sounding band to Jazz Alley. His performances of songs like Hoochie Coochie Man and I Aint Got You were just a couple of the songs that brought the audience to its feet. My first sugar fix was years ago in the 1970s when I turned on the radio and heard The Rolling Stones perform Miss You. At that time I thought that the catchy and powerful lustful riff I heard was performed by an entire orchestra that included a hundred trumpets, dozens of violins, and maybe the hottest saxaphone in the world. Actually it was the

Sugar Blue
An interview by Robert Horn and Chrisda Hamilton

sound of a harmonica being played by an 18 year old guy we now know as Sugar Blue. He has gotten better since then. He sometimes sounds like at least two and maybe three harmonicas are being played at once, with one doing a basic rhythm and still another doing magical musical gymnastics over that and maybe another doing other things. He does 100% of the lead vocals in this band also. His band was so strong that my co-interviewer, Chrisda Hamilton, said that it speaks well of Sugar to have a band that is capable of overshadowing most (yes MOST) front men. In talking to bass player Ilaria Lanieri she told me all about how he likes a strong rhythm section. He is not weakened or afraid of being surrounded by greatness. That is his natural habitat. It was announced during the show that Ilaria plans to become Mrs. Sugar Blue also. Chrisda (a percussionist and drummer) was very impressed by the drumming of James Knowles. I seldom co-write an article or do a co-interview. It is thinking outside the box but it seemed like a perfect idea at the time. Chrisda Hamilton and I (along with Carolyn Palmer) joined Sugar and two of his band members after his January 24th show at Jazz Alley and talked till late into the night. The interview covered dozens of questions that Sugar directly answered in depth. Here are a few calories of the sweet dessert we got: RH (Robert Horn): What really inspired you to start playing music and how did that lead to blues? SB (Sugar Blue): I guess my mother did. She was a singer before I was born. She was a singer back in the big band era. Ella Fitzgerald was a good friend of hers, and Billy Holiday, and Big Maybell. They were people I used to hang out with when I was a kidSomeone would say theyre famous and Id say: Famous!? They hang out with mom at the houseTheyre my mothers friends, what are you talking about? CH (Chrisda Hamilton): Why harmonica? SB: Why not? I thought of playing harmonica because my mother wouldnt let me play saxophone in the house. Her attitude was like this: the saxophone could stay or you can stay but you both cannot stay here together. Actually my aunt gave me a harmonica CH: What would you advise a novice harmonica player? SB: First of all I would advise you to buy good instruments. If you like to play harmonica buy

yourself a Hohner Special 20 in the key of C or the key of A or D because there are a lot of songs that are there. RH: Jody Williams suggested a B. Why do you think that is? SB: Because maybe that is a key he likes to play in. Maybe hed like to play in F-sharp because if you have a B harp, ya know a lot of guitar players are playing in F sharp. A lot of times the harmonica is a fourth above. ..Whatever turns you on, get all 12 keys and try them all. CH: Who would you like to do a duet with? SB: Let me see. Id love to play with Robert Johnson (a few laughs). RH: Who would you think you may have a chance to play with? SB: Well, I have played with Dylan, I have played with The Rolling Stones, I have played with Ray Charles, Oh I would love to play on a CD that Quincy Jones produced, and Id love to play with Stevie Wonder... I would love to do a duet with Ella or Tina Turner. CH: If there was a song that ever moved you to cry, what song would that be? SB: Strange Fruit. RH: Wow. Ya. There are two kinds of making one cry: sadness or inspiration. Is there one that makes you feel inspired? SB: Well, the fact that Billie had the audacity to sing that song when she did is definitely something that inspired me. RH: Wow, a powerful song.(we discussed social justice and the situation in our society a while that this time, covering everything from Lincoln to Barack Obama and congress.) CH: What has been the most challenging time as a musician? SB: I think the most challenging time was when Stan Goetz asked me to play with him (ha!) Were going to do a Charlie Parker tune and I said Oh God(ha ha ha) that was kind of challenging. RH: What was the most joyous moment so far in your career? SB: I think it was when I had the opportunity to play with Ray Charles. It was Ray Charles, Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis on that gig. RH: What year was that?

SB: It was 1985. It was an HBO special. It was called Fats and Friends it was pretty amazing. CH: Is there anything that actually makes you feel nervous when you are standing up there? SB: Actually I am always a little nervous when I get on stage. I get butterflies. (Sugar then told about his particular band members and why he is comfortable with each of them, including or especially Ilaria.) CH: If you were not a musician what would you want to be? SB: A doctor, because they give peace, health, and help life. They heal people, and the most important thing we can do is help heal people and music is a medicine. So we are doctors in a way. RH: You mentioned earlier you have a new CD coming out. Can you tell more about it? SB: Well, one of the songs on it is one I wrote for my daughter. She was going through a very stressful time in her young life. It moved me to write a song for her, and when I wrote it I realized that we all go through that: coming of age. Going from teenage to young adult is a very stressful time and it took me back to when I was going through that. RH: Is there a title and a theme to the CD? SB: We are working on it. We are writing songs, and working on it, and well see what happens. RH: Any certain time period when it will come out? SB: Probably by the end of the year. We also plan on a live CD. CH: What is your biggest fear? SB: The state of the union, because I love my country. The divisiveness and the hate that is being thrown about by those that are supposed to lead us is frightening, and it should be frightening to all citizens. We either stand together or we fall separately. Its about time people wake up to this fact. The conversation went on until the doors were locked and we covered every topic we wanted to discuss. Sugar and Ilaria think about music, life, and the world very deeply and their music comes from deep inside them. Be sure you see this band this summer at the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival.

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Keith Scotts Return to the Pacific Northwest

By Keith Scott Photo by Suzanne Swanson This Februar y, I returned to the Pacific Northwest to play 11 shows in 11 days, catch one trout, and drive 1,975 miles in Oregon and Washington. This was my fifth trip to the West Coast, and on February 1st, I played at the Shores Restaurant special guest Badd Dogg and Falcolm. After that, I took I-5 to I-405 to the Snoqualmie Falls Country Club. Many golfers love the blues, but it was too windy for me to play a round! On Saturday the 4th, my day began with a one oclock show in the afternoon at Experience Music Project, and talk about a flashback later that same day I was back out to the Snoqualmie Falls area to open for Geoff Tate of Queensryche at Finnaughtys Irish Pub. I am going to get that guy to do a blues record real soon! On Superbowl Sunday, I learned that, courtesy of Oogie Richards at KSER-FM, I was going to be a special guest at the award-winning Raging River Jam in Fall City. I met the legendary Blues Boss there, and had the pleasure and privilege of playing with Tommy Wall, Dan OBrien, Too Slim, and one of finest drummers Ive ever met, Andrew Cloutier. Monday was a day dedicated to fishing on the Yakima River. I caught one Rainbow Trout, and then continued my road trip. I drove down the Gorge to Astoria, Oregon for two cool shows at the Wet Dog Brewery and Clatsop College. My route took me back up through the Olympic National Forest to the Upstage in Port Townsend. Next time, I hope to bring more people out to fill Marks outstanding room for music. The menu included some of the best scallops I have ever ate. The next day, I drove back across the state to Richland to play at the Rattlesnake Brewery, and I it was a lot of fun. On the 11th, it was a great day for another drive across the state to the beautiful town of Sequim at the Oasis Lounge, a great sports bar with great people and great food. My last night in town was a real treat. I finally met Washington Blues Society President Eric Steiner at the Skagit River Brewery in Mount Vernon. I also was pleased that the cover of the latest Bluesletter featured Miles Harris of Miles Harris and Triple Threat, a blues band of young players based in Mount Vernon. Eric and I had been trying to meet up when his work took him back to my home state of Michigan, and at the brewery, we shared stories of friends in common throughout Chicagolands diverse blues communities. Eric told me of his desires to learn just one song on the guitar. He said that Elmore James version of Dust My Broom was his favorite song, and when he talked about his son Paul, who is a musician, I told Eric that I would introduce him two years from now when I am back at the Raging River Jam. During my set, I dedicated that song to Eric, and reminded him in front of the audience that wed see him at the jam in 2014. Eric looked positively mortified. The Bluesletter cannot print what Eric said to me, but before he finished his expletivefilled sentence, Merchandise Director Tony Frederickson raised his Diet Coke supporting my encouragement for Eric learning how to play Dust My Broom. Tony kept chiding Eric about being out too late on a school night, because Erics next plane left in less than eight hours. The lovely Suzanne Swanson came down from the White Rock Blues Society to take pictures, and it was a fun room for live, acoustic blues music at the brewery in Mount Vernon. My first visit to the Pacific Northwest in 2012 was a great one, and I look forward to returning to one of the most beautiful areas of North America.

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The February 2012

at the Red Crane

Washington Women in Blues: The February Blues Bash!
By Robert Horn, photos by Margene Schotz Thirty minutes before showtime, the Red Crane Restaurant was filled to capacity. I was afraid that this article would end up being a short one saying No article this time because I couldnt get inside the building or this article was written from eyewitness accounts told to me later. So, I finally got in and while I didnt get lucky enough to have a chair, I did find spots to hold my notebook against a surface

Blues Bash

so could write down ideas and take notes. There were some reasons why the crowd was huge, and those reasons will become clear as you read this. A few weeks before the February Bluesbash, it was announced that it would have a Sadie Hawkins theme. So this kind of event with an emphasis on dancing could draw some extra people. I also learned that not only would Mary McPage and the Assassins perform, but also a number of other well-known women in the Washington blues scene would be there. Alice Stuart would perform, and Charlene Grant would also be there to play as well. This would be a great show, but more talent than that arrived. Washington Blues Society Music Director Suze Sims not only talked from the

stage, but also performed as the vocalist and drummer that she is. Polly Okeary brought her bass, but was also ready to sing. Vocalist Vicki Stevens was there to sing and she sure did that. There was a photo shoot before the music started and Washington Women in the Blues has been a popular photo event for the Bluesletter. This all contributed to the February Blues Bash as one of the most successful blues bashes at the Red Crane. There were some announcements before the music began at 7 PM. Tony Frederickson told the audience about the Best of the Blues nomination ballots as I walked in at 6:30. At 7:00 Mary McPage opened the show with Give Me Back My Wig followed by You Can Have My Husband (But Please Dont Mess With My Man) and then a couple songs with a funky beat that got people on the dance floor. This

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band not only includes BB Award winner Mary McPage, but also the smokin guitar of Wild Willy Straub, the bass playing of Patrick McDaniel (who was recently featured in the Bluesletter), and the drumming of Carl Martin. This band puts on a show. Mary was out in the crowd covering the floor space and singing directly to as many people as she could reach by the time her performance was over. Before Alice and others started to play some other things happened. Tony Frederickson and others were handing out free CDs from the stage and some local celebrities were encouraged to stand in front of a crowd who then stood and applauded them as they bowed. The Wired Band had just won the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and were in the house. Kevin Sutton addressed the room and one of the things he said was that he thinks that our blues society is either one of the best or the

best blues society in the country. Well, we do know how to pick talent to send to Memphis so I guess the WBS does something right to say the least. Suze Sims was on stage with Alice Stuart and Charlene Grant and Suze introduced Alice. One of the things often said about Alice is that there would be no Bonnie Raitt without Alice Stuart and those words originated from none other than Taj Mahal. There was one man on stage at this moment, and that was the slide guitar wizard Nick Vigarino. Alice began with a classic, Big Boss Man. Vicki Stevens later sang 21 Ways To Get to My Babys Door. By this time the dance floor was packed solid. A head count of the full attendance or even the number of people on the dance floor would have been impossible to do but this place was full and people had a great time.

There was a time when a Washington Blues Society meeting would draw 12-25 people and it took a few years for an audience twice that number to be typical. By 2004, the number from 40 and 60 people seemed pretty good. Now there are times when the debate can be over how many hundred attended. Something is going on here. So, please mark your calendars and save the date, because the Washington Blues Societys monthly blues bash is at the Red Crane Restaurant in Shoreline the second Tuesday of every month!

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Dry Side Blues

By Jerry Peterson, Vice President

As I mentioned in the February Dry Side, we are welcoming a new band to the Spokane blues scene, Thomps on Brown and the Shakers. Their first performance was at Daleys Cheap Shots On January 27th, and I was in the front row. They featured Patrice Thompson-Rose of Hoodoo Udu and Soul Proprietor on lead vocals, Dennis Higgins of the 2010 Inland Empire Blues Society (IEBS) Best Blues Band Laffin Bones on guitar, Dan Miller of the C oyote Rose Band and Voodoo Church on keyboards, and the ultratight rhythm section with Mark Cornett and Mark Miller of the Kenny James Miller Band, recipients of the 2010 IEBS Best New Blues Band award, on bass and drums, respectively. The group seemed a bit tentative at first, but they got warmed up by the end of the first set on the Doors Roadhouse Blues. The second set featured the awesome power in Patrices voice in Feels like Rain, and the third set included a

mind-blowing arrangement of Jimis Voodoo Chile that featured Dennis Higgins on his red Strat. Their next performance will be the eight to ten oclock slot at the 17th annual Blues Cats for Kids benefit show on Saturday, March 3rd at the Spokane Valley Eagles, where Patrice will be joined by Sara Brown on vocals. With music from 1 pm to 11:30 pm, you can experience a full day of blues for only two dollars or two cans of food while supporting local childrens charities Crosswalk and Project Safe Place, as well as the Second Harvest Food Bank. Make plans to come over to the Dry Side and join us in supporting the kids. Speaking of road tripping to benefit shows, Billy Stoops of Junkyard Jane, the Rectifiers and Sun Banks Festival fame will be playing his first-ever Spokane gig at the 6th Annual Blick Wells Blues Jam and benefit for the Womens and Childrens Free Restaurant on Sunday, March 11th at Bluz at the Bend. Blick was a huge supporter of blues music in general, and the Sun Banks festival, in particular, and Billy has been looking forward to the opportunity to come over and play the show commemorating his friend. Doors open at five oclock and music starts at 6:30 PM with local quartet VIBE, followed by Billy Stoops and the Rectifiers, with Blicks buddies the fabulous Fat Tones playing the final set and hosting the closing jam. Make plans to come help us celebrate Blicks life while supporting the Womens and Childrens Free Restaurant. Those of you who attended the Big Sky Festival in Noxon or the Washington Blues

Society International Blues Challenge finals in Snohomish likely heard the Kenny James Miller Band from Kalispell, Montana. I saw them eight times in 2011, and cant get enough of their music. I was able to catch their show at Bluz at the Bend on February 3rd, and they once again demonstrated how a powerhouse blues trio is supposed to sound. Ken Sederdahl on guitar and lead vocals, Mark Cornett on 6-string bass and backing vocals and Mark Miller on drums and backing vocals started out with a few covers, including B.B. Kings The Thrill is Gone, Mark Mays Back in the Joint, and P. Cliff Purcells Still Into You, and then hit the second set with originals Borrowed Time, Nashville, I Believe, and the title track from their current release Revelator. One of the evenings highlights was a medium-tempo shuffle they debuted in Snohomish, Homeless Man, which Ken said was inspired by an article on how to write a blues song that Washington Blues Society Vice President Tony Fredrickson had showed him. In the third set, Ken covered Robin Trower with an arrangement of Too Rolling Stoned that included a couple of verses of B.B. Kings Rock Me Baby, and followed that medley with Sweet Home Chicago and Stormy Monday, accompanied by our friend 100 Dollar Bill Fowler on harmonica. The show ended with another B.B. King reference, Thank-You Lucille, which will be included on a new release in 2012. Currently scheduled shows include the Coeur dAlene Blues Festival on March 31st and Bluz at the Bend in Spokane on April 27th and 28th. Please visit www. kennyjamesmillerband for future Dry Side dates.

Bill Fowler, Mark Cornett, Ken Sederdahl, Mark Miller.

Inland Empire Blues Society

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The Shakers, from left Dennis Higgins, Mark Miller, Mark Cornett, Patrice Thompson-Rose, Dan Miller

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Blues Reviews

New Blues that you can Use

Popa Chubby Back To New York City (Provogue)

Popa Chubby claims that he is from the Big Apple, but sounds every bit the Texas style guitar slinger on his new Provogue release Back To New York City. Chubby has been at the forefront of the blues rock genre for some time and he is out to kick the blues in the ass on this new disc, the 20th of his career. The title track opens the album with a Deep Purple meets Hendrix riff, framing an ode to his beloved home town and he proudly proclaims this is my city right or wrong, showing off his I dont give a damn attitude. The 11 song set is a rifftastic collection of songs that guitar fans will love, as every song features one mighty muscular solo after another. The double shuffle She Loves Everybody But Me, is an instant classic. Chubby isnt afraid to use some fire and brimstone on the scalding rocker Pound of Flesh, and the apocalyptic bite of The Future. He offers some down home advice on the swamp boogie Keep Your Wood Pile Dry.The album closes with a marvelous power trio reading of Bachs Jesus Joy of Man Desire which will no doubt be added to rockin Christmas playlists everywhere next holiday season. Rick J. Bowen

Mark Whitman Always Be The Blues (Self Released)

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Mark says it all in the title track, penned by Mark and Jim Plano, and one of discs two originals: the blues is here to stay, there will always be the blues. This album has been in the works for five or six years, and was laid down before Mark had a stroke in 2007, so Mark is playing guitar on most of the cuts along with his signature vocals and keyboards. Justin Kausal-Hayes plays some slinky slide and Jeff Mason adds choice blues harp to the Dave Conant classic Gong Back To Wichita. As with Marks 2004 live release Maiden USA, Pat Hues mans the keyboards and Glenn Ayres keeps the groove on the drums added to them for Always Be The Blues are Tom Erak on bass Scotty Harris on sax, Jeff Mason on harp and trombone, Ron Hendee on trumpet and flugle horn, Glenn Blanchard on congas and percussion and Kathi McDonald backing vocals. Maridel did the very cool original cover art and and the Flying M logo, too. The three piece horn section adds some jazzy funk to Tommy Tuckers High Heel Sneakers and punch to Bill Withers Use Me. Mark sets the tone with soulful vocals and deft touch on guitar while Hendee takes the horn solo. Sammy Eubanks brings his award-winning vocals to Ray Charles Hallelujah, a song originally charted in Billboards top five in 1956, but introduced to me by Steve Marriott and Humble Pie. The bonus, and my favorite track is Lonnie Macks Oreo Cookie Blues done by the members of B.I.G. (Dave Christianson-drums, Keith Wohlford-bass, Fat James on the first guitar solo, Dick Powell- organ and harp, and Mark on the other guitar parts and vocals) back in 1995. From start to finish, Always Be The Blues is a keeper from a living Pacific Northwest blues legend, Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame member and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Malcolm Kennedy

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Microwave Dave and the Nukes Last Time I Saw You (Self-Released) Dave Gallaher, aka Microwave Dave, is such a fixture in the community of Huntsville, Alabama, that in 2009 the local baseball club The Huntsville Stars created a bobble head in his honor. Well guitar man and DJ, Microwave Dave and his power trio The Nukes have just released their seventh album, Last Time I Saw You. Dave is once again joined by long time songwriting partner Rick Godfrey on bass and harmonica and the exciting young drummer James Irvin. The thirteen song set impeccably recorded by Jeremy Stephens at Clearwave Studios is no doubt one the best self produced blues and roots albums of the year. Right out the gate opening track Drinkin Wine Since Nine, hits with a growling guitar, Daves unmistakable rumblin baritone and one of the greasiest second line grooves ever, conjuring up all the ghosts of the delta for a party. Dave and Godfrey are poets with a rapier wit delivering scouring sarcasm on southern fried slide guitar and house rockin riffs. Lines like Jesus was smart not to mate, and youre the worst thing that ever happened to the blues, make it hard to decide which of the three great tracks, Jesus Was Smart, The Worst Thing, and Last Time I Saw You, as the winner for the ultimate Man Cave anthem. Kit man Irvin displays his arsenal of chops on the Bo Diddley beat of Alabama Saturday Night, and the supersonic All Night Boogie. So great to hear the drums up front on a blues album, as the genre is often so very guitar centric. The album closes with a heartfelt instrumental simply titled Rafferty, no doubt an ode to the late great Gerry Rafferty delivered with dynamic gusto. Last Time I Saw You is a great album, and should no doubt bring about many first time views and listens to these veteran blues men. Rick J. Bowen

Mary Bridget Davies Wanna Feel Somethin (Self-Released) Wanna Feel Somethin, the debut album from Mary Bridget Davies does indeed feel something like an artist on verge of bigger things. Fresh on the heels of their second place finish at the 2011 International Blues Challenge, Davies and her crack four piece band recorded this ten song set in Kansas City, augmented by a hot horn section. The tracks all showcase the amazing vocals of Davies, who starred in the musical Love- Janis and toured with Big Brother and the Holding Co. in 2006. But dont be fooled this diva is no Janis Joplin wanna be, her powerhouse vocals are more of a cross between Joss Stone and Shemekia Copeland, who Davies is no doubt poised to replace as the Queen of the blues. The eight fine original tunes showcase the writing strengths of guitarist Dave Hayes and Bassist Gary Roberts and the bands ability to add fire and freshness to traditional forms. Hayes rips out a nasty slide intro on standout track Getting Stronger, and the smoky Same Ole Blues, sounds as if it may have been written for Janis long ago. The burnin funk of the title track hits hard, featuring a sizzling B3 solo from Chris Hazelton, while Davies blows the roof off the dump with her explosive vocals. The adventurous reinterpretations of the Eagles Take it to the Limit, and Wonder Wall, from Oasis , fueled by jazz and gospel influences show true forward thinking and brave vision by Davies and her band, something much need in the blues. Lets hope Wanna Feel Somethin propels Mary Bridget Davies and her crew into an even larger arena, with higher production qualities their talent deserves. - Rick J Bowen

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The Wired Band Washington Blues (Self-Released) Authentic, that is the first word that comes to mind upon hearing the new release Washington Blues, from The Wired Band. The ten song set recorded live in two sessions at Butter Sound studios, is real unadulterated blues at its best. This veteran trio has since gone on to capture the crown at the 2012 International Blues Challenge, and this disc is proof positive why they deserve the honor. The nine original tunes written by front man extraordinaire Kevin Sutton and Wired, sound like choice gems from the annals of rhythm and blues history. These fellas are carrying the torch for Muddy, Wolf, Hooker, T Bone and King into the next millennium. Each tune has an immediate familiar flair, delivered with sincere homage but without sentimentality. Beginning with the classic twelve bar title track that should be candidate for the new Washington state song, then on to the Rollin n tumblin remake Im a Train, Sutton delivers authentic growling slide and convincing vocals, that invite all to sing along on Woe is Me. The bitter sweet Still Aint Got The Blues, stings as it hits close to home, and the band show they arent afraid to speak their mind delivered with some clever swing of the Politicians Song. The sweet boogaloo hook of Loser, is an immediately infectious groove that no doubt fills dance floors everywhere. On Find the Blues in You, Sutton challenges all of us to look inside ourselves, find some perspective and maybe, just maybe through the blues, achieve some peace and understanding. That brings to mind the second word, Brave. The Wired band are absolutely just that, brave , to put out and album that presents themselves raw and uncut, live and unbridled , exactly how the blues is meant to be played, and just how champions should be. Rick J. Bowen Savoy Brown Voodoo Moon (Ruf Records) www.rufrecords.de

Savoy Brown has been pumping out blues rock since 1965 and the one constant through the years and frequent line-up changes is the gritty workman-like guitar of frontman Kim Simmonds. One of the early band changes led to the formation of Foghats classic lineup. Savoy Brown made its debut LP in 1967, and since then, has released 34 albums. They new line-up for Voodoo Moon features Joe Whitting on sax and vocals, and Joes vocals are strong and fit the songs well. The opening track Shockwaves sets the pace and deserves repeated spins. On Natural Man Simmonds references several rock and blues icons with lines like I aint got a mojo, I aint a rolling stone/I aint running with the devil, I aint bad to the bone. Kim sings on two of the stand out tracks, Look At The Sun which features some tasty guitar leads and Round and Round with the line your touch is inside burning in my soul/ burning in my soul. The subdued leads played over an organ wash and sax accents are just the right touch. On the excellent instrumental 24/7 the guitar intro and sax remind me of vintage Rolling Stones; but Simmonds searing and fluid leads take the tune well beyond that. On the title track, Voodoo Moon some of the lyrics might seem a bit shopworn like, some dont know what its all about and gonna make the world fuss and fight; but they work ok and the insistent 4/4 beat, driving guitar and polished leads make it work well. I found Voodoo Moon to be an agreeable album that I believe all fans of blues rock will enjoy. Malcolm Kennedy

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More...
Bordertown All The Ups (Self-Released)

All The Ups, the debut release from Portlands Bordertown, is full of grit, fire and promise with a sound that is one part Screaming Trees and one part ZZ Top. The five piece band is lead by Jason Meredith, whose lonesome blue vocals, and wailing harp guides the energetic time shifting grooves laid down by drummer Tony Lintz and bassist Jason Applegate. Lead guitarist Todd Farmer plays the foil on lead guitar with knee deep riffs, and fuzzed up leads reminiscent of Jack White and The Black Keys. The band cites Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker as a part of their influences, but their pacific northwest roots also show through as this is no doubt blues for the twenty first century. The rockin Inclement Weather is like a Pearl Jam and Blues Traveler mash up, and Paralyzed could be a Hunter S Thompson acid trip soundtrack. The CDs closer, Cant Breathe, has the classic feel of Tex-Mex soul stew. The eight strong tracks on All The Ups show that Bordertown is a band who is not afraid to push the blues forward to new horizons, which is what it sorely needs. Rick J. Bowen

Louisiana Red & Little Victors Juke Joint Memphis Mojo (Ruf Records) www.rufrecords.de Recently a lot of ruckus has been made around Louisiana Red, what with International and Blues Music Awards and nominations and it is all well deserved. Memphis Mojo gives another example why the fuss. From gut bucket songs like Goodbye Blues, I Had Trouble All My Life and No More Whiskey to the contemporary sounds of Just Take Your Time and Boogie Woogie Boogie Little Victor and Red have it all going on. Augmenting Red and Little Victor, who both take turns at lead and 2nd guitar are Alex Pettersen on drums and Bill Troiani on bass. In addition Mookie Brill takes over on upright bass on three tracks, David Maxwell adds his top drawer skills on piano to four tracks, Bob Corritore lays down his superlative blues harp to five and The Hawk adds percussion to three cuts and guitar to two including lead on the standout Just Take Your Time. Memphis Mojo features 11 originals and an excellent cover of one of Blind Lemon Jeffersons best known songs See That My Graves Kept Clean on which Red lends some wicked slide accents. Reds gritty veteran vocals fit the songs perfectly. If your cup of tea is traditional blues, performed by masters of the craft, than look no further than Memphis Mojo, the exceptional new album by Louisiana Red & Little Victors Juke Joint. This gem in the rough is highly recommended. -Malcolm Kennedy

The Mighty Mojo Prophets Rip Cat Records www.ripcatrecords.com

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Well if you werent already aware of the fantastic West Coast Blues from Southern California over the years by the likes of William Clarke, Hollywood Fats, Rod Piazza, James Harmon, Junior Watson, Lynwood Slim or Mitch Kashmar, to name just a few, you need look no further than the releases coming out on Scott Abeytas Rip Cat Records and the eponymous debut by The Mighty Mojo Prophets is a stellar example. In my book it doesnt get any better than the amped up blend of jazzy, swinging and jumping West Coast stylings and tough Chicago blues and the Prophets bring all of that on like a royal flush. The Mighty Mojo Prophets are Tom Big Son Eliff-vocals, Mitch Dow-guitar, Scott Lambert-bass, Johnny Minguez-drums and Alex Little A Woodson- harp (who also fronts his on band Little A & the All Nighters.) Co-producers Scott Abeyta and Johnny Mastro (Johnny Mastro & the Mamas Boys) both get in on the action with Scott playing BB King style guitar to Mitchs Albert King on My Baby and Eddie Estudillo adds some sweet sax as well. Mastro adds his greasy harp to West Coast Blues and Hoodoo Lover. Tom and Mitch either wrote or had a hand in writing all but one of the all original tracks and that one was Boogie Woogie Rhythm by Whiteboy James Page (Whiteboy James & the Blues Express) who sings it along side Big Son. Little A has plenty of chops on the harp and along with Toms strong and emotive vocals and Mitchs muscular yet sparse guitar lines make The Mighty Mojo Prophets an exceptional find. Songs like the percolating instrumental Da Switch penned by Dow, the front porch country blues of Travelin Man, featuring San Pedro Slim on some nasty blues harp and Evil Sometimes with Little As monster harp and lyrics like yeah my baby can be evil/sometimes nice and sweet/throws her lovin on me boys/ my baby cant be beat, all should quickly become blues classics. I give The Mighty Mojo Prophets my very highest recommendation. It is destined to become a classic and needs to be in every blues lovers collection. -Malcolm Kennedy

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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 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 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 Chester Dennis Jones (253)-797-8937 Harry The Man Joynes (360) 871-4438

Talent Guide

Washington Blues Society

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 Raven Humphres (425) 306-3752 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

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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, 7pmn 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: Tim Turner Band, Mar. 4th & 18th Northpoint Tacoma: Loose Gravel & the Quarry, 7pm Pegasus Pizza, Kirkland, acoustic jam w/ HeatherBBlues, 8-11pm Raging River: Tommy Wall Mar. 4 - Mary McPage & Jevon Powell Silver Dollar: Big Nasty, 8pm Two Twelve, Kirkland: hosted by HeatherBBlues, 7pm

Tuesdays

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 Oxford Saloon: All ages open jam, 7 11pm Ten Below: hosted by Underground Blues Jam, every 1st Monday of the month, Wenatchee

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Barrel Invitational: hosted by Billy Shew, 8pm Bishops Alehouse, Kirkland: acoustic jam w/HeatherBBlues, 9pm-12am Dawsons, Tacoma: hosted by Shelley & Jho, 8pm J & M Cafe Jam with Justin Kasual Hayes & Andrew Cloutier Mar. 13 Tim Turner Mar. 27 - 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)

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

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

Wednesdays

Charlies Olympia: Blues Attitude Conor Byrne: Broomdust presents Blues of the Past Jam (1st Wed) 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 Mar. 7 - Rick Barclay & Billy Valentine Mar. 14 - Chester Dennis Jones Mar. 21 - Kathy Hettel & Bubba Jones Mar. 28 - C D Woodbury Apr. 4 - SeanDenton

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

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Photo taken at Seattle Paramount Theatre - January 28th, 2009 by Margene Schotz

Etta JamEs 1938 - 2012

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Calendar
March 1 - Thursday Bad Alberts, Ballard: Bill Chism w/Annie Eastwood, Larry Hill, Tom Brighton,5:30pm Highway 99: Ravinwolf Jazz Alley: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Madison Pub: Nick Vigarino New Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Salmon Bay Eagles: Mary McPage band March 2 - Friday Anchor Pub, Everett; Gin Creek El Corral, Bremerton: Mark Lewis & Norm Bellas, 6pm Highway 99: Curtis Hammond band Jazz Alley: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Junction, Pt. Angeles: Nick Vigarino Mandolin Caf, Tacoma:: RAVINWOLF, 7pm New Orleans: Flexicon w/Thomas Marriott Oxford: Wired band Third Place Books:The Blue Notes,7:30pm March 3 - Saturday Destination Harley, Fife: Lil Bill Trio, 12pm Highway 99: Too Slim & the Taildraggers Jazz Alley: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy New Orleans: Brian Lee & the Orbiters NW Dance Club Swedish Cultural Center: the Blue Notes, 8:30pm Oxford: Wired band Poverty Bay Wine Festival, Landmark Event Center, Des Moines:Brian Lee & the Orbiters, 12pm Rendezvous, Enumclaw: RAVINWOLF, 6:30pm Rockfish Grill: Mark DuFresne Salmon Bay Eagles: David Brewer & the Intimidators March 4 - Sunday Jazz Alley: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Johnnys Dock, Tacoma: Lil Bill Trio,5pm Nectar: Ayron Jones Oxford: Tommy Cook & Friends

Blues

1 2 3

March 5 - Monday 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Fabulous Roof Shakers, Jam w/Star Drums & Lady Keys New Orleans: New Orleans Quintet March 6 - Tuesday New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pm Yuppie Tavern, Totem Lake: HeatherBBlues, 8pm

7 8 9 10 4 11 5 12 6

March 7 - Wednesday Engels Pub: Brian Lee Trio, 8pm Highway 99: Drummerboy w/Polly OKeary & Joe Doria Mr. Villa,Lake City/Seattle:Kimball & the Fugitives w/ Stickshift Annie Trio,7pm New Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm Pike Pl. Bar & Grill: John Stephan Band, 6pm March 8 - Thursday Bad Alberts, Ballard:Bill Chism w/Annie Eastwood, Larry Hill, Tom Brighton,5:30pm Highway 99: James King & the Southsiders New Orleans: Selbred/Jackson Quintet Rockfish Grill: Trish Hatley, 6pm Salmon Bay Eagles: Brian Butler band Triple Door: LeRoy Bell & his Only Friends March 9 - Friday Highway 99: Mutha Knows Best Oxford: Nick Vigarino Repp, Snohomish: RAVINWOLF, 6:30pm Rockfish Grill: Skip Hamilton & the Beachcombers Salmon Bay Eagles: Brian Butler Blues band Triple Door: LeRoy Bell & his Only Friends March 10 - Saturday Bakes Place, Bellevue:the Blue Notes Highway 99: James Howard band New Orleans: Chris Stevens & the Surf Monkeys Oxford: Jim King & the Southsiders Rumor Mill, Friday Harbor: RAVINWOLF, 7:30pm Rockfish Grill: Guitarslingers, Mark Riley, Dean Reichert, Kimball Conant & el colonel Salmon Bay Eagles: Fever Washington Sips Wine Bar, LaConner: Nick Vigarino March 11 - Sunday Central, Kirkland: Nick Vigarino Oxford: Tommy Cook & Friends Triple Door: NU Black Arts Theater presents Dark Divas March 12 - Monday 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Ben Rice Band, Jam w/the Cody Rentas Band New Orleans: New Orleans Quintet Yuppie Tavern, Totem Lake: HeatherBBlues, 8pm

March 13 - Tuesday Chochookum Arts Center, Whidbey Island, Ben Rice Trio w/Cee Cee James Band, 7pm New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pm March 14 - Wednesday Highway 99: Louisiana House Party w/ Whozymamma New Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm Rockfish Grill: Stilly River band Upstage, Pt. Townsend, Ben Rice Trio, 8pm

March 15 - Thursday Bad Alberts, Ballard: Bill Chism w/Annie Eastwood, Larry Hill, Tom Brighton,5:30pm Highway 99: Hot Rod Holman Blues band K2 Lounge, Poulsbo, Ben Rice Trio New Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Salmon Bay Eagles: Smokin Js

March 16 - Friday Balefire, Everett:Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie Trio Central Saloon, Seattle, Ben Rice Trio Elmers: Tim Turner band Engels Pub: RAVINWOLF Highway 99: Nick Vigarino New Orleans: Flexicon w/Thomas Marriott Upstage: Lisa Mann Trio Rockfish Grill: Chris Stevens & the Surf Monkeys Ship Canal Grill: Brian Butler w/the Shifters March 17 - Saturday Central, Kirkland: Mark Whitman Band, 8pm Destination Harley, Fife: Lil Bill Trio, 12pm Elmers: Tim Turner band Highway 99: Hot Roddin Romeos New Orleans: Lil Bill & the Blue Notes Oxford: Lisa Mann Trio Rockfish Grill, Anacortes: Ben Rice Trio, 8pm Scotch & Vine, Des Moines: Brian Lee Trio, 7pm March 18 - Sunday Oxford: Tommy Cook & Friends Sirens Pub: Pt. Townsend: RAVINWOLF, 7pm Spar, Tacoma:the Blue Notes, 7:30pm March 19 - Monday Kent Sr. Center, Kent: Norm Bellas, Solo grand piano, 11 am New Orleans: New Orleans Quintet 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Ray Rivera Band w/Sara, Jam w/CD Woodbury Band

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13 14 15 16 17 18 19

March 20 - Tuesday New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pm Yuppie Tavern, Totem Lake: HeatherBBlues, 8pm

March 21 - Wednesday Engels Pub: Mary McPage & the Assassins Highway 99: Titians of Twang Mr. Villa,Lake City/Seattle:Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie Trio,7pm New Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm

March 22 - Thursday Bad Alberts, Ballard:Bill Chism w/Annie Eastwood, Larry Hill, Tom Brighton,5:30pm 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: A THURSDAY! NW QUEEN OF THE BLUES SEMI-FINALS - ROUND I Highway 99: Kathi MacDonald band New Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Salmon Bay Eagles: Jeff & the Jet City Flyers March 23 - Friday Crossroads Market Stage: Mia Vermillion Highway 99: John Nemeth Junction, Pt. Angeles: Ravinwolf New Orleans: Flexicon w/Thomas Marriott Oxford: Stacy Jones band 13 Coins, SeaTac: Tim Turner Band, 8:30pm Rockfish Grill: Blues Harp & Digeridoo from Harper March 24 - Saturday Brother Dons, Bremerton: Bill Brown & the King Bees, 8:30pm Charlies, Puyallup:the Blue Notes, 8pm Highway 99: Ty Curtis band New Orleans: Fabulous Roofshakers Oxford: Stacy Jones band Michoacan Mexican Restaurante: Brian Lee & the Orbiters, 8pm Rockfish Grill: Kim Field & the Titans of Twang Salmon Bay Eagles: Heather Banker Trio Sunnydale Tavern, SeaTac: Mary McPage & the Assassins March 25 - Sunday Oxford: Tommy Cook & Friends

20 28 31 21 29 Apr 22 30 23 24
March 28 - Wednesday Highway 99: Tim Hill band, Little Ray & the Uppercuts, Angie & the Carwrecks, New Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm Pike Place Bar & Grill at the Market: Kimball & the Fugitives w/ Stickshift Annie,6pm March 29 - Thursday Bad Alberts, Ballard: Bill Chism w/Annie Eastwood, Larry Hill, Tom Brighton,5:30pm Highway 99: Three Guitars, Brian Butler, Rod Cook & Chris Stevens Madison Pub: Mark Whitman Band New Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Salmon Bay Eagles: All Stars & No Stripes March 30 - Friday Coeur dAlene Blues Festival Highway 99: Lee Oskar & Friends HG Bistro, Puyallup: Ravinwolf Oxford: Bobby Holland & the Breadline Rockfish Grill: Geoffrey Castle Triple Door: Roy Roger & the Delta Rhythm Kings Apr. 1 - Sunday Apr. 3 Tuesday New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pm Apr. 4 - Wednesday New Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm

March 31 - Saturday Coeur dAlene Blues Festival Destination Harley, Fife: Lil Bill Trio, 12pm Triple Door: Ian McFeron band, Kate Lynn Hogan Highway 99: Kim Field & the Mighty Titians of Tone New Orleans: Gin Creek Oxford: Dirty Rice Rockfish Grill: Seatown R&B Scotch & Vine, Des Moines: Brian Lee Trio, 7pm

Apr. 2 - Monday 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Annie ONeal, Jam w/Star Drums & Lady Keys New Orleans: New Orleans Quintet

March 26 - Monday 88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Surprise Guest!, Jam w/Dirty Rice New Orleans: New Orleans Quintet

March 27 - Tuesday New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pm Yuppie Tavern, Totem Lake: HeatherBBlues, 8pm

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Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Seattle, WA Permit No. 5617

P.O. Box 70604 Seattle, W 98127 A Change Service Requested

The WBS is a proud recipient of a 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive A ward