Fe ature d Ar tic le s

On the Cover : Vivian Conant Photo by the Blues B oss

Dave Conant: Throwback Anniversar y Party

The 33rd Annual Blues Music Awards:

B est of the Blues

We Juke Up in Here:From the Producers

of “M for Mississ ippi”

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Hullo and Happy New Year from your newly elected Editor!

So, I wanted to give you all a quick synopsis of who I am and how I got my fingers all over this fantastic publication: In July of 2011, I was at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, dancing with friends, eating amazing food on the go, staying up way too late and enjoying the summer and the sounds of the blues. Midway through my corndog I picked a copy of the Washington Blues Society Bluesletter and decided then and there that I wanted to help.

The Bluesletter has the amazing ability to draw people in, connect local blues musicians, promote the blues community and to do it with grace and charm while keeping the blues alive by remember the amazing men and women who

Letter from the President 7We Juke Up In Here 8Dry Side Blues 11Blues Nominees 12

Blues Nominees - the List 14The “BB”s 16December Blues Bash 18Blues Reviews 20

Talent Guide 24Blues on the Radio Dial 26Jam Guide 26Venue Guide 27

In This Issue...

have gone before us. But, it was in desperate need of a design makeover. My education at The Art Institute of Seattle was nearly over, and I had the time (and the skill set) to feel confident in offering my services; But, I had no idea what was really in store for me.

Over the last five months, I have learned more about blues than I can even believe; I learned some of the backstory that brings out the passion, not just in the music, but in those who hear it. And I learned that there are so many blues lovers around that you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting one. (though why anyone would want to swing a dead cat, I’ll never know.)

I discovered Blues nearly two years ago at the urging of a fellow swing dancer, who promised me that Blues Dancing would improve my Lindy Hop; while that was true, I soon discovered that I was really a blues dancer,

who occasionally liked to swing dance, and not the other way around. There is something so magical about dancing to blues. John Benner once quipped that “Blues Dancing is a whole lotta this, without all of that.” I see it as a way for someone who cannot play the blues to just immerse oneself into it. And the Blues Community is yet another way to become immersed.

I am honored beyond words by the nomination and subsequent election to the position of Editor. I hope to continue to grow the Bluesletter, get to know all of you who supported this wonderful publication, and uphold the faith that you all have in me going into our 23rd year promoting and preserving blues music in Washington State.

Thank you,Jesse Phillips Editor,

Washington Blues Society Bluesletter

Letter from the (new) Editor

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Dave Conant Throwback 28Calendar 30Blues Ballot 31

Celebrating 23 Years of Blues1989 - 2012

January 2012 BluesletterVol. XXIV, Number 1

Publisher Washington Blues SocietyEditor & Art Director Jesse Phillips (jesse@jessephillipsdesigns.com)Calendar Maridel Fliss (mflissm@aol.com)Advertising Malcolm Kennedy (advertising@wablues.org)Printer Pacific Publishing Company www.pacificpublishingcompany.com

Contributing Writers: Robert Horn, Eric Steiner, Ed Maloney,, Malcolm Kennedy, Roberta Doupe, Rick J Bowen, Rev. Deborah Engelhardt, Jerry Peterson, Roy Brown

Contributing Photographers: Jerry Peterson, The Blues Boss, Tom Austin, Mia Vermillion

Cover Photo: Rod Cook, Photo by The Blues Boss

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

Mission Statement 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.

Washington Blues SocietyP.O. Box 70604

Seattle, WA 98127www.wablues.org

Vivian ConantPhoto by The Blues Boss

The Blues Boss is a long-time volunteer in the blues community of the Pacific Northwest, and when he’s not taking pictures of local, regional and national blues talent, he’s supporting blues artists at festivals, clubs and special events.

This month’s feature on the Dave Conant Throwback Anniversary Party features pictures of the Conant Family, together in heart. The Blues Boss’s blues rolodex is substantial; he’s frequently recognized as an ambassador of the Washington Blues Society on Facebook and the Blindman Blues Forum international blues resource.

On the Cover:

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Drummer Marty Binder at Buddy

Guys in Chicago by Eric Steiner

Bluesman Morry Sochat at Buddy Guy’s in Chicago by Eric Steiner

Herman Matthews Bluesletter Photo

by Blues Boss

Producer Dick Shurman at Buddy Guy’s in Chicaago by Eric Steiner

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Washington Blues SocietyHotline: 1-888-90BLUES

1-888-902-5837Proud Recipient of a 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive

Award from The Blues Foundation

2012 Officers President Eric Steiner president@wablues.orgVice President Vacant vicepres@wablues.orgSecretary Antoinette Trizuto secretary@wablues.orgTreasurer (Acting) Chad Creamer treasurer@wablues.orgEditor Jesse Phillips jessephillipsdesigns.com

2012 Directors Music Suze Sims music@wablues.orgMembership Michelle Burge membership@wablues.orgEducation Jim DiIanni education@wablues.orgVolunteers Rhea Rolfe volunteers@wablues.orgMerchandise Tony Frederickson merchandise@wablues.orgAdvertising Malcolm Kennedy advertising@wablues.org

2012 Street TeamDowntown Seattle Tim & Michelle Burge blueslover206@comcast.netWest Seattle Rev Deb Engelhardt deb@revdeb.comEastside Jim DiIanni education@wablues.orgNorthern WA Lloyd Peterson freesprt@televar.comPeninsula Dan Wilson allstarguitar@centurytel.netSouth Sound Smoke smkndrms@aol.comCentral WA Steven J. Lefebvre s.j.lefebvre@gmail.com,Eastern WA Cindy Dyer cindalucy@hotmail.comBallard George “Jordy” Sigler jordysigler@yahoo.comLopez Island Carolyn & Dean Jacobsen cjacobsen@rockisland.comMiddle East Rocky “Rock Khan” Nelson rocknafghanistan@gmail.com

Editorial Advisory Board & Proofeaders Mary McPage Eric Steiner Carolyn Kennedy Son Jack Jr.

Special Thanks Webmaster The Sheriff (webmaster@wablues.org)Web Hosting Adhost (www.adhost.com)WBS Logo Phil Chesnut (philustr8r@aol.com)

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Attention Musicians:Are you interested in performing at a WBS monthly meeting? Our “Blues Bashes” are the second Tuesday of every month at the Red Crane Restaurant in Shoreline, WA. Please submit the following information to music@wablues.org with WBS Performer in the subject field for each act we would consider for this opportunity. Performers receive a complimentary one-year Washington Blues Society membership, plus the opportunity to network with members and sell merchandise!Artist/Band Name Please include a short bio or keynotes about the band. This should be no more than 100 words and be ready for publication on the WBS website or print media. City of Origin Members names and each instruments for performance. Each performer’s email address (and direct mailing address if available)Website Link to music Samples Link for Press pictures (hi-res and low-res).Link to or please attach a stageplot diagram or input list. Link to your band’s official website Artist or Booking Email address (if not same as above)Artist or Booking Phone Contact (for the day of event)

Happy Blues Year!

This year will be another exciting year for the Washington Blues Society. I’m pleased to report that we have a new Editor, Jesse Phillips, who is contributing her time, talent and expertise in improving our Bluesletter. I’m also pleased to report that we are continuing our monthly “Blues Bash” meetings on the second Tuesday of every month at the Red Crane Restaurant in Shoreline.

Last month, a few members made their way (two came all the way from Port Gamble!) to the Red Crane

Letter from the President

on the second Tuesday of December. Traditionally, we’ve not held a meeting in December. Instead, we’ve hosted a holiday party for our members like the one we celebrated upstairs at Forecaster’s in Woodinville. Well, as I enjoyed happy hour-priced sushi and appetizers at the Red Crane, familiar faces wanted to know when the music began. I was flattered that they came, and I may recommend that we have a meeting this December if there’s enough interest among the 2012 Board and musicians available to donate their time. I know it’ll be another event during the holiday season, likely in the same week of our holiday party, but I think this idea merits some consideration. This year, can we host 12 meetings, a picnic, conduct a multi-site statewide competition for the 2013 International Blues Challenge, and support a number of festivals and other special events?

Yes, we can. Under the leadership of volunteers like

Advertising Rates:

Space Reservations 5th of the monthCamera Ready Art 12th of every monthGraphics: 300 dpi PDF, TIF or JPGText: Plain .txt or WordFull 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%

We’ve Got Discounts! 20% off- 12 month pre-payment15% off- 6 month pre-payment10% off- 3 month pre-paymentContact: advertising@wablues.org

January 2012 DEADLINES:

Advertising Space Reservations: January 5thmalcarken@comcast.net

Calendar: January 10th calendar@wablues.org

Editorial Submissions: January 5theditor@wablues.org

Camera Ready Ad Art Due: January12thmalcarken@comcast.net

THANK YOU FOR READING THE BLUESLETTER AND

SUPPORTING LIVE BLUES IN THE EVERGREEN STATE!

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? We’d like to help. While we cannot predict when or if a review will land in the pages of the Bluesletter, we’d 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 SocietyATTN: CD Reviews

PO Box 70604Seattle, WA 98027

Tony Frederickson, Big Al, Rhea Rolfe, Malcolm and Carolyn Kennedy, Chad Creamer, Suze Sims, Jesse Phillips, and Tim and Michelle Burge, the Washington Blues Society is fortunate to have a dedicated core group of volunteers to promote, preserve, and advance the culture of blues music throughout the Evergreen State.

Finally, I encourage each and every member to participate in the nomination process for our 2012 Best of the Blues Awards. Please send in your December ballot to arrive in our PO Box no later than February 15th. We’ll have ballots on hand at the January and February “Blues Bashes” at the Red Crane, too.

Eric Steiner, PresidentWashington Blues Society

Member, Board of Directors, The Blues Foundation

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(CLARKSDALE, MS) In 2008, music producers Jeff Konkel and Roger Stolle took viewers on a road trip through the birthplace of the blues in the award-winning film “M For Mississippi.” Now the duo is set to return with a new film exploring what remains of the once-thriving tradition of juke joints in the Mississippi Delta. Filming concluded last week for “We Juke Up In Here: Mississippi’s Juke Joint Culture at the Crossroads.” The DVD/CD set will be released in April 2012 but is available now for pre-order at www.wejukeupinhere.com.

“Great blues music can be enjoyed anywhere, whether it’s at a big outdoor festival or an upscale supper club. But we believe the best place to hear it is in a dimly lit juke filled with tough characters, treacherous women and lukewarm beer,” Konkel said. “This film aims to prove our point.”

Production for “We Juke Up In Here” began in May and continued through the summer and fall. The project reunites Stolle and Konkel with their “M For Mississippi” cinematographer and co-producer Damien Blaylock. Also returning from the previous production was sound engineer Bill Abel. The team was rounded out by talented videographer and photographer Lou Bopp.

Although the movie’s production included film shoots in venues throughout the Delta, the film largely focuses on Red’s Lounge, a long-running juke in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and its owner Red Paden. Over the past decade, Red’s Lounge has emerged as the

most active juke joint in the region, hosting live blues every weekend by some of the state’s best-loved bluesmen.

“There are plenty of so-called ‘juke joints’ in Mississippi that book live music during festival weekends when thousands of tourists flood the region,” Stolle said. “But the test of a real juke is what happens when the crowds go home. Red books real-deal blues into his juke week-in and week-out, all year round. He’s like the last of the Mohicans.”Other venues to be featured in the film include Po’ Monkey’s Lounge in Merigold, Mississippi and the Blue Front Cafe in Bentonia, Mississippi.

In addition to insightful interviews with juke owners, patrons and musicians, “We Juke Up In Here” will feature gritty performances by Anthony “Big A” Sherrod, Louis “Gearshifter” Youngblood, Elmo Williams & Hezekiah Early, Robert Lee “Lil’ Poochie” Watson, Big George Brock, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes and Terry “Harmonica” Bean.

“We Juke Up In Here” will be released as a deluxe box set featuring a DVD, a CD soundtrack and a glossy pullout booklet with multiple essays, notes and color photos. The DVD will include the feature-length documentary along with a treasure trove of bonus features including unreleased scenes, production stills, a promotional trailer, closed captioning, foreign-language subtitles and more. The DVD will be region-free and playable on DVD players worldwide. The box set will retail for $29.99 (US).

Customers who pre-order “We Juke Up In Here” from www.wejukeupinhere.com will receive the product before its official release and at a discounted price of $25 (US) plus free shipping worldwide.

Several marketing sponsors have stepped forward with financial support to assist in the production of the movie. The filmmakers’ principal sponsor and partner is the Rootsway Roots & Blues Association (www.rootsandblues.org), a nonprofit organization from Parma, Italy. Founded in 2004, the group is dedicated to promoting rural and indigenous American and African-American musical art forms throughout northern Italy. Rootsway has brought several Mississippi blues performers to Italy in recent years.

Additional sponsors include: AJStephans Company/Jeff Rose (www.ajstephans.com), Cathead Vodka (www.catheadvodka.com), Jerry and Marge Konkel, Lemuria Books (www.lemuriabooks.com), Nayati Dreams (www.nayatidreams.fr), The New Roxy (www.newroxyclarksdale.com), Roadhouse Lou, and Smokestack Blues (www.smokestackblues.com).

Additional sponsorship opportunities remain for “We Juke Up In Here”. To inquire about sponsorships, e-mail the filmmakers at info@wejukeupinhere.com.

“We Juke Up In Here” is a joint production of Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art (www.cathead.biz) and Broke & Hungry Records (www.brokeandhungryrecords.com).

New film by “M For Mississippi” producers explores Delta juke joints

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We on the Dry Side enjoy celebrating the contributions made by those who support the local blues music scene, and nowhere was that more evident than at the 17th Annual Empire Awards on November 10th.

Ted Todd put together what was so far the best event of the year – which can be expected when cheering for award winners and enjoying killer live music with hundreds of your closest friends. Charlie Butts and the Filter Tips showed up with their brand-new CD, “More Peas,” and with Charlie on alto and tenor saxophones, harmonica and vocals and Luther Hughes on drums and vocals, Pat Barclay on guitar and vocals, Danny McCollim on keyboards and Josh Simon on bass, they percolated with the hot and funky sound that we’ve come to love. After their set, MC ‘Uncle’ Don Parkins from Bluz at the Bend began by presenting the award for Best Writer for the IEBS monthly newsletter (thank you!!), followed in quick succession by awards for Best Blues Radio Program (Blowtorch Blues), Best Blues Drummer (Big Mumbo’s Mark Stephens), Best Blues Bass (Dale Lewis with Sammy Eubanks), Best Instrumentalist (Charlie Butts), Best Keyboards (Steve Carver of Big Mumbo), Best Harmonica (Jesse Kunz of the Fur Traders), Best Female Vocalist (Jennifer Kemple of Big Mumbo), Best Male Vocalist (Pat Barclay of Big Mumbo), Best Blues Guitar (Bobby

Patterson of the Fat Tones), Best Female Performer (Jennifer Kemple), Best Male Performer (Robb Boatsman of Rampage), Best Acoustic Act (Delta Preachers), Best New Blues Band (Kenny James Miller Band), Best Slide Guitar (Ray Roberson), Best Blues Band (Laffin’ Bones), Best Blues Album (Sammy Eubanks’ Riding Alone), Best Blues Event (Coeur ‘d Alene Blues Festival), Best Blues Venue (Daley’s Cheap Shots), Keeping the Blues Alive (Bill Fowler) and the Musician’s Choice Award (Cary Fly).

After the awards had been presented, the attendees got down to the music of Lisa Mann and Her Really Good Band. With Lisa fronting on bass and vocals, Dave Melyan of the Insomniacs sitting in on drums, Jeff Knudson on guitar and Brian Harris on keyboards, the band sizzled through several of the originals on Lisa’s self-titled CD, including “Someday,” “Little Sister,” and “Down Home Blues,”, and it was easy to see why Ted Todd immediately booked this band for the Awards Ceremony after hearing them at the International Blues Challenge semifinals in Memphis last February.

The very next night, several of us attended a little birthday celebration that ended up being a who’s who of Empire Award winners. Robb Boatsman, 2011’s Best Male Performer did his performer thing and began playing a

tune, 2011 Best Blues Guitar award winner Bobby Patterson picked up a lonely bass guitar, 2011 Keeping the Blues Alive recipient ‘Hundred Dollar Bill’ Fowler stepped up on harmonica, and with 2011 Musician’s Choice award winner Cary Fly watching over things, the attendees were treated to an All-Star jam. Only on the Dry Side…

‘Reverend’ Gary Yeoman put together a little celebration of “Juke Joint Women” at Daley’s on November 26th, and a packed house was treated to sets by Yo’s own Voodoo Church with special guest Kelly Aspen Green, Nina Wavada fronting Roamin’ Cadillac Church, and headliner Sarah Brown Band. Nina commanded respect in her nun’s habit costume, belting out covers of classics including “Wang Dang Doodle”, “12-Bar Blues” and “You Can Have My Husband” over solid backing from Eric Neuhausser on guitar, Brion Foster of Blowtorch Blues on bass, and Gary Smith on drums. Sarah Brown alternated classics such as “Teeny Weenie Bit of Your Love” with originals, keeping the dance floor packed with appreciative attendees until the last note was played. Thanks once again to Gary Yeoman for putting this show together, with special thanks to Dave Daley and his staff for hosting such an enjoyable event for Spokane blues fans.

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Memphis, TN – The Blues Foundation is pleased to announce the nominations for their annual Blues Music Awards, which the international organization will present at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, TN, on May 10, 2012. The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest accolade afforded musicians and songwriters in Blues music. The annual Blues Music Awards ceremony is the premier event for Blues professionals, musicians, and fans from all over the world. The focus of this celebration is to recognize superior achievements in Blues performance, songwriting, and recording while honoring a rich cultural tradition.

The list of honorees for the 33nd Blues Music Awards includes Blues Hall of Fame members Denise LaSalle, Charlie Musselwhite and Bobby Rush. Leading with four nominations each are Sugar Ray & the Bluetones with theirs Evening CD and Louisiana artists Tab Benoit with his Medicine release and Johnny Sansone and his The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too. Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, the Tedeschi-Trucks Band and their Revelator combined for four nominations. Tommy Castro, his band and the various artists on The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue--Live! CD also combined for four nominations.

Three nominations each went to Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Lazy Lester, David Maxwell, Ana Popovic and Johnny Rawls. Popovic is joined by two other Europeans, English guitarist Ian Siegal who paired with Mississippi artists and Big Pete, a Dutch singer and harmonica player, who each got a first-ever nomination. More than thirty other first time nominees were recognized including well-known blues-rock performers Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes and George Thorogood. The Blues

Foundation’s International Blues Challenge is certainly proving a path to success as it is well-represented with past winners Eden Brent, Grady Champion, Diunna Greenleaf, Zac Harmon, JP Soars, Trampled Under Foot

and Lionel Young all receiving nominations.“The number of first-time nominees demonstrate the vitality of blues music and reflect the releases and live performances of the past year,” Jay Sieleman, The Blues Foundation’s Executive Director said. “The nominations prove not only the sustaining power of Blues music, but also its ability to constantly evolve and remain relevant to today’s fans.”

December 13 is an early Christmas for Blues fans as tickets for the May 10 Award show go on sale and voting begins too. Blues Foundation members are the only fans who vote to decide which nominees will actually take home the Blues Music Award. Members also receive seating preference at the Awards show.

Every year, the Blues Music Awards ceremony itself proves to be one of the best shows of the year. After all, almost every nominee not only attends, but also performs – creating a lineup comprised of the best of the best in blues all in one evening. A complete nominee list, as well as membership, voting, ticket and host hotel information can be found at The Blues Foundation’s website—www.blues.org. Hall of Fame honorees will be announced in mid-February.

For the sixth consecutive year, The Blues Music Awards will be broadcast live in their entirety on Sirius XM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville – the next best thing to being there. They will be subsequently broadcast on public television.

The Blues Music Awards are universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists. Major funding is provided by ArtsMemphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission. The 33rd Blues Music Awards are also sponsored by BMI, Blue Mountain Artists, Catfood Records, Eagle Rock Entertainment, FedEx, First Tennessee Foundation, Gibson Foundation, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Sony/Legacy.

The Blues Foundation is Memphis-based, but world-renown as THE organization dedicated to preserving our blues music history, celebrating recording and performance excel lence, supporting blues education and ensuring the future of this uniquely American art form. Founded in 1980, The Blues Foundation has 4500 individual members and 200 affiliated local blues societies representing another 50,000 fans and professionals around the world. Its signature honors and events--the Blues Music Awards, Blues Hall of Fame, International Blues Challenge and Keeping the Blues Alive Awards--make it the international center of blues music. Its HART Fund provides the blues community with medical assistance while its Sound Healthcare program offers musicians health insurance access. Blues in the Schools programs and Generation Blues scholarships expose new generations to blues music. Throughout the year, the Foundation staff serves the worldwide Blues community with answers, contact information and news.

Online Voting and Ticket Sales Open December 13, 2011 Awards to be held in Memphis on May 10th 2012

The Blues Foundation Announces

Blues Music Award n o m i n e e sThe 33rd

Contemporary

Instrumental

ACOUSTIC

BLUESt r a d i t i o n a l“The number of first-time

nominees demonstrate the vitality of blues music and reflect the releases and live performances of the past year,”

Jay Sieleman, The Blues Foundation’s Executive Director said.

For more information, log onto www.blues.org

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ContemporarySoulfulRock & Roll

Instrumental

ACOUSTIC

BLUESt r a d i t i o n a l

Looking Ahead:Blues Foundation Best Self-Produced CD

Competition for 2011-2012Washington Blues Society members with 2011/12 Self-Produced Commercial Blues CD Releases may be eligible to participate in the Blues Foundation Annual International Best Self-Produced CD competition. The awards are announced during International Blues Challenge weekend in Memphis, TN. Eligible WBS members’ CDs must have been released during November 1, 2011 - October 31, 2012. Please visit the following Blues Foundation page for complete rules on the Best Self-Produced CD: http://blues.org/ibc/index.php#ref=ibc_selfcdrules.

Please submit two copies of the CD release with a one sheet (one page bio about the CD, recording project, and band) to:

Music Director

Washington Blues Society PO BOX 70604

Seattle WA 98127

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Best New Artist DebutChoice Cuts - Big Pete

Bad Girl - Demetria TaylorThe Mighty Mojo Prophets - The Mighty Mojo Prophets

Runaway - Samantha FishLeave the Light On - Sena Ehrhardt

Historical AlbumBear Family - Texas Flyer 1974-76 (Freddie King)

Chess - Smokestack Lightning/The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960 (Howlin’ Wolf)Delmark - Hoodoo Man Blues (Junior Wells Chicago Blues Band with Buddy Guy)

Electro-Fi - Teardrops Are Falling - Live in 1983 (George “Harmonica” Smith)Virgin - The Essential Modern Records Collection (Etta James)

Old and New

DrumsChris Layton

Jimi BottKenny SmithRobb Stupka

Stanton MooreTony Braunagel

BassBiscuit Miller

Danielle SchnebelenLarry Taylor

Michael “Mudcat” WardPatrick Rynn

HornAl Basile

Doug JamesKeith CrossanSax GordonTerry Hanck

HarmonicaCharlie Musselwhite

Kim WilsonLazy LesterRick Estrin

Sugar Ray Norcia

OtherBen Prestage, diddley bow

Lionel Young, violinOtis Taylor, banjo

Rich Del Grosso, mandolinSonny Rhodes, lap steel guitar

Instrumentalist

Album of the YearChicago Blues A Living History The (R)evolution Continues -

Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell, Carlos JohnsonRock and a Hard Place - Eugene Hideaway Bridges

The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too - Johnny SansoneEvening - Sugar Ray & the Bluetones

Medicine - Tab Benoit Revelator - Tedeschi Trucks Band

Band of the YearBo-Keys

Lil’ Ed & the Blues ImperialsSugar Ray & the Bluetones

Tedeschi Trucks BandTommy Castro BandTrampled Under Foot

Song of the Year“Appreciate What You Got” - Terry Hanck (Look Out! - Terry Hanck)

“Back to the Blues” - Hadden Sayers (Hard Dollar- Hadden Sayers)“Memphis Still Got Soul” - Bob Trenchard & Johnny Rawls (Memphis Still Got Soul - Johnny Rawls)

“Thank You for Giving Me the Blues” - Grady Champion, Zac Harmon & Chris Troy (Dreamin’ - Grady Champion)“The Lord is Waiting the Devil is Too” - Johnny Sansone (The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too - Johnny Sansone)

“The Older I Get the Better I Was” - Joe Shelton (The Older I Get the Better I Was - Big Joe Shelton

Of The Year

DVDAn Evening at Trasimeno Lake - Ana Popovic (ArtisteXclusive)

Live at Montreux 2010 - Gary Moore (Eagle Rock)

Live At Antone’s - Ruthie Foster (Blue Corn)

The Emporium to the Orpheum - Trampled Under Foot (Redwood)

All Jams on Deck - Various Artists (Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise

& Mug-Shot Productions)

Play the Blues - Wynton Marsalis &

Eric Clapton (Rhino)

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B.B. King EntertainerCandye Kane

Lil’ Ed Ruthie Foster

Tab BenoitTommy Castro

Gibson Guitar AwardDerek Trucks

Duke RobillardKirk Fletcher

Lurrie BellMichael Burks

Pinetop Perkins Piano PlayerDavid Maxwell

Eden BrentJon Cleary

Kenny “Blues Boss” WayneMarcia Ball

Victor Wainwright

Naming Names

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The Blues Foundation Announces

Blues Music Award n o m i n e e sThe 33rd

Rock Blues Album2120 South Michigan Avenue -

George Thorogood & the DestroyersDust Bowl - Joe Bonamassa

Greyhound - Mike Zito Shiver - Too Slim and the Taildraggers

Man in Motion - Warren Haynes

Contemporary Blues AlbumUnconditional - Ana Popovic

Don’t Explain - Beth Hart & Joe BonamassaThe Skinny - Ian Siegal & the Youngest Sons

The Lord is Waiting and the Devil is Too - Johnny SansoneMedicine - Tab Benoit

Tommy Castro Presents The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue--Live! - Various Artists

Contemporary Blues Male ArtistJoe Louis WalkerJohnny Sansone

JP SoarsTab Benoit

Tommy Castro

Contemporary Blues Female ArtistAna Popovic

Bettye LaVetteCandye Kane

Janiva MagnessSusan Tedeschi

ContemporaryRock

Acoustic AlbumConversations in Blue - David Maxwell & Otis Spann

Brand New Eyes - Doug MacLeod Troubadour Live - Eric Bibb

Misery Loves Company - Mary Flower Shake ‘Em on Down - Rory Block

Acoustic ArtistDavid MaxwellDoug MacLeod

Eric BibbGuy Davis

Mary FlowerRory BlockAcoustic

Soul Blues AlbumGot to Get Back! - Bo-Keys

Show You a Good Time - Bobby Rush Rock and a Hard Place - Eugene Hideaway Bridges

Dreamin’ - Grady ChampionMemphis Still Got Soul - Johnny Rawls

Soul Blues Female ArtistAlexis P. SuterDenise LaSalleJackie Johnson

Sharrie WilliamsSista Monica Parker

Soul Blues Male ArtistBobby Rush

Curtis SalgadoEugene Hideaway Bridges

Johnny RawlsOtis Clay

Soul Blues

Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female)

Diunna GreenleafMaria Muldaur

Nora JeanRuthie FosterTracy Nelson

Traditional Blues AlbumChicago Blues A Living History The (R)evolution Continues - Billy Boy Arnold, John Primer, Billy Branch, Lurrie Bell, Carlos Johnson

Trying To Hold On - Diunna Greenleaf You Better Listen - Lazy Lester

Evening - Sugar Ray & the BluetonesVictim of the Blues - Tracy Nelson

Traditional Blues Male Artist

Charlie MusselwhiteJohn PrimerLazy LesterMac ArnoldMagic Slim

Trad Blues

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The following guidelines were drafted by Malcolm “Yard Dog” Kennedy with input from the 2011 Board of Directors. These guidelines attempt to clarify questions raised by many blues society members and artists about our annual awards show.

Who can nominate? Only current Washington Blues Society members are eligible to nominate artists or other nominees in our annual awards process. Please see your membership card or check the date on your Bluesletter label to make sure your membership is current.

Two privileges of Washington Blues Society membership include the right to 1) nominate potential BB Award recipients, and 2) vote for nominees on the final voting ballot. Without your participation the process is broken. To nominate, simply write the name of the Washington artist, nominee, or party in the

category on the ballot on page 31 of the December 2011 Bluesletter.

We encourage members to nominate in as many categories as possible. There is no requirement to fill in each slot; leaving some categories blank will not disqualify your nomination.

Your nomination must be on the Bluesletter mailed to you with your mailing label attached. For couple’s nominations, a photocopy for the second ballot should be included in a sealed envelope along with the original ballot that has the mailing label attached. This is our society’s primary method of verifying membership. You can mail your nomination ballot to the Washington Blues Society post office box, or deliver it to a Board member on or before February 15, 2012 – one day after our monthly Blues Bash. Nomination ballots received after

this date will not be counted. Ballots received without the mailing label attached will not be counted unless membership has been verified by the Board of Directors. Only one ballot per member.

PLEASE NOTE: Prior recipients of Lifetime Achievement Award and Musicians Hall of Fame Awards are ineligible for a second award in those categories.

There are also three categories that the Board of Directors has named in honor of artists who have won these awards a number of times. The Male Vocalist, Blues Harmonica, and Blues Drummer awards have been renamed honoring Mark DuFresne, Paul Green, and Chris Leighton. Mark, Paul, and Chris are ineligible for an award in these categories, so please do not waste your vote.

Official 2012 Washington Blues Society Best of the Blues (“BB Awards”) Nomination Guidelines

2012 Best Washington Blues CD RecordingUpdated BB Eligible CD’s- includes new entries

Regarding the Best Washington Blues Recording category, our 2012 guidelines contain a list of CDs that are eligible. Although we try to list all eligible Washington Blues CDs, you may have discovered a release we missed. The band must be from Washington, and the CD must have been released between November 1st, 2010 and October 31st 2011. This eligibility period aligns with the Blues Foundation Best Self Produced CD competition. If you wish to nominate a CD not on this list please send an e-mail to merchandise@wablues.org or any other Board member listed on page two your Bluesletter. We will be happy to try to verify release date with the artist for eligibility. Special note to musicians- if your CD is not included on the list please e-mail editor@wablues.org so that we might include it in the Bluesletter next month. The following is a partial list of Washington blues recordings that were released during the eligibility period.

Artist CDBump Kitchen Live at the Yale The Fat Tones Sounds Like a Party Randy Oxford Band Festival Sammy Eubanks Riding AloneToo Slim & the Taildraggers Shiver James Howard Live in Seattle John “Scooch” Cugno Compilation Blues Ron Hendee Through the ArchBig Mumbo Blues Band How Blue Can Blues GetLaffin’ Bones Drive That RoadCoyote Kings MoveJoey “The Saint” & The A Men Old Whiskey in New BottlesHot Rod’s Blues Revue Live at Highway 99 Blues Club April 2011Junkyard Jane F-Bombs & Love LettersJames King & the Southsiders Too FacedT Town Aces All InCD Woodbury Band Sunbanks LiveBrian Lee & The Orbiters Identity TheftJim Allchin Overclocked

Keeping the Blues Alive AwardThe Keeping the Blues Alive award is open to performers and non-performers alike and can be won multiple times. This award is intended to honor the recipient for their achievements above and beyond the ‘call of duty” to keep the blues music alive. Examples include a promoter of a benefit, a special show a festival; maybe as a volunteer or a historian, possibly doing work to present and pass the music on to new generations or in other ways sustaining the blues. This award was first given in 1993 and the following list is presented as a reference and as a reminder of the hard work and dedication to this American art form by individuals in your community.

1993 Patrick Lynch1994 Cholo Willsin1995 Rod Downing1996 Rikki & Kevin Cates1997 Raven & Sheri Humphres1998 Robert & Carol Sawyer1999 Marlee Walker2000 Marlee Walker2001 Ken Page & Frankie Lee2002 Randy Oxford2003 Leslie Fleury2004 Rev. Dave Brown2005 Randy Oxford2006 Jeff Hayes & Lloyd Peterson2007 Jimie Jean Tuttle2008 Rhea Rolfe2009 Dennis “Blues Boss” Dudley2010 Highway 99 Blues Club2011 Tim & Michelle Burge

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The Best of the Blues

Year Hall of Fame 1991 Isaac Scott 1992 Dick Powell 1993 Little Bill Engelhart 1994 Buck England 1995 Leslie Milton 1996 Patti Allen 1997 Duffy Bishop 1998 Rich Dangle 1999 Charles White & Kathi McDonald2000 Nick Vigarino/Dave Conant 2001 Mark DuFresne 2002 Randy Oxford 2003 Mark Whitman 2004 Alice Stuart 2005 Dave Conant 2006 Jack Cook 2007 David Brewer 2008 Paul Green 2009 Kirk “KT” Tuttle 2010 Nick Vigarino, Chris Leighton 2011 LJ Porter

Year Lifetime Achievement1996 Bobby “Blue” Bland, B.B. King, & John Lee Hooker1997 John Mayall1998 Little Bill Engelhart & Luther Allison1999 Dick Powell & Buddy Guy2000 Isaac Scott & Taj Mahal2001 Patti Allen2002 Dave Conant2003 Rich Dangle2004 Patti Allen2005 Randy Oxford & Mark Whitman2006 Tommy Morgan2007 Fat James Grosvenor2008 Alice Stuart2009 Kirk “KT” Tuttle2010 Lee Oskar2011 Charles White

Hall of Fame & Lifetime Achievement Awards

Here are the lists of recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award and the inductees of the Washington Blues Hall of Fame. As stated earlier, CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE HALL OF FAME AND RECIPEINTS OF THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD ARE INELIGIBLE E FOR A SECOND NOMINATION IN THAT CATEGORY.

The Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame began at the first annual BB Awards in 1991, and the first Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded 1996.Please Note: Traditionally, each of these two awards have been reserved for performers. Nominations for non-performers will not be counted.

General Guidelines for Blues Image and Graphic Artist BB

Award CategoriesThe Blues Image category is reserved exclusively for photographs. CD cover photos or other photographs with a graphic overlay will be considered as photographs. The Graphic Artist category is reserved for all non-photographic blues art, such as pen and ink, painting, computer generated or assisted art that includes but is not limited to: blues event poster artwork, T-shirt art, advertising art, CD cover art, etc. For nominations in the Blues Image category, please include a description of the image. Examples of prior nominations include “Stacy Jones and Honeyboy Edwards, December 2010 Bluesletter on page 17” or “Big Rockin’ Blues cover photo from Becki Sue & Her Big Rockin’ Daddies’ CD.” For the Graphic Artist category, please also use specific examples, like “Denise St. John – Jam for Cans T-Shirt and Poster” or “Unknown Artist, Highway 99 to Highway 61 International Blues Challenge Fundraiser Poster.” Even if you do not have all of the details, we’ll do our best to locate the image from the Bluesletter, poster, or special event advertisement – please do not be shy: again, we’ll be as inclusive as possible!

What If I Forgot the Name of an Incredible Supporting Player?

If you cannot remember the names of nominees in the bass, drum or keyboard categories, ask some of the musicians you know to name several to jog your memory. It is likely they will know the first name the musicians that regularly share the stage with them, but ask them to also name some other players. There is a wealth of talent in Washington and many local blues musician can probably list five to ten performers in each each category that may be worthy of the nomination. We strongly encourage members to consider nominating artists that have played “under the radar” as there are a great number of players who have not received recognition from Washington Blues Society members. Please also keep this in mind when voting for the other performer categories (e.g., Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar, etc).

In the festival category, and in fairness to each of the other festivals that occur only once a year, please consider the Spring Sunbanks and Fall Sunbanks as two separate festivals. Please vote for one or the other as they are separate festivals.

IT IS YOUR NOMINATION! MAKE IT COUNT!PLEASE NOMINATE BB AWARD NOMINEES BY FEBRUARY 15, 2012!

The

Awards“BB”

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at the Red CraneBy Robert Horn, photos by the Blues Boss

The December 2011 Holiday Party

Last year ended with great music that cured the cold winter blues at least for a while. The 2011 annual Washington Blues Society holiday party returned to the Redhook Brewery. There was plenty to drink, but that was just a tiny part of what made it so much fun. This party is one of the most entertaining events of the year for blues fans in the region. Each year it is a little different. Some years, the tried and true format of music, introducing the new Board, and more music, is used. This year broke that mold. than other years though some time periods have had a similar format of first a band playing, then the There was not a lot of talking from the stage. Ninety-nine percent of the talking was done by the partiers at tables and the stage had four bands playing. The Wired Band played a great opening set that proves they are ready to compete again in Memphis with the 150 other bands sent from all over the world to see who is declared the best blues band. Kevin Sutton’s vocals and guitar work keep getting better, and his slide guitar playing is now in a league to be referred to from now on as ASTOUNDING. Kevin won the BB Award last year as Best Entertainer and if you want someone to start a party right, hire him to break it open like Minnesota Fats would break open a rack pool balls: full force with matter in motion at a level that cannot be brought back to normal while the event is going on. Songs like “Tough Love”, “Woe is Me” and “Rub It In” are sure to impress blues fans in Memphis. Kevin and the band performed part of the time on stage and part of the time out in the audience, on chairs, tables, and on anything that would not break.Santa showed up and he is a pretty good drummer too. He brought a bag of CDs and everyone had free raffle tickets. As people came up to get their prizes it soon developed into a number of people on Santa’s lap. A cuddle party developed that was warm enough to melt the North Pole.

Randy Norris and Jeff Nicely (or Naughty and Nicely as they were called) impressed the crowd with their harmonica and guitar as well as vocals. They are going to Memphis as the duo act and again showed why they qualify.International Blues Challenge veteran Alice Stuart performed to a filled dance floor. Joining Alice were Suze Sims on drums and vocals, Teri Ann Wilson on guitar and vocals, and Charlene Grant on bass and vocals. I think that there’s a different kind of energy in the air caused by a band completely made of women and the atmosphere became full of celebration. I sure won’t argue with that.Washington Blues Society President Eric Steiner addressed the crowd briefly with some great news. He told of the Road to Memphis and the bands going from Washington State. He also talked about the Musician Relief Fund, and reminded the audience that we were a part of one of the largest and most successful blues societies in the world with over 1,000 members. He told of the further development of the Bluesletter thanks to incoming editor Jesse Phillips and her plans for 2012. There is one think I’ve learned about the Washington Blues Society and its leadership over the years: it does what is says. Like put out an outstanding Bluesletter, help musicians in need through the Musicians Relief Fund, and host great parties like the annual holiday party!

The Dirty Rice Band with Eric Law Rice closed out the night with a great set of music. This band is definitely one to see in 2012. Early in this new year, there will be an article in the Bluesletter based in part on a two hour interview I did with Eric recently. He has a fire in his belly to make this a great band and judging by what I have heard when they are on stage at the holiday party, I think he and his band have arrived. The party was a hell of a lot of fun and if this is how 2011 ended then I expect an amazing New Blues Year in 2012!.

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1 2 3Blues Reviews

New Blues that you can Use

Sean CostelloAt His Best: Livewww.landsliderecords.com/

Sean Costello has, sadly, been gone 3+ years, but his relatively short career has been well-documented by Landslide Records. At His Best: Live adds to Sean’s Landslide library, which includes Sean’s Blues (2009), Cuttin’ In (2001), and Moanin’ for Molasses (2001). Sean also fronted the Jivebombers on Delta Groove’s We Can Get Together (2008) and a self-titled 2004 CD on Artemis. This 16-song set, from shows from 2000 through 2007, captures an artist that left us on the eve of his 29th birthday. Sean’s recordings capture his talent, and the Blues Blast Music Awards honors his memory with the Sean Costello Rising Star Award. The CD opens with a blistering tribute to Freddy King, “San-Ho-Zay,” and continues with an expert reading of the Magic Sam classic “All Your Love” from a stop at Buddy Guy’s Legends in 2002 While the disc features mostly straight-ahead rock-tinged blues, slower numbers like “I Got a Feeling” and the soulful and funky “Can I Change My Mind?” shine. The crowd noise during Lowell Fulson’s “Reconsider Baby” offers a “you are there in the club” vibe, and I’d like to think that fellow Atlanta bluesman Tinsley Ellis would be proud of Sean’s muscular workout on “The Battle is Over But the War Goes On.” On “Peace of Mind,” Matt Wauchope’s organ ushers in a soulful cover of Robert Ward’s song from his 1999 release, New Role Soul on Delmark. The last song is a real treat. Sean matches Little Richard’s (yes, as in “Tutti Frutti”) vocal intensity and co-author Albert Collins’ fretwork on a raucous “Lucille.” A portion of the royalties from the sale of At His Best: Live will be donated to the Sean Costello Memorial Fund for Bipolar Research, and I hope readers will learn more about Sean, and this condition, at www.seancostellofund.org. – Eric Steiner

Delilah DeWylde and the Lost BoysThe Price You Paywww.delilahdewylde.com/

The Price You Pay is Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys’ follow-up to their 2008 debut CD Honky Tonk Heart. They serve up traditional rockabilly, Americana, and pedal steel-tinged country at more than 75 live shows in Michigan and the Midwest annually. I saw the trio earlier this year at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo, and marveled at the way they channeled Gene Vincent, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash. They are a solid and entertaining rockabilly outfit. Delilah DeWylde’s out front on vocals and stand-up bass complemented by Lee Harvey on guitar and theremin (sort of a special effects box that inspired Robert Moog to develop early synthesizers) and DJ McCoy on drums. On The Price You Pay, the trio’s sound is rounded out with Drew Howard’s pedal steel, Joe Wilson’s steel guitar and trombone, and Roger Brown’s acoustic guitar. Harvey wrote six of the 11 songs on the CD, and I like the way that “A Cheatin’ Life,” “A Fool Never Learns”, and “Just for the Hank of It” are bathed in traditional fiddle or pedal steel. Two well-chosen covers pay homage to 1940’s country pioneers: “Texas in My Soul” honors songwriters Ernest Tubb and Zeb Turner (with a jaunty “call and response” refrain), and “I Can’t Get You Out of My Mind” shows me that the band has learned a lot from Hank Williams and the Drifting Cowboys. The band’s live concerts often include rockabilly standards like Bobby Fuller’s “Wine, Wine, Wine” or Eddie Cochran’s “20 Flight Rock,” and I look forward to seeing them again live. I also look forward to returning to Bell’s Brewery for some tasty Kalamazoo Stout! – Eric Steiner

Big Mamma’s DoorHandbaggedwww.bigmammasdoor.com/

British blues fans across the United Kingdom nominated Big Mamma’s Door in six categories for 2011 British Blues Awards. While none of the nominees were honored with an award at this past September’s third annual Newark Blues Festival in Nottinghamshire, this London-based five piece blues band is a welcome new blues discovery for me. Big Mamma’s Door received the following well-deserved nods: Best Album (Handbagged), Best Original Blues Song (“Handbagged”), Best Female Vocals (Fiona McElroy), Best Keyboard (Henri Herbert), Best Drums (Rob Pokorny), and Best Bass (John Culleton). Hanbagged features nine songs that range from the rollicking “We Got a Good Thing Going” and “Another Night” to the sad and contemplative love song “Letting You Go.” Mal Barclay’s exceptional guitar paired with Henri Herbert’s nuanced piano playing ushers in “A Little Mad About You,” and I particularly like the way John Culleton and Rob Pokorny lay a strong bass and drum foundation to “Give It to Me” (and the song ends with a tasteful and short drum solo). I hear a lot of Professor Longhair, Roosevelt Sykes and Henry Gray in Henri Herbert’s piano playing, and it’s a consistent bright spot on a consistently satisfying blues album. When not working with Big Mamma’s Door, Mel and Henri play with The Cadillac Kings, a popular British six-piece swing band. I hope that British blues fans continue to support Big Mamma’s Door as they look forward to the 2012 British Blues Awards next September. In the meantime, visit www.bigmammasdoor.com and listen to several professionally-produced videos from their performance at the High Barn on St. Patrick’s Day, including “Handbagged,” “Letting You Go,” and “A Little Mad About You.” – Eric Steiner

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6Shawn PitmanEdge of the WorldDelta Groove Musicwww.deltagroovemusic.com

The new Delta Groove Music Edge of the World is Texas guitarist and multi instrumentalist Shawn Pitman’s 10th CD. Born and raised in Oklahoma, Pitman started into music with piano lessons at 8 and later sneaked into his brother’s room to bang on his drum kit. In 7th grade his friend Braken Hale turned him onto the blues. Shawn switched to guitar at age 14. The family moved to Dallas when he was 17 where he continued playing. Pitman released his first album in 1996, his 2nd album was produced by Jim Gaines and on his 3rd he was backed by Double Trouble. Shawn took a break from music from 2005-2008 and between then and mid-2010 put out another 5 albums. I mention Hale because he has written or co-written songs on many of Pitman’s projects including the title track here plus another track. Shawn plays all the instruments on Edge of the World except the saxophones which are played by Jonathan Doyle. Shawn also co-produced, recorded, engineered and helped mix the CD. From the opening track Wolf ’s “Sugar,” the lone cover, shows that Pitman knows a thing or two about the blues, and knows his way around his guitar, too. Pitman’s affable and smooth vocals have a little soul and a little grit. The mid tempo shuffle “Scent of Your Benjamin’s” shows Pitman’s vocals and economical tasty guitar well. I particularly enjoy the title track clearly inspired by songs like Wolf ’s “Cause Of It All” and “My Baby Walked Off.” The slower “That’s The Thing” has the tempo and vibe of “Sitting On Top Of The World,” and features good use of Doyle’s sax accents and a piercing guitar solo with grit and depth. Shawn shows great variety from masterful slide (“I’ve Had Enough”) to rockers (“This Time,” “Something’s Got To Give”) raw and sparse ala Hooker (“Somebody Gonna Lose, Somebody Gonna Win”) to the Chuck Berry meets Jimmy Reed of “Leanin’ Load.” Edge of the World is a well conceived and well performed project with multiple highlights that many blues listeners will enjoy. -Malcolm Kennedy

Brian Lee & the OrbitersIdentity TheftOpen Century Music, 2011www.brianleeorbiters.com; www.centurymusic.com

Brian Lee & the Orbiters (previously the Blues Orbiters) third release Identity Theft, the long anticipated follow up to the Blues Orbiters 2005 BB Award nominated Falling Leaves, is finally here and well worth the wait. You may recognize some of the 11 all original tracks featured on Identity Theft as the Orbiters have been perfecting them in their live shows over the last year or so. One of these is the opening cut “Fine Line,” a brisk harp fueled romp. It is a relationship song and the lyric ‘one minute there’s sun, and the next minute it starts snowing’ pretty well sums it up. The title track has been one of my favorite of Brian Lee’s songs since I first heard it some time ago. The slow minor key affair is highlighted by Brian’s brilliant harp lines that reach into the depth of my soul. Steve Yonck, with his deft touch on guitar, also adds a biting solo that makes this track a stand out. Brian brings the tempo back up for “I Smell A Rat” and he lays down some nasty slide guitar. Another song I really enjoy is the instrumental “Fourth and Miles” a term Seahawks fans will recognize. Brian plays moaning blues harp and jazzy lead guitar while Steve plays rhythm. “Sideways” is an interesting song with lyrics that could apply equally to a relationship, our society in general or even a neighborhood that is in flux, with the lyric ‘yeah two steps forward, then two steps back/yeah we’re movin’ mighty fast, not on the same track.’ On the brisk shuffle “Blast Off ” (the missing title track from the Blues Orbiters first CD, think Led Zeppelin Houses of the Holy) Brian and Steve each take a solo. It is a song about having some fun, blowing off some steam and letting the blues do its magic. The mellow paced “So Lucky,” a love song expressing ‘I’m so lucky that you are mine,’ features soothing keyboards and vibes offsetting the stinging guitar lines. Identity Theft features several line-ups with Brian Lee on lead vocals, blues harp, keys/vibes, lead, rhythm and slide guitar, Hank Yanda , bass on ten tracks and Guy Quintino-upright bass on one. Conrad Ormsby plays drums on seven

cuts and Russ Kammerer on four. The second guitar duties (lead and rhythm) are handled by Steve on five cuts and Tim Sherman on two. The excellent pull out liner notes include all the lyrics as well as credits. The cover photo is of the late Edith Macefield’s Ballard home, Google her and read her story. I am ecstatic about this CD; I think Identity Theft is the best disc I have heard this year. In this writers opinion Brian Lee is criminally underrated as a song writer, vocalist, harp, slide and electric guitar and his orbiters are all top notch too. -Malcolm Kennedy

Tracy NelsonVictim of the Blues(Delta Groove Music)

I just learned that KPLU-FM’s John Kessler’s included Tracy Nelson’s CD on Delta Groove on his “best of ” list for top blues CDs of 2011. Well, Mr. Kessler – a 2009 recipient of the Keeping the Blues Alive Award in the public radio category – is in pretty good company. Many DJs across the country share this sentiment. This CD is on the ballot for the 2012 Blues Music Awards for two awards: Traditional Blues Female award named in honor of Koko Taylor, and in the traditional blues recording category. When I listened to the 11 songs on this CD, it’s a fitting tribute to a blues woman who has been active since the early 1960s. Early on, she recorded an album that featured Charlie Musselwhite, and later, she was mentored by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Otis Spann Relocating to the Bay Area from Chicago in the late 1960s, Tracy’s band, Mother Earth, played the Fillmore Auditorium, sharing bills with the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. Since then, she’s reunited with the Chicago Blues Reunion with a start turn on “I’m Going to Miss You Like the Devil, and “Brand New Truck.” On her new CD, I particularly enjoy the way that the she brings back Willie Dixon’s and Howlin’ Wolf ’s “Howlin for My Baby” with Angela Strehli, Muddy Water’s “One More Mile, “ and the ragtime groove of Ma Rainey’s title cut. This is a great CD and worthy of regional and national acclaim it has received – Eric Steiner

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More...Lloyd JonesHighway BoundUnderworld Recordswww.underworldrecords.com

On Highway Bound you will find Lloyd Jones as you have likely never heard him before, sans Struggle, solo and acoustic with blues harp and joined by Charlie Musselwhite and Curtis Salgado on two cuts. You probably associate Lloyd with his band the Struggle who have won the Cascade Blues Association Best R&B Act Muddy Award 15 times, 11 in a row from 1992-2002 with 31 Muddys in all, 3 for Album of the Year and both the CBA Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement. Other accolades include three WBS BB Award’s, including Album of the Year, and Oregon Music Hall of Fame. The Executive Producer on the project is WBS past-President Robert Sawyer and it is on Nancy and Tim “Too Slim” Langford’s Underworld Records. Highway Bound has 16 tracks with three originals and some wonderfully chosen covers covering a host of blues territory with songs about trains, love, love lost and hardship. Lloyd sings his rough edged vocals with authority and plays his acoustic Martin 0018 with a percussive style picking and popping his strings and slapping the box. Several of the songs are from an era when there was a blur between what we now call blues and folk music with WC Handy’s “Careless Love” and Leadbelly’s “Goodnight Irene,” both songs my family sang around the campfire when I was young. Another favorite is Blind Willie McTell’s “Broke Down Engine” an artist whose catalog is infrequently explored beyond “Statesboro Blues.” Other songs include one of Robert Johnson’s and a couple chestnuts by Big Bill Broonzy. Charlie lays down the harp on John Brim’s “Ice Cream Man” and Curtis adds his touch of magic to the Hoagy Carmichael/Johnny Mercer tune “Lazybones.” I particularly like Lloyds take on Sonny Boy Williamsons enduring classic “Goodbye Little School Girl.” Highway Bound is an instant classic that belongs in every blues fans collections and shows Lloyd Jones talents from a new and different perspective. -Malcolm Kennedy

Harry Marx & Kevin BrettStrictly Whatever(Stony Plain)

Strictly Whatever is an excellent title for this eclectic and very entertaining CD by Harry Marx and Kevin Brett, two incredibly talented singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. Kevin wrote six cuts, and sings on five of them plus one of Harry’s. He also plays electric guitar on nine as well as adding National Steel, electric sitar, mandolin, acoustic guitar and ukulele to one track each. Harry wrote three plus one based on a poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye, does vocals on eight, plays baritone guitar on seven, lap slide on four, National Steel on two and banjo and Mohan Veena on one each. Strictly Whatever opens with a cover of Bobby Herb’s “Sunny,” a song from by Cher; but also covered by artists as varied as James Brown, Stevie Wonder and Electric Flag. One of my favorite tracks is “Looking For A Brand New World” a radio friendly tune with great hooks. Tracks like the instrumental “Note to Self ” and “Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep,” on which Harry sings, have an eerie eastern sound; but Harry creates much of it with his National Steel guitar, while Kevin does his magic on the electric guitar and it sounds like there is some harmonica adding effect on the latter; but I do not see it in the credits. The whimsical “Little Ukelele” is a duet and Harry adds the lap steel that Kevin’s ukulele is layered over. Another favorite is Harry’s “Looking For A Plan” to which Kevin adds some tasty electric guitar. The melancholy and touching “Carry My Tears Away” closes out the disc, and features the lyric ’I can give you the world; but I can’t give you the meaning.’ Blues purists won’t find the Chicago blues they seek; but it is Strictly Whatever after all. I enjoyed it thoroughly. -Malcolm Kennedy

Peter Spencer1896(Wise Virgins Music)

Peter Spencer relocated west from the East Coast several years ago and now resides with his family on Bainbridge Island. He is a masterful musician, vocalist and tune smith whose music falls primarily in what is labeled singer/songwriter fare although there are also elements of the blues peaking through too. While residing in Boston Peter regularly participated in song writing clinics and has continued to do that here. Peter’s new album 1896 is titled after the 1896 Washburn guitar he plays on it. Peter’s strong vocals and lyrical eloquence are evident throughout, just listen to the opening track “Hard Times,” “Everybody Danced,” the short quick paced “The Little Death Rag or the mellow ramble of “By The Allegheny River” and you will see. One of my favorite tracks of the dozen originals is “Turn to Me” with the lyric ‘turn to me and I’ll be there.’ Although Peter is not a bluesman per se when he does choose to play the blues he does so with authority and flair, and can hold his own with the best in the business. I highly recommend that you make plans to see Peter perform live and keep him on your radar. While you are at it pick up a copy of 1896 and a couple of his other excellent offerings as well so that you can enjoy some of Peter’s fine music at home and in your car. -Malcolm Kennedy

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12Macy Blackman & the Mighty FinesDon’t You Know ItMamaru Recordswww.macyblackman.com

One of the first things I noticed about Don’t You Just Know It the new release by Macy Blackman & the Mighty Fines is that there is no guitarist. The instrument most identified with the blues genre is missing, yet the music works fine. There is a 1920s/1930s feel to much of the music as it guided by piano and with saxophone, cornet and clarinet as the primary lead instruments. Blackman sings plays piano and cornet, Nancy Wright shares vocals on a couple duets, lead vocals on one plus supporting vocals and some mighty mean tenor sax playing and Ken “Snakebite” Jacobs plays baritone sax. The rhythm in addition to piano is provided by Bing Nathan on bass and Jack Dorsey on drums. They change things up on Nathan’s original instrumental tribute to Oakland Bluesman Haskell “Cool Papa” Sadler for “Papa’s Cool Blues” with Bing switching to piano, Snakebite on clarinet, Macy on cornet and bringing in Kit Robberson on bass. The other 15 tracks a covers with a pair each from Dr. John, Fats Domino and Huey Smith and offerings from Amos Milburn, Percy Mayfield, Ike Turner and many more. I enjoyed the slow take on Fats Domino’s “Detroit City” with the tinkling piano and languid horns topped by the baritone solo. “Someday You’ll Want Me,” a song associated with Smiley Lewis, has a nice bounce to it and the slow paced duet “I’ll Never Be Free” shines. My favorite track is the jumping “Ain’t It Good” the other Fats tune, with dueling baritone and tenor saxophones. The Dr. John/Doc Pomus penned “Imitation of Love” has a more contemporary sound as does Turner’s “I’m Blue.” Blackman dedicates Don’t You Just Know It to New Orleans R&B drummer Charles “Hungry” Williams a mentor he hooked up with in Manhattan who played and recorded with many of the songwriters covered here among many others. If you want New Orleans R&B done just right by consummate professionals, look no further than Don’t You Just Know It. -Malcolm Kennedy

Various ArtistsStony Plain: 35 YearsStony Plainwww.stonyplainrecords.com

Disc two of 35 Years, the Stony Plain anniversary release is titled Blues, R&B, Swing, Jazz and even more… and it lives up to this billing. From the big toned swinging blues of Duke Robillard’s “Stomp the Blues Tonight” to the jumping big band sounds of Jay McShann & the Duke Robillard Band on the instrumental “Moten Swing,” the rocking live take on “I’m Tore Down, made famous by Freddy King, done here by the late Jeff Healey, the satiny smooth vocals of Sugar Ray Norcia and Doug James baritone sax on “Dirty, Dirty People” to Rory Block’s acoustic slide guitar on “Mississippi Man” this CD’s 20 tracks has it all. Ronnie Earl lays down his fluid sustain on “Miracle.” Long John Baldry adds a bluegrass flavored “Gallows Pole” and then there are four previously unreleased tracks which fans of traditional blues drooling. Stony Plain does much, much more than blues as is evident here. In fact they are Canada’s Roots, Rock, Folk, Country and Blues label. Disc one; titled Singers, songwriters and much, much more… is equally as compelling as the second disk, eclectic with 21 tracks. You hear a completely different side of Jeff Healy on “Wildcat” playing acoustic guitar supporting Drew Jurecka on violin on this old timey piece. Speaking of old timey, Maria Muldaur opens the disc with “The Diplomat” from her 2009 release Garden of Joy which was a return to her jug band roots. Canadian guitarist David Wilcox’s “Bend A Little” has a reggae lilt to it while Spirit of the West’s “Our Station” has a Celtic feel. There is C&W with Steve Earle’s “Ben McCulloch,” Emmy Lou Harris’ live take on the Gram Parson’s tune “Wheels” and Tim Hus’ “Country Music Lament” as he sings ‘there’s no cowboy songs on the radio/it just ain’t Western anymore/and Nashville, ya otta be ashamed,’ and the standout by Blue Rodeo, “Four Strong Winds” which features fantastic harmonies, peddle steel guitar and some gritty harmonica. The New Guitar Summit (Gerry Beaudoin, Jay Geils & Duke Robillard) play jazzy swing on the Charlie Christian/Lionel Hampton tune “Shivers,” they recorded while with Benny Goodman. The disc caps off with three previously unreleased songs by the late Canadian country rock/folk rock artist Bob Carpenter (not to be confused by the hockey or baseball players, or the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member of the same name). I found Stony Plain’s 35 Years to be a very entertaining and enjoyable listen, and I also enjoyed the bonus 10 track DVD. Malcolm Kennedy

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn BandPeyton on Patton(Side One Dummy Records)

I’m a little biased. I’m a big fan of blues artists who want to help me rediscover early acoustic blues giants like Charley Patton, and The Reverend Josh Peyton’s Big Damn Band’s tribute to from last year is one of my favorite record to reinterpret 12 songs from his short-lived recorded career that began in 1929 and ended in 1934 when the Delta bluesman was just 42 years old. Peyton on Patton is the sixth release from The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and their third for the band’s own SideOneDummy Records. The Big Damn Band is actually an accomplished trio fronted by Rev. Peyton, ably assisted by Breezy Peyton on background vocals and washboard, and Aaron “Cuz” Persinger, who contributes percussion on an 100-year old tobacco barrel punctuated by Mississippi field hollers. There’s Patton classics like “Mississippi Boweavil Blues,” the bawdy “Shake It and Break It” blues, but I wish the good Reverend would have included “Pony Blues” or “Down the Dirt Road.” That’s a pretty nit-picky criticism, because I know that the Big Damn Band could probably play any tune from Robert Johnson, Blind Willie McTell, or Charley Patton. “Elder Green is Gone” features some great call and response between the Reverend and Washboard Breezy Peyton, and this song is one that’s more than blues radio ready. The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band has played US festivals from from Bonnaroo to Telluride, toured across North America, and toured three times to Europe. Peyton on Patton is their third CD that debuted in the Billboard Blues Chart top ten, and if you like rough-hewn acoustic traditional blues, Peyton on Patton is a solid CD. I particularly liked that there are two versions of “Some of These Days I’ll Be Gone:” there’s a spirited banjo take complemented by an exceptional alternate take showcasing the Reverend’s considerable slide guitar chops. – Eric Steiner

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A.H.L. (206) 935-4592AlleyKattz (425) 273-4172Annieville Blues (206) 994-9413Author Unknown (206) 355-5952Baby Gramps Trio (425) 483-2835Back Porch Blues (425) 299-0468Badd Dog Blues Society (360) 733-7464Billy Barner (253) 884-6308Bay Street Blues Band (360) 731-1975Norm Bellas & the Funkstars (206) 722-6551Black River Blues (206) 396-1563Blackstone Players (425) 327-0018Blues Attitude (360) 701-6490Blue 55 (206) 216-0554Blue Healers (206) 440-7867Blues To Do Monthly (206) 328-0662Brian Lee & the Orbiters www.brianleeorbiters.comBrian Lee Trio (206) 390-2408Blues Playground (425) 359-3755Blues Redemption http://www.bluesredemption.com(The) Blues Sheriff (206) 979-0666Blues to Burn (253) 945-7441Bobby Holland & the Breadline (425)681-5644Bill Brown & The Kingbees 206-276-6600Bump Kitchen (253) 223-4333, (360) 259-1545Brian Butler Band (206) 361-9625Charlie Butts & the Filtertips (509) 325-3016Ellis Carter - 206-935-3188Malcolm Clark Band (253) 853-7749Colonel (360) 293-7931Kimball Conant & the Fugitives (206) 938-6096Jack Cook & Phantoms of Soul (206) 517-5294Rod Cook & Toast (206) 878-7910James Curley Cooke (253)945-7441Cooke & Green (253) 945-7441Coyote Blues (360) 420-2535John Scooch Cugno’s Delta 88 Revival (360) 352-3735Crossroads Band (206) 935-8985Daddy Treetops (206) 601-1769Sean Denton Band (425)387-0620Double Cookin’ (253) 945-7441Double Scott’s on the Rocks (206) 418-1180Julie Duke Band 206-459-0860Al Earick Band (253) 278-0330Sammy Eubanks (509) 879-0340Richard Evans (206) 799-4856Fat Cat (425) 487-6139Fat Tones (509) 869-0350Kim Field & the Mighty Titans of Tone (206) 295-8306Gary Frazier (206) 851-1169Free Reign Blues Band (425) 823-3561Filé Gumbo (425) 788-2776Nicole Fournier & Her 3 Lb Universe (253) 576-7600Jimmy Free’s Friends (206) 546-3733Charlene Grant & the Love Doctors (206) 763-5074Paul Green & Straight Shot (206)795-3694Dennis “Juxtamuse” Hacker (425) 512-8111Heather & the Nearly Homeless Blues Band (425)576-5673Tim Hall Band (253) 857-8652Curtis Hammond Band (206) 696-6134)Ryan Harder (253) 226-1230Scotty Harris & Lissa Ramaglia/Bassic Sax (206) 418-1180Terry Hartness (425) 931-5755Ron Hendee (425) 280-3994JD Hobson (206) 235-3234Hot Rod Blues Revue (206)790-9934David Hudson / Satellite 4 (253) 630-5276Hungry Dogs (425) 299-6435Brian Hurst (360) 708-1653K. G. Jackson & the Shakers (360) 896-4175Jeff & the Jet City Fliers (206) 469-0363Junkyard Jane (253) 238-7908Stacy Jones Band (206) 992-3285Chester Dennis Jones (253)-797-8937Harry “The Man” Joynes (360) 871-4438

James King & the Southsiders (206) 715-6511Virginia Klemens / Jerry Lee Davidson (206) 632-6130

Mick Knight (206) 373-1681Bruce Koenigsberg / The Fabulous Roof Shakers (425) 766-7253

Kolvane (503) 804-7966Lady “A” & the Baby Blues Funk Band (425) 518-9100

Leanne Trevalyan (253)238-7908Scott E. Lind (206) 789-8002

Little Bill & The Bluenotes (425) 774-7503Loose Gravel & The Quarry (253) 927-1212

Dana Lupinacci Band (206) 860-4961Eric Madis & Blue Madness (206) 362 8331

Bill Mattocks Band (206) 601-2615Albritten McClain & Bridge of Souls (206) 650-8254

Brian “Jelly Belly” McGhee (253) 777-5972Doug McGrew (206) 679-2655

Mary McPage Band (206) 850-4849Miles from Chicago (206) 440-8016

Reggie Miles (360) 793-9577(The) Michal Miller Band (253) 222-2538

Rob Moitoza / House of Reprehensibles (206) 768-2820Moon Daddy Band (425) 923-9081

Jim Nardo’s Boogie Train Blues Band (360) 779-4300Keith Nordquist (253) 639-3206

Randy Norris & The Full Degree (425) 239-3876 Randy Norris & Jeff Nicely (425) 239-3876/(425) 359-3755

Night Train (253) 839 3305Randy Oxford Band (253) 973-9024

Robert Patterson (509) 869-0350Dick Powell Band (425) 742-4108

Bruce Ransom (206) 618-6210Rantin’ Humphres (425) 306-3752

Red Hot Blues Sisters (206) 940-2589Mark Riley (206) 313-7849

Gunnar Roads (360) 828-1210Greg Roberts (206) 473-0659

Roger Rogers Band (206) 255-6427Maia Santell & House Blend (253) 983-7071

Sciaticats Band (206) 246-3105Shadow Creek Project (360) 826-4068

Tim Sherman Band (206) 547-1772Billy Shew Band (253) 514-3637

Doug Skoog (253) 921-7506Smoke N Blues Allstars (253) 620-5737

Smokin’ Jays (206) 707-2018Son Jack Jr. (425) 591-3034

Soulshaker Blues Band (360) 4171145Star Drums & Lady Keys (206) 522-2779

John Stephan Band (206) 244-0498Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys (206) 236-0412

Stickshift Annie Eastwood (206) 522-4935Alice Stuart (360) 753-8949

Richard Sysinger (206) 412-8212Annette Taborn (206) 679-4113

Dudley Taft (206)795-6509Tahoma Tones (253)851-6559

Ten Second Tom (509) 954-4101Tone Kings (425) 698-5841

Too Slim & the Taildraggers (425) 891-4487Tim Turner Band (206) 271-5384

T-Town Aces (206)935-8985Two Scoops Combo (206) 933-9566

Unbound (425) 258-4477Uncle Ted Barton (253) 627-0420

Nick Vigarino’s Meantown Blues (360) 387-0374Tommy Wall (206) 914-9413

Mike Wright & The Blue Sharks (360) 652-0699 (425) 327-0944Charles White Revue (425) 327-0018Mark Whitman Band (206) 697-7739

Michael Wilde (425) 672-3206 / (206) 200-3363Rusty Williams (206) 282-0877

Hambone Wilson (360) 739-7740C.D. Woodbury (425) 502-1917

Beth Wulff Band (206) 367-6186, (206) 604-2829

Washington Blues Society Talent Guide

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SundaysAlki Tavern: Jam hosted b y Manuel MoraisDawson’s, Tacoma: Tim Hall Band, 7pmnEastlake Zoo Tavern: Eastlake Zoo Social Club & Jam featuring the Seattle Houserockers, 7pmEvelyn’s Tavern, Clear Lake: Gary B’s Church of the Blues 6 – 10pmLighthouse Des Moines: Tim Turner Band Northpoint Tacoma: Loose Gravel & the Quarry, 7pmPegasus Pizza, Kirkland, acoustic jam w/ HeatherBBlues, 8-11pmRaging River: Tommy WallSilver Dollar: Big Nasty, 8pm

TuesdaysBarrel Invitational: hosted by Billy Shew, 8pmBishop’s Alehouse, Kirkland: acoustic jam w/HeatherBBlues, 9pm-12amJ & M Cafe Jam with Justin Kasual Hayes & Andrew Cloutier Pacific Rim Marysville Best Western: Mike Wright & the Blue Sharks, 7 – 11pmSnohomish Spirits & Sports: Sean Denton & friendsSummit Pub: Tim Hall & the Realtimes, 7:30pmWild Buffalo , Bellingham: hosted by Rick Baunach, 6:30 - 9:30pmYuppie Tavern, Kirkland (Totem Lake), HeatherBBlues Acoustic jam, 8pm

MondaysCaffe Mela, Wenatchee, 7pm (first Mon. of the month)88 Keys, Pioneer Square: Star Drums & Lady Keys host Blue Monday Jam, 8pmJR’s Hideway: Malcolm Clark, 8pmOxford Saloon: All ages open jam, 7 – 11pm

MondayKUGS 89.3FM Bellingham: Highway 61 8:00AM - 10:00AMwww.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 Samson’s BluesShow 7:00pm - 10:00PM

TuesdayKBCS 91.3FM Bellevue: Eh Toi! 11:00PM - 1:00AMwww.kbcs.fm - DJ, DJ Marte’

WednesdayKEXP 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 - 10:00PMwww.mail@ksvr.org - DJ, Jackson Stewart

KSVR 91.7FM Mount Vernon: “The Blues Note with Janice” 10:00PM - 12:00AMwww.janice@ksvr.org - DJ, Janice Gage

ThursdayKSER 90.7FM Everett: Clancy’s 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

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

SaturdayKPLU 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

SundayKEXP 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.

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

KSER 90.7FM Everett: Audio Indigo 11:00PM - 1:00AM

www.kser.org - DJ, Robin K

Blues on the Radio Dial

PLEASE SEND ANY RADIO UPDATES TO CALENDAR@WABLUES.ORG

Washington Blues Society Blues Jams

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Central & Eastern BBQ & Blues – Clarkston (509) 758-1227Breadline Café – Omak (509) 826-5836Club Crow – Cashmere (509) 782-3001 CrossRoads Steakhouse – Walla Walla (509) 522-1200Lakey’s Grill – Pullman (509) 332-6622Main Street Tavern – Omak (509) 826-2247Peters Inn – Packwood (360) 494-4000Pine Springs Resort - Goldendate (509-773-4434Ram’s Ripple – Moses Lake (509) 765-3942Rattlesnake Brewery – Richland (509) 783-5747Red Lion Hotel Wenatchee (Tomasz Cibicki 509-669-8200)Tumwater Inn Restaurant and Lounge – Leavenworth (509) 548-4232

SeattleBlarney Stone Pub and Restaurant (206) 448-8439China Harbor Restaurant (206) 286-1688Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley (206) 441-9729 x210EMP Liquid Lounge (206) 770-2777EMP Sky Church (206) 770-2777Fiddler’s Inn (206) 525-0752Grinder’s (206) 542-0627Highliner Pub (206) 283-2233Highway 99 Club (206) 382-2171J & M Cafe (206) 467-2666Lock & Keel (206) 781-8023Maple Leaf Grill (206) 523-8449Mr. Villa (206) 517-5660New Orleans (206) 622-2563Paragon (206) 283-4548Pike Place Bar and Grill (206) 624-1365The Rimrock Steak House (206) 362-7979Salmon Bay Eagles (206) 783-7791St. Clouds (206) 726-1522Third Place Commons, Lake Forest Park (206) 366-3333Triangle Tavern (206) 763.0714Tractor Tavern (206) 789-3599Triple Door (206) 838-4333

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

South Sound Tacoma, Burien, Federal Way, etcAl Lago, Lake Tapps (253) 863-86362 Wheel Blues Club – TacomaBarnacles Restaurant, Des Moines (206) 878-5000The Barrel – Burien (206) 244-7390CC’s Lounge, Burien (206) 242-0977Capitol Theater/Olympia Film Society – (360) 754-3635Charlie’s – Olympia (360) 786-8181Cliff House Restaurant – Tacoma (253) 927-0400Destination Harley Davidson – Fife (253) 922-3700 Blues Vespers at Immanuel Presbyterian (253) 627-8371Jazzbones in Tacoma (253) 396-9169(The) Junction Sports Bar, Centralia (360) 273-7586Lighthouse – Des Moines (206) 824-4863Maggie O’Toole’s – Lakewood (253) 584-3278Magnolia Café – Poulsbo (360) 697-1447Mint Alehouse – Enumclaw (360) 825-8361Pat’s Bar & Grill – Kent (253) 852-7287Pick & Shovel – Wilkeson (360) 829-6574Riverside Pub, Sumner (253) 863-8369Silver Dollar Pub – Spanaway (253) 531-4469The Spar – Tacoma (253) 627-8215The Swiss – Tacoma (253) 572-2821Tugboat Annie’s – Olympia (360) 943-1850Uncle Sam’s Bar & Grill - Spanaway (253) 507-7808Wurlitzer Manor – Gig Harbor (253) 858-1749Cascade Tavern – Vancouver (360) 254-0749

North Sound Bellingham, Anacortes, Whidbey Island, etcChina Beach – Langley (360) 530-8888Just Moe’s – Sedro Woolley (360) 855-2997LaConner Tavern – LaConner (360) 466-9932Little Roadside Tavern – Everson (360) 592-5107Old Edison Inn – Edison (360) 766-6266Rockfish Grill – Anacortes (360) 588-1720Stump Bar & Grill – Arlington (360) 653-6774Watertown Pub – Anacortes (360) 293-3587Wild Buffalo – Bellingham (360) 312-3684Viking Bar and Grill – Stanwood (360) 629-9285

Eastside Bellevue, Kirkland, etc.Central Club – Kirkland (425) 827-8808Crossroads Shopping Center – Bellevue (425) 644-1111Damans Pub – RedmondForecasters – Woodinville (425) 483-3212Ice Harbor Brewing Co - Kennewick (509) 582-5340 Raging River Café & Club – Fall City (425) 222-6669Time Out Sports Bar – Kirkland (425) 822-8511Vino Bella – Issaquah (425) 391-1424Wild Vine Bistro, Bothell (425) 877-1334Wilde Rover – Kirkland (425) 822-8940Valhalla Bar & Grill, Kirkland (425) 827 3336

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

TuesdaysBarrel Invitational: hosted by Billy Shew, 8pmBishop’s Alehouse, Kirkland: acoustic jam w/HeatherBBlues, 9pm-12amJ & M Cafe Jam with Justin Kasual Hayes & Andrew Cloutier Pacific Rim Marysville Best Western: Mike Wright & the Blue Sharks, 7 – 11pmSnohomish Spirits & Sports: Sean Denton & friendsSummit Pub: Tim Hall & the Realtimes, 7:30pmWild Buffalo , Bellingham: hosted by Rick Baunach, 6:30 - 9:30pmYuppie Tavern, Kirkland (Totem Lake), HeatherBBlues Acoustic jam, 8pm

WednesdaysCharlies Olympia: Blues Attitude Conor Byrne: Broomdust presents Blues of the Past Jam (1st Wed)Daman’s Pub, 8 PMDogghouse Tavern, Mt. Vernon Alan: Hatley Trio, 7pmEddie’s Trackside Bar & Grill, Monroe: every 1st & 3rd Wed., 8pmHalf Time Saloon: Billy Shew & Billy BarnerLocker Room, White Center: Michael Johnson & Lynn Sorensen, 8-12pmMadison Pub, Everett: hosted by Unbound w/special guests 7:30pm Jan 4 - Erik Scott   Jan 11 - Nick Vigarino Jan 18 - Stacy Jones & Jeff Menteer Jan 25 - Tim Turner Feb 1 - Billy Stoops

ThursdaysBad Albert Invitational w/Annieville BluesCC’s Lounge BurienClub Flight Nightclub w/Cory Wilde, 9pmConway PubDawson’s, Tacoma: Billy Shew, 8 pmO’Callahan’s: Tim Hall, 7pmOxford Saloon: Invitational Jam w/Steve Ater, 8pmRuston Inn: Loose Gravel & the Quarry, 8pm

Washington Blues Society

Venue Guide

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When it came time for Dave Conant to take his last ride home from the hospital, his long time friend and musical co-conspirator, the Oklahoma-bred singer-guitarist-songwriter Ron “RB” Bailey, was determined that ride would be in the style that Dave so richly deserved.

So, it wasn’t any antiseptic “cabulance” waiting when Dave came out the hospital door, it was a white Rolls Royce!  Dave went home to a bed in front of a crackling fire, surrounded by his beloved family and friends, where he could take his time easing out of this world, as he liked to do with most things in life. At one point his daughter Vivian burst into the kitchen, excited to tell her mother that “Dad says he’s going to be fine up in heaven, because God is in charge there, and not George Bush!”  If you knew Dave, I know you can hear him saying this in his wry, languid Kansas drawl.     It’s hard to believe that ten years have gone by since Dave pushed off from here, but it is a fact. I am thankful that so many of the rest of us are still here, and the party, in the larger sense, is still going on as it should be, with musicians making music for each other, for Dave, and for the people that love the kind of music Dave and his friends made for so many years around the area.

At the 10th anniversary Dave Conant Throwback Party Extravaganza at Hales Ale’s Brewery

Palladium on November 27th,  Dave’s widow, DeeDee Crane Conant, got up onstage and did her inimitable version of “Get Your Enjoys,” backed by Caela and the Dangerous Flares. Dave’s daughter, Viv, all grown up into a beautiful young woman, actress and artist, got up and sang one of her Dad’s signature tunes, Bob Dylan’s “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry.” Dave had sensibly shortened that name to “Mail Train,” from the first verse - “I ride on a mail train baby, can’t buy a thrill.” Viv did a fine version, in an auspicious debut as a singer, with Dave’s brother, Kimball Conant, playing searing guitar behind her.   

Other performers included “Red Dress,” at this point one of Seattle’s longest running and most influential bands, and a band Conant had played in at one point back in the day.  Their hard rocking, unique style rolls on with undiminished power.  

Kim Field, singer, harp player and songwriter, showed up with the night’s version of “The Left Hand Men,” featuring Tim Sherman and Chris Leighton, and did a couple of his compositions

associated with Dave - “Hard Work” and “All These Little Things.”   Daddy Treetops played some fine blues.  Ethan Freckleton did some good original tunes.   Ron Bailey and Al Kaatz

rocked the house with Chris Leighton on drums, both with Ron in front, and backing back Ron’s daughter Caela and her Dangerous (And luscious) Flares. Bassists Rob Moitoza and Bill Freckleton (a prime mover behind the evening) were frequently onstage, both of them providing a solid bottom; and a very welcome Jeff Mason was back from the hinterlands, throwing in trombone and blues harp when and where appropriate.

The Honky Tonk Review/Hank Williams Band played some great country favorites; and Seattle veteran Mark Whitman and his band rounded out the evening in fine form.  A night of remembrance and celebration.   A family affair indeed, for an important segment of Seattle’s music community; which also marked the re-release of Dave and the D-Ranger’s album, “Chiaroscuro” - a good look at this man’s wonderful music.   Watch for local availability.  Thanks to everyone who made this event a success! 

By Mark Dalton Photos by The Blues Boss

Dave Conant

Other performers included “Red Dress,” at this point one of Seattle’s longest

running and most influential bands, and a band Conant had played in at one

point back in the day.

Daddy Treetops played some fine blues.  

ThrowbackA N N I V E R S A R Y P A R T Y

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910

January 1 - Sunday Everybody sleep in...

Happy New Year!!January 2 - Monday88 Keys: Blues to Do TV, Seattle Comm. Media party w/ Stacey’s Groove Kitchen, Jam hosted by Stardrums & Lady KeysNew Orleans: New Orleans Quintet

January 3 - TuesdayJazz Alley: Pearl Django w/ special guest Martin TaylorNew Orleans: Holotradband, 7pmYuppie Tavern,Totem Lake: HeatherBBlues,8pm

January 8 - SundayJazz Alley: Pearl Django w/ special guest Martin TaylorThe Royal, Olympia: Diunna Greenleaf & Clay Swofford, 7pm, jam session 9:30pm

January 9 -Monday88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Steve Cooley & the Dangerfields, Jam hosted by The Cody Rentas BandNew Orleans: New Orleans Quintet

January 10 - TuesdayNew Orleans: Holotradband, 7pmYuppie Tavern,Totem Lake; HeatherBBlues,8pm

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7

5

January 4 - WednesdayEngel’s Pub: RavinwolfHighway 99: Seattle - Lady “A” w/Jeff Hayes, Peter Dammann & John Oliver, 8pmJazz Alley: Pearl Django w/ special guest Martin TaylorMr. Villa, Lake City: Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie Trio, 7pmNew Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/ Clarence Acox, 8pm Pike Pl. Bar & Grill: John Stephan Band, 6pm

January 7 - SaturdayDuff ’s Garage, Portland: Stacy Jones Band, 8pmJazz Alley: Pearl Django w/ special guest Martin TaylorHighway 99: Franco & the Stingers, T-Town AcesNew Orleans: Chris Stevens & the Surf MonkeysRockfish Grill: Eric Allen BandSalmon Bay Eagles: Blues BuskersScotch & Vine, Des Moines: Brian Lee Trio, 7pmTriple Door: Randy Oxford band w/ special guest Michael Shrieve & SpellbinderWild Buffalo, B-Ham: Ravinwolf w/Rise n’ Shine & Current Swell

January 5 - ThursdayHighway 99: Red HouseJazz Alley: Pearl Django w/ special guest Martin Taylor New Orleans: Selbred/Jackson QuintetSalmon Bay Eagles: Kimball & the Fugitives

CalendarBlues

January

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January 13 - FridayBalefire, Everett: Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie TrioHighway 99: the TwistersNew Orleans: Flexicon w/Thomas MarriottThe Repp, Snohomish: RavinwolfTwin Dragon, Duvall: Stacy Jones Band

January 16 - Monday88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Dr. King Birthday Celebration - Anniversary Party/benefit for Freedom Project www.freedomproject.orgNew Orleans: New Orleans Quintet

January 15 - SundayHD Hotspurs, Kent: Brian Lee & the Orbiters, 6pm

14January 14 - SaturdayGrinders, Edmonds,:John Stephan Band, 8:30pm Highway 99: Bump KitchenNew Orleans: Brian Lee & the OrbitersRockfish Grill: Mary McPageRock the Dock Pub, Tacoma: RavinwolfVino Bella, Issaquah: Eric Madis & Blue Madness, 7:30pm

17January 17 - TuesdayNew Orleans: Holotradband, 7pmYuppie Tavern,Totem Lake: HeatherBBlues,8pm

6January 6 - FridayBravehorse Tavern: Two Scoops Combo, 7:30pm Jazz Alley: Mike Stern, featuring Richard Bona, Dave Weckl, & Bob FranceschiniNew Orleans: Holotradband, 7pmTriple Door: Jose JamesYuppie Tavern, Totem Lake: HeatherBBlues, 8pm

18January 18 - WednesdayHighway 99: Ravinwolf Mr. Villa, Lake City: Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie Trio, 7pmNew Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/ Clarence Acox, 8pm

11January 11 - WednesdayHighway 99: Louisiana House Party New Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm Rockfish Grill: Stilly River Band

12January 12 - ThursdayHighway 99: James King & the Southsiders New Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Rockfish Grill: Trish HatleySalmon Bay Eagles: Chris Stevens & the Surf Mokeys 20

19January 20 - FridayHighway 99: Sammy Eubanks Band/ Bullet Creek bandNew Orleans: Flexicon w/Thomas MarriottTalarico’s, West Seattle: Heather & the Nearly Homeless Blues BandTriple Door: Left Hand Smoke Salmon Bay Eagles: 22nd Anniversary of our beloved Salmon Bay Eagles w/Star Drums & Lady Keys

January 19 - ThursdayHighway 99: Hot Rod Blues RevueNew Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Salmon Bay Eagles:  Star Drums & Lady Keys

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24January 24 - TuesdayJazz Alley: Sugar Blue New Orleans: Holotradband, 7pmTriple Door: Johhny A Yuppie Tavern,Totem Lake: HeatherBBlues,8pm

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25January 26 - ThursdayJazz Alley: WARHighway 99: Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco PlayboysNew Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet Salmon Bay Eagles: David Brewer & the Intimidaters

January 25 - WednesddayJazz Alley: Sugar Blue Highway 99: Little Ray & the Undercuts NewOrleans: Legacy Quartet w/ Clarence Acox, 8pmPike Place Bar & Grill: Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift Annie, 6pm

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January 22 - SundayCentral Club, Kirkland: Brian Lee & the Orbiters, 8:30pm

January 23 - Monday88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: Two Sheds Jackson, Jam hosted by C.D. WoodburyNew Orleans: New Orleans Quintet

27January 27 - FridayJazz Alley: WARHighway 99: Oskar & FriendsOld Village Pub, Lynnwood: Jeff & the Jet City Fliers, 8:30pm

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28January 29 - SundayJazz Alley: WAR

January 31 - TuesdayJazz Alley: Kim Wilson’s Blues AllstarsNew Orleans: Holotradband, 7pmYuppie Tavern,Totem Lake: HeatherBBlues,8pm

January 30 - Monday88 Keys: Blues to Do TV: The Fonkeys, also hosting JamNew Orleans: New Orleans Quintet

January 28 - SaturdayJazz Alley: WARHighway 99: Kirk Fletcher & Kevin Selfe & the TornadoesMacadam’s Bar & Grill, Portland: Stacy Jones BandNew Orleans: Pete Leinonen & the Radio Rhythm Orchestra Stanwood Hotel: Brian Lee & the Orbiters

Mark Dufresne Male Vocalist Award:_______________________________Blues Female Vocalist:_______________________________Electric Blues Guitar:_______________________________Slide Blues Guitar:_______________________________Blues Bass:_______________________________Chris Leighton Blues Drummer Award:_______________________________Blues Horn:_______________________________Paul Green Blues Harmonica Award:_______________________________Blues Piano / Keyboard:_______________________________Acoustic Blues Guitar:_______________________________Blues Act:_______________________________Traditional Blues Act:_______________________________Solo/Duo Blues Act:_______________________________New Blues Band:_______________________________

2012 Washington Blues Society Best of the Blues Nomination Ballot! You Must Be a Member of the Washington Blues Society to Nominate! All Ballots Must Be Received at our PO Box or by a Board Member No Later Than Wednesday February 15th. Nominations received after February 15th won’t be counted. Please Mail Your Nomination Ballot to: WBS, PO Box 70604, Seattle, WA 98127 (Please refer to pages 16-17 for nomination guidelines.)

Blues Performer:_______________________________Blues Songwriter:_______________________________Washington Blues Recording:_______________________________Blues Club:_______________________________Blues Writer:________________________________Blues Image:_______________________________Blues Graphic Artist:_______________________________Blues DJ:_______________________________Keeping the Blues Alive Award:_______________________________Lifetime Achievement Award:_______________________________Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame:_______________________________Non-Festival Blues Event:_______________________________Blues Festival:_______________________________Open Blues Jam:_____________________________

Blues Ballot

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February 1 - WednesdayJazz Alley: Kim Wilson’s Blues AllstarsHighway 99: DrummerboyNew Orleans: Legacy Quartet w/Clarence Acox, 8pm

February 3 - FridayHighway 99: “Slide Monsters” w/Brian Lee, Mark Riley, Rod Cook & the Orbiters! 8pm New Orleans: Flexicon w/Thomas Marriott

February 2 - ThursdayNew Orleans: Ham Carson Quintet

February 4 - SaturdayRockfish Grill: Mark DuFresne

21January 21 - SaturdayDestination Harley, Fife: Mark Whitman Band, 12pm Highway 99: Ty Curtis bandMirkwood & Shire Café, Arlington: RavinwolfNew Orleans: Kimball & the Fugitives w/Stickshift AnnieRockfish Grill: Hot Rod Blues RevueScotch & Vine, Des Moines, Brian Lee Trio, 7pmUpstage, Pt. Townsend: Stacy Jones BandVino Bella: Lady “A” & the Baby Blues Funk Band, 8pm

Non-ProfitU.S. Postage Paid

Seattle, WAPermit No. 5617

P.O. Box 70604Seattle, WA 98127

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

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