September 2016 - Washington Blues Society

In This Issue...
Harpdog Brown
(Photo by Eric Steiner
Letter from the President
Letter from the Editor
The Cover: John Nemeth
Officers and Directors
Michael Powers at the August Blues Bash!
(Photo by Alex Brikoff)
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Thanks to Our Advertisers
Catching Up with John Nemeth
Tacoma Old Town Blues Festiva
Blues Trail Marker
September Blues Bash Artists Linda Myers
and Rolf Olsen (Photo by Amy Sassenberg)
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Blues Cartoon
Happy Anniversary!
Linda Myers Band Profile
Membership Opportunities
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Letter from Washington Blues Society President Tony Frederickson
Hi Blues Fans,
I am in Austin, Texas as I write this month’s Letter
from the President. I’m here because we are having
a Blues Foundation Board of Director’s meeting. It
is hot and humid, but the things that are coming
in the very near future should be really exciting
for “Blues” fans all over the world. The Blues
Foundation is having a new website developed,
changing the way membership is handled and
adding more incentives for being a member.
There are plans in the works for spreading the
word about the Blues Foundation across the globe
and building more opportunities for everyone.
Out in the Pacific Northwest, we have already
started this work by having the Blues Foundation
tent and information center out at festivals in
Wallace, Idaho; Winthrop, Washington; Noxon,
Montana, and Issaquah, Washington to name
just a few. This booth will be at several more
events before you read this and the response has
been good. I encourage all of you to not only be
a member of the Washington Blues Society, but
also the Blues Foundation. Please e-mail me at
president@wablues.org if you have questions and
want to know more about the work of the Blues
Foundation or your Washington Blues Society. Or
just go to the Blues Foundation’s website and join
at http://blues.org/. The Washington Blues Society
is online at http://wablues.org/.
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It is very encouraging to me to know that the
Washington Blues Society has been working
along the same path for the last three years and
that the Blues Foundation Board of Directors is
now following this same path. The members that
make up the Board of Directors come from all
over North America and are very knowledgeable
people about not only the “Blues”, but also on how
to build and manage a large 501c3 Non-Profit. To
have this group pursuing the same path that the
Washington Blues Society has just confirms to
me that we are headed in the right direction and
that your Washington Blues Society’s Board of
Directors are a dedicated group of people who
have not only great passion for the “Blues”, but
are making the Washington Blues Society a first
class organization. It has been a pleasure to work
with all of these talented people and see your
Washington Blues Society grow and prosper in the
face of the changing and challenging times that live
music is going through right now. For the last two
years digital downloads have over taken the sales
of physical product (CDs, Vinyl Records, etc.).
Finding paying gigs has gotten more competitive
and clubs are facing increasing costs running their
businesses. And in spite of all these challenges,
somehow live music, “Blues” music, is thriving
and growing in audience. An interesting static
that was just shared with me here in Austin is that
the “Blues” audience has grown across the age
demographic, but that the largest group has been
in the 25 to 35 age group. Always nice to know
that a lot of the hard work of passing this music on
to the next generation is having success and that
the “Blues” will live on!
The fundraising events for this year’s International
Blues Challenge winners are being planned right
now. I know we will be sending some very talented
people to Memphis and hope you all make it out
to one or more of these events. The first one is for
our first ever youth band that we are sponsoring
as our representatives in the Youth showcase that
happens at the International Blues Challenge in
Memphis every year. There is a short article in this
edition abort their fundraiser at Louie G’s in Fife at
the end of the month. I hope many of you get down
and support this event as the members of this band
are talented and will do a great job of representing
the Washington Blues Society in Memphis this
coming January. The planning for our annual
“Blues Invasion” out in Snohomish has started and
this event keeps growing every year and I hope to
see many of you out there and hopefully at one or
two of the other fundraisers.
Hope to see you all out at a show,
Tony Frederickson, President
Washington Blues Society
At-Large Member, Board of Directors, The Blues
Foundation.
Welcome to the September Blues Bash RB Stone!
(Photo Courtesy of RB Stone)
Welcome RB Stone
September Blues Bash Details
August Blues Bash Review
CD Reviews
Dear Bluesletter Readers,
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Welcome Back, John Nemeth!
(Photo by Blues Boss)
Joel Astley at the August Blues Bash!
(Photo by Alex Brikoff)
Blues Talent Guide
Blues Venue Guide
Blues Society Membership Form
Blues Jam Listings
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Root Ball Festival Preview
Blues Listings
White Rock Blues Society
The Samsara Blues Band
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Eric Steiner’s Letter from the Editor
Thank you for reading the September Bluesletter,
which includes a number of informative articles
on and exceptional photos of blues musicians
performing in our region. I’m pleased to introduce
Malcolm “Yard Dog” Kennedy’s quick interview
with native Pacific Northwest bluesman John
Nemeth as well as Amy Sassenberg’s profile of the
Linda Myers Band and RB Stone. This month’s
blues bash features the Linda Myers Band and
RB Stone and I hope that Bluesletter readers,
Washington Blues Society members and friends
and fans will join the Washington Blues Society
on the second Tuesday of the month at the Sound
Check Bar and Grill for our monthly, all-ages
blues shows.
I’m putting the finishing touches on the Bluesletter
as our International Blues Challenge finals finish
up at the award-winning Taste of Music in historic
downtown Snohomish. Next month, I hope that
we’ll include photos and stories of this event that
announces to the world the solo duo and band
representatives of the Washington Blues Society
at the 2017 International Blues Challenge in
Memphis. Several personal financial challenges
(read: more month than money) have prevented
me from volunteering in recent years, but starting
next payday, I’ll be setting aside a little bit to
save up for the airfare and the hotel for one of the
Blues Foundation’s most important annual events.
There’s simply nothing like the International Blues
Challenge. A few years ago, I realized that, if I
spent 10 minutes at each of the venues along Beale
Street and other places in downtown Memphis, I’d
experience less than 10% of the talent that plays in
Memphis during the competition. That said, I read,
and re-read, the program booklet at planned each
night with a “blues itinerary” for each evening.
Of course, I always made it my business to see
acts representing blues societies from Washington,
Oregon, Idaho and Montana in addition to acts
that represented blues societies from Alberta and
British Columbia. If your travels in early 2017
do not include the International Blues Challenge,
please reconsider: there’s a number of activities
hosted or endorsed by the Blues Foundation
during International Blues Challenge week that
are informative, entertaining and fun. One of my
favorite events held early in the blues year is the
Keeping the Blues Alive Awards – an award given
to deserving blues performers and professionals
for their life’s work in supporting what Morgan
Freeman has called “America’s classical music.”
I’ve been fortunate to serve on the Keeping the
Blues Alive Award committee, and while I recuse
myself from any nominee associated with the
Washington Blues Society, I am always pleasantly
surprised at nominations submitted by Blues
Foundation affiliates “on the left coast” of North
America.
I wanted to congratulate the winners of not only
the our society’s competition, but also the winners
of the White Rock Blues Society’s competition
earlier last month at the Pacific Inn not far from
the USA-Canadian border. I wish the best of
luck (well… truth be told, not too much luck!) to
Harpdog Brown in the band category and Brandon
and Chip as a solo/duo act for representing the
White Rock Blues Society in Memphis next year.
Over 10 years ago, President Rod Dranfield asked
me about forming a blues society serving British
Columbia’s Lower Mainland, and I did my best to
point out the challenges associated with running
an all-volunteer blues society affiliated with the
Blues Foundation. Fortunately, I didn’t scare him
off.
Finally, next month we have a preview of the
Legends of the Blues concert in Arlington and an
interview with legendary keyboard player Buck
England by Rocky Nelson. I hope that many
readers will enjoy the piece as much as I do.
Until next month,
Eric Steiner, Editor
Washington Blues Society Bluesletter
Past President, Washington Blues Society
Board Member, The Blues Foundation (20102013)
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Washington Blues Society
Proud Recipient of a 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer (Acting)
Editor
Officers
Tony Frederickson
Rick Bowen
Carolyn Palmer-Burch
Chad Creamer
Eric Steiner
Music Director
Membership
Education
Volunteers
Merchandise
Advertising
IT
Directors
Amy Sassenberg
music@wablues.org
Michelle Burge
membership@wablues.org
Open
education@wablues.org
Rhea Rolfe
volunteers@wablues.org
Tony Frederickson
merchandise@wablues.org
Open
advertising@wablues.org
Sherie Roberts-Greimes TBA
president@wablues.org
vicepres@wablues.org
secretary@wablues.org
treasurer@wablues.org
editor@wablues.org
Thank You to the Washington Blues Society 2016 Street Team
Downtown Seattle
Tim & Michelle Burge blueslover206@comcast.net
West Seattle
Jeff Weibe
(206) 932-0546
North Sound
Malcolm Kennedy
malcarken@msn.com
Northern Washington Lloyd Peterson
freesprt@televar.com
Penninsula
Dan Wilson
allstarguitar@centurytel.net
Pt Townsend & PtAngeles Alvin Owen
alvino227@gmail.com
Central Washington
Stephen J. Lefebvre
s.j.lefebvre@gmail.com
Eastern Washington
Paul Caldwell
caldwell-p@comcast.net
Ballard
Marcia Jackson
sunyrosykat@gmail.com
Lopez Island
Carolyn & Dean Jacobsen cjacobsen@rockisland.com
Welcome Home
“Rock Khan”
rocknafghanistan@gmail.com
Webmaster Emeritus
Web Hosting
WBS Logo
Calendar Cover Graphics
Blues Cartoonist
Special Thanks
The Sheriff
webmaster@wablues.org
Adhost
www.adhost.com
Phil Chesnut
philustr8r@gmail.com
Janie Walla
calendar@wablues.org
Paul Steiner
paul@paulsteinerdesigner.com
Sylvia Breece
sylviabreece@yahoo.com
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,and
$35 for couples. 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 Society
P.O. Box 70604
Seattle, WA 98127
June Bluesletter - Vol. XVI, Number VII
Publisher
Editor
Calendar
Advertising
Printer
Washington Blues Society
Eric Steiner (editor@wablues.org)
Janie Walla (thewallas@juno.com)
Open
Pacific Publishing Company
www.pacificpublishingcompany.com
Contributing Writers:
Amy Sassenberg, Eric Steiner, Malcolm Kennedy, Pennie Saum, Mark
Hurwitz, Tony Frederickson
Contributing Photographers:
Mike Knapp, Eric Steiner, Alex Brikoff, Blues Boss
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October 2016 Deadlines
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On the Cover
John Nemeth: A Sharp-dressed Bluesman
(Photo by Blues Boss)
Special Thanks to Our September
2016 Advertisers
Alligator Records
American Music
Bluezzeetees.com
Cascade Blues Association
Inland Empire Blues Society
Jazz Alley
Madison Avenue Pub
Salmon Bay Eagles
South Sound Blues Association
Stickshift Annie w/Kimball and the Fugitives
Walla Walla Blues Society
Welter Consulting
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Catching Up with John Nemeth
By Malcolm Kennedy
Earlier this year, John Németh released Feelin’
Freaky, and when I caught up with him in March at
the Highway 99 Blues Club, the only place to get it
right now is at his shows while he is out on tour, not
in stores or on-line. Feelin’ Freaky is the followup to CD he released with the Bo-Keys, Memphis
Grease, which won the Blues Foundation’s Blues
Music Award last year in the Soul Blues Album of
the Year category.
John has an impressive number and type of
awards, including a Blues Music Award in 2014 in
the Soul Blues Artist of the Year. With Németh’s
2016 nomination for a B.B. King Entertainer of
the Year, he has received a total of 18 nominations
in 10 categories since 2008. Five of his six most
recent releases also have received nods from
Blues Foundation voters and in 2013, he garnered
five nominations, including Contemporary Blues
Album for Blues Live and Soul Blues Album for
Soul Live.
John re-located to Memphis in 2013 after living in
Oakland for 10 years. I think he soaked up some
“East Bay grease” after arriving in California from
his home in Boise, Idaho.
John opened his show at the Highway 99 Blues
Club in Seattle with five selections off his new CD.
Other highlights from the show included “Country
Boy” from Love Me Tonight and “My Baby’s
Gone” from Memphis Grease. I talked to John
briefly after his sound check, and we talked after
the second set as he unwound in the green room.
Highway 99 Blues Club proprietor asked me
to ask John about his latest stage garb: a garage
mechanic’s overalls.
John simply said that playing 250 gigs a year for
a dozen years, he got tired of picking out shirts
and slacks to wear. He said he “was just a working
man, playing for working people.”
I then wanted to learn a little more about his new
CD.
MK: As I recall from when I interviewed you a
number of years ago for our Bluesletter in May
of 2009, when I asked you about influences you
mentioned Johnny Taylor, O.V. Wright and as
you mentioned in the show tonight Junior Wells’
Hoodoo Man Blues, I am sure you mentioned
others; but could you expand on that a little?
JN: Man, there are just so many, T-Bone Walker,
Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Little Junior Parker I
could just keep going on. Of course all the harp
guys (John Lee) Sonny Boy I & II (Aleck Rice
Miller) Little Walter, Big Walter, Jimmy Reed,
man there are just a whole lot of other guys too.
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MK: Tell me a little about your new album Feelin’
Freaky?
JN: I feel the 11 songs are some of the best I have
written. I have been working on them for years.
Mike Brooks of the South Sound Blues Association
joined our conversation: You have a top notch
band.
JN: Yeah, they can really play. My booking agent
was pushing me for a new record. I have high
standards and didn’t want to release something just
to have a new record out. I had met up with Luther
Dickinson and he said we should get together and
record. We went into Luther’s father’s (the late
Jim Dickinson) studio, the Zebra Ranch, it is a
really cool place. There is a massive collection of
spiritual pieces, there is a great vibe down there. I
plan to do my next album with Luther there too.
We took a really straight up approach. I love the
album, I have listened to it hundreds of times, and
I don’t usually do that. After I do a record I usually
don’t listen to it. Right now the only place you can
get the new album is at my shows. The street date
is not set yet; but I’ll do a fall release after the tour.
MK: Give me three of your favorite songs by other
artists.
JN: “It’s Not Supposed to be That Way” by
Willie Nelson from Waylon & Willie (John sings
a capella). “My One and Only Love” by Johnny
Hartman. He did it on John Coltrane and Johnny
Hartman and it was on Hartman for Lovers in
2010. [It has also been done by a number of
people from Sinatra to Johnny Mathis, Etta, Sarah
Vaughan, several jazz instrumentals.] “Good
Morning Little School Girl” by John Lee “Sonny
Boy” Williamson.
Old country, jazz, blues; I like to hear the root of
things. Preston Shannon from Memphis, all kinds
of cool people, Earl the Pearl, Vince Johnson & the
Plantation All-Stars, Reba Russel, Susan Marshall,
Barbara Blue, Fat City, Late Night Blues, Bobby
Rush, Benny Latimore- “Let’s Straighten It Out.”
MK: Name three cover songs you think would be
fun to do.
JN: “I’m Too Sexy For My Shirt” by Right Said
Fred, “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper and “It Tears
Me Up” by Percy Sledge
MK: Name three artists you would like to play
with or maybe even just jam.
JN: Stevie Wonder, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy.
MK: How about to be a sideman with performing
or singing together, living or dead?
JN: Plácido Domingo, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett,
Stevie Wonder
I just soak it up. I can sing any song; but I just
bring it into my style.
MK: I read an interview with Rod Piazza done by
Mark Thompson in the October 2nd issue of Blast
Magazine, and he was talking about how back
when he was learning chromatic he could get the
B flat 12 hole harps from one guy that stole them
“because nobody wanted those weird keys.” That
Rod brought that to the blues.
JN: That is an interesting story. Yeah Rod and
George “Harmonica” Smith could play that
chromatic.
When I play, it is a melodic conversation in my
mind, the vocal inflections of a conversation.
Melody and phrasing, you know is what blues is
about.
MK: Are there any specific players that influenced
your playing? I mean obviously Junior Wells,
because that’s what brought you to the blues and
specifically the harp in the first place.
JN: Harmonica influences, man there are just so
many.
Diatonic: Well all the guy’s I named earlier both
Sonny Boy’s, both Walter’s, Paul DeLay, Paul
Butterfield, Rick Estrin, James Cotton, Kim
Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Toots Thielemans.
Although it is more rhythmical than melodic.
Like I said for me it is a conversation thing, other
instruments and vocalists influence my style as
well. For the last 16 years I have been working
with my own style and I love it.
Chromatic: That really comes from my own
creativity and is the most unique style in my bag.
Before I left the green room, I mugged for a couple
of photos with John, took a couple as well, and
thanked John for being so gracious with his time
with me. He thanked me for taking the time to do
it. I had a wonderful time hanging out with one
of the real stars of contemporary and soul blues.
Driving home, I enjoyed Feelin’ Freaky and highly
recommend this disc.
Editor’s Note: Welcome John Nemeth back to
the Pacific Northwest this month with shows in
his home town at Boise’s Riverside Hotel on the
20th and 21st, followed by shows in Tacoma at
Jazzbones on the 23rd and Seattle’s Highway 99
Blues Club on the 24th prior to heading to The State
Room in Salt Lake City on the 27th.
Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival Celebrates its 25th Year
By Mark Hurwitz (Photos Courtesy of Mark
Hurwitz)
This year marked the 25th anniversary of the
Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival, a summer
tradition that over the years has presented a
veritable “who’s who” of the Pacific Northwest’s
best blues performers. On Saturday, July 16 th
under sunny skies, attendees enjoyed a full day
of music at Old Town Park, followed by evening
performances by Red House at the Spar Tavern
and festival headliner Kal David with Laurie Bono
and The Real Deal in Slavonian Hall. Both indoor
venues were just down the street from Old Town
Park, making it easy to attend all festival events.
musical festival getting tougher and tougher every
year, the Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival is to
be congratulated for keeping this long-running
tradition alive, to the delight of Puget Sound area
music fans.
The line-up on the outdoor stage featured Kim
Archer, Little Bill and the Blues Notes, The
Linda Myers Band, Mark Hurwitz and Gin Creek,
The Junior Hill Band, The Twang Junkies, Billy
Mac and the Patty Wacks, and King Kombeaux,
with Michael Wall performing on acoustic guitar
between sets. The dance area in front of the stage
was frequently full, with other festivalgoers
lounging on the lawn or enjoying the music
from the hillside beer garden. Food trucks
provided nourishment, and long-time Old Town
Blues Festival partner T-Town Apparel sold 25th
anniversary t-shirts and other souvenirs.
Terry Lauber and Friends opened the evening show
at The Slavonian Hall, after which the audience
was treated to the stellar guitar playing and singing
of Kal David, who in addition to a long career
leading his own bands once occupied the lead
guitar chair in John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers
(an honor previously held by Eric Clapton, Peter
Green, and Mick Taylor). Laurie Bono spiced up
the show with her sassy, soulful vocals.
For the third year in a row, the festival served as
a fund-raiser for Permission to Start Dreaming,
a non-profit organization that helps veterans
suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) and traumatic brain injury.
Leslie Mayne, the organization’s Executive
Director, and festival organizer and promoter
Mike Mitchell, himself a veteran, both addressed
the audience to explain the important work that
Permission to Start Dreaming is doing to help
soldiers lead fulfilling lives beyond their military
service.
Mike Mitchell is already working on plans for next
year’s festival.
“All the acts we had this year were phenomenal,”
he said, “and as always we got great support from
the local community, our volunteers, and our
sponsors.”
With the economics of producing a quality
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Blues Trail Marker in France
(Photo by Willette Herman)
By Eric Steiner
This summer, Michael “Hawkeye” Herman performed at the Cahors
Blues Festival in the South of France. There are only two Mississippi
Blues Trail Markers outside North America: one in Cahors and another
in Notodden, Norway - the site of the Notodden Blues Festival. In
addition to performing at the Cahors Blues Festival this year, Hawkeye
led a number of blues education workshops for all ages.
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By Eric Steiner
Happy Anniversary to Alligator Records &
Stony Plain Records!
This year marks an important milestone for blues
and roots music in North America. In 1971, a young
Bruce Iglauer, according to the 45th Anniversary
Collection liner notes, engaged in a “leap of faith,
an underfinanced one-man operation run out of
an efficiency apartment” and launched Alligator
Records and Artist Management in Chicago. Five
years later, blues fan Holger Peterson built a blues
and roots label at the kitchen table of his suburban
home in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I’d like to let
Bluesletter readers know what I think of each of
the compilations that honor the anniversaries this
year of the Alligator and Stony Plain labels; while
I’m at it, I’ll try to capture my impressions of each
imprint in keeping blues music alive not only in
North America, but around the world as well.
Alligator Records’ 45th Anniversary Collection
Alligator Records’ 45th Anniversary Collection
features 37 songs culled from nearly 300 albums.
Originally formed to record Hound Dog Taylor
and the Houserockers, Iglauer established a firm
foundation in the Chicago area by focusing on
local talent during his first seven years in business.
In 1978, Alligator began to attract nationallytouring artists like James Cotton, Tinsley Ellis and
Little Charlie and the Nightcats to join notable
Chicago blues performers Koko Taylor, Fenton
Robinson, Lonnie Brooks and Hound Dog Taylor.
I noticed that some of my favorite Alligator artists
did not land on the 45th Anniversary Collection,
though. I do have an easy remedy for Bluesletter
readers, though: The most natural place to go
for artists who aren’t on the 45th Anniversary
Collection is the 40th Anniversary Collection.
For the 45th Anniversary Collection, Iglauer
wanted to showcase his current roster, which
includes younger players like Selwyn Birchwood
(“Don’t Call No Ambulance”), JJ Grey & Mofro
(“99 Shades of Crazy”),Toronzo Cannon (“Bad
Contract”), Jarekus Singleton (“I Refuse to Lose”)
and one of the newest members of the Alligator
family, Moreland and Arbuckle (“Take Me With
You When You Go”). I was pleased to hear Charlie
Musselwhite (“The Well”), Curtis Salgado (“Walk
A Mile in My Blues”), Shemekia Copeland
(“Devil’s Hand”), Lazy Lester (“Raining in My
Heart”) and two blues musicians that we’ve lost,
Ann Rabson (“Gonna Stop You from Giving Me
the Blues”) and Johnny Winter (“Shake Your
Moneymaker”) on the twin-disc set.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout about some
of the blues elders that have been part of the
Alligator family over the years, such as James
Cotton (with Joe Bonamassa on “Cotton Mouth
Man”), Billy Boy Arnold (“I Aint Got You”),
Guitar Shorty (“I’m Gonna Leave You”), plus
gems from bluesmen who have passed on, Luther
Allison (“Will It Ever Change?”), Son Seals
(“Cotton Picking Blues”) and Albert Collins (“If
Trouble Was Money”).
The 24-page booklet included in the 45th Anniversary Collection includes memorable liner
notes from Bruce Iglauer that include a heartfelt
acknowledgement of the contributions made by
artists who were not part of this 37-song set. I
enjoyed photos of the artists from photographers
like Paul Natkin, Joe Rosen, Marilyn Stringer and
Peter Ampft (among others). Natkin received a
Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Blues Photography in 2006 and Rosen received the same recognition four years earlier.
Alligator releases have garnered three Grammy
Awards out of a total of 41 nominations, and both
the label and its artists have received more than
100 Blues Music Awards and 70+ Living Blues
Awards.
In 2001, Iglauer was lauded as a Chicagoan of
the Year by Chicago magazine, since then, other
notable blues musicians have received this honor,
including Bruce’s former employer at Jazz Record
Mart (Bob Koester), singer Mavis Staples and
Buddy Guy. Coinciding with the release of the 40
Anniversary Collection, the Chicago Tribune honored Bruce Iglauer as a Chicagoan of the Year and
festivities included a proclamation during the Chicago Blues Festival from Mayor Rahm Emmanuel
and performances from Lonnie Brooks, Shemekia
Copeland, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater and the
late Michael “Iron Man” Burks.
The 45th Anniversary Collection is cause for
celebration.
Stony Plain: 40 Years
Stony Plan’s 40th anniversary collection, 40 Years,
,consists of three CDs: 1) Singers, Songwriters and
Much More, 2) Blues, R & B, Gospel, Swing, Jazz
and Even More, and 3) Rarities and Previously
Unreleased Material. Stony Plain founder Holger
Peterson selected 47 songs from approximately
400 releases, and I like to think that there are two
important facets to each of the seven previous
compilations released every five years:
Holger’s boundless musical curiosity that stretches
across many different genres of music, and the
ever-reliable liner notes from Canadian publicist
Richard Flohil (who gave a memorable acceptance
speech as he received a Keeping the Blues Alive
Award in 2010 for achievements as a publicist).
Like Flohil, Peterson was honored with a Keeping
the Blues Alive Award for his work in public radio
on CKUA-FM for his “Na’tch Blues” program,
and he was the first broadcaster outside the USA
to receive this honor. Holger’s work has earned six
Grammy nominations and 10 Juno Awards, and
he’s also hosted Saturday Night Blues on Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation radio.
The first disc leads with long-time Canadian
bluesman (and now Music City resident) Colin
Linden’s “No More Cheap Wine” followed by
15 diverse selections that range from the raucous
county of “The Crawl” from Spirit of the West,”
the thoughtful ballad of “Do Not Stand at My
Grave and Weep” by Harry Manx and Kevin Breit
and Ian Tyson’s “Cottonwood Canyon.”
The second CD decidedly has more blues cuts on
it, and I particularly enjoyed Long John Baldry’s
“Midnight Special and a treat from Maria Muldaur
and Taj Mahal, “Soul of a Man.” I was pleasantly
surprised to the legendary Chicago bluesman,
Billy Boy Arnold, on this disc with “Bad Luck
Blues” (and he’s one of the very few artists that
have landed on both the Alligator and Stony Plain
compilations).
The dozen unreleased surprises on the third CD
features pairs of songs from Duke Robillard, Eric
Bibb, Bob Carpenter and Sam Chatmon and his
Barbeque Boys, in addition to David Wilcox and
Walter “Shakey Jake” Horton with Hot Cottage.
I appreciated the diversity of this Stony Plain
compilation and enjoyed each of the previously
unreleased cuts. Good compilations lead listeners
to the artists’ back catalogues, and Stony Plain: 40
Years has piqued my interest in artists that were
unfamiliar to me prior to the arrival of this CD in
my mailbox. As a result, I’ll look for other songs
from Bob Carpenter, Doug Sahm, Amos Garrett
and Sam Chatmon and his Barbeque Boys!
Taken together, Alligator Records’ 45th
Anniversary Collection and Stony Plain: 40 Years
showcase a diverse range of musical styles that
stretch far beyond traditional blues music. While
album founders Bruce Iglauer and Holger Peterson
have travelled down similar and distinctive paths
on careers that began in a Chicago efficiency
apartment and suburban Edmonton kitchen table,
they have shown that fiercely independent voices
can help musicians hone their craft and attract
audiences around the world.
I highly recommend each compilation for a true
picture of both contemporary and traditional blues
music (with added special touches of world music,
jazz and Americana).
9
Blues Preview: North Bend Blues Walk
y Rick Bowen and Eric Steiner
North Bend Theatre: Mark DuFresne Band
Mount Si Senior Center: Jesse Weston Band
The Washington Blues Society is pleased to
promote the North Bend Blues Walk in the
Bluesletter. Sponsored by the Boxley Music
Fund, this year’s event will be held on Saturday,
September 24, 2016. The Boxley Music Fund is
a non-profit organization (501c3) established to
support live Jazz music programs for performance
and education within the Greater Snoqualmie
Valley and beyond. The Boxley Music Fund
started in 2010 and currently has more than 200
Members & Families involved, serving more
than 150 Students during the school year and
providing more than 750 gigs to musicians each
year. The following schedule was in-place as of
the Bluesletter’s deadline, and as with any similar
event, it’s subject to change. What’s not subject
to change, however, is the passion of the blues
fans who volunteer to continue to support this
important regional blues event.
Scroll down to read about our featured bands and
musicians.
Valley Center Stage: Elnah Jordan Experience
Piccola Cellars: C.C. Adams Band featuring Mary
Ellen Lykins
The Swirl: Chris Stevens Band
7:00 to 10:00 PM
Pour House: John Stephan Band
Wildflower Wine Shop: HeatherBBlues
Brickyard Brewing: CD Woodbury Band
Birches Habitat: Annie O’Neill
Chaplin’s: Heather Jones and the Groove Masters
Umpqua Bank: Blue Madness
9:00 PM to Midnight
Compass Outdoor Adventures: Rod Cook
Snohomish Valley Moose Lodge: Stacy Jones
Band
Euro Café: Paul Green & Brian Butler
Georgia’s Bakery: Mia Vermillion
8:00 to 11:00 PM
Pioneer Coffee: Mark Riley Trio
Twede’s Café: Margaret Wilder Band
North Bend Theatre: Red House
Valley Center Stage: McTuff
Pro Ski: Kevin Andrew Sutton
Piccola Cellars: Two Scoops Combo
6:00 to 9:00 PM
Chang Thai: Star Drums & Lady Keys
Snohomish Valley Moose Lodge: Polly O’Keary
and the Rhythm Method
Scott’s Dairy Freeze: Ross Robinson
Tickets are available at the door at the main tent,
which opens at 4:00 PM outside of Boxley’s on
Main Avenue in North Bend. Cash, check/debit
and credit cards are accepted and tickets are $30
for adults and $10 for youth 15 years old and under.
One ticket includes admission to each venue.
Pioneer Coffee: Nick Vigarino
Mountain Valley Montessori: Brian Lee & the
Orbiters
Congratulations to Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm
Method and Stanislove for winning
the 2016 Taste of Music!
Best of Luck Representing the Washington Blues
Society at the 2017 International Blues Challenge
in Memphis!
10
Random Thoughts on Improving the Bluesletter
By Eric Steiner
I wanted to let Bluesletter readers know a little about the behind the scenes
improvements underway at the Bluesletter. First of all, I’ll start with an
attitude of gratitude for Washington Blues Society president Tony Frederickson for his suggestions and guidance on using the folders functions on
the computer I use to produce the Bluesletter.
Upcoming Photo Essays
I’ve received a great deal of high quality photographs in the correct format
from a number of volunteer photographers this past year. In future issues,
I will include photo essays from the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival
(special thanks to Tim and Michelle Burge and Paul Brown), the Rock
Cut Blues Festival, the UnTapped Blues and Brews Festival, the 2016
Washington Blues Society International Blues Challenge, among many
others. So, this is an apology to a number of volunteers who have already
submitted some great images from some great events.
Honoring Blues Legacies
Next month, the Bluesletter will feature an interview of legendary Tacoma keyboard player Buck England from frequent Bluesletter contributor Rocky Nelson. In that spirit, we will also include information on this
year’s Legends of the Blues concert in Arlington, Washington. I hope that
I can recruit a number of the musicians and members of the Washington
Blues Society, over time, to tell their story about the early days of our
blues society. I always think it’s important to learn from prior blues society presidents like Bob Horn and Robert Sawyer as well as the president
that recruited me for that position, Rhea Rolfe.
New Articles I’d Like to Read...
Finally, I want to encourage new contributors to think about writing about
blues in their communities. I’ve long wanted to read a series entitled
“Blues in My ZIP Code,” because there are so many opportunities to see
live blues muscic in our state. In fact, this issue is the very first time that
the open mic and blues jam listing actually agrees with the online listing
- that’s thanks to Rick Bowen who sent me the file that I compiled for the
print edition of the Bluesletter. I’d also like to read about how Washington Blues Society members discover blues on the road, whether that road
runs through Medical Lake or Spanaway: there are many out-of-the way
places to experience live blues in our state and I always enjoy reading
about them!
11
Linda Myers Band: Driving Out the Blues
By Amy Sassenberg
Myers has a favorite quote by Gonzo Journalist
Hunter S. Thompson: “The music business is a
cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic
hallway where thieves and pimps run free and
good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative
side.”
The positive side is that the Linda Myers Band,
comprised of great musicians long past the age of
consent, has been traveling and playing clubs and
festivals around Western Washington for about
the past 5 years. They host a very popular gig
with a jam every Wednesday night at Dawson’s
in Tacoma, which is a far cry from the business
Thompson describes. The band plays an eclectic
mix of bluesy rock and jazzy blues, with David
Bray on guitar, Rolf Olsen on keys and Michael
Kinder on the drum kit. Linda and longtime partner
in life and music, bassist Harvey Wicklund, still
play hard. They play like kids, having the time of
their lives. They play like pros that’ve been around
the block. They play like outlaws running from the
man. They play like there’s no tomorrow, because
there might not be.
Hearing the quote, you might be inclined to think
she takes a fatalistic view or is unhappy with her
life. But Linda Myers laughs heartily and counts
herself lucky just to be alive and healthy and
making music. There have been many days—many
years—when all of those were question marks.
A near fatal motorcycle crash as a young woman
left the up-and-coming singer with multiple
fractures, future surgeries for knee replacement
and chronic pain. During her lengthy stay in
the hospital, the nightmare continued as it was
discovered that much of the narcotic pain reliever
meant for the patient, was being stolen and abused
by medical staff. Linda says she went through hell,
and more than two years of physical therapy after
discharge and has endured a lot through the years
because of that unfortunate time. But she’s here.
And if she is in the room, you’ll know she’s here.
No shrinking violet, Linda Myers knows her
way around a microphone. It’s as automatic and
as much a part of her as driving the same car to
the same job for decades is for 9-to-5ers. Because
that is the analogy: Music has been her dominant
career and her voice is the vehicle that has taken
her nearly everywhere she’s been. Despite many
near misses and a few direct hits, she keeps going,
and indeed, is now considered a classic.
Her unique instrument is like the satisfying thrum
of a well-oiled machine, nuanced from decades
of vocal improv and musical variety playing
with pros. At once plaintive and strong, defiance
overcomes defeat and the blues rise up to celebrate
survival at her own personal crossroads. “I’m not a
one-trick pony,” she says. “I would rather do many
genres. They all have a place in my heart and in
my style.”
When Linda takes a break in a set, it’s Harvey who
will belt out a rock tune and shoulder-shake it like
a Rolling Stone. He doesn’t seem to give a damn
who’s watching. He is comfortable in his seventysomething skin and still looks like he would beat
you at arm wrestling.
Harvey is the steady guy in Linda’s corner, keeping
it together, driving it home, letting her shine in
the spotlight. He is the first one to point out how
beloved she’s been to some of the top players in
the field: She counts great innovative jazz sax
player Jim Pepper as a mentor, from the time she
was a girl until his death in 1992. Guitarist Buddy
Fite, who was musical director for Johnny Mathis
and Henry Mancini, was a long-time friend to her
father, and a mentor who influenced her singing
style.
“And Diana Ross’s drummer Mel Brown gave her
drum lessons…” Harvey interjects as Linda waves
away the names dropping in her lap, growing a
little sheepish. Their adoration for each other is
still evident after more than 30 years together.
But Harvey is no stranger to center stage. He plays
bass in this band and doubles on vocals, quite
well, thank you very much. But he grew up in the
San Fernando Valley and was part of the Southern
California music scene for years. He fronted his
own band for a decade before playing rhythm
guitar with The Ventures, the famous Tacomabased group started in the 1960s, still active today
and considered the best-selling instrumental rock
band of all time.
Linda was playing Portland dance halls and
nightclubs at age 11 and continued in her teens.
She was born into a musical family, sang in choirs,
and her first band included her two older brothers
on bass and guitar. Dad was also a musician,
playing slide on a National Guitar before it was
cool, Linda says. “Blues came straight from dad,
playing that National on his lap, 1933.” She says
he was heavily influenced by Charlie Christian
and Robert Johnson. ”The first time ever singing a
blues tune was with my dad,” she says. “Milk Cow
Blues” at 9-years old. Her father was quite aware
of what could happen to a young girl in the music
business and believed, as most fathers do, that he
knew best. So as his daughter blossomed into a
talented and lovely young woman, and started to
get noticed and A& R guys came sniffing around,
her father put his foot down. She was going to stay
in school and NOT stay in the band.
“I rebelled,” Linda offers bluntly. She shrugs and
grins. “I got married. Had a baby.” That put her out
of the limelight for a while, and out of her house,
but domestic life was not a great gig either. Single
again, when she was 21, her older brother talked
her into coming out to jam. She soon found herself
auditioning for a Top-40 trio and soon playing
regularly at a bar in the airport. “I was bit by the
bug,” she says, unable to stay away from music for
too long. Another band heard her at the airport and
stole her away. Linda started playing with Portland
bands, singing across genres: jazz, funk, country
and pop. To supplement her income she worked
odd jobs in addition to singing. That included a
9-month stint in Alaska in the mid-70s, working
fishing boats and processing plants, and singing
behind chicken wire in some rough clubs.
“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”
Hunter S. Thompson
In 1976 Linda was again making waves and
getting noticed by the big boys. She joined wellknown funk horn band Carl Smith & The Natural
Gas Company. She held the same revered spot
as did her friend and earlier singer Signe Toly
Anderson, who joined after starting out with
Jefferson Airplane. It was during her first year with
The Natural Gas Company that Linda was struck
by the speeding truck.
Meanwhile, Harvey spent the entire 1970s touring
the US with his band, Harrison Swift. He sang
lead, sometimes filling in on bass or drums, and
played percussion, hauling his “percussion tree”
from state to state, often playing to packed houses
at the new Black Angus steak houses popping
up across the Western states. He had a lucrative
contract playing the popular lounges for years.
“We’d play a different one every month,” he
says, for the whole month. He put a lot of miles
in, and toured too many places to remember, but
one he can’t forget was at a private mansion. His
brother-in-law worked a pool-cleaning service in
some high-end SoCal neighborhoods. Harvey says
The Beatles stayed at one of them for a week, and
Harvey got to hang out in the heyday. “Yeah, it
was pretty cool,” he smiles.
Linda had a tough time recovering from the
crash, but was prodded and finally persuaded by
band leader Carl Smith to check herself out of the
hospital and get back on stage. She arrived at her
comeback gig on crutches and sang while sitting
on a stool. She would sing with the band on and off
for a few years. But it was a large band, she says,
and the money didn’t stretch far. So she eventually
found them another singer and during that time,
went to work at Soundsmith Studios, where she
was a principal vocalist and a certified sound
technician, cutting demos and helping to write
commercials.
Linda jokes about her string of variable luck and
sometimes prefaces anecdotes with the quip, “And
long story miserable…” Because it seems, just as
things are about shake loose, fate interferes. In the
Continued on Next Page
early 1980s, the studio caught fire and everything
was lost, including her song demos.
“I’ve done pretty good considering I’ve had my
ass kicked somewhere by someone every step of
the way,” she smiles. Hunter S. Thompson has a
quote about that, too. “It’s a strange world. Some
people get rich and others eat shit and die.”
Some would say they go hand-in-hand. Harvey and
Linda did neither, but like many of us, straddled the
spaces in between, appreciating the good when it
came along. And it came along late one November
night in Albany, Oregon in 1983.
“I was doing hotel gigs,” Linda says. “You know,
long gowns, Red Lion Hotels.” She was at a
turning point in her life, having fun but not really
satisfied. Harvey was in a similar place, having left
The Ventures, and was hanging out with a band
called “Ruckus,” made up of former members
from the band “Smith,” a pop band from the 60s
that charted with the hit, “Baby, It’s You.” In fact,
it was the Smith bassist who gave Harvey his very
first bass lesson, back in 1964.
The two had not yet met, but the bass player from
Smith, Jerry Carter, and his brother, Terry, were
also good friends of Linda’s.
As legend has it, Linda and Harvey had been
hearing about each other in the music world for
several years before they ever met. Her friends
would implore Linda to come see the band and
meet Harvey. “You gotta see this guy,” they’d
say, “He’s just like you on stage!” They were both
fronting bands and both had long permed hair.
Promotional photos from that time show some
very attractive people with a lot of attitude and a
lot of hair. It was the 80s, after all.
So just before Thanksgiving, she’s got some time
on her hands and gets a call from her friends in
“Ruckus.” They’re playing The Candlelight in
Albany. “They tell me their friend Harvey is there.
They say ‘Come down and hang out!’ They’d been
trying for five years to get us together,” she says.
When asked why she kept refusing, she says her
father’s name was Harvey, as was her brother’s.
She just felt squeamish about it. So, again she
said no, but she was looking to leave Portland and
the lure of a new environment overran that initial
impulse. “I finally relented,” she says. At that
point, Harvey is told, “Our friend Linda’s coming
down to sing with us.”
It was something of a tragicomedy just getting to
the gig. “It’s late, it’s raining, then it’s sleeting!”
Linda says with great arm gestures. “I was cute
then but I got ugly real quick,” she says. I looked
like a drowned rat and I think well, good, he won’t
want anything to do with me.”
“So I go into this room and it is FULL of women!”
says Linda. “It’s kindof a Top 40-country-rock
band; not really my style. I’m doing jazz and funk
at that time.” But she says there he was with his
long hair and his D’Artanion mustache and it was
on. Linda says they immediately talked about all
the family members they had named Harvey: both
of their dads, her brother, his nephew, etc. Linda
says, “The love affair started that night.”
She went back to Portland to tie up some loose
ends and pick up some stage outfits because she
was headed for Las Vegas to play with an all-girl
band. Her friend was setting her up to be seen and
looking to arrange an audition to try out as a backup vocalist for Diana Ross. But Linda never made
it to Vegas. She decided to stop in Klamath Falls
where she knew Harvey was playing.
She goes to sit in with Harvey’s band Ruckus,
which, in the era of Urban Cowboy, was very
stylishly Country-Western-Rock. “Well, they want
me to do some James Brown,” she says, ignoring
that they’re in a kind of a backroads cowpoke
kind of room where you looked out of place if you
weren’t chewing tobacco. But what the heck. “So
we break loose with this James Brown tune…”
Next thing they know there’s someone throwing
something and shouting racial slurs. A loyal friend
and the club bouncer stopped the impending brawl
that night. But Harvey says, “I looked at her and
said, “What are we doing here? I told her we are
going to get the f... out.”
And they did. They got out of town, then out of
the state, and then out of the music business alltogether.
“It was one of those fine little love stories that can
make you smile in your sleep at night.” (Hunter S.
Thompson)
“We decided if we’re going to be together we
needed to make a plan,” says Linda. So they
walked to a Denny’s to have coffee and sketch out
their future. “His mother and dad liked me a lot,”
she says. “Harvey had been a wild and crazy guy,
on the road, never settled…He became a better
person because of me and I became a better person
because of him.” “We were just talking about it
earlier, how lucky we are that we met.”
Harvey’s parents took a trip abroad, so the new
couple lived in their house in Eugene when they
left for Europe. They bought a new Dodge van.
And started a band together. “At this time everyone
is leaving Eugene to go to Seattle to play Grunge,”
she says. They were a little tired of the business and
everything that came with it. They experimented
like everyone else and had no problem enjoying
themselves. But Linda says they wanted something
different. So in 1985 they head out to Los Angeles
for a week or so and end up staying three years.
Harvey got a job building bicycles as a bicycle
tech for a department store. Linda started hanging
around and helping, eventually becoming his
assistant. “We could build a bike, an 18-speed
fully-loaded, fully complete and ready-to-go in
5 minutes 13 seconds,” she claims proudly. They
made great money, and lived in a little trailer above
Malibu, high in the Santa Monica Mountains. They
used that money to go to school to train to work
in the field of electronics, which is what they both
did for the almost two decades that they weren’t
in a band. “We were high-tech geeks,” Linda says,
adding they decided to get real jobs because they
needed health insurance. Her knee was getting
worse and she eventually had to have it replaced.
While in California they worked out at Gold’s
gym and got in good physical shape and also cut
a 5-song demo. But the Whittier Earthquake struck
and the Santa Ana winds brought brushfire up the
hill almost to their front door. Linda had enough
and they moved back to Ranier, Oregon.
Life went on, her daughter grew up. (She says
she’s incredibly proud of the person she’s become.)
They didn’t play much at all. Every once in a while
she would go down and sit in with her old pals. .
“We were pretty disenchanted,” she says. “And In
this business, if you’re out of sight, you’re out of
mind.” It had been 18 years.
But in 2003 Linda says she told Harvey, “I’d like
to sing some more.” Harvey was not a jammer, but
she persuaded him and they began playing jams
around Portland. They eventually started a “Blues
Priority” but turns out it was the already the name
of a group in Sweden. At that time Harvey’s brother
was manager for Thousand Trails and they were
cultivating a garden, and came up with the name,
”Sandi Soyle & the Cultivators.” They reworked
the songs they had cut in the 80s and made a CD.
They continued playing in and around the Portland
area and living in Ranier.
In 2010 the pair was introduced to Bandleader
and Festival Promoter Billy Stoops. “I met ‘em
in Portland,” Billy says. “They were real nice. We
became friends. They would come out wherever
I was when I came to Portland. I invited them to
come up to Tacoma.”
“Billy is the main reason we’re here,” Linda says.
“I said “Let’s go up there and see what’s going on.”
She says. “We love Billy. And we love these people
up here. It reminded me how it used to be: loving,
caring, sharing people. Some local bands get some
attention and they forget how they got here. But
they had to start somewhere,” she says. Going to
jams, building relationships. She says Billy gave
them some work, booked them at Sun Banks and
introduced them to folks.
“Linda’s got a good voice; a unique voice,” Billy
says. “Harvey is just the nicest guy you could ever
meet.” “They put together a real good band,” Billy
says, as he names the players: David Bray, Rolf
Olsen and Michael Kinder on drums. That was
almost three years ago. They played regularly at
the Stonegate in Tacoma and then one night Linda
walked down the street to see what was going on
at Dawson’s. There was a jam and she got up and
Continued on Page 15
Washington Blues Society
New Membership Opportunities!
By Eric Steiner
At a Board meeting earlier this year, the Board of
Directors of the Washington Blues Society decided
to offer two new membership levels: one for
corporate and business members and one for blues
acts (Duos and Bands). Contributions may be taxdeductible; please check with your tax preparer to
see which new opportunity is right for you.
Each corporate, business or band membership
includes a blues society membership card (with
discounts!), a subscription to the Bluesletter,
and nominating and voting privileges for the
annual Best of the Blues (“BB Awards”) awards
celebration.
Corporate and Business Memberships: these
opportunities have been designed to attract
for-profit businesses to support the mission of
the Washington Blues Society. Modeled after
similar membership opportunities available from
The Blues Foundation or the Cascade Blues
Association, this is the Washington Blues Society’s
inaugural attempt at providing a range of benefits
to Gold, Silver and Bronze business members.
Welcome to the
Washington Blues
Society, R.B. Stone!
By Amy Sassenberg
He’s been called a Blues Cowboy, Americana
Artist and Roots Rocker. RB Stone is comfortable
travelling between genres and travelling around
the globe promoting his special brand of blues.
Recording independently, he’s currently just back
from Europe and touring the US behand his 17th
CD, “Some Call It Freedom, (some call it the
blues)” RB does it all: guitar, vocals, harmonica
and songwriting. His website says he’s sold close
to 40,000 albums, most of them at his shows.
He’s appeared in national music videos and
commercials and his original songs have been
recorded by artists such as The Marshall Tucker
Band. RB has worked with many major acts
including the jazz group Hiroshima and country
rockers The Charlie Daniels Band. RB is the proud
recipient of a Billboard Magazine Songwriting
award, and we are proud to feature him as our
Blues Bash guest in September. Joining him on
drums will be Seattle’s own Drummer Boy, Jeff
Hayes, who is building a reputation for his steady
beats, versatility and prolific participation in a
long list of Seattle super groups.
14
Corporate and Business Membership Levels
Gold
One monthly color business card-sized ad, a passthrough link to the Washington Blues Society
website, and four voting memberships. Dues
donation: $1,000.
Silver
One bimonthly color business card-sized ad –
that’s six placements per year, plus four voting
memberships. Dues donation: $600.
Bronze
One quarterly business card-sized ad – that’s
four placements annually, plus four voting
memberships. Dues donation: $400.
Blues Performer Memberships
Band Membership
The following example is for a four-piece blues
band: $25 annual dues for the first member; each
additional member, $20 (for a total of $85 – that’s
a $15 savings off the standard membership rate!).
When personnel members change, replacement
members will pay $20 and each original member
will continue to enjoy their membership for the
duration of their membership.
Duo Membership
Duo acts will be similarly priced: dues for the first
member is $25 with the second half of the duo
paying $20 – the same replacement membership
discounts as in the Band Membership category
will apply.
Please see page 24 for our updated
membership form!
Update on International Memberships
Due to rising postage costs and delays associated
with international mail, all international
memberships will receive the Bluesletter
electronically effective immediately. International
subscribers’ dues will be the same as USA
members’ dues - $25 for a single membership
and $35 for a couple’s membership. As an added
bonus, international subscribers will receive the
link from the Bluesletter editor on the 1st of the
month. International members will nominate and
vote in the BB Awards process electronically.
Linda Myers Profile
(Continued)
sang. Unbeknownst to her, owner Kenny Bender
early 1980s, the studio caught fire and everything
was lost, including her song demos. was in the
audience. “He jumped out of his chair and asked
if I had a band,” she says. And the rest is history.
“The jam is 2-yearsold and going strong,” she
says, adding that it feels like a weekend crown on
a Wednesday. The regular gig at Dawson’s was
enough to move them up to Tacoma from Ranier
two years ago.
At a time in life when some folks are slowing
down, Linda and Harvey are revving up. The
whole band is, for that matter. They’re working on
material for a new CD and they’re really pleased
about the popularity of the jam at Dawson’s. Linda
is starting to attend some jazz jams in Seattle. Her
guitarist David Bray says she’s also a really good
guitar player.
“She has played guitar all her life but she’s pensive
about playing in public. She is way better than she
thinks…” he says, adding that he encourages her
to play at the jam. He’s also a fan of her singing.
“She’s a jazz singer in a blues-rock environment.
Linda is a great jazz singer and very versatile,” he
says with admiration, adding, “I can’t play jazz to
save my ass.”
But he can play blues like nobody’s business,
as can the rest of the band. He and Kinder have
also started another group called The New Blues
Brothers, like the old Jake and Elwood. Linda has
sat in a couple times and had fun.
Rolf Olsen plays the keyboards in the Myers band
and says he likes the combo, “that Linda brings
jump blues and Dave and Michael bring the Blues
Brothers material. The fact that they’re all very
good—excellent players. It’s fun to play with
people who are outstanding.” For his part, Michael
says he digs playing with The Linda Myers Band
because it makes him feel free. “For being as old
as we are, there is a definite chemistry.” And that
comes from many years playing with many bands.
The three gentlemen who play with Linda and
Harvey are well-respected musicians and it would
take many more pages to begin to adequately
profile them.
They all seem pretty happy to be where they are.
For not wanting to come back to the business,
Linda and Harvey seem content with what they
have built and with each other. Linda says if she
was going to give anybody advice about the music
business, it would be this: Keep your nose clean
and don’t go down that hallway.
September Blues Bash!
By Amy Sassenberg
The Linda Myers Band, comprised of professional
musicians long past the age of consent, has been
traveling and playing clubs and festivals together
around Western Washington for about the past five
years.
For the last two years they’ve hosted a very
popular gig with a jam every Wednesday night at
Dawson’s in Tacoma. With Linda’s stylish vocals
out front, the band plays an eclectic mix of bluesy
rock and jazzy blues, with lifetime locals David
Bray on guitar, Rolf Olsen on keys and Michael
Kinder on the drum kit.
Linda and longtime partner in life and music,
bassist Harvey Wicklund, from Portland, Oregon
and Southern California, respectively, still play
hard. They play like kids, having the time of their
lives. They play like outlaws running from the
man. They play like there’s no tomorrow, because
there might not be. They play like pros because
that’s what they are.
The Linda Myers Band will be playing the second
set at our Blues Bash September 13. And come out
to see them and RB Stone with Jeff Hayes from 7-9
PM at the Sound Check Bar & Grill in Lynwood.
We are excited to present this free, high-energy
show. All ages welcome.
15
Old & New at The Sound Check in Lynnwood
By Robert & Carmen Marina Horn Photo by Alex
Brikoff)
The August 2016 Blues Bash featured a wellknown professional musician with a stunning
resume, and a new band exceptional at performing
classic blues.
Michael Powers gave the audience new
interpretations of cover songs differently than
anyone might have expected (except for the artist
himself).
He didn’t sing, but his guitar did. Powers is one of
the best guitar players in the region, and is mainly
thought of as a jazz performer, but he has recorded
and performed many different genres of music.
He took a Sonny & Cher Song, “The Beat Goes
On” and changed its genre. He played “Nights
in White Satin” with a ukulele through his “one
man band set-up,” but rocked out with it in a way
that Metallica may have thought interesting. He
said he will put “Purple Rain” on his next CD
and showed how he interpreted that song. He
took a contemporary rock song and had his guitar
impersonate a Hammond B-3 in a way that could
convince the audience that he could take Mozart or
Katy Perry (either one) and make them sound like
Luther Allison or Jimi Hendrix (either one.)
He has performed with many great musicians like
Herbie Hancock, King Sunny Ade, Gladys Knight,
Ray Charles, and Glenn Yarborough, among
others.
He told a number of stories including one about
16
how, as a kid, he injured his hand skateboarding,
and while in the hospital, discussed taking up
guitar playing as therapy for the hand.
The doctor agreed with the plan. Not long after
that doctor’s visit, BB King played near Michael’s
home in Berkeley, California where Michael
lived and the promoters did not advertise the gig.
As a result, Michael and BB King were the only
two people there. Michael brought his guitar and
received an early lesson from the King of the
Blues himself.
At one point, Michael told BB King that someday
he may buy a great guitar like the one BB had
(Lucille). BB King then picked up Michael’s cheap
guitar and made it sound like his signature guitar.
Michael learned that it was not the equipment but
the musician that makes the sound.
Michael has become a musician and sort of a
magician with instruments ever since.
Michael performed a song inspired by that guitar
teacher toward the end of his performance: a song
titled “The Thrill is Back.”
After some announcements and a raffle
of CDs, the electric act took the stage.
“Summer School.”
They started off with “Born in Chicago” and they
sounded as good as a blues band that could have
been born in Chicago.
They followed that with an instrumental where
Joel showed off his harmonica playing. With
Joel on the instruments were Michael Baxter on
keyboards, Mahiko Fujita on lead guitar, Daniel
McGillicuddy on bass, and Jeff Hayse on drums.
Their cover of “Little Red Rooster” was longer
than the average cover band’s version of this
Howlin’ Wolf classic, but the soulful vocals and
harmonica playing really stood out
The guitar playing of MahikoFujito was also
exceptional. Mahiko has played with Blue
Holiday, so some readers may be familiar with his
music from that band.
Jeff Hayes and DanieMcGillicuddy were a
formidable rhythm section in this pick-up band
that was recruited by Washington Blues Society
Music Director Amy Sassenberg the day before
the August Blues Bash (due to two cancellations of
electric acts that had been scheduled to perform).
A group of musicians who have performed in
the area with other bands played as a unit called
“Summer School.”
If Summer School stays together, I think that
many Washington Blues Society members and
guests will enjoy their live shows just like many
audience members did at the August Blues Bash
at the Sound Check Bar and Grill in Lynnwood.
After they got on stage, Joel Astley, a very good
vocalist and harmonica player, was asked what the
band’s name was and he looked around and said
Summer School played classic blues and played
them well. Let’s hope that more people get to hear
them as time goes by.
17
Camille Bloom
Pieces of Me
(Self-Released)
Seattle based artist Camille Bloom get very personal on her 5th full length album Pieces of Me
released September of 2016. Self-produced and
recorded at her new home studio, Bloom delivers
10 new tracks that reveal the breadth and depth
of her songwriting skill, by mixing together folk,
funk and dance pop with themes of heartbreak,
life, love, loss and perseverance. Bloom did invite
some impressive friends to join in the effort beginning with the dulcet cello from Gretchen Yanover
who essentially duets with Bloom on the soaring
opening track “Lift Me Up.” The title track is a
mash up of Klezmer and hip hop with marvelous
rhythmic counterpoints from percussionist Logan
Billingsley and Zack Barden on mandolin underscoring Blooms tale of a tug of war in a complicated relationship. Straight from the pages of her
travel diary the rockin’ “Hit the Road,” spells out
the life of a hard working troubadour. Bloom returns to her acoustic guitar for the soul searching
ballad “Turn Back to You,” digging deep in to the
source of love. Euro-pop elements underscore
the socio-political rant on our cultures addiction
to tech and media ‘Zombie.’ Bloom then takes
to the piano for the lover’s lament “Everywhere
but Here.” The energy kicks back up for the time
shifting rocker “I Refuse To,” an anthem of inner strength. The cheeky love song “Nice to Meet
You,” features a playful sing-along and some nice
jazzy island textures. The desperate plight of mental illness is championed duOring the pleading
track ‘Novocain.’ The album closes with another
ballad of self-empowerment “In Another Life,”
with Bloom continuing to play to her strength of
offering songs of promise. Rick J Bowen
Doug MacLeod
Exactly Like This
(Reference Recordings)
Exactly Like This, or as Doug says “or as I would
pronounce it; ‘zactly like’dis” a phrase he uses
to introduce his songs in performances, is the
follow-up to MacLeod’s 2014 Blues Foundation
Blues Music Awards Best Acoustic Album There’s
A Time, and Exactly Like This is also nominated
for this honor for the 2016 Blues Music Awards
. MacLeod is known for his use of storytelling in
his songs and for his considerable skills on guitar. The 11 tracks are all originals and include
the BMA Song of the Year nominated “You Got
It Good (and That Ain’t Bad.)” Doug’s supporting cast include Jimi Bott on drums, and longtime
band members Danny Croy on bass and Michael
Thompson on piano, plus a few guitars creatively
named Owl (most likely Doug’s most popular National Delphi guitar), Moon, Bullet and Lil’ Bit.
MacLeod opens with the fast paced piano driven
romp “Rock It Till the Cows Come Home” as he
sings “we got to rock it/can’t stop it/we gonna rock
18
Blues CD Reviews
it/rock it till the cows come home.” “Find Your
Right Mind” is a slow-paced tune with touches of
nuanced slide and “Ain’t it Rough” is a story song
which is aptly introduced with a short story. Doug
sings “ain’t it rough/ain’t it tough/yeah, when you
doin’ all you can; but it ain’t enough/I know it’s
rough/I know it’s tough/when you doin’ all you
can; but it ain’t enough. “Vanetta” has a percussive
John Lee Hooker-type groove, “Ridge Runner” is
a brisk paced instrumental nod to the mountains
of North Carolina and “New Morning Road” has
a Delta front porch thing going on. One of my favorites is “Raylene” as Doug plays some slide and
sings about “the meanest southern woman I’ve
seen.” Exactly Like This closes with “You Got It
Good (and That Ain’t Bad)” which was inspired
by Doug hearing Duke Ellington’s “I Got it Bad
and That Ain’t Good” and twisted things from a
man who lost his lady to one who got the lady and
more good times. This year, Doug MacLeod just
received the 2016 Blues Music Award in the Best
Acoustic Artist category and I recommend this CD
very highly. - Malcolm Kennedy
Clint Morgan
Scofflaw
(Lost Cause Records)
Olympia-based piano man, and stalwart supporter
of The Blues Foundation, Clint Morgan has released a blues concept record of crime, punishment, remorse and redemption through 19 tracks
that tell the story of lives on society’s margins.
Joining Clint on the CD is a veritable “who’s who”
of roots and Americana players, from bassist Dave
Roe, guitarist Kenny Vaughan, drummer Jerry
Roe, violinist Jonathan Yudkin to multi-instrumentalist Jim Hoke. Rounding out the ensemble
are the Grammy Award-winning Maria Muldaur
and multiple Blues Music Award recipient Diunna
Greenleaf on vocals. After I pressed play on my
CD player, I read the creative packaging and design from Spectacle Photo that tells the story of
legendary criminals that garnered headlines in
their day, from Bonnie and Clyde, Henry “Billy
the Kid” McCarty to John Henry “Doc” Holliday.
Morgan himself gets in on the sepia-toned action
in the CD artwork, but I can’t buy for a minute that
this successful lawyer (and bluesman) has sat in a
jail cell as a customer like the subjects of many of
his songs. Scofflaw features a mixture of covers
and Morgan originals and I particularly liked the
cover of Bob Dylan’s “Wanted Man,” Morgan’s
haunting “Waco” and Diunna Greenleaf’s interpretation of a Bessie Smith classic, “Send Me to the
Lectric Chair.” Another highlight for me is Maria
Muldaur’s spot-on version of the “Softly and Tenderly, Jesus is Calling” hymn. Several years ago,
Morgan produced the Blues Music Award-winning
Rooster by piano sensation “Red Clay” Swafford
and Morgan frequently volunteers as an instructor
and performer at the Pinetop Perkins Foundation
Workshops in Clarksdale, Mississippi. I highly
recommend Scofflaw for the way Clint Morgan
not only tells difficult stories, but also shows how
some pretty dark moments can turn into times of
redemption and hope. Each time I’ve listened to
Lost Cause, I marveled at how “This Little Light
of Mine,” sung by the Abingdon, Alabama Children’s Choir, nicely bookends the stories about
some of history’s most notorious scofflaws (and
Pacific Northwest blues fans will appreciate Morgan’s “D.B. Cooper Blues.”) – Eric Steiner
Kelly Richey
Shakedown Soul
(Sweet Lucy Records)
Kelly Richey grew up in Lexington, Kentucky,
and in 1997 moved north to Cincinnati. She got her
first guitar at age 15 and in her 35 year career has
released 16 albums, including her newest Sweet
Lucy Records release Shakedown Soul. Kelly
plays rocking in your face blues; but she is no one
trick pony. Influences include Buchanan, Hendrix,
Joplin and Vaughn to name a few. Kelly has toured
extensively with her power trio performing over
4,000 gigs, she has taught guitar to over 1,000
students, is a life coach and established a 501 (c)
(3) non-profit music in schools program, Music
for Change, which brings live performances,
lectures, interactive participation and history to
the classroom. A quote form Kelly told me a lot
about her and her playing: “I wanted to be good as
a guitar player, not just good for a girl.” Elements
of electronica are subtlety incorporated into
some tracks like drum loops, synth sequencing,
DJ scratching; but they are never excessive,
overpower the songs or seem reaching. The
opening track “Fading” is driving, riffing, rock
with Kelly singing “oh, you’re fading away/
you’re just another face in this crowd/you ain’t
got nothing to say.” One of the standout tracks is
“Love” which has a good hook, strong vocals and
grinding guitar. It flows directly into “Afraid to
Die” showing Kelly’s husky alto vocals to good
effect. Kelly sings “you’re out of love and out of
luck/you’re all alone and you’re all screwed up/
you’re afraid to die,” and has an interesting two
minute fade out. “The Artist in Me” has a slower
pace; but still keeps the power and Kelly speaksings the lyrics in a growly and whispery voice. I
was also hearing a Lou Reed vibe going on. Kelly
reprises “Fading” showing another side to her
talent playing solo acoustic only backed by some
drum sequencing and strings in the latter half. I
really was enraptured by this song. This stripped
down take really shows the strength of Kelly’s
song crafting. I enjoyed Kelly’s rocking tunes; but
I would love to also hear a whole album over her
acoustic with minimal backing. For fans of blues
rock after something different from the same old,
same old check out Kelly Richey and her new
album Shakedown Soul. - Malcolm Kennedy
Rich Robinson
Flux
(Eagle Records)
For his fifth solo album Flux, released in June
of 2016, Black Crowes founding member Rich
Robinson continues his southern blues rock
journey and shows off the skills he has built
along the way. The album opens with the dense
psychedelic rocker “The Upstairs Land,” that shits
and swells with layers of dynamics. The funky
track “Shipwreck,” with its talk sing verses and big
harmony chorus feels tailor made for Robinson’s
brother Chris, but even though he doesn’t have
gymnastic vocals skills of his brother, Rich does
a fine job of delivering the soul. Charlie Starr
of Blackberry Smoke, lends guitar alongside
Robinson on the easy going “Music That Will Lift
Me,” and the vibe stays positive with the tribal
groove driven and gospel fueled “Everything’s
Alright.” Robinson then pumps up the soul power
on “Eclipse the Night,” followed by the lovely
waltzing and expansive composition “Life.” The
second half of the album downshifts from here
beginning with the reverbed-out tribal rocker
“Ides of Nowhere.” Robinson plays guitars, bass
and thoroughly frenetic drums on the ballad “Time
to Leave,” showing off his full range of skills. An
Allman Brothers esque duel guitar lead opens the
jazzy exploration ‘Astral,’ followed by the piano
driven southern rocker “For to Give,” that also
sounds like a lost cut from the Allman Brothers’
seminal 70s set, Eat A Peach. Robinson then digs
into the grungy deep blues for “Which Way Your
Wind Blows,” and the spacious “Surrender,” before
mining the full depth of southern bedrock closing
with the Zeppelin influenced “Sleepwalker.” Oh
the mountains one can climb with open tuned loud
guitars and big drums. Rick J Bowen
Jackie Payne
I Saw the Blues
(Blue Dot Records)
Jackie Payne’s I Saw the Blues is the long awaited
follow-up to the highly acclaimed pair of Delta
Groove release with Steve Edmonson from 2006
and 2008 and it is straight up old school soul blues
at its best. Earlier this year, I Saw the Blues was
nominated for a Blues Music Award in the Best
Soul Blues Album and Jackie was nominated for
Best Male Soul Blues Artist as well. I Saw the
Blues was co-produced by Payne, Kid Andersen
and Anthony Paule and recorded, mixed and
engineered by Andersen at his Greaseland Studio
in San Jose. The dozen selections include six
originals and the players are some of the. best
around with Kid and Paule on guitars, Lorenzo
Farrell on organ, Bob Welsh on piano, Endre
Tarczy on bass, Derrick D’Mar Martin on drums
and a horn section of Ed Early on trombone, Jeff
Lewis on trumpet along with three different sax
players plus Aki Kumar’s harmonica on three
cuts. Jackie opens with “Back to Normal,” a song
Johnny Adams first recorded in 1993, featuring Kid
on lead and Paule on rhythm guitars and Frankie
Ramos on tenor sax; showing he can still belt it
out. This is followed by the original title track with
Aki on harp, Kid on acoustic and Paule on electric
guitars and Jack Sanford on tenor as Jackie sings
“way over in Thailand/I saw the blues race in,
yeah/he came riding in on a tsunami/a supernatural
thing.” The original “Full Moon Blues,” co-written
with Paule, is a mellow blues shuffle with Paule
giving up the goods on slide guitar and Aki adding
harp accents. “When the Blues Comes Knockin’”
is a song from Frank Bey’s 2008 release Blues
in the Pocket penned by his band members Jeff
Monjack and Kevin Frieson and Jackie gives it
a solid soul treatment with Kid on lead, Paule on
rhythm and Eric Spaulding on tenor. Bob Welch
brings some boogie Woogie piano to the original
“Feel Like Doing My Thing” with Paule on guitar
and Spaulding on tenor, which I am certain packs
dance floors wherever Jackie performs. Aki’s harp
is up front for Johnny Taylor’s “Somewhere Down
the Line,” Ramos lays down a sassy sax solo
and later both Welsh and Lewis add short solos.
Recommended. Malcolm Kennedy
Vaneese Thomas
The Long Journey Home
(Segue Records)
Soul music scion Vaneese Thomas went further
back to her roots for her new album The Long
Journey Home. The Long Journey Home
showcases her other talents as a songwriter,
producer and band leader. The 11 new tracks were
written or co-written by Thomas, recorded by
her top notch road band and produced by her and
husband and producing partner Wayne Warnecke.
Opening track “Sweet Talk Me,”’ could have been
gleaned from her sister Carla Thomas, also known
as “the Memphis Queen’s” catalog with its classic
Stax Records feel. “Lonely No More,” is a slinky
shuffle featuring some barrelhouse piano from
Paul Mariconda, with Thomas demonstrating her
famine prowess. The classic swinging dance hall
shout “Sat’day Night on the River,” is celebration
of southern style punctuated by raucous saxophone
and sing along joy. Thomas testifies to the power
of real love during the modern soul “Mystified.”
The forward thinking “Country Funk,” seeks to
turn the “Bro Country,” movement on its head
with a hot mix of fiddles, dobro and banjo over
a knee deep bass n drums groove as she roars
“I just can’t get enough.”The poignant and ohso-timely “The More Things Change,” is and
anthem celebrating the heritage the civil rights
movement and how the struggle that was born in
south, continues in every corner of the land. She
proudly name checks Sam Cooke and her daddy
Rufus Thomas who both wrote anthems in their
time and whose legacy Thomas proudly carries
on. Another Memphis soul-styled tale of love and
loss “Prince of Fools,” shows of her softer side,
then Thomas and crew shift gears for the heavy
duty blues rocker “I Got a Man In TN.” The sweet
sway of “Rockin’ the Blues Away,” finds Thomas
preaching the power of the Blues punctuated
by glorious B3 organ and slide guitar, while the
down home foot stomper “Revelation,” is another
celebration of love. Thomas takes to the piano for
“Mean World,” and leads the congregation in a
meditation on what we can all do to effect change
and hope. The album curtain call is an inventive
acoustic centered cover of Fleetwood Mac classic
“The Chain.” Rick J Bowen
September Blues Bash!
By Amy Sassenberg
The Linda Myers Band, comprised of professional
musicians long past the age of consent, has been
traveling and playing clubs and festivals together
around Western Washington for about the past five
years.
For the last two years they’ve hosted a very
popular gig with a jam every Wednesday night at
Dawson’s in Tacoma. With Linda’s stylish vocals
out front, the band plays an eclectic mix of bluesy
rock and jazzy blues, with lifetime locals David
Bray on guitar, Rolf Olsen on keys and Michael
Kinder on the drum kit.
Linda and longtime partner in life and music,
bassist Harvey Wicklund, from Portland, Oregon
and Southern California, respectively, still play
hard. They play like kids, having the time of their
lives. They play like outlaws running from the
man. They play like there’s no tomorrow, because
there might not be. They play like pros because
that’s what they are.
The Linda Myers Band will be playing the second
set at our Blues Bash September 13. And come out
to see them and RB Stone with Jeff Hayes from 7-9
PM at the Sound Check Bar & Grill in Lynwood.
We are excited to present this free, high-energy
show. All ages welcome.
19
Preview: Root Ball Music Fest-- Monroe, WA. September 17, 2016.
A one-day music festival with six bands spanning
Americana, Blues, Rockabilly, Outlaw Country
Rock and Roll and everything in between. Free
camping, all ages, children under 12 get in for
free. Pets welcome. There will be food trucks, and
a beer garden, oh, and rockin music on a farm of a
custom log home builder.
LINE UP
Music Starts at 2pm and goes until midnight
September 17, 2016
2:00pm - 3:20pm: Lost Dogma - Americana
3:40pm - 5:00pm: Sammy Eubanks - Blues
5:20pm - 6:40pm: Billy Stoops and The Dirt
Angels- Blues N Roots
7:00pm - 8:20pm: Stacy Jones - Can’t Do Nothin’
Right.- Blues N Roots
8:40pm - 10:00pm: Hard Money Saints Rockabilly
10:20pm - 11:50: Shivering Denizens - Roots /
Outlaw Country & Rockabilly
Price: $20-General--- Ages 12-18 =$10.00
h t t p : / / t h e s t r a n g e r. b o l d t y p e t i c k e t s . c o m /
events/35024339/root-ball-music-fest
$30 - Gate day of show, FREE Camping
Creasey Log Homes Farm. 17325 WA-203,
Monroe, WA 98272
Shivering Denizens
Many people ask us, “What in the hell is a
Shivering Denizen?” If you listen to the lyrics, it
won’t take long to figure out. A combination of
Roots /Outlaw Country & Rockabilly help paint
the picture of misery and despair in the troubled
past of The Shivering Denizen. There is some
heavy influence from the likes of Hank Sr., David
Allen Coe, Johnny Cash, Jerry Reed, Johnny
Paycheck, and George Jones. They have shared
the stage with David Allen Coe, The Hickoids,
Bob Wayne, James Hunicutt, JB Beverly, Shooter
Jennings, The Devil Makes Three, Eddie Spaghetti,
The .357 String Band, Billy Joe Shaver and many
others. Where ever the Denizens play, no matter
if it’s in a small tavern or on a big stage, people
rise out of their chairs to Shiver and Shake. http://
www.theshiveringdenizens.com/
Hard Money Saints
Established in 2002, Hard Money Saints musical
vision has always been to add their own twist
and influences to the melting pot of music known
as rockabilly. Often overlooked or shunned by
rockabillies as too aggressive or not traditional
enough; ultimately placed in the Psychobilly genre
where fans welcomed the aggressive tempos, metal
fueled leads, and frenetic performances. Fusing
influences ranging from Sun era Rockabilly to old
school punk rock and metal, HMS’ sound defies
categorization, but seems to cross genres and pull
fans from all sorts of age groups and music scenes.
After surviving several line-up changes over the
years, largely due to heavy booking and demanding
time commitments, HMS has currently landed on
the strongest and most aggressive line up to date:
Jack Rainwater, venerable guitar player and singer,
Nick Scott (little dirty) drummer, and Jacob Hogg
Standup Bass player. With more energy than ever,
HMS is prepared to tear up recording studios and
venues for the next 10 years and beyond.
Stacy Jones: Winner of the 2015 IMEA
(International
Music
and
Entertainment
Association) award for Best Blues Song “Can’t
Do Nothin’ Right” and BB award for Songwriter
and Best Blues Album “Whiskey, Wine, and
Water”. She is continually nominated for “Best
of the Blues” awards for performance, harmonica,
guitar and winning vocalist of the year. She has
performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, SXSW,
juke joints from Mississippi to California and far
as east Germany, headlined festivals, and shared
stages with Elvin Bishop, Charlie Musselwhite,
Lee Oskar, and many other legends. Her music
has been described as “A Whiskey & Water
Baptism that lace Blues and Rock edges.” “With
her feet firmly planted in roots based music, Stacy
Jones pays homage to the blues but experiments
by mixing in some Mild-Americana and subtle
country licks. Dynamic vocals fueled by powerful
lyrics.” “the rolling thunder blues of Howlin’ Wolf
mixed with the honesty of Lucinda Williams”
www.stacyjonesband.com
Billy Stoops and the Dirt Angels: Born and
raised in Louisville, KY, Billy Stoops has called
the Northwest home for over two decades. The
Americana singer, songwriter, and guitarist was
named “Entertainer of the Year” and “Best Male
Vocalist” by the Washington Blues Society,
and also garnered a Tacoma Summy Award for
“Bluesman of the Year”. Among Billy’s other
accolades, his band of 17 years Junkyard Jane
took home a BB Award for “Best Band” and “Best
Northwest Recording”.
Sammy Eubanks: Artists like BB King, Robert
Cray, Little Ed and Blues Imperials, Philip Walker,
Kenny Neal and anyone that plays the Blues has
been honing their craft their entire lives. At the
other end of the spectrum artists like George Jones,
George Strait, Marty Stuart, Merle Haggard, Lee
Roy Parnell and anyone who has ever banged it
out in a Honky Tonk have been honing their craft
as well. Sammy can stand on either stage, and
has many times. It was recently stated,” Along
the borderline between Country and Blues some
genius arises. Delbert McClinton and Sammy
Eubanks have the same borderline genius.”In 2014,
multiple BMA winner John Nemeth said about
Sammy Eubanks, “Now THAT Mother F%#&ER
can sing!!!” http://www.sammyeubankslive.com/
Lost Dogma: Equally influenced by classic
American artists like Tom Petty, Gram Parsons
as well as blues, modern folk and Bakersfield
country, Lost Dogma typifies the bubbling
undercurrent of Americana at its best. Based in
Seattle Washington, their songs are unpretentious
and heartfelt; sweeping, lush and haunting all in.
Congratulations to Polly O’Keary and the Rhythm
Method and Stanislove for winning
the 2016 Taste of Music!
Best of Luck Representing the Washington Blues
Society at the 2017 International Blues Challenge
in Memphis!
20
Washington Blues Society Talent Guide
44th Street Blues Band (206) 714-5180, and
(206) 775-2762
A.H.L. (206) 935-4592
Richard Allen & the Louisiana Experience
(206) 369-8114
AlleyKattz (425) 273-4172
Annieville Blues (206) 994-9413
Author Unknown (206) 355-5952
Baby Gramps Trio (425) 483-2835
Back Porch Blues (425) 299-0468
Backwoods Still (425) 330-0702
Badd Dog Blues Society (360) 733-7464
Billy Shew Band (253) 514-3637
Billy Barner (253) 884-6308
Bay Street Blues Band (360) 731-1975
Norm Bellas & the Funkstars (206) 722-6551
Black River Blues (206) 396-1563
Blackstone Players (425) 327-0018
Blues Bentley Band (360) 701-6490
Blue 55 (206) 216-0554
Blue Healers (206) 440-7867
Blues on Tap (206) 618-6210
Blues To Do Monthly (206) 328-0662
Blues Playground (425) 359-3755
Blues Redemption (253)884-6308
Blues Sheriff (206) 979-0666
Boneyard Preachers (206) 755-0766 and
(206)547-1772
Bill Brown & the Kingbees 206-276-6600
Brian Lee & the Orbiters (206) 390-2408
Bump Kitchen (253) 223-4333, (360) 259-1545
Nate Burch Band (425)-457-3506
Brian Butler Band (206) 361-9625
CC Adams Band (360) 420 2535
Charlie Butts & the Filtertips (509) 325-3016
Ellis Carter - 206-935-3188
Colonel (360) 293-7931
Kimball Conant & the Fugitives (206) 938-6096
Jack Cook & Phantoms of Soul (206) 517-5294
Rod Cook & Toast (206) 878-7910
Coyote Blues (360) 420-2535
Crooked Mile Blues Band (425) 238-8548
John Scooch Cugno’s Delta 88 Revival
(360) 352-3735
Daddy Treetops (206) 601-1769
Dudley Taft (513) 713-6800
Julie Duke Band (206) 459-0860
Al Earick Band (253) 278-0330
Sammy Eubanks (509) 879-0340
The EveryLeaf Band (425) 369-4588
Richard Evans (206) 799-4856
Fat Cat (425) 487-6139
Kim Field & the Mighty Titans of Tone
(206) 295-8306
Gary Frazier (206) 851-1169
Filé Gumbo (425) 788-2776
Jimmy Free’s Friends (206) 546-3733
Mark Hurwitz & Gin Creek (206) 588-1924
Paul Green (206)795-3694
Dennis “Juxtamuse” Hacker (425) 423-9545
Heather & the Nearly Homeless Blues Band
(425)576-5673
Tim Hall Band (253) 857-8652
Curtis Hammond Band (206) 696-6134)
Hambone Blues Band (360) 458-5659
Terry Hartness (425) 931-5755
JP Hennessy (425)-273-4932
Ron Hendee (425) 280-3994
JD Hobson (206) 235-3234
Bobby Holland & the Breadline (425)681-5644
Hot Wired Rhythm Band (206) 790-9935
James Howard (206) 250-7494
David Hudson / Satellite 4 (253) 630-5276
Raven Humphres (425) 308-3752
Hungry Dogs (425) 299-6435
Brian Hurst (360) 708-1653
K. G. Jackson & the Shakers (360) 896-4175
Jeff & the Jet City Fliers (206) 818-0701
The Jelly Rollers (206) 617-2384
Junkyard Jane (253) 238-7908
Stacy Jones (206) 992-3285
Chester Dennis Jones (253)-797-8937
James King & the Southsiders (206) 715-6511
Kevin/Casey Sutton (314) 479-0752
Virginia Klemens Band (206) 632-6130
Bruce Koenigsberg / Fabulous Roof Shakers
(425) 766-7253
Lady “A” (425) 518-9100
Steven J. Lefebvre (509) 972-2683,
(509) 654-3075
Scott E. Lind (206) 789-8002
Little Bill & the Bluenotes (425) 774-7503
Dana Lupinacci Band (206) 860-4961
Eric Madis & Blue Madness (206) 362 8331
Albritten McClain & Bridge of Souls
(206) 650-8254
Doug McGrew (206) 679-2655
Jim McLaughlin (425)737-4277
Mary McPage Band (206) 850-4849
Scott Mallard (206) 261-4669
Miles from Chicago (206) 440-8016
Reggie Miles (360) 793-9577
Dave Miller Band (805) 234-7004
Michal Miller Band (253) 222-2538
The Mongrels (509) 307-0517, 509-654-3075
Moon Daddy Band (425) 923-9081
Jim Nardo Blues Band (360) 779-4300
The Naughty Blokes (360) 393-9619
Keith Nordquist (253) 639-3206
Randy Norris & The Full Degree
(425) 239-3876
Randy Norris & Jeff Nicely
(425) 239-3876/ (425) 359-3755
Randy Oxford Band (253) 973-9024
Robert Patterson (509) 869-0350
Dick Powell Band (425) 742-4108
Bruce Ransom (206) 618-6210
Mark Riley (206) 313-7849
RJ Knapp & Honey Robin Band (206) 612-9145
Gunnar Roads (360) 828-1210
Greg Roberts (206) 473-0659
Roger Rogers Band (206) 255-6427
Roxlide (360) 881-0003
Maia Santell & House Blend (253) 983-7071
$cratch Daddy (425) 210-1925
Shadow Creek Project (360) 826-4068
Doug Skoog (253) 921-7506
Smokin’ J’s (425) 746-8186
Son Jack Jr. (425) 591-3034
The Soulful 88s/Billy Spaulding (206) 310-4153
Star Drums & Lady Keys (206) 522-2779
John Stephan Band (206) 244-0498
Chris Stevens’ Surf Monkeys (206) 236-0412
Steve Bailey & The Blue Flames (206) 779-7466
Steve Cooley & Dangerfields (253)-203-8267
Steven J. Lefebvre (509) 972-2683,
(509) 654-3075
Stickshift Annie Eastwood (206) 523-4778
Alice Stuart & the Formerlys (360) 753-8949
Suze Sims (206) 920-6776
Kid Quagmire (206) 412-8212
Annette Taborn (206) 679-4113
Leanne Trevalyan (253)238-7908
Tim Turner Band (206) 271-5384
Two Scoops Combo (206) 933-9566
Unbound (425) 231-0565
Nick Vigarino (360)387-0374
Tommy Wall (206) 914-9413
Charles White Revue (425) 327-0018
Mark Whitman Band (206) 697-7739
Michael Wilde (425) 672-3206 / (206) 200-3363
Willie B Blues Band (206) 451-9060
Hambone Wilson (360) 739-7740
C.D. Woodbury Band (425) 502-1917
The Wulf Tones (206) 367-6186 (206) 604-2829
Tommy Cook Trio (206)-384-0234
Michelle D’Amour and the Love Dealers
(425)761-3033
Polly O’Kerry and the Rhythm Method
(206)384-0234
Rosewood Embargo (206) 940-2589
West Coast Women’s Blues Revue (206)940-2589
Willie & The Whips (206) 781-0444
Kim Archer Band (253)298-5961
Cheatin River (425-334-5053
The Wired Band (206) 852-3412
Chester Dennis Jones (253)797-8937
Groove Tramps (720)232-9664
Rafael Tranquilino Band /Leah Tussing
(425) 329-5925
Mustard Seed (206) 669-8633
Jeff Menteer and the Beaten Path (425)280-7392
Chris Eger Band (360) 770 7929
Please send updates to editor@wablues.org by the
5th of the month. We’ll do our best to update your
listing!
ATTENTION MUSIC PEOPLE!
If you would like to add your music schedule to our
calendar, please send in your information by the
10th of the month to wbscalendar@yahoo.com in
the following format: (Please, very important! No
bold or ALL CAPS): Date - Venue, City - Band
Name Time.
21
September 2016 Washington Blues Society Calendar
Note: Please confirm with each venue the start
time and price. We also apologize in advance for
any errors as we depend on musicians and venues to send in their information and sometimes,
changes happen after we go to press.
Sharks 2PM, Chester Dennis Jones 3PM, Greg
Murat Band 4PM, Alley Kattz 5PM, Nate Burch
Band 6PM, Michelle Taylor Band 7PM, All Girl
Review 8PM, Guy Johnson 9PM, Polly O’Keary
& the Rhythm Method 10PM
Thursday, September 1
Madison Ave Pub, Everett - Nick Vigarino 7PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Chris Eger
Band 8PM
Riverfront Park/Lilac Stage, Spokane - Sammy
Eubanks 6:30PM, Too Slim & the Taildraggers
8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Keiko Matsui
7:30PM.
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Stapleton & Wilhelm
7:30PM
Sunday, September 4
Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma - Little Bill Trio 5PM
Love House, Bellevue - 12th Man party w/Nick
Vigarino & Lady “A” 4PM
Ebey Island Freedom Festival, Everett - Tom &
Jill 10AM, Noise Remedy 11AM, 44th Street
Blues Band 12PM, Blues Playground 1PM, Mary
McPage Trio 2PM, Brian Lee & the Orbiters
3PM, Blues County Sheriff 4PM, Bobby Holland
& the Breadline 5PM, Jay Mabin/Rich Rorex
6PM, Harmonica Hell 7PM, Neal Fallen w/Dave
Mathis 8PM, Rafael Tranquilino Band 9PM,
Kevin Sutton 10PM
The Birk, Birkenfield OR - Too Slim & the Taildraggers 3PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Keiko Matsui
7:30PM
Oak Harbor Music Festival/Island Thrift Stage,
Oak Harbor - Ayron Jones & the Way 5PM
Friday, September 2
G Donnalson’s, Tacoma - Little Bill Englehart /
Rod Cook duo 7:30PM
Craven’s, Maple Falls - Nick Vigarino 8:30PM
Engels Pub, Everett - Tim Turner Band 9PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Nick Moss
Band 8PM
Suncadia Resort, Cle Elum - Too Slim & the
Taildraggers 7PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Keiko Matsui
7:30PM & 9:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Stapleton & Wilhelm
6PM, Wired Blues Band 9PM
The Triple Door, Seattle - Curtis Salgado 8PM
Ebey Island Freedom Fest, Everett - Mack Daddy
4PM, Never Kry 5PM, C.C. Adams 6PM, Unbound 7PM, CD Woodbury Band 8PM, JoMomma 9PM, SkyHook10PM
Oak Harbor Music Festival/Island Trollers Stage,
Oak Harbor - Leroy Bell & His Only Friends
9:15PM
Saturday, September 3
G Donnalson’s, Tacoma - Little Bill Englehart /
Rod Cook duo 7:30PM
Swedish Cultural Center, Seattle - Dance w/Brian
Lee & the Orbiters 7:30PM
Engels Pub, Everett - Pushing Midnight 9PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Big Road Blues
8PM
Grinder’s, Shoreline - Daily Flash 8PM
Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma - Tim Hall Band 5PM
Oak Harbor Music Festival/Island Thrift Stage,
Oak Harbor - Too Slim & the Taildraggers 5PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Keiko Matsui
7:30PM & 9:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Mark DuFresne 9PM
The Triple Door, Seattle - Curtis Salgado 8PM
The Triple Door Musicquarium, Seattle - Jelly
Roller 9PM
Riverfront Park/Clocktower Stage, Spokane Sara Brown Band 5PM, Randy Oxford’s All Star
Slam 8:45PM
Ebey Island Freedom Fest, Everett - Uncle Doug
10AM, Southern Comfort 11AM, Big City 12PM,
Town Hall Brawl 1PM, Mike Wright & the Blue
22
Monday, September 5
Duff’s Garage, Portland OR - Alex & Joey’s
Birthday Bash w/Too Slim & the Taildraggers
8PM
Ebey Island Freedom Festival, Everett - Unstrung
Geezers 10AM, Rich Chapman 11AM, Fieldhouse Rhythm Section 12PM, Mark Hurwitz &
Gin Creek 1PM, Cowbell West 2PM, Lou Echeverri 3PM, Blues On Tap 4PM, GFB 5PM, Dave
Mills 6PM, Perfect By Tommorow 7PM, Jimmy
Wright Band 8 PM
Tuesday, September 6
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Tower of Power
7:30PM & 9:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM
The Triple Door, Seattle - Ruthie Foster w/Laura
Love 7:30PM
Wednesday, September 7
Easy Monkey Taphouse, Shoreline - Thomas
Jefferson Read acoustic 8PM
Engels Pub, Everett - Red 8PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Drummerboy
w/RB Stone 8PM
Billy Blues, Vancouver - Too Slim & the Taildraggers 8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Tower of Power
7:30PM & 9:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM
Thursday, September 8
Sunbanks Blues Festival, Electric City - Michael
Coucoules 8PM, Rob Tudor 9PM, Randy Norris
& Jeff Nicely 10PM, Little Bill w/Rod Cook,
Chris Leighton & Dick Powell 11PM
Madison Ave Pub, Everett - Nick Vigarino 7PM
Bad Albert’s, Ballard - Annie Eastwood, Larry
Hill & Tom Brighton w/Bill Chism 6PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Kevin Andrew
Sutton & the Northwest All Stars 8PM
Jazzbones, Tacoma - Too Slim & the Taildraggers
8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Uncle Bonsai
35th Anniversary Celebration 7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Stapleton & Wilhelm
7:30PM
Friday, September 9
Crossroads Center, Bellevue - Little Bill & the
Blue Notes 7PM
Engels Pub, Everett - Cadillac Jack Revue 9PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Carl Verheyen
Band 8PM
Chinook Fest, Naches - Stacy Jones 3PM
H2O, Anacortes - Too Slim & the Taildraggers
8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Tower of Power
7:30PM & 9:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Stapleton & Wilhelm
6PM, Paul Green & Straight Shot 9PM
The Triple Door Musiquarium, Seattle - Dirty
Rice 9PM
Sunbanks Blues Festival, Electric City - Lee Bob
& the Truth 5PM, Courtney Marie Andrews 7PM,
Leroy Bell & His Only Friends 9PM, Curley
Taylor & Zydeco Trouble 11PM
Saturday, September 10
Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival, Stanwood - Nick
Vigarino’s Back Porch Stomp 4:30PM
Harvest Moon Festival, Mount Vernon - Stickshift Annie w/Kimball Conant & the Fugitives
4:30PM, Nick Vigarino’s Back Porch Stomp 8PM
JP Trodden Distillers, Woodinville - Stacy Jones
5PM
Dusty Strings, Seattle - Eric Madis’ Ragtime
Blue class 10:30AM, Eric Madis’ Robert Johnson
Fingerpicking class 1:30PM
Scotch & Vine, Des Moines - Brian Lee Trio 8PM
Engels Pub, Everett - The Dogtones 9PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Duffy Bishop
Band 8PM
Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma - Billy Barner & King
Kom Beaux 5PM
Sunbanks Blues Festival, Electric City - Too Slim
& the Taildraggers 9PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Tower of Power
7:30PM & 9:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Kalimba 7PM &
9:45PM
Sunbanks Blues Festival/Electric City, Cee Cee
James & Mission of Soul Duo 1PM, RB Stone
2:30PM, Thunder Brothers 4PM, Rich Layton &
the Trouble Makers 5:30PM, Junkyard Jane w/
Sue Orfield 7PM, Golden State Lone Star Revue
w/Anson Funderburgh, Mark Hummel & Little
Charlie Baty 9PM
Sunday, September 11
Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma - Still Got It 5PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Maria Muldaur
Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Tacoma - Blues
Vespers w/Too Slim & the Taildraggers 4PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Nearly Dan
7:30P
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Primary Colors 7PM
Sunbanks Blues Festival, Electric City Americana Song Writers Showcase w/Beutel,
Stoops & Trevalyan 1PM, Polly O’Keary &
the Rhythm Method 2:30PM, The Americans
4PM, Harlis Sweetwater 5:30PM, Duffy Bishop
7:30PM
Monday, September 12
Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon, Stanwood Nick Vigarino w/Billy Bob Thornton 9PM
Madison Ave Pub, Everett - Kevin Sutton Blue
Monday 7PM
Tuesday, September 13
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Joey Alexander
Trio 7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM
Sound Check Bar and Grill, Lynnwood:
Washington Blues Society Blues Bash All Ages,
7-9 PM Acoustic Act:
Electric Act:
Wednesday, September 14
Engels Pub, Everett - Mary McPage & the
Assasins 8PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Wasted Words
(Allman Brothers tribute) 8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Joey Alexander
Trio 7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM
Thursday, September 15
Destination Harley Davidson, Tacoma - Little
Bill Trio 5PM
Madison Ave Pub, Everett - Nick Vigarino 7PM
Bad Albert’s, Ballard - Annie Eastwood, Larry
Hill & Tom Brighton w/Bill Chism 6PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - The Trailer
Park Kings 8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Karrin Allyson
7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Stapleton & Wilhelm
7:30PM
The Triple Door Musicquarium, Seattle - Yada
Yada Blues Band 9PM
Friday, September 16
Easy Monkey Taphouse, Shoreline - Little Bill
Trio 8PM
Craven’s, Maple Falls - Nick Vigarino 8:30PM
Crossroads Center, Bellevue - Eric Madis &
Blue Madness 7PM
Brother Don’s Bar & Grill, Bremerton - Norm
Bellas Trio 8PM
Engels Pub, Everett - Scott E Lind Band 9PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Nikki Hill
8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Karrin Allyson
7:30PM & 9:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Stapleton & Wilhelm
6PM, Shaggy Sweet 9PM
Saturday, September 17
Northwest Dance Club, Seattle - Little Bill &
the Blue Notes 8:30PM
BBQ Blast Off, Deming - Nick Vigarino’s Back
Porch Stomp 5:15 PM
Buzz’s, Olympia - Blues County Sheriff 9PM
Elliot Bay Pizza, Mill Creek - Annie Eastwood
duo 7PM
Rockin’ M BBQ, Everett - Brian Lee & the
Orbiters 8PM
Cafe’ Con Leche, Seattle - Double Trouble
Concert w/Lady “A” & Nellie Travis 8PM
Engels Pub, Everett - Tweety & the Tom Cats
9PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Hot Wired
Rhythm Band 8PM
Root Ball Music Festival/Creasey Farm, Monroe
- Lost Dogma 2PM, Sammy Eubanks 3:40PM,
Billy Stoops & the Dirt Angels 5:20PM, Stacy
Jones 7PM, Hard Money Saints 8:40PM,
Shivering Denizens 10:20PM
Madison Ave Pub, Everett - Mark Riley Trio
7PM
Grinder’s Shoreline - Red House 8PM
Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma - TBQ 5PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Karrin Allyson
7:30PM & 9:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - 313 Soul w/Darelle
Holden 8PM
Sunday, September 18
Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma - Blues Redemption
5PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Karrin Allyson
7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - New Age Flamenco
6PM
Monday, September 19
Madison Ave Pub, Everett - Kevin Sutton Blue
Monday 7PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - 17th Sister City
Jazz Day w/Masae Nagashima Kobe’s 2016
Vocal Queen 7:30PM
Tuesday, September 20
Crossroads Farmer’s Market, Bellevue - Eric
Madis solo 1PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Richard Bona
Mandekan Cubano 7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM
Wednesday, September 21
Easy Monkey Taphouse, Shoreline - Thomas
Jefferson Read acoustic 8PM
Pike Place Bar & Grill, Seattle - Stickshift Annie
w/Kimball Conant & the Fugitives 6PM
Engels Pub, Everett - True Romans 8PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Big Road
Blues 8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Richard Bona
Mandekan Cubano 7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM
Thursday, September 22
Destination Harley Davidson, Silverdale - Little
Bill Englehart / Rod Cook duo 5PM
Madison Ave Pub, Everett - Nick Vigarino 7PM
Bad Albert’s, Ballard - Annie Eastwood, Larry
Hill & Tom Brighton w/Beth Wulff 6PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Jimmy
Thackery & the Drivers 8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle -Brian Culbertson
Funk 7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Stapleton & Wilhelm
7:30PM
Friday, September 23
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Stapleton & Wilhelm
6PM, Rod Cook & Toast w/Suze Sims 9PM
Engel’s Pub, Edmonds - John Stephen’s Band
9PM
Third Place Books, Lake Forrest Park - Brian
Lee & the Orbiters 7:30 PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Chris Eger
Band 8PM
Temple Theater, Tacoma - John Nemeth, Jimmy
Thackery & Stacy Jones 8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Brian
Culbertson Funk 7:30PM & 9:30PM
Saturday, September 24
North Bend Blues Walk/Compass Outdoor
Adventures, North Bend - Rod Cook solo
acoustic 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Pioneer Coffee Co,
North Bend - Nick Vigarino 6PM, Mark Riley
Trio 9PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Umpqua Bank, North
Bend - Eric Madis & Blue Madness 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Pour House, North
Bend - John Stephan Band 8PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Mountain Valley Montessori, North Bend - Brian Lee & the Orbiters
7PM
NorthBend Blues Walk/Sno. Valley Moose
Lounge, North Bend - Polly O’Keary & the
Rhythm Method 6PM, Stacy Jones 9PM
North Bend Blues Walk/North Bend Theatre,
North Bend - Mark DuFresne Band 6PM, Red
House 9PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Valley Center Stage,
North Bend - Elnah Jordan Experience 6PM,
McTuff 9PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Piccola Cellars - CC
Adams Band w/Mary Ellen Lykins 6PM, Two
Scoops Combo 9PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Wildflower Wine Shop,
North Bend - HeatherBBlues 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Birches Habitat, North
Bend - Annie O’Neill 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Euro Cafe’,North Bend
- Paul Green & Brian Butler 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Georgia’s Bakery - Mia
Vermillion 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Twede’s Cafe, North
Bend - Margaret Wilder Band 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Pro Ski, North Bend Kevin Andrew Sutton 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Chang Thai - Star
Drums & Lady Keys 7PM
Continued on Page 29
23
24
Washington Blues Society Blues Jams & Open Mics!
Jam hosts listed, and open mics are either blues
friendly or full band friendly!
Sundays
192 Brewing, Kenmore 3-6 PM with The Groove Tramps
Anchor Pub, Everett: Open Jam hosted by Leah Tussing & Rafael
Tranquilino – 2-5 PM on 2nd Sunday of the month- All Ages
Buzzard Blues Open Jam at Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono
Cafe, Seattle 2 PM
Conway Pub: Gary B’s Church of the Blues 6-10PM Dawson’s,
Tacoma, Tim Hall Band 7 PM
Raging River Café’, Fall City, Tommy Wall 7PM
Wild Hare @Village Restaurant Marysville; Peace N Love Jam w
Teri Wilson & Scotty Harris 7-10 PM
Westside Lanes, Olympia w Blues Bentley, 7 PM
The Royal Bear, Auburn: Unloaded Jam Session, 6-10PM.
Rhythm & Rye, Olympia: Stone Soup Jam w/Dan Tyack.
Shuga Jazz Bistro, Renton: Eric Verlinde Jam, 7:30PM
Tuesdays
88 Keys, Pioneer Square Seattle: Sea Town All Stars, 8PM
Antique Sandwich Co., Tacoma: Open mic 7PM
Dave’s of Milton: Jamming with Jerry Miller 7PM
Elmer’s Pub, Burien: Billy Shew 7PM
Engel’s Pub, Edmonds: Lou Echerverri, 8PM
Rockin’ M BBQ, Everett: Tommy Cook w/Brews, Blues & BBQ 730-11 PM
Poppe’s 360 Neighborhood Pub, Bellingham: Open mic Night w/
Brian Hillman 6:30PM
J&M, Pioneer Square, Seattle, Cory Wilds 9PM
Sound Check Bar & Grill, Lynnwood; Doug McGrew; 8PM
Tim’s Tavern, Seattle, Open mic 7PM
Twede’s Café North Bend, Open mic 630PM
Razzle’s Smokin Blues Jam, Smokey Point, 7-11 PM (all ages untill
10PM)
Luther’s Table, Renton: Victory Music Open Mic w/Stanislove 7:00
PM – 9:30 PM
Thursdays
88 Keys, Pioneer Square, Seattle 88 Women Jam w/Beth Wolf,
Melanie Own, Sheryl Clark and Kelli 7PM Cedar Stump, Smokey Point, Arlington: Open Jam w/Sean Denton
Band 8PM Dog House Bar and Grill, Seattle, Blues Jam w/Up Town All Stars
7-11 PM
Dave’s of Milton: Open Jam with Power Cell 8PM
Dawson’s, Tacoma:Blues jam w/Billy Shew 730PM
Grumpy D’s Coffee House, Seattle: Open Mic 7PM
Madison Ave Pub, Everett; Acoustic Jam with Nick Vigarino 7PM
The Junction, Centralia w/ Blues Bentley 630PM
The Village Inn Pub, Bellingham; w Jimmy D, 8PM
Salmon Bay Eagles, Ballard, Seattle: Last Thursday of the month
w/ Mark Whitman 8PM
Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla: Jam night 8PM
Stoneway Cafe, Seattle: Victory Music Acoustic Open mic, 6:30PM
(2nd & 4th Thursdays) Wild Moon Saloon, Stanwood: Tightwad Thursday Jam,Loco
Billy’s 8PM
Luther’s Table, Renton: Victory Music Open mic w/ Stanislove 7:00
PM – 9:30 PM The Hungry Pelican, Snohomish: Open mic acoustic night hosted
by Jeff Crookall and Friends 6 PM
Mondays
88 Keys, Pioneer Square Seattle: Blues On Tap, 8PM
Mac’s Triangle Pub, Seattle 8PM /
Mo Jam Mondays, Nectar Lounge Seattle 9PM
Dawson’s, Tacoma: Music Mania Jam
Red Dog Saloon, Maple Valley: Scotty FM & The Broadcasters, 7-10
PM
Riverside Pub, Wenatchee: North Central Washington Blues Jam, 2nd
& 4th Mondays
Wednesdays
88 Keys, Pioneer Square, Seattle. Jam with Jens Gunnoe and special
guests, 8PM Blue Moon Tavern Seattle: Open mic 8PM
Celtic Bayou, Redmond: Open mic 8 PM
Collectors Choice, Snohomish: – Sean Denton Band Blues Jam 8-11
Dawson’s, Tacoma: Linda Myers Wicked Wednesday Jam
Darrel’s Tavern, Shoreline: Open mic 830 PM
Half Time Saloon, Gig Harbor Grumpy D’s Coffee House, Seattle: Open Mic
Madison Ave Pub, Everett: Unbound Blues Jam 730PM
Sep 7 Unbound with Steve Raible
Sep 14 Unbound with Tim Turner
Sep 21 Unbound with Ryan T. Higgins
Sep 28 Unbound with el Colonel & Mary De La Fuente
The Mix, Seattle: Open mic 8PM
Old Triangle, Greenwood, Seattle: Jeff Hass Jam 8PM
Pono Ranch, Ballard, Seattle, Blues Jam 8-11PM
Rhythm & Rye,Olympia: Open mic w/ Scott Lesman 9PM Skylark Café, West Seattle, Open mic 8PM
Sapolil Cellars, Walla Walla: Open Mic Recording Club 7PM
Yuppie Tavern, Totem Lake, Kirkland; Heather B Blues Acoustic Jam
8PM
Tony V’s Garages. Everett: -Open Mic 9PM
Fridays
Spinnaker Bay Brewing, Seattle: All Star Women Blues Jam. Third
Friday of each month 7:30-10:30 PM
Saturdays
Café Zippy’s, Everett: Victory Music Open mic 7-930 PM
25
Washington Blues Venue Guide
Seattle: Downtown and West Seattle
Bad Albert’s Tap and Grill (206) 789-2000
Barboza (206) 709-9442
Ballard Elks Lodge (206) 784-0827
Benbow Room (206) 466-1953
Blue Moon (206) 675-9116
Café Racer (206) 523-5282
Capitol Cider (206) 397-3564
Café’ Solstice (206) 675-0850
Central Saloon (206) 622-0209
Connor Byrne Pub (206) 784-3640
Columbia City Theater (206) 722-3009
C&P Coffee house (206) 933-3125
Darrell’s tavern (206) 542-6688
East Lake Zoo Tavern (206) 329-3977
Easy Monkey Tap house (206) 420-1326
Egan’s Jam House (206) 789-1621
El Corazon (206) 262-0482
EMP (206) 770-2700
Hard Rock Café Seattle (206) 204-2233
High liner Pub (206) 216-1254
Highway 99 Blues Club (206) 382-2171
J&M Café- Pioneer Square (206) 402-6654
Jazz Alley (206) 441-9729
Little Red Hen (206) 522-1168
LUCID (206) 402-3042
Mac’s Triangle Pub (206) 763-0714
Mr. Villa (206) 517-5660
Nectar (206) 632-2020
Neptune Theater (206) 682-1414
Neumos (206) 709-9442
North City Bistro (206) 365-4447
Owl and Thistle (206) 621-7777
Paragon (206) 283-4548
Rendezvous (206) 441-5823
Salmon Bay Eagles (206) 783-7791
Seamonster Lounge (206) 992-1120
Serafina (206)323-0807
Skylark Cafe & Club (206) 935-2111
Ship Canal Grill (206) 588-8885
Slim’s Last Chance Saloon (206) 762-7900
St. Clouds (206) 726-1522
Stone Way Café’ (206) 420-4435
The Barrel Tavern (206) 246-5488
The Crocodile (206) 441-4618
The High Dive (206) 632-0212
The Moore (206) 682-1414
The Ould Triangle (206) 706-7798
The Paramount (206) 682-1414
The Mix (206) 767-0280
The Royal Room (206) 906-9920
The Tractor Tavern (206) 789-3599
The Triple Door Theater and Musicquarium
(206) 838-4333
The Sunset Tavern (206) 784-4880
The Showbox (206) 628-3151
The 2 Bit Saloon (206) 708-6917
Tim’s Tavern (206) 789-9005
Town Hall (206) 652-4255
88 Keys (206) 839-1300
Third Place Books (206) 366-3333
Thirteen Coins /13 Coins (206) 682-2513
Tula’s Jazz Club (206) 443-4221
26
Vera Project (206) 956-8372
Vito’s (206) 397-4053
South Puget Sound: Auburn, Tacoma,
Olympia, Chehalis, Algona, Spanaway
and Renton
Auburn Eagles (253) 833-2298
B Sharp Coffee House, Tacoma 253-292-9969
Bob’s java jive (253) 475-9843
CC’s Lounge, Burien (206) 242-0977
Capitol Theater Olympia (360) 754-6670
Charlie’s Bar and Grill, Olympia (360) 786-8181
Dave’s of Milton, Milton (253) 926-8707
Dawson’s, Tacoma 253-476-1421
Delancy’s on Third -Renton (206) 412-9516
Destination Harley Davidson, Fife
(253) 922-3700
Doyle’s Pub, Tacoma (253) 272-7468
Elmer’s Pub, Burien (206) 439-1007
Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma (253) 594-7777
Forrey’s Forza, Lacey (360) 338-0925
G. Donnalson’s (253) 761-8015
Gonzo’s, Kent (253) 638-2337
Jazzbones, Tacoma (253) 396-9169
Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma (253) 627-3186
Junction Sports bar, Centralia (360) 273-7586
Louie G’s, Fife (253) 926-9700
Lucky Eagle Casino, Rochester (800) 720-1788
The Matrix Coffeehouse, Chehalis
(360) 740-0492
Mint Alehouse, Enumclaw (360) 284-2517
Monte Carlo Tavern, Kent (253) 852-9463
Muckle Shoot Casino, Auburn (800) 804-4944
Nikki’s Lounge, Covington (253) 981-3612
Nisqually Red Wind Casino, Olympia
(866) 946-2444
Northern Pacific Coffee, Tacoma (253) 537-8338
The Northern, Olympia (360) 357-8948
Oasis café, Puyallup, (253) 840-2656
O’Callaghan’s, Key Center 253-884-9766
Old General Store Steak House & Saloon, Roy
(253) 459-2124
Pickled Onion Pub, Renton (425) 271-3629
Rhythm & Rye, Olympia (360) 705-0760
Riverside Golf Club, Chehalis (360) 748-8182
Royal Bear, Algona (253) 222-0926
Scotch and Vine, Des Moines (206) 592-2139
Silver Dollar Pub, Spanaway (253) 531-4469
Stonegate, Tacoma (253) 473-2255
Shuga Jaxx Bistro, Renton (425) 274-3074
The Spar, Tacoma (253) 627-8215
The Swiss, Tacoma (253) 572-2821
Uncle Sam’s, Spanaway (253) 507-7808
World Of Beer - Renton (425) 255-0714
Yella Beak Saloon, Enumclaw (360) 825-5500
Peninsula: Bremerton, Port Orchard,
Sequim and Shelton
Bethel Saloon, Port Orchard (360) 876-6621
Brother Don’s, Bremerton (360) 377-8442
Casey’s Bar and Grill, Belfair (360) 275-6929
Cellar Door, Port Townsend (360) 385-6959
Clear Water Casino, Suquamish (360) 598-8700
Filling Station, Kingston (360) 297-7732
Little Creek Casino, Shelton (800) 667-7711
7 Cedars Casino, Sequim (360) 683-7777
Half time Sports Saloon, Gig Harbor
(253) 853-1456
Manchester Pub, Port Orchard (360) 871-2205
Morso, Gig harbor (253) 530-3463
Next Door Gastropub, Port Angeles
(360) 504-2613
Old Town Pub, Silverdale (360) 473-9111
The Point casino, Kingston (360) 297-0070
Pour House, Port Townsend (360) 379-5586
R Bar, Port Angeles (360) 797-1274
Red Dog Saloon, Port Orchard (360) 876-1018
Silverdale Beach hotel, Silverdale (360) 698-1000
Sirens Pub, Port Townsend (360) 379-1100
Slaughterhouse Brewing, Port Orchard
(360) 329-2340
Swim Deck, Port Orchard (360) 443-6220
The Dam Bar, Port Angeles (360) 452-9880
The Gig Spot, Gig Harbor (253) 853-4188
Tree house café’, Bainbridge (206)842-2814
Up Town Pub, Port Townsend (360) 344-2505
Red Bicycle Bistro, Vashon Island
(206) 463-5959
East Side: Bellevue Bothell,
Kirkland and Woodinville
Alexa’s Café, Bothell (425) 402-1754
Bakes Place, Bellevue (425) 454-2776
Beaumont Cellars, Woodinville (425) 482-6349
Cypress Wine bar at Westin, Bellevue
(425) 638-1000
Central Club, Kirkland (425) 827-0808
Crossroads Center, Bellevue (425) 402-9600
Cypress Wine Bar, Bellevue (425) 644-1111
Grazie, Bothell (425) 402-9600
Ground Zero Teen Center, Bellevue
(425) 429-3203
Horseshoe Saloon, Woodinville (425) 488-2888
Kirkland Performance Center, Kirkland
(425) 893-9900
192 Brewing, Kenmore (425) 424-2337
Mt Si Pub, North Bend (425) 831-6155
North Shore Performing Arts Center, Bothell
(425) 984-2471
Northwest Cellars, Kirkland (425) 825-9463
Pogacha of Issaquah, Issaquah (425) 392-5550
Raging River Café’, Fall City (425) 222-6669
Second Story Hideaway, Redmond
(425) 881-6777
Sky River Brewing, Redmond (425) 242-3815
Snoqualmie Casino, Snoqualmie (425) 888-1234
Soul Food Books and Café, Redmond
(425) 881-5309
Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville
(425) 488-1133
The Black Dog, Snoqualmie
425-831-DOGS (3647)
East Side: Bellevue Bothell,
Kirkland and Woodinville
(Continued)
The Den Coffee House, Bothell 425-892-8954
Twin Dragon Sports Bar, Duvall (425) 788-5519
Village Wines, Woodinville (425) 485-3536
Vino Bella, Issaquah (425) 391-1424
Wild Rover, Kirkland (425) 822-8940
Yuppie Tavern, Totem Lake/Kirkland
(425) 814-5200
North Sound: La Conner, Mount
Vernon, Stanwood, Everett,
Marysville Snohomish, and Other
Points North
Anelia’s Kitchen and Stage, La Conner
(360) 399-1805
Angel of the Winds Casino, Arlington
(360) 474-9740
Big Lake Bar and Grill, Mount Vernon
(360) 422-6411
Big Rock Cafe & Grocery, Mount Vernon
(360) 424-7872
Boundary Bay Brewery and Alehouse,
Bellingham (360) 647-5593
Bubba’s Roadhouse, Sultan (360) 793-3950
Byrnes Performing Arts Center,
Arlington (360) 618-6321
Cabin Tavern, Bellingham (360) 733-9685
Café Zippy, Everett (425) 303-0474
Cedar Stump, Arlington (360) 386-8112
Conway Muse, Conway (360) 445-3000
Conway Pub, Conway (360) 445-4733
Eagle Haven Winery, Sedro Woolley
(360) 856-6248
Engels Pub, Edmonds (425) 778-2900
Emerald City Roadhouse /Harley Davidson,
Lynnwood (425) 921-1100
Emory’s on Silver Lake, Everett. (425) 337-7772
Everett Theater, Everett (425) 258-6766
Grinders Hot Sands, Shoreline (206) 542-0627
H2O, Anacortes (360) 755-3956
Heart of Anacortes, Anacortes (360) 293-3515
Loco Billy’s Wild Moon Saloon (425) 737-5144
Longhorn Saloon, Edison (360) 766-6330
Lucky 13 Saloon, Marysville. (360) 925-6056
Main Street Bar and Grill,
Ferndale (360) 312-9162
McIntyre Hall, Mt Vernon (360) 416-7727 ext. 2
Mirkwood & Shire, Arlington (360) 403-9020
Mount Baker Theater, Bellingham
(360) 734-6080
Oak Harbor Tavern, Oak Harbor (360) 675-9919
Old Edison Inn, Bow (360) 766-6266
Paula’s Wine Knott/Slaughter house Lounge,
Monroe (425) 501-7563 - (206) 369-6991
Paradise Tavern, Monroe (360) 794-1888
Peabo’s, Mill Creek (425) 337-3007
Port Gardener Winery, Everett (425) 339-0293
Prohibition Gastro Pub, Everett (425) 258-6100
Razzals, Smokey Point (360) 653-9999
Rockfish Grill, Anacortes (360) 588-1720
Rockin’ M BBQ, Everett (425) 438-2843
Rocko’s Everett (425) 374-8039
Skagit Valley Casino, Bow (360) 724-0205
Sound Check Bar & Grill, Lynnwood
(425) 673-7625
Stanwood Hotel Saloon, Stanwood
(360) 629-2888
Sound Check, Lynnwood: (425) 673-7625Stewarts on First, Snohomish (360) 568-4684
Snazzy Badger Pub, Snohomish (360) 568-8202
The Oxford Saloon, Snohomish (360) 243-3060
The Repp, Snohomish, (360) 568-3928
The Wild Hare, Everett (425) 322-3134
The Madison Pub, Everett (425) 348-7402
The Anchor Pub, Everett (425) 374-2580
The Cravin’ Cajun, Everett (425) 374-2983
The Old Village Pub, Lynnwood (425) 778-1230
Tulalip Casino, Tulalip 888-272-1111
Twin Rivers Brewing Co. Monroe (360) 7944056
The Green Frog, Bellingham (360) 961-1438
The Roost, Bellingham (413) 320-6179
The Rumor Mill, Friday Harbor (360) 378-5555
The Shakedown, Bellingham (360) 778-1067
Tony V’s Garage, Everett (425) 374-3567
Urban City Coffee, Mountlake Terrace (425)
776-1273
Useless Bay Coffee, Langley (360) 221-4515
Varsity Inn, Burlington (360) 755-0165
Village Inn, Marysville (360) 659-2305
Washington Sips, La Connor (360) 399-1037
Wild Buffalo, Bellingham (360) 392-8447
Wild Hare, Everett (425) 322-3134
13th Ave Pub, Lynnwood (425) 742-7871
Central and Eastern: Yakima,
Kennewick, Chelan, Manson, Rosyln
and Wenatchee
Bill’s Place, Yakima (509)-575-9513
Branding Iron, Kennewick (509)586-9292
Brick Saloon, Roslyn (509) 649-2643
Blending Room, Manson (509) 293-9679
Café Mela, Wenatchee (509) 888-0374
Campbell’s Resort, Lake Chelan (509) 682-4250
Club Crow, Cashmere (509) 782-3001
Deepwater Amphitheater at Mill Bay Casino,
Manson (509) 687-6911
Der Hinterhof, Leavenworth (509) 548-5250
Emerald of Siam, Richland (509) 946-9328
End Zone, Yakima (509) 452-8099
Grill on Gage, Kennewick (509) 396-6435
Hop Nation Brewing, Yakima (509) 367-6552
Ice Harbor Brewing Company, Kennewick
(509) 586-3181
Icicle Brewing Co. Leavenworth (509) 548-2739
Main Street Studios, Walla Walla (509) 520-6451
Old School House Brewery, Winthrop
(509) 996-3183
Roxy Bar, Kennewick (509) 491-1870
Sapoli Cellars, Walla Walla (509) 520-5258
Seasons Performance Center, Yakima
(509) 453-1888
Sports Center, Yakima (509) 453-4647
The Vogue, Chelan (509) 888-5282
Twisp River Pub, Twisp, (888) 220-3350
Yakima Craft on the Avenue, Yakima
(509) 571-1468
Eastern Washington, Montana, Idaho
and Other Points East of the Cascade
Mountains
Arbor Crest Winery, Spokane Valley
(509) 927-9463
Barrister Winery, Spokane (509) 465-3591
Bing Crosby Theater, Spokane (509) 227-7638
Bigfoot Pub, Spokane (509) 467-9638
Bolo’s, Spokane (509) 891-8995)
Boomers Classic Rock Bar & Grill, Spokane Valley (509) 368-9847
Bucer’s Coffeehouse Pub, Moscow, ID
(208) 596-0887
Buckhorn Inn, Airway Heights (509) 244-3991
Chaps, Spokane (509) 624-4182
Chateau Rive, Spokane (509) 795-2030
Coeur d’Alene Casino, Worley (800) 523-2464
Crafted Tap House & Kitchen, Coeur d’Alene
(208) 292-4813
Daley’s Cheap Shots, Spokane Valley
(509) 535-9309
MAX at Mirabeau Hotel, Spokane Valley
(509) 924-9000
Rico’s Pub Pullman (509) 332 6566
Studio 107, Coeur d’Alene (208) 664-1201
The 219 Lounge Sandpoint, ID (208) 263-9934
The Bartlett, Spokane (509) 747-2174
The Big Dipper, Spokane (877) 987-6487
The Cellar, Coeur d’Alene (208) 664-9463
The Hop, Spokane (509) 368-4077
The Lariat, Mead WA. (509) 466-9918
The Shop, Spokane (509) 534-1647
Underground 15, Spokane (509) 868-0358
Viking Tavern, Spokane, (509) 315-4547
Waddells Neighborhood Pub, Spokane
(509) 443-6500
Whiskey Jacks, Ketchum, ID (208) 726-5297
Zola, Spokane (509) 624-2416
ATTENTION BLUES FANS:
If you know of a venue that offers live blues music, please send the name of the venue and the
venue’s telephone number to editor@wablues.
org and we’ll make every effort to keep this new
and improved listing of region-wide blues opportunities as up to date and possible!
27
White Rock Blues Society Blues Challenge Update
By Eric Steiner
Last month, I had the opportunity to volunteer
as a judge for the White Rock Blues Society’s
International Blues Challenge to select a band and
a solo/duo act to represent the blues society in
Memphis at the 2017 International Blues Challenge.
The event was held at what is billed as “Canada’s
Tropics” at the Pacific Inn in White Rock. I enjoyed
the camaraderie and the performances and highly
recommend that Washington Blues Society fans
and members check out our closest Canadian Blues
Foundation affiliate. Once the scores were tabulated,
Harpdog Brown (band) and Brandon & Chip (soloduo and players in Arsen Shoumakov’s Band and
The Twisters, respectively) will represent the White
Rock Blues Society in Memphis next year.
I highly recommend the White Rock Blues Society
as a blues resource for Washington Blues Society
members and fans alike. Just as I typed in my
Letter from the Editor in this month’s issue, the
White Rock Blues Society hosts events just across
the USA-Canada border, and if you have a USA
passport that provides privileges to travel across the
border, the White Rock Blues Society offers a range
of blues activities that range from blues society
competitions as well as special events to add to your
blues calendar. This month, the blues society will
host the Paul Deslauriers Band on September 9th at
the Pacific Inn - this will be another great event!
Photos by Eric Steiner (this page): Upper Right:
Brandon & Chip, Middle: Martini Guitars, Right:
James “Buddy” Rogers, Below: Dalannah & Owen).
Next Page: Top: Glen Pearson Band, Middle:
Harpdog Brown, Bottom: Ocean Park Wailers.
28
Saturday, September 24 (Continued)
North Bend Blues Walk/Scott’s Dairy Freeze,
North Bend - Ross Robinson 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Mount Si Senior Center,
North Bend - Jesse Weston Band 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/The Swirl, North Bend Chris Stevens Band 7PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Brickyard Brewing 8PM
North Bend Blues Walk/Chaplin’s, North Bend
Blues Walk - Heather Jones & the Groove
Masters 8PM
Engels Pub, Everett - Electric Hemingway 9PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - John Nemeth
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Brian Culbertson
Funk 7:30PM & 9:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - The Paperboys 8PM
Sunday, September 25
Johnny’s Dock, Tacoma Dave Roberts Band 5PM
Evelyn’s Tavern, Clearlake - Oyster Run w/Nick
Vigarino’s Meantown Blues 1PM
G Donnalson’s, Tacoma - Lady “A”s Sunday
Evening Gospel 5PM
Grinder’s, Shoreline - Kim Archer 8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Brian Culbertson
Funk 7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Double Play 6PM
Monday, September 26
Madison Ave Pub, Everett - Kevin Sutton Blue
Monday 7PM
Tuesday, September 27
Dimitrious Jazz Alley, Seattle - Jason Marsalis
Quintent w/Etienne Charles 7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM
Wednesday, September 28
Engels Pub, Everett - Ken Reid Band 8PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - The Black
Cloud: Seattle’s Live Mix Tape 8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Jason Marsalis
Quintent w/Etienne Charles 7:30PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - Gotz Lowe Duo 6PM
Thursday, September 29
Madison Ave Pub, Everett - Nick Vigarino 7PM
Bad Albert’s, Ballard - Annie Eastwood, Larry
Hill & Tom Brighton w/Bill Chism 6PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Patti Allen &
Monster Road 8PM
The Cliff Hanger, Lynnwood - Stacy Jones 8PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Marcus Miller
ATTENTION MUSIC PEOPLE!
If you would like to add your music schedule to our
calendar, please send your information to wbscalendar@yahoo.com by the 10th of the month, in
the following format:
Date - Venue, City - Band Name Time
(Please, very important! No bold or ALL CAPS)
Friday, September 30
Trails End Saloon, Portland OR - Sultans of Slide
8:30PM
Easy Monkey Taphouse, ShorelineAnnie Eastwood, Larry Hill & Tom Brighton w/
Bill Chism 8PM
Engels Pub, Everett - Nate Burch Band 9PM
Highway 99 Blues Club, Seattle - Kalimba 8PM
Bake’s Place, Bellevue - McTuff 9PM
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Seattle - Marcus Miller
7:30 PM
29
Introducing... The Samsara Blues Band!
By Pennie Saum (Photo by Mike Knapp)
“In January 2016, I had the privilege of attending
International Blues Challenge week in Memphis, “
said Dominic Domiano, lead vocalist and guitarist
of the Samara Blues Band.
“I have never traveled anywhere on a plane. I
was able to see things I never thought possible,
all within music and the topic of music and the
history of music,” he continued. “Memphis being
the birthplace of the blues, was overwhelming, it
was amazing. I had the opportunity to participate
with my band mates in a jam session at the Rum
Boogie Café the Sunday before the International
Blues Challenge began, which was an incredible
experience. Other professional musicians joined
us with brass instruments and other instruments.
Words cannot describe the moment. We were also
able to attend other jams and watch many different
performers perform that week, it was incredible.”
At 14, Dominic is the band’s lead vocalist, but he
also plays the bass and guitar. Dominic has been
playing music since he was eleven. 16-year old
Jaycob Saum is the band’s drummer. Jaycob
has been playing the drums since he was five, he
also plays other instruments. Fellow 16-year old
Sidney Knapp plays the guitar in the band. She
has been playing music since she was eight years
30
old and hasn’t stopped since. 14-year old Miranda
Kitchpanich covers vocals, guitar and bass.
Miranda has been performing in front of audiences
for six years. Each of these youth have a passion
for music and learning.
Last year, Dominic, Jaycob and Sidney travelled
together to Memphis to participate in everything
they could during the International Blues
Challenge. One of the highlights for all of them was
a jam sponsored by the Memphis Blues Society at
the Rum Boogie Café. The three of them were
able to play with several other musicians, truly
experiencing the birthplace of the blues. Miranda
sang and played bass with the Emerald City Blues
Band at the youth showcase as well as the Pacific
Northwest Showcase.
“I had no idea how much I could learn from
jamming with all the experienced blues players.
Improvising songs and coming up with my own
lyric and music on the fly was challenging, but
so thrilling. I am extremely eager to go back and
learn more,” said Miranda> All four of the other
members of the band - Dominic, Jaycob, Sidney
and Miranda - were eager to return to Memphis
for more opportunities to perform and learn from
peers and professionals alike in Memphis.
Dominic, Jaycob, Sidney and Miranda have
performed together previous and are excited to be
back together sharing their passion for the blues.
“We are working on some traditional blues, some
new age blues and some originals blues,” said
Dominic. “Our band works weekly with The
Chops Shops mentors and is looking forward to
working with other mentors in preparation for
Memphis in January.
Each of the members of Samsara Blues Band is
ecstatic to be selected to be a part of International
Blues Challenge week in partnership with the
Washington Blues Society. Each player describes
this experience as one that “is hard to explain,
everyone should come and see for themselves,”
said Jaycob. “It’s a feeling, there is something
about being where the blues started, late into
the night, playing at some of the most famous
locations in blues, being a part of this event – there
are no words to describe.”
The Samsara Blues Band is excited to be a part of
the “new generation of blues.”
“The Washington Blues Society has given us a
great opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful
event. We are working hard to be the best that we
can be and then some!” said Knapp.
By Cora Price
Preview: Fraser Valley Blues Society
International Blues Competition
The International Blues Challenge is something
new for the Fraser Valley Blues Society. After
hosting shows and jams for the past two years, the
society has upped its game and will hold the firstever Fraser Valley Blues Society International
Blues Challenge competition finals on September
11th at the Phoenix Ballroom in Abbotsford,
British Columbia.
The first round of the society’s International Blues
Challenge wowed the audience with five bands
and six solo/duo acts competing for the honor of
representing the Fraser Valley Blues Society in
Memphis next year.
Musicians came from throughout British
Columbia and Washington State to take part in
the first competition. In the end, the band category
saw James ‘Buddy’ Rogers, James Thorhaug Band
and the LazerKatz advance to the finale this month
in Abbotsford.
For the solo/duo competition, the following acts
are competing in the finals: The Blue Hearts, Me
& My Shadow and CeeCee James.
Tickets are only $10 and can be purchased online
at http://FraserValleyBlues.com or at the door.
Come out and support these musicians as they
will be the inaugural representatives of the Fraser
Valley Blues Society at the 2017 International
Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee!
Photos by Cora Price:
Upper Left: Cee Cee James
Upper Right: The Blue Hearts
Left: Me & My Shadow
Above: James “Buddy” Rogers
Lower Left: LazerKatz
Lower Right: James Thorhaug Band
Best of Luck to the Finalists at the Fraser Valley Blues Society
International Blues Competition!
31
Non-Profit
U.S. Postage Paid
Seattle, WA
Permit No. 5617
P.O. Box 70604
Seattle, WA 98127
Change Service Requested
The Washngton Blues Society is a Proud Recipient of a 2009
Keeping the Blues Alive Award from The Blues Foundation