Parkinglot Slim Rides Again!

Veteran Midwest bluesman Jimmy Steffan delivers a tight and well-rounded 9-song set with his latest Parkinglot Slim release, "Southern Slide". The album features tasteful guitar work from songwriter Steffan and Norman Merritt, who co-wrote three of the tracks.

Vocalists Norman Jolly and Curly Joe Harper bring a believable delivery to the tunes and drummer Loyd Warden does a bang up job of driving the bus through the different moods of the CD – from the down and dirty blues rockers, "Rum And Coke" and "Palm Beach", to the soulful "Bottom Of My Heart" and poignant "Fathers’ Advice". Tom Andes adds some classy piano work and Dennis Ternamian and Kevin Hennessy are solid on bass. Pick up this disc, folks.

Jimmy Steffan has given his fans another enjoyable dose of the blues from Parkinglot Slim.

The cover of Jimmy's latest CD, Parkinglot Slim.

Parkinglot Slim may be purchased by sending $10 to:
Jimmy Steffan
PO Box 285
Fulton MO 65251

Email Jimmy at morumusic@socket.net

Jimmy Steffan

Musician Bios

Originally from the Dallas TX area, Curly Joe migrated to Columbia in the mid-seventies. 
The singer-harmonica player is the leader of an area working band, "Rib House".
Curly Joe also writes songs, and some of this work can be heard on his CD, "Urban Scuffle". 
Curly Joe's artwork is also featured on the cover of "Southern Slide". MRM is proud to feature the talented Mr. Harper on "Slide".

Most old-school live music fans around Central Missouri will remember Norman's legendary band (with brother Al), The Jolly Brothers. The Jolly Brother's latest release is 1999's "Living On The Edge.") For so many years now, Norman has rocked the house at area nightspots. In addition, he's loaned his considerable talents as a vocalist and keyboard-player to various recording projects. 
We're fortunate, indeed, to have this area icon down on these tracks.

Modern Rural Music's "chief cook and bottle-washer", Jimmy Steffan is a homegrown musician who played his first bar gig in Columbia in 1972, while still a senior in high school. 
As a member of "The Benders", and as a leader of his own "modular blues band", 
"Parkinglot Slim's All-Stars, much of Jimmy's musical efforts have been oriented around singing and playing The Blues, and in particular, the recording of original songs in that genre.

"Uncle Denny" to most who know him, Mr. Ternamian is well-known from Columbia to 
The Lake Of The Ozarks as the leader of the longest-running "blues jam" in Central Missouri history. From 1985 until 2002, the guitar-player/singer and his band of merry jammers could be found at least once a week at some Columbia nite spot. Denny's jam brought many diverse singers and players into the blues fold around here, and for his steadfast efforts, the man cannot be appreciated enough! Denny has also served stints as a member of "The Kansas City Street Band" and The Lake's "Backbone". Denny also holds a masters degree in art from Mizzou, and his music-themed artwork,  in oils, watercolor, and sculpture has been much-profiled in area newspapers. 
Originally a bass player, Denny's four-string chops bring an authenticity to the bottom end on "Slide".

Keyboard-player Tom is a graduate of Berkeley School Of Music in Boston, and for many years now, he has been the resident piano man at Murry's Restaurant in Columbia. Tom is also a family man, who, in additional to his weekly gig-schedule, teaches the piano as well. As a recording artist, Tom has released four CDs, two of which featuring his Saturday night house band from Murry's. Although jazz music makes for Tom's steady diet, he's always generous with his time when it comes to layin' down a few cool blues riffs on a record or two.

We had to go all the way to Austin Texas to enlist the talents of Mr. Osbourn. The keyboard player's experience in the Texas music scene is myriad. Like a lot of top Austin players, Riley was a member of Jerry Jeff Walker's band back in The Seventies. He's worked steady since then in a variety of bands, but his true love seems to be for old-school blues and R&B. Riley now tours with legendary Dallas singer Doyle Bramhall (a man some consider most influential in the development of Mr. Stevie Ray Vaughn's vocal stylings.) Riley's playing is also featured on Mr. Bramhall's latest release, "Fitchburg Street".

A native of Kansas City, drummer Warden has been a member of the Central Missouri music community since 1999. Loyd's great feel for rockin' R&B music dates back to the several years he spent as a house musician in bars and nightclubs on Beale Street, in Memphis. Currently pursuing a higher degree in music at Central Methodist College in Fayette, Loyd is also a member of The Hillary Scott Band.

It’s a real pleasure to thank a few more cats for their contributions to "Slide":

First off, there’s a good ol’ friend of The Blues, Mr. Norman Merritt, aka Lenny Spy. Lenny is a master guitarist in many roots musical styles, from acoustic blues on his National Steel Guitar, to crunchin’ surf-rock. (Check out Lenny’s solo on "Ain't No Point"!) Lenny’s a cool songwriter, too. You just can’t beat his cool 1960s chording and wry turns, lyrics-wise.
Lenny’s 2002 release, "Trouble Is My Business" features songs by Lenny and his musical conspirator-lead vocalist, Dick Pruitt, as well as a stellar cast of area musicians. 

Every record needs a spot where somebody steps in and kicks it into high gear. On "Slide" we’re honored to have as our special guest, and designated blues belter, Mr. Al Jolly.
Al’s vocals bring "Fathers’ Advice" on home in style, both in call-and-response verses, and in killer harmony with his Brother Norman. (It’s a long song, but with Al and his brother singing, maybe we should have written more lines!) Whenever y’all get the chance, Folks, check out an evening with Al and his guitar at your area bars and restaurants.

Special mention goes out to a Central Missouri longstanding musical homeboy, - and - latest arrival on the scene, bass guitarist, Kevin Hennessy. Kevin, of course, along with his brother Sean, is from the longstanding "Hennessy And Sons" music store family in Columbia. Kevin is back with usafter a good long stint in San Diego, California. His awesome skills got to town just in time, to help out a few tracks on "Slide". Kevin and Sean also have an excellent release from 2002, "Forgotten Stories", an instrumental jazz offering of original compositions.

And, it gives the staff and management of MRM great pleasure to thank Austin, Texas bass guitar man, Mike Rieman for kicking off our first track, "Bad Binge", so righteously. You really moved that bass line around, now, My Brother! Shout out to Mike as well, for coordinating our Austin session at "The Compound" with Mr. Osbourn.

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