January
2007 Newsletter Clips
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International Blues Challenge
February 1, 2, and 3 in Memphis, Tennessee
Lots of plans are still being made for this year's trip to IBC. 2007 promises to
be the best yet, with over 160 acts performing on Beale Street Thursday through
Saturday. In years past, this event was referred to as "Blues First"
and was very centered around the blues convention with seminars and breakout
sessions to help interested blues fans and society members get first hand tips
and advice from seasoned society members, artists and educators. There was a
band competition - but it has grown!
Triple Threat New Name Familiar Faces
Can you believe that between these three guys you will find almost a
century of professional performances? Not saying any body is getting old! But
you might recall Saddle Tramp, The Rain, Tin Star, Painted Eyes, Night Shade,
Black Jack, Runner. And styles of music ranging from blues, rock and roll,
bluegrass, rockin' blues, and everything in between.
2007 Blues Music Awards Information
Remember - you must be a BF member to vote
The Blues Foundation has set the 2007 Blues Music Awards for Thursday May
10, 2007 at the Memphis Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.
Why argue with success? The praise for the 2006 event was almost universal. The
2007 Blues Music Awards Nominees can be found by clicking the
"Nominees" link on the left of the page. Members can vote by clicking
on the "Vote" link at left.
Blues News
Contributed by Chris Puyear
Chicago Blues legend Homesick James died in December . He was in his
mid-90s and passed away resting comfortably in his home in Springfield,
Missouri.
Born in Somerville, Tennessee, he began playing guitar at around age ten and soon ran away from home, eventually becoming the last of the Delta players who made their way from Mississippi via Memphis to Chicago, and transformed the sound of post-war Blues. His slide guitar was the sound of Maxwell Street in its heyday. He gave various birthdates, but April 30, 1910, is generally accepted; some sources give his real name as James A. Williamson, others as James (or John) William Henderson. He was said to be a cousin of Sonny Boy Williamson, and claimed to be a cousin of Elmore James, to whom he was very close and who was certainly a major influence. He was also acquainted with Robert Johnson.
BEST OF AUSTRALIAN BLUES & ROOTS
"BLUES AND ROOTS"
BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO
BAR PROMOTIONS obtained their moniker by simply borrowing some of the
alphabet from the product they promote - B A R - BLUES AND ROOTS. Australian
Blues And Roots to be exact. From the way I see it they seem to be a PR firm
that puts out promotional discs containing a track from a bunch of down under
blues bands. This particular disc "BLUES AND ROOTS" VOL 3 is a
compilation of fourteen original tracks by thirteen different Australian
bands/artists.