Documentary - Manny Sayles

A longtime fixture in New Orleans, Emanuel Sayles (b - January 31, 1907)was a valuable supportive player and an occasional soloist for decades. Although he studied violin and viola early on, Sayles was self-taught on banjo and guitar. After attending high school in Pensacola, Florida, he moved to New Orleans where he played with William Ridgley’s Tuxedo Orchestra. Sayles worked with Fate Marable, Armand Piron and Sidney Desvigne on riverboats and in 1929 recorded with the Jones-Collins Astoria Hot Eight. After moving to Chicago in 1933, Sayles led his own band and worked extensively as a sideman in both jazz and blues settings, recording with Roosevelt Sykes. He moved back to New Orleans in 1949, performing with most of the top local players including George Lewis (who he toured Japan with in 1963-64) and Sweet Emma Barrett. Sayles worked in Cleveland with Punch Miller in 1960 and spent a few years (1965-67) in Chicago working as a house musician at Jazz Ltd. After coming back to New Orleans in 1968, Sayles played with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and became a world traveler. Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! -  Here

I Ain't The One - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Larkin Allen Collins Jr. (July 19, 1952 – January 23, 1990) was one of the founding members and guitarists of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and co-wrote many of the band's songs with late frontman Ronnie Van Zant. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida
Allen Collins joined Skynyrd in Jacksonville, Florida just two weeks after Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington, along with Bob Burns and Larry Junstrom. So came the birth of Lynyrd Skynyrd in the summer of 1964. Allen Collins and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant co-wrote many of the biggest Skynyrd hits, including "Free Bird", "Gimme Three Steps", and "That Smell". The band received national success beginning in 1973 while opening for The Who on their Quadrophenia tour. On October 20, 1977, the Skynyrd plane crashed into a forest in Mississippi killing three band members, including Van Zant. Collins was seriously injured in the crash, suffering two broken vertebrae in his neck and severe damage to his right arm. While amputation was recommended, Collins' father refused and Allen eventually recovered.

After the crash, Collins' life took a turn for the worse. Gary Rossington stated, "Al took it the worst when Ronnie and Steve died. He started to question religion..." (a major part of the band's dynamic) ..." and he started drinking more and doin' more drugs."

During the early 1980s, Collins continued to perform on stage in The Rossington-Collins Band which enjoyed modest success, releasing two albums (Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere, and This Is the Way), and charting a few singles (notably "Don't Misunderstand Me"). In 1980, Collins' wife Kathy suddenly died of a hemorrhage. Allen began a downward spiral, using drugs and alcohol to assuage his grief. Missed concerts and conflicts within the band resulted in the disbanding of Rossington-Collins in 1982, and the start of the Allen Collins Band, which released one album, Here, There & Back in 1983. The six band members were Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell and bassist Leon Wilkeson, along with lead singer Jimmy Dougherty, drummer Derek Hess, and guitarists Barry Lee Harwood and Randall Hall. In 1984, Jacksonville guitarist Mike Owings joined the Allen Collins Band until its eventual disbandment.
In 1986, Collins was involved in a car accident, claiming the life of his girlfriend and leaving the guitarist paralyzed from the waist down, with limited use of his arms and hands. Collins plead no contest to vehicular manslaughter as well as driving under the influence of alcohol. He would never play guitar on-stage again.

All remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited to perform in 1987, but due to his injury Collins only served as musical director. As part of his plea bargain for the 1986 accident, Collins addressed fans at every Skynyrd concert with an explanation of why he could not perform, citing the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as drugs and alcohol. Because of Collins' accident, the band donated a sizable amount of concert proceeds from the 1987-88 tour to the Miami Project, which is involved in treatment of paralysis. Collins founded Roll For Rock Wheelchair Events and Benefit Concerts in 1988 to raise awareness and to provide opportunities for those living with spinal cord injury and other physical challenges. Collins died January 23, 1990 from chronic pneumonia, a complication of the paralysis. He is buried beside his wife in Jacksonville, Florida.
For most of Skynyrd's tenure, Collins used a Gibson Firebird guitar fitted with a chrome, dog-eared P-90 pickup in the bridge position and a Gibson "teaspoon" nickel vibrato arm. In 1976 he switched to a natural-finished korina Gibson Explorer and would use that all the way through his tenure with the Allen Collins Band. Starting in late 1977, he would also use a Gibson Les Paul Jr. occasionally. And on "Gimme Back My Bullets", "Sweet Home Alabama", "Every Mothers Son" and many other songs, he used a Sunburst Fender Stratocaster after Ed King left. Collins has been filmed playing an all-black, rosewood neck Stratocaster with white single-coil pickups and white control knobs. In 2003, Gibson Guitars honored Allen with a limited edition Explorer. The guitar is made of African limba wood and features an aged finished, Maestro vibrola, and classic humbucking pickups.
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Full Moon On Main Street - Sean Chambers

Sean toured with the legendary Hubert Sumlin as his guitarist and band leader from 1998-2003. Performing extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe together, Chambers recalls this time as being his "College Education" in music. "My band would usually open the show, then take a short break and bring out Hubert for his set. I learned so much during my time playing with Hubert, I consider it my college education." Sean not only learned at Hubert's feet, but his own style of the blues began to get noticed by fans and critics as well. During a tour throughout England in 2001 Britain's own "Guitarist" magazine named Chambers as one of the top 50 blues guitarists of the last century! After his tenure with Mr.Sumlin he later performed 3 more tours throughout England on his own, and in 2003 was asked to headline the Maryport Blues Festival there.

He was featured twice on The House of Blues Radio hour after releasing his first album "Strong Temptation." His second release entitled "Humble Spirits" (2004) features several special guest artists including Bernard Allison, The Toler Bros, the late Bruce Waibel and several other great musicians. The CD was produced and engineered by industry veteran Bud Sneider (Allman Bros, Gov't Mule)

In 2004, shortly after his second cd release Sean was forced to relocate when his home was struck by Hurricane Francis, and then again by Hurricane Gene. After being flooded out of his home, he was forced to take a day job to pay for expenses and a new place to live. Chambers worked 5 days a week for the next 4 years catching up and rebuilding his life, all the while still playing regularly around his home state of Florida to a steady and loyal fan base. In 2009 Chambers went back into the studio to record what would be his most critically acclaimed album to date, "TEN TIL MIDNIGHT"

"TEN TIL MIDNIGHT" was released on October 20, 2009 and has garnished a number of rave reviews since. "Ten Til Midnight" appeared on the Living Blues Charts for the first three months after it's release, as well as appearing at number 1 on the FL Roots & Blues charts for over 4 weeks in a row, and has been receiving steady airplay in 45 states around the U.S, as well as many markets overseas. The title cut was featured on The House of Blues Radio Hour with "Elwood Blues" as a HOB Blues Breaker on Jan 20, 2010. The new album also continues to gain steam on XM/Serious Radio. It was a "Pick to Click" on Bill Wax's show "Bluesville" during the month of February 2010.

With this new release under his belt, and a new fire in his belly, Chambers and his band are preparing to get back out on the road to continue where they left off almost six years ago! Sean's regular touring band consists of longtime bassist Tim Blair and drummer Paul Broderick, who were also members of Hubert Sumlin's touring band. If you like your blues blazin hot, this trio will definitely light your fire
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Queen of Hearts - Gregg Allman

Gregory Lenoir Allman (born December 8, 1947 in Nashville, Tennessee), known as Gregg Allman, is a rock and blues singer, keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter, and a founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. He was inducted with the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2006. His distinctive voice placed him in 70th place in the Rolling Stone list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".

At the beginning of the 1970’s, The Allman Brothers Band enjoyed huge success and a number of their most characteristic songs were written by Gregg. Unusually for the time, the band was based in the Southeastern United States and their music, which has been called ‘Southern Rock’, a term derided by Gregg, incorporates an innovative fusion of rock and jazz.

Following the death of his older brother, the guitarist Duane Allman in 1971 and bass guitarist Berry Oakley around a year later, in motorbike accidents, the band struggled on and continued to perform and record. In addition, Gregg developed a solo career and a band under his own name. Gregg’s solo music has perhaps a greater resonance of soul music than his work with ABB, possibly because of the influence of artists such as Bobby Bland and Little Milton, singers who he has long admired.

Despite recent health issues, Gregg still tours.

Gregg's memoirs of his life in music are scheduled to be published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, in Spring 2012
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C# Jam - Reborn Highway

The hottest thing to come out of South Florida since the summer, Reborn Highway is a hurricane filled with rock, blues, pure soul, and funk combined into a jam sound between four musicians. With high energy live shows that rival the likes of Led Zeppelin, Dave Matthews Band, and Gov’t Mule, bands that are known for live shows, Reborn Highway has a memorable sound can definitely please any crowd.
The Reborn Highway, consisting of band members: Josh Pertnoy (Guitars), Rich Conklin (Drums) and Ryan Mishkin (Bass), have been the backing band for many local acts, first known as Siloh, with Scott Allen Brown on vocals, releasing their self produced debut 2 disc cd, One Key Bullet, in 2009, and most recently as June Bug and the Reborn Highway, with Amanda Covetskie on vocals, who’s cd, No Cover, was released in 2010, just prior to her leaving the band. In May 2011, they recorded Rebirth, a 5 song EP containing all new originals with a hired singer.
Still looking for new band mates and auditions, they found their match in Ken Hurley, a singer/songwriter who stresses the pure soul of music. The perfect addition to the band with style and creativity drawn from the same vein as the rest of the band, he was just what they’ve been looking for. They immediately began writing together and coming up with their live performance, each showcasing their musical abilities, and have hit the road running. Be sure to catch them when they play your town. You definitely don’t want to miss them!!! They have won over crowds all over Florida, from Miami-Homestead to the Daytona area, playing shows such as Moonfest 2010 and Close To The Edge Festival in Edgewater Florida, and were featured as Skope Magazine’s Sonic Bids Artist To Watch 2010.
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The Long Road of a Young Musician: An interview with JL Fulks

I recently became acquainted with a very talented musician and after some discussions thought that his story may not only help his journey but also may help others who are traveling a similar path. JL Fulks grew up in Greenville , South Carolina and recently relocated to Boca Raton, Florida.

Bman: Hi JL. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. How long have you been playing guitar?

JL: Not a problem, I have been playing guitar for about 7 years now

Bman: So give me the story. How did this all begin?

JL: I joined Unsought Rejection with some friends in high school. We had some minor gigging success, and it was the first time I contributed to writing original music. We also won my high schools battle of the bands. We ended up recording a 5 song demo in a pro studio that came out decent. Everyone in the band stopped playing music shortly after that but me, but it was a good experience for me at that age.


Bman: Then about a year later you formed “Until Next Time” which won a Battle of the Bands contest and a few contract offers. I’m guessing that you really weren’t convicted with your band or with what you were playing.

JL: I formed Until Next Time with some other musicians that I thought were some of the best in Greenville at the time. I wrote 70% of the music and we ended up making a very solid set list. Having that set list and good original hard rock songs took us to Gorilla Productions battle of the bands. We won both rounds and were voted the best hard rock band in Greenville, SC at that time. Winning that opened up a lot of doors to contract offers and gigs. All of the contract offers were inadequate offers but it was a great experience learning about the music business and the law. The band had minor success and everyone else again quit playing but me.

Bman: I think that is the time people either start to get serious or find something else to do. So you got serious and started taking lessons from an instructor at University of South Carolina. How did that change your perception of music and what you were playing?

JL: After that band I really wanted to create music on my own and not depend on other people’s commitment. I wanted to get better so I could hang out and play with the best musicians around. I started taking private Jazz lessons from Adam Knight, a professor at USC Upstate. He really changed my thought process of creating music, and fixed a lot of bad habits. He helped me in my process of auditioning for Berklee, reading music, my blues song writing, my improvisation, and many other great aspects that are used in creating great music.

Bman: It's pretty obvious that you were a serious study and he was a good teacher. So now you’re starting to get opportunities to play with national talents and a few recording opportunities. I’ll bet that lit you up!


JL: Since I have moved to Florida I have played with many top notch musicians. I hit many of the Pro South Florida Blues jams at BB Kings, The Backroom, The Blue Boar, The Funky Buddha, etc. While attending these jams I have had the opportunity to play with International Blues Challenge winner JP Soars, Muggie Doo from Buddy Miles Express, and Julius Pastorius, the son of the great Jaco Pastorius. Also since I have been here I've had the opportunity to record with a pro reggae artist named Uncle Sam Di Foreign man on his 4th album.

Bman: Sounds like you're on your way. So now you’ve moved to Boca and are continuing your studies with Berklee Music, doing session work and giving lessons. And you’re looking for some mates to gig with who compliment you. Can you articulate who you’re looking for? Maybe they’re reading this!

JL: Studying at Berklee has really helped me become a better player. It has given me the discipline needed to sit down an practice 6-7 hours a day. I am looking to form a band with adequate musicians that have the same commitment to excellence. I really want to keep the blues alive with a new age rockin' South Florida blues band. I want to have many other styles mixed in as well such as rock, funk, and jazz. Unfortunately I have not come across the musicians I am looking for to create my dream band. I have been holding out, and in the mean time I plan to be involved with a few projects on the side such as a reggae band, and a duo acoustic act.


Bman: I know that it can be tough to find the right mix. Playing different styles and just staying active in the music scene... and keeping your writing juice going is huge.
My favorite guitar player in the world ,who shall remain nameless for this interview, indicated a few years back that he gets a sound in his head and just walks around the city trying to find someone who sounds like they have it. Now he has the fortune of being the best guitar player in the world and usually has one of the top few bass and drummers in the world in his band. But it always has to be a good match. If you watch him in his most recent (not current) band on Crossroads you can see the chemistry between his rhythm section and him …and how he is as much in awe of them as they are of him. That has to be a great feeling!

JL: It is a great feeling to master your instrument and get to share your heart and soul through music with the world. The more you practice, learn, hear, and play the better musician you will become.

Bman: Spoken like a true musician. I love it! I’ve heard a few tracks of you playing and I feel confident that once you connect with the right crew you’ll be unstoppable!

JL: Most of the tracks online are jams I have done all over south Florida with different musicians with no prior rehearsal before. I feel confident that when I get with the right people, I will be able to write more structured, theoretical, and progressive music. Having the right band will definitely put my foot forward in the music business.


Bman:I certainly agree! You recently had a special unplugged appearance on an Internet Radio station. How did that go?


JL: I was a special guest on the American Biker Talk Radio show. It is the biggest biker talk radio show in the world. I was able to perform 4 of my newly written original songs live on the radio. It went very well and to my surprise many people called in supporting me music, including the famous Jesse Ventura. There were 20,000 people viewing online, which marked the biggest crowd I have ever performed in front of.

Bman: I shared your link about the show on Facebook. Will you have access to a digital copy of the video of the show. I think it would be really cool to see for those who didn’t catch it!

JL:I have a video with no audio right now. I will be getting a professional audio copy of the whole show. I will upload it on my Youtube channel as soon as it get it!

Bman: I'll keep an eye out for that. I really appreciate your time. Your music sounds great. I hope that you find some mates soon. I know that a lot of my readers are ready for the next step!
Is there anything else that you’d like to share with your fans?


JL: Thanks a lot for interviewing me. I hope a lot of readers can use my advice to their advantage.

Bman: Best of luck pal and keep up the good work. Talk to you soon!

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DAMON FOWLER TO OPEN FOR B.B. KING!

DAMON FOWLER TO OPEN FOR B.B. KING! Blind Pig recording artist Damon Fowler will open for blues legend B.B. King in the following concerts: SUNDAY, JANUARY 8th FORT MEYERS, FL BARBARA MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL THURSDAY, JANUARY 13th & FRIDAY, JANUARY 14th CHARLOTTE, NC KNIGHT THEATER "A roots guitar guru in the making." - Living Blues Fowler is a highly accomplished guitarist who's been compared to Johnny Winter, Jeff Beck and Duane Allman. He can play fiery guitar runs with the best of them, but it's his lyrical work on lap steel and Dobro that makes him stand out among the legions of guitar heroes. His guitar skills, truly compelling vocal style and soulful songwriting make for a unique hybrid of roots rock, blues, country and sacred steel. Critics have been taking notice of this young talent since the release of his 2009 Blind Pig debut, Sugar Shack, and last year's followup recording, Devil Got His Way. Guitar Player called Fowler "one of the swampiest guitar pickers to emerge from the humid Southeast since Lightnin' Slim and Tony Joe White." Hittin' the Note said, "Damon Fowler has become one soul-oozin', rock 'n' rollin', swamp stalkin' blue monster of a talent." Blues Revue added, "This is an old soul comfortable in his young skin who has a long career ahead."

Walkin' Blues - Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi

Derek Trucks is an American, guitarist, songwriter and founder of the Grammy Award winning The Derek Trucks Band. He became an official member of The Allman Brothers Band in 1999 and formed the Tedeschi Trucks Band in 2010 after marrying fellow musician, Susan Tedeschi.
Trucks and Tedeschi began combining the talents of their two bands during the celebration of New Years' concerts, seeking ways to spend more time together. The Soul Stew Revival can be heard on the internet, in streaming music, with various sources, such as their performances from the Bonnaroo Music Festival, in Manchester, Tennessee, on June 16, 2008. As of 2008, the Soul Stew Revival had officially grown to an eleven-piece ensemble for the summer including a three-piece horn section.

Trucks has estimated that he spent 300 days a year on the road, which required the couple to carve out additional time to tour as Soul Stew together. He commented, "There's a lot less sleep, but the kids are old enough now to be on the road and it's not a complete drain. It's a lot but it's great to have the family together." They have received such positive feedback, that they began booking concerts more frequently together. However, Tedeschi mentioned the difficulty of touring with school age children in an interview with All About Jazz in 2010.

Since both Tedeschi and Trucks have let go most of their backing band members, they have been able to spend more time with their children. Taking out more time to write songs with a recording studio has been an advantage. Although they continue to record piece work with a few former members, they permanently dismissed their horn players. They had previously attempted to move toward another component to their music with a horn section, but instead have found a fresh sound in backing vocalists
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Lemon Headed Girl - Franc Robert and the Boxcar Tourists

“It all started with hearing Clapton”. Certainly those words have been heard before from many musicians over the years, but it’s rare for one to grow far beyond the seed that germinated one afternoon in 1980. And for Franc Robert, that seed has grown into a life-long love affair with the blues.

“I just became obsessive about playing guitar, to the point it drove both my parents crazy, being locked away in my room, tiny amp blasting out what I was playing. Eventually, my mother stopped calling it noise and started calling it music… one of the better days of my life!” Soon after starting to play, Franc joined a series of bands through high school (like so many others) constantly honing his chops, but none of them really went anywhere, nor did they satisfy his love for the blues.

Fast-forward to 1984, and a move to Montreal, Canada, to join his father in his magazine illustration business. Almost immediately, Franc gravitated towards the small but close-knit blues community, which then centered around The Rising Sun, a small club known for having big name performers playing there on weekends. “It was a great time back then-saw Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Dutch Mason, Willie Dixon play there. There was the Jazz Fest going at the time as well, with the blues stage just down the block from the Rising Sun”. Franc started showing up at the Blue Monday Jam sessions, eventually hosting the jams himself from time to time. “You’d never know who would show up-Dutch Mason made it down, Jeff Golub sat in on my guitar one night, local harp legend Jim Zeller would come down, lots of touring bands’ backing people would show up. The place was really well known across Canada, and the best players made a point of stopping in when they could.” Being around so many talented musicians inspired Franc even further, and eventually he was leading several of his own bands around town, working all day with his father and playing all night.

Moving to Tampa Bay, Florida in 1990, Franc fell right into the blues scene-and fell right back out. “It was good because I caught on with a band immediately-I showed up at a jam the first night I got there, on a Monday, and was gigging with a band by Friday! It was fun while it lasted, but I needed to feed my kids, so I had to quit playing for awhile.” Franc finally returned to the blues scene in 1996, but blues music was not often heard on the north side of Tampa Bay back then. “Myself and Donny Kuryliew (of Lazy Boy And The Rockers) were the only guys in our neck of the woods who wanted to really play blues-everyone else wanted to do Lynyrd Skynyrd!” It took awhile, but Back Alley Blues Band, led by Franc, won over converts up and down the Nature Coast of Florida, playing a mixture of Chicago and Texas blues, with some swamp music thrown in for good measure. BABB became a fixture on the scene, eventually opening up concerts for Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers, Tinsley Ellis, Sean Carney Band, Pat Travers, LeRoy Parnell, “Sauce Boss” Bill Wharton, and many others. They also released a CD “Boxcar Tourists” in 2006 to positive reviews and local airplay

Franc formed the Boxcar Tourists specifically for the release of 49×61, recruiting Trent Sholl on bass and Remi Sawyer on drums. This combination is making its first appearance in August, 2010, and will be getting very busy for the rest of the year.
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OK Just Aint Good Enough - Randy Bluesman Hock

Randy Bluesman Hock, Steve Arvey, Liz Pennock, Shawn Brown, Hana-li, Pug Baker performing Randy's blues song "OK Just Aint Good Enough" in the studio.
Began playing Soul and Blues with Recording Artists Professionally in 1965. Won a Band contest in miami, and played For President Johnson's Reception at The Dupont Plaza Hotel. In 1965 worked with Recording Artist Billy Miranda. (Soul Band) Band Members: Jazz Bo Brown Guitar formerly with Percy Sledge; Eddie Hope Drums Formerly with Roy Orbison; Al Colson Tenor Sax formerly with Little Richard. While I was with the group had the good fortune to play with the late Legend LES PAUL. 1966 in chicago to 1970 was Bass player for: LEGEND and BLUES HALL of FAMER-LONNIE BROOKS ; MOTHERS FINEST; Ronnie (Skeets Anderson) guitar Sam Cooke; Drummer Leon Recorded "Higher and Higher with Jackie Wilson;- Ray Parrish (guitar)Elvin Bishop- Band leader of The Original Soul survivors (Baby Hueys rythym section) Worked with Sammy Fender (guitar Bobby Womack) Rick Howard (Rodan) drummer for Baby Huey Circa 1994 Tampa Bay founded the Tampa Bay Blues Machine Featuring Nitro Boseman Vocals/Blues Harp. Played 3 Blues Festivals opened for: DIAMOND TEETH MARY, ROCK BOTTOM, and The Tampa Bay Blues Fest. Played the opening Season Party for The TAMPA BAY BUCS Joined BMI as a Song writer. 08/20/2009 Recorded "The Texas Holdem Blues/ started getting Airplay Sept 16th. On Sept 27th The DJ (Mray from Blues on the Bay live365.com) Notified me The song reached The Top 2% on his Station, and currently doing well on others. Available on cdbaby and http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-texas-holdem-blues/id338643339 On March 8th 2010 I was Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame as The Ambassador to Tampa. http://www.twitter.com/RandyBluesman ..Randy Bluesman Hock |
Members:
B M I--FaceBook-Live Blues world--The Suncoast Blues society-- The Blues Foundation--(Memphis) The Blues Hall of Fame .http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-texas-holdem-blues/id338643339
Influences:
Glen Miller Orchestra-Jimmy Reed, Little Richard--Otis Redding-Johnny Cash-Elvis-Gene Vincent-Buddy Holly-Richie Valens-50's Rock and R&B -Jazz Bo Brown (guitar for Percy Sledge) DONALD (DUCK) DUNN -Bass Steve Cropper Guitar Little Richard-Howlin Wolf-BB King-Sam n Dave--Wilson Pickett. the Rolling Stones--BO DIDDLEY-- ELMORE JAMES--Booker T and the MG's.-Led Zeppelin-AC/DC--Chuck Berry-Slim Harpo.(Memphis Blues scene)- (The Chicago Blues Scene.)Lonnie Brooks--Ronnie(Skeets)Anderson(Sam Cooke) William Bell-AL Green
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I Can't Be Satisfied - Ciarlante/ Katz,/ Sharrard with Gregg Allman

The CKS Band is a powerhouse organ trio and a Blues/Soul & Rock supergroup. The group features Randy Ciarlante (The Levon Helm Band) on Drums & Vocals, Bruce Katz (The Gregg Allman Band, Delbert McClinton) on B-3 Organ and Scott Sharrard (The Gregg Allman Band) on Guitar & Vocals. The band was formed in Sept. of 2011 and has since played the Bearsville Theater, Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble and many other venues to spectacular reviews. An official live album is set for release in the spring of 2012 along with many more shows across the country...
Randy Ciarlante (drums/vocals)

Randy joined The Band in 1990 and is currently a member of The Levon Helm Band, singing harmony vocals and playing drums.He played and sang on The Band's albums from the 1990s, including Jubilation and High on the Hog. After The Band dissolved, he joined the Jim Weider Band from 1998-2006 and continues to play with Jim Weider's Percolator band. Randy Ciarlante has also been a mainstay of the Woodstock NY music scene since 1981 and has played with many of that area's leading musicians over the years.
Bruce Katz (B-3 Organ)

Bruce is currently a member of the Gregg Allman Band, and plays regularly with John Hammond, Delbert McClinton and other artists as well. Bruce was a 2008, 2009 and 2010 Nominee for the Blues Music Award (W.C. Handy Award) for "Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year", selected by the Blues Foundation of Memphis, TN. He is a Hammond Artist Endorsee, and has played and recorded with Duke Robillard, Jimmy Witherspoon, John Hammond, Ronnie Earl, Little Milton and many others in his career, appearing on over 70 CDs in addition to 6 CDs as leader of the Bruce Katz Band.

For more on Bruce: Official Website
Scott Sharrard (guitar/vocals)

Scott is currently best known for his work as a member of The Gregg Allman Band. He has also performed with such artists as: The Allman Brothers, Levon Helm, Amy Helm, Jaimoe's Jasssz Band, Marshall Crenshaw, Kelley Hunt and Jay Collins & The Kings County Band. He is releasing his newest solo album (and follow up to his 2009 release, "Ante Up") in the Spring of 2012.
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Instrumental - Swingin' Harpoon Band featuring Jamie Eubanks

From a lifetime love of blues & swing influence, and after being everyone else's harmonica player, Mike ‘Salty’ Lanigan conceptualized a swingingblues band, then fine picked his musicians and started working on SWINGIN HARPOON, performing original songs and quality covers. Music genres from big city blues, swing, rockabilly & funk.
Music with passion!

Blowing his first harp in a bar at age 14, Salty has learned the workings of the live music business. Salty got his licks from early riffs of Magic Dick (J.Geils), Steve Cash (Ozark Mountain Daredevils), Fingers Taylor (Jimmy Buffet), and the Late Pat Ramsey....
Opening or performing with such artists as Pat Ramsey & The Blues Disciples, Eddie Kirkland, Jason Ricci, Biscuit Miller, Watermelon Slim, Eric Culbertson, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Eddie House Rocking Shaw, Bill ‘ The Sauce Boss’ Wharton, Georgia Satellites, Herbie Mann, Spyro Gyra, Atlanta Rhythym Section, Starship, Billy Dean, Terry Clark, Tom Gribbon, T.C. Carr, Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Lawrence, Confederate Railroad, Billy Dean, Tracy Byrd, Joe Nichols, Lee Ann Womack, Mark Collie, Jeanie Sealy, Janie Fricke and many more.

Founder Mike 'Salty' Lanigan has produced three CD's, with various musicians including the renowned Clarence 'Big C' Seay, (a jazz bassist formally with Winton Marsalis)

In 2010, Guitarist The infamous Jamie Eubanks is back in the groove with his new band, Swingin Harpoon .

Jamie was the Blues master Protege in Thomasville, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville since he was 12 years old. Now he has joined an awesome band, more songs, is putting together a new CD, and is back to show his stuff!!!

Jamie began playing at blues clubs when he was 12 ... with mentoring from guitar legend Kenny Neal....
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Bloodshot Records artist: Exene Cervenka - The Excitement of Maybe - New Release Review

I just received a copy of Exene Cervenka's new recording, "The Excitement of Maybe".
Many know Exene as a lead member and co-founder of the legendary Los Angeles punk rock band, X.

Following the formal breakup of X, a band she still performs with on occasion, Exene continued her transformation into a more formidable solo artist by continuing to write musically, releasing critically acclaimed solo albums (1989’s Old Wives’ Tale and 1990’s Running Scared), within the print medium through poetry and books, in spoken word performances, and as a visual artist. She has also been a member of the groups Auntie Christ, the Original Sinners and the Knitters.

In this, Exene's latest endeavor, she puts together a collection of songs about being in love, loves lost and forgetting love. “In the early sixties I heard great song after great song. Ray Price, The Shirelles, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Brenda Lee, Ray Charles. And almost all of them love songs. Sad ones, happy ones, funny ones, tragic ones. That’s what five year- old Exene figured out. But love, on the other hand, I can’t ever seem to figure out.”

Exene's newest endeavor runs the gamut of orchestral accompaniment, horn sections and pedal steel guitar. The simpler tunes like "Alone in Arizona" and "Long Time Ago" showcase the sensitivity of Exene's voice and writing capabilities. "I Wish It Would Stop Raining" has the haunting minor harmonies of an Appalachian folk song with fiddle accompaniment.

This is the continuation of a journey by a successful artist which if sure to add more followers to an already solid fan base.
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OKIE DOKIE STOMP - DAVE HERRERO / FELIX REYES / JIMMY SUTTON

Dave is a seasoned professional who has been blessed to play some very exclusive shows at such a young age. Among them are:
Copenhagen Blues Festival (Denmark), Herning Blues Rock Festival (Denmark), USO tour of Hungary, Bosnia and Macedonia (supporting Archie Bell and the Drells), Chicago Blues Festival (With the Jimmy Burns Band, With Kenny Smith, With Dave Specter), Linkoping Great Jazz Festival 2x (Linkoping, Sweden), Springfield Blues Festival (Springfield, IL), SXSW (4 years), Tour Sweden 4x, Tour Norway 8x, 3 month tour Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland accompanied with Blues in Schools, Springing the Blues Festival 3x, Fitzgerald's Nightclub with the Blasters, A Taste of Lincoln (with Katherine Davis), Doug Sahm Memorial Tribute Concert at Antone's Nightclub (with Lazy Lester and Charlie Sexton)

Dave Herrero began playing music professionally at the tender age of 20 years old in Jacksonville, FL. Initially, he was largely influenced by Muddy Waters, Albert King and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, which (with the help of friend Seth Walker) prompted his move to Austin, TX.

Dave cut his teeth in Austin, playing with the who's who of the Austin blues community (Marcia Ball, Charlie Sexton, Seth Walker, Gary Clark Jr, Matt Powell, The Keller Bros., Nick Curran, Lazy Lester etc.), and was the guitarist and opening act for Houston legends Archie Bell and the Drells. With Archie, Dave completed his first USO tour of Hungary, Bosnia and Macedonia in support of our troops overseas. While in Austin, Dave began touring Scandinavia, selling anywhere from 250 to 500 tickets per show.

In Austin, he opened for 'Blue Monday' at the world famous Antone's Nightclub with Mark Goodwin and Rob Roy Parnell for a year and a half. When he would play the legendary 6th Street club, Joe's Generic Bar, the club would quite often be above fire marshal capacity, and on more than one occasion, the fire marshal would come to clear the club from being over the 150 person limit. During this time, Dave sold 3,000 copies of his freshman release, 'Hard Life Blues'.

Before relocating to Chicago, with the help of Mark 'Kaz' Kazanoff, Nicole Shiro and Nancy Coplin, Dave founded a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization called "The Blues Society of Austin", now "The Austin Blues Society".
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It's Duane Allman's Birthday

It's hard for me not to do a special post for "Skyman", one of the most influential guitar players in my lifetime on the day of his birth. Duane, Lke Jimi wasn't with us very long, but he made a huge impact on the blues music scene as we know it. People who only know Duane as being in the Allman Brothers think of the Allman Brothers as a Southern Rock Band but during Duane's time they were primarily a blues band playing mostly old standards and improvisational music. It was upon Duane's death that Dickey Betts penned Ramblin Man which skyrocketed the Allmans into Southern Rock stardom. Here is a cool photo collage of Duane as he played with the Grateful Dead.



Duane as many of my readers know had a heavy influence on my music tastes as a youth and then as my musical tastes developed. He has had a profound influence on most anyone who had tried to play slide guitar since then.

Happy Birthday Skydog!

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DICKEY BETTS TO HEADLINE ALS SUPPORT BENEFIT CONCERT FESTIVAL FOR “DANGEROUS” DAN TOLER ON NOVEMBER 12TH & 13T

DICKEY BETTS TO HEADLINE ALS SUPPORT BENEFIT CONCERT FESTIVAL FOR “DANGEROUS” DAN TOLER ON NOVEMBER 12TH & 13^TH

SARASOTA, FL - Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dickey Betts and his Great Southern Band have signed on to headline the Dan Toler ALS Support Benefit Festival on November 12th and 13th at Herschberger Ranch in Sarasota. The benefit is being held to raise funds for Toler’s battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Herschberger Ranch is located at 13010 Fruitville Road, in Sarasota.

Also scheduled to appear are legendary singer Bonnie Bramlett, the queen of blue-eyed soul, and BlackHawk (headlining on the second day), which had a string of Top 10 country hits in the 1990s including “Every Once in A While” and “I’m Not Strong Enough to Say No.” Others set to appear include “American Idol” season four runner-up Bo Bice, The Artimus Pyle Band, Sean Chambers, Wilson Williams and His Platters, Tony Tyler’s newly named act Come Back Alice, the Mike Kach Group and many more. With such an impressive lineup, fans can hopefully get a chance to hear such Dickey Betts signature Allman Brothers Band classics as “Ramblin’ Man,” “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed” and “Jessica.”

Details: Dan Toler ALS Support Benefit Festival, Nov. 12 and 13 at Herschberger Ranch, 13010 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. Tickets: $20 (one day), $35 (two day pass), $100 (one day VIP), $150 (two day VIP), $5 for children ages 12 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (941) 228-5099 or go online at the

Dan Toler official website: http://www.dantolerbenefit.myevent.com/?cp=1
Tickets will also be available at the ticket office on the days of the event.

“Dan’s always taken care of everybody around him,” said Mark Serio, charity event co-organizer and Mike Kach Group guitarist. “He’s a wonderful cat who I’ve known for 30 years and I would do anything for him. “This is a labor of love for all of us,” Serio added.

A resident of Manatee County’s Whitfield neighborhood, “Dangerous” Dan Toler played guitar in Great Southern before Betts, a resident of Sarasota, landed him The Allman Brothers Band gig in 1979. Toler can be heard on three ABB albums, including the group’s comeback Enlightened Rogues, which reached No. 9 on the Billboard album chart.

The Brothers disbanded in 1982 and Gregg Allman (a former Manatee County resident) formed his namesake solo band with Toler and recently deceased sibling David “Frankie” Toler on drums. Together they recorded the 1986 album, I’m No Angel, which produced the hit title track.

Toler rejoined Great Southern in 2002 and stayed for several years before leaving to pursue various other projects. He announced he had ALS in August of 2011. That same month a highly successful fund-raiser was held for Toler at Aces Live in Bradenton.

If you cannot attend, but would like to send a donation for Dan’s ALS medical treatment, send it to:

Dan Toler, ALS
PO Box 1786
Tallevast, FL 34270

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One Way Out - the Allman Brothers Band

I could write a book on my appreciation of the Allman Brothers as a kid but I'll spare you the gory details. Here's the synopsis. I tried to learn to play slide when I was a kid with absolutely no instruction as all (and no idea what I was doing) because of Duane, I bought and read everything that I could find on Duane, I saw Duane at the Syria Mosque with Taj Mahal in around 71. I got my first dog when I first moved to Arizona ...he was the red headedest golden retriever you ever saw...his name was Skydog. I formed a company called Skyman inc. I tried to buy a piece of Duane (eric's) peacock shirt a few years back. Do you get the picture... I think a lot of Duane and the work he contributed in his few short years. If you follow links I actually did a little ride along where Duane was killed. It's an interesting little informal documentary. But in any case..I'm glad that the band carries on now with Warren and Derek.

Here's One Way Out...one of my personal favorites. I wish Duane was still with us.
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Selwyn Birchwood to play Polk Museum of Art Red White and Blues Festival Friday, October 21, 2011 — 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm

The Museum’s 10th annual wine tasting and blues concert will feature veteran bluesman Joe Louis Walker, Tampa Bay blues artist Selwyn Birchwood, great food, wine and craft beers. Red, White & The Blues 2011 promises to be a fun and exciting party you won’t want to miss.

Walker, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and has played with musicians as diverse as B.B. King, Thelonius Monk and Jimi Hendrix, has released 22 albums in only 26 years. His 2009 album, Between a Rock and the Blues, won the Blues Music Awards’ Album of the Year.
Selwyn Birchwood stumbled upon the Blues at age seventeen while attending a Buddy Guy concert in Orlando. After witnessing the raw energy and power the music created first hand, he decided it was what he wanted to pursue. He has spent the years since then trying to hone his skill to convey the same intensity and feeling of the blues greats.
After seeing him perform in a local club, Texas Bluesman Sonny Rhodes offered him the chance to hit the road and tour nationally. Selwyn quickly took advantage of the opportunity and has frequently toured with his blues mentor across the U.S. and Canada at many premiere venues including: “Terra Blues” in New York City, “Big Muddy Blues Festival” in St. Louis, “Beltline Blues Fest” in Calgary, Alberta, and “Buddy Guy’s Legends” in Chicago.

Me And My Guitar - Sean Chambers

Sean toured with the legendary Hubert Sumlin as his guitarist and band leader from 1998-2003. Performing extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe together, Chambers recalls this time as being his "College Education" in music. "My band would usually open the show, then take a short break and bring out Hubert for his set. I learned so much during my time playing with Hubert, I consider it my college education." Sean not only learned at Hubert's feet, but his own style of the blues began to get noticed by fans and critics as well. During a tour throughout England in 2001 Britain's own "Guitarist" magazine named Chambers as one of the top 50 blues guitarists of the last century! After his tenure with Mr.Sumlin he later performed 3 more tours throughout England on his own, and in 2003 was asked to headline the Maryport Blues Festival there.

He was featured twice on The House of Blues Radio hour after releasing his first album "Strong Temptation." His second release entitled “Humble Spirits” (2004) features several special guest artists including Bernard Allison, The Toler Bros, the late Bruce Waibel and several other great musicians. The CD was produced and engineered by industry veteran Bud Sneider (Allman Bros, Gov’t Mule)

In 2004, shortly after his second cd release Sean was forced to relocate when his home was struck by Hurricane Francis, and then again by Hurricane Gene. After being flooded out of his home, he was forced to take a day job to pay for expenses and a new place to live. Chambers worked 5 days a week for the next 4 years catching up and rebuilding his life, all the while still playing regularly around his home state of Florida to a steady and loyal fan base. In 2009 Chambers went back into the studio to record what would be his most critically acclaimed album to date, “TEN TIL MIDNIGHT”

“TEN TIL MIDNIGHT” was released on October 20, 2009 and has garnished a number of rave reviews since. “Ten Til Midnight” appeared on the Living Blues Charts for the first three months after it’s release, as well as appearing at #1 on the FL Roots & Blues charts for over 4 weeks in a row, and has been receiving steady airplay in 45 states around the U.S, as well as many markets overseas. The title cut was featured on The House of Blues Radio Hour with “Elwood Blues” as a HOB Blues Breaker on Jan 20, 2010. The new album also continues to gain steam on XM/Serious Radio. It was a “Pick to Click” on Bill Wax’s show “Bluesville” during the month of February 2010.

With this new release under his belt, and a new fire in his belly, Chambers and his band are preparing to get back out on the road to continue where they left off almost six years ago! Sean’s regular touring band consists of longtime bassist Tim Blair and drummer Paul Broderick, who were also members of Hubert Sumlin’s touring band. If you like your blues blazin hot, this trio will definitely light your fire!
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Clyde Ramsey and Pepper Drive Tour Schedule

The rockin’ dirty blues of Tallahassee’s Pepper Drive

These guys have filled clubs and rattled the rafters in their previous shows. They shook the moss from the trees at April’s Earth Day Jam and in closing Pat Ramsey’s benefit for the Hospice of the Big Bend in October. The band is appropriately named after the legendary back yard barn burnin’ concerts in the ‘70’s held on Pepper Drive which featured many of Tallahassee’s favorite rock and blues bands and musicians, including Pat Ramsey’s Crosscut Saw.

Pepper Drive is fronted by Clyde Ramsey on gutsy vocals, scorchin’ harp and keys. Yes indeed, Pat’s legacy lives on. This hard chargin’ unit is rounded out by fleet fingered Neal Goree on stellar, sizzlin’ slide guitar, Kyle “K ICE” Chervanik rattlin’ fillings on thunderin’ bass and Steve Howell, drummer for Pat’s Blues Disciples, joining the band in the pocket.
upcoming gigs for Pepper Drive

upcoming gigs for Pepper Drive

September 3 - Apalachicola riverfront park (apalachicola, fl)

Oct. 15th -- 3rd annual Pat Ramsey Big Bend Hospice Benefit Music Festival (Tallahassee, fl)

October 22nd - magnolia fest (live oak, fl)

November 9th - bear creek music festival (live oak, fl)

November 11th - Krew De Graws ( Tallahassee Fl. )

December 2-3 - Ms. Newby's (Panama city, fl)

Shows We've Played this year

Purple Hatters Ball Festival
Bradfordville Blues Club
Buckinghams Blues Club
Ms Newby's
Krew De Graws
Freebirds - opening for Johnny Winter
Paradise
EarthDay Jam
Harry's BBQ Blues Fest


If you'd like Pepper Drive at your club
contact

Steve Howell
850-745-8340