Les Paul Tribute Concert - Steve Cropper

Steve Cropper (born Steven Lee Cropper, October 21, 1941, Dora, Missouri), also known as Steve "The Colonel" Cropper, is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. He is best known as the guitarist of the Stax Records house band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and has backed artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas and Johnnie Taylor, also acting as producer on many of these records. He later gained fame as a member of the Blues Brothers band. Rolling Stone lists him 36th on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.Mojo ranks Cropper as the second-best guitarist ever. When he was nine years old, Cropper moved with his family to Memphis, Tennessee. At the age of ten, he strummed his brother-in-law's Gibson guitar for the first time. Cropper received his first guitar by mail order at 14 and started playing with local musicians. His guitar heroes at the time included Lowman Pauling of the "5" Royales, as well as Chet Atkins, Chuck Berry, Tal Farlow, Jimmy Reed, and the guitarist of the Bill Doggett band, Billy Butler Cropper and guitarist Charlie Freeman formed the Royal Spades, who eventually became the Mar-Keys. The name referred to the marquee outside Stax studios, known as Satellite Records at the time. Eventually the Mar-Keys began playing on sessions and had a hit single of their own with "Last Night" in 1961. Steve Cropper in concert (1990) Besides being impressed with the young guitarist's playing, Stax Records president Jim Stewart saw professionalism and maturity beyond Cropper's years.[citation needed] When American Records founder Chips Moman left Stax, Cropper became the company's A&R man. He became a founding member of the Stax house band Booker T. & the M.G.'s, along with Hammond organ player Booker T. Jones, bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn and drummer Al Jackson Jr.. As a house guitarist he played on many recordings such as "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay," co-written with and performed by Otis Redding, and Sam & Dave's "Soul Man" on which he was mentioned by name. When Cropper played on the song's remake by the Blues Brothers, lead singer John Belushi again mentioned Cropper. At this time Cropper's fame was not limited to the United States. The Beatles favoured Cropper's playing, and his production on Otis Redding records. John Lennon and Paul McCartney made tentative plans to record in Memphis, and to work with the guitarist. However Brian Epstein cancelled the sessions, citing security problems. Regarding this period, Rob Bowman, in his book Soulsville U.S.A.: The Story Of Stax Records, quoted Booker T. Jones as saying: “ We were writing sounds too, especially Steve. He's very sound-conscious, and he gets a lot of sounds out of a Telecaster without changing any settings —just by using his fingers, his picks, and his amps ” Along with influential work with Booker T & The MG's, Cropper co-wrote "Knock On Wood" with Eddie Floyd, "In the Midnight Hour" with Wilson Pickett and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" with Otis Redding. In 1969, Cropper released his first solo album, With a Little Help From My Friends. Steve Cropper at the Hamar Music Festival, 2007 When Cropper left Stax in the fall of 1970, the label lost one of its most successful producers and songwriters. Cropper then set up TMI Studios with Jerry Williams and former Mar-Key Ronnie Stoots. There he played guitar and produced various musicians including Tower Of Power, Rod Stewart, John Prine, José Feliciano, The Jeff Beck Group, Ringo Starr and John Lennon. It's little-known that Cropper also played guitar on the cover of The Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale" that appears on fellow Memphians Big Star's Third/Sister Lovers. By 1975, Cropper had moved to Los Angeles and along with Jackson and Dunn, reformed Booker T. & the M.G's. Jackson, whom Cropper called "the greatest drummer to ever walk the earth," was murdered in his Memphis home before the group could make their comeback. In 1978, Cropper and Dunn became members of Levon Helm's RCO All-Stars, and then went on to figure prominently in the Blues Brothers Band with the drummer Willie Hall. This led to two albums and two movie soundtracks. Cropper also re-recorded "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" (1979) for Sammy Hagar. Cropper lived in Los Angeles for the next thirteen years before moving to Nashville and reuniting with the Blues Brothers Band in 1988. In 1992, Booker T. & the M.G.'s were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Cropper appeared with a new line-up of the group for the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary concert, on October 1992 at Madison Square Garden, performing songs by and backing Dylan, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Chrissie Hynde, Sinéad O'Connor, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young. The concert was recorded and later released as The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration (1993). Young later recruited this line up of Booker T. and the M.G's, to tour with him and record as his studio band. In 1996, Cropper was named "the greatest living guitar player" by Britain's Mojo magazine. When asked what he thought of Cropper, the guitarist Keith Richards said, "Perfect, man."[citation needed] In February 1998, Cropper released Play It, Steve! which included some of soul music's most enduring songs. The album title came from the "shout" of the title phrase by Moore on Sam & Dave's "Soul Man," and later by John Belushi (with the Blues Brothers). In June 2004, Cropper appeared with Dunn and Jones as the backing band for Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival, held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Others who appeared included Joe Walsh and David Hidalgo. On June 9, 2005, Cropper was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Cropper toured Australia with Guy Sebastian, playing on Sebastian's The Memphis Album tour in March 2008 He co-produced The Memphis Album (2007), recorded by Australian soul singer Guy Sebastian. Cropper also played guitar on the following promotional tour, which was recorded and released two years later as The Memphis Tour. On March 2, 2008 Cropper and Sebastian were guests on the Vega Sunday Session with host Mark Gable from the rock band the Choirboys. On July 29, 2008, Cropper and Felix Cavaliere released the album Nudge It Up A Notch. In August 2008, Cropper appeared at the Rhythm Festival alongside the Animals. On November 12, 2009, EMP/SFM presented Cropper with their "Founders Award." On October 17, 2010, Cropper was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. On August 9, 2011, Cropper released the album Dedicated which was his tribute to the "5" Royales. “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, -  ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! 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Things That I Used To Do - Bennie Smith

Bennie Smith (October 5, 1933, St. Louis, Missouri - September 10, 2006, St. Louis, Missouri) was a St. Louis blues guitarist, considered to be one of the city's patriarchs of electric blues. His sound was emblematic of a St. Louis blues music that he helped define in over half a century practicing his trade. His contributions to the genre in that city, from the early 1950s and almost until the day of his death, included mentor, performer, and recording artist. Due to his significant contribution to blues music in St. Louis, in October 2003 he received a proclamation from mayor Francis Slay marking October 5, 2003 as 'Bennie Smith Day' in that city. The board of alderman similarly honored Mr. Smith, recognizing him as the "Dean of St. Louis Electric Guitarists". During the 2006 'Big Muddy Blues Festival' in St. Louis, Mayor Slay honored Bennie once again on September 2 of that year, declaring that day also be known as 'Bennie Smith Day' in St. Louis Smith worked as a session man on many recordings over the years, and has three original albums to his name: The Urban Soul of Bennie Smith (Blues Highway - 1993), Shook Up (Fedora Records - 2001)), and The Bennie Smith All Star Session (2006). In a notable 1958 session, Smith was invited to contribute on what would be Tina Turner's first recording, "Boxtop". The song featured Ike Turner with 'Little Ann' on backing vocals, and Smith on guitar. In addition, he has played with such guitar players as Hubert Sumlin, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, B.B. King and Grant Green. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Waitin' Blues - Molly Gene

Molly Gene is a one woman blues band. She is a farm girl from just outside a little town called Warrensburg Missouri. Molly Gene is highly influenced by the delta blues and rock n roll. With a raspy voice, slide guitar, harp and foot foot drum, she will have your feet stomping in no time. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Stormy Monday - Bliiy Barnett Band

Billy was born in East St. Louis on December 11, 1959 into a musicial family. His mother played the organ and piano, and his father sang in the choir for the Dupo 1st Bapist Church. He started playing guitar at the age of 9, and also played trumpet in grade and high school. .. ......After seeing Andreas Segovia and Joe Pass in his senior year, Billy decided to study jazz and classical gutiar at SIU Edwardsville, Ill. Following college, he joined Street Corner Symphony- a touring band from the midwest. Twelve years later, he started his own band....... ......He has opened up for,or performed with many musicians.They range from Roy Orbison,The Neville Brothers,The John Scofield band,Jr Wells,R.L.Burnside,Kenny Brown,Johnnie Johnson,The Jean Luc Ponty band, to rockers like Nazareth,Reo speedwagon,Billy Corrigan,Yngwie Malsteem,Eric Gales,Chuck Berry...Old school blues James Cotton,Tommy Bankhead,Leon Estell to rockin the blues ala Smokin Joe Kubec,Ronnie Backer Brooks,,Performed with Bugs Henderson,s on his BBC special . and steel guitar wizard Robert Randolph.In Branson ,Missouri he played with Country fiddler Shoji Tabuchi for a season.Performed with WC handy award winner Jumping Johnny Sansone from New Orleans.He was a featured guitar instructor for Atlanta based Camp Jam performing with Derrick St Holmes of Ted Nugants Camp and 38 Specials Jeff Carlisi.He has released eight self produced CDs His latest"it,s not enuff"review in Vintage Guitar Magizine says"Billy and his band serve up a smorgasbord of american music" He recently was a featured artist on "The Set" Charter Cables new music program...... ......Currently, Billy teaches guitar and retails at a local guitar shop (Gravity Strings) and plays in various bands in St. Louis ,his original band, Solo Acoustic and the Smash Band with Radio Personality (Smash). His guitar talents have been used by several independent cds, and has been used in MTV's Road Rules and Let's Make a Band.. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Struttin' With Some Barbecue - Arvell Shaw

Arvell Shaw (September 15, 1923, St. Louis, Missouri - December 5, 2002, Roosevelt, New York) was an American jazz double-bassist, best known for his work with Louis Armstrong. (Third from right)

Shaw learned to play tuba in high school, but switched to bass soon after. In 1942 he worked with Fate Marable on riverboats traveling on the Mississippi River, then served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. After his discharge he played with Armstrong in his last big band, from 1945 to 1947. Shaw and Sid Catlett then joined the Louis Armstrong All-Stars until 1950, when Shaw broke off to study music. He returned to play with Armstrong from 1952 to 1956, and performed in the 1956 musical High Society. Following this he worked at CBS with Russ Case, did time in Teddy Wilson's trio, and played with Benny Goodman at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. After a few years in Europe, he played again with Goodman on a tour of Central America in 1962. From 1962-64 Shaw played again with Armstrong, and occasionally accompanied him through the end of the 1960s. After the 1960s Shaw mostly freelanced in New York and kept playing until his death. He recorded only once as a leader, a live concert from 1991 of his Satchmo Legacy Band.
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Blue Edge Records artist - Scottyboy Daniel Blues Band - Mercy! - New Release Review

Scottyboy Daniel has a new recording available and it is really a cooker! Mercy! is a tribute to the late William Clarke. Daniel recruited Clarke's guitar player (a great choice) and together they have crafted and released an exceptional grouping of 13 of Clarke's tracks. The recording opens with Blowin' Like Hell, a real crap kicker! (Stilladog... if you don't have this...get it! This is right up your alley man!) This instrumental track gives Daniel a chance to open with a bang and he doesn't let up much from here. Next up is Lonesome Bedroom Blues, a slower paced harp driven blues track. Daniel sings the lead and plays harp. The balance of the band is Matt Browning (bass), Jerry Riccardi (drums), Joe Mika (guitar), Mike Sedovic (keys) and of course Markowski on guitar. Lookin' To The Future is a cool shuffle tune again featuring Daniel on harp. Daniel has exceptional harp tone and chops. Sedovic takes the opportunity to play a key solo on this track but of course the emphasis is on the harp. Blues/jazz track A Good Girl Is Hard To Find is up next with long key, harp and guitar stretches. Drinkin' Beer is a jump blues track with a slick guitar intro. Daniel is back on vocal here and leads the band into some great soloing opportunities. Guitar work on this track is really pretty slick and of course the harp goes without saying. Your Love Is Real, another jump track has a really crisp guitar intro as well as really cool T-Bone style guitar riffs throughout. Daniel brings the track home with again, exceptional playing. Steady is a solid shuffle instrumental with a warm screaming harp melody. Educated Fool gets back to the jump tempo and Daniel takes the lead at vocal again. More great guitar riffing follows and of course smokin' harp brings up the rear. Feel Like Jumpin' is a real loping shuffle. Daniel, back on vocal leads the band into another extended jam. Sedovic gets the keys workin' again and Daniel is relentless on the harp! Tryin' To Stretch My Money, another shuffle track has another great guitar solo and of course Daniel never disappoints on harp. Lollipop Mama is a jumper with Daniel on vocal and harp. This band is tight and Daniel knows just when and how hard to play. Sedovic takes another spell on the keys and sends the track home. The final track, Tribute To William Clarke is an exceptionally deep track. The harp distortion on this track is perfect and guitar punctuation is spot on. The guitar work on this track is powerful and expressive. The entire recording is exceptional. Unless you have a dislike of harmonica (and if you do... why the blues) I highly recommend this recording. This is simply terrific cover to cover!
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Wild Oats - Kimberly Allison Band feat. Francesca

Kimberly, who is originally from the Kansas City area, has played in clubs from the age of sixteen. She graduated from The University of Southern California with a degree in jazz guitar. She has worked with saxophonist Joe Houston, Zola Moon, The Shirelles, and JJ "Bad Boy" Jones. Kimberly has toured the U.S. and Canada playing venues such as The Portland Rose Festival, The Playboy Jazz Festival (Pasadena) and The Santa Monica Twilight Concert Series (sharing the stage with Roomful of Blues). In 1998, she was nominated as "outstanding guitarist" by the L.A. Music Awards. Kimberly's first solo CD, Old, New, Borrowed and Blues, has been the subject of rave national and international reviews in publications such as Blues Review. It also received world-wide airplay and was picked up by BDC, a national distributor. In 2001, tunes from the disc made it to the finals for the awards-a competition for independent music. Kimberly is also an active educator with fifty plus students per week.
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Old Baby Blues - The Hooten Hallers

Seeing The Hooten Hallers perform can be a life-changing experience. Their shows are fun, fascinating and a little bit scary. It is like being on a rickety, broken-down roller coaster. You are barreling down the track, not quite strapped in, with the wheels creaking from the strain. The whole train is shaking to pieces, and there is nothing ahead but more uncertainty. You don't know what's around the next curve, but you know there is a chance that it could shake you to your very soul. Their music is an amalgamation of classic American styles and more modern rock n' roll: rifling through and mixing blues, punk, country, and even gospel in turn. We'll just say "Rock n' Roll & Hillbilly Soul".

The Hooten Hallers were formed in Columbia, MO in 2006: playing open mics and house parties until they developed a local following. For the next four years, they branched out and played as many shows around the midwest as they could, including several small festivals and short tours. However, it wasn't until early 2011 that The Hooten Hallers began touring nationally. Since then, they have been on the road almost full time. 2012 will likely bring an even busier tour schedule, with a route encompassing most of the United States.

To date, The Hooten Hallers have released a number of live and radio bootlegs, two full length studio albums ["We Have Friends"(2008), "The Epic Battle of Good and Evil"(2009)] and one live album ["LIVE at Widow's Peak"(2010)]. February 2012 will see the release of their latest studio album, "Greetings from Welp City". This album was recorded entirely live in studio, and finally combines the energy of their live set with the fidelity of a studio recording!
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Roll 'Em Pete - Jeannie Cheatham

Jeannie Cheatham, along with her husband, bass trombonist Jimmy Cheatham, has co-led "the Cheathams" (also known as the Sweet Baby Blues Band) since the mid-1980s. It is surprising that more groups have not tried to emulate this band, for the Cheathams perform music that crosses over between Kansas City-type swing and blues, always featuring several notable horn players, Jeannie's vocals and plenty of spirit. Their music is very accessible and swinging, yet creative within the swing tradition.
Jeannie Cheatham started studying piano when she was five, became a professional early on, and worked with Big Mama Thornton on and off for ten years. She gigged with a variety of top blues greats, including T-Bone Walker, Dinah Washington, Jimmy Witherspoon and Joe Williams, and in 1984 she toured with Cab Calloway. Jimmy Cheatham through the years has played bass trombone with Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Thad Jones and in a backup group with Ornette Coleman. the Cheathams, who met and married in the 1950s, worked with Chico Hamilton (Jimmy was Hamilton's musical director for a time) in the '60s, and they both taught at the University of Wisconsin before moving to San Diego in 1978. Jimmy taught at the University of California at San Diego for many years. Since forming their enjoyable band, the Cheathams have recorded regularly for Concord (starting in 1984) with such sidemen as trumpeters Snooky Young and Clora Bryant, Jimmie Noone Jr. on tenor and clarinet, altoist Curtis Peagler, bassist Red Callender, Rickey Woodard on tenor and clarinet, and many guests (altoists Charles, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and Hank Crawford, tenorman Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, violinist Papa John Creach and guitarist Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown), performing their fresh and happy version of Kansas City jazz at a countless number of festivals and concerts.
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Video

Rockin' After Hours - "Chuck" Norris

Blues guitarist Charles "Chuck" Norris was born in Kansas City, MO. on August 11, 1921. Between 1947 and 1951 he recorded several records in Los Angeles for Coast, Imperial, Selective, Mercury and Aladdin. His final two recordings were made in New York City for Atlantic in 1953. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be a compilation that rounds up all of his recordings, even though his Atlantic sides have been reissued for a number of years. Norris passed away in 1989.
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Pack It Up - The Tony Campanella Band

Heavy Electric Blues from the Lou! Since the age of eleven, Tony has been infatuated with the sound and feel of the guitar and the positive vibe that resonates from its strings. He was fed the music of the blues greats like Buddy Guy, Freddie and Albert King, Albert Collins, Muddy Waters. Soon that expanded to guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan. With his group, The Tony Campanella Band, all of his influences come together to produce heavy hitting but soulful music that can't be described as just Blues. The band has shared the stage with the likes of Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Walter Trout, Indegenous, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Etta James, Bernard Allison, Micheal Burks and Robin Trower to name a few. With Bike on Bass Guitar and Terry Melton on drums, they form a group that truly lives up to the moniker "Power Trio". Take your time to check them out!
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City Hall Records Artist: Barbara Carr - Keep The Fire Burning - New Release Review

City Hall Records artist Barbara Carr will be releasing her newest recording, Keep The Fire Burning on August 21, 2012. A seasoned soul singer with previous records at Chess records as well an one solo album, Good Woman Go Bad, Barbara has teamed up with Catfood house band, The Rays featuring Richy Puga on drums and percussion, Dan Ferguson on keys, Johny McGhee on guitar, Bob Trenchard on bass, Andy Roman on sax, Mike Middleton on trumpet and Robert Clairborne on trombone. I've had a chance to review this new cd and it's a solid soul collection. Hanging On By A Thread has a driving rhythm with a slick guitar solo and just the right touch of horns. We Have The Key could be a classic ballad with perfect balance and strong vocals by Carr. Keep The Fire Burning, the title track, is a nicely written and executed soul ballad. Johnny Rawls join Carr for a vocal duet on Hold On To What You Got, a track that should see great airplay. You Give Me The Blues is another great addition to a very comfortable soul recording. If you like soul music in it's purity, this could be a great recording to pick up. Not a bad song on the recording and quite enjoyable.
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This track is not from the CD but gives you a feel of the fire that Carr delivers.

Whammy in the Gizmo - Piano Slim

Born Robert T. Smith, a resident of St. Louis where he is known as Piano Slim. He paid his dues way back in the '40s and '50s in Houston, Texas working among such first rate bluesman as Gatemouth Brown, Little Willie Littlefield, and Henry Hayes. It was there that he made his first record for a small label that also starred Smokey Hogg.

In 1959 he moved to St. Louis and recorded '"Workin' Again" for the local Bobbin label, released along with the works of Albert King and Little Milton. In St. Louis Slim played in about any club or bar worth mentioning and today there are no signs of him slowing down.

His first album for the Swingmaster label, "Mean Woman Blues", was recorded in August of 1981. Other recordings and singles followed, such as the 1983 album, "Gateway To The Blues". This led to six European tours featuring Piano Slim as either a headliner, supporting act, or sideman. When home in St. Louis, he continued to play the local clubs and work with some of the areas notable bluesmen, such as Tommy Bankhead and J.R. Reed. In 1991, Slim was featured on a compilation of St. Louis' blues artists on the Wolf Records label, called "St. Louis Blues Today". Besides Piano Slim, this album included songs and performances by Tommy Bankhead, Doc Terry, J.R. Reed, Oliver Sam and Johnny Johnson.

During this period, Slim began using a popular local St. Louis band, Blues Inquisition, as his backup band. They performed together at regular engagements and special events through the mid nineties. In 1993 they recorded an album together, "Minnie Skirt", his best produced album to date. Shortly after that album was finished, Slim took another "real job" driving a cab, to help raise his grandson.
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THATS ALRIGHT - LIGHTNIN' SLIM

Lightnin' Slim (March 13, 1913 - July 27, 1974) was an African-American Louisiana blues musician, who recorded for Excello Records and played in a style similar to its other Louisiana artists. Blues critic Ed Denson has ranked him as one of the five great bluesmen of the 1950s, along with Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson
Lightnin' Slim was born Otis V. Hicks in St. Louis, Missouri. moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the age of thirteen. Taught guitar by his older brother Layfield, Slim was playing in bars in Baton Rouge by the late 1940s.

He debuted on J. D. "Jay" Miller's Feature Records label in 1954 with "Bad Luck Blues" ("If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all"). Slim then recorded for Excello Records for twelve years, starting in the mid 1950s, often collaborating with his brother-in-law, Slim Harpo and with harmonica player Lazy Lester.

Slim took time off from the blues for a period of time and ended up working in a foundry in Pontiac, Michigan, which resulted in him suffering from constantly having his hands exposed to high temperatures. He was re-discovered by Fred Reif in 1970, in Pontiac, where he was living in a rented room at Slim Harpo's sister's house. Reif soon got him back performing again and a new recording contract with Excello, this time through Bud Howell, the present President of the company. His first gig was a reunion concert at the 1971 University of Chicago Folk Festival with Lazy Lester, whom Reif had brought from Baton Rouge in January 1971.

In the 1970s, Slim performed on tours in Europe,[3] both in the United Kingdom and at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland where he was often accompanied by Moses "Whispering" Smith on harmonica. He last toured the UK in 1973, with the American Blues Legends package.

In July 1974, Slim died of stomach cancer in Detroit, Michigan, aged 61.

Slim has been cited as a major influence by several contemporary blues artists, including Captain Beefheart, who in a 1987 radio interview with Kristine McKenna, stated that Lightnin' Slim was the only artist he could recommend somebody listening to
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Bob Stroger

Have Bass Will Travel.... I was born in South East Missouri in a small town Haiti, where I lived on a farm. I moved to Chicago in 1955. I lived in the back of a night club on the West Side, where Howling Wolf and Muddy Waters played. It looked like they were having a lot of fun and I made up my mind that what I wanted to do was play music. I got married at an early age and I used to watch my brother-in-law play music. His name was Johnny Ferguson and he and JB Hutto had a band they called the Twisters. They were working on 39'th and State Street in Chicago and I would carry them to work every night and watch them. Then at home I would try to teach myself to play. My cousin Ralph Ramey said that we should start a band and we did just that. We got my brother (John Stroger), who played the drums, to learn the songs we knew and in four months we were making some noise. We went to a club and played two songs and the man said we had a job. It was one of the better clubs, where musicians like Memphis Slim worked. The owner wanted us to wear uniforms but we had no money to buy them, so we got black tams and put a red circle in the top and called the band the Red Tops and that was the way it started. We got so good that they wanted the band to travel, but Ralph's wife did not wont him to travel. so my brother formed a band with Willie Kent and myself and called it Joe Russel and the Blues Hustlers. We played together for a while,but eventually I decided to move on, because i wanted to travel more and see the world and I found out you can make money doing this. I joined a jazz band and played with Rufus Forman for about 3 years, but we were doing very little work. Then I met Eddie King and we talked. I told him I was in a jazz band and we needed a guitar player that could play blues. He sead OK and joined our groop, and we started playing blues and RB and things took off. We called the band Eddie King and King Men, and we stayed together for 15 years. Then we split up for about 2 years and later we started the band up as Eddie King and Babee May and the Blues Machine and we stayed together until Eddie King moved out of town. I quit playing for 2 years becouse we were so close I did not want to play with anyone but Eddie. Then I met Jessie Grean when I was playing with Morris Pejo and he liked the way I played bass and one night Otis Rush need a bass player, so Jessie said come and work with him. The rest is history. I have been playing music for 39 years and I am still having fun.
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Free Blues - Little Michael Terry

THIS ST. LOUIS BASED BLUES/ROCK SINGER, SONGWRITER, GUITARIST IS MAKING HIS MARK ALL OVER THE WORLD WITH DIGITAL AND CD SALES. HE HAS SOLD PRODUCT IN SUCH PLACES AS BELGIUM, DENMARK, AUSTRIA, ITALY, AND RUSSIA JUST TO NAME A FEW.
MICHAEL IS CURRENTLY GETTING RADIO PLAY ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND ON SEVERAL INTERNET RADIO STATIONS REACHING AUDIENCES ALL OVER THE WORLD. HE IS ENJOYING PERFORMING HIS MUSIC IN SMALL CLUBS, FESTIVALS, OUTSIDE CONCERTS, AS WELL AS AUDITORIUMS.
THE MICHAEL TERRY GROUP IS THE ONLY ACT THAT HAS EVER BEEN ASKED TO PERFORM THREE YEARS IN A ROW ON THE STEPS OF THE MISSOURI STATE CAPITOL FOR THEIR ANNUAL CULTURAL CONCERT SERIES, WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE FOR 15 YEARS.
THE GROUP HAS APPEARED LIVE ON “FOX 2 NEWS WITH TIM EZELL” AND KSDK “SHOW ME ST. LOUIS.”
THEY PERFORMED AT THE LEGENDARY RICKMAN AUDITORIUM IN 2010 AND 2011, HEADLINING THE BENEFIT CONCERT FOR ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL.
WHILE MICHAEL IS ENJOYING NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SALES, RADIO PLAY, AND REGIONAL TOURING SUCCESS, HIS ROOTS ARE FIRMLY PLANTED IN MISSOURI, WHERE HE WAS BORN AND RAISED.
HIS SONGS ARE FULL OF GRITTY, SOMETIMES WITTY, SOULFUL, HEARTFELT VOCALS. HIS GUITAR PLAYING RANGES FROM MELODIC, TO AN “IN YOUR FACE” FIERY ATTACK WITH A HINT OF HIS INFLUENCES SHINING THROUGH ONCE IN A WHILE.
ON HIS LATEST CD, “TOO BAD”, MICHAEL HAD THE HONOR OF DOING A DUET WITH ST. LOUIS LEGEND PAT LISTON, VOCALIST FROM MAMAS PRIDE. HE ALSO HAD THE PRIVILEDGE OF TRADING LICKS WITH THE FABULOUS RICH MCDONOUGH, , ANOTHER ST. LOUIS LEGEND, ON TWO SONGS. HIS ORIGINAL SONGS, IN ADDITION TO HIS PASSIONATE PRESENCE IN A LIVE SETTING, TEND TO FORCE THE LISTENER TO BE DRAWN IN. ONE MIGHT SAY “YOU CAN FEEL THE PAIN” IN EVERY WORD SANG AND EVERY NOTE PLAYED…
THE GROUP OF MUSICIANS HE PLAYS WITH IS COMPRISED OF 100 PLUS YEARS OF COMBINED PERFORMING EXPERIENCE.
AS A RESULT OF THEIR ABILITY TO REALLY COMMIT TO THE COVERS THEY PERFORM THIS BAND WILL HAVE YOU CONVINCED THEY WROTE THESE SONGS AS WELL…
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ANSWER - JIMMY McCRACKLIN

Jimmy McCracklin (born August 13, 1921, St. Louis, Missouri, United States) is an American pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. His style contains West Coast blues, Jump blues, and R&B. Over a career that has spanned seven decades, he says he has written almost a thousand songs and has recorded hundreds of them. McCracklin has recorded over 30 albums, and owns four gold records.
McCracklin joined the United States Navy in 1938, later settled in Richmond, California, and began playing at the local Club Savoy owned by his sister-in-law Willie Mae "Granny" Johnson. The room-length bar served beer and wine, and Granny Johnson served home-cooked meals of greens, ribs, chicken, and other southern cuisine. A house band composed of Bay Area based musicians alternated with and frequently backed performers such as B. B. King, Charles Brown, and L. C. Robinson. Later in 1963 he would write and record a song "Club Savoy" on his I Just Gotta Know album.

His recorded a debut single for Globe Records, "Miss Mattie Left Me", in 1945, and recorded "Street Loafin' Woman in 1946. McCracklin recorded for a number of labels in Los Angeles and Oakland, prior to joining Modern Records in 1949-1950. He formed a group called Jimmy McCracklin and his Blues Blasters in 1946, with guitarist Lafayette Thomas who remained with group until the early 1960s.

His popularity increased after appearing on the TV pop Dick Clark's American Bandstand in support of his self written single "The Walk" (1957), subsequently released by Checker Records in 1958. It went to No. 5 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 7 on the pop chart, after more than 10 years of McCracklin selling records in the black community on a series of small labels. Jimmy McCracklin Sings, his first solo album, was released in 1962, in the West Coast blues style. In 1962, McCracklin recorded "Just Got to Know" for his own Art-Tone label in Oakland, after the record made No. 2 on the R&B chart. For a brief period in the early 1970s McCracklin ran the Continental Club in San Francisco. He booked blues acts such as T-Bone Walker, Irma Thomas, Big Joe Turner, Big Mama Thornton, and Etta James. In 1967, Otis Redding and Carla Thomas had success with "Tramp", a song credited to McCracklin and Lowell Fulson. Salt-n-Pepa made a hip-hop hit out of the song in 1987. Oakland Blues (1986) was an album arranged and directed by McCracklin, and produced by World Pacific. The California rock-n-roll "roots music" band The Blasters named themselves after McCracklin's backing band The Blues Blasters. Blasters' lead singer Phil Alvin explained the origin of the band's name: "I thought Joe Turner’s backup band on Atlantic records – I had these 78s – I thought they were the Blues Blasters. It ends up it was Jimmy McCracklin's. I just took the 'Blues' off and Joe finally told me, that’s Jimmy McCracklin’s name, but you tell ‘im I gave you permission to steal it."

McCracklin continued to tour and produce new albums in the 1980s and 1990s. Bob Dylan has cited McCracklin as a favorite. He played at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1973, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984 and 2007. He was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1990, and the Living Legend and Hall of Fame award at the Bay Area Black Music Awards, in 2007
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FWG Records artist: Cee Cee James - Blood Red Blues - New Release Review

I just received a copy of Blood Red Blues, the new Cee Cee James recording that will be released on July 17, 2012. The title track, Blood Red Blues, opens the 12 original track release with a gritty, swampy blues chant of a song. Rob "Slideboy" Andrews add some really nice slide texture to the song. Up next is a blues rocker, Let's All Get Loose which not only features James' gritty voice but strong lead guitar riffs from Rocky Athas. I'm Takin' Mine has a foot stompin' sound and James takes no prisoners. James has a naturally interesting voice with although different in style, has a lot of the resonant qualities of Janis. James has her own road to travel and I believe with the writing quality and appeal of her singing she will sell a lot of cd's based upon a lot of airplay. If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

Blues-Rock Singer Cee Cee James Set to Release New CD, "Blood Red Blues," on July 17

BLUES-ROCK SINGER CEE CEE JAMES SET TO RELEASE NEW CD, BLOOD RED BLUES, PRODUCED BY GRAMMY-WINNER JIM GAINES, ON JULY 17

ST. LOUIS, MO – Blues-rock singer Cee Cee James announces a July 17 release date for her new album, Blood Red Blues, produced by Grammy-winner Jim Gaines, on July 17. Blood Red Blues will be released on her own imprint, FWG Records, with international distribution by Burnside Distribution.

Blood Red Blues is the fourth CD from the St. Louis-based singer, whose powerfully soulful vocals have already created a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike all over the world. Producer/engineer/mixer Jim Gaines (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Santana, Luther Allison), who tracked the sessions at his Bessie Blue Studio in West Tennessee, perfectly captures all the exciting elements of Cee Cee’s vocal style on the new album, creating a sound that is both vulnerable and passionate, igniting the songs with a burning, sensual yearning that drives home the dozen all-original songs.

Backing Cee Cee on Blood Red Blues are Rob “Slideboy” Andrews on rhythm and slide guitar, Rocky Athas on lead guitar, Chris Leighton on drums, Dan Mohler on bass and Susan Jillian on keyboards, along with vocal backing from Stanley Crouse, Vicki Atkins, Danunielle “Pie” Hill and Kimberlie Helton.

After working with James, Jim Gaines called her “one of the greatest blues-rock singers out there today. She’s someone I call an ‘old soul.’ Cee Cee’s songs are wonderful stories of her life experiences, and backed by Rob’s strong Delta roots/blues slide and rhythm guitar playing, they make a great team. Her style reminds me of our classic early female blues and rock singers. She’s very passionate about giving a great performance.”

Cee Cee’s blistering vocals tell the truth of the powerful messages in her songs, born and bred from a lifetime of heartache and loss, but delivered with a message of hope, understanding and the healing power of love. The hallmark off her career has been her intense live performances, as anyone who’s seen her can attest. Blood Red Blues distills that energy and transmits it through the recording process into something that is valid and compelling.

Cee Cee James was originally based on the West Coast. Her first album, a pop/funk CD, garnered the Los Angeles Independent Artist of the Year Award; and a track off that album was honored as one of the top 10 in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, before she directed all her talent and energy to the blues. Her second CD, Low Down Where the Snakes Crawl,” was released in 2008 and gained worldwide distribution, as well as critical press and radio attention. By that time, she had re-located to the Pacific Northwest and in 2009 she won the Klamath Falls, Oregon Blues Challenge & went on to compete in the 2010 IBC finals in Memphis, where esteemed writer/editor Don Wilcock called her” the most exciting and original act at this year’s IBC.” Her last CD, Seriously Raw – Live at Sunbanks,” drew more extensive radio airplay and rave reviews, also bringing Cee Cee the “Best Blues Songwriter Award” and a nomination for “Best Blues Vocalist” from the Washington Blues Society in 2010.

Cee Cee James just returned from a tour of Europe that included shows in the recently earthquake-ravaged areas of Italy, and will return to that continent in October with a Scandinavian tour. She’s also been tapped to star in a supporting role in the upcoming film, We Be Kings, which also features such other blues stars as Magic Slim and Grana Louise, and features Slim’s band, The Teardrops.

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Eventime - Joe Buckner

Vocalist born June 4, 1924,from St Louis with Tommy Dean band.
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