Every Day I Have The Blues - Professor Longhair

Professor Longhair (December 19, 1918 – January 30, 1980; born Henry Roeland Byrd, also known as Roy "Bald Head" Byrd and as Fess) was a New Orleans blues singer and pianist. Professor Longhair is noteworthy for having been active in two distinct periods, both in the heyday of early rhythm and blues, and in the resurgence of interest in traditional jazz after the founding of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

The journalist Tony Russell, in his book The Blues – From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray, stated "The vivacious rhumba-rhythmed piano blues and choked singing typical of Fess were too weird to sell millions of records; he had to be content with siring musical offspring who were simple enough to manage that, like Fats Domino or Huey "Piano" Smith. But he is also acknowledged as a father figure by subtler players like Allen Toussaint and Dr. John.
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THE MANNISH BOYS RETURN TO THE STUDIO

THE MANNISH BOYS RETURN TO THE STUDIO

The all-star super group The Mannish Boys return to the studio next month to record their 6th album. The band includes the powerhouse vocals of Finis Tasby and Sugaray Rayford, Kirk Fletcher and Frank "Paris Slim" Goldwasser on guitar, Randy Chortkoff on harmonica, and holding downy he rhythm section is Willie J. Campbell on bass and Jimi Bott on drums. As in the tradition of their previous releases, this new album will feature the best of the best with their special guests which will include Elvin Bishop, James Harman, Kid Ramos, Candye Kane, Laura Chavez, Mike Finnigan, Jackie Payne, Rob Rio, and a very special guest! Expect this new album to be released in March 2012. Album will be produced by Randy Chortkoff and Jeff Scott Fleenor.

ELVIN BISHOP

JAMES HARMAN

KID RAMOS

CANDYE KANE

LAURA CHAVEZ

MIKE FINNIGAN

JACKIE PAYNE

ROB RIO

AND MORE...

Click on the albums below for more information

"SHAKE FOR ME"

"LOWDOWN FEELIN'"

"BIG PLANS"

"LIVE & IN DEMAND"

"THAT REPRESENT MAN"

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Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! - click Here The Mannish Boys are available for booking for Spring and Summer 2012 through Piedmont Talent. http://www.piedmonttalent.com/artists/artist.cfm?id=170

Piedmont Talent PO Box 680006 Charlotte, NC 28216 Steve Hecht [Director/Agent] steve@piedmonttalent.com Phone: (704)399-2210 Fax: (704)399-2261 www.piedmonttalent.

Big Jack Johnson's Music on NBC's Prime Suspect

Big Jack Johnson's Music on NBC's Prime Suspect Catch It Tonight Contact: Mark Carpentieri Ph: 631-754-8725 www.mc-records.com mc@mc-records.com M.C. Records is proud to announce that Big Jack Johnson's song "You're Gonna Make Me Cry" will be heard on NBC's Prime Suspect tonight. Big Jack's music has been heard on ABC, HBO and in  "Reservation Road" to name a few.  Big Jack passed away earlier this year but it's great his music is still going strong! You can listen to some of his best songs: http://airplaydirect.com/music/bigjackjohnson/  Eric Lindell's latest, West County Drifter has had a great year with fantastic reviews and radio play! You can add another notch as Eric has been nominated by Offbeat Magazine in the Best of the Beat Awards. Eric has been nominated for Best Blues Artist and Best Blues Album for West County Drifter. You can check out more and vote right here: http://offbeat.com/best-of-the-beat-awards-january-27-2012/ In other news Eric is playing the 2012 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. More details coming soon! Lindell's most accessible and striking release yet, with nary a slack track and several that seriously deserve to be heard by a wide audience All Music Guide the entire set is a good listen - The Charleston Gazette  Full of nuance and rich with emotion, his oeuvre is, in a word (or three...), the real deal - Blurt On-line

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Cold Blooded Murderer - Sam Chatmon

Chatmon was born in Bolton, Mississippi on January 10, 1897. Chatmon's family was well known in Mississippi for their musical talents; Chatmon was a member of the family's string band when he was young. He performed on a regular basis for white audiences in the 1900s.

The Chatmon band played rags, ballads, and popular dance tunes. Two of Sam's brothers, fiddler Lonnie Chatmon and guitarist Bo Carter, performed with guitarist Walter Vinson as the Mississippi Sheiks.

Chatmon played the banjo, mandolin, and harmonica in addition to the guitar. He performed at parties and on street corners throughout Mississippi for small pay and tips. In the 1930s he recorded both with the Sheiks, as well as with sibling Lonnie as the Chatman Brothers.

Chatmon moved to Hollandale, Mississippi in the early 1940s and worked on plantations in Hollandale. He was re-discovered in 1960 and started a new chapter of his career as folk-blues artist. In the same year Chatmon recorded for the Arhoolie record label. He toured extensively during the 1960s and 1970s. He played many of the largest and best-known folk festivals, including the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. in 1972, the Mariposa Fest in Toronto in 1974, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 1976.

A headstone memorial to Chatmon with the inscription "Sitting on top of the World" was paid for by Bonnie Raitt through the Mt. Zion Memorial Fund and placed in Sanders Memorial Cemetery, Hollandale, Mississippi on March 14, 1998 at a large ceremomy held at the Hollandale Municipal Building, celebrated by the Mayor and members of the City Council of Hollandale as well as over 100 attendees.
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The Things That I Used To Do - LITTLE FREDDIE KING

Little Freddie King (born Fread Eugene Martin, July 19, 1940, McComb, Mississippi) is an American Delta blues guitarist. His style was based on Freddie King, although his own approach to country blues is original
The cousin of Lightnin' Hopkins, King learned guitar from his father, but in 1954 moved to New Orleans at the age of 14. He played in many juke joints with his friends Babe Stovall, Slim Harpo, and Champion Jack Dupree, playing both acoustic and electric guitar.

He recorded an electric blues album with Harmonica Williams in 1969. In 1976, King undertook a European tour alongside Bo Diddley and John Lee Hooker.[5] His next recording opportunity came some twenty seven years after his first in 1996, with the release of Swamp Boogie. King's Sing Sang Sung (2000) was recorded live at the Dream Palace in Faubourg Marigny.

King played the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for 32 consecutive years. He is a member of the Music Maker Relief Foundation Inc.

King's most recent album, Gotta Walk With Da King was released in 2010.
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RUTHIE FOSTER’S NEW ALBUM, LET IT BURN, RECORDED IN NEW ORLEANS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS, EXPANDS MUSICAL BOUNDARIES

RUTHIE FOSTER’S NEW ALBUM, LET IT BURN,
RECORDED IN NEW ORLEANS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS,
EXPANDS MUSICAL BOUNDARIES

January 31 release on Blue Corn Music features Blind Boys of Alabama, soul legend William Bell, and songs by Adele, Black Keys, Los Lobos, Johnny Cash, The Band, Pete Seeger, Crosby, Stills & Nash and more.

AUSTIN, Texas — Those who have followed Ruthie Foster’s eclectic musical history know that she can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. And when Grammy Award-winning producer John Chelew suggested she record an album in New Orleans — with support handpicked from the Crescent City’s overflowing pool of talent — it was an opportunity for Ruthie to infuse fresh spices into her already rich sonic gumbo. The result is Let It Burn — slated for January 31, 2012 release on Blue Corn Music — a recording that smolders, sizzles and ignites with an intensity born from her vibrant voice and indelible presence.

Ruthie’s astonishing voice has taken her on an amazing ride. She came from humble church choir beginnings in rural Texas, followed by a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy Band, and ended up in New York City with a major-label development deal that went sour. After she moved back to Texas to care for her ailing mother, Foster took a break from singing professionally for a couple of years. When she resumed her music career in Austin, she became a regular nominee at the Austin Music Awards, winning Best Folk Artist in 2004-05 and Best Female Vocalist in 2007-08. Broadening her sound by blending blues and soul aspects into her folk roots, Ruthie added a Grammy nomination to her list of achievements (Best Contemporary Blues Album for her last studio release, 2009’s The Truth According to Ruthie Foster). And, in a nod to her astounding range, she then won seemingly contradictory Blues Music Association awards for both Best Traditional and Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist in back-to-back years.

In addition to leading her own band and touring it around the world, Foster has also collaborated on stage and recordings with a diverse list of artists including Warren Haynes, Big Head Todd, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Bibb and Paul Thorn. She’s a regular favorite at an equally diverse list of festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Monterey Blues Festival, Merlefest and the Kate Wolf Festival.

The ingredients for Let It Burn, recorded at New Orleans’ Piety Street Studios, start with some of that city’s most respected players: The Funky Meters’ rhythm section of bassist George Porter Jr. and drummer Russell Batiste, guitarist Dave Easley, and renowned saxophonist James Rivers collectively infuse the tracks with the groove-based, in-the-pocket vibe that comes naturally to New Orleans-bred musicians. The addition of Hammond B3 wizard Ike Stubblefield, who has toured and recorded with everyone from Curtis Mayfield to Eric Clapton, gives the album a jazzy organ-combo feel. Finally, legendary gospel singers the Blind Boys of Alabama and soul icon William Bell add extra depth to the project’s surprisingly eclectic collection of cover songs and fresh originals.

Besides the New Orleans location, there was another significant “first” associated with these sessions. “This is the only album I’ve done where I don’t play an instrument, which is really different. It gave me a lot more freedom vocally. Without a guitar, all I did was concentrate on singing,” Foster explains. “Sometimes I tried to channel Mavis Staples vocally, but I also wanted to bring a kind of Cassandra Wilson/Sade sultriness to some of the songs.”

The results are powerful, defining performances of Adele’s anthemic “Set Fire to the Rain,” John Martyn’s poignant and sensual “Don’t Want to Know,” and Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” all of which take on new vibrancy with distinctive musical arrangements and Ruthie’s commanding presence. The achingly beautiful, atmospheric ballad version of “Ring of Fire” is at the heart of this album, and potently showcases Foster as one of the finest interpretive singers of our time. “When it comes to songs, often older ones, I love it when they find me and that’s what happened with ‘Ring of Fire.’ I put myself inside of that song, which speaks to the passion of a new relationship,” she says.

Ruthie mines other tunes from a variety of sources such as the Black Keys (“Everlasting Light,” given a sparkling and righteous treatment), Pete Seeger (a dynamic, ominous swamp/jazz reimagining of “If I Had a Hammer”) and Los Lobos (the rambling, haunting “This Time”).

The church is never far from anything Foster touches as her spiritual original “Lord Remember Me” with the Blind Boys, featuring a sanctified slide solo from guitarist Easley, makes clear. The album’s opening and closing tracks also spotlight the Blind Boys and bookend the project with a devotional approach. “I haven’t lost my gospel in the way I approach a song,” explains Ruthie.

Another new Foster song is “Aim for the Heart” (a co-write with Jon Tiven), which works Porter’s funky bass, Stubblefield’s expressive organ and Easley’s snake-like guitar into a groove which supports the deeply personal motto (“Aim for the heart/And you’ll never go wrong”) that Foster has exhibited in both her life and music.

Rounding out this smoldering collection of tunes are covers of The Band’s melancholic “It Makes No Difference,” David Crosby’s politically charged “Long Time Gone” and William Bell’s classic “You Don’t Miss Your Water” (with Bell dueting on a slow, jazz/blues version of the standard, augmented by a stunning Rivers solo), all of which further display Ruthie’s uncanny knack for finding the simmering essence of any song.

On Let It Burn, Ruthie Foster takes the listener on her most personal journey yet, sounding like she is pouring her heart out late at night, and her deeply soulful vocals create a spiritual soundscape to support her testimony. This is the album her fans have been waiting for — and that the rest of the world will listen to in wonder.

RUTHIE FOSTER TOUR DATES

Sat., Jan. 14 NORFOLK, VA Attucks Theater
Sun., Jan. 15 CHARLESTON, WV Mountain Stage
Sat., Jan. 21 CROCKETT, TX Crockett Civic Theater
Tues., Jan. 31 LOS ANGELES, CA Grammy Museum (The Drop or L.A. media)
Wed., Feb. 1 LOS ANGELES, CA Grammy Museum (The Drop or L.A. media)
Thurs., Feb. 2 PORTLAND, OR Aladdin Theater, with Paul Thorn
Fri., Feb. 3 SPOKANE, WA The Bing Crosby Theater, with Paul Thorn
Sat., Feb. 4 SEATTLE, WA The Triple Door, with Paul Thorn
Mon., Feb. 6 CHICO, CA Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., with Paul Thorn
Tues., Feb. 7 ARCATA, CA Humboldt State University, with Paul Thorn
Wed., Feb. 8 NAPA, CA Napa Valley Opera House, with Paul Thorn
Thurs., Feb. 9 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Great American Music Hall, with Paul Thorn
Fri., Feb. 10 SANTA BARBARA, CA UC Santa Barbara, with Paul Thorn
Sat., Feb. 11 PHOENIX, AZ The Compound Grill, with Paul Thorn
Sun., Feb. 12 TUCSON, AZ Berger Performing Arts Center, with Paul Thorn
Tues., Feb. 14 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO Strings Music Pavilion, with Paul Thorn
Thurs., Feb. 16 DURANGO, CO Fort Lewis College, with Paul Thorn
Fri., Feb. 17 BEAVER CREEK, CO Vilar Center for the Arts with Paul Thorn
Sat., Feb. 18 DENVER, CO Swallow Hill Music Presents @L2 Arts & Culture Center, with Paul Thorn
Thurs., Feb. 23 THE WOODLANDS, TX Dosey Doe Café
Fri., Feb. 24 AUSTIN, TX Antone’s
Fri., March 2 CARRBORO, NC Cat's Cradle, with Paul Thorn (T)
Sat., March 3 WINSTON-SALEM, NC Ziggy's, with Paul Thorn (T)
Sun., March 4 ROANOKE, VA Kirk Ave, with Paul Thorn (T)
Wed., March 7 ALEXANDRIA, VA Birchmere, with Paul Thorn (T)
Thurs., March 8 PHILADELPHIA, PA WCL, with Paul Thorn (T)
Fri., March 9 NEW YORK, NY City Winery, with Paul Thorn (T)
Sat., March 10 CHATHAM, NJ Sanctuary, with Paul Thorn (T)
Wed.-Fri., March 14-16 AUSTIN, TX SXSW
Fri., March 17 DALLAS, TX Kessler Theater
Sat.-Sun., March 24-25 SAVANNAH, GA Savannah Music Festival
Sat., March 31 SCHAUMBURG, IL Schaumburg Prairie Center for the Arts

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Fishing Blues - Dom Flemons

Dom Flemons is a multi-instrumentalist and a songster. Playing in a broad range of old-time blues, country, string band, rock and jazz, he has impressed audiences with his outrageous performance style. "I always try keep the audience guessing," Dom says, "it makes the performance more interesting." Dom currently in upper Manhattan in New York City. As a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dom has toured all over the world going as far as Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Holland and Belgium. He is up for most any type of gig having played from coffee houses to street corners to house parties to the big-time venues.
Dom has performed at such venues as the National Folk Festival, the Newport Folk Festival, The Grand Ole Opry, Prairie Home Companion, Merlefest, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, The Tavis Smiley Show, The Bob Harris show on the BBC, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Spoleto Music Festival, Bonnaroo, The Fillmore in San Francisco, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, The Bowery Ballroom in NYC, Schomburg Center For Research in Black Culture in New York, The Ryman Auditorium, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Ottawa Folk Festivals, The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, The Sage in Gateshead, England, The New Morning in Paris, The Paradiso in Amsterdam, The Carter Family Fold, Old Town School of Folk Music and Bristol Rhythm and Roots just to name a few. "I have been very fortunate to play in so many places because I know for a fact that many before and after may not get the opportunities to do so. I do not take it for granted. It is just a thrill to be here as fan and music collector myself."

Bishopville (My Home Town) - Drink Small

Born January 28, 1933 in Bishopville (Lee County), SC, Drink Small (his real name is South Carolina's last great bluesman. A master of guitar, downhome piano, and basso profundo vocals, Drink Small is the No. 1 blues point of reference for many Carolinians. ***************************************** He made his first recorded appearance in 1956 on Vee Jay Records (same label as Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, et. al.) as a member of The Spiritualaires of Columbia, SC. He later recorded one blues single ("I Love You, Albertha" b/w "Cold Cold Rain") in 1959 for the Sharp Records subsidiary of Savoy. His other releases include platters on Ichiban, Southland, Erwin Music, Mapleshade, and of course his own imprint, Bishopville Records. Known for his over-the-top showmanship, ribald sense of humor, and virtuoso guitarwork, Drink Small is unique in his field...a true American original. ********************************************* Drink Small has played many of the major music festivals in North America, including Chicago Blues Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage, King Biscuit Blues Festival, Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival, Lowcountry Blues Bash, Carolina Downhome Blues Festival, The Border Festival, Smithsonian Folklife Fest, World's Fair etc. ************************************************ At the age of 77 years old, Drink Small is still full of piss & vinegar and ready to play for you.
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Music Maker Artist Ironing Board Sam Releases New Album

HILLSBOROUGH, NC (Sept 26, 2011)– Music Maker Relief Foundation is pleased to announce the release of bluesman Ironing Board Sam’s new record, Going Up. A product of more than 55 years of blues experience, this 13-track album features Sam’s return to his early solo piano and vocal roots. Set to release on October 1, Going Up will be available for sale and download on iTunes on October 1, 2011.

“Ironing Board Sam brings an infectious joy to this album that makes you feel wonderful about life,” said Tim Duffy, president of Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Born Samuel Moore in Rock Hill, SC in 1939, Ironing Board Sam is a charismatic singer, songwriter and piano player and a true original in blues music. Ironing Board Sam earned his nickname in the late 1950s after inventing his “button board,” a homemade and portable keyboard mounted on an ironing board. After showcasing his button board in Memphis, Sam was dubbed Ironing Board Sam for his unique invention.

Sam’s powerful and soulful voice has been featured in cities across the South, including Winston-Salem, NC; Nashville and Memphis, TN; Miami, FL; and New Orleans, LA. Though Sam began his career playing boogie-woogie piano in the drink houses of Winston-Salem, by the late 1960s he had relocated to Nashville and had become a wildly popular entertainer and regular performer on the first all-black Nashville music show called Night Train.

Music Maker Relief Foundation first partnered with Ironing Board Sam in 2010, and this album reflects an opportunity to ensure the continuation of traditional Southern music and Sam’s unique sound.

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About Music Maker Relief Foundation:

Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. is a tax exempt, public charity under IRS code 501(c)3. Music Maker aims to keep our Southern culture vital by directly supporting senior (over 55) American roots musicians in need, expanding their professional careers, and assisting Next Generation artists in the development of their professional careers. Since the organization’s founding in 1994, Music Maker has assisted hundreds of musicians who represent the traditions of Blues, Gospel, Old-Time String Band, Jazz and more. Music Maker’s programs ensure the talents of these cultural treasures are accessible so that our rich musical heritage can be shared with the world and preserved for future generations. For more information, visit our website, www.musicmaker.org.

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