Central Iowa Blues Society Winter Blues Fest

Its going to be freaking cold tonight so warm yourself up with some redhot blues in downtown Des Moines at the Winter Blues Fest in the Hotel Fort Des Moines!!


Winter Blues Fest

Sat, Feb 9, 2008
Hotel Fort Des Moines
1000 Walnut, Des Moines, IA

• Doors open at 6 PM

• $12 Advance/$15 Day of the show--good for
  Hotel Ballrooms & Chequers Lounge

• Tickets available at Blues on Grand, Hotel Ft DM
  or call 515-225-6638

• Blues Rates available at the Hotel Fort Des Moines
  515-243-1161 or 1-800-532-1466

	Willie Mac & Alan Smith 2007 Iowa Blues Challenge Winner - Solo/Duo 7:00-10:00 PM Chequers Lounge
	Trampled Underfoot 2007 KC Blues Challenge Winner - Band 7:30-10:00 PM Grand Ballroom website>>
	Matt Woods & the Thunderbolts 2007 Iowa Blues Challenge Winner - Band 8:00-10:30 PM State Ballroom website>>
	Kevin "BF" Burt & the Instigators 8:00-10:15 PM Wedgewood Room website>>
	Sumpin' Doo 8:30-11:30 PM Independence Hall
	Ernie Peniston Band 10:30-1:30 AM Grand Ballroom website>>
	Cadillac Kolstad & the Flats 2007 Twin Cities Blues Challenge Winner 10:45-1:00 AM Wedgewood Room website>>
	RJ Mischo & His Red Hot Blues Band 11:00-1:30 AM State Ballroom website>>
	Hot Tamale & the Red Hots 12:00-1:00 AM Independence Hall website>>
	AfterFest Jam 1:00 AM - ??? Independence Hall

The Hotel Fort Des Moines is offering special Blues Fest rates for the night. You can make reservations NOW by calling 800-532-1466 or 515-243-1161. Be sure to mention that you are going to be there for the Blues Fest to receive your special rate.

Sponsors for this event are the Central Iowa Blues Society, Budweiser & KGGO/98.3. Listen to 94.9 FM and 98.3 FM for ticket giveaways!

Blue Band Update

The latest from Bob Dorr.

I've GOT to quit talking about the weather...but...another 5" of snow this week (it was closer to a foot in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City!) and today (Fri) we try to drive to Minneapolis and back, hopefully before the predicted 40 mph winds and actual low temps of -10 settle in on Saturday night. In the words of the great Vince Lombardi "What the hell's goin' on around here?!!" Speaking of which, what's goin on is: Tonight (2/8) Famous Dave's-Uptown. The Twin Cities #1 blues bar, Lake & Hennepin, Minneapolis MN. 9-12:30a. We'll be the "budget size" 5 piece with Heath driving in right after teaching school all day to play saxophone. The combination of Blue People from Minnesota, plus ex-Iowans who've migrated to the Big City, and Iowans who drive up for the weekend REALLY makes these shows at Dave's really fun and have a certain reunion feeling/atmosphere. Come for the great Bar-b-que, stay for dancing... Hopefully the wicked blowing snow will hold off long enough for us to drive back right after the Famous Dave's show because Saturday night, right here in Sparkle City, one of my all-time favorite rockin' blues harmonica players, Magic Dick, of the J. Geils Band will be part of the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue featuring the Tommy Castro Band, Magic Dick & Deanna Bogart. This is the winter Blues Blowout fundraiser for Iowa Public Radio-KUNI at Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo. I'll see ya on the dancefloor. More info: www.iowapublicradio.org... Next Saturday (2/16) we float into Fairfield for a fundraiser for the hospital dialysis unit. The newspaper article says: Bob Dorr and the Blue Band is set to headline a benefit for the Doug Johnson Memorial Dialysis Fund. In addition to its annual golf tournament, the Jefferson County Hospital Foundation has taken on another fund-raising event this year. The event will kick off with a social hour from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 16 in the atrium of the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center. The band will begin playing at 8:30 p.m. All of the proceeds from the event will go toward the dialysis fund and the construction of a dialysis center on the future Jefferson County Health Center campus. The dialysis center may open before the hospital. "This fundraiser will really give the dialysis center a shot in the arm," said June Lowenberg, hospital public relations and marketing manager. "You don't have to dance to come." Although the foundation had initially intended to hold a formal event, Lowenberg said those who attend the social and concert are welcome to dress up or go in casual attire. The event is something sort of "out of the box" for anyone looking to celebrate Valentine's Day, which falls on the Thursday before the Saturday event, Lowenberg said. Not only is it something a little different, it's for a good cause, she added... We currently have no work the week of Feb. 17-23. This could change if you decide that we'd be the perfect entertainment for that cabin fever party at your mansion on the outskirts of town... If there is no earth shattering Blue News, this will be the last Blue Note for a couple of weeks. I feel bad that the last few weeks of these notes have been so humorless. The winter is really beating me down this year. It just seems to be wave after wave. Sparkle City has received more than twice the normal snowfall. Iowa City has almost triple the normal snowfall! This puts a completely different meaning on the phrase CAN YOU DIG IT?!... See ya on the Blue Highway (errrr, Avenue of The Saints) bring yer zydeco tie to the rib joint, and if you're traveling in bad weather, be sure to bring along a survival kit that has a generous supply of CAKE. We love you, Bob Dorr & The Blue Band PS: don't forget to tell your local festival committee about us, most of them are making decisions for summer entertainment RIGHT NOW!!

Acoustic Blues Festival

Another cool show that I found on Illinois Blues:

The Columbus Blues Alliance - Columbus Ohio

The 13th Annual Traditional Acoustic Blues Festival, Saturday February 23, 2008 featuring Honeyboy Edwards, Moreland & Arbuckle, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Cliff Starbuck & Colin John, Sonny Moorman, and more Live acoustic music from 3pm – Midnight Go to our website for all the information! www.ColumbusTradFest.com

Trampled Underfoot

Here is a video Kansas City's Trampled Underfoot performing at the IBC. I feel really old watching these guys play, because I swear they were just little kids the last time I saw them:-) Congratulations, and thanks for putting Kansas City Blues back on the map!!!!!

Winners Of The International Blues Challenge

Illinois blues has some great info on the Winners of the International Blues Challenge. What I didn't know is that I actually know the winners from Kansas City, Trampled Underfoot, except when I knew them they were little kids! I played briefly with their father the late great Bob Schnebelen during the summer 1991. Bob was a monster guitar player, and was a really great guy. I remember going over to him and his wifes house and hanging out with his family one summer afternoon. It was a great day. I also remember when I heard about his death. He died way to young, but I know that he must be very proud of his children who carried on his music, and not only did they win the contest, but his son Nick won for best guitarist!

2008 International Blues Challenge

Hey Blues Fans,

It's good to be home safe and sound after last Thursday. The 475 mile drive to Memphis in one of the worst snow and ice storms of the season was quite dramatic at times. We're talking real real white knuckle driving at a slippery 25 mph through rain, sleet, slush, ice and snow.

It was obvious that Momma Nature really had the Blues last week as the trip back was even more intense. Many cars plowed into ditches as the weather put on a repeat show but added simultaneous heavy snow and marble sized hail with lightning flashing everywhere. WOW!

But the impressive show at the 2008 International Blues Challenge (IBC) made the drive to Tennessee more than worth it.

Trampled Under Foot, an entry from the Kansas City Blues Society was the winning band. Their remarkable set in the finals earned the band first place and also earned the bands guitarist, Nick Schnebelen, the 2008 Albert King Award as the Best guitarist at the IBC.

Want to see why they won? CLICK HERE to see a video from their club performance in the semifinals.

All ten of the finalists were incredible. Second place went to Shakura S'Aida who was representing the Toronto Blues Society and third place went to Lil' Ray Neal representing the Baton Rouge Blues Society.

The solo/duo finals were also a GREAT show. The winner was a violin player from the Colorado Blues Society named Lionel Young. Yup, we are talking KILLER Blues from a fiddle! Second place went to Ben Prestage from the Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast. We have complete pictures of all the finalists as well as many of the contestants in semifinals.

2008 IBC pictures - CLICK HERE

We wanted also to congratulate Robert Sampson from the Illinois Central Blues Club for his fine showing at the IBC! He was the only Blues piano player who made it to the solo/duo finals. Fantastic job Robert!

We encourage everyone with a passion for the Blues to support these folks. Click the links above and find out about these performers and their sponsoring Blues Societies. These folks are really "Keepin' The Blues Alive". They are the future of the Blues!

Honeydripper Trailer

Looks like a great movie for blues fans! Tell your local theater operator that you want it, because so far it is only playing in select areas.

Elvis Presley: Little Sister

Elvis rocking out, probably sometime in the early 70s.

Back Door Slam: Come Home

Some nice Blues Rock from Back Door Slam!

Janiva Magness

Here is a fan video of Janiva Magness doing a jump blue song that REALLY SWINGS!

Janiva Magness Article

The Duncan Banner from Oklahoma has an interesting article about Janiva Magness. I never really knew much about her until I read the article, and I suppose the old saying that you have to live the blues to sing the blues applies to Janiva. To read her fascinating life story Click HERE.

Back Door Slam Tour Info

Here is the tour info for Back Door Slam for the next few months. I am debating if I can make either the Chicago, or Kansas City shows. Either one is about the same distance so long road trip!!!

FEBRUARY 2008		Tickets/Headliner/Additional Info	Venue Age Limit
Friday 1st	Tipitina's, New Orleans LA	Tipitina's Site / SUPPORTING GREYBOY ALLSTARS	18+
Saturday 2nd	Proud Larry's, Oxford MS	Proud Larry's Site / SUPPORTING GREYBOY ALLSTARS	18+
Wednesday 27th	House of Blues, Anaheim, CA	HOB site / SUPPORTING GEORGE THOROGOOD	All Ages
Thursday 28th	Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix AZ	Theatre site / SUPPORTING GEORGE THOROGOOD	All Ages
Friday 29th	Orpheum Theatre, Flagstaff AZ	Theatre site / SUPPORTING GEORGE THOROGOOD	21+
MARCH 2008		Tickets/Headliner/Additional Info
Sunday 2nd	Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall, Durango CO	Concert Hall site / SUPPORTING GEORGE THOROGOOD
Monday 10th	Warehouse Live, Houston TX	Warehouse Site	All Ages
Tuesday 11th	House of Blues, Dallas TX	HOB ticket page	All Ages
12th-16th	SXSW FESTIVAL	venue & date tbc. SXSW site for ticket info.	tbc
Tuesday 18th	3rd and Lindsley, Nashville TN	3rd and Lindsley Official Site	All Ages
Thursday 20th	Smith's Old Bar, Atlanta GA	Smith's Official Site	21+
Friday 21st	The Music Farm, Charleston SC	Music Farm site	All Ages
Monday 24th	Higher Ground, Burlington VT	Higher Ground Official Site	All Ages
Tuesday 25th	World Cafe Live , Philadelphia PA	World Cafe Live Tickets	All Ages
Wednesday 26th	The 8x10, Baltimore MD	8x10 website	All Ages
Sunday 30th	Martyr's, Chicago IL	Martyr's website	21+
Monday 31st	Majestic Theatre, Madison, WI	Majestic website	All Ages
April 2008
Saturday 5th	Santa Fe Brewing Co. Santa Fe NM	Santa Fe Brewing Co website	All Ages
Saturday 12th	The Independent, San Francisco CA	Venue website/ supporting DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND	21+
Tuesday 15th	The Tractor, NW Seattle, WA	Venue ticket page	21+
Monday 21st	Record Bar, Kansas City MO	Record Bar website	21+
Saturday 26th	The Basement, Columbus OH	Ticketmaster	All Ages
Monday 28th	The Nick, S Birmingham, AL	The Nick website	21+
Wednesday 30th	Proud Larry's, Oxford MS	Proud Larry's Site	18+

Bob Corritore Newsletter

The Latest from Bob Corritore:

February 6, 2008

• Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars appear Friday at the Rhythm Room: Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, AZ with the Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson, with Chris James, Bob Corritore, Brian Fahey, and Patrick Rynn. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $7. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Off to the Grammies! Bob Corritore and Kim Danielson will be attending the Grammies® as part of the Pinetop Perkins entourage. Each year among all the big pop stars is a small segment devoted to blues artists. We are aware of a number of our blues friends who will attend: Honeyboy Edwards and his manager Michael Frank of Earwig Music, Koko Taylor and her daughter Cookie, Jeffry and Michael Dyson of the Blue Shoe Project, Mary Lockwood (Robert Jr.'s widow), Hugh Souther of Blue Mountain Artists, and of course, Pinetop and his manager Patricia Morgan. During the pre-televised segment, there will be a blues medley performance featuring Honeyboy Edwards, Pinetop Perkins, and Koko Taylor backed by the Grammy® All-Stars. Hugh Souther reports that this medley will be filmed, and possibly aired on the televised broadcast. Bob plays harmonica on Pinetop Perkins' On The 88's CD that is up for a Grammy® this year in the Traditional Blues Category.
• Grammy® Hall Of Fame includes classic blues recordings! The class of 2008 Grammy® Hall Of Fame includes 70 notable and classic songs and albums of all categories from pop to classical to soundtrack themes to blues. This year's blues (and blues related) inductees are:

"Choo Choo Ch'Boogie", Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1946)

"Crying in the Chapel”, The Orioles (1953)

Don't Go to Strangers, Etta James (1960)

Hoodoo Man Blues, Junior Wells (1966)

"Juke”, Little Walter (1952)

"Sitting on Top of the World”, The Mississippi Sheiks (1930)

"St. Louis Blues", Louis Armstrong (1929)

"The Wallflower" (aka "Roll With Me Henry"), Etta James (1955)

"I'm a King Bee”, Slim Harpo (1957)

Thanks to NARAS for honoring these great recordings that are true classics of blues.

• Dave Riley and Bob Corritore Duet next Wednesday at the Rhythm Room: The BMA-nominated team of Dave Riley and Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, AZ. Doors open at 7:30pm, cover charge is $5. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Phoenix Blues Blast: Hosted annually by the Phoenix Blues Society, Blues Blast 2008 features a lineup of Walter Trout, Deanna Bogart, Harper, Eden Brent, Chuck Hall, Delta Highway, Big Daddy D & the Dynamites, and Soulcatcher. Blueswax and Blues Revue are sponsors of Blues Blast, which the Phoenix Blues Society refers to as the first blues festival of the calendar year in the United States. Blues Blast 2008, on February 23, 2008, is being held for the first time on a Saturday afternoon. Hosted annually by the Phoenix Blues Society, Blues Blast 2008 takes place in the beautiful grassy-sloped Mesa Amphitheatre. The show will start at noon; gates will open at 11:00 am. For more information about Blues Blast 2008, click here.
• Rhythm Room hosts Blues Blast Pre and After-Parties: As is also an annual tradition, the Rhythm Room hosts shows in support of Blues Blast each year. These events are:

Friday, February 22, 2008 - Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ as part of the Blue Witch Records Showcase/Blues Blast Pre-Party with The Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson, with Chris James, Bob Corritore, Brian Fahey, and Patrick Rynn, plus Dave Riley & Bob Corritore, and Tomcat Courtney. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $10 ($8 for Phoenix Blues Society card carrying members). Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.

Saturday, February 23, 2008 - Johnny Rawls will appear at the Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ for the Blues Blast After-Party. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $8. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event; no indoor smoking will be permitted.

• Big Pete and the All-Stars to appear at Lahnstein Blues Festival in Germany! This just confirmed: Big Pete Pearson and The Rhythm Room All-Stars will make their German debut on September 27, 2008 at the Lahnstein Blues Festival. For more information on this event, click here.

Andy Schneider

My good friend Andy Schneider and his one man band performing at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake Iowa.

Barack Obama: Yes We Can

A great moving speech by Barack Obama set to music. This video is setting Youtube on fire so if It doesn't play right away try it again a little later.

Obama is really starting to move people much like Bobby Kennedy did back in 1968. I know many people have made references to JFK, but Barack is much more like Bobby. Bobby could move people hearts, and I really believe if Bobby had lived we would have had a much better world then the one we live in now. That said it is time for change, and Obama would heal so many of the wounds (many self inflicted) that this country suffers from. I now support Obama.

Death Of The Blues???

I haven't seen one of these articles for months. However, this one has a more positive twist then the previous articles. This story comes from the Wicked Local from Milford Massachusetts. The author does interview festival organizers in Rockford, and Chicago Illinois, which is good because many times reporters tend to make it up as they go along:-) click HERE to read a really good story on the blues.

Artist Of The Week: Pinetop Perkins

Pinetop Perkins is one of the last of the Muddy Waters band still performing. Perkins has made a name of his own over the last 30 years. One of the nicest people you will ever meet. I had the opportunity to sit in with the Soul Searchers when they opened for Pinetop many years ago in Des Moines. It was a great opportunity to talk to the master and to watch his hands as he played. To watch the videos look for the Youtube videos located on the left side of the blog.

Photo Of The Week: Chicago Rick Lussie And Jimmy Pryor

This weeks photo is of two of my heroes Chicago Rick Lussie, and Jimmy The Midnite Cowboy Pryor. These two guys were the only ones playing real blues music in Des Moines in the 1970s. While other bands were playing soul, funk, and disco, Rick and Jimmy were still playing the blues. Granted they didn't play a whole lot since there weren't a lot of gigs, but they keep the blues alive. Both Rick and Jimmy used to tell me stories about playing Vickie's Poor House where the current Blues On Grand is located. Vickie was quite the charactor, and used to give free drinks to guys who had just got out of jail! Needless to say it was a wild place. This photo was taken many years later at the opening of The Grand. The Grand was the second attempt at a blues bar at that location. The First was The Grand Avenue Lounge.

Fransis Clay Funeral Information

From Bob Corritore

February 3, 2008

• Francis Clay services to be held: Information regarding the funeral services for legendary blues drummer Francis Clay just came in from Lonnie Lowe via Thom Myers. Francis Clay played and recorded with Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, James Cotton, Lightnin' Hopkins, Big Mama Thornton, John Lee Hooker, and others.

Saturday February 9, 2008

Visitation 11am - 1pm

Service 1pm - 3pm

Orr's Mortuary

1326 4th Avenue

Rock Island, IL

(309)786-3468

There will be a repast at a location revealed after service. There won't be a service at the grave site; however, if anyone is ever interested in visiting his grave site, he'll be at:

Chippiannock Cemetery

2901 12th Street

Rock Island, IL

(309)788-6622

Francis Clay’s gravestone will be erected at a later date, plus a San Francisco celebration of Francis Clay is planned with details to be announced later. A big “Thank You So Very Much” from Lonnie Lowe for "love and support of this man that had a humongous heart, who always saw the best in someone, and was willing to help".

Trampled Under Foot and Linoel Young Win International Blues Challegne

Our friends at Illinois Blues have sent out an email announcing the winners of last nights International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

Hey Blues  Fans,

We are sending out this "Extra" edition of the Blues Blast from the capitol of the Blues in Memphis, Tennesee. (We wish you were here too!)

The winners of the 2008 International Blues Challenge in the band and solo/duo competition are listed below.

IllinoisBlues.com will have the complete story and pictures of the fun in next weeks Blues Blast Internet Magazine.

For further details please check the Blues Foundation website at www.Blues.org

Bob Kieser
IllinoisBlues.com

Band
First Place
Trampled Under Foot - Kansas City Blues Society
Second Place
Shakura S'Aida - Canada - Toronto Blues Society
Third Place
'Lil' Ray Neal Blues Band - Baton Rouge Blues Society

Solo/Duo
First Place
Lionel Young - Colorado Blues Society
Second Place
Ben Prestage - Blues Alliance of the Treasure Coast