33rd Blues Music Award Winners
The 2012 Blues Music Award winners have been presented their prestigious awards from the Blues Foundation. Outstanding achievements at the award ceremonies included Tab Benoit, Tedeschi – Trucks Band, Ruthie Foster and Charlies Musselwhite. Tab Benoit was presented with three awards including the top award “B.B. King Entertainer of the Year”. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners of this year’s 2012 Blues Music Awards. Link to a list of this year’s 2012 Blues Music Award Winners. More…
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Iron Man Blues Guitarist Passes
Michael “Iron Man” Burks, 54 years of age, has passed on May 6, 2012. Burks who was returning from a European tour, suffered a heart attack at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and rushed to an Atlanta hospital unable to be revived. Burks was nicknamed “Iron Man” for his passion of intense guitar performances and crowd pleasing tours. Burks released his first self produced recording “From The Inside Out’ in 1997, followed by a record deal with Alligator Records in 2001 releasing “Make It Rain”. He went on to release “I Smell Smoke” in 2003 and “Iron Man” in 2008, which earned the artist many Blues Award nominations. Michael “Iron Man” Burks was nominated again this year for a 2012 Blues Award in the category of “Best Guitarist”. by Dew Wiuff
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Buddy Guy’s New Autobiography
The new Buddy Guy autobiography “When I Left Home – My Story” will be released May 8, 2012. Buddy Guy’s amazing story told, as only the legend himself could tell it. Buddy is one of the greatest legends of blues music who many refer to as, the artist that bridged blues and rock & roll. Buddy is ranked as “The Top 100 Greatest Guitar Players of All Time”, having influenced many great guitar players such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Buddy continues to tour and performs with an electrifying frenzy. When not touring, Buddy Guy performs at his nightclub Legends, located downtown Chicago. Check out information about this great autobiography by linking to www.buddyguy.net by Dew Wiuff
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Johnny Winter’s Documentary Film
Johnny Winter is the focus of a new documentary film, by film-maker Greg Oliver. Oliver’s company, Secret Weapon Films, will produce the documentary with a planned release in 2013. Johnny Winter began his recording career with Columbia records in the late 1960′s and continues to create top selling recordings such as his latest “Roots” recording. Roots has debuted on the top blues recording charts since it’s release in 2011, selling more than 23,000 copies to date. Johnny Winter, known as a rock-blues legend and pioneer in the blues music industry, helped to mainstream the careers of Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. by Dew Wiuff
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Blues Awards Nominee Boughts Cancer
Candye Kane, this years 2012 Blues Music Awards nominee in two categories, “Best Contemporary Female Artist” and “B.B. King Entertainer of the Year”, is facing a second bought with pancreatic cancer. Kane, who suffered her first round with pancreatic cancer in April 2008, has been diagnosed again with pancreatic cancer in late January 2012. Kane has begun treatment and will miss performances in the next couple months while awaiting surgery.
Candye Kane has contributed successfully to the blues music industry, by recording eleven albums under her name and having received seven Blues Music Award nominations in the past. Kane is co-founder of United By Music, a Dutch based organization that teaches music performance skills to individuals with disabilities. Kane is also a participating activist for woman’s rights and human rights issues.
A benefit for Candye Kane will take place on April 30, 2012, 7:00 p.m. at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, California. “The Cancer Benefit for Big Love” will feature Tommy Castro, Janiva Magness, Dave Alvin, and other great blues feature artists. Ticket price is $30.00, visit www.bellyup.com for additional information. by Dew Wiuff
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Musical Tribute Benefits Hall of Fame
The event is named “Robert Johnson at 100″, and tributes the legendary blues artist with more than twenty feature artsists performing at the infamous Apollo in New York City, on March 6, 2012. The event is a benefit which will “Help Raise The Roof” of the planned Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis, Tennessee. The beneficiary, Blues Foundation has been inducting performers and recordings into the Blues Hall of Fame since 1980. They now own the physical space to house the future Blues Hall of Fame project, which will include exhibits honoring the best in blues, while educating visitors. Performing feature artists for this event include The Roots, Chuck D, Marcy Gray, Living Colour, Shemika Copeland, Bettye Lavette, Taj Mahal, Keb Mo, Sam Moore, Todd Rudgen, Savion Glover, Otis Taylor, Sarah Dash, Dough Rollers, Sugar Blue, Pedrito Martinez Group, Jeffery Wright, and Reverend Steven Johnson (grandson of Robert Johnson). Tickets are on sale at the Apollo Theatre Box Office and Ticketmaster.com. Content from The Blues Foundation, by Dew Wiuff.
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Celebrating Blues At The White House
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, listen as B.B. King and others performed during the White House Music Series saluting Blues Music in recognition of Black History Month, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. The East Room of the White House was transformed into an intimate blues club on Tuesday night for a concert featuring blues all-stars of the past, present and future — and the president himself. The surprise performance by Obama came at the end of the playlist when the blues ensemble was singing “Sweet Home Chicago,” the blues anthem of Obama’s home town. Buddy Guy prodded the president, saying he’d heard that the president sang part of an Al Green tune recently, and adding, “You gotta keep it up.” Then Mick Jagger handed over the mic, and Obama seemed compelled to comply. “Come on, baby don’t you want to go,” the president sang out twice, handing off the mic to B.B. King momentarily, and then taking it back to tack on “Sweet Home Chicago” at the end. That was how Obama ended the night. Read more about this celebration at the White House More… Associated Press Release
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The 54th Annual Grammy Awards
The 54th annual Grammy Awards were held February 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, while broadcast on CBS and internationally on the Grammy Awards website. Whitney Houston died in Los Angeles the night prior to the Grammy Awards ceremony. The producers quickly included a tribute for Whitney into the beginning ceremonies, with a performance by Jennifer Hudson and a prayer by LL Cool J. This year’s awards were presented to 78 categories of music generes and artists. Winners of this years Grammy Awards related to blues include The Allman Brothers Band and The Memphis Horns, both recipients of the “Life Time Achievement Awards”. The Tedeschi Trucks Band received “Best Blues Album” for their recording of Revelator. Congratulations to the 2012 Grammy Award winners. Link to the Grammy Awards website for a complete list of winners in each category. More…
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2012 International Blues Challenge
The 2012 International Blues Challenge in Memphis is January 31 – February 4, 2012. This is the 28th year that blues musicians have gathered from around the world to compete on Beale Street in Memphis for cash, prizes, and industry recognition. This is the world’s largest gathering of blues acts, which include 226 acts by musicians from sixteen countries and forty states in the U.S. The event is organized by The Blues Foundation of Memphis and affiliated organizations. Link to the 2012 International Blues Challenge Winners!
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Music Legend Etta James Passes
Legendary singer Etta James age 73, has died Friday January 20, 2012, from complications with leukemia. Etta passed in her son’s arms who stated, “It was a spiritual and true gift to be with her when it happened. I wouldn’t want it any other way than for her to go in our arms”. Etta James bridged the gap between music generes including blues, rock n’ roll, soul, gospel, and jazz. Etta officially retired from music recording after completing her final album “Dreamer” in November 2011. Etta gave capitivating performances, singing with a magic in her voice that would keep audiences listening to every lyric she would sing. Etta was well known for her recording “At Last”, which was originally written in 1942 for the musical film “Orchestra Wives”. Etta changed the melody and added a jazz style of vocals, creating a song that countless couples have used as a romantic wedding song.
Etta James had received many honors of recognition in her lifetime including six Grammy Awards, seventeen Blues Music Awards, Grammy Hall of Fame inductee(1999 and 2008), Blues Music Hall Of Fame inductee (2001), and Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame inductee (1993). She will long be remembered for her contribution to bridging the gaps in music and as a legendary vocalist of our times. by Dew Wiuff
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Blues Hall Of Fame’s Future Home
The Blues Foundation Board of Directors approved plans to implement an international home for blues music, which will be the new Blues Hall Of Fame and Visitors Center. The Blues Hall Of Fame recipients have never had a physical home since they have been awarded in 1980. The new location will be in the existing Blues Foundation building, located at 421 S. Main Street in Memphis. The 11,524 square foot building is located across the street from the National Civic Rights Museum, in the Histric South Main Arts District of Memphis.
Plans for the building include a renovated exterior, visitors center, gift shop, temporary exhibits gallery that can be changed and most important a permanent gallery housing blues artists and recordings that have been inducted into the Hall Of Fame since 1980. by Dew Wiuff
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2012 Blues Music Awards Nominees
The nominees for the 33rd annual Blues Music Awards have been announced. The Blues Music Awards are one the most prestigious honors given to blues artists each year. The awards will be presented May 10, 2012 at the Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Blues Music Award recipients are voted for by members of The Blues Foundation. Link to a list of this year’s Blues Music Award Nominees. More…
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Keeping Southern Folklore Alive
The Center for Southern Folklore located in Memphis has been keeping traditions of the south alive for more than forty years. Founders of the center Bill Ferris and Judy Peiser, crossed paths in the deep south while documenting southern folklore history in 1970. It took a few years of organizing ideas and documentation, until the center officially formed in 1972 with humble beginnings at Judy’s home. In 1975, the center relocated to the Peabody Center in Memphis. More recently, May 18, 2011, members of the 107th Tennesse General Assembly gave recognition to the Center for Southern Folklore, for preserving the social history and music of the south.
Today the center has grown to a mass collection of archieved interviews, music, photographs and films, all which are one of the most extensive collections of ethnographic material in the country. The center houses a gift shop of unique art and collectable souveniers, including an intimate stage area and refreshment bar with southern menu. The gallery area on the upper level includes another large stage, photo exhibit, and learning center area with artifacts of southern cultural history. The Center for Southern Folklore organizes the Memphis Music and Heritage Festival, an annual music event hosting several days of musicians, dancers, talkers, cooks, artists, crafts, and more!
Visit the Center of Southern Folklore website http://southernfolklore.com by Dew Wiuff
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Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee Freddie King
The 2012 Inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have been announced, they include Freddie King, Beastie Boys, Donovan, Tom Dawd, Guns N’ Roses, Glyn Johns, Don Kirshner, Cosimo Matassa, Laura Nyro, Red Hot Chile Peppers, and The Small Faces/The Faces.
Freddie King (1934-1976), was a major influence on many guitarists ranging from Eric Clapton, Mike Bloomfield, Peter Green, Jeff Beck and Carlos Santana, all who have expressed their debt to the blues guitar master. Freddie King known as the “Texas Cannonball” had classic R&B hits such as “Have You Ever Loved A Woman”, “Hide Away”, “You’ve Got To Love Her With A Feeling”, which paved the way for modern electric blues. A true icon in blues history is now inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and long will be remembered. by Dew Wiuff
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B.B. King’s Blues Club Vegas
B.B. King, the king of blues has made his mark on the blues music industry as the greatest blues musician of our times. B.B. King still tours with passion at the age of eighty-seven years old and does special broadcasts on Sirius XM B.B. King’s Bluesville. The legend and influential guitarist has several blues clubs which bestow his name. B.B. King’s Blues Clubs are located in Las Vegas, Memphis, Nashville, Orlando, and West Palm Beach, all which are owned by the same company. Mississippi Blues Club recently had an opportunity to visit the B.B. King’s Blues Club in Las Vegas to see if it lives up to it’s name. See a review. More… by Dew Wiuff
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Chicago Names Street ‘Buddy Guy Way’
Chicago blues great Buddy Guy now has his own street. The city of Chicago has renamed the stretch of Wabash Street in front of his club Legends, “Buddy Guy Way”. The blues guitarist says he “wanted to cry” when the honor was bestowed to him for his 75th birthday that occurred on July 30th. Chicago Alderman Bob Fioretti read a proclamation from Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” as Guy received a copy of the street sign. Guy was born in Louisiana in 1936, and moved to Chicago in 1957. He started a career as a session musician, backing blues legends such as Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter before recording his own music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Associated Press Release
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Vinyl Records Fastest Growing Sales
There is a recording trend that is growing faster than any other recording format including CD’s. It is sales of vinyl records the fastest growing recording format in 2010. Last year in 2010, sales of vinyl records in the U.S. reached over 2.8 million records sold. This trend maybe due to the sound quality of vinyl records and the fact that people still enjoy dropping the arm of a turntable on the recording media. The rarest collectible vinyl record is “The Beatles” White album #0000005. The four band members of the Beatles got the first four recordings and #0000005 sold on E-Bay for $31,000.00. Wikipedia Content
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Early 78 Recordings By Paramount
Paramount Records was founded in Grafton, Wisconsin in the 1910′s as a subsidiary of the Wisconsin Chair Company. The chair company produced wooden cabinets by contract for Edison Records. In 1918 the company debuted the “Paramount label” which pressed records with the brand name stating “The New York Recording Laboratories, Incorporated”, despite the fact that the recordings were being recorded and pressed at the Chair Company Factory, located in Grafton, Wisconsin. The so called “race music” recordings (early blues), became Paramount’s most famous and lucrative business labeled the 12000 series recordings. The business had early beginnings with Blind Lemon Jefferson and Charlie Patton, who was considered the “Father of the Delta Blues”. The business eventually failed in the days of the “Great Depression” and use of the name Paramount Records has been purchased by Paramount Pictures, a previously unconnected company. Many of the original 78 recordings were said to have been thrown in a nearby river by employees, when Paramount Records came to an end. There has been an attempt by a team of historians to recover some of the long lost hidden 78 recording treasures from the near by lake, but with no prevail. Grafton, Wisconsin history for Paramount Records
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Visit The World’s Roots Of Blues
If you have a question about experiencing where the heart and soul of blues originated, let’s take a blues journey back to where it began. Destination Memphis and a stroll down memory lane to Beale Street. When arriving downtown Memphis I was surprised at how easy it is to find your way to the areas of current and historic blues. Jump on the trolley and ride along, it’s a great ride. The first thing that jumped out at me was a large portrait of Elvis and B.B. King’s Blues Club. Now if your are a blues fan on a mission you begin to feel like you’re in heaven! Just around the corner is Beale Street where you find a variety of blues clubs, musicians, food, drinks and festive people.
Realize this area is all about the blues as it slows you down to a pace to take in everything that surrounds. You never know who may be playing the blues here, from the ones that have made it big to the locals, it’s all good. Listening to the various blues from the local establishments carries right outside to the street and sidewalks. I had the pleasure of meeting Rudy Williams, a permanent fixture and trumpet player on Beale Street. Rudy has great history to share and has played on Beale Street before it was called Beale Street! He recalls playing at Blues Alley with “The All Star Players”, he said “this was the best place to play blues in the day with many of the legends”. I dropped some money in the gold bucket and felt like meeting Rudy was worth so much more… thank you.
Continue around the corner of Beale Street and find yourself on Main Street, a trendy feel of downtown Memphis. Passing by a storefront with some piano keys inside doing the “wild thing”, was an open invitation to take a stroll inside. It is The Center for Southern Folklore, a place where you will feel welcomed with southern hospitality by co-founder Judy Peiser and her staff. Creativity surrounds the interior of this place with original pieces of blues artwork for sale, with the proceeds going towards funding the “Memphis Music and Heritage Festival”. Again, you never know who you will find jamn’ in Memphis, upfront on the stage was Victor Wayne Wright pounding the keys with Blues Award Winner, Eden Brent! by Dew Wiuff
An experience of Memphis is more than you can imagine. It is the heart and soul of blues that keeps this place alive and you will long remember the experience.
NOTE: I have learned of the passing of Rudy Williams one month after this story. A memorial for Rudy is at the establishment he played in front of, on Beale Street. “Rest in peace my friend and when the day arrives we will listen for your trumpet again…” Mississippi Blues Club
