CAT HEAD BLUES UPDATE

1. "LIVE" BLUES THIS WEEK (and beyond)...

Sorry, I've been busy, so the "Live" Music link on our site will be
updated on THURSDAY (this) afternoon... and there is stuff going on
Thursday (to)night:
http://www.cathead.biz/livemusic.html

2. BLUES EVENT tonight IN JACKSON...

- Scott Barretta reports:

Thursday June 19, 6pm - A presentation about the history of Jackson blues will take place at the Alamo Theater and the adjacent Peaches Soul Food Restaurant on Jackson's historic Farish Street beginning at 6pm. Participants include vocalist Dorothy Moore, guitarist Jessie Robinson, and other blues musicians. Former Living Blues editor Scott Barretta, who is teaching a course on the blues at Millsaps College in Jackson this summer, will be moderating the event. The event is not a concert, but there will likely be musicial peformances on the street outside Peaches weather-permitting. The owner of Peaches has said he will set up tables outside and prepare food to sell to the crowd (Peaches was recently voted as having the best soul food in Jackson). Due to construction on Farish Street, Peaches and the Alamo are most accessible via Hamilton Street. From State Street go down Amite (near the Old Capitol building), take a right on West, and then a left on Hamilton. The Alamo is at the corner of Farish and Hamilton.

3. NEW AT CAT HEAD DELTA BLUES & FOLK ART...

- New PATTON stuff at Cat Head: We have brand new 24x36" posters, black T-shirts (M-L-XL) and 2004 calendars (detailed last week) in stock - each at $20. All feature the recently discovered full length photo of Charley Patton, and all are awesome! The Calendar also features a great bonus CD, and inside there's a 1930s photo of Skip James I've never seen
before. Check out our web site for a preview of the Patton photo (home page... click button in upper right corner). Call, email or drop by to make your purchase.

- New music at Cat Head: "Sisters of the South" compilation CD from Music Maker. Great - mostly acoustic - blues with a touch of gospel. Just $15. Also, I'm restocked on the ever-popular "Rough Guide to Delta Blues" CD featuring 24 essential (mostly early) Delta blues tracks. Just $16.

- New art at Cat Head: Two beautiful blues painting by artist J.D. Sipe: Muddy Waters, 5 1/2 x 7", $60 and Robert Johnson, 9 1/4 x 12", $100. Colorful, realistic painting style. Each bluesman has a necktie made from old can or jar labels. Nice stuff.

- Bring your tour group to Cat Head: Contact me before your tour group of 12+ folks comes to town, and I'll set up a little free or low-cost music in store to entertain you. Email or call to see what we can do.4.

OTHER LOCAL MUSIC/ARTS NEWS...

From Clarksdale Press Register:

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* Bikes and blues rally scheduled for March
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Crossroads Bikes and Blues.
That's the alliterative name of the motorcycle rally that organizers hope will bring bikers and business to Clarksdale March 26 and 27. (By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8311005&BRD=2038&
PAG=461&dept_id= 230617

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* Bus station plan withdrawn in face of criticism
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Nearly two months after officials celebrated its restoration, the unoccupied Greyhound Bus Station courted its first potential occupant this week. (By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8290941&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617

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* Bus station proposal back on the table
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Despite withdrawing his proposal to turn the Greyhound Bus Station into a welcome center for visitors, businessman Bubba O'Keefe said today that the plans are back on the table. (By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8299609&BRD=2038&PAG=
461&dept_id= 230617

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* Coahoma author to come home to sign books
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At first glance, Olive Jean Bailey's small volume Coahoma, Mississippi: A Little Town With A Million Friends looks like an unusual travel guide to an unlikely destination. (By: Robin Rushing - Contributing Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8299566&BRD=2038&PAG=
461&dept_id= 230617

Barber shop will soon serve up barbecue By: Emily Le Coz, Staff Writer June 12, 2003 Formerly famous for its haircuts, the barber shop owned by the late bluesmaster Wade Walton will soon claim fame for barbecue. Wednesday, Jerry McCray, who owned Clarksdale's popular Super Q barbecue during the 1980s, pitched his plan to the Clarksdale-Coahoma County Tourism Commission to open a new Super Q. The commission, which currently holds the lease to the building, accepted the proposal. "The location is perfect," McCray told the board. "I have had some successful barbecue businesses before, and I think downtown Clarksdale is ready for me. I want to put some barbecue smoke in the air." Walton, who died at the age of 77 in 2000, operated his barber shop in the two-room building on Issaquena Avenue. Blues fans flocked to the building to hear Walton sing, accompanied by the tools of his trade. Walton became internationally known for creating rhythm by slapping his razor blade against a leather strip known as a "strop." Walton's signature cadence was a personal variation on the old "hambone" style of country blues that showcased body-slaps for rhythm. That style can now be seen in modern step-dancing and rap. Commission members and McCray agreed that those memories must not die. Rather than strip of the barber shop of its historical significance, McCray said he wants to keep it true to form. "I'm real good friends with Kenny (Lackey, Walton's son), and I've talked to him about this," McCray said, adding that he would like to keep some historical artifacts in the restaurant. In January 2000, Lackey approached the Commission with plans to turn the old barbershop into a museum to honor his father. That plan never materialized, however. Ron Hudson, executive director of the Clarksdale-Coahoma County Chamber of Commerce, kept Lackey's idea alive by suggesting the building become part museum, part restaurant. "Then we could promote your restaurant as a tourist attraction," said Kappi Allen, Tourism Commission manager. Although the board approved the lease, board member Greg Malatesta said that McCray could not make any significant changes to the building. "We can't put any (kitchen) equipment in there," Malatesta said, adding that McCray couldn't knock out any walls or put in any windows, either. The board did approve McCray's plans to build a deck in front of the building for outside seating. They also set the rent at $200 per month, which would probably go into effect July 1, Hudson said. McCray said he plans to open his restaurant before the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival in August to reap the big-crowd benefits. "That location has been just sitting there waiting to be a Super Q," McCray said. "And I want to make it happen." ©Clarksdale Press Register 2003

5. RECENT "LIVE" BLUES AND EVENTS IN THE AREA...

- Friday night, legendary Jelly Roll Kings drummer (and Robert Nighthawk's son) Sam Carr played with Chicago guitarist Dave Riley at Sarah's Kitchen. How was it? Just amazing. One moment, Mr. Carr was playing his small drum kit with two sticks... The next he had one stick in his mouth and one on the drums... A short while later, he was playing a drum and cymbal with one stick and the brick wall behind him with the other. And the whole time, he was absolutely killing everything he hit. Mr. Carr is no museum piece. He is a great, living bluesman. Catch him (or book him!) if you can. Here's the article that ran in the local paper before he played: By: Emily Le Coz, Staff Writer June 13, 2003 Sam Carr. The name just about says it all, but his music says it better. The world-famous bluesman will let his music speak for itself when he plays with fellow musician Dave Riley at Sarah's Kitchen tonight. Although both Carr and Riley are Mississippi natives, the two rarely play on home turf. But at 8 p.m. tonight, they will perform a special show for the public in their old stomping grounds - Clarksdale. "It's
just a rare treat, because (Carr) doesn't play around here that much," said Nancy Kossman, owner of Stackhouse Records. "And he won't be able to play the (Sunflower River Blues and Gospel) Festival. So this might be the only opportunity to see him in awhile." Son of another famous bluesman, Robert Nighthawk, Carr played in the Jelly Roll Kings with Frank Frost and Clarksdale resident, Big Jack Johnson. Although born in Hattiesburg, Riley spent much of his life in Chicago. He played in various gospel groups and sat in with the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Both men have released several CDs, but according to Sarah Moore, owner of Sarah's Kitchen, nothing beats hearing the Carr and Riley playing live. "They're good," Moore said. "The crowd is usually big when (Carr) is here, and I'm hoping it will be pretty big (tonight)." Cover charge to Sarah's Kitchen, 208 Sunflower Ave., is $5. Moore said that the venue will feature live music every Thursday and Friday night - and on occasional Saturday nights - throughout the summer. ©Clarksdale Press Register 2003

6. GOOD INFO RESOURCE FOR CLARKSDALE...
Check out this site and its links: http://www.clarksdalewebinfo.com/

7. CAIRO'S "JENN JAM BLUES FESTIVAL" WITH HENRY TOWNSEND...

Great acts like Blue Mother Tupelo, Big Mike Griffin and others will be playing at this festival in Cairo, IL on June 27 and 28, BUT the highlight has to be 93-year-old St. Louis (via Shelby, MS) bluesman Henry Townsend! This living legend of old-time blues plays that Saturday at 1 pm. Check out details at: www.jennjam.org/

8. 4TH OF JULY "BLUES EXPLOSION" IN CLARKSDALE...
This sounds like a real, downhome party: S&S Productions presents a Year of the Blues, Mississippi Style event at the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium on July 4th, 2003 at 8 pm. The "Blues Explosion" will feature Denise LaSalle, Lee Shot Williams, Bobby Warren and Clarksdale's own Vanessa & Pure Blues Express. Tickets on sale at Cat Head, Dela's Stackhouse, Miro's Music and the Civic Auditorium ($15 advance. $20 at door.) For info, call 323-582-3654 or 662-902- 8788.

9. HOWLIN' WOLF FEST SOUNDS KILLER!...

The Howlin' Wolf Blues Society of West Point, Mississippi will present the 8th annual Howlin' Wolf Memorial Blues Festival on Friday, August 29, 2003 at the West Point Civic Center. www.wpnet.org/wolf_festival.htm Featured Artists: Bobby Rush, Willie King and the Liberators, and Rev. Slicks BBQ. *** More to be Announced ***

Tickets are $15.00 at the gate or can be purchased in advance starting July 1st. To guarantee you get your chance to "Howl with the Wolf" please take this opportunity to purchase your tickets early! Send a certified check or money order only in the amount of $15.00 PLUS a stamped & self-addressed envelope to the address shown below. There are only 1000 tickets available for this event and the last date for mailing tickets will be August 15th so don't delay!

Howlin' Wolf Blues Society of West Point, MS. Inc.
P.O. Box 1334
West Point, MS. 39773
Fax: (662) 495-2007
- or -
Richard Ramsey (Program Director)
1051 E. Main Street
West Point, MS. 39773
tel: (662) 494-2921
email: rramsey@wpms.net
(Press and Photography Application Deadline Aug.10th-No Alcohol Sold At Venue-Only 450 Seats, General Admission, No Lawn chairs)

10. BLUES TRAVELING PHOTOS AND MUSIC...

I'm exhibiting new Blues Traveling photos at Dancing Rabbit Books, 311 Howard St., Greenwood, 5-8 p.m. this Thursday, June 19, as part of Main Street Greenwood's Art Alfresco. Maudie Schuyler Clay, Delta Land photographer, also will be exhibiting at Dancing Rabbit and signing books. I'll play some tunes too. And sign books and CDs. Beer and hors d'oeuvres served. Other downtown Greenwood merchants also showing art. Free admission. Come on by! Steve Cheseborough, Chezz-Tone Records (662) 453-8559 or (757) 880-3239 www.cheseborough.com/steve

11. FOLK ART EXHIBITS IN THE SOUTH...

COURTESY OF Emmanuelle Glass, Exec. Asst., Folk Art Society of America, P.O. Box 17041, Richmond, VA 23226, 1-800-527-3655,
http://www.folkart.org

GEORGIA
3rd Annual North Georgia Folk Potters Festival
, Banks County High School, 10174 Hwy. 441, Homer, GA 30547, June 21, 2003. Call 706-677-1528. Prater¹s Mill Country Fair , Prater¹s Mill, Varnell, GA 30756, October 11 & 12, 2003. KENTUCKY
Nitty Gritty: Slim's Bike and the Street Art of Curtis Cuffie and Wesley Willis , Intuit, 756 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622, June 13-December 20, 2003. Also: Gugging: An Artists' House, June 13-December 20, 2003.

LOUISIANA
The Art and Social Commentary of Clementine Hunter , Shreveport Memorial Library, Cedar Grove Branch, Shreveport, LA 70116, July 5-August 5, 2003.

TENNESSEE
Coming Home! Self-Taught Artists, the Bible and the American South , The University of Memphis Art Museum, 3750 Norriswood, Memphis TN 38152, June-November 2004. Ab the Flagman and the Summer Self-Taughts , Tag Art Gallery, 1807 1/2/ 21st Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212, June 14-July 17, 2003. Bold Improvisation: 120 Years of African American Quilts , FRIST Center for the Visual Arts, 919 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203, July 18-October 5, 2003.

12. KC ST. BLUES FEST - TV/RADIO INTERVIEW INFO...

From Dawayne Gilley, President, Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival, dawaynegilley@yahoo.com

- Sunday 06/22/03 9:45 AM King Alex and the Untouchables on WDAF Channell 4 television - Sunday 06/22/03 4-6 PM approx. DC Bellamy and Marva Whitney on 107.3 FM KMJK with Del Rice's show --- Del Rice is this years "Broadcasting Award" winner for 2003. - Friday afternoon 06/27/03 4-5 PM approx. Bobby Watson, call in on 107.3 FM KMJK - Sunday Night 8-10 PM Lindsay Shannon's 101.1 FM Blues show will feature the Kansas City Kansas Street Blues Festival. Lindsay Shannon is a 2001 "Broadcasting Award" winner from the festival. - Saturday morning 06/21/03 two guests to be named later will be on June Bug Stuerke's Blues Kitchen.

All next week ( June 23-28, 03) various interviews on KKFI 90.1 FM Some include: - Chris Wright of Kaw Valley Arts and Humanities, and Cathy Ramirez one of our outstanding volunteers, will be on Tuesday with MC Richardson at 11AM - Tuesday 3-6:30 PM God only knows what will be on Connie"Crash" Humiston's Soul Fixin Blues Show. - King Alex will be on Wednesday with Larry J at 4 PM - Millage Gilbert will be on Thursday with Roger Nabor 4 PM ? - Eddie C Campbell, DC Bellamy, and Tom "Trashmouth" Baker will be on Friday with Charles Ragsdell between 2-5 PM - Eugene Smiley will be on Saturday morning with the Blues Kitchen.

KKFI 90.1 FM broadcasting staff will take home a "Blues Broadcasting Award" for their continual effort of blues broadcasting as a station. - Friday night 06/27/03 Eddie C Campbell will be on Chuck Haddix's "Fish Fry" at 8:15 PM approx. Chuck Haddix is a 2002 "Broadcasting Award" winner