CAT HEAD BLUES UPDATE

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

I'm having some technical difficulties with uploading updates via my Dreamweaver program since I got DSL this week. Hopefully, the "Live Music" page will be updated by the time you check it:
http://www.cathead.biz/livemusic.html

In case it is NOT updated, I will copy and paste this week's info at the BOTTOM of this email. Thanks!

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

- New on Cat Head web site: Check out the new Charley Patton photo and order it one of three ways!

- New CDs at Cat Head: Woo hoo! Finally, Jessie Mae Hemphill is back in print. Great "Shake It Baby" CD brings together the best of her two previous Highwater/HMG albums - plus a few previously unreleased cuts. Just wonderful. Who says hill country or Delta blues is only a man's music!? Only $15 plus s/h.

- New books at Cat Head: Great new selection of "clearance" books, including Robert Palmer's legendary "Deep Blues" ($10) and the well-reviewed Chess Records history book "Spinning Blues Into Gold" ($10). ALSO, we just got the newest "No Depression" magazine of alt-country, blues and roots music stories and reviews. FINALLY, I just restocked on Olive Jean Bailey's "Coahoma" book, $15 ea.

- New art at Cat Head: This is really only for the hardcore outsider art fans, but we have a challenging new drawing that is pretty interesting by a self-taught Clarksdalian named Tommy Stuckey. His chosen medium is ink pens and markers on old white T-shirts which he frames himself using old ready-made frames and brown plastic packing tape. The piece we have is $40. I'd be happy to email a photo. ALSO, we have new African-inspired wood carvings by 31-year-old Gregory Jenkins, originally of Alligator, MS. Prices range from $75 to $120, and I can email photos. FINALLY, Mr. Willie Kinard has made a couple more of his famous "Crossroads" painted wood sculptures. Just $40 each.

- 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.

3. OTHER LOCAL MUSIC/ARTS NEWS...

From Clarksdale Press Register:

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* City board approves bus station plan
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Plans to put a welcome center in the newly remodeled Greyhound Bus Station got a nod of approval from the Board of Mayor and Commissioners Monday - moving the plan one step closer to reality. (By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer) http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8666779&BRD=
2038&PAG=461&dept_id=230617

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* Museum board approves bus station plan
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Delta Blues Museum board members Wednesday approved plans to turn the refurbished Greyhound Bus Station into a welcome center for tourists.
(By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8722490&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617

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* Ground Zero to be site of concert series
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Bobby Rush's return to Clarksdale has transformed Ground Zero Blues Club into a Hollywood-style movie set.
(By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8832671&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id=230617

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* Rush charms cameras, crowd at blues gala
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Ground Zero Blues Club swelled to capacity Friday and Saturday nights as an estimated 200 people each night helped shape the first run of what organizers hope will be an historic event. (By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer) http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=8958108&BRD=2038&PAG =461&dept_id=230617

4. INFO COURTESY OF SCOTT BARRETTA...

There's a blues jam at Soulshine Pizza in Jackson, MS every Tuesday from 8-12 hosted by Casey Phillips. Regular attendees include JT Watkins and Virgil Brawley.

The Subway Lounge of movie fame in Jackson, MS is closed until further notice. There has been flooding and structural problems have gotten worse. There are suggestions that they will rip down part of the hotel and construct a patio that is accessible from the club. Also, owner Jimmy King has discussed opening another club in town.

The University of Mississippi's third annual Summer Sunset Series continues with free live music & entertainment. On July 13 the program is "A Midsummer Night's Blues" featuring Sam Carr's Delta Jukes and Precious Bryant.

5. SARDIS BLUES FESTIVAL CANCELLED...

The Sardis, MS blues festival has been cancelled. However, check out the other music listings at the very bottom. There are a couple other festival type events going on for the 4th of July weekend.

6. NIGHT OF BLUES AT REAL-DEAL JUKE JOINT...

DO NOT miss this event if you can help it! Last time was a blast!

Po' Monkey's Lounge, Merigold, MS
Tuesday, July 15, 2003 7:30pm

Starring:
Big Toe Recording Artists
Cadillac John & Bill Abel ("Crazy About You" "My Baby Left Me This Morning")

Also Featuring:
Delta StateUniversity Blues Band with Barry Bays (Director/Bass), Dr. Alphonso Sanders (Sax), Joey Cummings (Harmonica, Drums), Levan Lortkipanidze (Keyboards/Harmonica) plus other special guests!

Sponsor: Delta Center for Culture & Learning www.blueshighway.org

7. WWW.CLARKSDALEWEBINFO.COM...

Check out the Clarksdale web links and new message board on the www.clarksdalewebinfo.com site. You can find out what's been going on, what music is coming up and where to go in Clarksdale. Also, it's a great place to advertise. (Contact Carrie Ledbetter at cledbetter@dixie-net.com for ad info.) Notice the "Live Music" link to Cat Head when you check it out.

8. COURTESY OF THE BOLIVAR BULLET - Check out Mississippi's "BolivarBullet" at bolivarbullet.com

Delta State begins new record engineering program

The Music Department at Delta State University, chaired by Dr. David Schubert, is expanding by creating a new program called the Delta Music Institute (DMI). The DMI will involve hands-on digital editing and recording training for undergraduate students. The DMI, directed by Dr. Alphonso Sanders-professor of Jazz Studies at DSU, will be advised by a board of several experienced recording engineers from across the United States. This board will be chaired by Norbert Putnam, who has performed with artists such as Elvis and J.J. Cale and has recorded and produced such musicians as Joan Baez, Dan Fogelberg, Jimmy Buffet and many others. Putnam, a recipient of 24 gold and platinum albums, will be active in the design and operation of the DMI. Planning of the DMI began with a generous donation of $100,000 from Viking Range. Whitfield Gymnasium on the DSU campus will house smaller isolated studios as well as a large space that can accommodate full symphony orchestras. For more information, contact Dr. Alphonso Sanders or Dr. David Schubert at 662-846-4615.

Explore the Delta: The place the mindset The Mississippi Delta enjoys a rich history. Once wilderness and swamp cleared for cotton, it was transformed by plantation living. Powered by politics and peopled by a variety of ethnic groups the area gave rise to blues and gospel music, soul food, and the Civil Rights movement. Delta State University's Division of Continuing Education invites you to participate in a new course July 7-11. Spend a week exploring a different Delta location every day. As a group you'll study the many historical landmarks, listen to countless stories, and understand the impact of the past on life in the Delta today. This course can be taken for college credit or continuing education units. Cost for the course is based on enrollment ($250.00 for CEU credit, $390.00 for undergraduate credit, $490.00 for graduate credit). Instructors include Dr. Luther Brown, Director of Delta State's Delta Center for Culture and Learning and Dr. John Thornell, DSU Provost and History Professor. This is an intensive field study course meeting from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily July 7-10. Friday, July 11, class ends at noon. For more information and to enroll contact Continuing Education, 662.846.4700, con-ed@deltastate.edu

9. SPONSOR THE BLUES FEST AND ADVERTISE...

Want to be a donor to or sponsor of this wonderful free festival? Email me your fax number, and I'll send you over the details (levels, form, etc.) for you to consider. Just for example, $15 gets you a membership in the Sunflower River Blues Association which puts on the festival... $100 gets you a membership, recognition in the festival program, a festival T-shirt and a festival poster... $500 gets you a membership, two T-shirts, recognition on our sponsor board and from stage, a 1/4 page ad in our program and two VIP passes! You get the idea. Thanks.

10. "THE BLUES" PBS INFO COURTESY OF BETSIE BROWN...

PBS has announced the broadcast order of "The Blues" films starting September 28th and concluding October 4th. Beginning each night at 9pm (check local listings), it is:

- Sunday, September 28, "Feel Like Going Home" directed by Martin Scorsese - Monday, September 29, "The Soul of a Man" directed by Wim Wenders
- Tuesday, September 30,"The Road to Memphis" directed by Richard Pearce
- Wednesday, October 1, "Warming by the Devil's Fire" directed by Charles Burnett
- Thursday, October 2, "Godfathers and Sons" directed by Marc Levin
- Friday, October 3, "Red, White and Blues" directed by Mike Figgis
- Saturday, October 4, "Piano Blues" directed by Clint Eastwood

Visit the PBS site to learn more:
http://www.pbs.org/theblues/thefilmseries.html

11. JUKE JOINT / CEDELL DAVIS STORY...

Here's a cool Juke Joint / CeDell Davis story on Jimbo Mathus' web site. It's told by Jimbo's Clarksdalian uncle Guy Malvezzi - one of the infamous Shackmeisters at Hopson. Go to:
www.jamesmathus.com/pages/guystory.html

12. FENDER GUITAR GIVEAWAY...

I have no idea who this "John 5" bozo is... but his signature Fender Tele is awesome. Register to win one at: www.fender.com/freestuff/john5/

13. OTHAR TURNER MEMORIAL PICNIC...

According to Steve Cheseborough, Betty says the Othar Turner (Memorial) picnic is on for Aug 29-30 on the grounds of Otha's home. They plan to continue with the picnics every year.

14. FOLK ART CONFERENCE IN ST. LOUIS...

Press Release: For Immediate Publication

What: 16th Annual Conference of the Folk Art Society of America
When: October 9-12, 2003
Where: Saint Louis, Missouri
Theme: "Meet Us in Saint Louis"

The Folk Art Society of America's annual conference will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, October 9-12, 2003, with the coordinated efforts of twelve St. Louis art museums and galleries. A symposium on October 10, at the Saint Louis Art Museum, includes speaker Maud Southwell Wahlman, Professor of Global Arts at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, speaking on African-American textiles. Terry Nowell, from Austin, Texas, will speak about ceramic artist Burgess Dulaney, whose work will be on display. Shannon Fitzgerald of the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis will speak on Contemporary African Art. Other features of the conference include visits to private homes and public art collections, a benefit folk art auction, and a trip to Black Madonna Shrine in Eureka, Missouri. The conference hotel is the Sheraton Clayton Plaza, and reservations at the Folk Art Society's special rate may be made by calling 1-888-337-1395. Conference chairman is John Foster with the assistance of the members of ENVISION Folk Art of Saint Louis. For more information and reservations, contact the Folk Art Society office at 1-800-527-3655. The complete conference brochure is available on the Web site: www.folkart.org or by writing FASA at P.O. Box 17041, Richmond, VA 23226

Information sent by: Ann Oppenhimer, President.

If you wish to be added to FASA's email list, please let us know at:
fasa@folkart.org


15. "LIVE" BLUES IN THE DELTA THIS WEEK...

June 30-July 6, 2003:

Every Tues., 7-11pm - Bourbon Mall, Bourbon, MS: Bobby Rutledge plays acoustic blues. Steaks/tamales!

Every Tues., 8pm - Soulshine Pizza, Jackson, MS: Blues jam hosted by Casey Phillips. Regular attendees include JT Watkins and Virgil Brawley.

Most Wednesdays - Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, Memphis: Richard Johnston plays cigar box guitars.

Every other Wednesday - Flatland Grill (Hwy. 82 next to Burger King), Greenwood, MS: Steve "Blues Traveling" Cheseborough plays 1920s-30s style blues 8-11pm.

Wednesdays in Jackson, MS area - Archestratus Bar & Grill, 507 Springridge Rd., Clinton, (601) 926-4422: Virgil Brawley's Open Mic Night (mostly blues).

Thurs., 7/3 - Sarah's Kitchen, Clarksdale: The Deep Cuts from movie soundtrack to Last of the MS Jukes.

Every Thursday - Great BBQ at Hopson in Clarksdale. Soul blues DJ at Po Monkey's Lounge juke joint near Merigold, MS.

(I also think that Mr. Johnnie Billington is doing something in Lambert, MS on Thursday. Call the Delta Blues Museum if you are interested. I hear they have a poster for it...)

Thurs., 7/3 - Blue Marlin, Starkville, MS: Terry "Harmonica" Bean - Excellent one-man blues band.

Thurs., 7/3-Sat., 7/5 - Walnut St. Blues Bar, Greenville, MS: John Horton & MS Slim.

Thurs., July 3 - King Edward, Jackson bluesman seen in the movie "Last of the Mississippi Jukes," at Greenwood 4th of July celebration, 6 p.m., July 3, Whittington Park. Info: 662-453-4152.

Thurs., July 3, 3 to 8 p.m., Mississippi John Hurt Gospel Celebration, St. James Church, Avalon. Henis Hurt, Imperial Singers of Morgan City, Echo Singers of Greenwood, Heavenly Voices, the New Beginners, Bell Chapel Make Chorus of Sidon, Gospel Ten of Money, others. Free. Details 847-885-9295 or 662-299-1574

Thurs., July 4, 11 a.m to 6 p.m -- Mississippi John Hurt Blues Festival at the Hurt Museum, Avalon (CR 109, off Highway 7 between Grenada and Greenwood -- take the Avalon turnoff and then follow the signs). Michael Baytop, Neil Harpe, Art Browning, Andy and Larkin Cohen, Steve Cheseborough, Eddie and Frank Thomas, Jesse and George McCrory, other musicians following in the footsteps of Hurt. $5 admission, food and beer available, bring own chair.

Fri., 7/4 - Love Zone, Sumner, MS: The Deep Cuts.

Fri., 7/4 - 4TH OF JULY "BLUES EXPLOSION" IN OXFORD... This sounds like a real, downhome party: S&S Productions presents a Year of the Blues,
Mississippi Style event at Da Spot (formerly Bodega's on the square in Oxford) on July 4th, 2003 at 8 pm & midnight. The "Blues Explosion" will feature Denise LaSalle, Lee Shot Williams, Bobby Warren. For info, call 323-582-3654 or 662-902- 8788.

Fri., 7/4 - Down Home Blues Festival at the all new Oasis Club, West Point, MS (hwy. 45 alternative north): T.K. Soul, Bobby Rush, O.B. Buchana, Jimmy Lynch, Jackie Neal and 4 other soulful bands. Gates open 1pm. Showtime 3pm. $20 advance or $25 at the gate.

Fri., 7/4 - Ground Zero blues club, Clarksdale: "live" music TBA.

Sat., 7/5 - Ground Zero blues club, Clarksdale: Anthony Gomes blues band.

Sat., 7/5 - Da Spot, Oxford, MS: "live" blues TBA.

Sat., 7/5 - Sardis Blues Festival, Sardis, MS: Includes Terry
"Harmonica" Bean with guitarist Daniel "Slick" Berringer. CANCELLED!

Many Sundays, 5:30pm - Club Ebony, Indianola, MS: Ladies' Choice Band.

Many Sundays, 7 pm - Reese's Place, Clarksdale, MS: Big T & the Family
Band. (on MLK Dr. near Swee Bee's.)

Sundays - E&E Restaurant & Lounge, Jackson, MS, 2605 Robinson St. at
Ellis, (601) 354-0801:
TC & the Midnighters; occasional special events.

Coming soon - Jacqueline's Blues Bar, Clarksdale, MS (990 MLK).

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THANKS.