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

I'm having some technical difficulties with uploading updates via my Dreamweaver program since I got DSL last 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. (And also add it to the Message Board at www.clarksdalewebinfo.com.) Thanks!

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

- New CDs at Cat Head: 72-year-old singer/harmonica legend Big George Brock is finally on CD. Tee Ti records has released 11 of Big George's classic recordings - remastered for CD. The mix of traditional and original tunes gives you an idea of the show he and his band will put on at this year's Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival here in town on August 9 at 5 pm. (Big George told me this week that he will also feature a number of Muddy Water's songs during his festival set since the fest will be honoring Muddy among others.) For those who don't know, Big George is a St. Louis blues legend who hails originally from Grenada, MS. He's played his old-school brand of electric blues at clubs and juke joints for over 50 years, even sitting in with guys like Muddy and Howlin' Wolf through the years. OTHER NEW CDs: Howard Tate's "Rediscovered", Johnnie Taylor's final release "There's No Good In Goodbye" and Johnny Shines' "Skull & Crossbones Blues".

- New art at Cat Head: Amazing new "face jugs" by Canton, Mississippi's Lou Cirilli. Really cool and attractively priced from $25 to $45. Also, three pieces of medium size wall artwork by Lou's friend Sherri Bay: a Tabby's Blues Box painting ($50), a colorful mutimedia cross painting ($50) and a 3-D clay angel on painted background ($75).

- New photos at Cat Head: Delta buildings and scenes by Steve "Blues Traveling" Cheseborough of Cleveland, MS. 19x25" in simple black frames, $100 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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* Web site aims to fill community void
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Clarksdale has a new Web site. Launched by Southern Duplicating, http://www.clarksdalewebinfo.com serves the city of Clarksdale by offering a comprehensive community calendar combined with public announcements, a business directory, an interactive forum, loads of local information and endless links. (By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9370301&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617

O.k., this one isn't music or art related, but still pretty interesting:
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* Daredevil picks Clarksdale for final jump
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It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a daredevil motorcyclist leaping over a line of limos - and all for a good cause. (By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer) http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9393011&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617

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* Allen elected to Tourism Association board
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Coahoma County Tourism Commission Manager Kappi Allen has joined the Mississippi Tourism Association's board of directors. (By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9096353&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617

4. FROM THE ALABAMA BLUES PROJECT (across the border!)...

For those who are interested here is a link to a short video selection of our blues camp kids in action. Please beware that it may take a few moments to download: http://frctest.ua.edu/video/BluesCampClips.mov. The link will take you to a rough edit of video shot during the last week of our Summertime Blues Camp 2003 during an open house rehearsal. I hope it will give you a good idea of how the summer camp went. We tried to keep the camp small so we could give the serious blues camp students more individual attention and instruction. We usually have 40 students and this summer selected 20 of the best students from our afterschool program. Our hope is that these students can eventually become a solid stand-alone blues band -- and they are certainly on their way and learning loads in the process!

These children are from a variety of backgrounds -- many from foster homes, housing projects and a home for emotionally disturbed kids here in Tuscaloosa -- as well as kids from the wider community. Obviously playing the blues is a powerful healer in their lives -- helping to build self esteem and other life skills besides the sheer enjoyment of the music.

In the fall, pending funding, we are hoping to run our program for two days each week after school. One day will be for our advanced students and one for 40 beginners. We are in desperate need of support for this program. Please send your tax deductible contributions to:

The Alabama Blues Project
2620 2nd Street East
Tuscaloosa, AL 35404

5. PO MONKEY'S JUKE JOINT NEXT WEEK!!

Don't forget... Tues., July 15, 7:30pm - Po' Monkey's Lounge, Merigold, MS: Big Toe Recording Artists Cadillac John & Bill Abel ("Crazy About You" "My Baby Left Me This Morning"). Also: 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

6. SPECIAL MONTHLY EVENT AT HOPSON...

This Saturday night, July 12 is the big monthly music/party event at Hopson Commissary (just off Hwy. 49, 4 miles east of Clarksdale, 662-902-3866). The theme this time around is a "Beach Party," and the featured band will be the Bluff City Backsliders. BBQ and beer will be available, and the cover is just $5.

7. JUNCTION BLUES CAFE KICKS OFF "LIVE" BLUES SCHEDULE...

The Junction (Hwy. 61S, just north of Clarkdale at Jonestown Rd., 662-902-9655) is kicking off its new Saturday night music schedule with the Wesley Jefferson Southern Soul Band this Saturday night, July 12. Going forward, they plan to feature "live" blues music every Saturday night, including The Deep Cuts 7/19 and Howl-N-Madd 7/26.8.

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

July 7-13, 2003:

Mon.-Sat., 7/7-7/12, 12:30pm - Horseshoe (Casino) Stage Bar, Tunica, MS: Lou Pride.

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., 7/10 - Sarah's Kitchen, Clarksdale (662-627-3239): The Deep Cuts blues band.

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

Thursdays in Jackson, MS - Peaches Soul Food Restaurant, 327 N. Farish St. (access via Hamilton due to construction) (601) 354-9267: Noon-2pm - Jessie Robinson (free). ALSO, Crystal's Lounge, 2815 Lynch St. (601) 355-2090: Vasti Jackson/Patrice Moncell (call first).

Every Friday & Saturday - Ground Zero blues club (662-621-9009), Clarksdale: "live" music. Call for listings.

Most Fridays & Saturdays (occasional Thursdays) - Walnut St. Blues Bar, Greenville, MS (662-378-2254): "live" blues, usually guitarist John Horton and blues showman Mississippi Slim.

Every Fri., Sat., Sun. - Wild Bill's, Memphis, TN (on Vollintine,
901-726-5473): Hollywood All-stars. ALSO, on Saturdays, try the Hard Luck Cafe (E. McClemore).
Fri., 7/11 - Long Shot, Oxford, MS: Cadillac John & Bill Abel.

Fri., July 11, 11:30am-1:30pm - Center For Southern Folklore, Memphis, TN (Peabody Place): David Bowen plays blues & soul.

Sat., 7/12 - Hopson Commissary/Shack-up Inn, Clarksdale: "Beach Party" event w/ live music.

Sat., 7/12 - Club Junction R&B Club on Hwy. 61 (north of Clarksdale at Jonestown Road), 662-358-4750: Wesley Jefferson Southern Soul Band.

Saturday, July 12th, 8:30 PM - The Delta Cultural Center in Helena, Arkansas, presents the 2003 Summer Concert Series: Billy Lee Riley. All
concerts are free and will be held at the Thad Kelley Courtyard stage at 415 Cherry Street, Helena. Attendees may want to bring lawn chairs, etc.

Sat., July 12 - Center For Southern Folklore, Memphis, TN (Peabody Place): Blues show TBA (check: www.southernfolklore.com/jul2003.htm).

Sun., 7/13 - University of Mississippi's third annual Summer Sunset Series with free live music: "A Midsummer Night's Blues" featuring Sam Carr's Delta Jukes and Precious Bryant.

July 13, 2:30 p.m., Eden "Li'l Boogaloo" Brent (Greenville jazz-blues singer-pianist) and Steve Cheseborough (Greenwood 1920s-30s-style blues singer-guitarist) in concert at Confederate Memorial Building, 215
Henderson St., Greenwood. $10.

Many Sundays, 6pm - Club Ebony, Indianola, MS: "Live" blues band.

Some Sundays, 8pm - Reese's Place, Clarksdale, MS: "Live" blues band. (on MLK Dr. near Swee Bee's.) Or if not, try Red's Lounge (corner of Sunflower Ave. & MLK/4th St.). Contact Cat Head at roger@cathead.biz or 662-624-5992 a day or two before to confirm.

Most 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 Dr.).

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THANKS.