| 1.
"LIVE" BLUES THIS WEEK (and beyond)...
Our "Live Music" page
has just been updated at:
http://www.cathead.biz/livemusic.html
ALSO,
please note that starting NEXT week, Ground Zero Blues Club will
begin having "live" music every Wednesday night: Starting
next week, The Perry's will be playing Ground Zero every Wednesday
night. This week will also feature several special guests, and
the plan is to have at least one special Blues/R&B guest each
week. The Perry's is a family band of musicians that plays blues
sprinkled with some old R&B and even a little old country
music. What a show!
2. SUNFLOWER RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL IN REVIEW...
-
Best quote of the festival: On the town name of "Clarksdale,"
ex-Muddy Water's guitarist Bob Margolin said, "Whenever I
hear that name, I hear Muddy's voice saying it in my mind."
-
Funniest episode of the festival: As a festival volunteer, I was
called upon to bring Pinetop Perkins a late breakfast at his hotel.
What kind of healthy meal did the 90-year-old blues piano legend
request? 2 McDonald's double cheeseburgers, 2 apple pies and a
medium regular Sprite. As if that wasn't enough to clog the healthiest
of arteries, I was greeted with a smoking Pinetop when he opened
his door.
-
Most unnerving episode of the festival: The airline temporarily
"lost" harmonica man Carey Bell at the airport. Between
the security precautions and Carey Bell being (of course) booked
under his real last name (Harrington), it was quite a stressful
moment when the phone call came from artist and volunteer Wild
Bill Cooper, "Rog, we're at the airport. The flight's in,
but Carey's not on it." Of course, Wild Bill being the prankster
that he is... I refused to believe him and he got mad at me. Fortunately,
Cat Head customer-turned-volunteer Van of NYC was there to calm
us all down. In the end, they found Carey down stairs sitting
patiently in the baggage area. (Of course, by then it was 11:10
am and he was scheduled to play at 12:15. Luckily, the stage was
running behind, so everything turned out fine. Wild Bill is even
talking to me again.)
-
Well... The actual festival and related events were awesome, of
course. The good weather helped. In all the years we've attended,
I've rarely seen such a large and enthusiastic crowd, and I've
NEVER seen so much club action at night. There was "live"
blues at 5 or more clubs Thursday, Friday AND Saturday. Plus,
an open blues jam on Sunday. Amazing. From the little I saw (and
the lot I heard about), festival and club highlights included
performances by the Muddy tribute band (Hubert Sumlin, Carey Bell,
Pinetop Perkins and Bob Margolin), Willie King, O.B. Buchana,
Honeyboy Edwards and Big George Brock. Big George had his whole
band, was decked out in a fabulous pink suit and put on a show.
From what folks told me, the climax came when he left the stage
playing harp through his wireless mic and headed out into the
audience. After his assistant laid out a blanket for him, he laid
down on the ground and took a solo. George's bass player later
told me that while George has been doing stuff like that for over
50 years, she'd "never seen a crowd come to him like that."
Of course, I missed it.
-
Luckily, 72-year-old Big George played at Jacqueline's Blues Bar
on Saturday night, so I caught that. After his popular festival
performance, it was standing room only - with music industry and
media attendees like Scott Barretta (ex-Living Blues), Michael
Franks (Earwig), Andria Lisle (Memphis Flyer), Amos Harvey (band
manager/producer), etc. To make the scene even crazier, George
brought a bus load of 53 fans with him from St. Louis. Other cool
club stuff included the "Juke Joint Caravan" on Thursday
night and CeDell Davis' weekend performances. Man, CeDell's rarely
sounded soooo good. He was backed by Jimbo Mathus' band. Oh, also,
Big Pete Pearson of Arizona (and the "Blues, Biscuits &
Gravy Breakfast") was a hit over at Sarah's Kitchen on Saturday
morning while Big T cut heads there that night. Other great gigs
I couldn't manage to catch included Terry "Harmonica"
Bean, Wesley Jefferson, The Deep Cuts, Cadillac John & Bill
Abel and probably others I just can't think of right now. Scott
Taradash's "Honeyboy" documentary was shown all weekend
at Hopson. Real nice.-
At the acoustic stages, there were successes and challenges. The
morning acoustic stage at Clarksdale Station had strong highlights
like Bob Margolin, Hubert Sumlin and Carey Bell playing completely
unplugged. Unfortunately, that was because there were so many
sound problems regarding the mics, instruments and overall sound
mix. The Otha Turner tribute was another highlight at that stage.
The big surprise for many was the comfort and perfection of the
second acoustic stage on Delta Avenue. With an excellent line-up
that included Willie King, Super Chikan and Robert Belfour PLUS
a cool breeze and a bit of shade, many folks told me this was
their favorite part of the festival. In addition, the Delta Avenue
stores - who helped sponsor the stage - had a Sidewalk Sale to
enhance the event.
-
As a member of the Sunflower River Blues Association and head
of this year's booking committee, I would like to send a very,
very special thanks to Wild Bill Cooper, Van and Joni Mayberry
for transporting the veteran members of our Muddy Waters tribute
band back and forth between airport, hotel and festival locations.
These older musicians require assistance when they travel, and
you provided it. You guys made the tribute possible.
-
If you attended this year's festivals, please let me know what
you thought.
3. KEEP OUR FESTIVAL FREE AND
GROWING!
Here are 4 great ways to keep
our blues festival FREE and growing:
1.
Buy a couple official festival posters featuring photos of Big
Jack, Big T, Super Chikan and Sam Carr. (The poster photography
& design were donated by Clarksdale fans Melissa Ciano - www.melissaciano.com
- and Susie Levy of NYC.) They are 24x36" and are available
at Cat Head, Dela's Stackhouse and the Delta Blues Museum. You
can order from Cat Head via phone, mail or email - $20 each plus
$4 s/h.
2.
Buy a couple official festival T-shirts featuring this year's
Muddy Waters tribute artwork by blues painter Tim Mancinas. Just
$15. (Not all sizes available.) Email me to find out how to get
these great shirts.
3.
Become a member of the Sunflower River Blues Association for just
$15. Send a check to the Sunflower River Blues Association, P.O.
Box 1562, Clarksdale, MS 38614. Join us today!
4.
Please consider making a donation to the festival. Send a check
to the Sunflower River Blues Association, P.O. Box 1562, Clarksdale,
MS 38614. It takes a lot of money to deliver a FREE festival with
great acts, security, vendors, Port-o-lets, trash cleanup and
other services.
5.
Consider becoming a festival volunteer to help sell merchandise,
channel information, assist with the performers, etc. Email me,
and I'll put you in contact with the folks who can help you help
us.
4. FESTIVAL PREVIEW: 2004...
-
Start planning now to attend next year. The festival is always
held the second FULL weekend in August, so the dates will be:
August 13 and 14, according to Co-chairman Nat McMullen. Of course,
if you have the vacation time, I would recommend staying in Clarksdale
Thursday through Sunday. Here's how it breaks down: Thursday (education
programs/club crawl), Friday (ed programs/festival 3pm-midnight),
Saturday (fest on 4 stages) and Sunday (Cat Head's 2nd Annual
Mini Blues Fest all day). Just let me know if you need hotel or
other information.
- The official festival web site
is: www.sunflowerfest.org.
5. CAT HEAD DELTA BLUES &
FOLK ART...
-
Ohmylord... What a weekend!!? Jennifer and I have never been so
tired. (And as a newly certified teacher, she had to go face a
classroom full of high school students on Monday morning!) Thanks
to everyone who visited Cat Head to pick up CDs, books and art
during the festival... or to just check out our free music, book
signings and refreshments. Business was good, and we had a blast.
-
Thanks for the support of the Downtown Merchants Association,
Sunflower River Blues Association, Clarksdale Visitor's Center,
Chamber of Commerce/Tourism Commission, Delta Blues Museum, Clarksdale
Press Register, Bluestown Music, Comfort Inn, Riverside Motel,
Hopson/Shack-up Inn, Delta R&B, Uncle Henry's, Jenkin's, www.ClarksdaleWebInfo.com,
Mahogany magazine, WROX radio, Dela's Stackhouse, Black Music
Television and countless others including anyone who helped
me get more change when the drawer ran low.
-
Special thanks to all of the Cat Head performers and event contributors:
Butch Ruth, Steve Cheseborough, the Mississippi Spoonman, Jefferson
Leaux, Big Pete Pearson, Adam Riggle, the James Mathus Knockdown
Society, CeDell Davis, Andria Lisle, Willie Kinard, Rev. Nollie,
Wild Bill Cooper, Butch Anthony, Honeyboy Edwards, John Lowe,
Mr. Tater, Bobby Rutledge, Elam McKnight, Keith Carter, William
Lee Ellis, Eric Hughes, Big George Brock and the Houserockers
(Whew... Why isn't Big George on a major label??!)... and anyone
else I'm forgetting. We REALLY appreciated having all of this
great talent at Cat Head. It made up for us missing most of the
actual festival due to "work"!
-
Very special thanks to Mr. Willie Kinard for his delicious BBQ
out front during Sunday's Cat Head mini-fest. (He, his family
and his 3 folk art grills are available for festivals and party
events. Call or email me for contact info. He is THE MAN when
it comes to wooden artwork and greasy pork.)
-
We also appreciated the visits to Cat Head by musicians like Pinetop
Perkins, Willie King, Terry "Harmonica" Bean, Super
Chikan and Richard Johnston PLUS blues authors, photographers
and promoters like Jim O'Neal, Michael Franks, Robert Gordon,
Bob Mugge, Jef Judin, Richard Ramsey, James Segrest, Bill Steber,
David Klein, Sharon McConnell, Harris Barnes, Amos Harvey, Dennis
Brooks, Ron Roth, Jeff Collier and others.
-
Purchases being mailed this week: If you placed a phone/mail/e-order
the week before OR purchased something during the festival that
needs to be mailed to you, it will soon be on its way. I'm a little
off schedule, but the last orders should be out by Friday. Please
just be patient. Thanks.
-
New stuff at Cat Head: New blues paintings on old windows by Tim
Mancinas. New prints by Grego. New metal work by Butch Anthony.
New blues paintings by Mandy and Jefferson Leaux. New artwork
by L.V. Hull. A new photo of Charles "Cadillac" Caldwell
by Bill Steber. CDs by Eugene "Lucky" Fluker, Howlin
Madd (of The Perry's), Olga, Elam McKnight and Big Pete Pearson.
A new ROBERT JOHNSON book that explores the facts and mythology
of a master of Delta blues. Email for prices,
descriptions, pictures, etc.
6. OTHER LOCAL MUSIC/ARTS NEWS...
From Clarksdale Press Register:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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* Friends make return trip for Blues festival
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Having been to just about every Southern music festival at one
time or another, four seasoned music lovers proclaim their festival
of choice is the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival. (By
Robin Rushing - Contributing Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9990376&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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* Thousands attend annual Blues Festival
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Like most sweet sixteens, this year's Sunflower River Blues and
Gospel Festival matured while maintaining a youthful spirit. (By
Rebecca Hood-Adams - Lifestyle Editor)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9990457&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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* Blues Festival has a Muddy flavor
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As it was at the beginning, so it will be at the end. From Friday's
opening lecture to tonight's closing all-star jam, the same name
- Muddy Waters - rides every tongue at the 16th annual Sunflower
Blues and Gospel Festival. (By: Rebecca Hood-Adams - Lifestyle
Editor)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9983500&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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* Downtown park to honor bluesman Handy
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History-hungry tourists will soon have another stop to add on
their trek through the "Birthplace of the Blues." (By:
Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9980110&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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* Festival pumps bucks into city's economy
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The Sunflower River Blues Festival has opened Clarksdale's floodgate
for thousands of tourists and - if area businesses have their
way - thousands of dollars. (By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9980324&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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* Rally will not get money from casino
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Clarksdale's second newest motorcycle rally will not receive financial
backing from Isle of Capri Casino. (By: Emily Le Coz - Staff Writer)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9973232&BRD=2038&PAG
=461&dept_id= 230617
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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* Jimbo Mathus comes home
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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(Cat Head note: Jimbo played solo, with his band and with CeDell
Davis at the blues festival, Hopson Commissary and Cat Head. He
is an excellent musician, a hard worker and a heck of a guy. Check
out this article, and look for his CDs.)
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=2038&Nav_Sec=36902
7. MOTOR COACH TOURISM DISCUSSION...
Tommy
Polk (a successful Nashville songwriter and Hopson Preservation
Company investor) will host a discussion for those interested
in learning more about the motor coach industry... what is being
done on the local, regional and state levels... what is available
to us... and how we go about growing that industry in Clarksdale.
The panel discussion will include Kappi Allen (Coahoma County
Tourism/Chamber), Bill Serratt (Washington County Visitor's Bureau,
etc.), Rhonda Williams (MS Div. of Tourism), Laura Godfrey (Natchez
Chamber) and others. If you are interested in attending or contributing
to the discussion, please contact Tommy Polk at 662-627-6074 or
tommypolk@hotmail.com.
8. "NO DEPRESSION" HITS
CLARKDALE...
"No
Depression" magazine - a Nashville-based roots music and
alt-country magazine - visited Clarksdale recently to get a taste
of the music, food, art and history that makes the town America's
Blues Crossroads. The issue (September/October) should hit the
stands the first week of September. As always, Cat Head will carry
it, so you can buy it here.
9. DELTA BLUES FESTIVAL IN GREENVILLE,
MS...
-
Advance Tickets on sale thru Sept. 19! Locations to be announced
- Cost: $10. - Sept. 9-10: Arts In Education: 'Blues In Schools'
for Area Students. For More Information, Contact: Deloris Franklin
(662) 335-3523.
- Sept.18: Media VIP Reception, Time: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Location:
M.A.C.E. in the M.A.C.E. Atrium.
- Sept. 18: Jazz Tribute Concert Featuring Marie Rene' Sponsored
by the Greenville Arts Council and the Delta Symphony Association
Location: E.E. Bass Auditorium For More Information, Call (662)332-2246.
-
Sept. 19: Little Wynn Nelson Street Festival Time: 4 p.m. to 8
p.m. Location: Greenville, Mississippi Call M.A.C.E. For More
Information.
- Sept. 20: 26th Annual Mississippi Delta Blues Festival 'The
Original'
Time: 12 Noon to 9 p.m. Cost: Gate Tickets $20.00, Backstage Passes
$100.00.
10. SUPPORT FAT POSSUM RECORDS...
The
economy is tough all over, and with today's heavy downloading
and CD burning trends, it is especially tough for independent
record labels. Buy Fat Possum from Cat Head OR direct from the
source. Either way is fine with me... But definitely buy it!
-
In an effort to generate business (and try their best) in these
harsh times, spend $50.00 or more with Fat Possum's online store,
and get a free T-shirt of your choice. (That's FP's online store.
You can spend $50 with Cat Head, but the best I can give you is
a nifty bumper sticker.) Follow the link below for more details:
http://www.fatpossum.com/promos/tshirt.html
-
Scott Dunbar's only album, "Live from Lake Mary" is
temporarily on sale for $9.00 on Fat Possum's web site. Beautiful,
simple country blues at half the price of Britney's last CD.
https://www.epitaph.com/fatpossum/catalog/product_info.php?cPath
=21&products
_id=
58
- Solomon Burke's performance
on Conan will be re-broadcast on August
18th. For those of you who missed it the first
time, check it out...the man's got a cape, a throne, 21 kids,
and a
beautiful voice.
- T-Model's making on "Keeping Time" on August 21st.
For those of you
who read Arthur Magazine, you know how wise
the man is, and those who don't...should. "Keeping Time"
airs Thursdays
in August @ 7:30pm on the Sundance Channel.
11. NEWS FROM NEW ORLEANS..
The
Mystic Knights of the Mau Mau present the lost heroes of Soul
and Funk at the "The Bayou Soul Bowl" in New Orleans.
The Bayou Soul Bowl, Saturday September 6th, 2003 at the Rock
N Bowl, New Orleans Barbara Lynn, Lil' Bob, Ernie Vincent, Lil'
Buck Sinegal and Rockie Charles Admission $10, Show Starts at
9pm The scoop: The living legends of Gulf Coast Soul and Funk
will throw it down live and in the flesh with some guest DJ's
in between sets. First in the monthly Congo Mombo concert series.
The Stars: Gulf Coast soul queen Barbara Lynn doing her earliest
and best hits like "You¹ll Lose A Good Thing" and
"Second Fiddle Girl" AS
WELL AS her great Crazy Cajun sides such as "I¹m A Good
Woman" and "Thanks I Get." Deep Funk guitar legend
Ernie Vincent, performing his Funky 16 Corners smash "Dap
Walk," and "Things Could Be Better." South LA Soul
Master Lil Bob, (aka Camille Bob), performing his Lil' Bob and
the Loillipops smash and Mau Mau anthem "I GOT LOADED,"
as well as "Nobody but You " and a rare treat - his
70's funk sides as Camille Bob
with "Brother Brown." Crescent City soul and funk master
Rockie Charles in a program of his rarely performed early sides
such as the Senator
Jones-produced classics "Riccasha" and "Sinking
Like A Ship" as well as
the great "President of Soul" and "Bring My People
Around The Curve."
And last but not least, the only glue that could hold such a stellar
show together, Li¹l Buck Sinegal and his Buckaroo Orchestra,
featuring
the genius drumming of Nat Jolivette. Straight from Lafayette,
Louisiana, Buck and the Orchestra will be handling backing duties
for
the entire show as well as doing their own set spotlighting their
own
brilliant funk-soul classics "Monkey In A Sack" and
"Cat Scream."
The Grease: Pre-show, post-show and in-between set entertainment
will be
provided by DJs spinning only the finest deep soul and funk rarities!
For more information and visit
www.PonderosaStomp.com
We are a small group of music
fans in New Orleans. We do this for love
and for the music - not money. Please help us spread the word
about our
shows by linking to our site and forwarding this too anyone who
might be
interested.
www.knightsmaumau.com
12. FOLK ART SOCIETY'S COOL, NEW
WEB SITE...
Please check out the Folk Art
Society of America's newly updated Web
site: http://www.folkart.org
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