Saturday, January 31, 2009

Happy birthday to the late Chuck Willis!


The blues vocalist & composer of C. C. Rider would have turned 81 today. He left us back in '58.

Happy b'day Charlie Musselwhite!


The bluesman turns 65 today.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Remembering Byron "Wild Child" Gipson today...


The bluesman left us in '94 @ the age of 64.

Remembering Professor Longhair today...


It was 29-yrs ago today that the great New Orleans bluesman left us @ the age of 61.

Happy b'day Steve Marriott!


The Humble Pie (among other bands) English musician turns 62 today.

Happy b'day Marty Balin!


The Jefferson Airplane musician turns 67 today.

Beatles rooftop gig's 40th anniversary.



Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Beatles famed London rooftop performance, a free show that was the band's very last gig together. Ken Mansfield, frmr Apple Records & Beatles U.S. mgr, has assembled a commemorative gig featuring Beatles tribute band Creme Tangerine. The performance will happen today atop Seattle's Pike Place Market.



Tix still available for this wkd's two Midnight Rambles @ Levon Helm's.


Tonight features the Acoustic Ramble w/ Larry & Theresa Campbell, Amy Helm, Jimmy Vivino & possibly others. Tomorrow night the great VT-based band Bow Thayer & Perfect Trainwreck is back in town. Check 'em out.


Thursday, January 29, 2009

Martha Scanlan's new live album.


Martha's Live in Finland is now available.

R.I.P. John Martyn.


British folk artist John Martyn passed away today in Ireland @ the age of 60.

Upcoming 50th anniversary of "The Day the Music Died."







This coming Monday, February 2nd, marks the 50th anniversary of the day Buddy Holly (22), Big Bopper (28) & Richie Valens (17) tragically died, along w/ the pilot, in Clear Lake, IA after a performance @ the Surf Ballroom. The Surf Ballroom began its six-day celebration (Winter Dance Party! 50 Winters Later) of the anniversary yesterday. Their deaths occurred during a significant rock 'n roll transition from the American Elvis Presley & Jerry Lee Lewis era to the early British Invasion.






Remembering Willie Dixon today...


The bluesman left us 17-yrs ago today @ the age of 76.

Happy b'day Bill Kirchen!


The rockabilly musician turns 61 today.

Happy b'day Jonny Lang!


Jonny turns 28 today.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

R. I. P. Billy Powell of Lynyrd Skynyrd.


The keyboardist passed away early this morning from a possible heart attack. Billy was 56-yrs old.

Chris Bergson Band upcoming performance dates.


From Chris Bergson's newsletter:

Thursday, January 29
Rodeo Bar
10:00 PM - 1:00 AM
No Cover
375 Third Ave. (at E. 27th St.)
http://www.rodeobar.com/

Saturday, January 31
Black Eyed Sally’s – Hartford, CT
9:30 PM Show
Cover: $10
350 Asylum Street
Hartford, CT 06103
For reservations: (860) 278-7427
http://www.blackeyedsallys.com/

Thursday, February 5 – Solo Show
World Cafe Live - Upstairs Live
8 PM Show
Tickets are $11
3025 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(315) 222-1400
http://www.blogger.com/www.worldcafelive.com

40th Woodstock Festival anniversary upcoming book release.


Authors Brad Littleproud & Joanne Hague will soon be releasing their new book Woodstock - Peace, Music & Memories.








Bassist Big Mike Kemp passes away.


The Dutchess County (NY)-based band Mad Dogg has lost a great man. He left us this past Saturday (01/24/09) due to a heart attack. This blog message is posted on the band's MySpace page:


FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

DELEHANTY FUNERAL HOME

64 E. MAIN ST

WAPPINGERS FALLS N.Y. 12590

(845) 297-2640

THE WAKE WILL BE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON 2:00 TO 4:00 AND WEDNESDAY EVENING 7:00 TO 9:00

THE FUNERAL WILL BE A SMALL SERVICE THURSDAY MORNING AT THE FUNERAL HOME AROUND 10:00

IF ANYBODY IS AN ORDAINED MINISTER - MIKE WAS PROTESTANT - AND WOULD LIKE TO DO THE SERVICE- CALL ME A.S.A.P. AT (845) 721 3618 (MIKE THE DRUMMER)


Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Levon Helm hosts the "Anna Lee" songwriter @ an upcoming Midnight Ramble.


Laurelyn Dossett will be the opening act for Levon's March 14th Ramble. Many of us fans love Levon's rendition of Laurelyn's Anna Lee on his '07 Dirt Farmer Grammy-winning album. We were fortunate enough to hear it live late last summer.

Happy b'day to the late Kim Gardner!


The frmr Birds member would have turned 61 today. He left us in '01 due to cancer.

Happy b'day Bobby "Blue" Bland!


The bluesman turns 79 today.

Happy b'day Nick Mason!


Pink Floyd's drummer turns 65 today.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Merlefest 2009 line up announced.

Check out this year's great line up for the April 23-26, 2009 Merlefest in NC. Featured artists include, Ollabelle & Emmylou Harris.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Chris Bergson Band & VT Arts Exchange...a wonderful combination.


We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves last night while catching the Chris Bergson Band @ North Bennington, VT's VT Art Exchange. The bottom floor of the renovated old mill building provided for such a cool aura for the blues, jazz, soul & rock fusion displayed by Chris, Tony Leone & the "Two Matts." They electrified the joint w/ a two-set display honoring the Chris Bergson Band's two albums, new original work, Otis Redding, Gregg Allman & a few others. We cannot wait to experience more of them.





Happy b'day Etta James!


Etta turns 71 today.

Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble set list from last night.


The Reddan Bros. joined Levon & crew last night. Thanks to Barbara O'Brien of Helmland, here is Levon's set list:

Ophelia
Same Thing
When This Battle Is Over
Jealous Man
Simple Twist of Fate
I Wanna Know
Long Black Veil
I Got Me A Woman
White Dove
Ashes of Love
Did You Love Me
Deep Elum
Great Train Robbery
Goin' Down The Road
Anna Lee
Rag Mama Rag
Mardi Gras Day
Ain't Misbehavin'
Rain Down Tears
Rainin' In My Heart
Time Out For The Blues
Across The Great Divide
Chest Fever
The Weight