BIRTHDAYS

It is 3:14 pm here on the west coast..a little late for posting I guess, but as I always say better late than never, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY to "Big" Bill Broonzy. Bill was born on this date some say in 1898 and others say in 1893...but records back then were not what they are today...we do know that he was born on this day June 26th. Bill died on August 15th 1958. Rest in Peace Bill and thanks for all the great music. As always my blues brothers and sisters help keep the blues alive..buy a cd, go to a blues festival or donate what ever you can to a blues society in your area.

Well it is early afternoon here on the West coast, and it is time to start the day I guess. First off with a couple of birthday notes. Clifton Chenier was born on this date in 1925 and he died on December 12, 1987. He was from Opelousas, Louisiana. Also on this date Eddie Floyd was born in 1937 and I do believe he is still alive.
Summer is finally here and with the summer come vacations, time off and a chance perhaps to see a blues festival or two. For the remainder of today and tomorrow in Long Beach, California there is the Long Beach Bayou and Blues Festival. Also there is the Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival 2011 at Lake Shawnee, Topeka, Kansas, featuring The Bart Walker Band, Mike Farris with the McCary Sisters, and Mike Zito will be there.
The 4th of July is always a great time for blues and festivals. July 1-4th Boston's On the Beach Red, White and Blues 2011 Festival sounds like a really good one to try to attend if at all possible. Guests will include the wonderful Ana Popovic, the great Bernard Allison, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Eden Brent, Nicole Hart, and many more great performers.
In Davenport, Iowa July 1-3th is the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. Performing at the stage tent at 8:30 pm will be Paul Rishell and Annie Raines. At 11:00 pm will be Smokin' Joe Kubek with B'Nois King. I would give my first born to see this festival. LOL, not really, well maybe. This festival too has many, many performers over the three day period. As always please call ahead for prices and times, and place.
Well my blues brothers and sisters I do have to go for now...keep the blues alive and buy some music, go to a festival or donate to a society. Later gators

Please excuse my absence

I am so sorry for the extended absence from my blog. The down-turn in the economy forced
me to take some time off from blogging, however I did not intend for it to be this long. Please forgive me as I try to get this show on the road again. Much as happened in the Blues world since my last post I am quite sure...I have not keep up with the music world much in the past year or so, thought I have listened to the Blues whenever time allowed me. I promise to get back in the groove so to speak, and learn what has been going on in the blues world. I do so hope that the economy picks back up faster than it has been. Working twenty to twenty-five hours per week at a minimum wage job at the local less than a dollar store is really beginning to, well you know what. Many people are in much worst condition than me, so I am thank-full for the work I do have. Well my blues brothers and sisters it is getting late in the morning and I do have to go to work in a few..so I will sign off for now. Feel free to e-mail me with any comments you may have regarding the blues at joeyb1a@comcast.net

Memorial Day Weekend

Well it's Memorial Day weekend already..in fact the time is 5:30 Friday night...so if you have not already headed out to the beaches and camping areas or whatever your plans may be for the weekend and I just know that there just has to be a bunch of blues festivals going about...please drive with extreme caution and if you are going to be indulging please, please get a designated driver. I want all my blues brothers and sisters to be around on Monday or Tuesday when it is time to be back doing whatever it is you do....Godspeed my friends.

I SHOULD BE SHOT

Well an entire week has gone by since my last blog...and the blues music awards have been handed out as everyone in the know knows by now....Janiva Magness got an award I am pleased to see (my prediction), but am sad to see that Watermelon Slim not amount the winners....but a winner in any case in my book. Today is Guy Davis's birthday and yesterday was the birthday of Kansas Joe McCoy born May 11, 1905 in Raymond, Mississippi and very sadly died January 28th 1950 at a very early age of 44 of heart disease. And of course Ana Popovic's birthday is May 13th. Ana was born in 1976 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Now there's a woman who knows how to play blues....and yes she too is one of my favorites. Happy Birthday everyone and congrats to the blues winners....you are all winners. I will try to keep up on the blog a little better than I have been...not that anyone is reading this..but I do what I can to keep the blues alive my blues brothers and sisters....have a good day.

AND THE WINNER IS

Well my blues brothers and sisters the blues awards will be made this Thursday. I guess it is a good thing that I have nothing to do with this process as I would give an award to everyone. Just how does one narrow down such a field of talent? I do hope that Watermelon Slim wins. He is as I have already posted one of favorites...and Janiva Magness deserves to win also. I just can't wait unitl Thursday. Nashville will be a crowded place this week...good for the economy and better yet it is good for keeping the blues alive.
Been raining for the past three days where I live, so I did not even venture out of the house much this past weekend. Did any of you blues lovers get to any ventures or festivals this weekend? I do hope that you did. Drop me a line and let me know what and where you went, OK. Well that is about all I have for now....got to go get blues up....enjoy your day.

Friday Already??

Is it really Friday already? I hate weekends...that just means I will have to go out and enjoy myself....I hate it when that happens.....not!..well lets see what's going on in California this weekend. Well first off it looks like we have the Mariposa Microbrews & Blues Festival at the Mariposa Fairgrounds in Mariposa, California. This event will happen tomorrow the 2nd of May 2009 from noon to 9:00 pm. Expected there will be Elvin Bishop, Lonnie Shields, Ron Thompson, Mike Hammer and the Nails w/ Allan Carroll, David Coppa & Scrapple, Wingnut Adams Blues Band, Stacy Brooks and John Keith. On Sunday we have the Topanga Canyon Blues Festival at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, Topanga Canyon, California from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. Expected lineup includes Phillip Walker Band, Jackie Payne Soul Blues Band, Jack La Botz and Phil Gates Band.
Both of these venues have great bands included ....tough decision as to which on to attend...however as alway please check these happenings as to ticket prices and any possible cancellation prior to travel and or expendure of CASH. If you get to attend either of these events please do have a good time...and drive carefully. Have a good time my blues brothers and sissters and keep the blues alive.