Resoluting

Ya know, I really can't recall my resolutions from last January. Maybe it's because I rarely make any. I do think I did make a few last time out, but if I did, I certainly didn't write them down anywhere as proof. So I don't know if I met those goals. Gonna change that today, because I'm jotting down a few here. I doubt if I go back a year from now and check to see if I did 'em or not, but they be recorded for posterity...or whatever.

FIRST--I need to maintain the ol' blog here a bit better with mo' frequent posts.

SECOND--Some of those posts would be reviews of some CDs that I've been meaning to review such as:
Evening by Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, Live In Boston 1966 by Junior Wells & The Aces, The Bull Creek Sessions by The Moeller Bros, The Little Elmore Reed Blues Band, and Choice Cuts by Big Pete. I'll just say right now that all of these are worthy editions to anyone's blues library...just in case I don't get around to reviewing them.

THIRD--Stay busy writing, writing, and writing. Even though River Bottom Blues hasn't hit the market yet, my second book in the series is ready to go and I need to get more of the third down on paper. RBB should be out by the end of January (I'm thinking anyway), so I need to also focus on putting a marketing/promotion cap on the ol' head and figure out the best way to get the word out to readers.

FOURTH--Try to get out there and see more live blues in action.

FIFTH--Ain't no fifth. I'll be doing good to do the last four good. 'Nuff for now.

RIP Hubert Sumlin

Hubert Sumlin has left us at age 80. One more blues legend of several that we lost this past year, and one that no one will ever replace or duplicate.

No one played blues guitar licks like Hubert Sumlin. IMHO he was the most innovative blues guitarist to ever walk the planet. All one needs to do is listen to enough recycled, 12 bar, I-IV-V blues progression licks to know that Sumlin came from another dimension when he applied his fingers to the fretboard. No where can one hear the type of things that he pulls off on classic Howlin' Wolf cuts, such as "Smokestack Lightning", "Killing Floor", or "Spoonful" and how they give snap, crackle, and pop to Wolf's brand of blues. He'd ride Wolf's rhythm and then throw down total surprise riffs that slipped out of nowhere, or outer space. Like most blues fans, it is the Wolf albums that define Hubert Sumlin, but he did have a very long and distinguished solo career. I have a good number of his solo efforts, like Hubert Sumlin's Blues Party, Healing Feeling, Heart and Soul, and Wake Up Call. All of them have remarkable examples of Sumlin's brilliance, but they don't hang together as well as a couple that I'm listing here.

I was reluctant to purchase About Them Shoes because I thought would be one of those star studded affairs, where the guests out shine the hosts. I should have known better and that folks such as Eric Clapton, Levon Helms, Jame Cotton, and Paul Oscher would defer to the master and let him shine, and shine he does on a set dominated by songs associated with Muddy Waters instead of the Wolf. Of course, Sumlin did have a short stint playing in Waters' band when he and the Wolf fell out for a bit.

I Know You has Chi-town harp master Carey Bell on board (who passed away not too long ago) and they cover a bit of Wolf territory, standard Chicago blues stuff, with a little Bo Diddly thrown into the mix. The folks at APO records really brought out the best of what Hubert Sumlin is all about on this release.

Of course, Howlin' Wolf's complete Chess stuff is the mother lode of Hubert Sumlin's shining examples of why every blues guitarist since has deferred to the man with the wry smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

FREE Preview Plus Discount

FREE is alway good, huh? In this case Barking Rain Press is offering a four chapter free preview of my crime novel for blues fans, River Bottom Blues. Once it is available. Sign up now and they'll send out the chapter preview in PDF. Those that are enticed by the preview can order River Bottom Blues for 35% off, but have absolutely NO obligation to do so. The form over in my blog sidebar can be filled out, or visit the publisher's website here: http://www.barkingrainpress.org/

Also, my official press release can be found here: http://www.barkingrainpress.org/2190/river-bottom-blues-acquire/

Yo-Yo Blues

Yeah, that's it. I'm going to subtitle my crime novel, River Bottom Blues, with Yo-Yo Blues. It just fits what's been going on with this book. I could have posted the info that I'm going to reveal here today a couple of weeks ago, but I'm getting a little gun shy touting the novel. Now, I'm tempted to say that I've just signed my third book contract within a little more than a year. Those that haven't read the blog, or could care less about my novel ideas, would think that I'm quite prolific. At some point, though, I'd have to explain that the contract is indeed for the same River Bottom Blues for which I signed two previous contracts.

In my last post on this subject, I lamented that my second publisher for the book quit publishing in October, after my first publisher folded up shop in March. Somewhere along the way, I mentioned just how enthusiastic both publishing houses were with my crime novel and its blues element and how pleased I was that they were excited about my tale. So, originally the book was set for an October 2011 release by the first press and I went about shouting out into cyberspace, handing out business cards, and telling friends and family to look for it then. Then, the publisher's partners quit partnering so well and they all parted ways. Then, my second publisher promised an April 2012 release and I blasted that news around, until their demise forced me to say: "nevermind".

Okay, to cut to the chase, River Bottom Blues has been acquired by Barking Rain Press and being run by one of the partners associated with the first publisher and who has plans to get things done right. My previous editor is also on board, so extensive edits aren't needed and it could hit the market by Christmas. They are as excited about getting my book on the market as they were the first time, so I'm looking forward to the relationship there. 'Nuff for now.

More Blues For Food Info

Trudy Lynn

The Mighty Org

Holland K. Smith

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE






BLUES FOR FOOD BENEFIT, SUNDAY NOVEMBER 13TH, THE SHAKESPEARE PUB, 14129

MEMORIAL DRIVE, HOUSTON, TX 77079



CONTACT: SONNY BOY TERRY, OFFICE: 713.869.7746, MOBILE: 713.822.0437,

EMAIL: SBT@SONNYBOYTERRY.COM SBT@HOUSTONHARMONICALESSONS.COM WEB SITE:

WWW.SONNYBOYTERRY.COM WWW.SHAKESPEAREPUB.NET







BLUES COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER FOR 21ST ANNUAL BLUES FOR FOOD BENEFIT FOR

HOUSTON FOOD BANK







By Ida Mae McLemore

Here it is, once again folks BLUES FOR FOOD 2011 is upon us. Every year, on

the second Sunday of November the Houston blues community takes their

perpetually joined hands and moves over for their next great cause at

Houston’s oldest blues club, The Shakespeare Pub. Ironically located on

Memorial Drive in west Houston and always benevolent to the blues, The

Shakespeare Pub has hosted BLUES FOR FOOD since it’s inception in 1991. This

year, BLUES FOR FOOD takes place on Sunday, November 13th at Shakespeare

Pub at 14129 Memorial Drive with a dynamic array of Texas blues talent from

Holland K Smith from Dallas, Erin Jaimes and Chris Ruest from Austin to The

Mighty Orq, Trudy Lynn, Tommy Dardar and Texas Johnny Brown, all hailing

from Houston and the gulf coast. Music kicks off at 1PM and goes until the

wee wee hours of 2AM.

Initially, BLUES FOR FOOD was the brainchild of lowdown blues singer and

KPFT 90.1FM Sunday morning deejay Big Roger Collins. Big Roger, who despite

the suit and tie image, was a rough edged bluesman who could sing so loud,

he would overdrive most any microphone creating a mad rush to the sound

system when he stepped up on a stage. Aside from being a radio deejay and

band leader, Roger was known for years producing many benefits and revues in

the region. Hired regularly by the blues-friendly Shakespeare Pub, Roger was

able to use his voice on KPFT to publicize his causes and gigs. As history

recollects, BLUES FOR FOOD started in 1991. Big Roger, known as the “king of

benefits” would bring his BBQ pit and kettles cooking all night in the

parking lot. As funky as BLUES FOR FOOD started out, it was a also formal

charity right off. Representatives from the Houston Food Bank would go on

KPFT then drop by the day of, endorsing BLUES FOR FOOD while making sure

the truck for donations was always dropped off. Roger would have every blues

and zydeco band in town on the bill from young acts like DA and the

Prosecutors to Sweet Mama Cotton, Joe Guitar Hughes, Mean Gene Kelton, Lonny

Mitchell, The Zydeco Dots and Pete Mayes. Admission was any can or bag of

non perishable food items or cash and patrons were served free soul food BBQ

or perhaps some very interesting gumbo by Big Roger himself when he wasn’t

singing or emceeing. It was in many respects, a big chaotic beautiful mess

of music, intense partying and mayhem all for a great cause.

With all the regular promotion and sponsorship from KPFT’s Sunday blues

shows, plus a nightclub like The Shakespeare Pub, who supported the music

with open arms, and many of the most relevant blues musicians on the Texas

scene, BLUES FOR FOOD is now an institution, where the entire Houston blues

scene takes stewardship, pride and fiduciary responsibility to keep the

annual tradition of BLUES FOR FOOD going for many years to come.

Fast forwarding to 2011, in all it’s years, BLUES FOR FOOD has raised close

to 200 thousand pounds of non perishable foots items and over 100 thousand

dollars in cash while serving over 40 thousand plates of BBQ to

participants. As each year passes BLUES FOR FOOD keeps growing. It’s now

officially sponsored by Beans Café, KPFT 90.1 FM, Music News, The Houston

Blues Society and Shakespeare Pub’s patrons serving food and loading the

truck while vendors chip in donating items for the silent auction and

raffles. The Shakespeare Pub has seen four owners now, but BLUES FOR FOOD

keeps on keepin’ on bringing new life and inspiration to the Houston blues

tradition. New owner Kyle Soltis is as committed as ever. BLUES FOR FOOD

even has its logo design, banners, posters and T-shirts to commemorate the

event.

Big Roger Collins died in 2000 and former Joe Guitar Hughes sideman Sonny

Boy Terry now coordinates the music. All day, bands are showcased in 30

minute sets and perform as if lives depend on it, because well, in a sense,

lives do depend on it. Music fans and benefactors get a huge bang for their

buck with top drawer performances of deep Texas blues from bands hell bent

on taking house. Yes, this is a huge block party of sorts but feeding

families, children, the elderly and even the homeless reminds us all this is

serious business. It’s just human nature for people to step up even more if

we all know our charity is making a real difference. Everyone has a serious

good time. That friends, is what BLUES FOR FOOD is all about.

So please join us on Sunday, November 13th at Shakespeare Pub’s 21st annual

BLUES FOR FOOD FEST. If you have never been part of the Houston blues scene

and would like to check it out, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

The line up bands is as dynamic as it is intense from start to finish with a

healthy representation of up and comers, seasoned musicians and legends. You

can visit www.houstonbluessociety.org or www.shakespearepub.net for more

details. Shakespeare Pub is located at 14129 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX

77079. You may also call 281.497.4625.

Here is the list of bands and their time slots for the whole day:

1PM – 1:30PM – THE MIGHTY ORQ SOLO ACOUSTIC

1:45PM – 2:15PM – HOLLAND K SMITH BAND (DALLAS)

2:30PM – 3PM – DON KESEE AND THE BLUESMASTERS W/POPS STEWART, PEE WEE

STEVENS

3:15PM – 4PM - ERIN JAMES BAND/CHRIS RUEST (AUSTIN)

4:15PM – 4:45PM - TEXAS JOHNNY BROWN AND THE QUALITY BLUES BAND

5:00PM – 5:30PM - STEVE KRASE AND THE IN CROWD/TRUDY LYNN

5:45PM – 6:15PM – JONN RICHARDSON/RICH DELGROSSO BAND

6:30PM – 7:00PM – SONNY BOY TERRY BAND

7:15PM – 7:45PM – JOHN MCVEY AND THE STUMBLE W/TOMMY DARDAR

8:00PM – 8:30PM – MOJOFROMOPOLIS

8:45PM – 9:15PM – SNIT’S DOG AND PONY SHOW

10PM – 2AM - SPARE TIME MURRAY AND THE HONEYMAKERS’ WORLD FAMOUS BLUES JAM

W/SCREAMIN KENNY, LITTLE TERRY ROGERS, MARK DUFRENE, OTHERS. ALL BLUES

MUSICIANS WELCOME.

2011 Blues for Food

Here's a couple of posters that should stir a bit of interest for a most worthy cause. Lots of marvelous donated blues talent being shared for donated food.

Diunna Greenleaf @ The Rhythm Room

I snatched this from Bob Corritore's weekly newsletter. This is for those who aren't familiar with Diunna Greenleaf's talent, or for that matter, Bob Corritore's harp blowing. 'Course, everyone should be familiar with Bob Margolin and he's smokin' on the guitar here. Corritore's Rhythm Room is one of the premier blues clubs on the planet, situated way out yonder in Phoenix. He's been keeping the blues alive for many years in that neck of the woods and has showcased the finest blues musicians on his stage.