American Blues News - "Dedicated to the promotion and celebration of the Blues."

Saturday, May 9th I spent the later part of the day with LV Banks. LV is a Wolfe recording artist that sounds like BB King. I remarked to LV about the likeness and he said he they grew up together in Mississippi. LV said that they lived within walking distance of each other and showed each other how to play. LV credits BB with teaching him guitar. I personally think it is the other way around. I met LV at a Sunday jam session at the Riverdale Marina. Oddly enough it is located in Riverdale, Illinois. The location is on a section of the Little Calumet River. The river meanders it's way into Lake Michigan. Sitting by the dock in the summertime it almost seems like you are sitting by the inter coastal waterway in Florida. The Marina restaurant served catfish and or perch dinners. Both were great and I might add so were the drinks. Big Al was the proprietor and that man loved the blues. Catfish for a late lunch, listening to the blues and boating. Blues heaven, brothers and sisters, what else can you ask for. Cyrus Hayes and Lady Lee (www.cyrushayesandladylee.com) had the regular gig there. Outside every Sunday, weather permitting, you’d find a lot of top name talent stopping by. I met Johnny Drummer (www.johnnydrummermusic.com) there and I got him to autograph my white Fender, as did a host of others. I’ll tell more about that guitar in a future story.

LV took the stage dressed in a lime green Neru jacket, lime green pants, and topping it off was a black derby. He was dressed to the nines. When he hit that first note I was floored. I hear a lot of blues men, some good, and some not so good. LV is truly one of the greats. My ‘hey let’s go hear some blues’ buddy Jim and I go to a lot of blues clubs together. When he heard LV he dropped the pizza he was eating. Jim and I have always talked about starting a blues record label and we immediately looked at each other and said let’s talk to this guy. I walked up to LV and introduced myself and then Jim. I asked LV if he would be interested in recording with a brand new label we were working on. LV stuck out his hand and said, “Hell yea! Give me five dollars.” I said, “What.” He repeated, “Give me five dollars.”, while putting out both hands with one finger pressing into the other hands open palm. Jim asked, “What for?” LV paused for a moment and said, “If we gotta talk business then you gotta pay me.” Jim reached in his pocket and gave him five bucks.

That was over two years ago. The record label is still in the works, so I keep telling myself. LV and I have become friends. Jim and I still hit the clubs and we both check up on him regularly. I have jammed with him on numerous occasions and we have played a couple of gigs together. He has a one-room apartment in Chicago’s President Obama's area. His place is within walking distance of the President's house. If the president is in the area the traffic is horrendous and LV's place becomes almost inaccessible.

LV and I were talking one day about an incident with his girlfriend. His girl wanted to know where he was going one night and LV told her, “Girl I told you, when I met you, I'm a blues man and I’m gonna be playing around.” Sounds like a line from a blues song. Songwriters don’t even think about it I’m already using it. I can proudly say that LV recently labeled me a blues man. LV is one of the most gracious and nicest persons I have ever met. I am truly honored to have him as a friend and by the way, every time Jim sees LV he asks for his money back!

BLUES ME OR LOSE,

Terrance “Gatorman” Lape

Mark Of The Gator CD available for purchase

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LV gives Joliet blues man "Big Dog Mercer" some tips and advice. http://bigdogmercer.com/

Photos of LV and yours truly here

http://www.hampton-photos.com/gallery2/v/live_performances/cool_river/03-28-09_lv_banks/IMG_2399.jpg.html