Monday Night BJ (Blues Jam) By Casey Reagan

Monday Night BJ (Blues Jam)
Story and photos By: Casey Reagan
For: American Blues News
All Rights Reserved 2010

The Los Angeles blues community came together Monday night at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon for the Southern California Blues Society's 3rd anniversary blues jam. Cadillac Zack and the SCBS sponsor this gig every Monday night (for at least the past three years anyway) and the anniversary jam is the culmination of a years worth of talent all brought together for one special night. Well attended by at least a couple of hundred blues fans and half as many musicians, last nights jam went off without a hitch.
The Maui Sugar Mill Saloon, isn't in Maui, or even Hawaii for that matter, it is located at: 18389 Ventura Blvd in Tarzana, CA. (91536) but could've been just about anywhere, in any town, and I'll bet the turnout for a jam like this would be the same. Fans came to hear some of the best live blues anywhere and to pay tribute to the artists who make their way by touring the country and performing live and to remember those we've lost along the way.
A memorial fund was set up and collections were being taken for one such artist. Chu Chu aka Roosevelt Stringfellow who passed just days before and who had performed at last years jam with his long time band 'Chu Chu and the Lovely Band'.

Photo credit correction: Chu Chu photo by: David Meyers
His contribution to the LA blues scene was big, jamming with some of the greatest players in the business in the 40+ years he played, Chu Chu's music will live on in the hearts and memories of those of us who had the pleasure of knowing him. Chu's wife and many of his friends were in attendance and Chu Chu was well remembered and will always be missed.
This week was tough for the blues community on a larger scale with the loss of Little Feat drummer Ritchie Hayward who lost his battle with cancer just the day before we lost Chu Chu. RIP Ritchie, we miss you already.
The sign-up list of performers was three pages long the last time I looked at it, with names like Lynwood Slim,

Fernando Jones, Fernando's involvment with Blues Camps For Kids is getting a lot of national attention and has earned Fernando a 'Keeping The Blues Alive' award among numerous accolades from the blues community at large.
http://dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/podcast/120505someonevodcast.m4v

Carlos Guitarlos,

Billy Sheets, Steve F'Dor, Dona Oxford, Larry 'Big House' David, Mississippi Bo

We saw Sueann Carewell, Shelly 'King' Fisher, sax man extradionairre Andy Negra from the Roy Gaines Band. And those were just the names I could read! Like I said, the list was three pages long and the players I mentioned above were all on page one if this gives you an idea of the number of players who showed up to jam. Players rocked the roof off the joint untill after 2 AM and the 'after' party was monumental, by the time I pulled in the driveway at home the morning Times had already been delivered and sunrise wasn't too far off.


Kudos to Cadillac Zack and the Southern California Blues Society for a job well done from blues fans everywhere, without guys like Zack and orginizations like the SCBS the future of the blues would be uncertain, with them and their continued support and love of the blues, I think we'll be ok.

Great jam Zack, keep rockin', and, Thanx for the ride!

story and photos by:
Casey Reagan
for: American Blues News
All Rights Reserved 2010

Irvine Lake Blues Festival 2010 by Casey Reagan

Saturday was the 13th Annual Irvine Lake Blues Festival and I can bear witness that it was anything but unlucky. I had originally suggested that the event sponsors skip number 13 and go from last years 12th annual directly to number 14 sort of like the floor numbers in hi-rise buildings but nobody would listen.

Organizers this year combined the music with another favorite American pastime, motorcles, and held a bike show at the lake the same day, talk about some sweet rides...wow.



If all the chrome and incredibly detailed bikes weren't enough eye candy for one day the scenery at the lake was absolutely gorgeous,.

.. and the landscape is nice too.


Despite the unlucky number this festival was so much fun I had to videotape it to prove it to my friends who couldn't attend. The line-up of entertainment was incredible and me [MusicUCanSee Productions] and my buddy Howie Rogers over at Axis 4 Studios in Hemet, Ca. teamed up and were fortunate enough to arrange a full on video shoot of just about every artist who performed. We captured some incredible live performance video of Tommy Castro (See video below) Tommy is a guy who knows his way around this business, American Blues News has covered him in depth and you can check out all of it right here: http//:www.ameriblues.com .
If he's not sailing away on a legendary blues cruise he's rockin the house all over the US and Canada, read the Ameriblues coverage for all the TC news you need to know. I met Tommy before he went on stage and he is a very cool cat, with legions of loyal fans and a tour schedule like the Harlem Globetrotters, Tommy is a busy guy but still made time to meet and greet a bunch of us, thanks Tommy, you da' man.

We taped Rod Piazza, (...thank you Honey) and The Mighty Flyers. The Flyers played an awesome set including this rocker, 'Hate To See You Go'(see video below). I had the pleasure of seeing Rod and Honey Piazza a while back at the CoachHouse down in San Juan Capistrano, with a slightly leaner version of the Mighty Flyers and they impressed me a lot. When I say 'leaner' I'm not saying the band was on a diet, I mean, sometimes the 'Flyers' don't include a bass player like the one in the video, sometimes the bass player is Honeys left hand, and I'm even more impressed by the fact that she can do it after seeing the full band. She is as incredible a keyboard player as Rod is a harmonica player, between the two...watch out man, because when these two play...it's magic.

The 44's featuring Kid Ramos took us to the church and rocked us to the bone with songs like 'Johnny Cochino' which includes a killer guitar duel between Johnny Main and the 44's long time friend, producer and guest guitar slinger Kid Ramos... Watch closely and you'll catch a glimpse of Coco Montoya backstage groovin' to the sound of Johnny and Kid trading licks. The 44's are out supporting their new record 'Boogie Disease' and if you don't own it, check it out, this band has chops without Kid Ramos, and with him...WOW. Watch and enjoy these two as they tear it up!

...and Shari Puorto, LA's own rock diva. Shari talks the talk and walks the walk and does so with class and a style all her own, I've been watching Shari for a while now and she's definitely coming of age with performances like the one she delivered at the lake this day,, her set was hot, Shari can sing baby...from roots rock to deep blues, I won't compare her to Bonnie Raitt, Janis or more recently Teresa James, because, you should know by now, I don't ever like to compare one artist to another, but, if the shoe fits... watch for Shari Puorto video coming soon!.

We missed Coco Montoya,

Johnny Mastro and The Blue Note Project

...missed recording them on tape anyway, but the performances by all three of these artists were incredible, especially Coco who can really get down and play the blues. It was nice to have a break from taping to sit and enjoy the jams and Blue Note..., Johnny and Coco made sure it was a treat. I got set lists from everybody but I won't bore you with too many detail's. Suffice it to say, I wish I had taped it all but I enjoyed every act to the fullest.



Backstage was a treat, meeting folks whom I've admired for years and who I've wanted to work with for a long time. So this was a pretty special day for me and the crew.








By the time we packed our cameras and loaded the van the sun had set on Irvine Lake and the last guy we saw leaving told us to turn out the lights when we left... ...and we did. Great gig Irvine Lakers, you made the show, keep rockin' and thanx for the ride!
The Irvine Lake Blues Festival 2010
By Casey Reagan for
American Blues News
All Rights Reserved

Live Oak Music Festival 2010 by Casey Reagan

I knew from the minute I arrived at the campsite that this festival was going to be extraordinary, not that I was predisposed in any direction but after a leisurely drive up the coast from LA to Santa Barbara in the warm California sunshine it would have been difficult to feel anything but relaxed and ready for a good time when I rolled in.

I was greeted by my new buddy, Jenny Kurtz who made sure I got in and connected with all the right folks to keep my weekend running smoothly. Make no mistake about it, this is a weekend affair and won't be fully appreciated unless you commit the full three days and take in the entire event, so next year plan on stayin' a couple of nights, I know I will.

Having said that, I must confess that I, myself had to miss the entire first day of the event for a prior fathers day commitment and didn't get the full experience this year. I did however make up for it by having twice as much fun each of the final two days than is legal in most states. This event helps to sponsor KCBX Public Radio and is currently working with a group from Cal Poly to increase the festivals sustainability from a 'green' perspective and should be commended on the effort on both of these critical fronts.

Because of my tardiness by a full day I missed (among the others listed below) Barry Goldberg and the Chicago Blues Reunion and everyone I asked told me they were spectacular, the more I asked the more I missed seeing them. Here is the days line up from Friday:
Kids Stuff: Main Stage: Stage Too:
Climbing Wall Terri Hendrix w/ Lloyd Maines Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside
Outdoor Education Vasen
Craft Workshops Chicago Blues Reunion
Potters Wheel
Talent Show Tryouts
My dearest apologies go out to the artists I missed and a sincere promise to catch them next time around. Saturday was a different story, I rolled in just in time to hear Los Cenzontles [translation: The Mockingbirds] finishing their set on the main stage and even though Mexican roots music isn't really my bag, they sounded pretty darned good. Los Fabulocos showed up and showed us all how CaliMex is supposed to sound and with Kid Ramos out front they sounded better than I've ever heard them. There was a lot of art in every form on display and for sale at kiosks and booths from all over California and I spent most of the day Saturday cruising around the marketplace digging the distant and not so distant music from all three stages and checking out some really cool artwork, jewelry, pottery and clothing. The setting at Live Oak is picture perfect for a festival like this and with a group of happy campers like we had this fathers day weekend, fun just happened.

Speaking of three stages where one can enjoy music for three days almost continually, the Hot Licks Stage and Stage Too featured the following artists throughout the weekend:
Jamming Workshop w/ Rita Hosking & Cousin Jack
Sally Ford & The Sound Outside
Jade Jackson
Sparrows Gate
The Sweetback Sisters
The Roullard Family w/ Jan Grigsby and Nina Ryne
Frank Vignola's Hot Club
Los Cenzontles
John Batdorf
Cache Valley Drifters

The Main Stage is where I gravitated to instinctively and is where I met another of my newfound friends, Master of Ceremonies Joe Craven. Joe is a treasure in and of himself, a multi talented performer he can entertain and tease your mind while telling a story by playing the mandolin and all the while keeping everyone in tune with the program. This cat is all about peace and love and everything cool! M.C. Deluxe!

There was a multitude of talent on hand at the Live Oak main stage with Frank Vignola, The Sacred Shakers featuring Eilen Jewell, Baka Beyond and Nashville's own first class soul outfit 'The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker' all leading up to Sunday evening.
The main stage is also where the magic all came together for the finale Sunday night starting with Dr. Lonnie Smith, a master of the Hammond B-3 and winner of more awards than I have room to list. The Dr. was 'in' at Live Oak this year and this was one house call he was happy to make judging from his house rockin', smooth groovin' delivery and that contagious smile.


After the Dr. made his exit a guy I hadn't heard of before Josh Ritter backed by his Royal City Band stepped up in front of a giant crowd, many of whom were here to see him judging from the huge sing along response he received, I felt sort of like the odd man out because I didn't know the words, but, I faked it and nobody noticed. Josh's music sounded pretty cool, it's obvious the guy has talent and I'll predict now, bigger and better things lay ahead for this up and coming artist.


Before I get to the end I'd like to note the amazing job of coordination by the event coordinators, backstage managers, stage managers and the entire hospitality staff who treated everyone behind the scenes like absolute royalty, this festival is a smooth running machine and honestly, a fun time was had by all.

Finally, the lady I was waiting for days to hear, the 'Duchess Of Coolsville' Rickie Lee Jones walked on stage and it was truly magic, I've loved her voice since the first time I heard 'Chuck E.'s In Love' back when and I've kept track of her through the years, digging every nuance of that sweet voice through times of change. When she won a Grammy for one of my all time favorite songs 'Makin' Whoopee' to put next to her 'Best New Artist' Grammy from 1979 I was jazzed for her all over again.


I've seen her on the cover of Rolling Stone a couple of times through the years, she's hosted SNL and continues to dazzle live audiences everywhere she goes, her voice is pitch perfect and with songs like 'Chuck E', 'Last Chance Texaco', 'Satellites' and 'Danny's All-Star Joint' all of which she played this night among many others, Rickie Lee Jones is one of those artists who, once you've seen her, you won't ever want to miss her again.

We soaked in every ounce of Rickie Lee that we could squeeze out of her, she played for over an hour and a half, then we all said goodnight and goodbye to the Live Oak family and packed our gear till next year. I would like to thank everyone involved so much for making this a weekend that I'll remember for a long long time, from the artists to the volunteers at the festival to the vendors who provided all the great food and drink to the sponsors to the thousands of fans who came out and made this festival...You Rock! ...oh yeah...peace. love. dirt. ...and Thanks for the ride!
Casey Reagan for
American Blues News
All Rights Reserved 2010

The Simi Valley Cajun Creole Music Festival (with a BLUES infusion) By: Casey Reagan

The Simi Valley Cajun Creole Music Festival
(with a BLUES infusion) By: Casey Reagan
for American Blues News
Simi Valley, CA.
May 30-31, 2010


This festival is being (unofficially) re-named by me to: The 'Steamy' Valley Cajun Creole Music Festival because it
was hot, and I'm not just talkin' about the weather. Even though it was an unseasonably warm Sunday afternoon, that is, if there is such thing as seasonably warm, when it comes to the Simi Valley, but as May days go, this one was a gorgeous day by any standards, when I arrived at the Simi Valley Recreation Complex where this event is held annually. This wasn't my first time around for this festival, but for me, it was one of the best so far.
The festival is always well planned and nicely organized by a team of very cool people. The Cajun Creole Music Festival, as it is known, now in its 21st year, has evolved since it started out in 1988 as a New England Clambake fund-raiser for the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise. The 'Blues Infusion' portion of the event coming on board for the past 5 years and getting bigger each year, The biggest sponsor of the blues here were the guys in the Delta Groove tent where they had answers for all my music questions, very cool cats. (see photos below).
This year was no different, and with all the activities and sheer size of the event, having live Cajun, Zydeco and Blues entertainment on multiple stages, more than 150 food, beverage, craft and sponsor booths, and being attended by 15,000 people, that is surely saying something!
It was easy to remember it was Memorial Day weekend with the numerous American flags proudly flying and the centerpiece of the venue, reminding us of why we were there. 100% of the Festival profits are donated in support of charitable, educational and humanitarian causes. The Simi Valley Cajun Creole Music Festival has resulted in total charitable donations in excess of $1,000,000.

With 3 music stages this festival is harder for a photographer to cover than the Barnum and Bailey Circus, so I focused my attention on the Blues stage, where even there I got so involved with the backstage goings on I completely missed the live photo ops while the headliners The Mannish Boys and Elvin Bishop were on stage and by the time I made my way back around to the stage they were finished and I missed them back stage as well, soooooo how about those supporting acts eh?
BLUES STAGE Line-Up for both days:
Sat May 29th
The Insomniacs
Los Fabulocos Featuring Kid Ramos
Arthur Adams Band
Hollywood Blue Flames
Jackie Payne – Steve Edmonson Band
The Soul of John Black

Sun May 30th
Kirk Fletcher Band
Lynwood Slim / Igor Prado
Mike Zito
Candye Kane with Special Guest Bob Corritore
Elvin Bishop
The Mannish Boys

I wasn't around for Saturdays activities, I had another festival to cover the same weekend (link to santa clarita fest) but you can see my coverage of Kid Ramos with the 44's here: [link to 44's interview]
Candye Kane, Mike Zito and a host of others were on hand to warm up the crowd for my new old favorite Elvin Bishop, then The Mannish Boys who all sounded amazing by the way and are again on my radar as some of the top blues performers out there. I know, I know, it took me long enough. Gee, I wish I had pictures for you. Next time for sure.

This event is as much about the food as it is the music as evidenced by the variety and number of food tents and the unique food they were serving. You could get authentic Thai food and right next door... all the alligator you could eat, and I did! My 'girlish figure' will suffer but that's just one of the hazards of this job and a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

There were more things to see than I had time for but when I saw the 'Hat Guy's' from Shady Hut Hats I had to stop in and say hey. Mel, his wife Jeannie and son Steve are the west coast authority on everything hats, and Mel knows his craft (He's been at it for years) and sales too I might add, Mel sold me a new fedora to replace one I've been wearing to concerts for about 35 years and he made sure my new hat was brushed, stretched and custom fit before I walked away, talk about service!

I mentioned the three stages of music and I'll give you an idea of how much activity there was at this festival by omission and by only mentioning briefly the 'kids' stage where local teen bands performed, it was the Second Annual Kid’s Talent Show over in the Cajun Kids Area. Local children 17 years old and under showed off their talents then the audience picked the winner. Preliminary rounds were held Saturday and Final rounds were performed Sunday. I didn't get all the details but it looked like everyone was having fun. And the 'Zydeco' stage where the majority of the musical attention was focused this weekend as well as a bunch of sideline activities to entertain us between acts...

And all the accordion music you could ask for, if Zydeco is your thing, this is the festival for you. Here's the line up for both days:
2010 CAJUN CREOLE STAGE

Sat May 29th
Theo & the Zydeco Patrol
T-Lou and the Super Hot Zydeco Band
Lisa Haley and the Zydecats
Cajun Kids Parade
Cedric Watson
Pine Leaf Boys

Sun May 30th
Acadiana
Bonne Musique Zydeco
Cedric Watson
Cajun Kids Parade
Lisa Haley and the Zydecats
Rosie Ledet


Everywhere you turned there were a bunch of people having a good time enjoying their favorite music or food, or both. I walked past a herd of tuba players lugging their instruments toward the kids stage, so I'm guessing there was some jammin' going on over there too. It looked busy every time I glanced toward the kid zone and there were plenty of kids to enjoy the day, with rock climbing, those bungee bouncy thingys and every bounce house from SpongeBob to who knows who!

If you had the time to look around for something, chances are you'd be able to find it, from cell phones to sports gear to houseplants, there were vendors selling everything from clothes, purses, crafts and pottery, to jewelry, toys, posters and hats, homemade salsas and super hot hot sauce to salt water taffy... and people buying it too, I talked to bunches of them, buyers and sellers and found people to be spending a little and sharing a lot. I didn't hear of any trouble and I'd have to check with the organizers but I think its safe to say, everyone survived!

After a long day in the sun, I kicked my feet up and enjoyed some of the best live blues I've had the enjoyment of hearing in quite awhile. When it was all over, I packed my cameras, my new hat, my old hat, a ton of music paraphernalia, a plant I bought for my girlfriend and hiked back to the car, already having fond memories of a Sunday well spent. I'll be back next year Simi Valley, count on it, only next year I'm ridin' with this kid...

The Santa Clarita Blues Festival 2010 - By Casey Reagan

The Santa Clarita Blues Festival 2010 - By Casey Reagan

Santa Clarita, California

It was a perfect Saturday for an outdoor concert in sunny Southern California and with musical performances by some of the areas finest musicians this festival goes down in the books as a success. This annual festival is sponsored by the Santa Clarita Blues Society (http://www.scvblues.org/ ) and is held at Mountain View Park, (located at 28502 Seco Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita 91390).

The crowd was treated to a car show with some of the coolest hot rods around.

Some fantastic BBQ provided by local firefighters, firetruck rides and all kinds of neat kid stuff, and,

to a couple more hours of music than we were promised.

The show ran long but everyone who attended will tell you it wasn't a problem. It meant more great food, fun and friendship for everyone. With The Laurie Morvan Band ( http://www.lauriemorvan.com/ ) headlining the show backed up by

Phil Gates and his band ( http://http://www.philgates.com/)

among the others listed below the park was rockin' until almost dark.

This is the line-up of talent who were on hand to keep the music flowing:

Triple Threat See their website at triplethreatmusic.com.

Thelonius James and Greger Welnum See Thelonius James' MySpace profile here.

Five Yard Dog Check out the trio's website at fiveyarddog.com

Preston Smith See his MySpace profile here

Phil Gates Band Visit his website at philgates.com

Artwork Jamal and The Acid Blues Visit Jamal's website at artworkjamal.com.

Laurie Morvan Band Visit her website at lauriemorvan.com

As well as the artists who were performing, I bumped into a few other local musicians who stopped by to show their support for, and love of the blues. Among them was a fav of mine Kelly Zirbes of 'Kelly's Lot' http://www.KellysLot.com/ .

She was accompanied by her hubby Perry Robertson,

a great guitar player and fine musician in his own right, along with others in the business.

Every band who played delivered with style,Preston Smith did his one man set and delivered in a big way with a little innovation and a lot of talent.

But for me the 'stand-out' artist of the day was Artwork Jamal.

I had only heard his name mentioned before this gig and hadn't had the pleasure of seeing him perform live but now I know what I was missing and trust that I won't miss many more chances to catch this guy live.

He is absolutely, living, breathing soul with a blues voice like no other. I talked to Artwork after his set and found myself asking questions just to hear him talk. I'd have paid him to sing me the answers.

Artwork's charm extends way beyond the stage and he is one of the nicest most sincere people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting and his wife Lida is his perfect counterpart, what a sweet couple. I wish them all the best in everything they do.

There were drawings, raffles, a silent auction and as I mentioned, sweet rides, good food and great music all day long. My hats off to the Santa Clarita Blues Society and everyone involved in sponsoring this event.




In closing I'll just say this...see ya next year Santa Clarita, and thanks for the ride!