PITTSBURGH: Recap of the Pittsburgh Blues Festival by Monica L. Yasher

As promised, I wanted to give everyone an account of the Pittsburgh Blues Festival. First and foremost this event was to help the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. And FREE Friday raised 23,500 pounds of food. They haven’t completed the financials yet. But what a great event for the good of the community. Thank you everyone. And, a special thank you to Ron “Moondog” Esser who is the chair for the entire event. Ron is also the owner of Moondogs, the local blues happening bar here in Pittsburgh.

The staff of the festival is quite impressive in their own right. They truly have their act together. When I arrived, I let the main gate know that I had an interview scheduled with Shannon Curfman (interview coming!). The staff knew who to call to take me to Shannon. I never felt so special as I rode down to the main gate to see Shannon. Unfortunately for Shannon, her trip did not go as planned and they were running a bit late. We decided to wait until after her set to talk to her. So, the staff drove Maureen and I to the VIP tent. It looked like really great food in there. But, our friend Eugene Morgan was playing in the back stage. So, off we ran to see Eugene. He did a great set and really had the crowd going. Thanks Eugene!

From there, Shannon was on stage, so Maureen and I ran down to the main stage to take some pictures of their performance. Maureen and I seemed to do a lot of running around that day! Shannon’s band was tight. And, how couldn’t they be, with brothers like Paul and Wade Thompson handling the percussion? Man, those guys were working it! And, Justin Kesterson, you rock in rain or shine!


As we waited for Shannon to meet and greet the fans, (and Pittsburgh definitely has fans!), I had the pleasure of meeting Joseph Veloz and Shawn Kellerman (interview coming!). Joseph, the poor guy, just wanted a cup of coffee after a long drive. And, there wasn’t any backstage. If I would have known, I would have gone to get him a cup. I owe Joseph a cup of coffee the next time I see him. He tells me that he will hold me to that offer! While we waited for Shannon to finish up with autographs, we met up with Jim Franciscus, Treasurer of the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania. I always like talking to Jim. He is just one of those great guys who have a love of the blues. We finally had the opportunity to meet up with Shannon and talk about the blues (interview coming!). After the interview, we listened to Shawn’s set. Shawn has a lot of energy in his music and I can’t wait to talk to him about it next month.

I told Jimmy Adler I would stop by his tent and see all the great things he had planned for the kids. And, Jimmy Adler with friends, did a great job at the Blues Music Tent. When I stopped in, there were about a dozen kids enjoying the blues of Bill Weiner. They all had faces painted courtesy of the kids tent. All children had a tambourine and were listening to some really great entertainment by Bill. Thank you Jimmy for your efforts! I hope you had a great time at the after jam, which took place at Moondogs.

We finally ventured back to the VIP tent and had a bite to eat and Curtis Salgado was the next band up. If you want to capture my heart, have a harmonica. Sorry, the blues ain’t the blues without a harmonica to me. Mr. Salgado sounded great as we were at the VIP tent, dining on some really fine blues festival food. Maureen and I grabbed a table outside the tent. Wouldn’t you know it. It began to sprinkle. The Thompson family from Shannon’s band so graciously invited Maureen and I to dine with them. All that I have to say is that blues people are the best people! Thanks for a great evening!

And, Wade and Paul agree that when you come out of the Fort Pitt Tunnels into the ‘burgh, it is quite a cool sight. There’s a city on the other side of that mountain!

Los Lobos finished up the Saturday evening lineup and delivered to the crowd.

I didn’t have the chance to attend Sunday’s show with Deb Callahan, JJ Grey and Mofro, and Robert Cray. Pittsburgh being a steel town with a love of their Steelers, Penguins, and the Blues hosted 15 local and national acts on two stages for the festival at Hartwood Acres in Pittsburgh over three days. I don’t think anyone walked away disappointed. I know Maureen and I didn’t. I would say that a fabulous time was had by all!

You may like to read the interview with Shannon Curfman or the Robert Cray Interview.

Copyright © 2009 Copyright Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.
Picture of Shannon Curfman used by permission

Those Summertime Blues..from Pittsburgh to West Virginia By Monica Yasher Pittsburgh, PA

Southwest Pennsylvania is a great place to be for summertime blues.
Last weekend was the Pittsburgh Blues festival (story coming August 7) and next week is the Heritage Music Bluesfest. These venues are only an hour and ½ away from each other, according to mapquest. So, Pittsburgh, are ready for the blues again?!

This is the 9th year for the Heritage Music Bluesfest and takes place over 3 days from August 7 to August 9. You can hear the blues at The Heritage Port Amphitheater, Wheeling, WV 26003, which is right next to the river in Wheeling. It is really a nice atmosphere, especially at night with the stars and water and….the blues! Children under age 10 are admitted to the festival free and get a wristband as long as they are accompanied by an adult. For you adults, to get your wristband that allows you to come and go as you please from the festival, here is the ticket information that you need (any guesses on what colors will be used on what days? Sorta fun game to play don’t ya think?):

Tickets purchased in advance are only offered in weekend passes.
The cost of prepurchased weekend passes are $55.00 and will increase in price to $60.00 at the gate. Daily passes are available for purchase the day of the show for $25.00 up to a capacity crowd of 5000 people. The festival has not sold out yet. But, you never know!



Weekend VIP passes prebought at $95.00. If not prepurchased, the cost is $100.00 at the gate. The advantages to the VIP pass are:
Festival style seating in the amphitheater area
A logo camp chair, Bluesbag Tote, Tshirt or hat is yours for the keeping
After jam entry for 3 nights at local establishments

BACKSTAGE VIP passes are $300.00 at any time and will get you:
Everything the VIP pass offers plus
Backstage access
Tented side stage seating
Self serve water, soda and beer
Daily meals provided by on site vendors

If you are coming out of town, there are many hotel options for you to consider. However, the bluesfest hotel packages are sold out. You need to purchase hotel and festival tickets ala carte. For accommodations take a peek here.

Here's their great lineup!

FRIDAY - 8/07/09
5:00 pm ............................................ Eden Brent
6:30 pm ............................................ John Nemeth
8:00 pm ............................................ The Soul Of John Black
9:30 pm ............................................ Elvin Bishop

SATURDAY - 8/08/09
Noon ................................................. IBC Solo / Duo Winner
1:00 pm ............................................ Mikey Jr.
2:30 pm .............................................David Jacobs Strain
4:00 pm ............................................ Delta Highway
5:30 pm .............................................Saffire the Uppity Blues Women
7:00 pm .............................................Ronnie Baker Brooks
8:30 pm ............................................ Walter Trout
10::00 pm .......................................... Bobby Rush
SUNDAY - 8/09/09
1:00 pm ............................................ IBC Band Winner
2:30 pm ........................................... Moreland & Arbuckle
4:00 pm ........................................... Ruthie Foster
5:30 pm ............................................Magic Slim & the Teardrops
7:00 pm ........................................... Sonny Landreth
8:30 pm ........................................... The Fabulous Thunderbirds

What a great lineup! If you go, look me up on Saturday and Sunday. I have a good many interviews scheduled, which includes Kim from the Fabulous Thunderbirds! I will also be speaking with Delta Highway, 2009 Blues Music Awards for Best New Debut Artist. Check them out:



You may also like to read about the Pittsburgh Blues Festival.
Copyright © 2009 Copyright Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.

Those Summertime Blues....Fests! by Monica Yasher

The 15th annual Pittsburgh Blues Festival is just around the corner. The event this year takes place over 3 days from July 24 to July 26 and is held at Hartwood Acres, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. The Pittsburgh blues festival is not just a Mecca for blues fans to convene; it is an event with a purpose, as all proceeds benefit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank with this event raising more than 1 million dollars in it's 15 year history.Tickets purchased in advance are $22.00 and offers a raffle to be backstage that will go off daily between 8 and 8:30 every night. The winner of the raffle may take one person back stage with them. You can obtain tickets online through here. A gate purchased ticket requires $25.00 of your hard earned cash.

Last year the free food Friday raised 13.5 tons of food. They will offer free food Friday again this year! For every person that brings a bag of food, admission is free into the blues festival. Please bring a generous bag. It is for a worthwhile cause! Remember, this offer is for Friday only! The festival accepts food all weekend long!

If you can't attend the festival and would like to help the food bank, think about purchasing this great cookbook. Recipes are penned by the wives of our own Stanley Cup Champs, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Gates open at 4 pm on Friday. Acts that will perform on Friday are:

Eric Lindell
Cyril Neville and Tribe 13

Saturday has gates opening at 1 pm and going to dusk. The lineup is:

Shannon Curfman
Shawn KellermanCurtis Salgado
Los Lobos

On Sunday they change it up a bit with an opening time of 1:30 pm.
Blues guests are:

Deb Callahan
JJ Grey and Mofro
Robert Cray Band

Typically between the main stage acts, everyone can turn their lawn chairs around and view the back stage where Pittsburgh Blues bands perform. This year’s lineup for the ‘burg consists of: Glenn Pavone and the Cyclones, Jill West and Blues Attack, Felix & the Hurricanes, Ron Yarosz & the Vehicle, Eugene Morgan , and Jimmy Adler .

Special things to note:
Festival goes on rain or shine
If it rains-you are out in the rain! There isn’t any cover.
No outside alcohol permitted
If you wish to purchase alcohol, please bring your photo id.
Personal coolers require a $5.00 admission fee
Parking is free and it isn’t really far to walk to the stage.
Please bring your blankets and lawn chairs
Food donations are welcome at any time
The park is handicapped accessible, which includes bathrooms
Volunteers are still needed
before and after your shift you can enjoy the show
free food voucher provided for your hard work
Merchandise voucher provided as a way to say thanks for helping!


A Kid Zone is available during the festival, and kids under age 12 enter for free on any day. My friend, Jimmy Adler (on the right), along with June Esser, have created special blues in the tents workshops which are designed with the intention of educating children of all ages (yes-that includes you too!) about the history and importance of Blues music as America’s living legacy to the world. Their schedule of events are as follows:

FRIDAY, July 24, 2009
Jimmy Adler presents “Blues History: From the Delta to Chicago” 5-5:40PM
Bubs McKeg presents “Story Telling in the Blues” 6-6:40PM
Eugene Morgan presents “South Georgia’s Back Porch Blues” 7-7:40PM

SATURDAY, July 25, 2009
Jimmy Adler presents “Blues History: From the Delta to Chicago” 3-3:40PM
Eugene Morgan presents “South Georgia’s Back Porch Blues” 4-4:40PM
Bubs McKeg presents “Story Telling in the Blues” 5-5:40PM
Bill Weiner presents “Folk Blues for Children of all Ages” 6-6:40PM

SUNDAY, July 26, 2009
Jimmy Adler presents “Blues History: From the Delta to Chicago” 2:50-3:30PM
Eugene Morgan presents “South Georgia’s Back Porch Blues” 3:50-4:30PM
Larry Nath presents “ Turn Around and Testify” 4:50-5:30PM
Bob and Andy Gabig present “The Influence of Blues in Appalachian Music” 5:50-6:30PM
Bubs McKeg presents “Story Telling in the Blues” 6:50-7:30PM

For more information contact the blues hotline at 412-460-Blue.

You may enjoy reading the Robert Cray Interview here.
Picture of Jimmy Adler used by permission
http://www.myspace.com/songsbymonicayasher

The Chicago Blues Music Society - dateline Chicago

Last spring my good friends Dave, Jim, and I were talking about starting a blues music society. All three of us are blues fanatics, We love the blues. At the time there was not a Chicago Blues Music Society. Why nobody thought of it before us is beyond me. Maybe because the uneducated populace fears the blues and it spread like wildfire to the educated. Don’t flood me with emails, I’ll try to explain. Bear with me as I reminisce a bit and tell the tale.

I grew up in a town called Burbank, Illinois. It is located just southwest of the city of Chicago. When I was about twelve or thirteen I came across a John Lee Hooker and Mississippi John Hurt album in an old EJ Korvette store. That store was similar to Target or Wal-Mart only smaller. It was the only store around that sold records. I could walk there and that would take most of the day. Back then kids of all ages could walk everywhere and nobody would bother them. If I goofed off in public my parents would hear about it. Everybody knew everybody's kid and they would report any shenanigans to their individual parents. My dad got a bad report once and only once.

E J Korvette sold new albums for about 3 bucks each. They were called LP's (LP stands for long playing kids). The ones that did not sell were discounted to about fifty or seventy-five cents. I would buy most of those discounted LP’s with money earned. I took bottles back for deposits. Back in the day, all bottles had a deposit on them. Milk bottles were the best 5 cents each and regular pop or beer bottles earned 2 cents each. I would go from house to house knocking on doors asking for them. People seemed to like the service I provided and I had quite the market cornered or on the corner. Sorry I just had to do it.

I remember knocking on this run down old codgers’ never painted, paint peeling, dry rotted door. That old codger was the grumpy old man that every neighborhood had. My neighborhood has one. His name is ME. That old man never, ever took his bottles back. I almost passed out when he opened his garage door. Jackpot, that garage was loaded from floor to ceiling with bottles. It was the mother lode. I had my little red wagon and I worked for about three days hauling bottles. I think I made about two hundred bucks on that deal or it seemed like two hundred. I bought my first bass guitar with that money ($40), Teisco double pick-up. I learned how to play it and by the time I was fifteen I was playing bass in a “Shadows of Knight” (Gloria) copy band.

I earned about $1,500 one summer playing that bass. Before that summer of money (not summer of love that was prior) I had to beg my Dad for a ride. When he learned how much money I was making he became my chauffeur. That group played a lot of Rock and Roll and a handful of blues tunes. You know the regular ones just like the way the “Shadows” played them. “Oh yeah, Mojo Workout, I just wanna make love to you” and one other that escapes me now. I miss that group.

Ron K was the guitar player in that group and just the other day we were talking about the Gibson SG Les Paul Custom Guitar his dad bought him for Christmas and also, his birthday. They happened to fall on the same day. Every year he got taken for a ride. I mean each year he got one present for both days. His dad told me he paid a whopping $287 for that Gibson. Man oh man, if we only knew then, what we know now.

A friend of mine, who shall remain anonymous, just bought the exact same model, same year. He purchased it from a women preacher. I tagged along to help authenticate it. It was the real deal. He paid 8k for it. At a recent guitar show he was offered three times that by a Chicago dealer. I started a conversation with that 80’s something women. I asked her if she would play the guitar for us. She did. Guess what folks, 12 bar blues. I told her she was an excellent blues player. Wrong thing to say to a preacher. She barked back, “Boy that ain’t blues, that there’s gospel music. I said “Sounds like blues to me”. She said, “Son, the blues is the devil’s music and Gospel is God’s music.”

I started to think about that incident this past week and all of a sudden it dawned on me why the blues music societies popped up. Not only are they cool places to exchanges ideas, it is also a social club that has a common interest amongst it's members namely the music. One other role of a blues music society is to educate people about what the blues is and not what they think it is. Thank you preacher for ringing that bell in my head or lighting the light bulb above it.

You all know the old story about the blues man standing at the crossroads with a guitar in one hand and a blood tipped quill feather in the other hovering over the devil’s own contract. That contract probably contained this wording or a facsimile thereof;

“In exchange for instant international worldwide recognition and the best guitar-man-ship I hereby pledge my soul to you, the devil, Lucifer or whatever you call yourself and said debt is collectible upon my demise, sooner or later, blah, ba blah, ba blah, ba blah.

__________________

Sign here red ink only.

Some people actually think that a person that plays outstanding blues, must have sold his soul to the devil.

That crossroad story lives on to this very day. People, for god’s sake come on, it did not happen or……. did it? Mmmmmmm,,,, you know if it did and I’m not saying it did, I would give anything to find that contract except of course my soul,,,,,,,, referring of course to my musical soul not the religious one.

Blues Me Or Lose Me,

Terrance B. Lape AKA Gatorman
http://www.livebluesworld.com/profile/TerranceLape
© Copyright Terrance B. Lape all rights reserved. Reproduction of this website, in whole or in part, in any form or medium without express written permission from American Blues Blog is prohibited. All use is subject to our Terms of Use

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Monday night near the blues Capital Chicago

80 Miles south of Chicago with Ana Popovic

I have been fortunate enough to see Ana Popovic perform in a small venue located in Bradley, Illinois. It was then and still is struggling to survive. The club contains two main bars, one in the front and one in the back. The back bar is where they have live music and that area seats about 75 people.

I first heard of Ana in Vintage Guitar magazine. My friend Ricky directed me to the article. Rocking Rick, as I call him, is a walking encyclopedia of musical trivia. Ricky served as “Question Mark and the Mysterions” road manager for three years (96 Tears). When Rick tells me about an artist I have a tendency to listen. The man knows what he’s talking about and I thank him for leading me to Ana.

I walked into that Bradley club and paid the $5 cover. You are reading that correctly 5 bucks. The stage was set with all the equipment and the blues were pounding through the sound system. The show was sponsored by a local blues organization called “The Friends of The Blues”. The only requirement for membership is to attend the gigs. Kind of a loose knit bunch of blues fanatics very weird, but fun. They book bands that are in between gigs. They offer the visiting groups food and lodging and some spending money.

Ana’s band opened up with a couple of numbers. They were quite good. Then it was Ana’s turn. You know how a picture sometimes does not capture the essence of its subject. I had seen her photo in Vintage guitar magazine, but was not prepared for the person. Ana is HOT!!!!!!!!!!

Every head in the club turned and every eye fixated on her pure beauty. She slowly walked from the back of the room towards the front like a Queen. She climbed the four steps that led up to the stage as if she was Queen Cleopatra and Queen for the night she was. She carried a royal scepter and it was her Fender Stratocaster. She carried that guitar like a mother carries a newborn child. She hooked it up counted 1,,2,,3,,4,, and she took us into a steamy den of iniquity. She caressed that strat with such pure innocent sexuality that half, no three quarters, of our jaws dropped. I overheard one woman tell her boyfriend that all the men in the place wanted to make love to her and some of the women too. At that point in time every mothers son was love smitten. Her love flowed through the crowd like fog rolls into a seaside town and we breathed deep, very deep. You know the old adage if you look up a certain word you will find a picture of someone next to it. Go ahead and look up the word sexuality Ana Popovics picture is next to it. She handles a guitar like an exotic dancer handles a pole. I wish I could be her Stratocaster for just one gig.

Once you get past her unusual beauty and extreme sexuality you find a very accomplished talented guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, a woman after my own heart. Her musicality is way beyond most current artists. In short she has SOUL and knows how to use it. Her playing comes from a much deeper place then few have ever been.

She was raised in war torn Serbia and lived there during the horrid years of the Milosovic regime (1990-1996). Milosovic was a tyrants’ tyrant. He was directly responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths. Can you imagine walking down the street to get basic necessities while snipers try to kill you? Crime was rampant and unemployment was at a record 80%. That is a form of the blues that few people have ever experienced.

Out of tragedy comes goodness and that goodness is Ana Popovic. She is a blues angel sent to us from a very special place and no one can deny her right to play the blues. Thank you Ana , thank you.

I have to admit I am in love with Ana and I would gladly string her guitar anytime, anywhere, any place.

Terrance “Gatorman” Lape

Chicago Blues Music Society Vice President

Decoration Day....Sharing the Blues - by Monica Yasher, Pittsburgh, Penn.

This is the weekend that truly kicks off the summer! All right! It’s Memorial Day Weekend! So what will you be doing this weekend? Grilling a burger or hot dog? Maybe drinking some iced tea? Nah. Beer? Something a bit stronger? Hopefully, we will all be taking some time to reconnect with our friends and family. Maybe even grabbing a get away to unwind from the winter. Wow! Here’s one-catch a blues band! People count the days to Memorial Day from Easter. Sometimes it's a loooonnnnngg time before you get a day off, huh? This day has such good things associated with it. Summer. School's out. Planned vacations. Screeching brakes about.......here....Sadly, that wasn’t the original intent. It was to be a day of remembrance of our fallen heroes. Our heroes. Our military. The defenders of our rights. The ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that you could live in a country to have this day off. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died giving service to our country.

No other holiday has the essence of the blues as Memorial Day. It’s about losing the person or persons that matter most to you. And, yes grieving. And, you are allowed to grieve. You don’t have to go to the doctors to get a pill and make it all go away. It hurts and it can hurt bad. And, you know what? You are entitled to that hurt. You experienced things-special things-with the loved ones that have gone. And you can hurt. No one should tell you otherwise. Take a pill? I don’t think so. I think everyone is entitled to their pain. And, you know what? You don’t have to be happy just for me. I can pray that you will come around again back to your old self. But, until then, you go ahead and feel what you feel. This is a weekend to wail the blues. We as Americans are entitled. We have our share of loss.

Sorry.....I digress....I just have a problem with taking a pill for everything and anything.....back to our veterans. What can we do to help ease the blues for our veteran’s? The ones that are still around and gave their time and potentially could have given their lives so that we can live in this great country? I am proud to be a member of the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania. This organization has many initiatives for our veterans that go year long. Last year I participated in the “Blues is a Healer Tour” at the Butler, PA Veterans Home. Veterans and their families enjoyed a concert and an outdoor BBQ on September 28. I can tell you that the blues truly was a healer for these men and women that served our country. It was an honor to perform in front of them.

This society keeps the blues as a healer for these men and women all year long many times a year. Come on out and support the BSWP as some of Pittsburgh's best honor our veterans. We don’t need a holiday to do that! If you are in the Pittsburgh area, please stop in and say hello:

MOVE! TO THE BLUES FOR THE FISHER HOUSE
to benefit the Veterans' Fisher House Building Fund
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2PM-6PM $10
Lawrenceville Moose, 120 51st Street, Pittsburgh, PA
Ms. Freddye & Blue Faze, Bubs McKeg, Shot 'O Soul
more information: 724-378-8926

The society I speak so highly of is living and feeling the blues since May 1, 2009, this decoration day. Losing our blues leader, our president, Jim Weber, is a great loss to us all. It is important to share our memories of our loved ones. I invite each of you to share an eulogy, remembrance, prayer or poem in honor of anyone you are missing as a comment on this blog. I also invite you to share your own story of grief over the loss of a loved one here as well. It's OK. This is the blues. Jim's last post on the BSWP said, "I have always said that the blues people were the greatest people."
I understand.....we all do. This is a blues community.

Song of the Week: Decoration Day by Howlin’ Wolf
Check it Out On: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEzxPSgl4fU


Copyright © 2009 Copyright Monica L. Yasher. All Rights Reserved.