Discoveries 2011 Index (Scrollable)

Minnesota Blues Musicians' CD's & Talent
Gain Recognition From Blues Foundation

Sena Ehrhardt Nominated for Blues Music Award
Jimmi & the Band of Souls CD Advances To 2nd Round
Robb Stupka Nominated for Instrumentalist - Drummer

Leave The Light On

Rochester, Minnesota-based, blues singer, Sena Ehrhardt has been nominated for a prestiges Blues Foundation Blues Music Award in the category of "2012 Best New Artist Debut" for her breakthrough CD, Leave The Light On (Blind Pig Records). Sena is among five nominees for this award. This is the 33rd year in which the Blues Foundation has celebrated and honored the acheivements of blues artists with the Blues Music Awards (formerly the W.C. Handy Awards). The winners will be announced at the Blues Music Awards on May 10, 2012, in Memphis, TN.

The Devil You Know

Another Minnesota blues musician, Jimmi Langemo, has had his CD, Jimmi & the Band of Souls, The Devil You Know, advance to the final 30 from a field of 74 CD's that were submitted for the Blues Foundation's "2012 Best Self-Produced CD Competition." The CD was submitted to the Blues Foundation by the Minnesota Blues Society in November as the winner of our local competition. Competing CD's will be reduced to four finalists during the week of the International Blues Challenge with the winner being announced at the IBC finals at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis, TN on Saturday, February 4, 2012.

Robb Stupka

For the second year in a row, Minneapolis drummer, Robb Stupka has been nominated for a Blues Music Award as Instrumentalist - Drummer. Robb is probably best known locally for his work with the Butanes. He has played with the likes of Luther Allison, Earl King, Al Rapone, Deborah Coleman, James Solberg and Roy Gaines plus a raft of blues luminaries that passed through the old Blues Saloon when the Butanes were the house band there. This year Robb is in the company of Chris Layton, Jimi Bott, Kenny Smith, Stanton Moore and Tony Braunagel on the ballot for the drummer category.

Little Bobby Houle

Last but not least, Little Bobby & the Storm, from Thief River Falls have been backing this year's Blues Music Award nominee for the Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female), Nora Jean, for the past two years. Their tenure with Nora Jean included a trip to a Blues festival in Poland in 2010. Earlier this year Bobby produced and wrote songs for Nora Jean's third CD, Good Blues, at Untouchable Productions in Grand Forks, ND.

Congratulations, Sena, Jimmi, Robb & Bobby! I know all of the Minnesota Blues Society members will be rooting for you. — Jake Jacobson

(12/19/11)

Maurice Jacox

Blues Saloon Features Great Local Blues

The Butanes w/ Maurice Jacox

Friday, December 23

Along with the national blues acts, Wilebski's Blues Saloon has always featured the best of our local blues acts, too. This Friday, December 23, Curt Obeda and The Butanes return to the Saloon along with Maurice Jacox. If you were lucky enough to attend the Mojo Buford Benefit two weeks ago, you got a preview of this performance. It promises to be a soulful night before the night before Christmas.

Coming up on the 30th of December, the Blues Saloon will hold a thunderous guitar, Pre-New Year's Eve Extravaganza with Eric Gales, The Tracy Blake Project and The 1017 Band featuring Solomon Witherspoon. Beginning in January, Friday nights will feature Blues at 7 pm followed by Old School R&B Late Night. — Jake Jacobson

(12/19/11)

Dean Weisser Wins 3rd Emmy

Musician's Talents & Interests Range Far Beyond Drumming

Dean Weisser @ Peavey Plaza in 2009

Belated congratulations to Dean Weisser for winning a 2011 Upper Midwest Emmy award in the category of "Audio - Live or Live To Tape" for his work at KARE 11 on the "Showcase Minnesota Christmas Show". Many local musicians will recognize Dean from the work he does setting up sound for in-studio performances at KARE. If you visit his Scrapbook on his web site, you will see photos of dozens of notable celebrities who have benefited from Dean's expertise as an audio technician. Dean also won Emmys in 2006 and 2008. Many music fans may know Dean better as the drummer and bandleader for the Dean Weisser Band. In 2004, Dean took 3rd Place in "The World's Fastest Drummer Contest" at the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show held in Minneapolis. In addition to these achievements, Dean is a studio musician, songwriter, producer and recording artist for Brown Derby Productions where he produces industrial music and jingles. — Jake Jacobson

(10/25/11)

Rich Rue of the Ruemates

Nikki & the Ruemates
@ Cedar Cultural Center

October 22 - Opening for Kristy Lee

Nikki & the Ruemates will open for Alabama guitarist/songwriter, Kristy Lee at the Cedar Cultural Center on Saturday, October 22. On Friday, October 21, the Cedar will host a CD Release Party for Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers. Both shows begin at 8 pm. — Jake Jacobson

(10/17/11)

Paul Mayasich

Paul Mayasich & Friends

Tuesdays @ Minnesota Music Cafe

The popular Paul Mayasich & Friends Tuesday Night gig has moved to Minnesota Music Café on St Paul's Eastside. Music runs from 8 to 11 pm. This week's featured "friend" is Jimi "Primetime" Smith. Can you say, "Sizzling guitar licks?" It should be fun. — Jake Jacobson

(10/17/11)

So Long, Mojo

Mojo Buford

George "Mojo" Buford

1929 - 2011

For those of you who may not have heard, George "Mojo" Buford passed away on Tuesday, October 11. Many family members, friends and musicians attended a memorial service for Mojo on Sunday, October 16 at the First Memorial Cremation Society on Nicollet Avenue South in Minneapolis. Steve Clarke, who besides being a terrific saxophone player is also an ordained minister, stepped forward on short notice to preside over the ceremony. Steve set the tone early on by playing a beautiful solo soprano saxophone version of "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy". Dave "Cool Breeze" Brown delivered a heartfelt eulogy drawn from his experiences traveling and performing with Mojo on over one thousand performances, his relationship with Mojo's family and insights into Mojo's character and beliefs. Following the eulogy, friends and family shared their rememberances of Mojo. I thought was a very moving memorial. Plans are in the works for tribute concert in the near future. We will keep you posted. — Jake Jacobson

(10/16/11)

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