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GTCBMS GATHERINGS AND EVENTS OF NOTE

2009 Happenings Index

[Guitar Extravaganza]
[Rochester Blues & BBQ]
[2009 Members' Appreciation Picnic]
[Boundary Waters Blues Festival]
[Fargo Blues Festival]
[Santiago Shakedown 09]
[Smokin' In Steele Blues 4 Kids]
[Baseball & Blues Saints Game]
[Romantic Roundhouse Blues Story]
[Romantic Roundhouse Blues Slide Show]
[Winter Carnival Blues Festival Story]
[Winter Carnival Blues Fest Slide Show]
[GOOT Fund Raiser at The Junction Poster]
[Junction GOOT Slide Show]
[Davina & the Vagabonds at Jitters]


Guitar Extravaganza Great Success

Curtis Marlatt
Curtis Marlatt

Over $200 Donated to GTCBMS

Thank you, Curtis (Curtis Marlatt & the Kicks) and Christina Marlatt for putting together the Blues Guitar Extravaganza event at Whiskey Junction on November 19th. Not only were blues fans treated to a variety of terrific local guitarists, but over $200 was donated to GTCBMS from a percentage of the money collected at the door and from the donation jug that Christina passed around to the audience. Thanks also to all of the musicians who gave of their time and talents and to the volunteers who manned the front door and the merchandise table. This event along with ("Hurricane" Harold) Tremblay's Harmonica Extravaganza and Lisa Wenger's Women Sing The Blues events have been a great boost as fund raisers for the Blues Society and in helping to raise awareness about the Society. Thank you, all. — Jake Jacobson

(11/24/09)


Rochester Blues & BBQ Festival

First-Time Event Is A Success

Ed Ehrhardt
Ed Ehrhardt from Plan B

Review by Doug Spike

Four acts from Minnesota were amongst the seven who performed at the first Annual Rochester Blues & BBQ Festival held on Saturday, August 22nd at Peace Plaza in Rochester, MN.

The Brothers Curtis, who won our local competition and represented Minnesota in the Solo/Duo category of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in February 2009 lead off with guitar, harp, kick drums and vocals. The Brothers Curtis also took the stage during band changeovers insuring that the audience was treated to constant music for the entire 6 1/2 hours of the festival.

Next up was Davina and the Vagabonds, our 2009 representative in the band category of the IBC. Davina's unique vocals and energetic keyboards were backed by her talented bandmates on trumpet, trombone, stand-up bass and drum.

Curtis Marlatt
Curtis Marlatt of
Bros. Curtis Delta Duet

Guitar wizard Paul Mayasich and his power trio wowed the crowd with their mastery of different blues styles. Mega-talented, Paul has become one of the most popular and versatile performers in the state.

Southern Minnesota based Plan B closed the festival and filled the dance floor. Lead vocalist Sena Ehrhardt's voice and stage presence were complemented by Plan B's rousing twin lead guitars, bass and drums.

Rounding out the sounds at the festival were Iowa Blues Challenge winner The Avey Brothers, Madison based Joel Pingatore and the Playground of Sound, and national act Damon Fowler. To the crowd's delight, Damon also joined Plan B for two songs during the final set.

As well as a full schedule of music, ticket prices included a selection of BBQ tastes prepared by 5 of the top restaurants in the area.

(08/24/09)


Davina Sowers
Davina Sowers

9th Annual Boundary Waters Blues Festival

At Miner Lake in Ely, MN • July 29 - Aug. 1

The 9th Annual Boundary Waters Blues Festival will be held Thursday, July 29 through Saturday, July 30 at Miner Lake in Ely, MN (See the Map). This year's lineup includes Brandon Scott Sellner, Davina & the Vagabonds, Jimi "Prime Time" Smith, Howard & the White Boys, Carlos Johnson, Levee Town, Chris Beard, The Kinsey Report, Gas House Gorillas and Wayne Baker Brooks. Besides great music, camping, biking, hiking, fishing, canoeing, food and beverages are available. 3-Day Passes are $80, 2-Day Passes are $65, Daily Passes range from $25 - $40. For complete info check: www.elyblues.comJake Jacobson

(07/25/09)


14th Annual Fargo Blues Fest

Brandon Scott Sellner
Brandon Scott Sellner

Local Talent Mingles with National Acts • July 31-Aug. 1

The 14th Annual Fargo Blues Festival will be held Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1st at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, ND (See the Map). Friday's lineup lists: Sonny Landreth, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, Lamont Cranston, T Albert Lloyd Band, and Stagedoor Jonny. Saturday follows with Hubert Sumlin (featuring Willie "Big Eyes" Smith), Indigenous, Kelly Richey Band, Big Walter Smith & the Groove Merchants, Lil' Dave Thompson, and Brandon Scott Sellner. Two-day tickets are $32 and Single-Day tickets are $20. For more information visit: http://www.fargobluesfest.com/Jake Jacobson

(07/25/09)


Lisa Wenger
Lisa Wenger

Hambone Blues Jam This Weekend

Local Talent Fills the Bill

The 8th Annual Hambone Blues Jam will be held this Friday and Saturday, June 26 & 27th at the Holiday Park Golf Course in Hayward, MN. Tickets are $15 in advance for both days or $10 each day at the gate. For advance ticket info check: http://www.hambonebluesjam.com/Advance_Ticket_Info.html. Hambone Blues Jam (Holiday Park Golf Course) is on the Map.

FRIDAY LINE UP:SATURDAY LINE UP:
UNDER THE TENT: 7 to 11 PM Wonder Creek Band 1:00 to 10:15 PMBlack Cat Bone
MAIN STAGE: 6:00 - 7:00Doghouse Jon & The MisbehaversNOON - 1:00 The Gopher Tones
7:30 - 8:45 Dave Lambert Band1:30 - 2:45 Joe & Vicki Price
9:15 - 10:30 Lisa Wenger Band3:15 - 4:30 Everett Smithson Band
11:00 - 12:30Brandon Scott Sellner Band5:00 - 6:15 Cool Disposition
6:45 - 8:00Paul (Mayo) Mayasich Band
8:30 - 9:45 Plan B Blues featuring Sena E.
10:15 - 11:30 Levee Town
12:00 - 1:00 Jam Session!

(06/23/09)


Santiago Shakedown Feels Like Home

Ray of Bailey Ray's
Ray of Bailey Ray's

Ray and Rico Host Another Great Festival

(Special to GTCBMS) Story and Photos by Gary Eckhart, Blue Monday staff writer

Ed. Note: The following are excerpts from Gary Eckhart's article. For the complete story, pick up the July issue of Blue Monday Monthly or read it online at: www.bluemondaymonthly.com.

...This Blues Festival is flat out a good time all day and all night and when I move to Clarksdale, MS, it will be one that I will come back to visit, at this one, I feel at home. Ray gives you no choice but to feel at home, he strolls the grounds with a gigantic smile on his face thanking people for being there, he gets up on stage and spreads his love to everyone and it's genuine and as pure as the driven snow. Ray's the definition of a good man and then you add world class promoter Rico Anderson to the mix, well it just adds up to a good time for everyone.

Brandon Scott Sellner & Little Bobby
Brandon & Bobby

Willie West got things rolling with his brand of soulful Blues delivered the only the way Willie West can deliver it. In the bar Dee Miller (2009 MN, Road To Memphis Finalist) entertained the people between sets... Minnesota's Representative to 2010 International Blues Challenge Brandon Scott Sellner followed Willie and promptly blew the roof off the place...Brandon also shared the stage with Little Bobby and Lamont later that evening. Little Bobby and the Storm was next and in talking to Bobby backstage, he told me that he was getting better at this Blues stuff...Little Bobby and the Storm is as good of a Blues Band as you'll hear anywhere, anyplace.

 

Lightning Red
Lightning Red

...(Lightning Red) calls his brand of Blues, "Chicago-Tex"... Red spent his early days (Late 60's) in the Chicago area playing with Buddy Guy and some of the best Chicago had to offer at that time and was befriended by Luther Allison who took him under his wing and showed Red a few chops... In the early seventies Red moved to the music capital of the world Austin, TX where he had to compete with Stevie Ray Vaughn and the rest of the music scene in Austin to get gigs.

 

Pat Hayes
Pat Hayes

...Pat Hayes and his group of rock solid players,the Lamont Cranston Band, were the headliners and rightfully so. Pat has been entertaining people in Minnesota and beyond for over 40 years now and shows no signs of letting up. This band kicks butt and I am very impressed...I hope Ray and Rico keep this gig going because it really is one of the best Blues Festivals anywhere and I want to come back from Mississippi for this one. Ray, Rico great job and THANKS.
— Gary Eckhart

 

(06/20/09)


Smokin' In Steele Blues Fest

Blues 4 Kids Review

By Mike Fugazzi

Jack Fugazzi
Jack Fugazzi with harmonica
Photo by Judy Cedar

Hey everyone! A while back, John Hammer from the magazine Blue Monday Monthly and Doug (Spike) from the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society contacted me about doing a Blues 4 Kids session at this year's Smokin' in Steele Blues Fest and BBQ in Owatonna, MN. The purpose is to teach youth about blues music and introduce them to playing harmonica. I jumped at the opportunity to teach for them again, and am I ever glad I did!

What started out as a small gathering of area children ended up being three sessions with 71 participants ranging in age from kids to grandparents! Students were given free "Smokin' in Steele" harmonicas courtesy of the Owatonna Knights of Columbus. They learned to play chords, single notes, bend notes, and of course, how to do a proper headshake. My eleven month-old son, Jack, was there to cheer the students on and bust a move (he's quite the dancer). He even made the front page of Sunday's paper with harp in hand!

Ed. Note — You can find more information about Mike Fugazzi and his band, NiteRail at: http://www.myspace.com/niterailband

(06/10/09)


Baseball & Blues banner

Sun. June 7th
11 til? Game starts at 1:05
$15.00 Reserved Seats & Tailgating

 

 

Blues & Baseball Circle

 

 

We're looking to see if any members are interested in attending a Saints game. Come enjoy an afternoon with fellow blues lovers and Saints baseball.

Interested?

Contact Don or Deb Hills
tootsrembrandt@yahoo.com
763-425-8924

(04/27/09)


Mojo Buford Band/Dough Bros.

Valentine's Day at Jackson St Roundhouse

On February 14th from 5-9 pm, the Jackson Street Roundhouse hosted a Valentine's Day Romantic Roundhouse Blues event featuring the Mojo Buford Band and the Dough Bros.(Paul Mayasich & Andy Dee). The event was a great success thanks to the hard work of the volunteers at the Minnesota Transportation Museum. For more details and a slideshow please see Romantic Roundhouse Blues.


1st Annual Winter Carnival Blues Festival

Winter Carnival Blues Festival

Friday, Jan. 23, 5:30 — 11:30 PM at Wilkins Auditorium

See Winter Carnival Blues Fest Slide Show

Local musicians Spider John Koerner and Big George Jackson will be performing along with national acts Maurice John Vaughn and Eddie Shaw & the Wolfgang at the first ever Winter Carnival Blues Festival at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium, St Paul, MN on Friday, January 23 beginning at 5:30 pm. The festival will feature an acoustic and main stage with acts alternating between the two stages. Nikki & the RueMates, BC III and the Winter Carnival Klondike Kates will also be performing. Tickets are $15 and are available at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000 or 651-989-5151 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. See Blues Venues for location.

GTCBMS has been invited to participate in this event with decorating the auditorium prior to the event, helping musicians and our own informational "Meet & Greet" table. Interested volunteers should contact Melody Jacobson: melodynjake@yahoo.com

(01/09/09)


GOOT 2009 Poster

Past IBC Acts Showcase GOOT Event at The Junction

Sunday, January 25th — 2-7 pm

See the Junction GOOT Slide Show for pictures.

The best of the best! Past winners of the Road To Memphis Challenge including Scottie Miller, John Franken, Steve Vonderharr, Rockin' Daddy & the Rough Cuts, Good Time Willy Band, Papa John Kolstad & Clint Hoover, Cool Disposition Band along with Davina & the Vagabonds and The Brothers Curtis Delta Duet will perform on January 25th from 2-7 pm at The Junction (aka. Whiskey Junction) for this "Get Out Of Town" fund raiser.

A $7 tax-deductible contribution will be collected at the door by the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society. Proceeds from this event will help offset the travel, food and lodging expenses for Davina & the Vagabonds and The Brothers Curtis Delta Duet when they compete at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Feb. 4-7. Acts that compete at the IBC are not compensated for their performances and must pay their own way to the competition. (See Blues Venues for directions)

Along with GTCBMS this event is co-sponsored by Blue Monday Monthly and The Junction.

(01/01/09)


Davina & The Vagabonds at Jitters

Memphis Fund Raiser January 18th, 6-10 pm

Davina Sowers
Davina

Davina & the Vagabonds will be hosting a fund raising event at Jitters Cafe and Martini Bar (below The Times Restaurant see Blues Venues) on Sunday, January 18th from 6 until 10 pm. A $10 cover will be collected at the door. Money raised at this event will help to offset the cost of sending the Vagabonds to Memphis, TN on February 4-7 to compete in the International Blues Challenge. Bands participating in the IBC do not receive compensation for their performance and must pay their own travel, lodging, food and other expenses related to their trip to Memphis.

(01/01/09)

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

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