GTCBMS GATHERINGS AND EVENTS OF NOTE
Previous Years Happenings
2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
[Open Meeting at MMC] [Treefrog Music Festival] [Boundary Waters Blues Festival] [Members Appreciation Picnic] [Battle of the Blues at Whiskey Junction] [Mississippi Valley Blues Festival] [St Paul Winter Music Festival]
Dee Miller Band Wins the "Battle of the Blues"
Dee Miller
In the "Whiskey Wars" at Whiskey Junction
[More Pictures from Battle of the Blues]
Story & Photos by Jake Jacobson
The "Battle of the Blues" portion of the Whiskey Wars competition at Whiskey Junction was decided on Tuesday, July 10th in a three-way playoff between finalist bands Blue Voodoo, Red Veda and the Dee Miller Band.
In the end, judges Andre Fischer, Shirley Smith and Chopper Black selected the Dee Miller Band as the winners. Vocalist Dee Miller fronts the band composed of Paul Mejia on harp, Marty Puskala on bass, Bill Goodson on guitar, Shawn Richter on drums and Jesse Mueller on keyboards. With solid backing by the band, Dee covered familiar tunes by Junior Wells and Etta James among others with authority.
Eddie Rickert of Blue Voodoo
The Blue Voodoo band drew inspiration from Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King and Muddy Waters. This guitar-driven trio is led by Eddie Rickert on Stratocaster, Matt Scott on drums and Steve Bennett on bass. Blue Voodoo were the youngest participants in the competition and demonstrated the potential to develop into a really solid blues act.
Red Veda's Marsia Guerra
Red Veda, fronted by Marsia Guerra on vocals, with Anthony Arrigo on rhythm guitar, Aaron Zepplin on lead guitar, Brian Patterson on keyboards, A.J. Jackson on bass and Kailan Kielo on drums played a mix of original tunes along with some by Stevie Wonder, Prince and Lenny Kravitz. Red Veda delivered a tight, polished set that brought the dancers to their feet.
For their winning effort, the Dee Miller Band will receive: a paid gig at Whiskey Junction, tickets to a Twins game from Capital Beverage, 20 hours of recording time with an engineer at McNally Smith College of Music, rehearsal space for one month at The Beat Studios, an ad in The Onion with picture, a logo printed on the kick drum head from Choice Signs, a gift certificate from EMI Rental and one-year memberships in the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society. Including their winnings from the preliminary and semi-final rounds, the band will have received prizes totaling over $5200.
Thanks to Whiskey Junction hosts, Tom and Little O' Shea, Rae Singer of Soup Music Company(sponsor of Whiskey Wars), the guest judges, sponsors and all the participating bands for teaming-up to make this event a success. Special thanks to Christina, Curtis, Roz and Ted for volunteering to mind the GTCBMS Meet & Greet table for all those Tuesday nights.
Be sure to check the additional picture page for this event: Battle of the Blues Pictures
Mississippi Valley Blues Festival Welcomes Regional Blues Societies
GTCBMS has Meet & Greet in Davenport, IA
Mary Kay and Gregg Harcus were the official representatives of the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society in Davenport, Iowa during the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival (MVBF). This year, for the first time, the MVBF had a display booth for regional blues societies so fans could learn about the various blues communities' projects and programs. Mary Kay and Gregg report the festival was awesome, as usual, and the weather was warm and dry. A big welcome to Mike F., our newest Wisconsin blues member, who joined during that festival.
1st Annual St Paul Winter Music Festival Plows Ahead
Local Talent a Treat for the Hardy Attendees
[Winter Festival Pictures]
Story & Photos by Jake Jacobson
Leo Hawkins
Despite what was arguably the worst snowstorm the Twin Cities has experienced all winter, the 1st Annual St Paul Winter Music Festival was held Friday through Sunday, Feb. 23-25. Terry Evans and the Detroit Women were the national headliners for the "All Blues Day" on Saturday, but performances by local artists, Leo Hawkins & Friends, Big George Jackson and Big Walter Smith & the Groove Merchants warmed the crowd throughout the day.
Big George Jackson
"Lady J" Jacquie Maddix and Harold Tremblay from KFAI Community Radio Station co-hosted the show. Leo Hawkins & Friends led off with a "Tribute to Curtis Mayfield" featuring great tunes spanning Mayfield's solo career and his days with the Impressions. Leo with all his friends, backup vocals and horns included, did indeed pay tribute to such Mayfield standards as "It's All Right", "Keep on Pushing" and "Gypsy Woman".
Jacquie Maddix
Big George Jackson and his band are preparing for yet another European tour in March. As usual, the band delivered "the Blues" as advertised. Anchoring the left and right sides of the stage, guitarists Phil Schmid and Jeremy Johnson traded tastey licks in compliment to George's vocal and harp. Drummer, Dwight Dario, and bassist, John Schroder, formed the solid rhythm section.
Big Walter Smith
Big Walter Smith & the Groove Merchants also turned in their usual fine performance. Arranger/Guitarist, Scott Graves, along with the other veteran band members proved once again why they remain one of the Twin Cities all time favorite Blues Big Bands.
Also appearing during the afternoon session was Jill Mikelson from the "Love, Janis" production at the Ordway Theater. This event was the first Meet and Greet event for the Greater Twin Cities Blues Music Society this year. We'd like to thank Steve and Kristine Heckler for putting this festival together. Hopefully this is the first in a long string of annual events. Maybe next year the weather will not be quite so harsh.
Be sure to check the additional picture page for this event: Winter Festival Pictures
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page last updated:
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
