Blues in the Schools (Chicago)

Blues artist Larry McCray made a special visit to the 4th grade class at Stone Academy on the North side of Chicago on June 8, 2006, where he donated several instruments from the Gibson Baldwin Music Education division of Gibson Guitar.

McCray was on hand as part of the Chicago Blues Festival (June 8-11, 2006). Students in the class didn't waste any time in trying out their new instruments which will help foster music education in the school curriculum. For more information on Gibson Baldwin Music Education go to www.gibson.com.

At thousands of bars and restaurants, patrons can now listen to songs stored on hard drives or downloaded from remote servers. Some find the change a refreshing departure from the limited selection of records or CDs of old jukeboxes.

Others lament the transformation of an American icon.

They say the smaller collections of compact discs or 45s in traditional jukeboxes gave barrooms a distinct feel that gets washed away by the new technology's nearly unlimited choice and flashy screens reminiscent of video poker machines.

On the high-tech models, a touch screen has replaced the window where records could be seen spinning, and there is now a slot where customers can dip credit cards.

Nostalgia has its place, but music fans demand more, says John Taylor, president of San Francisco-based Ecast, which supplies the software and provides music for 6,000 jukeboxes entirely over broadband Internet connections.

The contemporary Ecast models are like wall-mounted iPods, with high-resolution screens that flash with advertisements as customers use their fingers to troll for tunes. Inside each machine is a hard drive loaded with up to 300 albums and costing an average of 50 cents per song, with owners setting their own prices.

For a few more credits, patrons connect to the Internet to download a track from Ecast's digital library from servers in Sunnyvale, Calif., that hold more than 18,000 albums. More quarters allow customers to jump their turn in line so their songs play next.

GO AHEAD... MOVE TO CLARKSDALE

(info from Joe Middleton):  "309 Issaquena is now on the market for $72,500 it has been turned into an apartment. It's one story with a small loft area in the rear. This price includes all furniture and appliances. It's gone through the process with the city. It is located across the street from the Greyhound bus station about a block in a half  from the museum and about two blocks from Ground Zero. The space is wide open inside. It has a new bathroom and utility room with washer and dryer. There is a front and back entrance. Should you or anyone you know be interested please be in touch with me."  Joe Middleton -- middletonrealty2003yahoo.com  (He can email photos, etc.)

JUNE IS BLACK MUSIC MONTH

Origins of Black Music Month

Black Music Month was launched in 1978 by writer/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, Motown label founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder, among others. The month of June was first declared Black Music Month by President Jimmy Carter in 1979

Official Proclamations from President George W. Bush

Our nation has thrived as a country of immigrants, and we are more vibrant and hopeful because of the talent, faith, and values of Caribbean-Americans Caribbean-Americans have enriched American society and added to our strength. They have been leaders in government, sports, entertainment, the arts, and many other fields. We are united by our common values and shared history. And I join all Americans in celebrating the rich Caribbean heritage and the many ways in which Caribbean Americans have helped shape this nation".

African-American musicians have added to the rich culture of our country and of countries around the world. During Black Music Month, we recognize the African-American artists who have enhanced our lives and created some of our Nation's most treasured art forms.

Throughout history, African-American artists have produced music with the power to change hearts and shape our national conscience. From gospel to blues, from jazz to rock and roll, the songs of America's black musicians have defined our times and enriched our culture. Performers such as Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie and vocalists such as Lizzie Miles and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson have made their mark as great American musicians, strengthening our Nation's diversity and lifting the human spirit.

In 2005, Americans witnessed the power of music to help bring our country together. Following the devastation of the Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina, the musicians of that great region sought to preserve their unique musical style and culture and share it with the rest of the Nation. The soulful music of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast remains one of our national treasures, a symbol of creativity and hope.

Black Music Month recognizes some of the brightest lights of American creativity and honors the African-American men and women whose art entertains and inspires us.


Congratulations to Candye Kane

Candye Kane's  CD "White Trash Girl" won a national award for "Outstanding Album Design" at the 2006 OutMusic Awards ceremony held June 11, 2006 in New York City. 

British Blues....oh' Brother

Pass the Biscuits, Cause it's King Biscuit Time....for the 15,000th  Time

pictured left to right

"Sunshine" Sonny Payne, Kaati (publisher of the Blues Festival Guide), her best friend Bob Constante, and Jim Howe (owner of Delta Broadcasting)

 

 

On Tuesday, July 4, 2006, the award winning "King Biscuit Time" radio program will celebrate another milestone: its 15,000th broadcast.

"King Biscuit Time" was first broadcast by KFFA radio in Helena, AR on November 21, 1941. Since that time, the program has become the longest running daily blues radio show in the United States, as well as an influential platform for up-and-coming blues performers. In 1992, the program was awarded the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award recognizing outstanding achievement in the field of radio and broadcast journalism.

Show number 15,000 will be a live concert on July 3 at the Malco Theater in historic downtown Helena, AR. "We wanted to do something to celebrate this historic milestone," said Jim Howe, owner of Delta Broadcasting. "We anticipate a large crowd for the special broadcast, so we decided to move it to the Malco. The evening's events will be recorded live and broadcast as the 15,000th show on July 4."

The concert on Monday, July 3 will begin at 7:00 p.m. with performances by Ed Burks and Skeet Seaton. At 8:00 p.m., legendary blues artist and original "King Biscuit Time" performer Robert Lockwood, Jr. will take the stage with Gene Schwartz. The evening will be hosted by the legendary "Sunshine" Sonny Payne. Mr. Payne had served as the program's host periodically since July 1942 and has been hosting full time since September 1951.

Payne has since become an icon in the blues music industry. On any given day, he welcomes visitors from around the world. He has received an impressive array of accolades, including two of the Blues Foundation's "Keeping the Blues Alive" awards for radio broadcasting and the Arkansas Broadcaster's Association's Pioneer Award.

"King Biscuit Time" has been broadcasting from the Delta Cultural Center since 1992. The radio studio, located in the museum's Delta Sounds exhibit, allows visitors to watch Payne as he broadcasts weekdays from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

The 15,000th show promises to be an event not to be missed. Several surprise special guests will be on hand to help "Sunshine" Sonny Payne celebrate the monumental achievement. Tickets for the evening concert are $10 and may be purchased from KFFA radio, Phillips County Chamber of Commerce, Helena National Bank and First Bank of the Delta, NA.

Congratulations Sonny!
 

And Congratulations Dallas, Houston and Seattle

A House of Blues in Dallas, Texas will be located at the city's new 75-acre, $3-billion-plus Victory Park urban core development, on which construction began June 1. The restaurant and 1,600 capacity performance space is slated to open in early 2007 and will also provide Southern-inspired cuisine, a unique decor incorporating items from one of one of the largest collections of outsider folk art in the country, and a Foundation Room, a private membership lounge.

House of Blues Entertainment, Inc. will bring its definitive live music brand to downtown Houston, Texas as an integral addition to the ambitious Houston Pavilions project, slated to transform three city blocks into a premiere entertainment, retail and urban living hub in 2007.  House of Blues, Houston is the first of many stellar tenants to be announced as taking part in the $200 million project. The multi-use Houston Pavilions, is destined to redefine the urban core of the fourth largest city in the U.S

A House of Blues in Seattle Washington is slated to open in 2007 after a period of renovation that will bring major improvements to the historic structure known as the Paramount Tower. The entertainment space and restaurant, located inside the Paramount Tower, will feature HOB’s trademark cuisine, décor, special events space and Foundation Room—a private membership fine dining and entertainment experience.

SEEKING SPONSORS & SILENT AUCTION ITEMS FOR THE ALABAMA BLUES PROJECT

On Friday, July 21, 2006, the Alabama Blues Project will be hosting a fundraiser at the Train Station in Downtown Tuscaloosa from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. to raise awareness about our program and the children we reach. We would like to request your help in making this fundraiser a success by being a sponsor or by donating an item for our silent auction

The Alabama Blues Project has a mission to promote and preserve the blues as a traditional and contemporary art form through educational programs, exhibitions and live performances that educate while they entertain. In 1998, the after-school and Summertime Blues Camp was established to work with at-risk youth in Tuscaloosa County, drawing students from the Tuscaloosa Boys and Girls Club, the Tuscaloosa Methodist Children's Home, the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority and the wider community. The program is completely voluntary and free to students, and brings in sixty new beginning students each year.

 With the success of the Blues Camp came the ABP Blues Camp Band. The band is composed of twelve students who meet once a week for rehearsals with professional blues musician instructors. They regularly perform at community events including Cityfest, Tuscaloosa Crawfish Festival, and the University of Alabama’s Earthfest. Most recently the Blues Camp Band performed in Memphis at the Blues Foundation’s keeping the Blues Alive award ceremony.

By being a sponsor, your name or business will be listed in all advertisements for the fundraiser unless you wish to remain anonymous. The ABP is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization; therefore any donation you make is tax deductible. If you would like more information please visit contact Betsy Myers at

 betsyalabamablues.org