Dang that’s a pretty busy schedule for an old man like me!
As it turned out the ‘tech-bots’ went in and did some overhauling of the system this past week and tweaked and twaddled settings and stuff like that, hopefully it is clean and green for a while now her at the 411.
This past Monday was my first appearance for 2013 on Music on the Couch, sandwiched between Ray Bonneville and Tom Gray (Delta Moon), amongst others. This is the lead up for MOTC to broadcast live talks with IBC artists from Memphis the week of 1/29-2/2 or so. Check the web site for further information.
Quite excited that I now have a ‘theme song’ – HAH. Well Vinny Marini (from MOTC) wanted to have some music in the background for my segments and I reached out to a talented LA songwriter/piano player/teacher/singer and IBC competitor, Ron Tanski who did a bang up job and honored me with two versions of a song, an instrumental “Blues For Jimi” and a full out one with lyrics and a bridge and all that musical stuff titled “What’s Cookin’ (Blues for Jimi). It is playing in the background during Vinny and my talk time and then Vinny played the full version right after that. If ya want to hear what pearls of wisdom were exchanged please go to the link – my segment begins at 37:40 (though the whole show is chock full of insights from artists and great music from them). http://www.musiconthecouch.com/2013/01/010713-blues-411-report-with-chefjimi.html
A surprising turn of events – well, more like serendipitous orchestration, has led to be head to Chicago this weekend (1/10-11) to preside over the debut American CD release party of Italian Blues Singer. Ms. Linda Valori. She will be appearing at the famous Rosa’s Lounge with her band and featuring a great musician from our shores Mr. Sax Gordon on….sax (what else).
This event will be streamed live from www.RosasLounge.com both Friday and Saturday night, so stop by via internet if ya can’t make the scene in person. Hoping to see lots of my Chi-town peeps come on out to support this fine artist and event. Thanks to Frank Roszak Radio Promotions for getting me involved with this project
The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise #20 is upon us. Heading on down to Fort Lauderdale for the world’s only fully chartered blues cruise along with my cruiser framily. We hit the high seas Sunday and will be the envy of all cruise ships that come within hearing distance of the Holland America ms Nieuw Amsterdam. Stopping at Tortolla, St. Kitts and Half Moon Cay it is a life changing experience for sure. But remember what happens on da boat stays on da boat (or so it’s been said), but with the advent of Facebook well, not so much!
That takes us to the end of Janaury, and I plan on still being able to stand and party because it is IBC time in Memphis. That’s International Blues Challenge for the uninitiated, and it might be the closest thing to a bluescruise on land available.
Each January/February the Blues Foundation put son the event that features over 200 bands from around the world ‘competing’ in multiple categories for some really cool prizes and honors. For more info on this event check out https://www.blues.org/#ref=ibc_index and put this baby on your blues bucket list.
So all of this activity and travel has put a small dent in my regular routine of interviews and CD reviews, but all is not lost. Once February rolls around I will be more likely to stay local and get some writing done. I want to thank all the artists and others who have fed me some amazing releases that I plan on getting to, but when, ahh there’s the rub! As Tallulah Bankhead said, “There are only two geniuses in the world, Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare” I offer my apologies to the latter for bastardizing his writing.
Remember 2013 is the year of LIVE MUSIC, get out there and see it, bring a friend, try a different venue all this helps support the bands and keep our music thriving. To see the prior post on this subject and a call to arms please visit our final post of 2012 here:
http://blues411.com/opinion-new-years-resolution-support-live-music/
Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2013
Where Blues Thrives
Photos by: Leslie K. Joseph
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