Category Archives: Entertainment

June 6, 2013

Photo Gallery: Candid Shots From Memphis BMAs

Vinny Marini

With the move and all we managed to get some of the small camera shots up and available for y’all here.

Hope ya enjoy them, as much as we did taking them.

Home » Photo Gallery: Candid Shots From Memphis BMAs » BMA Street Scenes

BMA Street Scenes

None of the amazing performances just candid shots of the good folk who were hanging out.

Slideshow

View 18 photos

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease

chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2013
Where Blues Thrives
Photos: Blues411

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More Than In My Mind, I Am In Carolina. Bluffton that is.

Funny the slogan for the town of Bluffton is “a state of mind”…your guess is as good as mine as to what it really means – but they now have me, Leslie and Blues411 as full time residents. My figuring is that it sorta fits with the Blues411 lifestyle “a state of mind” seems to be what we are all about.

We are not tied into any specific national/international region, or sub-genre of blues: we are where the music takes us from Florida and the Bradenton Festival, to Norwich and the Chenango Festival, to a fantastic Blue Mountain PA Blues Fest then across the country to the Earl Thomas Raise The Roof Cavalcade of Stars, we really are about the music and where it is at any particular space in time.

lob-stah’ feast!

But is also pertinent to my lifestyle over the years. Having lived in many places (was just going over the list with my oldest brother – who has moved or lived in exactly 2 places) each has offered what was needed for me at that time. Living in NYC I grew and was exposed to all the whole ‘yin and yang’ of life. I choose from both sides enthusiastically. The wilds of the suburban lifestyle served my career as a graphic designer until the eventual health issues from burn out sent me to culinary school, where I acquired the moniker ‘chefjimi’. This path took me to Western NY and as a small business operator I developed my sense of branding and culinary skills.

Then about 8-10 years ago when a chance vacation trip to South Carolina exposed me to XM radio (pre-merger) and the thriving world of Blues music. Well, y’all know pretty much the rest of that story up to the last month or so. Let me drop the other shoe on what has been happening of late.

Red Wine, Porch and Leslie

Loving Coastal Carolina (the Low Country, as it is called in these here parts) it seemed it would be a great place to set up permanent residence at some point. Little did we know that the future was coming full speed ahead. As I grew Blues411, my wife Leslie worked in the corporate world for the worlds largest wine & spirits company. Her job was endless working with both coasts as well as Europe, China and Australia/New Zealand…yeh what time zone was that 2:00pm meeting in ??? Yet as is the way with corporate life there comes a day when the rug or plug gets pulled – and that situ seemed to be becoming more of a probability than possibility.

This takes us to about 10 weeks or so ago. Those tea leaves had been stirred and it was coming up leaving time. So we talked it out and sought an exit strategy for the life we had been leading, and open a new chapter for the one we wanted to lead. That’s when the dome of silence came down (think ‘Get Smart’ with agents 86 and 99) and we began putting a package together that would get us to where we wanted to be now and for the future.

Blues Loft

May 1^st, Leslie submitted her retirement intentions and over the course of the month things got worked out and settled. May 20^th, the moving truck (and I mean truck) showed up and on Saturday May 25^th, it got here to our home. Oh yeh there are still plenty of boxes despite the great snaps I put up on Facebook, and Leslie is still in Rochester coordinating the transition and all that corporate jibber jabber stuff.

Why Bluffton, SC. Big thing is NO SNOW! Yeh enuf of all that shoveling, icy roads, freezing stay in the house weather…gimme sun, surf, lanai’s and one floor living (yeh I am old and the knees ain’t what they used to be). But with the heat the knees are doing better and I have already lost ten pounds of seemingly permanent winter weight. Plus playing tennis three to four times a week helps too.

So what’s on tap for us and Blues411?

Keep it on the two and four!

Well being this far South opens up a plethora of new venues and events that we can take part of and bring to light for our readers. We are 2 hours from Charleston, where there is a good music base. Savannah is about 30 minutes from us, and Jacksonville is a short 3 hours —- but think about it, Atlanta is a one day drive, Memphis & Nashville are a long one day or two day trip. Mississippi Virginia and the area is all within striking distance. Many new worlds to be seen, many new friends to make and all for the picking.

Also looking forward to hitting the streets and getting some live blues music down these parts. Looking for clubs, festivals, and might even start a blues society. we will not be idle-trust us.

Funny, as I have been writing this, Bluesville has been playing just the right songs, from Danny Brooks ‘Miracles for Breakfast’, Buddy Guy ‘Damn Right I Got The Blues’ and so on. A sure sign that we are on the right road and right turn, the right place and right time.

Thank you all for the support and understanding you know where to find me, don’t be shy. Special thanks to Bluesville for keeping the Blues thriving and Betsie Brown of Blind Raccoon and Mark Pucci of Mark Pucci Media for getting me the very first new deliveries of great music to help with the packing. Two pleasant surprises to mention one from Lisa Grissom of Tall City Blues fest for the new edition of ‘West Texas Blues’ magazine, and the other from Vicki Markusic for a very cool CD. These things have made me feel at home and comfortable. And as the song that’s playing now says “I’m a rockin’ mother foyer I ain’t gonna tell ya no lie”.

Vinny Marini

PS:
Tonight (Monday) you can catch up with me on Vinny Marini’s Music On the Couch show with Brad Vickers, Shakura S’Aida and the Blues Women International recording group. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/musiconthecouch/2013/06/04/brad-vickers-shakura-saida-wib-international-and-blues411 .

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease

chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2013
Where Blues Thrives
Photos: Leslie K. Joseph, ‘Lobstah Feast’ by Jen Taylor

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Preview 2013 Blues Music Awards

Blues Music Awards

Yes indeed, it’s our time to shine.

On May 9, 2013 all eyes are turning to Memphis, Tennessee as the 34th Blues Music Awards will take place at the Cook Convention Center. The event brings together Blues performers, industry representatives and fans from all over the world to celebrate the best in Blues recordings and performances from the previous year. Each year, the Blues Foundation presents The Blues Music Awards to the artists selected by its members. They are universally recognized as the highest honor given to Blues artists. As always, a pre-party will immediately precede the Awards. To see the list of nominees visit here.

The Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Charter Members’ Dinner will be held the night before on Wednesday, May 8. Only Charter Members of the Foundation attend this joyous event, but there is so much going on you will surely enjoy the night before.

Without getting into too many words describing what is going on I will post these event posters so you can get the drift of the significance and scope of what goes on here. If you are a Blues fan, or casual dabbler, one visit to Memphis for this event and all that surrounds it will hook ya for life.

Blues Hall of Fame Tribute Jam & Fundraiser for the Raise the Roof Campaign and Music Heals Memphis
At B.B. Kings Blues Club, featuring performances by Russ Green, Zac Harmon, Big LLou Johnson, Bryan Lee, Maria Muldaur, Greg Nagy, John Primer, Jackie Scott, Eddie Shaw, Van Shaw and Redd Velvet. This is the Party After for the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Hosted by SiriusXM Bluesville Proprietor, Mr. Bill Wax, and the ‘voice’ of Bluesville, Big Llou Johnson. There will be a signed Gibson guitar auction ongoing so bring your checkbook,, credit card or cold hard cash to take this baby home.

This event will be broadcast as a live PPV event by VenMundi – visit www.venmundi.com for tickets and more info on the PPV portion.

For more info on event go to: http://blueshalloffamejam.eventbrite.com/#

Memphis Blues Society ‘Jammin’ On Beale Street’

Join the Memphis Blues Society for a night of sweatin’, stompin’ blues from around town and around the world at Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall right there on Beale Street.

At this point we have some insider information that folks like Shakura S’Aida, Kevin Selfe, Barbara Carr, Jeff Jensen, Ms. Ruby and a full tilt of others will be there to jam the night away and make you shake what yo’ mamma gave you.

Stop by after the Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremonies, no cover 7pm – till closing (whenever that may be).

For more info on The Memphis Blues Society click it!

Blind Raccoon/Earwig Music

The Blind Raccoon/Earwig Music Showcase

At the Purple Haze Nightclub, with a full bar and food for all yer cravings, Betsie Brown of Blind Raccoon, and Michael Franks of Earwig Music will be putting on a showcase featuring some of their finest talents. Featuring Andy Cohen, Leo Hull, Tommy McCoy, Guitar Mikey, RB Stone, Johnny Drummer and Chris James & Patrick Rynn.

These are always a joy to be at, there is such a wide variety of musical styles, and Purple Haze is a very cool place to catch live music and meet up with some friends. They make exceptional Bloody Mary’s (trust me on this one), perfect for the morning after, well the 2:00pm after!

Brandon Santini presents ‘The Beale Street Mess Around”

This is a benefit to help Raise The Roof for the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis. Featuring Greg Nagy, John Nemeth, Little G Weevil, Dennis Gruenling, of course the host, Mr. Brandon Santini himself, and many more that will thrill ya and make you do things ya didn’t know you could.

This will be at the (in)famous Rum Boogie Cafe, the seeming headquarters for all ancillary events at the BMA’s this and every year. It will be the first part of a two part party (see below).

The Vizztone Blues Party on Beale

At the aforementioned Rum Boogie Cafe, this is the event that many folks consider the highlight of the week, jus’ sayin’.

No this is not a jam, so leave those axes, 88′s, and mouth harps home and come down to watch the Vizztone collection of artists kick out the jams till they shut down Beale Street.

Featuring Mr. Bob Margolin, Doug Deming, EG Kight, Long Tall Deb, Gina Sicilia, Dave Gross..OK OK OK y’all get the picture here. If not just read the poster.

There are many other things going on these days. On Wednesday night Davina & The Vagabonds and Nick Moss will be in town at rum Boogie, The Blue South entertainment group will be tearing it up at the Hard Rock Cafe on Friday night. During the day on Friday you can mix baseball and the Blues as John Nemeth will play before the Memphis Redbirds take on the Sacramento River Cats (Big Llou will do the 7th inning sing along). Yellow Dog Records will have a showcase Wednesday at BB King’s featuring Colin Linden, Eden Brent and ‘daughter of a bluesman’ Cassie Taylor. Also check out the Center For Southern Folklore where Bill Sims, Jr & Mark Lavoie will be playing, and others thru the week.

So as you can see it’s gonna be a hot time in Memphis town, won”t ya join us – if not this year then plan on it for 2014. Can;t make it this year…..WAIT ….NEWS FLASH SiriusXM Bluesville #70 will be broadcasting the Blues Music Awards LIVE, Thursday beginning at around 7:30 on the East side of town straight thru till the final notes at some point on Friday morning. Listen in as Bill Wax, Tony Colter, Big Llou man the mic’s and special guests stop by to say hi. Too late for you? OK one last chance Bluesville will re-broadcast the musical portions of the awards starting that Friday every hour on the hour thru till Monday 3:00 am, now there is no excuse for not catching even a little bit of our day to honor all the great talent that we have here in the Blues world.

See ya there, stop me and say hi, get yo’ butts to Gus’s Famous Fried Chicken and try the fried pickles also! While there is almost too much to do, remember you can make it if you try, and too much ain’t never enough!

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease

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