Tag Archives: Dinosaur BBQ

March 7, 2013

2013 The Year of Live Music Update

So here we be about at the “Ides of March”* on the calendar and just want to check in on where we have been and ask where have you gone to support your pledge to make 2013 the Year of Live Music.

With the late December post we, challenged everyone, including ourselves, to make a concerted effort to support live music in 2013, even including a printable calendar to help you keep track on. So here is our meager effort along those lines.

January started with a quick trip to Chicago accompanying radio promotion mega-star Frank Roszak, and spent some quality time at Rosa’s Lounge. Then hit the high seas for some Blues cruisin’ with Roger Naber and the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise family, which is always a delight and test of one’s fortitude.

As January faded into February we got ourselves to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. This is an amazing event where you can enjoy artists from around the world displaying their talents in open competition (which is somewhat at odds to the profession) and should be on any music lovers bucket list.

Later in February to alleviate some winter time malaise we hit the road to Buffalo’s Tralf Music Hall, to see Tab Benoit bring some Swamp boogie ‘n’ blues to Western NY. One nice surprise that occurred a short while later was a visit from Michael Cloeren, all around music impresario and host of the Pennsylvania Blues Festival amongst other great music events. So he was travelling back from a Folk Symposium in Toronto, Canada and stopped by for some homemade chili and brought two of his friends with him. As it turned out one cat was John Francis a very talented singer songwriter. This guitar playing young man – who treated us to a ‘house concert’ – is out of Nashville where I seem to be finding more and more great blues artists these days.

Ah, back to March. I am hoping to get to the Dinosaur BBQ on the 20^th, for the fabulous Samantha Fish and her band. Then jump an airliner for the West Coast where I will host the Earl Thomas Raise The Roof Benefit Concert for the Blues Hall of Fame. This event will take place March 24, at 1pm PST. It will feature a cavalcade of stars, and be broadcast as a Pay Per View event by VenMundi from Club Fox in Redwood City, California.

The cost of a PPV ticket is $15, with half of the money going directly to the Raise the Roof fund, it is a great opportunity for fans to accomplish three things (at least) at once. Support the Blues Hall of Fame, see great live music and support The Year of Live Music pledge. How cool is that. For tix to the webcast show go to http://bit.ly/V28cxD or for tix to the live in person show go to http://clubfoxrwc.com/.

So that’s where we stand here at Blues411 in regard to the Live Music pledge, where are you at? Let us know by commenting on the post here or going to the Blues411 page on Facebook and share with all of us.

Look for updates as we thaw our way into the Spring and Summer Festival Season and any other surprises we come across.

*In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date on which Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C.E. Caesar was stabbed (23 times) to death in the Roman Senate by a group of conspirators led by Marcus Junius Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinus. The group included 60 other co-conspirators according to Plutarch. Another point which arises is Shakespeare’s use of the Ides of March and (the lack of doubt in) Marcus Brutus’ decision to assassinate Caesar to portray an atmosphere of madness, pleasure, and pandemonium. It is said that on ides of March the sea succumbs to chaos and the full moon brings high tides. All these points give the Ides of March a very mysterious quality.

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease

chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2013
Where Blues Thrives
Photos: Leslie K. Joseph, Blues411

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Opinion: New Years Resolution-Support Live Music!

It’s that time of year again – time to make a New Year’s resolution. Wait, no groaning! This is Blues411, so you know we’re not going to give you some lame suggestion about losing weight or exercising more, or goodness no, giving up drinking. Instead, we’d like to make a humble suggestion.

We propose that you resolve to get out and listen to live music at least once a month in 2013.

There, that didn’t hurt too much did it?

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Think about it, it doesn’t matter where or what you do, live music will enrich your life and make you a better person. Plus you’ll get to see some cool bands and meet other fellow music lovers!

But wait, I just heard a few of you say “But Chefjimi, I live in a really small town and no one ever comes here”. We’ll, I admit you’ll have to try harder if you’re not lucky enough to live in a town like San Francisco with Biscuit and Blues or Chicago with B.L.U.E.S. on Halstead or Toronto with the Hughes Room or Darlington R&B Club in Darlington U.K. We’re lucky that in Rochester, NY we have Dinosaur BBQ, Abeline Bar and the new comer Sticky Lips BBQ.

So I digress. Some of you will really need to make a big effort to find live music. Here are a few good resources for you:
Blues Festival Guide - the premier site for finding festivals around the world extremely searchable and user friendly.
Pollstar - searchable by artist, band, venue (club, festival, concert) or genre
Jambase - searchable by country, state, band, venue

Even if you live in a good music town, I suggest that you pick one or two festivals in your surrounding area and put them on your calendar now, cos some of these need hotels and reservations so it’s always good to secure your spot early!

Looking back at my live music efforts this last year, I did manage to see at least one band live every month. A special thanks to Samantha Fish for appearing at the Dinosaur in April since she’s the only live band I got to see that month.

To help track your efforts to keep your New Year’s resolution, we’re including a handy-dandy form. You can download your own personal PDF ‘Support Live Music Calendar’ here: 2013_Calendar_New_Years_Resolution

Please feel free to share this idea with others, with your local blues association, with random strangers you meet at festivals, etc.

So let’s make 2013 The Year of Live Music. Share this post, be an open and active advocate of LIVE MUSIC when and wherever you can – you know the power of what it can bring, so get out there and spread the word.

If you need some suggestions or company to meet you at a music event, please carry on the conversation at FB over at blues411. We’ll try to play match-maker.

Until next time,

Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2012
Where Blues Thrives
Photos by: Leslie K. Joseph

**About Blues411.com

At Blues411.com, our goal is to help blues music thrive. We don’t just want to “keep it alive” – we want to nurture it so that it grows vigorously and prospers.

We help blues thrive by sharing musician interviews, CD reviews, photo galleries from our blues travel, and writing whatever else the blues spirit calls upon us to share. We also spend time encouraging musicians who know how hard life is on the road and making friends with blues music lovers all over the world.

Chefjimi Patricola is the driving creative force behind Blues411 and Leslie K. Joseph is the “eyes” of Blues411, sharing her photos to bring Chefjimi’s articles alive. In addition to Blues411, we’re active supporters of the Blues Foundation and their “Raise the Roof” campaign.

If you want to help blues music thrive, please check us out on the web at Blues411.com. We’re also on facebook, twitter @blues411dotcom and instagram at blues411.

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Filed under Blues, Blues411, Entertainment, Music, Opinion

Tagged as Abeline Bar, American Roots Music, B.L.U.E.S on Halstead, Bill Wax, Blues, Blues Festival E-Guide, Blues Music Awards, Blues411, Chefjimi, Chicago, Dinosaur BBQ, Entertainment, Hugh's Room, IBC's, Jambase, Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise, Leslie K. Joseph, Memphis, Pollstar, Rochester, Roger Nabor, Samantha Fish, Sticky Lips BBQ, The Blues Foundation, Tony Colter

November 18, 2012

Sullivan County Blues & Music Festival: A Celebration Of Old Friends

The Sullivan County Blues & Music Festival is November 23, 24, 2012, in Rock Hill NY. Yes, that is Thanksgiving weekend and I was curious as to the why’s and wherefore’s of this event.

I spoke with the promoter, Mr. Randy Resnick about why this weekend, and what it is they are offering. Then I spoke to Mr. Fred Scribner, a truly talented musician, who is one of the featured performers on Saturday night.
It sounds like a great time and Blues411 is thrilled to be part of it both as an attendee and as a Media Partner.

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Blues411: Randy, why did you choose the Thanksgiving weekend for this inaugural Sullivan County Blues & Music Festival?

Randy Resnick (RR): We were thinking that Thanksgiving weekend would be good since its not really a vacation weekend. Most People travel but not too far, and after two days with family, everyone needs a little break. So we are hoping they come out and see the festival which features some of the best acts in the area.

B411: True, that’s what got me interested, plus the fact, as you said, two days with family is about enough. Not for me but for them I am pretty high maintenance.
RR: I have heard that about you (we chuckle). We are looking forward to making the annual festival a regionally recognized and accredited event. We have tried very hard to make this “the whole package“. We have and awesome venue combined with the best regional acts from the area. If it pans out, we will bring in some nationally recognized artists next year.
B411: I think you have already done that with some of these artists – Chris O’Leary is certainly nationally recognized as is Alexis P. Suter and Murali Coryell.

B411: Where is Rock Hill, NY, how far from NYC or Philly?
RR: The Sullivan Hotel is a 70 room boutique hotel located 90 miles from NYC in the Sullivan County Catskills (hence the name “The Sullivan”). Newly renovated, we are trying to brand the event as an Upscale Blues Experience. We are also 3 hours from Philly.

B411: The Sullivan County Catskills have long been a destination for recreation and creative expression. Correct?

RR: Yes, as the home of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Arts Festival the area holds a place in the annals of popular music history that few others can match.Add to that Levon Helm’s Ramble, and others who live and create in the area make it truly a gem of a spot in NY State.

B411: Besides The Sullivan, are there restaurants or other spots to do stuff when not listening to music? What’s on tap for the grub, as that’s always important to me and my poor neglected belly, who has been named Timmy by my dear nephew.

RR: Glad you asked, We are offering a southern menu New Orleans style. Po Boys, Gumbo, Jambalaya, crawfish, catfish with rice and beans to name a few. We wanted to get in the blues vibe with the food and create a holistic event. Feeding the spirit and the Timmy’s of all attendees. Plus there are walking paths and other activities available since we are a resort.

B411: Times are 4pm till 2am Friday, and 11am till 2am Saturday. Where can people find the event on the web?

RR: On Facebook you can go to: https://www.facebook.com/events/451214084924251/?fref=ts
For tickets to the event visit: http://sullivanblues.eventbrite.com/
To view the venue and see what we have to offer: http://www.the-sullivan.com/

B411: Randy, thank you, looking forward to seeing many friends there, I am now going to corner Fred Scribner for the artistic side of the gig.
- – - – -

B411: Fred, tell me a little bit about yourself and your music history? Who or what is Midnight Slim?

Fred Scribner (FS): Midnight Slim was first started in 1977 at a place called the Eagle’s Nest in Cragmore, NY. Into the 80′s we would be jamming regularly and met some great guys such as Murali Coryell – I was such a big fan of his father, Larry, Murali would come around and we would just jam and have a blast.
So into the late 80′s my good buddy, Joe DiFazio, was working at WFAN in NYC working for Imus – of course it didn’t ring a bell at all – and was looking for blues instrumentals and something might happen with it so from there it grew.

B411: Now did you record those in your own studio or go to the station (which would be better, I think)?
FS: Oh no,I would go down to the WFAN studios and record on these giant reel-to-reel machines, and I gave him the first ones and he really liked them. So after a while I figured that if he liked these thrown together pieces of music that I created in the studio that I should spend some of my own money and produced some of my own stuff with the band.
So I went from getting an occasional mention on air and being joked about, to getting regular mention to being featured musical artist. Well his show got picked up by MSNBC and we went along for the ride.

B411: You never know, really do you? So tell me about Little Sammy Davis.
FS: So in 1991, my brother told me about this guy who was sitting in at the jam in Poughkeepsie, who happened to have played with my very favorite blues guitar players ever Earl Hooker.

B411: Incredible….THE Earl Hooker
FS: Yes, see I was doing all instrumentals for Imus so I was looking for a singer and Sammy was there. So I introduced Imus to Sammy, and he loved him, we then became regular guests on the show and it was great.

B411: Didn’t Sammy play with Levon Helm & the Barnburners back in the day?
FS: Yes, at that time one of my students John Rocklin loved Levon Helm/The Band fan, so he took Sammy to see Levon and it turned out that Levon loved Sammy and invited him along on some gigs.
Levon had just gotten throat cancer and he couldn’t sing, so they had Chris O’Leary fronting the band and Sammy would sit in, so after a while Sammy got me into the band with Levon.
B411: I love the chain of connection it is so true, everybody knows somebody so be kind to all.

B411: So what happened to Sammy? Why is this a tribute to him, besides his pedigree?
FS: Sammy had two strokes within a short time, the last left his right side paralyzed and he’s been in a nursing home ever since. We don’t want this to be a benefit we want this to celebrate Sammy while he is still alive, and yes, Sammy will be there to visit.
This event will be just a few days before he turns eighty-three – November 28^th – so it will be a festival of friends and of some of Sammy’s near and dear friends and some of the best of the best of our area’s artists who are neighbors too.

B411: Very cool, very cool. Now you and Sammy were nominated for a Handy Blues Award in 1996 as Best New Artist.
FS: Yes we were, and our album “I Ain’t Lyin’” on Delmark Records was awarded Comeback Album of the Year by Living Blues magazine.

B411: Sweet, so how did this event wind up at The Sullivan?
FS: My old friend Randy Resnick who used to book me at The Dodge IN, so I was trying to get him to book me and my singer Laurieanne, but he wasn’t really looking to book bands there. So on my way out I mentioned that The Sullivan might be a perfect spot for a festival, and he seemed to like that idea and here we are today on the verge of getting it done.

B411: I’m all for that approach, ya never know if ya don’t ask.Thanks Fred, the more I learn about this event the more I can’t wait to get there.

To learn more about Little Sammy Davis (tho’ it is a little out of date) :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Sammy_Davis
Fred Scribner can be found at: http://www.reverbnation.com/fredscribner
and on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/fscribner?fref=ts

Until next time,
Love, Peace & Chicken Grease
chefjimi
©Blues411.com 2012
Where Blues Thrives
Photos: courtesy of Artist, Leslie K. Joseph, Matt Price.

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