OCTOBER 2011 1

OCTOBER 2011

Vol. 19.10 $1.00

Charlotte Blues Society

PO Box 32752

Charlotte, NC28232-2752

BLUESunday OCT. 2

‘Mookie’ Brill

&

Ben Hernandez

The Double Door Inn

Doors open at 7:00

Music starts 8:00 1218 Charlottetown Ave.

704-376-1446

CBS Members – FREE

Non-members - $5:00

In 1994, having just turned 18, Ben traveled to Memphis for a convention. While there, he bought his first Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee record in a shop on Beale St. ―When I finally got it home and

heard Sonny Terry doing ‗Sonny‘s Squall‘, things changed. I hadn‘t heard anyone play the harmonica

like that before.‖ Ben began playing in bands near his home, then traveled to Los Angeles to pursue better music opportunities.

He met former James Harman guitarist, Nathan James, and was invited to sit in playing ―country

blues‖ harmonica – not a common style. Soon, the two began playing small venues as a duo. As their momentum began to increase, the two have played many top music festivals, released three albums (their latest, ―Hollerin‘!‖ just received a San Diego Music Award), won the International Blues

Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, and have taken their music to Canada, Europe and Asia.

Hernandez, who has recently relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina will no doubt ease

comfortably into the rich mosaic of southeastern music and history. With his versatility and passion for American roots music, Ben is sure to make the

same waves on the east coast as he has on the west.

Tom ―Mookie‖ Brill listened to Pop and R&B of the ‗60s & ‗70s. On day his father came home with an FM radio – the new high tech radio of the day! This opened up new sounds for Brill like blues, country, and bluegrass. But

the sound that struck the biggest chord was Lightnin‘ Hopkins. ―I went out and bought The Blues Giant

Lightnin’ Hopkins on the Everest label for $1.99. (I still have it!)‖ Brill started buying a lot of Blues records and studying them, especially records from the Chess label — and at 13 got his first bass guitar. A few years later, he started teaching himself harp and guitar … and in his

later teens had moved to the South where he found a new vibrant scene of soul, blues, country, southern rock, and bluegrass. He spent time sitting in with as many artists as possible, from Virginia to Georgia.

From 1989 to ‘93, Brill worked with Bob Margolin backing a lot of well-known blues artists on stage and in

the studio. Through the remainder of the ‗90s, he worked with Carey Bell and Louisiana Red, fronted his own band, and joined the Belmont Playboys touring in the U.S. and U.K. For the last 10 years, he continues to

gig with Margolin and plays rockabilly with The Parodi Kings. He also toured with Nappy Brown, Pinetop Perkins, Willie ―Big Eyes‖ Smith, and others.

Mookie Brill is a multi-talented musician – he‘s a strong vocalist and an accomplish player on harp, guitar, and bass – a three-time nominee for Best Bassist and BMA winner in 2006 and 2007.

(2) Bluesletter

The weather‘s a changin‘ but the Blues just keep gettin‘

better and better. Fall is here, folks, which means it‘s talent

contest time — Sunday, October 9th! The competition

starts at 2:00 (door open at 1:00). Check our web site for

more details each day! www.charlottebluessociety.org — or

sign up as a FaceBook ―friend‖ to receive updates

automatically.

As a reminder … Bands will compete, then Finalists are chosen based on the same scoring method

used at the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis. Those finalists will compete and the

winner announced early enough for you to still get a good night‘s sleep before work the next morning!

So come on out and support our local musicians! Remember — the winner will represent the

Charlotte Blues Society at the 2012 IBC in Memphis

But first we have a treat for you …

BLUESunday, Oct . 2nd,will feature our own ―Mookie‖ Brill with special guest Ben Hernandez who

has relocated to the Queen City. Ben is a talented harmonica player, dynamic vocalist and multi-

instrumentalist rooted firmly in the early American musical traditions of gospel, country blues, ragtime

and jug band music. Ben was one half of the solo/duo winners at the IBC in Memphis in 2007 with

Nathan James. This should be a fun night for all, so come out and give him a warm QC welcome!

If you look closely, you‘ll see a picture behind me on the wall. It‘s the newest edition to the artwork

hanging at the Comet Grill paying homage to great local artists. Can you guess who… it‘s none other

than Donna Duncan! Who also let it rip in the finale of the Holy Angels benefit last month along with

the Federal Brothers, Part-Time Blues Band, Nita B, and many others.

The Carolina Record & CD Collectors show is returning to the area, this time in Charlotte on Oct 16th.

Look inside for more details.

Guess what, ―House‖ fans… Hugh Laurie has released a Blues Album entitled ―Let

Them Talk.‖ Heard a little bit on CBS Sunday morning the other day minus the

British accent. If you want to check it out for yourself…

www.hughlaurieblues.com/home.htm

See ya twice in October!

Remember… "―It's kind of hard to keep going sometimes but

you just have to believe in what you are and what you

can do and that's the way to success."― — Buddy Guy.

Diva

A big thanks to DBA for hosting last month’s jam!

We continue to be amazed at the many new faces who join us each month!

OCTOBER 2011 3

Don‘t forget to check out

our affiliates on the website

and on your BluesBlast for

some really cool stuff.

One is with Live Nation, the other

from R. Crumb T-Shirts

―Heroes of the Blues‖.

The Charlotte Blues Society receives a

residual of what you purchase.

Charlotte Blues Society’s

18th annual

BLUES TALENT COMPETITION

Sunday, Oct. 9 ~ 2:00pm

at The Double Door Inn

(Doors open at 1:00)

Details at www.CharlotteBluesSociety.org

MUSICIANS:

Slots are open for last-minute entries.

See Contest Entry Form and instructions on our web site.

Or call 704-488-9608

(4) Bluesletter

B.B. King

Celebrated his 86th Birthday on Sept. 16

For more than half a century, Riley B. King - better

known as B.B. King - has defined the blues for a worldwide audience. Since he started recording

in the 1940s, he has released over fifty albums,

many of them classics.

He was born September 16, 1925, on a plantation in Mississippi, near Indianola. In his youth, he played on street corners for dimes, and would sometimes play in as many as four towns a night. In 1947, he hitchhiked

to Memphis, TN, to pursue his music career. Memphis was where every important musician of the

South gravitated, and which supported a large musical community where every style of African American music could be found.

B.B. stayed with his cousin Bukka White, one of the most celebrated blues

performers of his time, who schooled B.B. further in the art of the blues.

(complete bio at www.bbking.com)

Coming to North Carolina Oct. 16 –

War Memorial Auditorium, Greensboro, NC

TRUTH IS IN THE PUDDING …

Discovered on FaceBook

(from Liz Melendez, Blues Woman):

To those who complain about the cost of professional level music and art: "If you think it's expensive to hire a professional

to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." -- Red Adair

Friend Danny replied with: Nobody complains about paying $500 for a DJ to play CDs. Get 6 band members with a bunch of equipment, and $500 is too much.

OCTOBER 2011 5

BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARDS – Editor Bob Kieser reported more than 6,500 votes were cast by the Aug. 31 deadline– nearly twice the number who voted last year. The winners will be announced at the 2011 Blues Blast Music Awards ceremonies on Oct. 27, at Buddy Guy‘s Legends in Chicago. More info and ticket information (only $30) at www.thebluesblast.com GIBSON GUITAR RAIDED – Factories and offices of longtime manufacturer of prized guitars were raided in late August. Congress, U.S. Fish & Wildlife officials have agreed to brief lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the coming weeks on the issue. The agency oversaw the Gibson raids, with agents confiscating computer hard drives, and pallets of wood and guitars suspected of being imported illegally in violation of the Lacey Act, which bans the importing of environmentally threatened plants and animals. Meanwhile, the raid has created uncertainty in the music, furniture and timber industries, which routinely import exotic hardwoods. In the case of musicians, some say they fear the U.S. government may decide to confiscate instruments made long ago from woods now considered endangered when musicians travel or their gear is shipped abroad. Rep. Cooper of Nashville said he plans to introduce legislation to amend the Lacey Act that would grandfather in musical instruments made before 2008 to address musicians' concerns about travel. He also said the law should be revised to make it less onerous for businesses to understand and follow. "No one wants endangered species harmed anywhere on the planet, but we have to have a better way of dealing with this issue so innocent Americans aren't hurt in the process," Cooper said. CONTEST FOR A DELTA GETAWAY – Win big in a Tunica casino. Play a free round of golf on DeSoto County's magnificent Cherokee Valley course. Stay in a luxurious bed and breakfast for the weekend and immerse yourself in the soul-stirring music of Clarksdale, the birthplace of the blues. Add it all up and you have the Win, Play and Stay Delta Getaway vacation sweepstakes where you could win a trip to the Mississippi Delta. The winner and a guest will get to check out all the coolest spots in three towns along the backroads of the Delta over six days and enjoy plenty of extras in one of Mississippi‘s best travel contests ever! http://visitthedelta.com/sweepstakes

JUNIOR’S JUKE JOINT – In 1895 W.C Handy overheard an unknown musician playing at the Tuttweiler train station in Mooreshead, Miss. and the blues was born. For a trip down Hwy 61 and to see where the Southern crosses the Dawg, go to www.deltablues.net and let Junior take you on a tour of the old Jukes and towns where it all began!!! (Features photos and maps) PLAYING THE BLUES – Looking for a place that is all about learning how to play the Blues? A place to ask questions, share your knowledge, share your ideas, link with fellow blues players, etc. It doesn‘t matter what instrument you play, this is a common ground to better the blues! www.facebook.com/playin.the.blues (from James Faulkner) BLUES ON THE RADIO – Smokin' Bluz is the sponsor of the Smokin' Bluz Youth Showcase each year at the International Blues Challenge. Check out Rick Ballew's Smokin' Bluz 24/7 at Smokinbluz.com. Broadcast "live" Sunday nights at 8:00 pm on 99.7FM WRFX in Charlotte NC and on WRFX.com A very helpful website for finding Blues radio programs is Mary4Music. When you go to the Blewzzman's site, you might just find something more of bluesy interest to you. Then there is B.B. King's Bluesville on Sirius XM Satellite Radio with hosts Bill Wax and Tony Colter. MILL BLOCK BLUES CD CONTRIBUTES TO HART FUND – Through the efforts of James Goode and his compadres on the Mill Block Blues CD, The Blues Foundation‘s HART Fund has been enriched by more than $7000 since April. There are 300 CDs left which when sold would generate another $3000 for the HART Fund. The CD was produced by Anson Funderburgh and the Ruff Kutt Blues Band is comprised of local Dallas musicians and one musician from Austin – ―some of the best musicians in Texas.‖ You can purchase the CD at www.ruffkuttblues.com. The HART Fund (Handy Artists Relief Trust) is for Blues musicians and their families in financial need due to a broad range of health concerns. The Fund provides for acute, chronic and preventive medical/dental care as well as funeral and burial expenses. BLUES MUSIC HALL OF FAME – After several years of planning, the Board of Directors of The Blues Foundation approved plans to create a dynamic visitor‘s center and hall of fame in the building the organization purchased late last year to house its offices. The new Blues Music Hall of Fame will be located at 421 S. Main Street in the Historic South Main Arts District. This emerging cultural, retail and entertainment district in downtown Memphis is just a short walk from world-famous Beale Street, acknowledged as the epicenter of blues music. (More info at www.blues.org) NEW MONUMENT FOR LES PAUL – Music legend Les Paul is getting a new 500 square foot granite memorial to mark his gravesite in southeast Wisconsin at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha. The site will include granite slabs containing Paul's biography. Paul died in 2009 at age 94. Nicknamed the "Wizard of Waukesha," Paul created the first solid-body electric guitar and developed technology and recording techniques that set the standard in the industry like tape echo, multi-track

(6) Bluesletter

David "Honeyboy" Edwards

June 28, 1915 to August 29, 2011

Grammy-winning Blues musician David "Honey Boy" Edwards, believed to be the oldest surviving Delta bluesman and whose roots stretched back to

blues legend Robert Johnson, died in his sleep of congestive heart failure in his Chicago apartment. He was 96 years old.

Mr. Edwards was in the house when the iconic Robert Johnson took his last drink of poisoned whiskey. He witnessed the Mississippi River flood of 1927. In 1953, he moved to Chicago after recording ―Drop Down Mama‖ for Chess Records. He won awards and appeared in documentaries and movies. In January 2009 he performed on the eve of President Obama‘s inauguration at

the Black Cat nightclub in D.C.

Born in 1915 in Shaw, Miss., Edwards learned the guitar growing up and

started playing professionally at age 17 in Memphis. He came to Chicago in the 1940s and played on Maxwell Street, small clubs and street corners. By the 1950s Edwards had played with almost every bluesman of note - including Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Charlie Patton and Muddy Waters. Among Edwards' hit songs were "Long Tall Woman Blues," "Gamblin Man" and "Just Like Jesse

James."

―Blues musicians from his generation were in one sense revolutionaries,‖ said his longtime manager, Michael Frank of Earwig Music Company Frank. ―Honeyboy was very much under-recognized as a guitar player. He was deliberate in some performance techniques and tricks because he knew they engaged the audience.

To have watched Mr. Edwards play was to have participated in history. "He had his own unique style," Frank said. "But it was a 75-year-old style and it was a synthesis of the people before him and in his time."

Edwards was known for being an oral historian of the music genre and would tell biographical stories between songs at his shows, Frank said. He was recorded for the Library of Congress in Clarksdale, Miss., in 1942. "He had photographic memory of every fine detail of his entire life," Frank said. "All the

way up until he died. He had so much history that so many other musicians didn't have and he was able to tell it."

Mr. Edwards achieved new popularity during the blues revival of the 1960s. Near the end of the decade he appeared with Willie Dixon and Buddy Guy on sessions that produced both volumes of the album ―Blues Jam in Chicago‖ by the British rock band Fleetwood Mac.

Mr. Edwards was elected to the Blues Hall of Fame in 1996. In 1997 he penned his autobiography, The World

Don‘t Owe Me Nothing: The Life and Times of Delta Bluesman Honeyboy Edwards (Chicago Review Press). In 2002 he was named a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts, and he was subject of the Scott Taradash documentary ―Honeyboy.‖ Mr. Edwards also was featured in Martin Scorsese‘s PBS series

―The Blues.‖ In 2007 he appeared as himself in the movie ―Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.‖ He won a 2008 Grammy for best traditional blues album for Last of the Great Mississippi Bluesmen: Live in Dallas and in 2010 was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Edwards was known for his far-ranging travels and played internationally. In his 90s, he was still playing over 70 shows a year. On the day of his death, Mr. Edwards was slated to perform at the noontime concert series at Millennium Park. He last performed April 17 at the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, Miss.

His death represents the loss of the last direct link to the first generation of Mississippi blues musicians.

Sources: Chicago Sun Times, NY Times, Associated Press

David "Honeyboy" Edwards poses with his award for best traditional blues album backstage at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Buddy Guy’s most repeated quote is that there are only a handful of originators left, and with Honeyboy’s passing so close to Pinetop Perkins, one has to wonder if that handful is down to one hand clapping, and at that we may have to redefine the definition of ―originators.‖ (Below) David "Honeyboy" Edwards and Pinetop Perkins at the Master Musicians Festival in Somerset, Ky., July 19, 2008

(Photo by Chad Laytham)

OCTOBER 2011 7

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

January 19, 1936 - September 16, 2011

Grammy-winning blues musician Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, who was a longtime sideman for Muddy Waters, died of a stroke in Chicago at age 75. Smith's death comes less than six

months after the passing of 97-year-old blues master Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, with whom Smith shared a Grammy win this year in the best traditional blues album category for their 2010 release "Joined at the Hip."

Willie "Big Eyes" Smith was born in Helena, AR in 1936. At the age of 17 he ventured to Chicago where he heard Muddy Waters for the first time. Willie was hooked on the blues and the attraction to the music persuaded him to stay in Chicago.

In 1954 Willie, playing harmonica, formed a trio with drummer Clifton James and gigged

around Chicago for a few years. During this same time, Willie played harp with several other artists including Bo Diddley, Arthur "Big Boy" Spires and Johnny Shines. In 1957

Willie joined Little Hudson's Red Devil Trio and switched to playing drums. After gigs or between sets, Willie started sitting in on drums with Muddy Waters' band. Muddy liked

what he heard, and invited Willie to play drums on a 1959 recording session. Willie began to fill in for Muddy's drummer Francis Clay, and continued to play recording sessions with Muddy. In 1961, Willie replaced Clay in Muddy's band and played with Muddy till mid-1964. During this period, as he solidified his Chicago sound, Willie

recorded with James Cotton, Jo Jo Williams, and Muddy Waters on a tribute to blues vocalist Big Bill Broonzy.

From mid-'64 to 1968 Smith packed up his drum kit and found himself doing odd jobs. One night in 1968 Willie decided to go out and listen to Muddy. Rediscovering his desire to play, he asked to sit in with the band. The next day Muddy asked Willie to rejoin his band. Willie played in Muddy's band till 1980 and appears on all of Muddy's Grammy-winning albums.

After performing with Muddy Waters, Smith established his own niche within the tradition of the Delta Blues

Sound by co-founding the Legendary Blues Band with Pinetop Perkins, Louis Myers, Calvin Jones, and Jerry Portnoy. The group was nominated for several Grammy Awards, recorded four critically acclaimed albums on the Ichiban label, backed up Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf, and Junior Wells, toured with Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones

and Eric Clapton. They played behind Muddy for the soundtrack of the movie The Last Waltz and appeared in the movie The Blues Brothers where they played street musicians backing John Lee Hooker.

Through the years, Smith recorded with a literal "who's who" of blues greats, from Waters and James Cotton to Big Walter Horton, Carey Bell, Homesick James, and Johnny Winter, among many others. Smith also pursued a

moderately successful solo career, beginning with his 1995 Blind Pig Records debut, Bag Full of Blues. He revived his first instrument and in 1996 released Way Back, which debuted his new direction, and showed him to be a solid harmonicist. He won an impressive twelve W.C Handy/Blues Music Awards (in 15 years). In 2010, Smith collaborated with his long-time friend Pinetop Perkins to record Joined At The Hip, the critically-acclaimed album winning both a Grammy™ for "Best Traditional Blues Album" and a Blues Music Award for "Traditional Blues Album of the Year."

This award-winning blues drummer was also an accomplished harmonica master and dynamic vocalist, but it is

his traditional shuffle style that has been regarded as the heart and soul of the Chicago blues sound, with Willie laying the beat behind many of the blues classics.

(Sources: Reuters, Blues Blast Magazine, About.com, BluesBrothersCentral.com)

At Mac Arnold’s Cornbread & Collard Greens Festival, April 2010

(8) Bluesletter

AT T E N T I O N : R E C O R D C O L L E C T O R S !

C A R O L I N A R E C O R D A N D C D C O L L E C T O R S S H O W

S U N D AY, O C T O B E R 1 6

Marriott Spring Hill Suites

12325 Johnston Rd., Charlotte, NC

704-817-1500

Admission: $2.00

Show time: 10am-4pm

Space is available for Vendors …

Over fifty tables available

Limit two tables per vendor

Cost $50 per table

One large room 2400+ sq ft

Load-in 7:30 am

Discounted room rates available for out-of-town dealers.

OCTOBER 2011 9

JAMMERS JAMMIN’! SINGERS SANGIN’! AT LAST MONTH’S BLUESunday!

(10) Bluesletter

Thinking back ….

David ―Honeyboy‖ Edwards (1915-2011)

For some strange reason it seems that musicians die in groups of three. So with the recent deaths of Amy Winehouse and songwriters Jerry Lieber and Motown legend Nick Ashford, I thought that we had hit the quota for the year. God, I hate being wrong at times like

this.

In the early hours of this morning (August 29th) Blues legend David ―Honeyboy‖ Edwards died of congestive heart failure in Chicago. He was 96 years old. Born in 1915, Honeyboy Edwards spent his early youth traveling with North Hill Mississippi great Big Joe Williams. Edwards has stated that he learned a great deal from Williams and about the vagaries of the road.

However, one of Edwards greatest claims to fame was his relationship with the legendary Robert Johnson. In fact, Edwards was with Robert the night that he was fatally poisoned. With the deaths in almost 10 years of Robert Johnson prodigies such as Johnny Shines, Robert Lockwood, and Henry Townsend, Honeyboy Edwards was the last living link to Robert Johnson. Honeyboy played with a relaxed vocal and guitar style and made many recordings. He also played with a variety of musicians ranging from such luminaries as harmonica genius Walter Horton, Peter Green era Fleetwood Mac,

Hubert Sumlin, Koko Taylor, Pinetop Perkins and many others. He won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional album in 2008. His 1997 autobiography ―The World Don’t Owe Me Nothing‖ is one of the greatest books about a Blues musician ever printed.

I met David in 1990 at the Elizabeth River Blues Festival in Norfolk Va. He was a delightfully kind man. We compared slides (as Honeyboy was a great slide player) and he loved the fact that I played with a heavy piece of titanium which was created from scrap metal that a friend of mine had left over from a safe that he made. It was a brutally hot day and I asked Honeyboy if he

wanted to have a beer and when he said yes, I was glad to go and get it for him. Perhaps because of the heat or fatigue Honeyboy was not having a good day when he played his set. Some of the local, plastic, never been anywhere or done anything, SRV clones, young and stupid guitar players were making fun of Honeyboy. I angrily went over to them and told them to shut their pie holes. I then asked them if they thought they would be playing with any facility at the age of 75 and to respect this man‘s history and humanity. David ―Honeyboy‖ Edwards was a true gem of a musician and human being and I already miss him.

—Michael Wolf Ingmire

7th Annual

BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL

Sept. 29 — Oct. 1

Events in the historic downtowns

of York & Rock Hill, SC!

www.yorkcountyarts.org

803-328-2787

J A M S BELMONT JAM Every Tuesday at 7:30 pm Belmont Food & Beverage CONCORD BLUES 1st Tuesday at 9:00 PRESEERVATION CLUB Speakeasy Ale House SMOKY JOE’S CAFÉ Every Tuesday night WET WILLIE’S Every Thursday, 8:00 pm

OCTOBER 2011 11

(12) Bluesletter

The Possible Death of Bourbon Street, New Orleans (Save the Music)

Bourbon Street, in New Orleans has admittedly a colorful history. It was established in 1718 when the French Quarter was the hub of New Orleans. Beginning at Canal Street, Bourbon Street is the best known New Orleans Street. It is the home of music, strip clubs, souvenir shops, bars and restaurants. Many world renowned musicians, such as The Neville Brothers and Dr. John got their start playing on Bourbon Street and there is pride on Bourbon Street.

I have some great memories of many friendly bands letting me sit in over the years for a song between drinks. Got even a few sort of Midnight musical job offers out of Bourbon Street. Not what I wanted to do, but I always appreciate the kindness of strangers. In fact, I recently met Tab Benoit, when he played at TheVisulitefor the Six Strings Christmas with Anders Osborne and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux. Tab said that he had seen me jamming at one of those clubs and he exclaimed, ―Man you can play.‖ That interchange, among many in my life, would not have happened without a casual walk down Bourbon Street.

As I have gotten older, other experiences in New Orleans have made me branch out a bit. But the first Mardi

Gras I had in the Quarter I am not ashamed to admit I was a wild comanche. (Ah teenagers!) But Bourbon Street is definitely a rite of passage for anyone going to New Orleans for the first time. New Orleans is the only place in my life where I have never, ever, without a skeleton doubt, been bored and without a doubt Bourbon Street plays it‘s part in the history of my interaction with the City of New Orleans.

Knowing my love for the city that care forgot, you can imagine my dismay over the noise ordinance being proposed for the Bourbon Street area. The idea for this potentially job killing measure comes primarily from two sources New Orleans Attorney Stuart H. Smith and City Council Woman, Kristin Gisleson Palmer, of

District C for the City of New Orleans.

Ms. Palmer‘s proposal is to limit the volume of the clubs carrying music on Bourbon Street to 85 decibels. That‘s OK for a wine bar or small cafe. But the lively and bustling clubs on Bourbon Street will more than likely feel the sting of this ill proposed idea. 85 decibels is your average stereo output. Considering how hard New Orleans is working to come back, and succeeding well in a lot of areas, it is ridiculous to propose an ordinance that will force clubs out of business and musicians out of jobs. This same sort of proposal was recently tried, and

defeated, in the City of Charlotte. The potential conflict of interest is that Attorney Stuart H. Smith has

donated substantially to Council Woman Palmer‘s political career

I am usually allowed one insult per article, so here goes. I wonder if Ms. Palmer is perhaps rhythmically challenged and resents the dancers and musicians on Bourbon Street? OK, enough with that. There is a petition protesting this measure that is on line. Feel free to sign at the following address:

bourbonstreetmusic.vacau.com

New Orleans lost many musicians to Katrina when housing became unaffordable in its aftermath. Ms. Palmer

seems to not fully understand the history of New Orleans music and its attraction to the rest of the world. Shame on her.

-- Michael Wolf Ingmire

JIMI HENDRIX – died in September 1970. In only 27 years of life, Hendrix was…

named the top guitar player in Rolling Stones Magazine's The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time

honored with five Grammy Awards

inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

inducted into the U.K Music Hall of Fame

received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

was the first person inducted into the Native American Music Hall of Fame

inducted into the United States National Recording Registry, andthe list goes on and on!

Hendrix was influenced by Blues artists such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Howlin‘ Wolf, Albert King, and Elmore

James. Hendrix (who was then known as 'Maurice James') began dressing and wearing a moustache like Little Richard when he performed and recorded in his band from March 1, 1964 through to the spring of 1965. In 1966, Hendrix stated, "I want to do with my guitar what Little Richard does with his voice."

See him perform "Red House" in Stockholm, Sweden in 1969. www.classicbluesvideos.com

OCTOBER 2011 13

The Double Door Inn

Check out The Double Door’s Website for up-

dates and future bookings, show times, admis-

sion, nightly drink specials, & more!

Sign up for weekly updates. Purchase Advance Tickets for selected shows.

www.doubledoorinn.com 1218 Charlottetown Ave. 704-376-1446

Join the DDI Fan club at www.facebook.com

Early shows 9:00 most Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays. Check website for mid-week discounts!

LOTS OF BLUES IN OCTOBER!! Adv. Tix purchased at www.doubledoorinn.com

Oct 1 (10:00) Enter the Haggis Folk / Celtic / Rock adv. tix

Oct 6 (9:00) Ladies Night featuring Big Something Funk / Jam Band / Rock

Oct 7 (10:00) The Big Idea Rock / Blues / Soul

Oct 8 (10:00) From a Seed Blues / Soul / Rock

Oct 13 (9:00) Ladies Night featuring Big Something Funk / Jam Band / Rock

Oct 14 (10:00) Shane Pruitt Band Blues / Funk / Soul

Oct 15 (10:00) Jackass Flats Americana / Bluegrass

Oct 19 (10:00) Truth & Salvage Co. Americana / Rock / Roots adv. tix

Oct 20 (9:00) Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers Blues / Rock / Roots adv. tix

Oct 21 (9:00) Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers Blues / Rock / Roots adv. tix

Oct 22 (10:00) Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights Rock / Roots / Soul adv. tix

Oct 23 (6:00) Music 4 More Benefit Concert Rock / Pop / Roots

Oct 26 (9:00) Old Man Markley Bluegrass / Folk / Punk

Oct 27 (9:00) Ladies Night featuring Big Something Funk / Jam Band / Rock

Oct 28 (10:00) Big Daddy Love Americana / Bluegrass / Folk Rock

Oct 28 (10:00) Gigi Dover & The Big Love Costume Party Rock / Soul / Americana

Be sure to check out all the great Double Door bands - For detailed information about

cover charges and drink specials, visit the Double Door websites

www.facebook.com www.doubledoorinn.com

EVERY MONDAY

S.I.N.

Service Industry Night featuring the awesome Monday Nite All-Stars

playing some of your favorite Soul / Funk ... easy to listen to

and great to dance to!!

EVERY TUESDAY

JAZZ JAM NIGHT

Bill Hanna's Jazz Quartet has been hosting this jam session at the club for years. Whether you

are an up and coming jazz musician, or someone shaking the dust off the old instrument, either way this is the place where you can come out

and jam with one of the best.

EVERY THURSDAY

LADIES NIGHT

Ladies get in FREE! Guys, your cover is only$5

Each month offers a new Residence Band

(14) Bluesletter

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Ads are due by the 10th of the month for the following month‘s issue. Ads must be pre-paid unless billing arrangements have been aproved. (Federal Tax ID available upon request)

Contacts for questions are: - Betsy at bnsb40@carolina.rr.com (704-351-3848) - Rita at fulobluz@gmail.com (980-226-0917)

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now accept ads related to finance,

insurance, or credit cards.

The Bluesletter is published monthly by the

C h a r l o t t e B l u e s S o c i e t y

PO Box 32752

Charlotte, NC28232-2752

www.charlottebluessociety.org

SMF PBN: 1938390

The Charlotte Blues Society (CBS) is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the American Blues tradition through the presentation of concerts, forums, workshops, and educational programs in Charlotte and surrounding areas. Founded in the Spring of 1993, CBS has steadily

grown in membership and popularity in support of this musical art form.

CBS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors and is an affiliated member of The Blues Foundation the umbrella organization for a worldwide network of 165 affiliated Blues societies and has individual memberships around the globe. The Blues Foundation produces the Blues Music Awards, Keeping the Blues Alive Awards, Blues Hall of Fame Induction, and the International Blues

Challenge.

CBS members gather on ―BLUESunday,‖ the 1st Sunday of each month, 8:00 PM, at The Double Door Inn. Meetings include announcements and updates, special guests, and an Open Mic Blues Jam. BLUESunday is free to CBS members and only $5.00 for non-members. The Board of Directors also meets every 1st Sunday. Meetings are open to

the membership.

Members receive a monthly newsletter and free admission to monthly meeting entertainment (unless otherwise posted). In addition, members receive discounts and co-sponsored or CBS-advertised events. Annual dues (12-month period) are $20~ Individual, $35 ~ Family, and $75 ~ Sponsor Membership. Corporate sponsorships and individual

contributions are welcome and are tax deductible (excluding dues).

The CBS Bluesletter is published monthly and distributed to approximately 600 readers. It includes information on Society activities, a

local blues calendar, and a variety of blues-related items of interest.

CBS is proud to call The Double Door Inn home. The Double Door Inn, winner of the 1994 Keeping the Blues Alive award from The Blues Foundation, is located at 1218 Charlottetowne Ave., Charlotte, NC (704-376-1446) Over the past 35 years, the DDI’s stage lights have shined on Willie Dixon, Koko Taylor, Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, Marcia Ball, Saffire ~ The Uppity Blues Women, Lonnie Brooks, Eddy ―the Chief‖ Clearwater, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Luther Allison, just to name a few. (And that doesn’t even include the countless local and regional performers who otherwise would not have had a stage to stand on.) Thank you, Double Door, for all your support for live blues, zydeco, reggae, Americana, and most of all, your support of the Charlotte Blues Society!

OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeri Thompson, President 704-488-9608

Betsy Norton-Stowe, Vice-President 704-351-3848

(Vacant), Secretary

Jeff Thompson, Treasurer 704-829-5336

Advisors: Beth Pollhammer, Bill Buck,

Rita Miller, Michael Simonetti

BLUESLETTER STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

Bluesletter Staff— Jill Dineen, Rita Miller

Contributing Articles/Photos– Jeri Thompson, Michael Wolf,

Rita Miller, Artists, Media, & Websites

Memberships / Address Changes - www.charlottebluessociety.org

Printing Services - International Minute Press, South Blvd, Charlotte

Submissions Welcome!

Blues Articles, CD Reviews, Concert Reviews, Interviews, Calendar Events, Advertising, News Releases

Items due no later than the 15th of the month for the following

month’s issue.

Items received beyond deadline will be used the following month,

if still timely.

Scanned or digital photos should be e-mailed to the editor; other

photos are also accepted and will be returned. (Note: Photos with matte finish or screen print may not reproduce

as sharp as glossy prints.)

Articles may be edited for brevity or clarity, unless otherwise

requested by the writer. (Please do not exceed 500 words for

articles or 300 words for reviews.)

Views expressed by the writers do not necessarily

reflect those of CBS or its members

Phil Beam Jill Dineen

Dick Gilland Nick Polyzos

Michael Swisher (Vacant Seats Available)

OCTOBER 2011 15

The Bluesletter is published monthly by the

C h a r l o t t e B l u e s S o c i e t y

PO Box 32752

Charlotte, NC28232-2752

www.charlottebluessociety.org

SMF PBN: 1938390

Something New for 2011! You can now renew your membership online at

www.CharlotteBluesSociety.org. We have a new email-able form and PayPal Button.

Just go to the Membership page and click!

Turn Your Radio On! Sundays, 8:00-12:00 PM ................... WRFX 99.7 FM ―Smokin‘ Bluz‖ Mondays, 6:00-8:00 PM .................... WSGE 91.7 FM ―Hwy 321 Blues‖ Mondays, 11:00 PM-12:00 AM ............ WGWG 88.3 FM ―Blues & Roots‖ Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00 PM ................... WSGE 91.7 FM ―Hwy 321 Blues‖ Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00 PM ............... WSGE 91.7 FM ―Hwy 321 Blues‖ Fridays, 11:00 PM-12:00 AM ............... WGWG 88.3 FM ―Blues & Roots‖ Saturdays, 7:00-11:00 PM ................ WNCW 88.7 FM ―Saturday Night House Party‖ Saturdays, 9:00-12:00 PM ................ WFAE 90.7 FM ―Blues Central‖

Please help us stay current – send radio updates to fulobluz@gmail.com

If you are a CBS member who still gets your Bluesletter by “Snail Mail,”please send us your e-mail address for faster delivery … and it’s in COLOR!

(On-line delivery saves postage and helps the environment.)

Membership Appl icat ion PLEASE PRINT

Name: _________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________ Phone (Day):__________________ (Night): __________________ E-mail: _________________________________________________ (Not shared – Used only for Blues updates and late-breaking news!)

Please list members‘ names for Membership Cards:

________________________ _________________________ ________________________ _________________________

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CBS? [ ] Web Search [ ] The Double Door Inn [ ] News Media [ ] Concert / Festival ________________________________ [ ] Other __________________________________________ [ ] Referred by: _____________________________________

Today’s Date: _________________ [ ] New Member [ ] Renewal

MEMBER CATEGORY: e-mail / postal

[ ] Individual ........... $20 / $25

[ ] Family (2-4) ....... $35 / $40

[ ] Sponsor ............. $75 / $80

(includes Qtr page ad

or T-shirt) Size: __________

VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED:

[ ] Merchandise Sales

[ ] Membership Development

[ ] Fundraising / Sponsorships

[ ] Educational Programs

[ ] Promotion / Publicity [ ] Festivals / Event Booths

[ ] Bluesletter / Writing / Photos

ARE YOU A MUSICIAN?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

[ ] vocalist

[ ] Instrument(s)

____________________________

(16) Bluesletter

Charlotte Blues Society

PO Box 32752 Charlotte, NC28232-2752

www.CharlotteBluesSociety.org

The Charlotte Blues Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors, and is an affiliated member of The Blues Foundation

The Double Door Inn

Doors open at 7:00

Music starts 8:00 1218 Charlottetown Ave.

704-376-1446

CBS Members – FREE

Non-members - $5:00

BLUESunday—Oct. 2

‘Mookie’ Brill & Ben Hernandez

Charlotte Blues Society’s

18th annual

BLUES TALENT

COMPETITION

Sunday, Oct. 9 ~ 2:00pm

at The Double Door Inn

(Doors open at 1:00)

Details at

CharlotteBluesSociety.org

* * *

Musicians: Slots still open for

last-minute entries.

Entry form and instructions

on our web site.

An evening of

great Blues &

Roots Music

with nationally

acclaimed

BMA and IBC

winners!