July 2017 - Page 3 of 4 - Cascade Blues Association

The Lightning Kings Storm into the Portland Blues Scene

Did each of you always want to perform professionally?

Every musician in this group was drawn to music through their passion. A testament to the level of interest in the music. Music is clearly in every one of their blood.

Do each of you have day jobs?

The members of the Lightning Kings, and extended members, possess jobs across the professional spectrum, except for Thomas—music is his life and his life’s work.

Who has influenced your music?

All of the musicians in the band are professional musicians so, as you may imagine, there are way too many to list.

Thomas’ influences are wide, but he always credits his fifth grade music teacher the most. If it was not for his teacher, Dorothy Kunkel, and a then, well-funded school music program, he may have never started.

How would you describe your music?

I think Terry Robb, the Grammy nominated producer, Oregon Music Hall of Famer, and 19-time Muddy Award recipient described our music the best. The Lightning Kings is a “unique blend of classic blues, rock and funk. Albert King meets Led Zeppelin and Earth Wind and Fire. Passionate playing and original songwriting with strong arrangements.” We just call it blues fueled rock de-funk.

Did you have any formal training or self-taught?

The entire horn section are all trained and educated musicians that read and write music, as well as Thomas and Rich. Both Thomas and Rich attended and completed multiple music programs in separate colleges. The other performers in the Lightning Kings have similar stories and backgrounds.

What CD’s do you have out?

Our current CD is The Road is My Throne.

Music and lyrics written by Thomas. Ryan’s song and additional arrangements written by Rich Petko. Horn arrangements by Terry Baber. Produced by Thomas Andersen. Engineered and co-produced by Tom Van Riper at Lost Studios. Mixed by Terry Robb and Tom Van Riper and Mastered by Cass Anawaty at Sunbreak Music.

Any more CD’s in the works.

Thomas has a deep catalog of original songs that he will be revamping along with Rich Petko’s original song and arrangement work. The Lightning Kings plan to be back in the studio early next year for their second CD release in spring or summer 2018.

Who have you played with?

The combined members have been in numerous bands, local and national and currently also play in a number of other bands of different styles. Too many to mention.

Are there any former band members you want to mention?

Ryan Petersen was the original drummer. Tragically, Ryan passed away suddenly during the recording of the album The Road is My Throne. It was a devastating blow to the group, but as a testament to Ryan’s talent all of Ryan’s tracks appear on the album as first takes. The album is dedicated to him and his drumming expertise. Knowing Ryan would want the band to keep going, Tom, Matt and Rich decided to continue, recruiting Seth Troublefield to join on drums.

Any other comments:

The Lightning Kings is very grateful for the opportunities the CBA has given them and all the support they have received from the blues community. We would be nothing without our fans and will continue to give all we can to them.

For a list of current shows, find information at https://www.facebook.com/thelightningkings/

Karen Lovely

CD Review

Fish Outta Water
Self Produced

Karen Lovely’s latest release, Fish Outta Water, again showcases the vocalist blowing down the doors with her immense singing strength. This disc is modern blues played correctly as Lovely blends various approaches to Americana music approaches with craftily-honed lyrics and top tier musicians. As with Karen’s previous recordings, Fish Outta Water fearlessly addresses social issues, from domestic violence to sexual assault, from homelessness to today’s political landscape, and of course there are the timeless blues themes of heartbreak and redemption included as well.

Recorded in Los Angeles, Lovely brought together a cast of musicians that delivered the goods and then some. On guitars she offers Rick Holmstrom (Mavis Staples, Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers), Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams), Eric Corne who also produced and plays harmonica on the album and Portland’s own Ben Rice. Taras Prodaniuk (Steve Earle) on bass and Matt Tecu (Janiva Magness) hold down the rhythm section.

Song writing finds producer Eric Corne handling nine of the dozen tracks and Mark Bowden on two, with Karen supplying her own hand with them on four and composing solely on “Hades Bride (There Was A Time).” All of the pieces come across in Karen Lovely fashion with the messages she wishes to convey and the atmosphere they individually offer.

There’s a lot of variation in the music styling directions and Karen handles each of them perfectly. The album opens with a deep in the swamp feeling on “Fish Otta Water.” She follows that up with a soulful delivery on “Under The Midnight Sun.” “Twist Of Fate” has a Chicago beat pulse behind it with Corne on harmonica. On “Hades Bride (There Was A Time)” there is a country approach and “Waking Up The Dead” strikes with a slithering slide that sounds like a sleek car driving through a rainy night. And “Punk Rock Johnny Cash” has the perfect soft guitar overtones that you’d expect from its namesake. The album closes out with a gospel-like feel on “The River’s Wide.”

But it is not missed the issues that she brings to light on these numbers. “Hades Bride (There Was A Time)” deals with the starkness behind domestic violence and sexual assault that is all too common in this world. “Waking Up The Dead” reflects on the crooked politician trying to sell us his scams. Even the light-hearted “Punk Rock Johnny Cash” tells the story of a musician trying to make ends meet in his life by playing his music on the street for loose change.

Fish Outta Water is another stunning release from Karen Lovely. She continues to prove that her vision of modern music is indeed contemporary and thought provoking. Not afraid to look at the harsh realities of life, Karen Lovely has out-done herself once again.

Total Time: 48:30

Fish Outta Water / Under The Midnight Sun / Twist My Fate / Waking Up The Dead / Big Black Cadillac / Everything Means Nothing / Hades Bride (There Was A Time) / Molotov Cocktails / Next Time / Nice and Easy / Punk Rock Johnny Cash / The Rivers Wide

Paul deLay Band

CD Review

Live At Notodden ‘97
Little Village Foundation

Ten years since his passing and twenty since this recording was made at the renowned Notodden Blues Festival in Norway, hearing the voice and harmonica of Paul deLay was like hearing a long lost friend that brought back fond memories and tears for someone gone way too soon. It wasn’t even known until recently that these tracks existed. When hearing a song by Paul’s band from a compilation disc covering the festival’s history that came out a year following their appearance, the thought was generated “was there more of this performance out there?” As they dug deeper, they discovered this full set was in fact recorded and luckily for deLay fans, harmonica fans and blues fans everywhere it is now available for everyone’s enjoyment.

Paul and his crackerjack band, one of the best of his career, are in stellar form, despite Paul’s luggage being lost by British Airways for several days that he voices his disappoint with directly from the stage. Guitarist Peter Dammann, John Mazzocco on bass, Louis Pain on keys, Dan Fincher on sax and Mike Klobas on drums display the magic that they possessed together, each delivering masterful performances. And when it came to Paul deLay, there has never been a harmonica player before or since who could create those instantly recognizable sounds from the instrument. He simply brought forth a signature tone that one would never imagine coming out of a harmonica.

Riding on the success of their Ocean Of Tears recording, which the set list includes “What Went Wrong,” the band showcases multiple tracks from their upcoming Nice And Strong album, released the following year. Numbers from that album that were featured are “Come On With It,” “Love On A Roll,” “I’m Gonna Miss Talking To You,” “I Know You Got Another Man” and the title track “Nice And Strong.” Other classic deLay numbers include “Wealthy Man” and “I Can’t Quit You No.” The lone cover piece on the set list is a Muddy Waters’ song, “Come Home Baby (I Wish You Would)” written around 1954 that Paul jokingly states that he wrote for the legendary bluesman. Now that would’ve been some child prodigy for sure as Paul would’ve been two years old at the time.

This outstanding performance by the Paul deLay Band is very welcome. It offers a vision from our past sorely missed and showcases that great musicians last eternally in our memories through the music they delivered to us. Paul deLay is greatly missed, but Live At Notodden ’97 is here now to bring a smile to us all.

Total Time: 51:07

Intro / Come On With It / Wealthy Man / Nice And Strong / Paul Talks / Come On Home Baby (I Wish You Would) / Rainy Marie / I Can’t Quit You No / What Went Wrong / Say What You Mean / I Know You Got Another Man / I’m Gonna Miss Talking To You / Love On A Roll

Doug MacLeod

CD Review

Break The Chain
Reference Recordings

The title song “Break The Chain” is the most personal song that Doug Macleod has written to date. Dealing with the subject of abuse, it is something that Doug claims he experienced growing up and it brought forth an anger within him. While attending therapy for this anger, he learned that those who have been abused tend to become abusers themselves. But when his son Jesse was born, he looked at the child and told himself right there and then, there is no way that I am going to allow that cycle to continue. It’s not going to happen. I am breaking the chain.

To bring the message home, Doug write the title track with his son Jesse, who is himself a gifted performer and songwriter in his own right. Doug opens the song telling everyone that “you have the power to make a change, you have the power to stop the pain, you have the power to break the chain.” It is relaying how your children look up to you. Don’t make them fear or hate you with your actions, and mostly don’t let that chain of abuse continue through them too. The song’s final verse has Jesse declaring because his father took that step, he is a free man and doesn’t carry that chain around himself. It has been broken and he vows to keep it from taking hold upon the family again.

As always with Doug’s recordings, he has a message to deliver, and “Break The Chain” is not the only thought that he wants you to ponder. In his own way, through seriousness or even with humor, he wants you to think. “Who’s Driving This Bus” is a social and political statement as an example. He is shaking his head at our leaders. Those people in the power to make decisions that will affect us all, and their choices are not always necessarily for the better. On “Travel On” he wants you to move forward, even when things don’t appear to be going in the direction you’d prefer. If you keep looking ahead to the positive, you’re going to get through the low periods.

Once again, Doug MacLeod has brought the strength of Denny Croy and Jimi Bott back into the studio to back him on rhythm. He also includes famed percussionist Oliver Brown on a handful of tracks, as well as mentioned earlier his son Jesse MacLeod on guitar and vocals on the final number. But as everybody knows, Doug’s true strength is his ability to deliver his music on his own, the way he mesmerizes an audience on stage, and he does just that on a few selections on this excellent recording, too.

Anybody who has seen Doug in concert knows first-hand how he can spin a tale or make you think even when he is not playing his guitar. For the first time on any of his studio recordings, he offers a spoken sermon here with “What The Blues Mean To Me.” It is a message he has addressed many times throughout the years. How the blues are a music about overcoming adversity, not subjecting to it. The blues aren’t about feeling bad. The older bluesmen used humor to make things look better, or as they would say, “they’re laughing just to keep from crying.” It is the same thing he tells us in “Goin’ Down To The Roadhouse.” The way to get ahead in life when things aren’t looking too hopeful, is to look at everything positively and greet everyone with a smile. Have a sense of humor, not only about others, but about yourself, too. Get out and enjoy life, don’t just sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Live!

Doug MacLeod is the premier storytelling musician in the blues today. It can be humorous or to the point, but he is always uplifting in his messages and worth giving a close listen to every time. With Break The Chain he has surpassed himself once again.

Total Time: 48:10

Goin’ Down To The Roadhouse / Mr. Bloozeman / Lonesome Feeling / Travel On / LA – The Siren Of The West / One For Tampa Red / What The Blues Mean To Me / This Road I’m Walking / Who’s Driving This Bus? / Church Street Serenade / Going Home / Break The Chain

Journey to Memphis Finals

Journey to Memphis

Portland, OR
July 4, 2017

The Cascade Blues Association Journey to Memphis final competition was held on the final day of this year’s Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival. The finals started early, so it meant an early trip to the waterfront. This year the festival was five days, so you really had to pace yourself. This was my second time watching the competition and I knew to get in the coffee line early; there was only one coffee seller at the festival. The competition was held at the Oregonian Front Porch stage, which had a dance floor.

The Cascade Blues Association helps send three acts to Memphis to participate in the International Blues Challenge in January: one youth act, one solo/duo act and one band. This year the youth act and highest scoring solo/duo acts were selected during the first round of competition held earlier. The final four bands competed for the band spot. A panel of music industry professionals judges the bands. Scores are based on blues content, vocals, instrument talent, originality and stage presence. The acts are timed and each band only gets 25 minutes. Going over the allotted time lowers the band’s score.

Here are the four bands:

Randy Morrison Band: two guitars, bass and drums.

Randy brought great original lyrics. He got out attention when he told us about how he “got bit by my dog”. Laura, the bass player, did traditional style blues about leading a horse to water and she really brought the attitude to deliver the message. The band then brought out a jump blues “You Deserve Better” with a two-part harmony guitar solo. To me this was Randy telling his own blues man story, and he really sold it. The set ended with the upbeat “Blues Don’t Bother Me”, which brought out the dancers.

Gabriel Cox Band: two guitars, dobro, keys, harp, percussion, bass, drums

The band opened with an acapella number. Gabriel did his tribute to the wolf with “I’m No Wolf but I’m Howlin”. He nailed the Chicago walk. Gabriel brought a riser to stand on and boost his stage presence. All of the songs were originals. The “Downtown Blues” featured a shaker percussion part with multiple members playing shakers on stage. Gabriel sang us one of his stories about “Being Late to My Favorite Show”. This rocker brought out the dancers. The true highlight of this set was a duet with Gabriel and Miranda the dobro player. Miranda has a fantastic voice. Gabriel had an inspirational message to the kids in the audience and shared advice he was given as a child: always believe in yourself. The band closed the set with another very believable “I’m Gone, Now Get Out” which featured a harp solo.

Sister Mercy: Guitar, keys, bass, drums, vocalist

Sister Mercy competed here and won two years ago, and represented the Cascade Blues Association at the International Blues Challenge in 2016. They were semi-finalists but did not win a top spot. The band has changed a bit, but still features vocalist April Brown. The set opened with “Death Came Knockin” in gospel style. April was truly in her element, and the crowd loved it. The band then went to a slow blues with plenty of catfish. April told us the back story for the next song about the Doris Payne, a famous jewel thief. This was great use of a contemporary topic, which is a cornerstone of blues writing. If you didn’t know, the Frankie and Johnnie blues standard was based on a newspaper story. The breakdown in this song featured an extended jazz guitar solo. The band then went into a song about being alone. The band ended the set with a cover of “Tell Mama” with some great high kick dancing and a drum solo.

Lightning Kings- Horn section, keys, guitar, bass, two vocalists

I have to say that the Kings were brave to bring a ten-piece band to play a 25 minute set. They pulled it off beautifully. The group opened with an instrumental, the only one in the competition with an energetic beat. The “Pirate of the Willamette” slowed the set down and got greasy. “Love You Like the Fourth of July” featured a rocking guitar solo. The horn section was very strong through the whole set, the harmonies were great and the horns traded licks on the solos. The band’s set featured a couple of slow songs, back to back. Right or wrong, this usually empties the dance floor. The set ended with a dance number that brought the dancers back. All in all it was a great set, especially the horns.

After the final act played, the judges tallied the scores. You could see the musicians trying to calculate their own scores. Though the judges were pretty quick, about 5-10 minutes, it must have seemed like an eternity.

Once again Sister Mercy carried the day! As we say in East Memphis: Mazel Tov! (congratulations). The band will be off to Memphis in January representing the Cascade Blues Association for a second try at the win. If you love festivals, do check out the International Blues Challenge. It is a wonderful opportunity to see hundreds of acts. It is not crowded and reasonably priced. And of course, it is in Memphis. If you can’t make it to Memphis, please watch for CBA events to help the band, youth act and solo/duo act raise funds for the trip.

Where ever the highway takes you, I hope to see you at one of the events very soon.

Until next time, keep it all blue!

Jeff Levine

Ramblings On My Mind – August 2017

Ramblings

Greg Johnson, CBA President

When I look back on this past month’s Waterfront Blues Festival it brings forth many a smile from the performances I was able to catch. Working as the Cascade Blues Association’s prime photographer for the past twenty years I try to make every effort to catch as many sets as possible. I have learned over time that this is something that cannot be accomplished as there are too many stages to get to and the crowds are so large at times that getting between one to another is not always going to happen. And then there is those acts that enchant you so much or that you have been dying to see that you get caught up in the moment and forget about everything else.
That for one reason is why I have asked Tony Kutter to help out as a second photographer for the CBA for both the Waterfront and the Muddy Awards. Ever since I have known Tony he has had the same drive that compelled me to photograph shows. He has the eye to capture those special moments. And he has been able to do it a lot more than I have recently.
As for the performances, once again I was thrilled by a great many. I have stated it over and over again how impressed I am with the job Peter Dammann does every year bringing in people that amaze me. Sometimes I Look at some of the acts listed to appear and wonder how they will fit in, but I know that the event is about bringing in money to feed the hungry and some of those big name acts help draw more people to do that. Bring them in for the names and enlighten them with the fantastic blues artists that they may be missing to fill in the day. And it works, and those acts I sometimes wonder about do a nice job of fitting in, too.
This year, like always, there were many sets that stood out.
I may be biased but I have to say that the CBA’s Journey To Memphis competition delivered four sets of powerful enthusiasm from each of the four bands trying to make their way to Tennessee for the International Blues Challenge. I have said it before and will say it again, I am glad that I am not a judge, Randy Morrison Band, Gabriel Cox Band, Sister Mercy and The Lightning Kings were all sensational. Congratulations to Sister Mercy for a repeat win and to all the performers in all the acts for laying it out big time and bringing it home. Nice job all!
One of my favorites, and again I may be biased because I have known guitarist Ori Naftaly for a number of years now, was Southern Avenue. This is a band that has only been together for a couple years, but you can see the growth within them. They are pure energy, displayed outright by vocalist Tierinii Jackson. If you missed them, you missed one of the acts that will be the talk of the blues world for some time to come.
I was looking forward to seeing Fantastic Negrito more than any other act this year. His two releases have spoken to me about how the blues of the future and now is being addressed and he does it correctly. I was not disappointed. This was one of those sets that I could not move away from and one that I would love to see again soon.
Jim Pugh told me not to miss either The Sons of the Soul Revivers or Blynd. He said that the three-four part harmonies that they do were a blast from the past that will grab hold of you. And he was right. We went to church and it made our feet and bodies move.
Chris Cain has always been a favorite. He is a guitarist that has few peers. And the band he had with him was an all-star cast that brought it home! This was one of those wow sets!!
Chris Isaak was one of those acts that I questioned, but he was definitely a highlight for the festival. Bringing a great mix of his own songs and nice covers, he fit in as a headliner and delivered for the blues crowd who reacted with joyful approval.
Two local acts that I knew would be sensational because they always are at the festival were Karen Lovely and Kevin Selfe. Karen brought back almost the line-up from last year’s Muddy Award winning performance of the year, and gave good reason to think about nominating her again. Kevin returned home from his three-month long hiatus back east and hit the stage with his big band without any practice beforehand and nailed his set completely. Of course, during the introduction I had to tease him that he only brought the big band to cover for him having not played a guitar in months, and that Jimi Bott was going to slip him lyrics he’d forgotten.
And speaking of returning to the stage, Curtis Salgado was in fine form and put on an intense and powerful show. The first time he’d been back onstage since his heart attack and subsequent surgery, but he made it clear that he was not going to be stopped with this over-the-top brilliant set.
Booker T brought us the history of Stax Records, with hit after hit that he had a direct hand in playing behind the original recordings. The crowd was dancing and singing along through the entire performance.
I could go on and on about the great sets throughout the five day. People like Duffy Bishop, Big Monti, Ty Curtis & Robbie Laws, Dexter Allen, Vieus Farka Toure, Norman Sylvester, Elvin Bishop, the Paul deLay tribute: Remember Me …. It was certainly a festival for the memories. Thirty years strong and always bringing forth the best. Can’t wait until next year.

Blues Performances Highlight Tualatin Crawfish Festival

Past PDX Blues Event

The annual Tualatin Crawfish Festival is the largest event that takes place in Tualatin, and it’s filled with lots of attractions from carnival rides, food, beer, and wine booths, games, an eating contest featuring watermelon and, of course, crawfish; multiple races including a 5k and a half marathon, and great musical performances. Celebrating 66 years, the event will take place at Tualatin Community Park on Friday, August 4 and Saturday, August 5.
Friday night’s music will feature the classic rock of Dance Hall Days, but Saturday is filled with blues from four of the best local acts in Oregon. At 10:00 am, Lisa Mann will hit the stage, followed by Norman Sylvester at 1:15 pm, Ty Curtis at 4:00 pm, and closing out the festival stage will be Curtis Salgado at 7:30 pm.
Admission is free on Friday and a bargain at $5.00 on Saturday, with kids 12 and under free. Go to www.htcraceseries/event/crawfish-crawl.com for more information.

2018 Best Self-Produced CD Competition Entries Now Being Accepted

Cascade Blues Announcement, Cascade Blues Note

Since 2005, The Blues Foundation has held an annual competition to recognize excellence in independent blues recordings. The Best Self-Produced CD competition is open to affiliated blues societies from around the world to submit one entry each, preferably selected by a regional competition. The Cascade Blues Association has taken part in this event since its inception, including having the overall winner chosen in 2011 with Joe McMurrian’s Get Inside This House.
The CBA is now accepting submissions for this year’s Best Self-Produced CD competition. All bands and musicians are welcome to enter with the exception of artists who have been nominated for or received a Blues Music Award or recordings released on labels that have been nominated or received a Blues Music Award. No compilation discs are accepted. The CBA will only consider artists from Oregon, Washington, or Idaho and only CDs released after November 1, 2016.
Entries will be judged by a committee and will be based on the same criteria that The Blues Foundation will later use in their own judging. These are: Blues Content, Musical Performance, Audio Quality and Production Value of the Recording, Professionalism, and Visual Appearance of Cover Art and Design, and Credits and Liner Note Information.
After submissions from each affiliated blues society have been received, The Blues Foundation will conduct judging in three stages, with the first two rounds being conducted by a select group of radio/print media people. The finalists will be announced a week prior to the 34th annual International Blues Challenge and the winning recording will be named at the IBC finals in Memphis on January 20, 2018.
All entries for the CBA must be received no later than the October 4 membership meeting at The Melody Ballroom. Entries can be mailed to: BSPCD c/o Cascade Blues Association, PO Box 6566, Portland, Oregon 97228 or can be delivered in person at the August, September, or October general membership meetings.

Bandstand August 2017

Band Stand

Harvey Brindell & The Tablerockers
July was the busiest month that I have ever had as a musician. It seemed to be an endless road from one gig to another. No complaints, we love what we do. I want to thank my bandmates, Dave Wagner, Ray Beltran and Ashbolt Stewart, for the long hours they were willing to put into traveling to gigs and playing. I also want to thank the musicians who were willing to step up and fill in when the need arose. Thanks to Jon Barber, Boyd Small, Shane Hall (who was a bandmate back in Lincoln, NE, 20 plus years ago), and Dennis Lusk.
August appears to be building as a busy month also but with a little more time to rest between gigs and catch up on other things. I want to give a shout out and thanks in advance to the musicians that have agreed to help us out in August including Mitch Kashmar, Rob Shoemaker, and Shane Hall. And to all the owners of the venues that have hired us and continue to support blues music, thank you.
I also want to mention that I have been told by several people that they have attempted to contact me via email and their messages bounced back. Because this has been an ongoing problem I will switch to my gmail address for all email contact going forward.
So please send all email to brindellh@gmail.com. If you send email to other addresses I may or may not get them. Thanks to the blues community for your support.
Harvey Brindell

Hope you’re ready for a great summer Member event!!!

Cascade Blues Announcement, Cascade Blues Note, Past PDX Blues Event

The First Annual CBA Member Concert@the Crossings on August 6th should be a fantastic way to spend a lovely summer day.
WHERE: Columbia Crossings located at 515 N. E. Tomahawk Island Drive
WHEN: August 6 12PM – 5PM
WHO: Members Only. A Family membership consists of 2 adult and 2 children living in the same household.
LINEUP: Terry Robb, Billy Dee & The Hoodoos, Tracy Fordice Band, Franco Paletta & The Stingers, and The Thunder Brothers
By now you should all be aware of the new format for this event. As in past years, we will offer limited beer, wine, sodas, and water on site. Dan from Dano’s Dogs will be offering food for sale. Mimicking the local Concerts in the Park format members will need to bring their own food to the event. We want to thank those members who have expressed understanding the reason for this change. We are aware that some members aren’t too pleased with this change and honestly we all feel somewhat disappointed that it has had to be modified this way. Basically it boils down to finances and people power. This is the most expensive event for us to host and we just do not have the funds. But even more difficult is the setup, preparation and tear down for this. As you know – we consistently ask for volunteers and we just don’t get enough help to continue to keep the format that we have done in the past. The 5 person board is stretched too thin. That being said – there is nothing stopping any of the members to step up and organize their own pot luck experience. If someone wants to organize and be responsible for setting up a pot luck – feel free to contact Wendy Schumer – she can send out a notice in the email blast. You can reach Wendy here: cascadebluescalendar@gmail.com.
As in past years – this is a MEMBERS ONLY event. A family membership permits 2 adults and 2 children living in the same household. There will be a charge for additional children. CBA membership will be available for purchase at the event. So bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic basket and join us for a fabulous day of good friends and some killer blues.