The Eric Hughes Band

Meet Me In Memphis
Self-Produced

The Eric Hughes BandThe Eric Hughes Band are long time veterans of the Memphis blues scene and you can find them most any night playing on Beale Street, but they are much more than just another blues band. On their newest release, Meet Me In Memphis, the group shows just how diverse it can be. From rocking to country-fried, this is a band that takes many different approaches to its music and travels them all well. It is something that comes natural for the band reflecting the melting pot of musical styles that the city incorporates. Eric and the boys blend it all masterfully.

Eric has always been a sensational song writer and he proves himself once again with this recording with plenty of highlights. “Meet Me In Memphis” is a love letter to his home town providing images, tastes and sounds of the city like sweet tea, barbecue, blues music and dipping your toes in the Mississippi River. “Roll A Fatty For Your Daddy” is a jumping number that is Eric’s answer to both days that have gone good and those that don’t. “Must’ve Left My Heart At Your Place” is a fun and witty piece about relationships that may want to move faster but should be held back a little to avoid falling apart. “Midtown Blues” is a statement about life as a modern day bluesman. And “Believe I’m Going Fishing” praises an activity that anybody of any age can enjoy.

The music behind the band is always at the top of their game, with Eric blowing dynamic harmonica and nice string work on guitar. Walter Hughes on guitar, Leo Goff on bass and Brian Aylor are the backbone behind the band’s sound and strength. Chris Stephenson is back on keyboards, Art Edmaiston and Marc Franklin offer terrific horn work, and you can never go wrong with Reba Russell and Susan Marshall providing backing vocals.

Meet Me In Memphis showcases another well-crafted recording for The Eric Hughes Band. And as stated in the opening track “Freight Train Of Pain,” “If you don’t like the blues, you better get off the track.” There’s more than plenty to like here.

Total Time: 33:12

Freight Train Of Pain / Meet me In Memphis / Roll A Fatty For Your Daddy / The Day They Hanged The Kid / Here Comes The Boogie Man / Left My Heart At Your Place (For Donna) / Midtown Blues / I’m Knocking On Your Door / Believe I’m Going Fishing

The New Iberians

The New IberiansThe New Iberians have been one of the leading forces of celebrating the musical traditions of Louisiana since the 1990s, creating their own style by blending the regional sounds alongside a mix of Chicago blues and Northwest rock that they call “Stumptown Zydeco.” Named after the Queen City of the Bayou, Iberia is located deep in the Cajun country and is known for its Shrimp Festival and for being the world’s center of red pepper hot sauce production.

For the past ten years, The New Iberians have been bringing to Portland their own Mardi Gras celebration, which will be happening again this year at Catfish Lou’s, 2460 NW 24th Avenue, on Fat Tuesday, February 13. The party will feature beads, masks, King Cake and gumbo.

The New Iberians, led by accordion player Evan Shlaes, also includes Paul Bassett on rub-board, Linc McGrath on bass, Fred Ingram on drums, Clark Salisbury on guitar, and Micharl “Buck” Brummell on harmonica and saxophone. Also on the bill will be The Paul Brainard Carnival All-Stars.

The Mardi Gras Party starts at 8:00 pm. Admission is $10.00. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so remember to show your current membership card at the door to receive a $1.00 discount on admission.

Dress up in finest revelry ware and celebrate Fat Tuesday New Iberian style. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Bandstand - Bandstand from Froggy - Bandstand - Lloyd Jones

Steve Cheseborough
Hello All!
I’m back in Portland after a long trip to Charleston, S.C., over the holidays. Played a few shows, taught a workshop, visited friends and family. And shivered in the sunny south—I got stuck there three days longer than I planned, due to a snow and ice storm that shut down the airport.
I’m looking forward to playing a concert 8-10 p.m. Feb. 10 at the new Artichoke Music, 2007 SE Powell. Being in that wonderful listening room will give me a chance to tell stories, answer questions, engage the audience more than is usually possible at a pub, restaurant or outdoor event. Come on by for some 1920’s to 30’s-style blues and a little ragtime, with a side of stories and history.
Yes, although I’m a dyed-in-the-wool blues performer, I actually cut my teeth playing instrumental ragtime pieces. And it’s time to dust some of those off, since I’m a featured performer at the Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival, March 22-24 at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi. They invited me because they want to introduce some early blues to go with the early jazz and ragtime. But little do they know I’m going to slip in a few ragtime guitar numbers, too. You’ll get a preview of that at the Artichoke concert.
And if pubs or restaurants are more your style, come hear me at my regular shows 7-9:30 p.m. Thursdays at EaT: an Oyster Bar, 3808 N Williams, and 4-6 p.m. Sundays at Upright Brewing, 240 N Broadway. Cheers!
Steve Cheseborough

Blues Music Awards

Blues Music AwardsThe Blues Foundation recently announced the nominees for the 39th annual Blues Music Awards and it includes a trio of Portland musicians. Curtis Salgado has been noted for Soul Blues Artist, Karen Lovely for Contemporary Female Artist and Jim Bott for Instrumentalist- Drums. Also recognized with a nomination for Historical recording was the recent release from Little Village Foundation, The Paul deLay Band Live in Notodden ’97, featuring Portland’s late harmonica hero with his band of the time Peter Dammann, Louis Pain, John Mazzocco, Mike Klobas, and Dan Fincher.
The Blues Music Awards ceremony and concert will be held in Memphis, TN on Thursday, May 10. Tickets can be purchased at Blues.org.

This year’s nominees are:

ACOUSTIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Catfish Keith – Mississippi River Blues
Doug MacLeod – Break the Chain
Guy Davis & Fabrizio Poggi – Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train
Harrison Kennedy – Who U Tellin’?
Mitch Woods – Friends Along The Way
Rory Block – Keepin’ Outta Trouble

ACOUSTIC ARTIST:
Doug McLeod
Guy Davis
Harrison Kennedy
Rory Block
Taj Mahal

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Don Bryant – Don’t Give Up on Love
Monster Mike Welch and Mike Ledbetter – Right Place, Right Time
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats – Groovin’ In Greaseland
TajMo – TajMo
Wee Willie Walker & The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra – After a While

BAND OF THE YEAR:
The Cash Box Kings
Monster Mike Welch and Mike Ledbetter
Nick Moss Band
North Mississippi All-Stars
Rick Estrin & the Nightcats

BB KING ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR:
Bobby Rush
Michael Ledbetter
Rick Estrin
Sugaray Rayford
Taj Mahal

BEST EMERGING ARTIST ALBUM:
Altered Five Blues Band – Charmed & Dangerous
Larkin Poe – Peach
Miss Freddye – Lady of the Blues
R.L. Boyce – Roll and Tumble
Southern Avenue – Southern Avenue
Tas Cru – Simmered & Stewed

CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Beth Hart – Fire on the Floor
Corey Dennison Band – Night After Night
Ronnie Baker Brooks – Times Have Changed
Selwyn Birchwood – Pick Your Poison
TajMo – TajMo

CONTEMPORARY BLUES FEMALE ARTIST:
Beth Hart
Karen Lovely
Samantha Fish
Shemekia Copeland
Vanessa Collier

CONTEMPORARY BLUES MALE ARTIST:
Keb’ Mo’
Michael Ledbetter
Ronnie Baker Brooks
Selwyn Birchwood
Toronzo Cannon

HISTORICAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Jimmy Reed, Mr. Luck: The Complete Vee-Jay Singles – Craft Recordings
John Lee Hooker, King of the Boogie – Craft Recordings
Luther Allison, A Legend Never Dies – Ruf Records
The Paul deLay Band, Live at Notodden ’97 – Little Village Foundation
Various, American Epic: The Collection – Sony Legacy

INSTRUMENTAL – BASS:
Benny Turner
Bob Stroger
Larry Fulcher
Michael “Mudcat” Ward
Patrick Rynn

INSTRUMENTAL – DRUMS:
Jimi Bott
June Core
Kenny Smith
Tom Hambridge
Tony Braunagel

INSTRUMENTAL – GUITAR:
Anson Funderburgh
Chris Cain
Christoffer “Kid” Andersen
Monster Mike Welch
Ronnie Earl

INSTRUMENTAL – HARMONICA:
Billy Branch
Dennis Gruenling
Jason Ricci
Kim Wilson
Rick Estrin

INSTRUMENTAL – HORN:
Al Basile
Jimmy Carpenter
Nancy Wright
Trombone Shorty
Vanessa Collier

INSTRUMENTAL – PINETOP PERKINS PIANO PLAYER:
Anthony Geraci
Henry Gray
Jim Pugh
Mitch Woods
Victor Wainwright

INSTRUMENTAL – VOCALS:
Beth Hart
Don Bryant
John Németh
Michael Ledbetter
Sugaray Rayford
Wee Willie Walker

ROCK BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band – Lay It On Down
Mike Zito – Make Blues Not War
North Mississippi Allstars – Prayer for Peace
Savoy Brown – Witchy Feelin’
Walter Trout – We’re All In This Together

ROCK BLUES ARTIST:
Eric Gales
Jason Ricci
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Mike Zito
Walter Trout

SONG OF THE YEAR:
“The Blues Ain’t Going Nowhere” – written by Rick Estrin
“Don’t Give Up On Love” – written by Scott Bomar and Don Bryant
“Don’t Leave Me Here” – written by Kevin R. Moore, Taj Mahal, and Gary Nicholson
“Hate Take a Holiday” – written by Willie Walker, Anthony Paule, and Ernie Williams
“Prayer for Peace” – written by Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson, and Oteil Burbridge

SOUL BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Don Bryant – Don’t Give Up on Love
Johnny Rawls – Waiting for the Train
Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm – Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm
Sugaray Rayford – The World That We Live In
Wee Willie Walker & The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra – After a While

SOUL BLUES FEMALE ARTIST:
Bettye LaVette
Denise LaSalle
Mavis Staples
Trudy Lynn
Vaneese Thomas

SOUL BLUES MALE ARTIST:
Curtis Salgado
Don Bryant
Johnny Rawls
Sugaray Rayford
William Bell
Wee Willie Walker

TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
The Cash Box Kings – Royal Mint
Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio – Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio
Kim Wilson – Blues and Boogie Vol. 1
Monster Mike Welch and Mike Ledbetter – Right Place, Right Time
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats – Groovin’ In Greaseland
Various Artists – Howlin’ At Greaseland

TRADITIONAL BLUES FEMALE ARTIST – KOKO TAYLOR AWARD:
Annika Chambers
Diunna Greenleaf
Janiva Magness
Miss Freddye
Ruthie Foster

TRADITIONAL BLUES MALE ARTIST:
John Primer
Kim Wilson
Lurrie Bell
R.L. Boyce
Rick Estrin

Super Group Bermuda Triangle

Super Group Bermuda TriangleAlabama Shakes vocalist/guitarist Brittany Howard launched her new side-project with Becca Mancari and Jesse Lafser, Bermuda Triangle, last summer. Since then, the Nashville trio released two tracks and are heading out onto the road with their form of harmonious Americana music. The tour will be hitting Portland on Friday, February 9 at The Aladdin Theater. Mancari and Lafser are both highly-regarded Nashville musicians with recent CD releases under their own names.

Tickets for Bermuda Triangle are expected to sell out, but can be purchased through The Aladdin Theater’s Ticket Exchange powered by Lyte if unavailable through Ticketfly.com. Original price is $26.00 – $28.00 if not sold out, prices may differ through the exchange. The Aladdin Theater is located at 3017 SE Milwaukie Avenue. This is an all ages event. Show time is 8:00 pm.

Norman Sylvester - A Phenomenal Concert

Norman Sylvester Catfish Lou’s Celebrates First YearOn Saturday, February 3, Catfish Lou’s, this year’s Muddy Award winner for venue of the year, will celebrate its first year anniversary and have decided to throw a party, so come out and enjoy the sounds of the Norman Sylvester Band. There will be food and drink specials, raffles, and most of all, fun. Catfish Lou’s is located at 2460 NW 24th Avenue. Please check the venue’s website for show time and admission.

Tinsley Ellis

Tinsley EllisRolling Stone describes Tinsley Ellis as: “Feral blues guitar…non-stop gigging has sharpened his six-string to a razor’s edge…his eloquence dazzles…he achieves pyrotechnics that rival early Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton.”

Ellis has traveled a million miles, and through that journey he has become a man with clarity about where he stands today and his future destination. As a proud Georgia-based artist, with his new album Red Clay Soul he celebrates a legacy built on four decades of performing, recording and song writing. His vision for the future is to continue to release the type of albums that push the boundaries of Blues and to expand his touring radius.

He will be bringing his electrifying performance to Jack London Revue, 529 SW 4th Avenue, on Friday, February 23 for a 9:00 pm show. This is a 21 and over event, with tickets available through Ticketweb.com for $15.00.

Portland Mardi Gras Ball

Portland Mardi Gras BallMysti Krewe of Nimbus will present the 8th Annual Portland Mardi Gras Ball — a costumed celebration of Louisiana Mardi Gras Culture and joie de vivre — on February 10 at the Tiffany Center’s Emerald Ballroom, 1410 SW Morrison St. Shrug off those winter blues with an evening of live music, creative costumes, dancing, Mardi Gras Royalty, king cake, and of course a little lagniappe here and there.

Mysti Krewe of Nimbus formed in 2010 to celebrate Louisiana Mardi Gras, and bring that spirit of joy to Portland. The Krewe is composed of both former Louisiana residents and many locals who love the food, music, and culture of Louisiana.

Musical performances this year will feature Bridgetown Sextet, BrassRoots Movement Brass Band, Northside Skull and Bone Gang, Too Loose Cajun Band, and Karen Lovely and her band.

Tickets for this event are available at Tickettomato.com for $25.00 advance and are also available for $30.00 day of show. 21 & over only. The celebration begins at  7:00 pm. No food provided with ticket this year (except of course for King Cake), but there will be food available for purchase a la carte and a full bar will be at hand. Costumes encouraged but not required

Besides the annual Ball, the Krewe hosts the Portland Mardi Gras Day Parade, a free community event on North Mississippi Avenue taking place on Fat Tuesday, February 13. During the Parade, hundreds of Portlanders revel in the streets with lighted costumes, marching music acts, a kid’s costume contest, and, of course, plenty of beads!  The Krewe also decorates a limited number of mini umbrellas, which have become highly collectible “throws.” Check www.PortlandMardiGras.com for details.

Eric Johnson

Eric JohnsonThe guitar has been very good to Austin-based, Grammy Award winning musician Eric Johnson, earning him international renown as a player, composer, recording artist, and live entertainer as well as an ever-growing audience of admirers. And Eric Johnson has been very good to the guitar, spotlighting its myriad melodic, sonic and lyrical splendors, paying homage to its heroes and innovators, collaborating and playing with many of its finest contemporary talents, and fostering its continuing vibrancy as a primarily instrumental genre in popular music.

“He’s an extraordinary guitar player accessible to ordinary music fans,” notes the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “That’s because Eric Johnson plays music and not just the guitar.”

Johnson whose music blends the approaches of various musical styles including blues, rock and jazz is an avid admirer of fellow guitarists past and present. He has performed and worked with other notable players such as BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John McLaughlin, Steve Miller, Chet Atkins, James Burton, and many others, as well as being a part of the Experience Hendrix Tours.

Eric Johnson returns to Portland for a show at the Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Avenue, on Thursday, February 1 at 8:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketfly.com or at the door day of show for $30.00. This is an all ages event. Joining Johnson will be members of his original band Tommy Taylor and Kyle Brock. Opening the show will be Nashville singer/guitarist Arielle.

Steve Kerin’s Lundi Gras

Steve Kerin’s Lundi GrasAward winning Louisiana pianist Steve Kerin brings a time honored Mardi Gras tradition to Portland with a stellar musical lineup featuring Peter Dammann, Jennifer Smeija, Pete Moss, Tim Shaughnessy, and Everett Carlson! Lundi Gras is part of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations; in French, “Lundi” means “Monday,” making this the Fat Monday predecessor of Fat Tuesday. The event can be seen as a kick-off to Mardi Gras celebrations.

This celebration will take place at The Lake Theater & Café, 106 N State Street in Lake Oswego, on Monday, February 12. General admission tickets are $15.00 and available online at Laketheatercafe.com. Mardi Gras masks, beads and costumes are encouraged. Laissez les bon temps rouler!