Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys

CBA Presents:
Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys

(First in a Series)

By Marie Walters

Johnny Wheels and the Swamp DonkeysLocated under the protective cover of expansive canopies where the old On Deck sports bar used to be, Botanist House hosts Lovejoy Rooftop, a venue offering great views, creative cocktails and a delightful menu. And it now features live entertainment at least four nights a week.

On July 21 on a rooftop in the Pearl District, Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys nearly caved in the rooftop floor during their powerful performance. Presented by the CBA, the Wednesday evening show marks the “new normal” post-COVID, with the return of live music in front of unrestricted audiences, the opening of a new venue, new partnerships forged and the delayed celebration of our most recent Journey to Memphis winners.

This inaugural event, co-sponsored by Soundstage Events and Muse Media Collective, solidifies a new partnership that will see future CBA events at this location with a focus on presenting blues music to new audiences.  By partnering with Soundstage Events and Muse Media Collective, the CBA will help advocate for and address the need to support our local venues, staff, musicians, bartenders and restaurant workers from the devastating effects of the music industry shutdown.

Many thanks to everyone who attended; with the generous support of members and volunteers, we were able to donate a portion of ticket sales to the Elevate Unity Benefit Music Series, a vital collaboration created from the necessity to reconnect with our community, unite our efforts for positive change, and help heal our city and country through the message of music! This ongoing effort in turn supports various nonprofits such as Ethos Music Center, Black United Fund, Legacy Mentor & Friends of Noise, and the Jazz Society of Oregon. For more information see their full calendar of events at: http://www.tickettomato.com/calendar?search=Botanist&city=all

 

Ramblings on My Mind August 2021

Ramblings on My Mind August 2021

by Shelley Garrett CBA VP

News and Upcoming Events

“Blues for Slim Lively, a Benefit for Greg Johnson”

Save the date: Oct. 17 at the Crystal Ballroom. Tickets go on sale Aug. 1 through the Crystal Ballroom website. Angie DeRouchie, who is leading the auction/raffle team says, “We need auction and raffle items!” Use the contact form at pdxbandmerch.com if you have items or services to donate. You can also buy “Team Slim Lively” T-shirts there! Another use of the contact form is to volunteer. The lineup will be announced the first week of August.

Aug. 4 Membership Meeting

The August Membership Meeting with Johnny Burgin and Joel Astley at Artichoke Music (2007 SE Powell) will have limited in-person seating as well as being live streamed. The doors open for CBA members at 6:15 p.m.  If space allows, the public can attend for $5, starting at 6:45 p.m. The bar will be open, but there is no food available, so plan ahead. Music is from 7-8 p.m.

2021 Journey To Memphis

This year’s competition will be on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 11th at Artichoke Music.  See more details in the separate announcement.

“Mini Muddy Awards”

Save the date for Wednesday, Nov. 3. We will have an event, but it will look a bit different this year. We’ve suspended some categories and added a few to reflect the shutdown months. Details coming soon.

CBA Holiday Party

(The team is Robert Evans, Jeanette Aglipay, Anni Piper)

Save the date for Sunday, Dec. 12, Moose Lodge, (16411 NE Halsey St.) Auction and raffle items needed for this CBA fundraiser.

The Blues Blast Music Awards voting is open until Aug. 6.

Have you voted yet? (You may only vote once!)

Be sure to vote for your favorite blues artists and music at:

http://www.bluesblastmagazine.com/vote

Congratulations to NW musicians Lisa Mann, Harvey Brindell, Curtis Salgado and Lady A, who have been nominated.

Independent Blues Music Awards

Lloyd Jones “I’m thrilled to be nominated for the Independent Blues Music Awards in the categories of Best Modern Roots CD and Best Contemporary Blues Song: “Chicken Bones”!

The voting will continue until August 31 2021. https://www.makingascene.org/independent-blues-awards-2021-vote-now/

I’d be honored for your support for this special recording some of you helped make possible, and the band that brought such joy & funkstivity.”

New home for our Monthly Membership Concert (and meeting)

Starting Oct. 6, we will be at the Spare Room (4830 NE 42nd Ave.) It fits all but one of the criteria we identified while we were searching.

New start time is 6:30 p.m., doors open at 5:45.

The criteria identified by the board as we searched

  • Portland city limits
  • Free to us
  • Decent parking
  • Dance floor
  • Capacity of 100
  • Avoid north Portland due to traffic
  • Licensed for under 21 until 9 p.m. This is the only item not covered at the Spare Room yet. We are working with them to get this approved.

Another new item approved by the board is that we will be paying acts to play our meetings — $100 per member, up to $400 for a band. We are very pleased to add this to our support of local musicians.

Johnny Wheels Show at the Botanist-recap

A huge thank-you to Secretary Marie Walters, who was the event leader and to the volunteers, Brad Bleidt, Ron Johnson, Evelyn Silverman, Anni Piper, Immo and Jeanette Aglipay. And a special thank-you to members like George Stevenson, who bought tickets even though he couldn’t attend.

Calendar Coordinator Change

Another huge thank-you to at-large member Robert Evans, who will be taking over the calendar duties. You should still input your own shows at https://cascadebluesassociation.org/event-calendar/ If you have questions for Robert, or need help, use this email address: cascadebluescalendar@gmail.com

How to get involved

If you are considering running for an elected position for the 2022 service year, now would be a good time to join the board as an at-large member.  All are welcome to apply. We have room for five more!

Do you want to help, but don’t want to commit to a full-on board position?  Committee members are needed for the Christopher Mesi Scholarship, Blues in the Schools and the Musicians Relief Fund.

Blues Notes Contributors

Special thanks to Dave Kahl, who put together moving tributes for Carlton Jackson and Tim Shaughnessy

*Note the Celebration of Life for Carlton Sunday, Aug. 22, IS CANCELLED DUE TO COVID CONCERNS.

Thanks also to Ed Neumann, Joe McCarthy and Scott White for honoring Johnny Moore, and to John Taylor for writing the article from their remembrances. Use the RIP dropdown on the website to read their tributes.

Thank YOU, CBA members. You have been so supportive as we navigate the new reality without Greg’s involvement. The personal messages mean a lot.

Your hardworking CBA board is Marie Walters-General Secretary, Mike Todd-Membership Director, Mike Day-Treasurer.

At-large directors, Randy Murphy, Brad Bleidt, Ron Johnson, Robert Evans, Jeanette Aglipay, Anni Piper.

Thanks, also to our amazing webmaster Buko, and John Taylor, who in addition to reviewing CD’s and proofing Blues Notes entries, this month jumped in to write!

Tim Shaughnessy - April 3 1955 - June 12 2021

Tim Shaughnessy: April 3 1955-June 12 2021

By Dave Kahl

On Sunday, July 11th, one of the most poignant, touching tributes took place at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm near Woodburn; a celebration of the the life of Tim Shaughnessy: bass player, businessman, husband, father, and a friend to nearly everybody who met him. If you’re one of the few who didn’t know him by name, you probably knew him for his work with the Rose City Kings and Too Loose Zydeco Cajun Band. You might have even known him, indirectly, if you ever witnessed or participated in any event related to the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus (the annual Mardi Gras Ball, parades, parties, crawfish boils) or the Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular. If you did know Tim, then you knew that he was remarkably intelligent, organized, hardworking, passionate, and generous with his gifts.

Tim was one of the rare few who knew the importance of shared effort and how selfless acts could lead to much greater things. His knowledge and commitment to the benefits and business of CBD led to helping, literally, thousands of people, including some who might be considered erstwhile competitors. For Tim, the mission was the message. As was repeatedly mentioned by friends, he resisted the limelight, though, once on stage, he could be a ham; the important thing was that he was part of the band. Tim had a special way of playing the focus with humility and grace.

Tim’s impact was – is – so profound that it’s difficult not to make this personal, so now is as good a time as any to cross that line. My own relationship with Tim spanned several areas of mutual interest, though CBD and music held the strongest sway. When he asked me if I might cover bass duties for a Too Loose gig, I easily said yes because, well, it was Tim. My first experience with the band was at the Shaughnessy house, with Tim working on a project in the dining room, behind me, giving me pointers on each song as it was called. When I was asked to help send him off, I inadvertently found myself sitting in that same spot, impulsively turning to him, though now he was lying in bed, while we “rehearsed”, one more time. I had promised Tim that, whatever and whenever he might ask, I would maintain the position of being his placeholder; this time, I hoped for the miracle that would make it so. After all, Tim was the Unicorn, whose meaning includes the opening of infinite possibilities, the ability to see them and the wisdom to take advantage of them.

For 13 months, Tim fought against incredible odds, following an industrial accident, causing traumatic brain injury (TBI) and requiring a life flight that he was not expected to survive. The love and support he received from friends and family was proportionally Karmic and his return home was, to put it mildly, serendipitous. When, at last, the writing was on the wall, five days were given to his farewell party that included a veritable who’s who of musical talent, a testament to the man and his profound, positive impact on the world around him.

In her last post after the memorial. Tim’s widow, Julia, related how several friends told her about a dragonfly that circled the gathering, strongly present when guest speakers shared stories of Tim. A friend sent a text about the significance of the dragonfly:

In almost every part of the world, the Dragonfly symbolizes cut, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization. The change that is often referred to has its source in mental and emotional maturity and understanding the deeper meaning of life…”

Since we’ve already gone into more personal territory, it seems fitting that the words of others – musicians and band mates – will serve to drive home the point – that Tim Shaughnessy, a remarkably special person, has now us left a huge hole in our collective heart.

 

“I first met Tim when I was on the road with Rose City Kings in 2006. Right off the bat, he struck me as a really positive fella that was really easy to get along with. Soon thereafter, my relationship with Tim and Julia expanded as we started playing in the Too Loose Cajun and Zydeco band together. He was always someone who was interested in bringing people together, and he was always on the lookout for new and interesting ideas to pursue. For Jane-Clair and I, one of the most special collaborations with Tim was the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus, which has become like a family to so many of us up here in the Northwest. I consider myself to be grateful to be one of his friends. Tim, Julia, and the rest of that family are some of the best people that I have met since I moved up here.” – Steve Kerin

“Every gathering with Tim felt like the deliriously happy final scene from the film It’s A Wonderful Life.

With that big smile, anyone could tell his was, indeed, a wonderful life.” – Karen Lovely

“Without question or argument, uniquely the best of the best.” – Mark Bowden

“Tim Shaughnessy is one of those people that no one has ever said a bad word about. A real good egg, as they say.” – Lisa Mann

“He helped me fix up my first house, he taught me the right way to hang sheetrock and recycle good old straight-grain wood. Taught me how to stay positive against impossible odds. How to use Craigslist. He helped build Mississippi Studios. Helped me through a divorce. Played bass in my band. Tim is a perfect man, model husband and father. If we could all be just 1% more like Tim, the world would be a better place… I miss him, and it pains me that he’s gone.” – Jim Brunberg

“I can’t remember ever seeing Tim when he wasn’t on top of the world- no matter what he was doing. He was the embodiment of positive joy. My lasting image though, is of him on stage feet apart as if he was standing on a rolling ship with his bass in hand and a shit eating grin on his face as he did what he loved best- playing music. His absence jars me daily, but I feel his presence all around us.” – Robert “Lefty” Head

Tim was one of the first people I met in Portland through my Bay Area friend Jim Brunberg. At the time I was a pretty brash and forceful person. Tim showed through his example that “gentle” was a more powerful and sustainable way to do things. I will be forever indebted to him for that. Tim literally changed my life. Now it’s my turn to live that example as he did.” – Dan Berkery 

Member Spotlight - Marie Walters Board Secretary

Member Spotlight:
Board Secretary Marie Walters

Marie was asked to join the board as Secretary in June of 2019 and was elected to the board to serve in 2020 and 2021. She comes from a background steeped in both music and community service, having worked in non-profits and government throughout her career.

Besides doing all the usual ‘Secretary of the Board’ type things like keeping Minutes, setting up meetings, sending out notices and distributing agendas, she also monitors the CBA voicemail, contributes to the Blues Notes, is one of the administrators for the Facebook Group and the CBA Facebook Page.

She took advantage of last year’s downtime to develop additional web-based skills including graphic design, non-profit management, marketing for social media, and UX design. You can see evidence of these skills in fresh graphic contributions in the Blues Notes, Facebook and the member newsletter.

Like many of our board members, Marie has also been involved in several projects and committees for the CBA, including the Performance Venue Project that partnered with Portland Parks on their Free Lunch & Play Program. She set up the GoFundMe that raised funds to allow us to provide 21 musicians with some income during the most extreme Covid restrictions last summer. She also took on most of the work of scheduling the many musicians within an ever-changing framework dictated by Portland Parks and Covid restrictions.

One of the first things she did as a board member was to introduce Roberts Rules of Order to the Board meetings. This has been a huge benefit, making our meetings more productive.

Marie is a longtime champion of diversity and social equality. Having worked within the BIPOC community in her homeland, she was involved in bringing about diverse representation and gender equity to each of the boards and committees she was part of. She brings the same energy and enthusiasm with her to this organization.

Aside from her very active role in the Cascade Blues Association, she occupies her time with fostering and transporting rescue animals. Although she hasn’t done it lately, Marie has been known to intentionally drive over cliffs, paddle through walls of water, and ‘live with the locals’ in far off places.

Most recently Marie was a beginning student of social blues dancing until classes ended abruptly last spring. When you see Marie at any live music event, chances are she’ll be on the dance floor. And if you have patience, and maybe steel-toed dance shoes, she’d love to practice social dancing with other blues dancers.

Johnny Moore

Johnny Moore

By John Taylor from quotes and notes from Ed Neumann, Joe McCarthy & Scott White

Portland has a little less swing in its step these days.

Johnny MooreDrummer Johnny Moore, whose sticks have struck up some of the best rhythms the city has heard in the past half-century or so is gone.

Moore, who grew up in Astoria and moved to Portland in 1979, died in June after a decade-long battle with cancer. He’d spent the past 10 years playing with the Jim Mesi band, but his legacy started long before then.

“The first time I played with Johnny Moore was 1972 at the White Eagle Saloon, with the Tom McFarland Blues Band,” recalled bassist Scott White, who went on to perform with Moore in more than 20 blues bands over the next 50 years – including Voodoo Garden, Lee Blake, Delta Haze and the Ed Neumann Trio. “Johnny Moore was a strong, funky, dynamic drummer that could swing,” White said in a written statement.

“Johnny’s feel on the drums made everything swing and the dancers loved it,” added Ed Neumann, who met Moore in 1999 when the drummer was holding down a day job in the shipyards.

Back then, Neumann said, his old friend Pat Pattee – “The Preacher” on KISN’s Radio Night Watch Show – would show up at Neumann’s shows and yell “Play some f***ing blues!”

Neumann finally told Pattee that he was interested in starting an R&B night.

“He brought me Johnny Moore, Al Hickie and Kenny Wild,” Neumann said.

The combination clicked.

“By the second week, we were standing room only every Tuesday night,” Neumann said.

Moore, whose father was a beloved doctor in Astoria, served in the U.S. Navy and moved to Eugene in the 1970s, according to his old friend Joe McCarthy. Moore played with several bands there, including the Schwebke Brothers Band, led by bassist Doc Schwebke.

After moving to Portland, Moore hooked up with the Sheldon Brothers Band, playing numerous gigs – including at the MGM in Reno, Nev.

He also did his share of hard labor, putting in many years as a welder and refitting steel ships on Swan Island. He did much of that work from a scaffold, suspended high above the ships’ decks.

Later, he put his welding skills to work blacksmithing and creating metal and porcelain artwork.

Half of Oregon, it seems, knew, worked with or least enjoyed listening to Johnny Moore.

“What a survivor,” Neumann said. “Ten years later and he was playing better than ever with the Jim Mesi Band.

“What a groove. I miss him so much.”

“Rest in peace, my friend,” White said.

Johnny passed in June.

Carlton Jackson 1961 – 2021

Carlton Jackson 1961 – 2021

By Dave Kahl

Carlton Jackson 1961 – 2021The shock waves that rippled through the Portland music community with the passing of Carlton Jackson, nearly a month ago (as of this writing), have yet to ebb. In fact, the impact has been felt across so many genres and aspects of musical performance and presentation that it’s hard to find any other loss nearing its equal. The closest this writer can conjure would place Carlton in the company of people like Janice Scroggins, Linda Hornbuckle, and Paul deLay. Like them, there wasn’t any endeavor he touched that didn’t profoundly touch countless others on countless levels. My own experiences with him, spanning decades, bands, venues, one-offs, and just hanging, tempt me to offer a more personal view of a master, whose interests and abilities would qualify him as a Renaissance Man. Suffice it to say that the best tribute comes from citing several other sources, including the man, himself.

The name of his blog, Drummer-at-Large, was also prominently emblazoned on his business card. It is also an archive, on quick investigation, of the depth and dimension of his interests and involvement. A member of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, Carlton’s four decades of work speaks for itself; here’s a tiny sampling: Tom Grant, Dan Balmer, Lloyd Jones, Terry Robb, D.K. Stewart, Duffy Bishop, Robert Rude, David Ornette Cherry, Curtis Salgado, and, of course, his signature project, the Carlton Jackson-Dave Mills Big Band. The list of musical interests is even harder to distill, running the gamut, from internationally known artists Miles Davis and James Brown, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Eddie Harris, Frank Zappa, the Crusaders, and more, to locals, past and present, like Obo Addy, Janice Scroggins, Nancy King, Michael Bard, Gordon Lee, and on and on. Carlton’s passion for all things music was deep, disciplined, and voracious.

As host of the weekly radio show, “The Message”, on KMHD, Carlton explored themes of consciousness that had a distinctly African-American centric feel. Mention movies to him and the subject would open up to any number of specific films and some surprising genres: Sam Peckinpah, Spike Lee, John Woo, Blaxploitation, Stargate SG-1, and Family Guy cartoon series, among them. A consummate educator, he was an annually featured instructor at Mel Brown’s Drum Camp, as well as in public schools and universities. In fact, Carlton’s instinctive bent toward teaching was self-evident whenever he was on stage – if you paid attention – and his emphasis, if anything, was on the basics but he could guide with the flick of the wrist or the shortest phrase, opening doors of exploration and discovery, even for seasoned players. Academic interests certainly included educating younger players and audiences because, as he noted, age was causing attrition; for Carlton, this was a legacy issue. This activism extended to economic realities for musicians, as well as for other artists. An early proponent of designating venues as paying fair wages, a collaborative effort grew out of the American Federation of Musicians Local 99, the campaign known as Fair Trade Music.

In recent years, Carlton was integral to several bands, compilations, and developing venues, but it was his deep commitment to Lloyd Jones, in particular, that should be noted. Even in the wake of the pandemic, the push to support Jones’s latest recording, “Tennessee Run”, was strongly marked by one word that defined Mr. Jackson – preparation. Sadly, we will not be able to hear what was to come. The irony of how ill-prepared any of us were for the loss of this veritable icon of artistry, this master and friend, is not lost upon me, nor others, whose praise is abundantly evident.

NOTE: A celebration of Carlton and his life will be held on Sunday, August 22, 2021, HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO COVID CONCERNS. Remembrances can be accessed through the archives of the Oregon Jazz Society, OPB, Oregon Music News, and Cruise Ship Drummer. Certainly, Facebook is full of countless more personal tributes, as well.

Ben Rice - Shake a Hand

Ben Rice

Shake a Hand
(Self-release)

Review by John Taylor

Ben Rice’s latest album is called “Shake a Hand,” and you’d best shake a leg and get your hands on a copy.

Recorded by Keenan McRae in New Orleans and engineered by Jimi Bott at Roseleaf Studios here in Portland, this six-song collection is a definite keeper.

The tone is true, and it proves up Rice’s liner note introduction: “This recording originated during a late-night jam session in New Orleans. Finding myself in the Crescent City, I chose songs with roots to that magic place.”

With the insistent rhythms of Rice’s guitar, Kennan Shaw’s bass, Ben Partain’s keyboards and Eddie Christmas’ drums, the album warms to a low simmer with “Big Legged Woman” and “Got My Mojo Working.” Then it heats up to a slow boil with “Mojo Hand,” which cooks with Rice’s slide work and Mitch Kashmar’s harp.

Specialty appearances add tasty spices to the gumbo the band’s stirring on this one. In addition to Kashmar’s harmonica on “Mojo Hand” and “Got My Mojo Working,” Saeeda Wright’s soaring voice adds extra lift on “Peace Will Overcome” and the title cut. Bott’s percussion, meantime, also adds nicely to the mix.

“Shake a Hand” features some satisfying organ, bass and guitar solos that power a soulful song that suits the mood and style of New Orleans.

This is an album that’s true to tradition, but open to new ideas and interpretations. But at it’s core, it’s all blues.

Like we said, you’d better shake a leg and get hold of “Shake a Hand.”

Total Time: 37:21

Big Legged Woman / Got My Mojo Working / Mojo Hand / Shake a Hand / It All Went Down the Drain / Peace Will Overcome

Melody Guy-Ketcham August 8th

Melody Guy-Ketcham August 8th at Artichoke Music 7pm

Artichoke Music is pleased to welcome a uniquely gifted songwriter and performer, Melody Guy. She reaches fans and inspires them to follow her through a life’s journey of love, loss and independent triumph of the spirit. Artists of varying genres have recorded her songs from Sherrie Austin to Jesse James. “She sings with passion and beauty from the depths of her soul and writes from a real place that few writers rarely even touch upon” “You’d have to be dead to not feel something when Melody Guy sings.”— Steve Seskin American Singer/Songwriter / Author – www.steveseskin.com

Melody back on the road as a troubadour, visiting fans and weaving tales that resonate with music lovers across a wide range of styles. Her live performances with her band have garnered even more attention, sharing the stage with Keith Urban, The Avett Brothers, Leon Russell and Tanya Tucker, where Melody earned a standing ovation at the famed Ryman Auditorium.

After achieving success with her last release “Diamond On The Street,” Melody recently completed the long awaited “Dry The Rivers” album, Produced by famed musician and producer Michael Webb and recorded in Nashville, TN. She is currently on tour and will be making a stop here with stops throughout the Southwest and California. Join us.

Advance purchase of tickets is recommended.

Doors open at 6:30 pm. There are no printed tickets for Artichoke events. You will receive and email confirming your purchase and we will place your name on the will call list. Tables of 4 may are reserved in advance. Location of seating is first come first served.

This performance will be livestreamed free simultaneously and will include tip jar links for artist.

Kara Grainger August 12th

Kara Grainger August 12th at the Alberta St Pub. 8:30pm

(CBA co-sponsored event)

With Pat McDougall on keys, David Guy (from Nashville) bass and Simon Lucas, drums

Her music career began in a small suburban town of Sydney Australia and since then has taken her on an incredible journey throughout the globe.  Combining tasteful blues and slide guitar, soulful vocals and a heartfelt approach to songwriting, Kara’s truly unique sound will leave you uplifted, inspired and always wanting more.

At the age of 16 Kara joined with her brother Mitch Grainger to form the band “Papa Lips”. The band toured consistently throughout Australia and produced two studio albums that received national air play.

The band was heavily influenced by the sounds of Stax recording in Memphis, and by the Funky style of blues and soul that derived from New Orleans.

In 2008 Kara signed to Australian label “Craving Records” and was invited to the US by producer David Kalish where she recorded her debut solo album. The recording entitled “Grand and Green River” received critical acclaim and remained in the top 30 of the Americana Charts for 38 straight weeks.

Since then Kara has made three further albums whilst residing in the US. In 2011 “LA Blues” was recorded live at Studio City Sound. The cd paid tribute to some of Kara’s earliest blues inspirations and in 2013 Kara recorded and released” Shiver and Sigh” through Los Angeles record label “Eclecto Groove.” The album was produced by Grammy award winning producer David Z with some of LA’s finest musicians, including Mike Finnigan, Hutch Hutchinson, James Gadson and Kirk Fletcher among others.

One of Kara’s touring highlights was performing in Northeast India for the Himalayan Blues Foundation. Her performance at the “18 degrees cultural Festival” introduced the local community to roots and blues music for the very first time.

She has traveled to Indonesia several times to perform at the Jakarta International Blues Festival, performing together with her US band and as a special guest with “The Jakarta all Women Blues Review”.

In 2011 she toured Japan opening the show for “The Swampers and Donnie Fritts”, the infamous house Rhythm section for “Fame Recordings” in Muscle Shoals…She has taken her band to Switzerland where she performed at the “Sierre Blues Festival” as well as “Lucerne”. The band has also toured in Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Spain.

In 2015 Kara performed at the “Beautiful Swamp Festival” in Calais France and to sellout crowds on her debut tour of the UK. Another highlight was preforming at “Ronnie Scotts”, London’s premier blues and jazz venue.

In the US Kara has performed at several Festivals such as ‘The Portland Waterfront Blues Festival’, ‘Blues from the Top’ in Colorado and “Austin City Limits”. She has also opened the show for many extraordinary acts such as Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal and Jonny Lang, to name a few.

Tickets at  http://albertastreetpub.com/music

Welcome Mike Day-CBA Treasurer!

Welcome Mike Day-CBA Treasurer!

Hi, I’m Mike Day and am looking forward to joining the CBA Board as your new Treasurer! I have a Master of Public Administration degree and currently work in public health IT management. For several years, I was the Secretary/Treasurer for a volunteer, non-profit association based in California. That background led to my interest in joining the CBA board and helping where I can. I’m looking forward to being more involved.

We are all excited about Mike joining us!