Steve Cheseborough

Hey Folks! If you have any interest in learning to play blues harp or guitar (or improving the skills you already have), consider the summer classes I’m offering through Artichoke Music. Both meet on Monday evenings beginning June 18 and run for eight weeks.

Blues Harmonica is open to all skill levels. We’ll work on some of the traditions of the early 20th century, when African-American players brought new levels of virtuosity and expressiveness to this German instrument! Open ears and mind, a willingness to practice and an interest in blues are all that’s required. Oh, and a professional-quality diatonic harp in the key of A, which you can buy at the Artichoke store if you don’t already have.

Blues Guitar 1920s-30s-style aims to get you picking and singing the blues in the tradition of Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Memphis Minnie, Blind Lemon Jefferson and other great bluesmen and blueswomen. Prerequisites: familiarity with basic chords, ability to keep a beat, interest in the blues and in improving your playing! You’ll need an acoustic guitar, a capo and a slide.

More information and registration is available through artichokemusic.org. You can also contact me through that site with any questions.

Have a great summer (and it’ll be a happier one if it’s music-filled)!

Cheers,
Steve Cheseborough

Lloyd “Have Mercy” Breaking News!

Lucky as can be this month, and honored to returning to Denmark, I will play a series of concerts with good friends “Shaky Ground”!! (see website for details)

Last time we toured together in Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Germany and Luxemburg in 2016. The last concert was with Robert Cray Band as headliner. Dover, Robert, Richard Cousins and I had a great hang, with Dover and I playing back home in Portland 48 hours later! Small world. This will be my sixth tour with “Shaky Ground” so we’re becoming a solid unit bringing this swampified funky blues across the pond April 8-21.

Returning home just in time to celebrate my 1,000^th birthday (for the third time) with the “Big Bayou Birthday Bash” at Catfish Lou’s April 27, featuring special guests Steve Kerin (from New Orleans) on piano and Mark Shark (slide guitar master) along with tons of surprise guests! Tell your friends there will be cake and balloons too!!

Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones

 

Dark Tales From The Road
Volume 1, Number 3

This is a story that involves layers of place, time and person so stay with me as I travel across the country, and across the years, and unravel the layers.

I left Georgia in 1985 after living there for sixteen years and headed to the midwest, landing in Lincoln, NE.  I knew I would be returning to Georgia frequently, and did over the years and continue to do so, as I continue to have family there.  I lived in Lincoln for thirty years before moving to Portland.  I was sure I would never be returning to Lincoln as all of my family from there had long since left there.

Playing in bands has been a part of my life since my days in Georgia. I played my very first gig there.  So when I moved to Lincoln I found like-minded musicians and began playing in bands.  In 1991 I hooked up with a harmonica player and founded my first blues band. That band recorded two albums and found moderate success playing gigs throughout the region right up until I moved to Portland in 2015.  During all those successful years with that band I attempted to convince the band members that we should hit the road to Georgia. After all, I still had lots of contacts there and could find us places to book into and, with all the family and friends I still had there, we could draw a crowd. And while they thought that would be an interesting journey to make, there were just too many things working against us for that to happen (fulltime jobs, raising families, cost of travel, etc.)  I continued to raise that idea right up until I left Lincoln for Portland but we never made that trip.

One of the lessons I’ve learned over the years from my musician friends who are “road dogs” is that sometimes you have to travel with only as much of the band as you can afford to bring with you and find other players to fill in when you get there.

Do you see where this is going?

I have a son that lives outside of Atlanta and is a bass player and has been playing in bands for twenty five years. He and a drummer friend of his will be joining me on May 18th to play at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack in Atlanta and on May 19th at Buffington’s in Milledgeville, Georgia.  We will be joined at both of those gigs by the harmonica player that represented The Atlanta Blues Society at this year’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Then in October, my band from here in Portland will be flying to Georgia to headline a festival.

But that’s not the end of the story.

Many of you know my friend and bandmate, Dave “Shakey Dizz” Wagner who moved here from Lincoln, NE a little over a year ago.  Dave and I spent decades playing in bands together in Lincoln. So, as is the tradition in our band, we often talked about putting together a roadtrip for our band to go back to and play some of our old haunts in Lincoln.

Myself, Dave, Ashbolt Stewart and Ray Beltran will be hitting the road in June to play a series of gigs in Nebraska. On June 13th we’ll be at The Peacock Lounge in Grand Island, NE, on June 14t we’ll be at The Chrome Lounge in Omaha, NE, on June 15th we will be playing the early show at The Zoo Bar in Lincoln, NE and a 9:00show at The Havana Garage in Omaha, NE, on June 16th we’ll be at The Havana Garage in Omaha, and on June 17th we’ll be at Micek’s Bar in Columbus, NE. Mitch Kashmar will be joining us for the shows at The Chrome, Lounge, The Zoo Bar, and the Friday show at The Havana Garage.

Patience and persistence.

Harvey Brindell & The Tablerockers

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

Harvey Brindell
Dark Tale From The Road
Volume 1, Number 1
Back in the early 90s I was playing in a band based in Lincoln, NE. This was during a time when the club scene in the midwest was strong and blues was drawing great crowds.
Back in those days, because there was no social media, you had to do your booking either face to face or by phone. We booked a gig in Hastings, NE about ninety miles up the road from Lincoln. After sending a demo through the mail to the club owner I called him. After we agreed to a date and price he told me that he wanted at least a dozen posters to hang in his club. I agreed to get them out to him ASAP and I did.
We played the first set to kind of a light crowd. During the break I was talking with the bartender and mentioned it was kind of a light turnout and asked if the club owner had done any local advertising. He said he wasn’t sure if he had. I also mentioned that I had sent a dozen posters as the club owner had requested but hadn’t noticed any of the posters hanging anywhere in the club. The bartender told me I must have missed the one hanging right inside the front door. I walked over to the front door. There was a bulletin board that was about three feet high and five feet wide hanging on the wall right inside the front door. The only thing on the bulletin board was a piece of paper curled up like a scroll around one thumb tack stuck right in the middle of the piece of paper. I unscrolled the piece of paper and sure enough, there was our poster.
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles Harvey will be writing regarding his experiences on the road as a musician.

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Rich Layton & The Troublemakers

Hey, y’all! It’s Rich here with a huge thank you to the CBA membership for my Muddy Award nomination (and your votes). I was honored to be included with fellow harp players Franco Paletta and award winner Mitch Kashmar. My lifelong journey with the “Mississippi saxophone” has spanned rock and roll, folk, country and the blues – but it’s all soul music to me!

I’m also grateful to The Rae Gordon Band for the honor of playing on the title track of their Muddy Award winning album, “Better Than I Was.”

I want to let you know about a couple of holiday shows we do each year that have become a great way to celebrate with dear friends before the family obligations kick in. On the Friday before Christmas, Dec. 22nd, we’re at Catfish Lou’s stirring up a little “Trouble in Tinsel Town.” On Saturday, Dec. 30th, we celebrate “The Eve of The Eve” at McMenimans Rock Creek Tavern. Grab a table by the roaring fireplace while we dig deep into into our Texas Roadhouse song catalog. Hope to see you and one or both of these holiday throw-downs.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from me, Larry McCoy (guitar), Eric “Haus” Krabbenhoft (bass) and Troy Stutzman (drums)… Peace and good cheer, everybody!

Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones

Looky Here Blues Fans!

With exotic summer touring from Italy to Alaska, LaRhonda Steele and Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones will join forces for a Spectacular Double Show/Concert Saturday September 23^rd at Portlands “loveable” Catfish Lou’s Lounge, restaurant, and dance emporium (2460 NE 24^th , PDX)!!!  LaRhonda will be featured early in the evening singing songs from her latest recording and the Join “The Lloyd Jones Struggle” for delightful collaboration! Don’t miss this first appearance back home for both artists since the Waterfront Blues Fest. We sold the place out back in April, so get your tickets early!! (503-309-1203) www.catfishlous.com

BTW – Speaking of Catfish Lou’s, I would like to mention our new Thursday night music creation of “The Swamp –O- Phonics” w/ Mark Shark (Slide Guitar, Mandolin, mastery of open tunings, and vocals), Carlton Jackson (Drums and occasional vocals), Lloyd Jones (vocals, multitude of exotic guitars, magic new songs, stories of the known and unknown universe). The first few weeks we will host special traveling artists. The first will be the spectacular and big-time Delta Groove recording artist favorite of mine… the beloved… TERRY HANCK!!! That’s Thursday September 7^th.

Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones

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David Kahl – Soul Cookin’, Bayou Boyz, and Other News

Well now, it looks like we survived the Summer and are readying ourselves for a lively Fall. For me, this has been a season of transitions and, difficult though they were, I’ve been lucky to have all manner of support from too many of you to list.

At the beginning of the season, my muse and the love of my life, Lynn Marie, went into Cornerstone, a skilled nursing facility that is, truly, a blessing. I am thankful for the loving care and attention they provide, allowing me to play my gigs without worry. Gratitude also goes out to Duffy Bishop, Chris Carlson, Mitch Kashmar, and many others who have visited Lynn and made the transition easier. I’ve also been able to address my own, long neglected health issues and, so far, it looks good.

Sad to say that, because of these issues, I had to say goodbye to playing with Ty Curtis, my last gig being on a high note, at Waterfront Blues Festival, with him and Robbie Laws. Fortunately, I had plenty of good distractions at Hotel Rose – the series there was as successful as could be, with United By Music North America “Blues Brunch”, Happy Hour Acoustic Series, and “Midnight Rose: Hotel Rose After Dark”, this year hosted by the Bayou Boyz and special guests. Thanks to all who contributed to making this a memorable year.

Keeping my eyes on the musical prize, I was blessed to have the support of many musical friends – Boyd Small’s Blues Allstars, Robbie Laws, and, on a weekly basis, Soul Cookin’ and the Bayou Boyz. These last two keep the juices and the chops in good form. Those who know me best know that the joy of playing is not found in just filling out the calendar, but in the spirit of communion, camaraderie, and community that is provided. What’s been greatest about our Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights has been how the musical family has grown. The core – Brian Foxworth, Don Worth, Lloyd Jones, Mark “Shark” Schatzkamer, Steve Kerin, Dover Weinberg, and Louis Pain – has been augmented and enhanced by others – Jesse Lee Young, Paul Brainard, Pete Moss, Les Hutchinson, Karen Lovely, Kris Deelane, Peter Dammann, and others. You are all the pillars of my strength.

With this said, there’s more. A year ago, I had an idea that is now becoming a reality. The Creative Community Cooperative Project is a proposal for creating equity for working-class creatives. We’re an Oregon registered non-profit, now on our way to certified 501(c)3 status. It’s a model for building high impact, small footprint cultural communities that provide living and work space, performance and exhibition venues, and a range of human services for artists and artisans trying to survive in this city. The vision is for this developing into a network of such cultural safe spaces and, already, we’ve got interest from places as far away as Austin, New Orleans, and even Missoula, Montana. Be prepared. By year’s end, you’re going to be asked for some sort of support and involvement. You won’t be sorry to step in. There’s a lot of work, but it’s parsed out in easily attainable bits. You, my friends, are the agents for the change that you want to see and I am blessed to have you with me. More to come.

Thanks.

David Kahl 

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Don Shultz

Hello Blues Lovers!

The Sunday night blues jam continues at The Blue Diamond! This fine venue is located at 2016 NE Sandy Blvd in Portland.

Festivities begin at 6 PM with a set by the host band, then the jam goes until 9 PM. I will be taking over with help from my friend the very talented Timmer Blakely who will be filling in for Allen Markel on bass while Allen is on tour with the Sugar Ray Rayford band.  We also are very fortunate to have Dennis Lusk on keyboards!

September’s special guest line up will be:

9/3 a very special mystery guest to be announced, 9/10 Dover Weinberg (Robert Cray Band) and Mitch Kashmar, 9/17 Whit Draper and Mitch Kashmar, 9/24 Ken Brewer. Stay tuned for upcoming guests as I’ve got some new candidates to add to the mix. It’s been such a blast to get to play music with some of Portland’s finest blues musicians and I’m excited about what’s to come!

Please come on out and support live music at The Blue Diamond, they have a great staff, yummy food, and support our local music scene by having live music 7 nights a week!

Don Shultz