Cascade Blues Announcement Archives - Page 7 of 10

Terry Robb Entered Into Best Self-Produced CD Competition To Represent The CBA

Terry Robb - Cool On The Bloom Entered Into Best Self-Produced CD Competition

Every year, the Cascade Blues Association submits a local performer’s recording into The Blues Foundation’s Best Self-Produced CD competition. Guidelines only allow recordings from artists who have not received a Blues Music Awards nomination or win, and is not released by one of the large, well-established labels such as Alligator, Delta Groove or Ruf for example. Recently, we have submitted CDs from regional artists such as Rae Gordon, Gabriel Cox and Joe McMurrian (whose disc Get Inside This House was named the overall winner in the Best Self-Produced CD competition in 2011). The recordings are judged by professionals from the international blues media on categories that include originality, blues content, sound quality, production, artwork and liner notes.

This year the CBA received eight entries to be considered, all with extremely well-produced recordings, making it tough to choose just one. But we’re only allowed one entry to send to Memphis, so we had to bring it down to one.

The runner-ups were: Big Steve & The Trainwreck’s Lost In The Blues; Holfar Blue’s Heard A Hound Dog Howl; Lady True Blue’s Soul Barin’ Blues; The Lightning Kings’ The Road Is My Throne; King Louie’s Blues Revue’s Live At Riverhouse Jazz; Rae Gordon Band’s Better Than I Was; and Timothy James’ Love = Chaos.

But when it came to making the final choice, we decided on Terry Robb’s Cool On The Bloom, with its tremendous performance, outstanding sound and clarity and originality. We’re obviously not alone in these thoughts about Terry’s disc as it was also recently nominated for the Acoustic Album of the Year by Blues Blast Magazine.

This year’s finalists will be announced prior to the 2018 International Blues Challenge and the winning disc will be named at the IBC finals at The Orpheum Theater in Memphis.

Good luck Terry!!

2018 CBA Officer Elections Coming In December

Cascade Blues Announcement, Report from The Board

Every December, the Cascade Blues Association asks its members to attend the monthly membership meeting to cast their votes for the people who they would like to run the organization for the coming year. All five officer positions (President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Membership Secretary) are open for anyone who would like to seek the positions. We do request, however, that for the Membership Secretary position that you have knowledge of spreadsheets and mailing, and for Treasurer you have a firm grasp of accounting and filing taxes.
If you would like to place your name on the ballot for any of the CBA positions, please submit a letter stating your intent to run and outlining your qualifications no later than Friday, December 1. If you would like your letter published in the December BluesNotes, please submit the letter by November 15. You may mail your letter of intent to Cascade Blues Association, PO Box 6566, Portland, OR 97228-6566.
We are in need of at-large board members, too. If you have an interest in working on our board but not interested in running for one of the elected positions, please contact any of our board members.

Cascade Blues Association Night with the Portland Trailblazers

Cascade Blues Announcement, Past PDX Blues Event

The Portland Trailblazers are teaming up with the Cascade Blues Association to present a special night to help raise funds for the CBA’s many programs promoting, preserving and supporting the blues in our community. On Wednesday, January 24, the Blazers will host division rivals the Minnesota Timberwolves with their rising stars Andrew Wiggins, Karl Anthony-Towns and Jimmy Butler and you can purchase discounted tickets in several choice seat locations with a portion of each ticket sold earmarked for the CBA.

To select and purchase your Blazer game tickets, go to www.rosequarter.com/cascadeblues and use the code “CBA” (PLEASE NOTE THE CORRECTED LINK!!)

Tickets are great gift idea for the upcoming holidays, too!! Join Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Jusef Nurkic and the whole Blazers team and cheer them on to win for Cascade Blues Association night at the Moda Center.

Last Chance to Submit Discs for Best Self-Produced CD Competition

Cascade Blues Announcement, Cascade Blues Note

If you’re planning on submitting your original, self-produced CD release for consideration to represent the Cascade Blues Association in The Blues Foundation’s Best Self-Produced CD Competition, you must have your copy delivered to us no later than the October General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, October 4 at Catfish Lou’s.

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.

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.

Entries can also be mailed to: BSPCD c/o Cascade Blues Association, PO Box 6566, Portland, Oregon 97228, but still must be received by the October 4 deadline date.

VENUE CHANGE: What’s on Tap for August’s General Membership Meeting…

Cascade Blues Announcement

General Membership Meeting Slated for Wednesday, December 5

PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT WE WILL NO LONGER BE AT THE MELODY BALLROOM FOR THE MONTHLY MEETINGS!!! THE NEW LOCATION IS CATFISH LOU’S 2460 NW 24th Ave

Wednesday, August 2 – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $5.00
Opening Set – Jason “JT” Thomas
Second Electric Set – Idle Poets

It is amazing just how much music is happening this summer. With the outrageous weather we have been experiencing it seems to be everywhere. From outdoor stages, backyard house parties, favorite venues, and festivals both big and small, the blues is going on everywhere. But it doesn’t matter what time of year it is, you also know that the Cascade Blues Association is going to be bringing you great music every month at their general membership meeting. And August is no exception.

Opening the evening in August for us will be a familiar face, Jason “JT” Thomas is a professional guitarist who has worked with Franco Paletta & The Stingers and Dull Boy Jack in the past, and currently performs with Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band, Fenix and the country/rockabilly outfit Sons of Bitches. Aside from a fiery guitarist, JT is a songwriter, a teacher and has delivered Blues in the Schools presentations for the Cascade Blues Association. For the Journey to Memphis, he will be competing as a solo performer.

“JT’ is a classic ‘Jack of all trades’ guitarist who hustles the spectrum of rock, blues and country music. ‘I grew up a rocker, did time in jazz college, but drifted over into the blues and Americana. I teach cool kids and usually play with 3 to 5 bands at a time, as much as possible. I get to carry an electric guitar to work everyday, instead of a briefcase… boo ya’!”who although he will be turning 21 this month has been making a name for himself performing music for more than half his life. And that includes traveling to Memphis to represent the Cascade Blues Association in 2016 as our first youth showcase performer at the International Blues Challenge.

(Justus Reese was previously scheduled however, due to us needing to move our event to Catfish Lou’s Jason “JT” Thomas has graciously taken the acoustic spot. When Justus turns 21 later this year we will be able to reschedule him.)

The second set will be a new act to the CBA meeting stage, Idle Poets.

Idle Poets is a different kind of band.

Founder and lead singer Craig Marquardo grew up in the 80’s, enamored with the multi-layered sounds of artists embracing music of all genres. It wasn’t until his adult years that he discovered jazz, then diving headlong into the dizzying art form. When putting together this band he made sure to find players comfortable in all of the many genres they will find themselves playing.

Idle Poets takes jazz, blues, pop, soul, rock, and world music and embraces each one individually, and still making them blend together seamlessly. Even their original songs are so diverse they have a tango included in their repertoire. Covers include an array of artists from Sting to Harry Connick Jr., Jimi Hendrix to Jamie Cullum, and Peter Gabriel to Rihanna – playing likely the songs you don’t already know.

Recent performances include the Gorge Blues & Brews Festival and shows at Billy Blues, The Dublin Pub, The 1905 and The Firkin Tavern.

The band includes a diverse array of talented artists. Vocalist Craig Marquardo whose background includes working and touring with the likes of Sting, Peter Gabriel and Bono. Keyboardist Jeffrey Kauffman is the elder of the group who studied with folks like Jacques Loussier, Joe Henderson, Roy Harris, Billy Taylor, and likely Moses. Lance Vallis on guitar has a masters degree in music in jazz studies from Portland State and has performed on international cruises around the world. Richard Armida handles bass duties and is a true R&B stage veteran having worked with The Temptations, The O-Jays, The Spinners, The Grass Roots, and Johnny Mathis. And drummer Tom Andes rounds out the Poets trained in symphonic and jazz styles, but has played everything from blues to metal.

Idle Poets is a musical experience with few peers, something best experienced live. You have your chance to capture their feel at the August CBA meeting. Don’t miss out.

We hope to see you at The Melody Ballroom for the meeting, where you not only will be hearing some of the best blues the area has to offer, but you’ll get to meet up with good friends and have the chance to win prizes just by being in attendance. Tell all your friends and bring them along.

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.

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.

Oregon Music Hall Of Fame Announces 2017 Recipients

Cascade Blues Announcement, Cascade Blues Note

13th Annual Oregon Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

On Tuesday, July 11, the Oregon Music Hall of Fame held a press conference at Tony Starlight’s to announce the recipients for their 2017 induction honors. Amongst these selected were four individuals directly associated with the state’s blues community.

Louis Pain, organist best known for his time with the Paul deLay Band who has worked tirelessly with numerous acts including jazz drummer Mel Brown, the late vocalist Sweet Baby James Benton, and most recently under the name of King Louie with vocalist LaRhonda Steele.

Peter Boe, jazz and blues pianist who worked and toured with the Robert Cray Band for eight years and received two Grammy Awards during that time, and also was a member of the Curtis Salgado Band for five years.

Richard Cousins, long-time bassist with the Robert Cray Band, who has also recorded with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, and Frankie Lee.

Lisa Mann is being honored with the 2017 Album of the Year for her outstanding disc Hard Times, Bad Decisions.

Other recipients this year will be Quasi, Floater, Sean Croghan, Mickey Newbury, King Black Acid, Jimmy Boyer, plus industry people Lisa Lepine, Chris Monlux, Tres Shannon, and the Artist Of The Year: Case-Lang-Veirs (Neko Case, kd lang, and Laura Veirs).

The 11th Annual Oregon Music Hall of Fame Induction & Concert will be held on Saturday October 14 at 7:00 pm at the Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Avenue. The concert will feature Floater, a tribute to Jimmy Boyer featuring the Freak Mountain Ramblers, Fernando, Bingo Richey, Turtle VanDemarr and Pete Krebs, plus the Louis Pain All-Star Band with Andy Stokes, LaRhonda Steele, Peter Dammann, Dan Balmer and more.

The event will feature a live auction of autograph guitars including. Chicago, Ry Cooder, Culture Club, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Miller, and Weezer. Proceeds from this event help support the Oregon Music Hall of Fame’s music education and scholarship programs.

Tickets are on sale at Ticketfly.com and the Aladdin Theater box office. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. VIP tickets, which include prime seating, collectable laminated pass, a Gary Houston limited edition hand pulled signed and numbered poster plus entrance to the catered after-induction party with the inductees, musicians and other VIPs, are $100 in advance or $110 at the door.

Thank You CBA Volunteers!!

Cascade Blues Announcement, Cascade Blues Note

The Cascade Blues Association occasionally holds events where it is necessary for extra hands to assist in making sure everything runs smoothly. That is never more true than at the Waterfront Blues Festival where we have a merchandise booth that needs to be manned for hours each day. This year’s festival was five days long, making the need for even more people to help out. We want to thank the following individuals for their time and generosity in assisting us with this need; we couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you!!

Adam Carter, Alice Tacey, Annette Young, Bonita Davis, Bryan Olson, Carol Hamley, Clint Spell, Coila Ash, Deb Rowley, Don Geren, Gary Jaskowiak, Holly Thomas, Imm-o Singleton, Jane White Broderick, Jenny Pizot, John Fraser, Julie Yanko, Kevin MacDonald, Larry Risch, Laura Lund, Lucia Michaud, Margaret Wise, Marla Jones, Michelle Bean, Mike Puerini, Nadine Jones, Natalie Spell, Peggy Erick, Priscilla Miller, Rawleigh Pate, Rhonda graham, Richard LaChapelle, Rita Childs, Robert Freeman, Ron Beed, Sandie Wilkins, Sandy Forst, Sandy Stout, Shelly Halsted, Steve Broderick, Susi Brothers, Terry Nolan, Tim Mattheis

Thank you also for our Journey To Memphis volunteer judges: John Jaqua, Melanie Owen and Russ Bergeron.

MUDDY AWARDS 2018 – Voting

Cascade Blues Announcement, Muddy Awards

We have yet to get through summer but the Muddy Awards nomination and voting activity is on our radar. Be advised that the nomination and voting process will begin in the fall. In preparation for this, we are working hard to ensure it goes much more smoothly than last year. We are all learning as we go.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?

Make sure you have your correct email on file with us. You will need email to participate
Do you know your Membership #? You will need that information as well to participate as only members can vote. In the monthly email blast you receive, your membership # is included at the bottom.
If you don’t know your member number, of course we can provide it. Send an email to membership.secretary@gmail.com
As we go through the year – try to keep in your mind the shows and performers you saw during the year. This will help as we get closer to the nomination process. We all know how memory can get foggy – so keep a list.
Nomination process and Voting will be online only.

Thanks again to our wonderful membership for being patient as we work to improve the process.