The thirty-ninth annual Blues Music Awards honoring blues musicians and recordings in 26 categories were held in Memphis, TN, last month. Portland’s own Curtis Salgado was once again awarded the BMA for Soul Vocalist, his ninth BMA award and seventeenth nomination overall. Other local musicians nominated this year were Karen Lovely, Jimi Bott, and The Paul deLay Band. Congratualtions to Curtis and to all the award recipients and nominees.

The night’s biggest winners were Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ for individual awards and for their outstanding collaborative album TajMo, for a total of five awards. Among those Taj Mahal was presented with the prize award of the night, the BB King Entertainer of the Year. Rick Estrin also BMAs took home three himself, including with his band The Nightcats.

Acoustic Album – Break The Chain, Doug MacLeod
Acoustic Artist – Taj Mahal
Album of the Year – TajMo, Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’
B.B. King Entertainer of the Year – Taj Mahal
Band of the Year – Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Best Emerging Artist Album – Southern Avenue, Southern Avenue
Contemporary Blues Album – TajMo, Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’
Contemporary Blues Female Artist – Samantha Fish
Contemporary Blues Male Artist – Keb’ Mo’
Historical Album – Luther Allison – A Legend Never Dies, Essential Recordings 1976-1997 (Ruf Records)
Instrumentalist – Vocals – Beth Hart
Instrumentalist – Bass – Michael “Mudcat” Ward
Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female Artist) – Ruthie Foster
Instrumentalist – Drums – Tony Braunagel
Instrumentalist – Guitar – Ronnie Earl
Instrumentalist – Harmonica – Jason Ricci
Instrumentalist – Horn – Trombone Shorty
Pinetop Perkins Piano Player (Instrumentalist – Piano) – Victor Wainwright
Rock Blues Album – We’re All In This Together, Walter Trout
Traditional Blues Male Artist – Rick Estrin
Rock Blues Artist – Mike Zito
Song of the Year – “The Blues Ain’t Going Nowhere”, written by Rick Estrin
Soul Blues Album – Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm, Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm
Soul Blues Female Artist – Mavis Staples
Soul Blues Male Artist – Curtis Salgado
Traditional Blues Album – Right Place, Right Time, Monster Mike Welch and Mike Ledbetter

The Sportin’ Lifers describe their music as a mixture of “jump blues,” “rhythm and blues,” “boogie woogie,” and “swing,” and the longer they perform as a unit the more their music fuses eras and bends genres. “As much as possible, we play what inspires us.”

Who are the band members and what part do they play in the band?

Erin Wallace – vocals
Whit Draper – guitar and vocals
Don Campbell – bass and vocals
Steve Cleveland – keys and vocals
Fred Ingram – drums and vocals

Were you all born and raised in the Portland area?

Erin: I grew up in Vancouver, BC. I moved to Portland originally to go to college. After I graduated, I moved to Boston to attend the Berklee College of Music for a few years, but Portland called me back.

Don: I was raised in southern Oregon, of redneck descent, and migrated north to Eugene where I fell in with Bill Rhoades, Curtis Salgado, D.K. Stewart and the blues community. In 1981, I got a gig with the Paul deLay Band and moved to Portland.

Fred: I was born in Portland and grew up in Eugene and Roseburg.

Steve: I was born and raised in Oregon, and I’ve lived in Portland most of my adult life.

Whit: I spent a big portion of my youth in Greece, where my parents were working.

How long have you been performing together professionally and individually?

Erin: Whit started the band about 8 years ago, then I joined about a year after that. He and I had previously met in another band and really enjoyed working together so we stayed in touch. He could not have picked a more talented, enjoyable group of people for this band. We have an absolute blast together.

Fred: I met Whit Draper thru the auspices of Steve Morelli. He got us a gig playing blues at a friend’s birthday party one scorching August day; it was so hot outside the balloons were popping. Whit introduced me to Johnny Ward and Steve Cleveland, then Brad Ulrich and Erin Wallace. When Morelli had to leave the band Whit brought in Don Campbell. It’s been clicking ever since and I’m having an absolute ball playing with these guys.

Steve: I met Whit and Fred over a decade ago, through Johnnie Ward. I’ve played with Erin and Don for quite a few years. It’s a privilege to play with all of them.

Don: I have known Whit Draper by association for many years, and played once in a while with Brad Ulrich. Brad called me four or five years ago to fill in for some Tuesday nights at the Blue Diamond with the Sportin’ Lifers. I was way out over my skis with those guys because they played frisky, arranged music that swung so hard and was way more than three-chord blues. It turned into a very groovy thing.

Did each of you always want to perform professionally or if not, what did you “want to be when you grew up”?

Don: I grew up around music. I saw Tennessee Ernie Ford do “16 Tons” on TV and that was it. I started playing in school bands in grade school, but fell prey to rock and roll in the ‘60s, and found my way to blues and jazz (even though I am by no means a jazz guy). I have never not played music.

I played professionally all through the ‘80s–meaning it was basically my sole means of income, though that income was, um, for the poverty-level kind. I have held various jobs over the years, most of them in the editorial field, another extremely lucrative profession.

Steve: I knew early on in life that I wanted to play music professionally on some level. I didn’t really know how to go about it though. So it took a while.

Who has influenced your music?

Erin: I have always been heavily influenced by female artists. Growing up my parents used to play a lot of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Edith Piaf, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez. When I got a little older I discovered Aretha Franklin, Carol King, Bonnie Raitt, Dolly Parton, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, Etta James, Cassandra Wilson. And as a singer and a child of the ‘80s, I can’t go without mentioning Whitney Houston. I’m sure my bandmates will appreciate that. In my adult life, I listen to everything from Ruth Brown and Little Esther to Janelle Monáe, Lake Street Dive and Missy Elliott. And Sharon Jones all day long. I’m all over the map. Currently I have Meshell Ndegeocello’s latest album on repeat.

Don: My influences are numerous: anybody who ever played bass with B.B. King, Leroy Vinegar, Ray Brown, Christian McBride, Ron Carter, Jaco (mostly for inspiration for what a bass could do), Scott LaFaro, Paul Chambers, Carol Kaye, James Jamerson, Jerry Jemmott, Mingus (again, mostly for butt-kicking inspiration), Rocco Prestia, George Porter, Jr., a whole ton of African bass players whose names I don’t know, and hundreds of others, and those are just the bass guys. I met Victor Bailey in the Cape Town airport one time, and that was oddly and cooly inspirational. I love anything with soul.

Fred: I come from a musical family. My Grampa Joe would entertain us kids with vaudeville songs, accompanying himself on a tenor banjo. Dad was a professional musician and played trumpet and vibes in his own trio. He brought us up on Dixieland and swing music… Louie Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Ray Charles, Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson, Shelly Manne, Clark Terry, Stan Getz, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery. He brought home an old Slingerland drum set when I was in 5th grade and had his drummer, Stan Rhees, give me drum lessons. A few years later, my older siblings introduced me to Miles’ Filles de Kilamanjaro, Gary Burton’s Duster with Roy Haynes, John Coltrane‘s Africa Brass with Elvin Jones, then Horace Silver’s 27th Man with Mickey Roker and the world of CTI thru Freddie Hubbard’s album First Light. Even though I was immersed in rock n’ roll music with my friends, the exposure to jazz stretched my idea of possibilities. The summer before my senior year in high school I got a gig playing drums in an organ trio–my first professional job. I’ve been playing ever since, everything from country to funk, zydeco to jump, cumbia, samba, second line, hillbilly, bebop, polka… find that groove.

Steve: I’m influenced by any soulful music of any genre. I like roots music. Music with deep roots. When I play in this band, I draw specifically on Ray Charles, Otis Spann, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Jimmy Rowles, Nat Cole, Bud Powell, Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk, Teddy Wilson, Jimmy Smith.

How would you describe your music?

Steve: I think this music we play is swingin’, danceable, and drenched in the blues.

Erin: My personal musical endeavors are pretty broad. Right around the time I joined The Sportin’ Lifers, I also started with a band called The Sentiments–a big, fun, energetic 9-piece soulful ska and rocksteady band. It is a complete blast to play with those folks as well and a whole different world than my other projects. The connections I made in that band led to me having the opportunity to do a couple of tours singing with the amazing Ernest Ranglin – Jamaican jazz guitar legend. More recently, I started a solo project called Wallace. That band plays almost all my own original material and influences range from soul to funk to rock to pop with a little bit of hip hop mixed in. It is a much more personal endeavor for me. I definitely take what I have learned from the Sportin’ Lifers with me into that project.

Don: My music? Anything roots based played with soul and inspiration. I love authentic country, blues, jazz, reggae, rock, soul, world beat, and anything that draws or melds or pushes the envelopes of those. I hate music with no lineage, no historical sensibility, and no soul.

Did you have any formal training or self-taught?

Erin: I started singing lessons at age 11. After years studying classical, jazz and musical theatre, I attended the Berklee College of music and started focusing on soul, blues, jazz and rhythm and blues. Honestly, I loved being at music school and wouldn’t trade it for the world. But I have learned so much more from my real-world experiences – particularly with a group as challenging, fun and supportive as The Sportin’ Lifers. They are such bad-ass musicians, they push and inspire me to learn more and do better every time.

Don: I had minor formal training, but mostly curiosity about how to make cool sounds and find grooves on an instrument. Playing with the Sportin’ Lifers is constantly inspirational and educational. These nutballs bring a lot to the party.

Steve: I had some good piano teachers as a kid, and I’ve had some wonderful mentors, such as the late Kent Glenn, a brilliant post-bop pianist, composer, and arranger. And I continually learn from everyone I play with. Music is a lifelong endeavor and we are all self-taught at some fundamental level, even as we continue to learn from others.

What CD’s do you have out?

We have one album out: Cigars, Billiards, Lunches. It was released about 4 years ago. Available on CD Baby, Amazon, iTunes, etc.

Any more CD’s in the works.

Don has an amazing studio space out in the Gorge. We keep threatening to lock ourselves up there for a while and write and record until we have another finished album. Hopefully soon!!

Who have you played with?

We usually play shows on our own but we have, on occasion had the pleasure to share the stage with amazing local bands/musicians like The Jumptown Aces, The Pepper Grinders, Jim Wallace, Suburban Slim and others.

Are there any former band members you want to mention?

Bass player, Steve Morelli was one of our founding members. He put a lot of love into this project. You can see the restaurant name is “Morelli’s” in the photo on our album cover. That was our loving shout out to him.

Brad Ulrich was also a big part of the band from the beginning. You can hear him on the album on sax and clarinet. We have been really lucky to have such talent come through our ranks.

Closing comments:

We can be found playing Happy Hour at the Secret Society on the third Friday of every month. The Sportin’ Lifers Trio (that’s Whit, Don and Steve) plays the fourth Friday of every month at The Muddy Rudder. You can find some version of the band at Catfish Lou’s and The Blue Diamond on a fairly regular basis.

The “Arrogant Bastards” is a Blues, Funk, and Rock-n-Roll band based in Portland Oregon.

Founded in early 2017 from a desire to create and perform music that is raw, exciting, and entertaining, the Bastards’ music is primarily blues based intertwined with elements of Funk and Rock-n-Roll. But they’re not your typical local Blues band — they like their music heavy and dynamic! They write their original songs with plenty of catchy hooks and a splash of innuendo. They also perform renditions of various songs from artists such as Tab Benoit, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert Collins, Albert King, Hound Dog Taylor, Govt. Mule, and Jimi Hendrix. The self-proclaimed “Bad Boys of Portland Blues” are an aggressive group of musicians with backgrounds as diverse as the songs they play.

It started with Paul moving to Portland a few years ago and wanting to start performing live again. James had been playing a couple of years with a group after a long hiatus and had come across Paul’s contact info. The first collaboration was a bit too removed from the blues than Paul wanted. A year later though, Paul contacted a bass player whom James had giving his info to, and she gave Paul James’s contact info.  They soon started rehearsals. Two lead guitar players and three bass players later, they connected with John and Mike and everything clicked. They played at a local showcase two weeks later. The audience response was outstanding! They recently added Brad’s keyboard talents to the mix. It’s been full steam ahead ever since.

Paul (Rhythm Guitar and Lead Vocals) is originally from the San Francisco Bay area. He has lived in all four corners of the U.S. While living in North Carolina and working at radio station WCOM, Paul interviewed the great blues player Tab Benoit. Tab told him “It is a blessing to be an artist, performances are for the people. It’s their show, they paid for it, and I want to give them a way to connect.” Paul shares and understand that vision and gives everything he has in his performances. He brings that gritty, swampy, soulful sound of the Gulf Coast to the band.

Mike (Lead Guitar) is a lifelong guitar aficionado. He developed his talents in the hardened music scene of New York’s Long Island. After moving to Portland, he made his mark and name known locally. He’s recorded several albums and performed with various groups. A tenacious player and savvy genius who plays every song like it was his last. He doesn’t hold back, but rips it in a precise and fitting manner. He perfectly combines the hard driving blues of Texas with New York styled Rock-n-Roll.

John (Bass Guitar) developed his silky style in Detroit. His passion was the underground sounds of Hendrix, Zappa, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, and Zeppelin on FM radio WABX. This path led him to San Francisco. He cut his teeth on countless jams, no-name bands, open-mics, and music festivals. After moving to Portland, he returned to his roots of Blues, Funk, and Soul. He holds down the bottom end with a flash of Motown Rhythm and Blues and a splash of West Coast free spirit.

Brad (Keyboards) long ago discovered the simple fact that he was happiest when he is creative. His creativity has expressed itself in many styles and media, but music has always been at its core. Founded in Blues and Rock, his musical expressions have traveled deep in Jazz exploration and finally to a return to Blues. He believes that true inspiration is rare; it requires consistent creative and experimental practice to make its appearance. The talent-filled Arrogant Bastards is a perfect vehicle for his creativity and an easy target for inspiration to find.

James (Drums) was born on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River (not kidding!) and grew up where that famous river first crosses Hwy. 61. He had a front row seat to the Minneapolis sound explosion during the 80’s. He was involved in several Blues, Rock, and Funk projects that never fully materialized. He stepped away from music performance for almost two decades. Eventually he moved to Portland. He started playing with a few local projects, which led to him and Paul forming Arrogant Bastards. He brings that no-frills solid driving beat forward with funkiness and soul.

The Arrogant Bastards are huge supporters of the great work done by the Cascade Blues Association. Most gigs are set up so All CBA Members are on the Guest List. They are always adding new performances to the schedule. Please check out the event calendar on the CBA website or visit the Arrogant Bastard Facebook page to see where you can catch them gettin’ down and dirty with the Blues. You’ll have a blast!

Gary Burford was born in Austin, Texas. The right town to fall in love with music. He lived there before moving to Albany, Oregon, in the early 1970’s, where he lived until joining the U.S. Army in 1978.

Having three older brothers who played and listened to a lot of music was the key to Gary following in their footsteps. “In grade school there were bands that practiced in the back room of our house. My oldest brother, who was 15 years older, took joy in having me hang out there. His friends would ask, ‘What’s he doing here?’ He’d say ‘Hey, that’s my little brother. He’s cool. He can play.’ And so it went. He taught me to play open chords and songs of the day,” Gary said.

“He would smack me when I didn’t bar the B & E string when playing an F chord. Sometimes when we were playing he would have me continue playing while he made out with a girl.” They played in parks, at sock hops, and other places. Later they played in bars but Gary was underage, so he would have to go outside during breaks.

During high school he made his first guitar in woodshop. Later he got a Silvertone.

While he was serving in the Army he started performing in Officer/NCO Clubs. But he really started performing music as a career after his discharge in 1994.

Gary is a well-known name in the Salem area. In the mid 90’s he became active in the Salem music scene. He worked at Ranch Records and gave lessons at Guitar Castle. He booked shows at venues in Salem, Silverton, McMinnville and Stayton. During this time, he also played in the Boyd Small Big Blues Band, the Bob Beck Band, The Terraplanes and in the Gary Burford Trio.

Gary’s music comes from his soul. He’s had his struggles and has hit his lows. Drugs, alcohol, lost jobs, failed relationships, and time in jail. He can perform the blues, because he has lived the blues. A cancer diagnosis in 2012 was his wake up call. He’s battled back and is now living clean and playing blues music to tell his story.

Influences
He cites his older brother as one of his musical influences. “He was my first teacher, took me to concerts, and let me play at his gigs sometimes.”

He also lists The 3 Kings, Magic Sam, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Boyd Small, Terry Robb, Jim Wallace, Marco Salvo, Lloyd Jones, Monty Amundsen and the list goes on. “I’ve played with and know most of, if not all, of the musicians in the area. I hate to leave any of them out,” he said.

Gary says his musical style come from a lifetime of listening and also from playing with those gracious enough to let him in.

He credits his guitar skills through association with great musicians and private lessons. He also minored in music at University of Texas El Paso.

He has been recognized by the Statesman Journal as best musician two times and best band four times. He was also nominated as Best Regional Act by the CBA.

CD’s
In 1998 the Gary Burford Trio put out the CD, You’re Gonna See, produced by Terry Robb. Guest musicians on the recording included Paul Delay, Jim Wallace and Terry Robb.

In 2015 he joined with Randy Flook and they put out a CD called Redemption. Dave Fleschner was a guest musician on that CD.

He’s also working on a CD called Low Down Shack. It’s a compilation of rock n’ roll of songs he wrote when he was a teenager.

Musicians and Bandmates
Over the years, Gary has performed with musicians such as Terry Robb, Curtis Salgado, Boyd Small, Warren Haynes, Allen Woody, Paulette Davis, Sonny Hess, Garry Meziere, John Fahey, Mark Lemhouse, Lloyd Jones, and others. He says he has worked in support of many regional and national blues acts—too many to list.

His bandmates, past and present, include: Bob Beck on bass; Dennis Ayers on drums; George Edmonston on bass; Boyd Small and Beth Poore on sax; and Dave Fleschner on keyboards.

“I want to emphasize how much Terry Robb has helped me by performing with me at my gigs and having me perform at high profile gigs that he was doing. Also, Boyd Small has been a great friend and band mate. Dennis Ayers, Bob Beck, George Edmonson and Dave Fleschner have put up with me, supported and performed hundreds of gigs and most certainly are the best part of anything I am,” Gary said.

Gary and Terry are working on a theatre-type acoustic tour throughout the NW in 2018. He’ll also be working with Boyd doing the band thing throughout the in 2018. And of course the Burford Trio will be playing, as well.

In Closing
“I have been blessed to have been able to perform, book, produce and promote many shows. I’ve worked with hero’s who have influenced, mentored me, and become lifelong friends,” Gary said.

“It should be a busy 2018. You can keep up with me through: my website, garyburford.wixsite.com/garyburford; my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/garyburfordmusic: or at ReverbNation.”