Cascade Blues Association / Artichoke Music Present Mary Flower

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Cascade Blues Association / Artichoke Music  Present Livestream with adam Scramsted

Cascade Blues Association / Artichoke Music Present Mary Flower

Cascade Blues Association / Artichoke Music Present Mary FlowerAs our past Cascade Blues Association monthly live meetings were something that could be looked forward to as a place to listen to some of the finest blues in our area, we’re hoping that you’re enjoying our simulcast presentations each month from Artichoke Music. Of course, it can’t take the place of being in the room with your friends, dancing and enjoying the music with a cold beverage and meal, but in these times of self-quarantine it’s still a great place to hang for world-class performances.

For February we do not plan on disappointing. We have scheduled a musician who is recognized as one of the world’s elite fingerstyle and lap-slide acoustic guitarists, Mary Flower. We have been fortunate that she has called Portland home since 2004. A two-time winner at the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship, a four-time Blues Music Award nominee, and an inductee into both the Colorado Music Hall of Fame and the Cascade Blues Association’s Muddy Awards Hall of Fame, Mary is a much-in-demand artist for festivals and guitar workshops around the world. She has released 10 recordings, including her latest, “Living With the Blues,” on the Little Village Foundation label, and eight instructional videos on various guitar techniques. She also hosts her own guitar workshop at the Menucha Retreat every fall, featuring world-renowned guest instructors.

Please join the Cascade Blues Association and Artichoke Music for what will be an astounding night of traditional and contemporary acoustic blues as only Mary can deliver.

Wednesday, February 3, 7:00 p.m. live simulcast on Artichoke Music’s Facebook page.

Please show your appreciation for Mary’s playing by sending tips and donations to her PayPal.me/MaryFlowerMusic account or through Venmo Mary.Flower-1

Both the Cascade Blues Association and Artichoke Music are nonprofit businesses and donations may also be sent to them at:

www.cascadebluesassociation.org
www.artichokemusic.org

Cascade Blues Association / Artichoke Music Present Mitch Kashmar & Terry Robb 

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Cascade Blues Association / Artichoke Music  Present Livestream with adam Scramsted

Cascade Blues Association / Artichoke Music
Present Mitch Kashmar & Terry Robb 

Mitch Kashmar photo by Greg JohnsonThe new year is rolling forth, but the pandemic doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon. But the Cascade Blues Association and Artichoke Music are not going to slow down as we plan on bringing a special night featuring a pair of the West Coast’s finest blues musicians: Mitch Kashmar & Terry Robb. 

Mitch Kashmar is renowned as one of the premier harmonica aces who have made their mark on the Left Coast following a long line of masters like George “Harmonica” Smith, William Clarke, Kim Wilson and Paul deLay. From his beginnings in the early ‘80s fronting his band The Pontiax, Kashmar’s reputation continues to grow, with a successful solo career with multiple superb recordings, to a short stint blowing harp for the rock band War. He has garnered two Blues Music Award nominations and repeated Muddy Award wins for best harmonica and induction into the CBA’s Muddy Awards Hall of Fame. 

Terry Robb is a West Coast legend. Considered one of the premier acoustic guitarists performing today, he is just at home on the electric. His technique is fluid and precise, with string work that is dazzling to behold and a pleasure to listen to. He has played in the Portland area for decades and has received induction into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. With the Cascade Blues Association he has won so many Muddy Awards, including more than 20 straight years taking home the Acoustic Guitar Award that his name now adorns that award, retiring him from the field. But that does not stop him from other categories, as shown with his 2019 recording, Confessin’ My Dues, which won the Muddy Award for Northwest Recording of the Year. It also received a nomination from The Blues Foundation’s Blues Music Awards for Acoustic Album of the Year. 

When you team up two artists of such high caliber, you know that sparks are going to fly from the Artichoke stage. Join us at Artichoke’s Facebook page at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6. Share the event, let all your friends know, and please tip the band. 

Join in and go to the Mitch and Terry’s online payment sources to help these fine musicians make ends meet during these trying times of limited performance opportunities.  

Mitch Kashmar – www.Paypal.me/mitchkashmar 

Terry Robb – www.Paypal.me/terryrobbguitar or Venmo @terryrobbguitar 

You can also join or donate to the Cascade Blues Association and Artichoke Music (both are not-for-profit organizations).
www.cascadebluesassociation.org
www.artichokemusic.org  

 

Coming in February – Mary Flower. 

 ***special note to CBA Members…watch for the January newsletter to find instructions on how to win CD’s during the live stream!

Cascade Blues Association/Artichoke Music Present Steve Cheseborough 

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Cascade Blues Association / Artichoke Music  Present Livestream with adam Scramsted

Cascade Blues Association/Artichoke Music
Present Steve Cheseborough 

Historian, musician, author. Steve Cheseborough wears many hats. A life-long student of the early blues and its progenitors have consumed his own passion for playing and recreating those innovative sounds that bridged the development of modern music over the years. A performance by Steve Cheseborough is so much more than just his playing guitar and harmonica; it is in itself a history lesson as he recounts the stories of his heroes, such as Bo Carter, Charley Patton, Blind Boy Fuller and those who birthed the blues and American music. Steve is also the author of the essential guide to visiting the Mississippi Delta for those seeking the background of those inspiring artists and more. Titled Blues Traveling: The Holy Sites of Delta Blues, which is a living work as he updates its content continuously and it has seen multiple printings to date. He was also a featured artist in the film Last of the Mississippi Jukes. 

Steve Cheseborough joins us for the Cascade Blues Association’s second presentation of our monthly streamed showcase in collaboration with Artichoke Music (where Steve also offers classes in both acoustic guitar and harmonica). This is certainly going to be an entertaining night of music and stories from one of the very best at early blues and the progression of the music throughout the years. Steve himself has been one of those bridges that brings everything to life. 

Wednesday, December 2, 7:00 pm. Online with Facebook Live on Artichoke Music’s event page. Please share with your friends to allow the largest audience for these performances each month as we can. 

Please join in on the broadcast and remember to visit Steve’s online payment outlets at: 

Venmo @Steve-Cheseborough or PayPal chezztone@gmail.com 

Every little bit helps our musicians struggling to make ends meet during Covid and the loss of most if not all of their regular working gigs. 

You can also donate to both the Cascade Blues Association and Artichoke Music, two non-profit organizations working to bring you live music and supporting our local musicians and venues at: 

www.cascadebluesassociation.org
www.artichokemusic.org 

The Cascade Blues Association & Artichoke Music Present Kim Field & The Perfect Gentlemen Live Online 

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The Cascade Blues Association
& Artichoke Music Present Kim Field
& The Perfect Gentlemen Live Online 

Wednesday, November 4, 7 p.m. PST 

This is a streaming online performance. Listen in at www.facebook.com/artichoke.music/live_videos 

It has been several months since the Cascade Blues Association has been able to bring live, in-person monthly meetings to our members and friends due to COVID-19 restrictions. We are now teaming up with Artichoke Music to help remedy this situation, by offering once-a-month live streaming performances from some of our favorite musicians. 

Presented live from Artichoke Music’s home stage, our first musical guests will be 2019 Muddy Award winners for Best New Act, Kim Field & The Perfect Gentlemen. 

Join in and go to the band’s online payment sources (to be announced) to help our local musicians make ends meet during these trying times of limited performance opportunities. 

You can also join or donate to both the Cascade Blues Association and Artichoke Music (both are not-for-profit organizations). 

www.cascadebluesassociation.org 

www.artichokemusic.org  

General Membership Meeting 

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October 2020 cancelled

General Membership Meeting October 2020

Please be advised that at this time all of our General Membership meetings are on hold. They will continue once we’re able to safely gather in a location that can provide enough space for all with proper separation for social distancing. Most of all we want our members, musicians, volunteers, sound crew and venue personnel to feel comfortable and safe. We miss being able to spend time with you and to bring you the music we all love and crave. It will be back. We just need to practice patience in the meantime. Thank you for understanding. 

September 2020 General Membership Meeting 

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October 2020 cancelled

September 2020 General Membership Meeting 

Please be advised that at this time all of our General Membership Meetings are on hold. They will continue once we’re able to safely gather in a location that can provide enough space for all with proper separation of social distancing. Most of all we want our members, musicians, volunteers, sound crew and venue personnel to feel comfortable and safe. We miss being able to spend our time with you and to bring you the music we all love and crave. It will be back. We just need to practice patience in the meantime. Thank you for understanding. 

General Membership Meeting Cancelled  August 2020

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October 2020 cancelled

General Membership Meeting Cancelled
August 2020

As we approach another month in this time of Covid-19, we do not seem any closer to being able to have a live membership meeting. Portland still sits in phase one, with phase two not allowing groups of more than 25 people still to come. We just do not know when things will turn around for us. 

We apologize to our members and to the acts scheduled during these months, but we basically have our hands tied at this point. Phase one has allowed some venues to be able to hold shows, so help them out and attend when possible – but remember, the fact is that the pandemic still exists, so be safe. We do not want to move into the position that the State of Washington resides with no music allowed until they reach phase four, or California where the entire state is shut down for all restaurants and bars. Don’t let us move backwards. 

Keep a watch on our Facebook page and the Cascade Blues Association website, if anything changes for the positive where we might be able to have a meeting, we will let you know. We’re heavily anticipating when we may be able to gather again and enjoy our friendships and great music. 

July General Meeting Cancelled 

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October 2020 cancelled

July General Meeting Cancelled

We had hoped for better news this month, but Covid-19 continues to change our plans on a regular basis as of late. With the current postponement of the reopening of Multnomah County, the effects will also alter our chances of holding our monthly meetings until further changes can take place. We once again need to cancel our meeting in July. 

At the beginning of the year, we had originally scheduled our July meeting for July 8 in anticipation of the Waterfront Blues Festival. But even with a week’s delay, we would need to abide by state guidelines. By that direction, we could not use our regular home base at The Eagles Lodge as they would fall under the rulings for fraternal organizations for Phase One of reopening. Unless that organization has a full-time restaurant on-site, they do not fall under the same terms as a restaurant or bar, and must not allow any gatherings greater than 25 people. As stated in last month’s BluesNotes, holding a meeting with that limited number of people would not even allow us to hire our sound people, and the numbers on-site would have to include staff and the band. Phase Two guidelines will need to be explored to determine if that will offer us the opportunity to have our August meeting at The Eagles. But at this time (writing on June 15), with possible Phase One opening on June 19), the earliest that Phase Two would be able to take place would be July 10 with the 21 required days Phase One has to be held. 

Keep your fingers crossed that the pandemic lets up. We want to see all of you again as soon as we can. But until then, we’ll continue with our current wait-and-see-what-comes-next position. 

Stay safe, everyone (wear your masks and practice safe social distancing). Keep watching those online performances and tipping the musicians, buy their music (online, directly or at retail outlets — we suggest longtime CBA sponsor Music Millennium), attend shows where possible, and support everybody in our music community. 

JUNE CASCADE BLUES ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP MEETING CANCELLED

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Membership Meeting Cancelled
As we’re well into our third month of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are starting to see some activities and businesses begin to reopen across the State. At this time, Multnomah County has yet to apply for the Phase One opening stage, which will only allow up to 25 people in gatherings and must include distancing of six feet for patrons. Phase One guidelines state that this must go on for a period of 21 days before moving onto Phase Two.
I am not sure how venues or the Cascade Blues Association figures in the long run of live performances taking place; concerts and sporting events are shown to be on hold until at least September. The question is the size of crowd that would entail, and that is part of Phase Three. Hopefully, we will be able to see events like our meeting come back sometime soon.
As for now, with the 25 people limit for gatherings, we will have to cancel our meeting scheduled for June. It is not just a decision made for safety, which is the number one concern, but it is also not economically feasible for us to hold a meeting with this limited number of people. Most who attend are members and have free entry to the meetings. But even if the entire 25 attendees were to pay the $5.00 non-member entry, it would still not be enough to cover the expense of our sound people. And does the 25 people include the CBA staff working, sound crew and the Eagles volunteers? It’s better to be on the cautious side at this point and hope for easing of restrictions to come about soon.
In the meantime, please continue to be safe and to support the musicians performing online and the venues and retail outlets offering allowable services. There will be an end in sight and it is in our best interest to keep everyone involved in the music we love to be able to resume their livelihood once that time returns.

Important Message

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CBA Board Important Message

Important Message
from the Cascade Blues Association

If you’re reading this and you’re a member of the Cascade Blues Association the website now contains your monthly issue of the BluesNotes online. Due to the coronavirus situation and its serious impact on all our lives, we have had to make some difficult and unforeseen decisions. All of the content that is usually printed is now available here on the website by clicking on each heading above for now. The pandemic has led to the state-wide stay at home order, shutting down venues and businesses and preventing gatherings. These circumstances have created a tremendous hardship for local musicians and venues with the loss of performance dates and subsequent loss of income. Please bear with us as we navigate our new reality.

The major consequence of the coronavirus pandemic for the Cascade Blues Association is the cancellation of our monthly membership meetings. Most of our monthly revenue comes from membership, merchandise, and raffle-ticket sales at our meetings, and our advertising income for shows has dried up as well. Further, with no local gigs scheduled, the calendar we provide is basically nonexistent. Without this income, it’s clear we simply cannot afford to print BluesNotes. The cost behind putting the paper together and mailing it would deplete the budget we have for this year long before we even approach the end of December. So, at least for the next couple months, perhaps for however long this pandemic continues, the BluesNotes will only be available online for our members. Once the situation begins to straighten out, we will have to look at how our finances are holding out before we return to printing the paper.

Our general membership meetings are also on hold until the stay-at-home order is lifted and we can again congregate in groups and bars/restaurants are allowed to operate. As we did in April, we have cancelled the meeting scheduled for May. The acts scheduled to perform in May were contacted and have accepted an offer to perform at September’s meeting. Hopefully all will be back to normal, or at least as close to normal as possible, by then. If more meetings need to be cancelled we will let all know in advance.

Thank you for your understanding. But even more, thank you for being Cascade Blues Association members.CBA Board Important Message

 

 

 

 

– CBA Board of Directors