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

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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.

What’s on Tap for July’s General Membership Meeting …

What’s on Tap for November’s General Membership Meeting

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Street, Portland
Wednesday, July 12 – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $5.00
Opening Acoustic Set – Howard Wade
Second Electric Set – Gary Burford Trio

Following the Waterfront Blues Festival is quite the task in July, so please note that the monthly membership meeting is being moved to one week later. Still the same location and time, but after a five-day festival some people may need to take a little break, especially our board members who have been working that time in our merchandise booth and other positions throughout the event.

But as always, when we do return, we will be showcasing some amazing blues talent found in our region and this month we will have two acts who have not performed for the Cascade Blues Association for a while. And it’s about time we did have them back.

Opening the evening will be Howard Wade, who describes his music as “tell[ing] the story of America. It is not the story we were told in school. It’s tales of scoundrels, lovers and folk heroes; of coal mining towns in Appalachia and brothels in New Orleans. It comes from the store front churches of Harlem and the dusty plains of Oklahoma told by the descendants of slaves and poor immigrants. It carries the hope, despair, love, hate, triumphs and tragedies of us all. It’s our job as musicians to honor the story and carry it forward.”

Guitarist, songwriter and vocalist Howard Wade brings finger style virtuosity to American folk music. Calling upon nearly half a century of musical experience, Wade keeps the legacy of Reverend Gary Davis, Mississippi John Hurt, and Jorma Kaukonen alive while breathing new life into this great tradition. Howard has been performing since childhood from the days of Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary. He trained in classical music on the cello, jazz on the bass guitar and studied composition. He first heard the music of Jorma Kaukonen, Reverend Gary Davis, JellyRoll Morton, and other traditional blues artists while still in high school beginning a lifelong love of acoustic blues and Americana. He performed for four decades as a sideman in the San Francisco and Portland areas before embarking on a solo career. Howard currently records and performs in the Portland area as both a solo musician and with the group Memphis Shorty.

The Gary Burford Trio will be taking stage for the second set of the night. Gary has a long association with the NW blues community, its musicians and the CBA. He was a member of the Boyd Small Big Blues Band, The Terraplanes, The Bob Beck Band, and has worked with Terry Robb, Paul delay, Lloyd Jones, Curtis Salgado, Dave Fleschner, Randy Flook, and Jake Blair, as well as releasing two recordings under his own name. He has been recognized multiple times in the Salem area being named as Best Musician and Best Band by the city’s newspaper, The Statesman, and has also received a past nomination for a Muddy Award as Best Regional Act. Aside from being a performer, Gary is also a promoter and booking agent for many events and venues around Salem.

After a hiatus due to health Gary has returned to performing and has been working throughout the Willamette Valley playing regularly at venues such as the Taproot, Venti’s Café,  and The Halfpenny in Salem, at Plew’s Brews, and The Starday in Portland as a solo artist and with friends. He will be performing at the meeting with two of his longtime friends drummer Dennis Ayres and bassist Bob Beck as The Gary Burford Trio. He is looking forward to performing once again for the CBA and so are we.

So remember, the meeting is one week later than normal (we will be back to the first Wednesday of the month in August). Pick up your drawing ticket at the door for a chance to win prizes, purchase one or more winner-take-all multi-CD raffle tickets if you’d like, join friends and get ready for another great night of blues music with the CBA.

What’s on Tap for June’s General Membership Meeting …

What’s on Tap for November’s General Membership Meeting

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Street, Portland
Wednesday, June 7 – 7:00 pm
Members Always Free – Non-members $5.00
Opening Acoustic Set – Mojo Holler
Second Electric Set – Rae Gordon Band

The summer months are directly upon us and for Portland that means there’s a lot going on, especially when it comes to music. And as I have stated before, the true method to get into the spirit of the music in Portland is through the blues and there’s no better place to kick each month off than the Cascade Blues Association’s monthly general membership meeting. If you’re not familiar with our meetings, there’s really not much in the way of business going on, but a whole lot of fun and of course great music. This month we’re going to feature a couple acts that everybody should know. Outstanding performers and good friends of the CBA.

Starting off the evening will be Mojo Holler, the new collaboration Missi & Mister Baker as they add a bassist to their outfit.. This trio weaves threads from mountain ranges to the Mississippi Delta into a tapestry of indie folk rock.  Mister Baker channels innate genius through lap steel, slide, and dobro.  Missi is a genuine Appalachian ‘Mountain Mama’ whose vocals bring burning intensity to each song.  The pair were lauded by South by Southwest founder Louis Black, who called them the ‘godchildren of Mississippi Fred McDowell.”  Bass guitarist Eric Shirazi lends an infectious, funky groove to mix that takes the group to a higher plane.

The band formed in 2012 as the duo, “Missi & Mister Baker.”  The pair released their debut album, “Where Black Ravens Flew,” in late 2014, and were tapped to showcase at South By Southwest in 2016 and the accolades have been tremendous since.

South By Southwest founder, Louis Black, said of the pair: “Why Missi had to move to Portland from Austin in order for The Bakers to channel their inner Mississippi Fred McDowell, I do not know.  But she did, and they did.”  The album combines complex rock guitar and country blues stylings with rich vocals that hearken Joplin and Fleetwood Mac.

Jackpot Recording producer and Tape Op Magazine publisher Larry Crane says the pair’s Americana-styled original songs were some of his favorites.  “Missi’s fabulous voice, along with Mister Baker’s deft fretwork, brings the whole show home.”

And the late Lisa Lepine, a Portland legend in music promotion, said of their mission:  “They weave their dark, modern spirituals from shared roots in magic, ‘mericana, and metaphysics.  Mister Baker, like Robert Johnson before him, may have made a deal with the devil — channelling an innate genius through lap steel, slide and dobro.  Missi’s earthy voice brings burning intensity to each song.  Picture them sitting knee-to-knee on a Southern Delta, watching the dark moon rise and singing from their eternal souls.”

And if that isn’t enough to bring you down to the monthly meeting, the second act of the night will be the CBA’s recent representatives at the International Blues Challenge, bringing home third place, the Rae Gordon Band.

International Blues Challenge - Rae Gordon & The Backseat DriversThe Rae Gordon Band is fronted by Muddy Award Hall of Fame inductee , vocalist Rae Gordon  and is made up of seasoned players who been a fixture in the local blues scene for years.   She wanted a new project that could ride in that sweet spot between a gritty slide groove with an exciting hard driving horn section. Something she likes to call a downtown gritty with uptown city.

The band itself is a combination of amazing musicians, including Kivett Bednar, fast becoming known for his gracious grooves and ability on guitar; bassist Al Hooten laying down the foundation; in-demand horn players Allan Kalik on trumpet and Scott Franklin on saxophone; versatile drummer Ed Pierce; and award-winning keyboardist Pat McDougall. All of these musicians have played with a virtual who’s who of the Pacific Northwest.

They are now working on their debut CD recording Better Than I Was, for release summer 2017 and looking forward to a  summer full of traveling and blues festivals that include the Winthrop Blues Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival and the Big Blues Bender in Las Vegas.

Of course, we will be holding the usual free ticket drawings where everybody can win just by attending the meeting. And the $1.00 multi-CD winner take all drawing will also be held and we’ll let in on what is going on in our region during the upcoming month. Not really your normal style of meeting, we’re all here for fun.

See you there!!

What’s on Tap for May’s General Membership Meeting…

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What’s on Tap for November’s General Membership Meeting

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Str., Portland
Wednesday, May 3 – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $5.00
Opening Set – The Hellhounds
Second Set – Holfar Blue

May has everything in line to be a special month for the Cascade Blues Association and the blues in Portland. We will be celebrating our 30th anniversary at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom later in the month and crossing our fingers for our local artists nominated for the Blues Music Awards happening in Memphis a week earlier. But the right way to kick it all off, as is every month, is to attend the CBA’s General Membership Meetings. Always the perfect place to check out a couple of our local musicians in a cozy setting with dancing and friends. This month we’ll be bringing a couple of acts that have always had great reception when performing for us.

Opening May’s meeting will be The Hellhounds —  “Patio Pete” Gallatin and CBA Membership Secretary Fred Morgan have each been playing the blues for over fifty years and  have been playing and performing together in the Portland area for close to five years. Both found inspiration from traditional blues and folk artists. Pete notes the vintage pre-war styles of Robert Johnson, Charlie Jordon, and Leadbelly among those who affected his playing. Fred points originally toward Josh White and Dave Van Ronk, but truly found his calling following meeting icons like Rev. Gary Davis, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Furry Lewis.

Both are adept guitarists with Fred taking on the acoustic six and twelve string, while Pete brings his slide-work as well as his harmonica to The Hellhounds. The duo offer a lively, entertaining walk through the history of the blues playing the hits of the 20’s and 30’s with some more contemporary songs thrown in for good measure.

Holfar BlueFor the second set of the evening will have Holfar Blue who have been delighting audiences in the Portland region for the last six years. They’ve steadily built a loyal following through their live shows and self-produced recordings and each of their performances are unique with their original music blending elements of modern blues, jazz, R&B soul, and rock. Along with their originals they weave in artful covers of classic blues and rock rarities, including songs from artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Animals, The Doors, Little Richard, Bob Dylan, and Van Morrison.

Fronted by Michael Houlberg on lead vocals and guitar, he also writes their original material. After playing for many years for various bands in LA and San Diego, and having an eclectic ear for a wide range of music and his songwriting will make you think of other writers who marry diverse styles of music with clever and thoughtful lyrics. With seasoned band mates Dave Farrell on keyboard, Pat Bizon on bass and Brian Parks on drums, the quartet’s lively music and thoughtful lyrics will give you  something to think about that’ll stay with you. The band has a handful of self-released CDs and EPs including “Blue Suede Cadillac” (2012), “You Need Truth” (2013) and their most recent “Heard A Hound Dog Howl” (2017). All are available on Bandcamp.

Holfar Blue is a labor of love. A seasoned group of professionals in other fields, but they share a deep appreciation of music. They enjoy exploring the spaces where blues, jazz, and rock collide.

Don’t miss out on another exciting evening at The Melody Ballroom for the CBA’s monthly meeting. It’s a fun time with chances to win prizes through our ticket drawings, learn about what’s coming up in our area, listen to great blues artists and to hang out with good friends. Hope to see you there.

 

What’s on Tap for April’s General Membership Meeting…

What’s on Tap for November’s General Membership Meeting

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Str., Portland
Wednesday, April 5 – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $5.00
Opening Set – Louis Creed & One Geezer
Second Set – Cary Fly Band

For our April General Membership Meeting, the Cascade Blues Association is proud to present once again two acts coming from out of town to perform for us. They will include a familiar face, a long-time act who has not played for us for many years, and a fresh new young artist to keep an eye on.

Opening the night will be Louis Creed & One Geezer. Usually working as a full-sized band, the outfit has been trimmed down to a duo to play the meeting’s first set. Louis Creed just turned 21, but has been proving his skills up and down the Willamette River with a number of big time gigs that partner William “Froggy” Hyland deemed as an extensive hot dog and pizza tour.

“Louis Creed is the future of the blues,” cites grizzled IBC veteran and multi-instrumentalist Froggy. “He was about ten years old and listening to Black Sabbath when I started the legendary Calapooia Blues Jam and his mom put him on the sign-up sheet. His name finally came up last year and we started to have us some big fun.”

Creed will be driving up to “The Big City” with Froggy providing some “adult supervision” for a not very acoustic set like you’ve never heard before. Time for some new blood and some old blues. Check them out!

Spokane-based The Cary Fly Band last played for the Cascade Blues Association about 11 years ago and a lot has changed during those years. Working hard with an almost completely different song list, the Cary Fly Band is not always considered “just a blues band,” and are capable of playing just about any genre of music.

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Cary Fly is the undisputed leader of the band. He commands the stage at every moment of the performance. Playing since the mid-1950s, he has played with the likes of Roy Clark, Buck Owens, and Waylong Jennings, been a member of well-known bands like Journey, Sugarloaf, Anaconda, and others, and has written more than 5,000 songs in his career. He has been a staple on the Northwest scene for more than forty years.

The band for the meeting will also include (former CBA Board Member) Jerry Fiddler, on Mandolin and vocals, who has been involved with music for almost 60 years. Drummer Michael Hays, who has previously worked with the Sammy Eubanks Band and The Fat Tones.  drums, adds a very nice touch/sound to the band.

Don’t miss out on the Cary Fly Band. This is a very energetic band that will have you dancing from the beginning.

We still have no word from The Melody Ballroom on our future status in the room. So as the manager has told us to do, we will keep on looking forward to meeting at this location until notified otherwise. Remember, to pick up your free drawing ticket as you enter at the door and we’ll also have the winner-take all multi-CD drawing for a $1.00 per chance ticket. This night is looking to be an exciting time, so make a point of joining us and all of your blues loving friends for the meeting. See you there!

What’s on Tap for March’s General Membership Meeting …

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Str., Portland
Wednesday, March 1 – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $5.00
Opening Acoustic Set – Mark Shark
Second Electric Set – Sister Mercy

If you look at the BluesNotes calendar for March you’ll easily see why Portland is in love with the blues. So many local heroes and a plethora of national touring artists coming through the city this month. The Cascade Blues Association is always proud to get things moving in the right direction each month with our monthly general membership meeting, offering two sets of music acts that you will definitely want to catch. This month we’re presenting two that should surely raise the roof with excitement.

Opening the evening will be an acoustic set from a fairly newcomer to the Portland area, but someone who has certainly raised the bar for all since relocating here. Mark Shark was born in St. Louis Missouri some years back and after spending 35 years in LA carving out a musical career performing with many renowned artists (Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, John Trudell and many others) he has transplanted himself and his talents to the beautiful City of Roses, Portland Oregon. Warmly welcomed into the thriving music scene here Mark has been privileged to play and record with Northwest Legends Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones, David Kahl, Joe McCarthy, Brian Foxworth, Steve Kerin, Louis Pain, Ed Neumann, Jimi Bott, Ken Scandlyn, Jesse Samsel, Dean Mueller and Julie Amici, Karen Lovely, Ben Rice, Mitch Kashmar, Carlton Jackson, Ian and Chris Miller, and Jake Ray.

A multi-instrumentalist, Mark is a master at many strings instruments along with the guitar, including mandolin, banjo, ukulele, lap and pedal steel guitars and more. In addition to composing, playing and recording, Mark is also a busy author (Hal Leonard) and educator.  He is currently teaching at Portland Music Company at Beaverton, Division and soon the Broadway location as well.

“It isn’t easy moving to a new city and reshaping your career, notes Mark, “but all of these good folks extended their hand in friendship, took me in and gave me a place to play and teach and I couldn’t be more happy or grateful to be here.”

For the second set of the night we will have the Cascade Blues Association’s 2016 International Blues Challenge representatives Sister Mercy. This band possesses a high energy, blues driven sound.  Lead singer April Brown is mesmerizing with her powerful, beautiful presence, full range vocals and complete joy in performance. The band is filled with talented musicians that have a strong background in Portland’s scene. Steven Savoie creates memorable licks on guitar and Roger Espinor (drums) Ron Camacho (bass) and Debby Espinor (keyboards) hold the rhythms down tight. The band were semi-finalists at the IBC in Memphis and received a nomination for best new band at the 2015 Muddy Awards. This dynamic performing band, Sister Mercy presents original music that is a pleasure for the ears and a show that is a feast for the eyes.

And if the musical sets are not enough, remember that you will also have the chance to win CDs and tickets to events just by attending. Make sure that you received your free drawing ticket at the door. We’ll also have our multi-disc winner take all drawing for only a $1.00 per ticket chance. Buy as many tickets as you’d like, your purchase goes right back into allowing the CBA to bring you events and our paper.

See you at The Melody Ballroom for another great night of music and friends!

What’s on Tap for February’s General Membership Meeting ….

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Str., Portland
Wednesday, February 1 – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $5.00
Opening Acoustic Set – Ken West
Second Electric Set – Sheila Wilcoxson

It’s February, and as of yet there is no change for the location of our monthly General Membership Meetings. So we’re hoping that you can all come on out to The Melody Ballroom and celebrate another month of fun times and blues music with us. Always the perfect spot to start your month of listening to the very best musicians that Portland and the region has to offer.

Opening this month we will be featuring Ken West, a guitar and mandolin virtuoso. Originally from Central Florida where he played as a solo artist and in support of other musicians for 30 years and was a founding member of the popular Florida Blues Band, his music has taken him across the country, from Florida to Alaska, finally settling in Portland for the past several years. The Rose City has found Ken continuing to work as a solo artist and side man in a variety of musical ventures. He can often be found playing in a duet with James Clem on guitar and mandolin, and with the cowboy band Lonesome Dewey and the Coyotes playing mandolin and steel guitar.

Ken’s passion has always been music. Currently his focus is on the various styles and artistry of the early 20th century, including blues, jazz, folk, and country.

The second set of the night is going to be a real treat for all long-time Cascade Blues Association members and true blues fans everywhere as we will present the long overdue return of Sheila Wilcoxson to perform for us. This multi-talented artist is an outstanding vocalist, guitarist, pianist, and terrific songwriter. Starting in the late 1970s Sheila has been commanding stages in the Portland area, first with Sheila & The Boogiemen, then with Back Porch Blues alongside guitarist White Draper and the late Jeffrey Dawkins on harmonica. For five straight years (1989 – 1993) won consecutive Muddy Awards as Traditional Blues Act garnering themselves entry into the CBA Muddy Hall of Fame. The following years saw her work with another stellar outfit, Sheila and Backwater Blues, before taking on her own solo career. In 1997, Sheila released the album Backwater Blues and was nominated for a WC Handy Award (now called Blues Music Awards) in the category Traditional Female Artist of the Year. During the ensuing years, Sheila’s music has taken her around the world. She has appeared on some of the biggest stages in venues and festivals and has shared those stages with some of the biggest stars in the blues.

Sheila’s appearance at the CBA meeting is a celebration of her recent 66th birthday on January 8, the same day as Elvis. “I am going to enjoy the music I love, Blues.” She says. “I will sing from acoustic to jazz. Like a Bird when I am happy I sing. I retired at 62, went to Hawaii, the coast, San Francisco, Spirit Mountain, Vancouver. Hung out on my front porch doing music with my friends for a few years. Now it is time to live my life only doing music, not a single parent with two jobs or a supervisor of 3 shifts. Come and help me celebrate. I’m living my life like it’s golden.”

Sheila Wilcoxson is ready to take the Portland blues scene by storm once again, she will be playing the CBA meeting with a superb line-up of musicians behind: Jesse White on guitar, “Cordless” Cliff Ashmon on harmonica, David Lee Bassett on piano, and Reed Warrington Bunnell on bass. It is time for Sheila Wilcoxson’s voice to soar on stage again! Come help her celebrate!

This is certainly a meeting not to miss! Remember to pick up your free ticket at the door your chance to win CDs and other great prizes. We’ll also have our winner take all drawing of multiple CDs that you can win by purchasing $1.00 tickets, with all funds geared at helping the CBA in a number of ways. Best of all, though, you’re going to be treated to two fantastic sets of music with friends. There’s no better way to start each and every month out.

What’s on Tap for January’s General Membership Meeting …

The Lightning Kings

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland
Wednesday, January 4, 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $5.00
Opening Acoustic Set – Tevis Hodge Jr.
Second Electric Set – The Lightning Kings

As we step into the New Year we need to look at a few changes. One is an increase to attend our monthly membership meetings for non-members. This is the first time in many years that we have made any changes in fees, including memberships which we will continue at $25.00 a year for a single membership at this time. It is a small step, but we need to do this to meet our monthly business expenses — one step at a time.

But at the same time we intend on bringing you quality blues entertainment each month at these meetings. Whether they’re artists with whom you’re familiar or new, emerging talent, there will always be two great sets each month.

Tevis Hodge Jr will open the evening with a solo performance on acoustic guitar. He was exposed to blues music at an early age and due to his African-American heritage and his love for the music, he is compelled to continue the traditions of his people. He’s inspired to keep true to the traditions and techniques of the musicians of yesterday for an authentic experience, while at the same time accenting his own original flare and interpretations, placing himself among the many original blues musicians of the past 80 years. His songwriting coincides with those traditions of yesterday, which keeps an authentic flow from song to song, whether it be his own material, or an old traditional tune. This is where he shines as an artist, being more than a re-creator of the old, he is a contributor to the new in the vein of yesterday.

Hodge works in various band configurations and as a solo act. He is a regular performer at the Inner City Blues Festival the past few years and represented the Cascade Blues Association at the International Blues Challenge. Aside from local artists he has also performed on stage with vaudeville legend Baby Gramps and folk giant Peter Yarrow. Hodge can also be caught the first Sunday of every month at The Spare Room and he is currently working on his second CD to be released this coming spring.

The Lightning KingsThe second set of the night will feature a newer band to the area that have been picking up a lot of steam with performances at venues such as Billy’s Blues, Duff’s Garage, and The Heavy Metal Brewing Company, The Lightning Kings. This four piece outfit are described as bluesy rock with a funky beat. They have hosted a few fundraising events lately for the American Cancer Society and the Doernbecher’s Childrens Hospital Toy Drive. The band is made up of guitarist Thomas Andersen, bassist Matt Lind, keyboardist Rich Petko, and drummer Seth Troublefield, and they’re letting you know that this will be “rockin’ blues and a funky ass shakin’ good time, so wear you’ dancin’ shoes!”

Pick up your free drawing ticket as you enter the venue for a chance to win prizes and don’t forget that we’ll also have the multi-CD package drawing tickets for sale at a $1.00 each. Buy as many as you’d like for this winner take-all collection. Looking forward to seeing everybody there, to kick the new year off right!

What’s on Tap for December’s General Membership Meeting …

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Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Street, Portland
Wednesday, December 7 – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $3.00 (NOTE: THIS WILL INCREASE TO $5.00 IN JANUARY 2017)
Opening Acoustic Set – David Brothers
Second Electric Set – The Pining Hearts

It’s December everybody, which means this is one of the most important membership meetings of the year as we will be holding the election to determine who will hold the officer positions for your Cascade Blues Association’s Board of Directors. Make sure that you bring your current membership card to receive a ballot to cast your choices.

Aside from this once-a-year occurrence, we’re still going to have a night filled with friends and music, and we’ll be offering two sets featuring acts that we are sure to both entertain you and surprise you. And yet there is something else that is truly special about this month. It is the CBA’s 30th anniversary, noting the month that the original founders filed papers with the State creating the organization as a non-profit business promoting, supporting, and preserving the blues and blues-related music. Thanks to all of you for helping keep the CBA alive for all these years.

David Brothers press photoOpening the meeting will be a set by David Brothers, a critically acclaimed entertainer and composer, who combines urban folk and blues to create a sound distinctively his own. Playing his original material, David mixes the influences of John Coltrane, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Django Reinhart, and John Fahey in his technique, style, and approach. He first began performing professionally as a teenager in Fort Worth, Texas, inspired by the likes of Leon Rouche (Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys) and Dave Milsap (Delbert McClinton’s band). Following his move to Portland, Brothers was the recipient of the Cascade Blues Association’s Christopher Mesi Memorial Scholarship. Brothers has performed with many of the Pacific Northwest’s most elite musicians and has released several solo and group albums over the years that have earned praise by critics, DJs and fans.

Joining David Brothers for his set will be bassist Rob Busey, who has worked over the years with acts like the Ken DeRouchie Band, Al Perez, and The Newport Symphony. He has also performed with Miss America Katie Harman, Tommy Tutone, Judy Collins, The Vancouver Symphony and The Oregon Chambers Players. Busey’s rock solid bass work will surely enhance Brothers exquisite guitar playing.

For the second set of the night we welcome a newer act in the area, The Pining Hearts. They are a psych-rock band out of Portland, OR and Austin, TX featuring Kivett Bednar from Land of the Living and more recently Rae Gordon & The Backseat Drivers alongside Eddie Steele from the progressive funk band Entendre Entendre. The pair started jamming in late 2015, and The Pining Hearts officially became a band in March of 2016. The group has appeared at the Alberta Street Pub and Twilight Cafe to sold-out crowds. The originals coming out of the group are rhythmic and upbeat, but in the same breath have a dark surf vibe that leaves you thinking of the ocean at night. Yet you also know that with Bednar’s background there will be a deep bluey approach as well. The group is currently working on a new EP that is scheduled for release in early.

We’ll do our regular give-aways, announcements and winner-take-all CD raffle throughout the night, and before everything is over we’ll let you know who your new officers will be for 2017. Please join us in the very exciting night. It is always so much better when we have so many friends and blues fans with us every month.

2017 CBA Officer Election Coming In December

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2018 CBA Officer Elections

voteEvery 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 2. 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 wanting to fill one of the elected positions, please speak to any of our Board Members.