Weekly Update from the Prez...

[tsedivy]

Greetings Blues Fans,

First off, I would just like to congratulate Jeff Davis and all of the fabulous volunteers that made the recent Playing with Fire show such a success. It is absolutely amazing how many people give so much of their time to make that event the huge success it has become. If you would like to be part of the volunteer group that makes PWF go, email Vanessa at BSOVolunteers@cox.net

(BTW, we have a great surprise to show our appreciation to all the volunteers. You so deserve it! Vanessa will be emailing you the details).

Michelle Bandur and KMTV Channel 3 will be running a story on Bluesman Curtis Salgado and his connection to Omaha tonight at 10pm. If somebody could copy it onto a disc, I'd love to see it and pass it on to Curtis.

The fine folks at The World-Famous Zoo Bar in Lincoln are holding their annual golf tournament this Saturday. It is a 4-man scramble and will be held at 1pm at Crooked Creek. Those guys know how to party. I hate golf and I am tempted to sign up. Contact pete@zoobar.com ASAP if you are interested.

Murphy's is giving away a pair of tickets to Chris Isaak's Friday night show at STIR. You must be present to win at the conclusion of Sean Costello's 5:30pm-8:30pm show today. Costello was the guitarist on Susan Tedeschi's Grammy-nominated CD Just Won't Burn. I am a huge fan of Costello's classic guitar sound, smooth vocals, and top-notch song-writing. $8 cover.
Hear four of his songs: www.myspace.com/seancostello I guess Myspace isn't a total waste of time:-)

Long-time Blues Society member Gary Chance has a pair of Chris Isaac tix for sale for only $70, which is about $20 cheaper than thru ticketmaster. Contact Gary on his cell at 402-630-3763 or email yankees@alltel.net if you are interested. Should be a very cool show.

Tonight, Murphy's will also be giving away 10 tickets to The Wailer's concert in Des Moines on 8/3. Drink Red Stripe and you will have a chance to also win a Limo trip to the show. Public Property will be rocking the house w/ their reggae beats from 9:30pm-12:30am.

If you choose one of these other great music options on Thursday, I will understand. Our scene continues to be amazing:

The Mezcal Brothers will play Jazz on the Green, outside of the Joslyn Art Museum. It is always a cool vibe at Jazz on the Green, but it will probably be a lot more fun with the killer rockabilly of Lincoln's Mezcal Brothers.

The Kris Lager Band, who was the highlight for more than a few fans at the recent Playing with Fire show, will be at The Prestige Lounge (169th & Pacific). I have not dined there yet, but it is quite the swanky place.

The incredible Junior Brown plays the Whiskey Roadhouse inside The Horseshoe Casino. AMG wrote: "He made his long-awaited album debut in 1993 with 12 Shades of Brown, which featured a tribute to his biggest influence, "My Baby Don't Dance to Nothing but Ernest Tubb." It also showcased his often-stunning instrumental work, and blended Western swing, honky tonk, and electrified Bakersfield country."

And...don't forget about the Thursday Blues Jam every week at The Revue (108th & Maple).

Even if you go to Chris Isaak Friday, make it over to McKenna's afterwards to catch The JW Jones Blues Band.
Charlie Musselwhite had this to say: "JW Jones is one of the best guitar players I’ve heard in a long time. He and his band do great tunes with cool arrangements and I love listening to them. They play with taste and fire at the same time."
If that doesn't get you to check them out, what is it going to take?

Levi William, the hotshot young guitarist out of Lincoln, makes a rare Omaha appearance at Downtown Blues on Friday. Is he the next Baby Jason or Kris Lager? What is with all these great young guitar player from Lincoln?

Murphy's hosts their biggest show of the year next Tuesday as legendary Americana act The Blasters make a rare Midwest appearance. You can check out seven of their biggest hits here: http://www.theblasters.com/cgi-bin/blast/sounds.html
The Mezcal Brothers were so eager to open for the Blasters, Charlie Johnson promised to .... OH WAIT, this is a family Blues email. Let's just say they are really happy to be opening the show at 5pm next Tuesday, 7/31. Admission is $17.50 at the door. I suspect this will be quite a special night!

Wednesday 8/1, the Blues Ed kid's bands are putting on a benefit at The Lift (98th & M) for the Side Effects. They need money for transportation to Canada for a Blues Festival. All the BluesEd bands will perform. Try to make this worthy benefit.

Next weekend is the inaugural Taste of West Omaha at Legacy Shops on 168th & Center. Acts on Saturday include The Side Effects, 112 N. Duck, Acoustic Groove, and The Kris Lager Band. Visit their website for all the details: http://www.tasteofwesto.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

With great sadness, Blind Pig Records announces that New York guitarist Bill Perry died on Tuesday, July 17th. According to Greg Schwark, Perry's road manager for seven years, the musician was found at his apartment in Sugar Loaf, NY. Emergency medical personnel tried to revive Perry, but he died on the way to the hospital, an apparent heart attack victim, although no official cause of death has been determined.



Nobody gets out alive.Get out and get into it.
Terry O'Halloran

[Jonas Thomas]

I just wanted to say thank you to all of the Beer tent volunteers. I am new to the Blues Society and not alot of you know me, but Ireally enjoyed hanging out with everyone and look forward to doing it all again real soon. Speaking of the Side effects Dundee Days is coming up, this is what I have in store for you on Aug 25th
12:00 Goodbye Sunday
1:15 The Watch
2:30 The Side Effects
3:45 Childrens hour with Mr. Stinky Feet
5:45 Oxygen
8:15 The Prairie Cats
We are working on getting a Blues Society Booth going on that day as well. Hope to see you all there