Weekly Blues Roundup

[tsedivy]

[font=Times New Roman][size=3]Greetings Blues Fans,

I have made the difficult decision to discontinue Live Music at BarFly on Friday and Saturday nights, with the Oxygen show on August 22nd being our last weekend show. Unfortunately, the bar business has become so difficult in Omaha, that I can no longer afford to lose money on bands, which unfortunately, happened quite a bit over the last year. I greatly appreciate the people that did come out to see our weekend bands. Unfortunately, as those that attended know, there were not very many people making it to the shows. I suppose it is a combination of factors; the economy, the smoking ban, the plethora of expensive shows, lots of free shows, and most importantly, for whatever reason, live music is not as popular as it used to be. I recently learned that The Legacy Concert Series has also ceased due to lack of attendance, and those were FREE SHOWS!

Enough depressing news. There is a tremendous amount of talent coming to town in the next 10 days. Let’s celebrate what we have and not mourn what we have lost.

The great music starts tonight at 5:30pm at Murphy’s with Ana Popovic. This Yugoslavian beauty is much more than just a pretty face. She is a talented singer/songwriter/guitarist that is winning rave reviews all over the planet.

Jazz News declared “ Jimi Hendrix is a woman and her name is Ana Popovic!”

Ana was the only continental European artist nominated for the most important award in Blues in the USA : the "W.C.Handy" award for the "best New Artist Debut" (2003). She won the prestige and the oldest award for Jazz in France : "Jazz A Juan Revelations" at Juan Les Pines, France (2003). Nominated for "The Best Blues Album" at the Jammie Awards, New York , (2003). 3 time nominee in France for "The Best Singer", 'Best Guitar Player" " Best New Album" for the French Blues Awards. (2002)
Listen to her excellent songs on her myspace and be sure to check out her Reggae song, “Between our World’s”. http://www.myspace.com/anapopovic
I have heard a lot of Reggae over the years, and this song amazes me. Popovic is the rare artist that the more I hear, the more I am impressed. Admission is $10, satisfaction is as always, guaranteed.

The fabulous John Nemeth plays the Zoo Bar early tonight (8/13) as well. John just received two Blues Blast Music Award nominations. He was nominated for "Best New Artist" and the "Sean Costello Rising Star Award”. Definitely one of the best singers in the Blues genre. Go see what "Cool" is tonight at the Zoo Bar.

Thursday 8/14 at Murphy’s Matinee is Louisiana Zydeco legend CJ Chenier, with opening act Blind Dog Fulton at 5pm. BDF is Devon and Lisa Fulton, Vernon Patrick, Smilin' Kurt Curtis and Travis "the kid" Hagge, another hot young guitar players from Lincoln. What is it with that town?

Come early to catch Blind Dog Fulton, but CJ will be the star of the show: According to The Boston Globe, “C.J. Chenier attacks the accordion with the tension and drive of James Brown...creating contemporary, turbo-charged dance music.” Living Blues magazine named C.J. Chenier “the best living zydeco singer and accordionist,” and Billboard called him “the heir to the zydeco throne.” Dig his sound here: http://www.myspace.com/cjchenier

The Bel Airs play the Zoo Bar both Friday and Saturday night. That is a band I just can’t get enough of. Buy those boys a Budwieser and give them an update on the Cardinal's gameJ

Friday at BarFly is Rhythm Collective’s CD Release Party. We don’t usually give Reggae bands much ink in this email, but this fine band is definitely worthy of your support for their CD Release show.

Two hot shows on Sunday 8/17:

JAMES INTVELD, with Rosie Flores
The Sunday RoadhouseAmericana Series
Mick's Music and Bar 5918 Maple Street in Benson
Show: 5:00 p.m.
Doors: 4:00 p.m.
Tickets $13:00 in advance or $15.00 at door

Intveld's One of the Last Old-School-Swoonworthy Idols We Have Left
-New York Times

"Intveld's Lyrical Prowess Is A Cut Above The Crowd"
-Guitar Player Magazine

Also Sun. 8/17
Mike Zito at BarFly at 7pm
Admission $8
"Mike’s soul shines brightly through his sweet bluesy guitar tone, rich vocals, and well crafted songs." - Aaron Lee (“Stone Blue” on XM’s Bluesville)
Zito has been featured as track #1 and is on the cover of 'A Taste Of Triple A' Compilation. This compilation places Zito alongside fellow artists; Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, Jim Bianco, Ben Arthur and many more. "A Taste Of Triple A is a CD sampler that introduces an eclectic mix of new music to more than 370 Triple A Program Directors, Music Directors and specialty show hosts nationwide." -atasteoftriplea.c


There is even a great show on Monday this week: 'Micheal Hurley Featuring Matt Cox, Amy Annelle, And Ralph White, Monday 8pm August 18th, at pscollective.com $5-$10 at the door.

Micheal Hurley:
Hurley's mythic understated performances and body of work that spans five decades has garnered a reverential, worldwise fan base. And an eccentric flock of new-folk musicians like Cat Power, Devendra Banhart, Amy Annelle, Espers and Lucinda Williams all cite his lucid songwriting and steady pursuit of the muse as influencing their work. http://www.myspace.com/snock07

Looking ahead to TH 8/21, Eddie Shaw and The Wolfgang play Murphy’s Matinee. Shaw was Howlin’ Wolf’s Bandleader and Sax-player and he has gone on to have a long career fronting his own band, earning Blues Music Awards along the way.


The Omaha World Herald’sNiz Proskocil reportedBonnie Raitt's concert at STIR has been canceled:
Bonnie Raitt has canceled her Aug. 23 concert in Council Bluffs . Raitt, who was scheduled to perform at the Stir Concert Cove at Harrah's Casino, is dealing with "a dire family health emergency," according to a press release from Harrah's officials.

"We are hoping to reschedule this show for the 2009 Stir Cove summer concert series," said Missy Hardersen, entertainment manager for Harrah's.

Tickets will be refunded beginning Monday. Those who purchased tickets online or by phone will receive a credit card refund automatically. Tickets purchased with a credit card at the Harrah's gift shop also will be refunded automatically. Fans who purchased their tickets with cash must bring their tickets along with a receipt to the gift shop to receive a full refund.
[list][*]RIP Isaac Hayes 8/20/1942-8/10/2008:[font=Arial] Another great has left us: soul legend Isaac Hayes passed away 8/10/08 at 2:08am. He was 65. A fixture of the City of Memphis, Hayes was best known for his hits “Hot ButteredSoul”, “The Theme from Shaft”, and “Black Moses”. He was a three-time [url="http://t.ymlp9.com/eymuapaumeazauqjjapaebub/click.php"][color=black]Grammy