Ho Ho Ho from Terry O'

[tsedivy]

Wed. 12/24/08

Happy Holidays Blues Fans,

More sad news on the local scene: Rex Meyer passed away this week. There will be a memorial gathering at the Saddlecreek Bar on Sunday night (12/28) at 6pm, a jam session is in the works. Rex contributed greatly to the Omaha music scene, playing bass for several bands including The Mighty Jailbreakers, Knucklehead, and most recently with Jorge Nilas's Jazz Ninjas. (No further services or obituaries are anticipated).



A couple of people misunderstood my email a couple of weeks ago regarding the passing of Randy Trahan, who owned The Corner Bar in Fremont . Brad Cordle's show scheduled there for 12/26 has been canceled. Brad is flying in from Vegas for The Mighty Jailbreakers Reunion on NY Eve at Murphy’s.



Cowboy Larry sent me this link to a video of a truly amazing 11 year old vocalist: http://www.flixxy.com/bianca-ryan.htm


Kenny Wayne Shepherd's version of of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is the rockin'-ist version I have heard:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=48891 277


PX Bluesman Bob Corritore wrote:
Cadillac Records Reflection: The long-anticipated movie Cadillac Records made its debut a couple of weeks ago to great fanfare and mixed reactions. It is the story of Chess Records, and some of the artists who made the label famous (Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Etta James, Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon, and Chuck Berry). The movie was a major production filled with much star power (Beyoncé, Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, CedricThe Entertainer, MosDef, and others). Though great liberties were taken with the historical facts, the movie presented an entertaining tale of some beloved characters in the blues. Those of us that know the actual history will have many "gulp" moments -- as we bust the flick for its inaccuracies-- but the movie does present a captivating story that will surely bring a new audience to this music. It is also successful in its use of great musicians for the soundtrack (Kim Wilson, Billy Flynn, Eddie Taylor, Jr., Larry Taylor, and Barrelhouse Chuck). Already, sales of the original Chess recordings by Muddy, Wolf, Etta, Chuck, and Little Walter have been boosted. A complete Little Walter collection on Hip-O Select is planned as a direct tie-in with the film. Hopes abound that Cadillac Records will bring a new generation of people into an awareness of this precious musical form and one of the greatest blues labels of all time.

If you want to snag a last minute Christmas gift, Murphy’s is open right now, and at 8pm on Christmas Day, if you want to buy a BSO Membership and receive the free pair of tickets to the North Mississippi All-Stars show at Slowdown.
Buy any level BSO Membership at Murphy’s, and get two tickets to the upcoming North Mississippi All-Stars concert ABSOLUTELY FREE.
North Mississippi All-Stars w/ Special Guests Hill Country Revue
Wed. 2/4 at Slowdown. Doors: 8pm, Show: 9pm All Ages, Tickets only $18
Tickets available at Home, Etix, Slowdown, or locally at all Etix locations (Homer's Music Stores in Omaha and Lincoln)
http://www.nmallstars.com/
www.myspace.com/hillcountryrevue

So… let me do the math for you. Two tix thru e-tix will cost you $38.66, after service fees. If you buy a BSO Basic Membership for $25 at Murphy’s, you get two tix to N. MS All-Stars, and save $13.66, and get all the benefits of a BSO Membership. So, join, renew, or buy someone a gift membership at Murphy’s, and get two N. MS. All-Stars concert tickets absolutely free!
If you have not checked out the million-dollar+ Slowdown, this is the show for a Blues fan. Listen to N. MS All-Stars here: http://www.myspace.com/nmallstars


Also, if you're still looking for last-minute stocking stuffers, "Christmas for Pine Ridge Volume One" is still available at all Homer's locations as well as Guitar Garage, 50th and Dodge. Proceeds from the CD go to the Lash Larue Toy Drive, a most worthy cause.


The first Blues Fest of the year is January 2-4 in Cherokee, IA (located one hour N/E of Sioux City ): http://www.cherokeejazzbluesfestival.com/Home.html
Kelley Hunt headlines there, before heading to Omaha for her 7pm gig at BarFly on Sunday, 1/4/09.



I suppose it is the economy, but rooms still apparently remain for Delbert McClinton’s Sandy Beaches Cruise this January. You better already have your passport if you have a mind to travel. One of the ports is Zihuatanejo, Mexico. That is where “Andy” escaped to in my favorite movie, Shawshank RedemptionJ
Great line-up includes Marcia Ball and Tab Benoit: http://delbert.com/artists.htm




If you want a change of scenery, but can’t live w/o our Midwest weather, Blues University® has announced the date of the Winter 2009 Chicago Blues Tour. The tour connects 9 of Chicago ’s famous lounges featuring 12 live blues bands all night long, on Saturday, January 17th. Tickets are $40, with advance and group discounts available via the blues tour website, www.chicagobluestour.com. Shuttle buses run all night long between the participating venues, which feature Chicago ’s most famous musical export, the blues. Tickets are available through this website: http://www.chicagobluestour.com/ilblues.html



Tickets for The BSO NY Eve Bash are now available online:
http://omahablues.com/index.php?page=nyevepartytix
They are also on-sale at Murphy's Lounge and BarFly.

The Mighty Jailbreakers will be reuniting for this year's party. Opening the show at 8:15pm will be Elwin James and The Way-Outs, a really strong veteran Blues Trio from Omaha . (Elwin was the guitarist with The Grateful Dudes). Tickets are $15 in advance and $17.50 day of show. Negotiations are still underway for a shuttle and after-party at a near-by hotel.

According to the BSO Calendar below, there are a couple of Blues Jams scheduled for tonight. You might want to call the venues to be sure they are happening on NY Eve.

Magic Slim plays his annual Christmas Night show at The Zoo Bar.

Omaha native and founding member of the Iguanas, Joe Cabral, will be part of the Annual Cabral FamilyHoliday Jam Friday night at The G.I. Forum (20th & M St.). The party starts around 7pm, free admission and lots of holiday cheer:-)

Lots of great choices Friday, including The Mercurys at McKenna's and Blue House at Papa Joe's.

Island Music Alert: Rhythm Collective will be playing the opening of a new Reggae Bar called "IRIE", on 11th and Farnam on Friday and The Linoma Mashers will play Pauli's on Saturday.

Two amazing Alt-Country or Americana or whatever you want to call 'em artists at the Zoo Bar Monday and Tuesday: Dale Watson w/ The Bellflowers at 9pm on Monday and James Intveld at 6pm on Tuesday.
Huge talents in a small bar. You got to love that Zoo Bar!

If you want to subscribe, or unsubscribe, to this FREE weekly Blues e-mail, follow this link to the Blues Society of Omaha's website and follow the simple prompts: http://omahablues.com/index.php?page=mailinglist

Get out and get into it.

Ho Ho Ho,
Terry O