Happy New Year Blues Fans

[tsedivy]

I hope everyone had a great time on New Year’s Eve. Murphy’s was a ton of fun and I think we had just about the right size crowd; not too crowded, but definitely a party going on. The Jailbreakers were incredible.


Phoenix Bluesman Bob Corritore sent these year-end notes:
2008 Recap: 2008 was the year that Little Walter was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Grammy® was awarded to a CD that featured Robert Lockwood, Jr., Pinetop Perkins, Henry Townsend, and Honeyboy Edwards, Cadillac Records (a movie about Chess Records) was released, and a president was elected that had Howlin' Wolf on his IPod!
Passings: There were many significant losses to the blues world this year. Each person had their own unique contributions to the music we love and will be greatly missed: Uncle Jesse White, Big Joe Turner (a different musician than the famous Atlantic Records vocalist), Bob Enos (of Roomful of Blues), Schoolboy Cleve, Buddy Miles, Jeff Healey, Francis Clay, Calvin Owens, Dillard Crume, Jr., Bill Coday, Lula Reed, Oscar McLollie, Skeeter Brandon, Sean Costello, DC Minner, Danny Rhodes, Chris Gaffney, Jimmy McGriff, Bo Diddley, Chuck Carbo, Jimmy Moore (of the 5 Royales), Isaac Hayes, Alex "Lil’ Bill" Wallace, Lee Young, Jerry Wexler, Maurice Reedus, Hosea Leavy, Phil Guy, Pervis Jackson (of The Spinners), Little Arthur Duncan, Pete Allen, Norman Whitfield, Nappy Brown, Fernest Arceneaux, Earl Palmer, Dee Dee Warwick, Nathaniel Mayer, Levi Stubbs (of The Four Tops), Studs Terkel, Rudy Ray Moore, Mae Mercer, Doris Carr, Robert Lucas, Alice Mae Burnside, Pat Ramsey, Chico Banks, Odetta, Bobbye King, Texas Pete Mayes, Eartha Kitt, and Robert Ward.


Here is a quick run-down of the Blues Acts that played Murphy’s Matinee on Thursdays in 2008. How many of these great talents were you able to enjoy, and applaud?

Eric Jerardi, Nick Moss, Albert Cummings, Lurrie Bell, Lil Brian & The Zydeco Travelers, Blue House, Janiva Magness, Doug Macleod w/ Rich Berry, Sarah Benck, and Matt Cox, Michael Burks, Sue Foley, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Eddie Clearwater, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Larry Boehmer’s Old School, Jon Nemeth w/ Junior Watson, Kelley Hunt, Bill Lupkin, Chris Cain, Zak Harmon, The Iguanas, The Bel Airs, Lady Blue, Ron Thompson, Patrick Sweaney, Gina Sicilia, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble, Kris Lager Band w/ Brad Cordle, Scott Keeton, Anthony Gomes, JoAnna Connor, CJ Chenier, Eddie Shaw & The Wolf Gang, EC Scott, Tommy Castro, Scottie Miller Band, Duke Robillard, Watermelon Slim, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Moreland & Arbuckle, Too Slim & The Taildraggers, No Name Blues Band, Chubby Carrier, Guitar Shorty, The Blasters, Lash Larue, Smokin’ Joe Kubek and BNois King, The Nace Brothers, The Mezcal Brothers, Son of 76, and Eddie Turner.

I know you can’t argue taste, but if I had to list my favorite acts to play Murphy’s this year, they would be: Sue Foley, Jon Nemeth w/ Junior Watson, The Iguanas, The Bel Airs, Scott Keeton, Tommy Castro, Scottie Miller Band, The Blasters, & The Nace Brothers. I would definitely pay big money to see any of those artists perform.

I hope we added some “life” to your life in 2008. I certainly appreciate the support all of you gave Murphy’s this year, especially as everyone’s disposable income was shrinking. The Thursday Blues Matinee, that started at The 18th Amendment in the late 1990’s, then moved to the Music Box for a couple of years, and then to Murphy’s Lounge in 2000, continues to be a favorite tour-stop for artists from all across America. Thanks for being such a great audience.


Here is a fun, four question, multiple choice, Blues Trivia Challenge from BluesWax: http://www.visnat.com/entertainment/music/blueswax/quiz.cfm?magazinenumber=19

While you are on their site, you can vote for the Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. Just click on “Vote Now” on the right side.



Don Hoes captured the essence of Rex Meyer’s Memorial Gathering at the Saddlecreek on 12/28:
While immensely tragic, Rex's passing, and his Memorial, brought Omaha 's huge Family of Musicians and Friends together for a wonderful night of remembering, renewing, and re-connecting with musical compadres.

The event was the most impressive jam session I have ever witnessed. Rex obviously had a ton of friends with a whole lot of musical talent.


Big Show Sunday night at 7pm at BarFly: Kelley Hunt will bring her soulful vocals, boogie-woogie piano, and great songwriting for a special Sunday concert event. Tickets are $15 at the door. Doors open at 7pm.
Listen to a few cuts on her myspace and you will probably disregard the elements to see this special artist:
http://www.myspace.com/kelleyhuntmusic
And as an added incentive to get you to go out in January, we will be handing out free passes Sunday to the Levee Town show on 1/15 at Murphy's.
South Dakota's Liquid Thin will perform their soulful rock-fusion after Hunt's show. Admission is $5, or free with paid admission to Kelley Hunt.



Mike Gurcuillo, the fabulous trumpet player that was with The Jailbreakers on NY Eve, hosts a weekly big band show on Mondays at The Ozone , inside Anthony's Restaurant. Show runs from 7pm-10:30pm. Free admittance to see an 11 piece band. How about that?


Magic Slim will perform TH 1/8 at Murphy's Matinee and Fri 1/9 at The Zoo Bar with his international touring band, The Teardrops, the 2003 Band of the Year at the Blues Music Awards. Pretty cool bio/review here, along with an audio interview and promo of Slim's latest Blind Pig recording (Did you know Slim used to play Bluegrass and Country and Western?): http://a1artistspotlight.com/2008/11/20/060-magic-slim-midnight-blues/




You should already have your calendar marked for the next Playing with Fire Winter Show at The Holland Center on Saturday, 1/24/09: Greg Koch and the Other Bad Men. (The crucial other Bad Man for me is Malford Milligan (Singer for Storyville), who will be on lead vocals.

The 31st Annual Groundhog Prom will be Saturday, February 7th at 7:30pm at Sokal Auditorium. Upstairs will be The Tijuana Gigolos and downstairs will be The Bishops and Paddy O’Furniture. Advance Tickets are $8 and available at Homer’s. $10 day of show.





BarFly and Murphy’s have about a dozen of the North Mississippi All-Stars Tickets left, if you want to take advantage of the Membership deal:

Buy any level BSO Membership at Murphy’s, and receive two tickets to the
February 4th North Mississippi All-Stars concert ABSOLUTELY FREE.
We are going to be advertising this promo next week in the Reader and City Weekly, so you might want to act before all 50 pairs of tix are gone:

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 music venue, this is a great opportunity. Listen to N. MS All-Stars here: http://www.myspace.com/nmallstars


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Get out and get into it.

Terry O’Halloran