Weekly BSO Update

[tsedivy]

Wed 2/11/09

Greetings Blues Fans,

This is note from a proud BluesEd parent is about the coolest news I have heard in a while:
We have very exciting news about Sam (Burt). Earlier this week Sam was accepted into the Berklee School of Music in Boston ! After completing an extensive application in the fall, Sam auditioned in Los Angeles in December and was just notified this week of his acceptance. It's a huge honor and we are so thrilled for him. I really want you all to know that the BluesEd program was very instrumental (no pun intended :-)) in that Sam, for his age, had a wealth of experience to draw from because of his experiences in the program.
Seriously, how cool is that? Way to go to everyone involved in BluesEd and WAY TO GO SAM!!!


Some of you early birds may have clicked on BJ Hutchemann’s HooDoo Blues in The Reader BEFORE they posted last week’s issue. You can follow this link NOW and read the February 12th article on the future of Playing with Fire: http://www.thereader.com/hoodooblues.php
(Several back issues of HooDoo Blues are available on that site.

I don’t say it enough, but the entire Omaha Blues community owes a big thank you to BJ for her ongoing commitment to getting the word out on cool shows in the LinOmaha area. “Big Up” BJ!!!)

In a nutshell, Jeff Davis reports they are still over $25,000 short in sponsors, but he is willing to commit to another year, while continuing to shake the trees for more sponsorship.
I am happy to report The Blues Society of Omaha’s Board of Directors voted last night to donate $2,000.00 to PWF for the 2009 season.

Last night was BSO’s 2009 Budget Meeting. I am happy to report we are in much better shape now, than we were at this time last year, thanks greatly to the income opportunity the Beverage Sales at Playing with Fire provide. I am forever grateful to Jeff Davis for giving us the opportunity, and I am equally grateful to all of the dozens, dozens, and dozens, of BSO Members that generously donate their time selling tickets and serving beverages all summer long at PWF. Y’all continue to rock into our 11th year of BSO!!!

Speaking of which, the BSO Volunteer Appreciation Party is Wednesday, March 25th at Walter Trout’s Show at The Whiskey Roadhouse, inside The Horseshoe Casino. RSVP to Vanessa at BSOVolunteers@cox.net if you volunteered in 2008. We have a free ticket for you, and we need to know if you are going to use it. If you need to buy tickets to the Walter Trout show, Tickets can be purchased at the Horseshoe gift shop, 888-512-SHOW or www.frontgatetickets.com.

Eric Clapton is coming with Steve Winwood to The Qwest Center on Saturday, June 20th. (EC better be on top of his game or the amazing Steve Winwood will steal the show). Tickets are not on-sale yet. I hope to get you pre-sale information. Keep your fingers crossed. (You probably already know Fleetwood Mac is coming to Qwest on TH May 7th. We are going to have a pre-party with Bernard Allison playing Murphy’s Matinee that night. Free Admission with your FMAC ticket!


Rick Galusha writes:
Those of you that listen to my radio program, Pacific Street Blues, (or the associated podcast, www.KIWRBlues.podomatic.com) know that we have been playing Ian McLagan's solo music for decades.

While McLagan is not a household name, his bands, The Small Faces (Steve Marriott) & The Faces (Rod Stewart), certainly are.
McLagan has also been a long term sideman with;
1. The Rolling Stones,
2. Bob Dylan,
3. Bonnie Raitt, and
4. Billy Bragg.

About two years ago Mac's wife, Kim, died in a tragic car accident.

His latest album, as this CBS News / Charles Kuralt, segment indicates, is an album that deals with emotions that, at our age, most of us have some experience with.

Anyway, it is a very solid record and this brief video segement gives additional insights into this artist and his latest album, 'Never Say Never.'

I thought you might enjoy this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBvMqiNL8Xs
--
Rick Galusha
www.KIWRBlues.PodOMatic.com
www.kiwrblues.blogspot.com



One of my favorite local bands that I don’t get to see enough of, The Johnson Brothers, play Doc’s Bar and Grill on 89th & H St. this Friday night. You will dig their drink prices.

Wild Rock-a-Billy Stand-Up Bassman Charlie Johnson write:
Yes, I'm going to saturate the digital world this week.
The Royal Pawns will be releasing the debut album, Royally, this Saturday night, Feb. 21st, at the Zoo Bar, be there or be square. The Pawns will be opening for one of Lincolns best, Son of 76, so get there early. Show time 9pm
Thanks,
Charlie

Lots of choices for Fat Tuesday on 2/24. Rockin’ Jake, five-time winner of “Best Harmonica player in New Orleans ”, brings his band to Murphy’s for a 5:30pm show complete with Beads and Cheap Hurricanes. ($8 Cover)
The Zoo Bar has a great double-bill of local bands with The Tijuana Gigolos at 6pm, followed by Electric Soul Method at 9pm.

Wildfire will play acoustic at the Nifty Bar in East Benson. I want to see this Blues and Country band comprised of Sue Murray, Joe McCarthy (Little Joe), Jimmy Ray Pearce, and Carlos Figueroa. Sounds solid to me.

Omaha’s premier acoustic act, Acoustic Groove, will be at The Ozone.

Get out and celebrate Fat Tuesday, which has become a huge bar night in recent years.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Let The Good Times Roll!

We are starting to do late-night music on Thursdays at Murphy’s starting next week. Although it won’t always be Blues, I am going to try to keep the music something that will appeal to the average Blues fan. The Jerry Pranksters, a really top-notch Grateful Dead Tribute Band, will follow the Nace Brothers on 2/26. Other late-night Thursday bands include The Kris Lager Band on 3/5, and Acoustic Groove on 3/19.


Emily over at The Horseshoe Casino wanted to be sure everyone knows about their big shows coming up: Derek Trucks 2/28, Walter Trout 3/25 and Johnny Winter 4/4 at Whiskey Roadhouse. Tickets can be purchased at the Horseshoe gift shop, 888-512-SHOW or www.frontgatetickets.com.


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Get out and get into it.

Terry O’Halloran