Weekly BSO Update

[tsedivy]

TH 3/12/2009

Greetings Blues Fans,

From Alligator Records:

PIEDMONT BLUES GUITARIST AND VOCALIST JOHN CEPHAS, 1930 - 2009
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of John Cephas.
John Cephas died of natural causes on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. He was 78. Well known as one half of the award-winning Piedmont blues duo Cephas & Wiggins, John’s remarkable and delicate finger picking and rich, baritone vocals placed him firmly at the forefront of acoustic blues arti sts. John received a National Heritage Fellowship Award (often called the “Living Treasure Award”) in 1989. This is the highest honor the U.S. Government offers a traditional artist. Two weeks ago, John was honored as one of eight black trailblazers as designated by the Library of Virginia's African American History Month.
John Cephas, along with his harmonica playing partner Phil Wiggins, performed thousands of concerts and festivals all over the world. Often under the auspices of the U.S. State Department, the two spent much of the 1980s abroad, playing Europe, Africa, Central and South America, China, Australia and New Zealand. In 1988, they were among the first Americans to perform at the Russian Folk Festival in Moscow . In 1997 Cephas & Wiggins performed for President Bill Clinton. In addition, John appeared on stage po rtraying a blind bluesman in the Kennedy Center production of Blind Man Blues. He also appeared in a production of Zora Neal Hurston’s play, Polk County , in Washington , D.C.
Among his many endeavors, John served on the Executive Committee of the National Council for the Traditional Arts, and has testified before Congressional committees. He is also a founder of the Washington , D.C. Blues Society. “More than anything else,” said John, “I would like to see a revival of country blues by more young people…more people going to con certs, learning to play the music. That’s why I stay in the field of traditional music. I don’t want it to die.”



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Check out this video of Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan: http://www.illinoisblues.com/cdsandmore/videos3.htm#akrsv1

We are now over 256 friends on BSO’s Facebook group!!!
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Blues Writer and dedicated music fan BJ Hutchemann sent me a link to a very interesting website: http://www.saveaustinmusic.com/
Anybody in need of a vacation of a lifetime? Follow this link to The Legendary Blues Cruise: Legendary Rhythm + Blues Cruise | The World's Only Fully Chartered Blues Cruise

OCTOBER 17-24, 2009 PACIFIC
Fewer Than 20 Ocean-View Cabins Remain!!

Mavis Staples • Kenny Wayne Shepherd • Susan Tedeschi
Elvin Bishop • Buckwheat Zydeco • Phantom Blues Band w/ Special Guest Dave Mason • The Brooks Family Band (Lonnie, Ronnie Baker & Wayne Baker) • Mel Waiters • Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers Tommy Castro • Coco Montoya • Roy Gaines • Michael Burks Cafe R&B • Shane Dwight • Fiona Boyes • Lionel Young Band Little Joe McLerran • Piano Bar Hosts: Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
Taryn Donath • Leon Blue • Special Guests: Debbie Davies Preston Shannon • Jam Host Randy Oxford • Plus Surprise Guests

Am I the only one that didn’t know Dr. John was opening for Fleetwod Mac on TH 5/7 at The Qwest Center? I might have to go to that show after all. (Pre-Party at Murphy’s: Free Admission to see Bernard Allison with Fleetwood Mac ticket). Check out Dr. John on Letterman last summer. He has never sounded better, IMO: http://www.429records.com/sites/429records/429details/d_drjohn.asp

So… The Neville Brothers are playing 3 shows with Neil Young: Denver , KCMO, and OMAHA !!! (Wed. 4/29 at Qwest Center ). Damn, this could be something sensational. Anybody go to the Neville Brothers at Peony Park back in the day? I think my favorite concert of all-time! I know Cowboy Larry was thereJ Tickets are not on-sale yet, in fact, Neil Young’s site has not even announced the show yet. Neville’s website has some cool videos and recordings: http://www.nevilles.com/tourdates
(Thanks to DeAnna Camero for the scoop on this show. I remember when I introduced DeAnna to Johnny Reno (of The Sax Maniacs), he said “That is a great name. I’m going to write a song about you!” Anybody know if he ever wrote that song, or know what Johnny is up to? Man he was a ton of fun to see at the old Howard Street Tavern.
Jackson Browne will perform at The Orpheum Theater on Saturday, August 29th. The Pre-Sale is this Friday from 10am-10pm. The Password is running. Tickets go on-sale to the public on Saturday. You can hear his latest CD on his website. It is very nice: http://www.jacksonbrowne.com/
I was initially bummed to receive this email: Hadden has taken the guitar position for Ruthie Foster starting in April and will be on tour with her through this summer. I regret to have to email you that Hadden Sayers must cancel his date with you. Almost all shows in the calendar are canceled and the tour is not happening. This position is not a permanent one but it is at least what Hadden will be doing for most of 2009. All tours have been put on hold.
Fortunately, it appears Hadden’s agent has lined up the highly-touted Sharrie Williams to fill his July 16th date at Murphy’s. Williams was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the Soul Blues category.



Beginning tonight, March 12th, the Thursday night blues jam will be moving back to the "Pheasant Tavern" on 139th and S Plaza. The Pheasant hosted the jam for years up to about five years ago and is very excited to bring it back.

Debbie Davies returns with her Guitar Attack to Murphy’s Lounge for a show today at 5:30pm (admission is $10) to see the former guitarist with Albert Collins’ Icebreakers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KVCMYG390o&feature=related
The Mercurys will perform their brand of Roots Rock’n Blues at 9:30pm. The cover drops to $5 at 7pm..


Dave Gonzalez and The Stone River Boys play at 6pm this TH and at 9pm on Friday and Saturday at The Zoo Bar. Expect great guitar from Dave, hot pedal steel guitar, and some cool Country and Honky Tonk.



The Terry Quiet band is opening for Walter Trout Wed 3/25 at The Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs .
Tuesday was the deadline to RSVP for the Volunteer Appreciation Party at The Trout show. Tickets are available for $18 each at The Horseshoe box office and online at http://whiskeyroadhouse.frontgatetickets.com

You can catch The Terry Quiet Band Saturday night at Downtown Blues.

DT Blues should be jumping before and after the Playing with Fire Winter Series at The Holland Center. Headlining this show will be The Twisters:
"This is what modern Blues is all about. Tight arrangements, great vocal harmonies, and spot on yet understated instrumental performances. All with a firm foothold into the roots and tradition of the Blues. With one exception, a Sonny Boy Williamson tune, the CD is packed with all original tunes that bring freshness and spontaneity to the sometimes over worked playbook of the Blues. A fantastic musical statement."

Barrelhouse Blues e-news- Boston , Mass.

Follow this link to purchase the $25 tickets: https://www.omahaperformingarts.org/tessitura/reserve.aspx?perf=3011

Mike Zito is NOT performing at The Zoo Bar on St. Patrick’s Day. He cancelled a portion of his tour so he could open a few dates for Walter Trout. He will be at BarFly this Sunday for a 7pm show. Come see why he is quickly becoming a lot of people’s favorite new artist. Admission is just $8. My buddy Pete at The Zoo Bar said he will let me know ASAP on what their alternative plan is on St. Patrick’s Day. Stay tuned.


Get out and get into it. (If I forgot anything, I apologize. Me sleepy......

Terry O’Halloran
BSO Prez and emailer