Nick Holt R.I. P., Summer Arts Fest, and more

[tsedivy]

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Greetings Blues Fans,

Nick Holt passed away in Lincoln yesterday after a long battle with brain cancer. Here is a note from AZ Bluesman Bob Corritore:

• RIP Nick Holt 1/15/1940-6/22/2009: BruceIglauer reports that Nick Holt, the bass-playing younger brother of MagicSlim, died of brain cancer on Monday, June 22, 2009 in Lincoln , Nebraska , where he had been living. He was 69. Born in Granada , Mississippi in 1940, Nick moved to Chicago in 1956. Four years later, he and his brother formed the notorious Magic Slim & The Teardrops. This band persevered to become a mainstay of the Chicago blues scene. Slim's raucous guitar and Nick's insistent bass lines anchored the band, and created a tough, rock-solid groove so propulsive that it packed the dance floors nightly. It wasn't that Nick did anything fancy or flashy on the bass; he just played it simple and right. Magic Slim & The Teardrops recorded numerous albums for a wide array of labels such as Rooster Blues, Blind Pig, Wolf Records, Alligator, Isabel, Delmark, Red Lightnin', Black & Blue, Evidence, and others. The band relocated to Lincoln , Nebraska , where they had a huge following from their touring appearances at the Zoo Bar. Nick had not been touring for the last few years, possibly for health reasons. In addition to scores of Magic Slim & The Teardrops records, and various sessions as a sideman, Nick leaves us with three releases bearing his name:

Magic Slim And Nick Holt/You Can't Lose What Never Had (Wolf Records)
Nick Holt/You Better Watch Yourself (Wolf Records)
Little Boogie Boy Blues Band featuring Nick Holt/We Do It For The Blues
Many blues fans will warmly remember seeing Magic Slim & The Teardrops with the brothers’ towering presence filling up the stage while they knocked out the heaviest of shuffles. Such a loss for the blues. Prayers to Magic Slim in this time of grief. Thanks, Nick, for the great times, and the spectacular music.
A celebration of Nick’s life is planned for Wednesday from 6pm-9pm at The Zoo Bar. Magic Slim and his Lincoln band will perform.


Toni Halpenny surrendered to cancer this week also. Toni’s husband is Shawn Halpenny, longtime soundman for Blue Houes and The Confidentials, as well as a fill-in for many of my Blues shows. MEMORIAL MASS 10am Thursday at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 3604 N. 65th St. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Humane Society. A luncheon is planned at BarFly at 11am.

Tonight, Fender guitar technician Greg Koch has a free In-Store at Russo’s Guitar Center (114th & Dodge) at 7pm.
For more information: http://www.russosmusic.com/

Hot double-bill TH at Murphy's: 5:30pm The Nace Brothers: Good video of this veteran band doing Johnny Cash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BObOCh8Tzj4

Late-night slot is Liquid Thin, a very cool band from South Dakota. Admission is $8 early and $5 late.
The Omaha Summer Arts Fest is this weekend. It is without question one of Omaha's coolest events. I am thrilled that the Artist Selection Committee, of which I am a part of, agreed to book a few of my suggestions. I highly recommend Eric Lindell, who plays Friday at 7pm and then Trombone Shorty, a great party band from New Orleans.
Saturday, Lubriphonic has the late slot. They are a killer Funk/Soul/Blues act from Chicago. (They also play BarFly Sunday at 10:45pm, after Lincoln Jam Band SFS. $5 Cover)
Chubby Carrier plays S.A.F. Sunday afternoon.
Get the rest of the schedule and all details on this free annual event downtown: www.summerarts.org
Saturday night at the Zoo Bar is a Ernest James, a Zydeco Band from KCMO: http://www.myspace.com/ernestjames Sounds good to me.

Craig Balderston’s old boss, Mark Selby, is playing nearby:
Saturday, June 27th, 2009 8:00 PM CDT

MARK SELBY BAND -- SIOUX CITY , IOWA
SIOUX CITY LIVE MUSIC CLUB 712-251-6432 416 Jackson St. Sioux City, IA Price: $10 adv., $15 d.o.s.

Playing with Fire, July 18, 2009

GATES OPEN 4 PM

4:30PM: BluesEd: Backer’s Blues

Jim Suhler & Monkey Beat w/special guest, Alan Haynes

AWEK

Tommy Castro Band

Catch Artists Bio’s on the NEW website!!!

http://www.playingwithfireomaha.net

Blues lovers wanting to volunteer for BSO sponsored events, send an email to: volunteers-subscribe@lists.omahablues.com

2009 Blues Blast Music Awards

We are pleased to announce the 2009 Blues Blast Music Awards. See the complete list of nominees below, SCROLL DOWN!
Like last year our friends and sponsors at GLT Blues Radio 24/7 have a created a "listening page" where you can sample the music of the nominees BEFORE you vote.
To check out the website and begin listening to these great artists now, CLICK HERE!
Voting begins on July 1st. Details on the voting and the Awards ceremony coming soon.
Omaha Jazz and Blues Fest continues to be very “Jazz focused”. If that is your thing, you will dig their line-up July 10th and 11th. Al Jarreau, Dave Stryker (formerly of Omaha ), Norman Brown, Patti Austin, Bobby Humphrey, and more: http://www.omahajazzandblues.com/

Next Blues Cruise is Friday, August 7th, with International Blues Star Larry McCray headlining. Tickets will go on-sale July 9th at BarFly, McKenna’s, and Murphy’s.

Refunds for the May 31st Cruise will be available at Murphy’s Lounge, any time we are open. Mon-Fri 3pm-1am and 7pm-1am on Sat and Sun.
If you bought your tickets from Moe in Lincoln , you can email himmoejas1954@aol.com to make arrangements, or get refunds at Murphy’s.


We are now have 378 friends on BSO’s Facebook group!!!
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http://www.facebook.com/n/?group.php&gid=54757108012

If you already joined, please consider using the “Invite Friends” feature to expand our reach!



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Must sleep.
Get out and get into it!
Terry O’Halloran
BSO Prez and emailer