Chris with Darryl White, drums, & CUJO, bass, Telluride, 9/14/08 (Photo by Mike Gallagher)
His Rules!
His Way!
No Exceptions!
Steven Seagal and Chris Thomas King in Kill Switch
The "Grifter", Kill Switch (Photo shot on set by the Hollywood North Insider, 10/07)
KILL SWITCH
In Stores Now!
Streetwise
and gritty homicide detectives, Jacob King and his partner, Storm Anderson (Chris Thomas King), are on the trail of two sadistic
killers. One is a ruthless explosives expert, who brutalizes and tortures victims just for the thrill of the kill. The other
is a disturbed Zodiac killer, obsessed with the chase and determined to keep authorities one step behind. With the help of
the coroner (Isaac Hayes), King sets out to track down the violent killers and put an end to the ongoing murders in the streets
of Memphis. Explosive action sequences coupled with surprising twists and turns make KILL SWITCH a knock out.
Written
by Steven Seagal Directed by Jeff King Soundtrack composed by John Sereda
Starring:
Steven Seagal Chris Thomas King Karyn Michelle Baltzer Issac Hayes Holly Dignard
Distributed
by First Look Studios
Rated:
R
In childhood,
Jacob King (Steven Seagal) witnesses the murder of his twin brother, Daniel. Traumatized by the event, he devotes his
life to tracking down serial killers. Renowned for having solved more cases than anyone else has in U.S. history, he
becomes one of the most recognized and respected investigators in his field.
In Memphis,
he and his police partner, Storm Anderson (Chris Thomas King), are pitted agaist two vicious killers. One is Billy Joe,
a psychopathic thrill killer, the other, known as "The Grifter," is a deranged Zodiac killer who believes he can
channel spirits and who leaves clues in astrological symbols at the scenes of the crimes.
Kill
Switch is a dark, fast action thriller with gothic overtones and brutal violence. Jacob’s heavy-handed tactics
result in the intrusion of a green FBI agent assigned to oversee the case which further compounds problems.
In his
first non-musical role, Chris Thomas King is superb. In one of the films lighter moments, he steals the scene and viewers
get a glimpse of his versatile and remarkable talent. Kill Switch firmly establishes Chris Thomas King
as an important dramatic actor.
(Chris
Thomas King discusses writing and recording his first jazz suite.)
Chris
Thomas King’s new video gives viewers a closer look at the business and personal life of this talented artist and actor.Clips include live performances in the U.S. and abroad, scenes from some of
his award-winning movies, including O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Ray, and The Blues, the Martin
Scorsese PBS series in which he played Blind Willie Johnson.
Viewers also
see Mr. King at work, composing new songs that he describes as post-modern New Orleans Jazz, songs with a more delicate touch,
elegance long evident in his work.They are treated to samples of the numbers as he records the new music in the Ultrasonic Studios in his hometown of New Orleans.The style is
reminiscent of period music from the ‘30’s but the songs and delivery are fresh and uniquely his own.King plays piano and guitar on these new compositions with Jason Marsalis on drums and Roland Guerin
on upright bass. On some of the songs, including the tender “When You’re a Clown,” he is accompanied
by a string quartet.
The new recordings
reflect what he calls “the many shades of blues,” and the variety of styles and genres he blends smoothly into
these new recordings adds depth and dimension to his music.With New Orleans as muse, he says he hopes to create new standards that other artists might want
to sing and record.
Mr. King
discusses his early life and his father, the well-known and respected blues musician Tabby Thomas, owner of the famous Tabby’s
Blues Box and Heritage Hall.“All we had was the blues,” he says.Yet that early beginning, dedication and his tremendous talent has taken him
all the way from humble beginnings to become the most successful blues artist of his generation.
With these new
recordings, his increasingly successful career in Hollywood, and his ever-growing popularity, the best is yet to come.
See A Closer Look
and more on Chris's Movies and Videos Channel here.
21ST.
CENTURY BLUES MUSIC STORE
Chris
Thomas King's Official Music Store offers "real" audio CDs as well as .mp3 downloads of Chris's most popular songs.
This new service combines state of the art technology that provides quick and confidential checkouts with convenient PayPal
or credit cards payments, fast downloads and top-notch audio quality.
While
you are there, be sure to take advantage of Chris's offer of two FREE .mp3 downloads of two unreleased songs from his upcoming
studio album.
Buy
your favorite recordings directly from Chris. All proceeds from this music store go directly to 21st. Century Blues Music.
If you’ve
never heard Cedric Burnside and Lightnin’ Malcolm perform, buckle your seat beats; you’re in for the ride of your
life.The high lonesome sound of hill country blues collides with soul, hip-hop
and funk in songs that range from love to hard times in the duo’s new album 2 Man Wrecking Crew.
Raw, powerful and authentic, this is blues
as it is found nowhere else on earth.Not since Document Records' outstanding
Son House and the Great Delta Blues Singers, 1928-1930 has a collection captured
so well the traditional Delta sound as has this quality recording.For
a review of the CD and DVD of M for Mississippi, please click here.
“'Color Blind Angel' is easily the most
disturbing song on the record.This tribute to murdered Detroit mother and Alabama civil rights activist Viola Liuzza tells one of the unheard stories of the worst
days of the 1960’s.Strong beat, and even stronger lyrics, this is not
a song to dance to, but instead is one to bite your lip, listen and think about."
Treat Me Right
by Robin Rogers --A new review from Ricky Stevens, here.
LOUISIANA LEGENDS
HENRY
TURNER, JR. & FLAVOR
Reggae/Funk
NOW BOOKING!
The music of Baton Rouge based Hit City
Records artists Henry Turner, Jr.& Flavor has been described as “a sure crowd
pleaser,” and they would love to share their unique sound and great entertainment with a performance
at your festival or venue.
Henry Turner, Jr. &
Flavor have been delivering the universal message of peace and One Love to audiences around the world since lead vocalist
and guitarist, Henry Turner, Jr., formed the band in 1992. He describes his concept for the band in this
way:“I consciously wanted an infused sound, one with elements of R&B, reggae and blues, with
some jazz chording.”Their songs, original hits penned by Turner, offer both socially conscious messages
of love, respect and spiritual awareness as well as lighter fun music in the upbeat Louisiana party groove.
CDs include Will Work for Food and Money, Facing the Millennium,
Louisiana Gumbo Combo and Louisiana Funk Buffet.Hit singles include, among others, “Fat
Baby,” “ Louisiana Funk,” “Praising Jah,” “Family,” “Merry Christmas,” “Give Me Love,” “Ugly Man,” and their latest, “Bangin’
Yo Head Up Against the Wall.”
Soundtrack credits include:
Gutter Punks, 1998, and Destination Jamaica :Rastafarian Dreams, 2004
The band tours extensively in the United States and abroad and have performed with the Bob Marley Fest and the Peter Tosh Celebration
Tours .They have also been featured at the New Orleans Jazz
and Heritage Festival
(2007) and Reggae on the Mississippi .
Now they would like to bring their unique brand of entertainment to you!
Mrs.
Doris Carr of Lula, Mississippi,
passed away early Thirsday morning, November 13, at age 80, according to long-time Carr Family friend and former
Rooster Blues co-owner Patty Johnson of Clarksdale.
Known by many as the beloved wife of legendary blues drummer Sam
Carr, Miss Doris was also a blues singer in her own right and a care taker
of other Deltans in the past. She is survived by her husband, Sam Carr -- the son of slide guitar master Robert
Nighthawk and drummer of the world-famous Jelly Roll Kings. Sam and Doris Carr have been together
since she was 13 years old. Mrs. Carr had been in poor health for some time. Mr. Carr still resides in Lula.
Memorial Information: This just in from Geni Ward, Sam Carr's sister: Doris's services will be held at noon on Saturday, November 22, 2008
at the Century Funeral Home in Clarksdale, Mississippi: For further information:
The United
Reggae Awards recognizes those working hard to keep Reggae music vibrant in 2008.
The United Reggae Awards is the people's award.
It is totally up to YOU, the general public
to decide the outcome. Vote now to guarantee that your favorites win. Any recording released between 1st January 2008 and
31st December 2008 is eligible for the 2008 awards.
Voting closes January 31 2009.
If you can't think of any nominees for a particular
category you don't have to vote in that category. Your other votes will still count.
Vote for your favorite artists and win a selection
of albums, singles, books and DVDs.
The 1st prize: an amazing selection of albums,
singles, books and DVDs worth 100 €
The 2nd prize: a great selection of albums,
singles, and DVDs worth 75 €
The 3rd prize: a big selection of albums, singles,
worth 50 €
On Friday December 5th and Saturday December 6th, 2008 we are going to celebrate The 1st Annual NEW ORLEANS
SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL (also know as SONGFEST)!!!
Featured performers for the 2008 festival are:
Multiple Grammy award-winning American songwriting legend Jimmy Webb (By The Time I Get To Phoenix," Wichita
Lineman," Up Up And Away," "Macarthur Park," etc.)
Bluenote Records recording artist Cassandra Wilson
Acadian, Louisiana , French, Canadian recording artist, author, and actor Zachary Richard
The founding sponsor of this event is The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers ("ASCAP")
which has been representing songwriters, composers and publishers since its inception some 80 years ago.
The purpose of the NEW ORLEANS SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL is to promote the composition of original music in New
Orleans and the Gulf Coast region and advance the careers of the area's writers and musicians by providing performance opportunities
in front of the publishing and music industry center (i.e., Nashville , LA , NY) professionals that will be invited to the
event. Proceeds from the event will be donated to area music- and musician-related charities.
The performance opportunities will consist of a concert at the New Orleans House of Blues on Saturday December
6th, 2008 (Jimmy Webb, Cassandra Wilson, and Zachary Richard) as well as an afternoon "round" of writers at The Blue Nile
featuring 1 hit songwriter ("Seeds" sung by Kathy Matea) and ASCAP vice president Ralph Murphy, New Orleans resident
and member of the famous Cowsill family, Susan Cowsill, Warner Chappell staff writer Jim McCormick who hails from New
Orleans but now calls Nashville home (where he has penned songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Tricia Yearwood, Randy Travis, and
Ronnie Milsap among others), and Mary Gauthier, Lost Highway recording artist, a Louisiana native as well.
Additionally, up and coming area songwriters will get a chance to "show their stuff" in front of an audience
at the first ever NEW ORLEANS SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL/BLUEBIRD CAFE OPEN MIC!!! This event will also be held at The Blue Nile
at 532 Frenchman Street in New Orleans on Friday December 5th, 2008. The event will be conducted and hosted by Nashville's
famous Barbara Cloyd, who has conducted the Open Mic at the Bluebird Café in Nashville since its inception more than 20 years
ago!!!
Any help with advertising the event is greatly appreciated!! We are also actively soliciting additional sponsors
for the NEW ORLEANS SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL. Sponsorships will be tax deductible 501(c) 3 contributions, company name would be
included on any marketing materials such as banners, t-shirts, etc and you receive VIP passes to the main event.
Please help us make the 2008 New Orleans Songwriters Festival a smash hit!!!
Musicians, artists, writers: Call for submissions to webzine
ART 4 THE HOMELESS
Would you like to have your artwork featured in my ezine? I am in need of artists, visual
and musicians, and writers to feature on my webzine. My zine is about promoting Homeless Awareness in America through the
arts. I feature a homeless help organizations and also the artists.
The issues I need them for are for December 1st and forward. If you or anyone you know
are interested, just send me a sound file (musician), jpg and a quick bio with an image of yourself/group and I will have
it linked back to your myspace.
If you would like to see the current webzine, here is the link:
2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award Winners
Announced
Mississippi Hill Country Blues congratulates
all these outstanding award winners! Special congratulations to Dusty and Val Scott, www.dustyblues.com, Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, Betsie Brown, Blind Raccoon,
www.blindraccoon.com, www.myspace.com/blindraccoon, Shack Up Inn, Clarksdale, and Delta Groove Records.
* * *
November 10, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Keeping the Blues Alive Awards
Memphis, TN –Twenty-two individuals and
organizations will be honored with The Blues Foundation's 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive (KBA) Award during a recognition brunch
at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel Saturday, February 7, 2009 in Memphis Tennessee . The KBA ceremony begins at 10:00
a.m. and will be held in conjunction with the 25th International Blues Challenge (IBC) weekend of events that will feature
the semifinals and finals of the world's largest gathering of Blues bands, as well as seminars, presentations, and receptions
for Blues societies, fans and professionals.
The Keeping the Blues Alive Awards recognize
the significant contributions to Blues music made by the people behind the scenes. Each is selected on the basis of
merit by a select panel of Blues professionals. KBA Chairman Art Tipaldi notes with respect to this year's recipients,
"As is often the case, this year the committee recognized some individuals that have long-deserved to be honored as well as
identifying others who have made a very impressive mark on Blues music in a relatively short period. Once again, the
honorees cover the United States map. In addition, two Italian organizations were selected for their commitment to the Blues
genre in their country."
The 2009 Keeping the Blues Alive recipients
are:
1. Agent: Steve Hecht, Piedmont
Talent, Charlotte , NC
2. Art and Photography: Dusty &
Val Scott, Dusty Blues, Pittsburgh , PA
3. Blues Club: B.L.U.E.S, Chicago
, IL
4. Education: Monroe County
Black History Month, Monroe County , MI
5. Festival: Telluride Blues &
Brews Festival, Telluride, CO
6. Film, Television and Video: Willy
Bearden, Memphis TN
7. Historical Preservation: Shack
Up In, Clarksdale , MS
13. Organization: Washington
Blues Society, Seattle , WA
14. Print Media: Il Blues, Milan , Italy
15. Producer: David Z, Nashville
, TN
16. Promoter: Omega Events, Lake
Forest , CA
17. Publicist: Betsie Brown , Blind Raccoon,
Memphis , TN
18. Radio Commercial: Kai Turner, Denver,
CO
19. Radio Public: John Kessler, Seattle
, WA
20. Record Label: Delta Groove, Van Nuys
, CA
21. Retailer: Manifest Discs, Charlotte
, NC
22. Sponsor: Barbara Hammerman, Gig Harbor
, WA
Tickets to the KBA ceremony are available online
at www.Blues.org.
The IBC weekend, commencing Wednesday,
February 4, 2009, is sponsored in significant part by ArtsMemphis, bandVillage, Budweiser and its local distributor D. Canale
Beverages, FedEx, Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, Smokin Bluz, Sonicbids, Tennessee
Arts Commission, Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission and XM Satellite Radio.
Additional sponsors include: Beale Street Merchants
Association, Tommy Clifton Art, Doubletree Hotel, Gibson Guitars, Holiday Inn Select, Memphis Grizzlies and the Residence
Inn by Marriott.
Media Sponsors include Beale Street Caravan,
Big City Rhythm and Blues, Blues Blast, Blues Festival Guide, Blues Revue, BluesWax, Downtowner, House of Blues Radio Hour,
Living Blues, Memphis Flyer, WREG-TV and XM Satellite Radio.
The Blues Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization dedicated to preserving Blues history, celebrating Blues excellence, supporting Blues education, and ensuring
the future of this uniquely American art form. It is the umbrella organization for a worldwide network of 165 affiliated Blues
societies and has individual memberships around the globe. In addition to the Keeping the Blues Alive Awards, The Blues Foundation
produces the Blues Music Awards, the Blues Hall of Fame Induction, and the International Blues Challenge. For more information
on how to support The Blues Foundation check us out on the web at www.Blues.org.
CONTACT: Jay Sieleman Executive Director The
Blues Foundation 901.527.2583 xt. 12 jay@Blues.org
2009 Keeping the Blues Alive Award Recipients Synopsis
Agent: Steve Hecht Piedmont Talent - Charlotte
, NC
For 19 years, Steve Hecht and his Piedmont
Talent agency have dedicated themselves to booking only Blues and roots artists. In a time when clubs are closing and musicians
are struggling to get gigs on a tour, Hecht and his staff have diligently kept many of their artists working the country's
finest Blues clubs and Blues festivals. Through the years, Piedmont has selectively represented many of the major Blues talents.
Today's roster is a veritable who's who of the Blues, including Janiva Magness, James Cotton, Eddy Clearwater, Johnny Winter
and Rod Piazza, as well as exciting newcomers like Robin Rogers, Homemade Jamz Blues Band, and Samuel James.
Art and Photography: Dusty & Val Scott,
Dusty Blues - Pittsburgh , PA
If you're standin' in the photo pit of many
a Blues festival, chances are Dusty Scott is shootin' next to you. Accompanying him and taking the wide angle shots
is wife,Val. When the shootin' is done, Dusty is quick to develop and Val systematically publishes the images in a festival
slideshow on their website, www.dustyBlues.com. Blues fans from around the world visit the site to check on
their favorite artist or festival. What distinguishes the Scotts are their contributions to aspiring Blues artists and
their behind- the-scenes activities in support of festival promoters. After a Blues event, they are often the go-to photographers
to send a photo to a sponsor the next day or a magazine as it prepares to promote the event the following year. Their photographs
can be found on the covers of magazines like Blues Revue or Two'j Blues, as well as on CD & DVD covers. They actively
contribute to various society newsletters and band promotion banners.
Blues Club: B.L.U.E.S., Chicago , IL
Opened in 1979, seven nights a week B.L.U.E.S.
features some of Chicago 's finest Blues acts. Located on the city's north side, B.L.U.E.S. prides itself as one of the city's
most intimate clubs to still offer authentic Blues. For years, Sunnyland Slim was the regular Sunday night entertainment.
In its twenty-nine years, nearly every Chicago Blues musician has graced its stage. Here, you can be assured of listening
to Blues veterans like Eddy Clearwater, Magic Slim, Eddie Shaw or Jimmy Dawkins, along with Chicago 's current crop of rising
Blues stars. For anyone making a Blues pilgrimage to the Windy City , a stop at B.L.U.E.S. on Halsted should be at the top
of the list.
Education: Monroe County Library System, Monroe
County , MI
The Monroe County Library System's Black History
Month Series educational program stands out as an example for every town to emulate. What began in 1988 in the corner of a
library branch as a series designed to celebrate the cultural contributions of African-Americans in music has grown into one
of Monroe County 's most anticipated events and Michigan 's longest running Blues festival. The series now consists of a month
long series of free concerts and workshops starring national, regional and local Blues artists. Headliners have included legends
like Robert Lockwood, Jr., Willie Dixon, Lonnie Brooks, and Pinetop Perkins mixed with current Blues names like Henry Butler,
Samuel James, Michael Powers, and Saffire, The Uppity Blues Women. The month's events include free workshops which focus on
lessons in both history and music. Its Bluesapalooza, which features multiple performances reaching about 1,500 kids in a
day, has been a huge part of the series for the past seven or eight years.
Festival: Telluride Blues Festival, Telluride,
CO
B.B. King was quoted saying, "Out of the 90
different countries I've been to, I've never seen anything more beautiful than what you have here." With the Rocky Mountains
as the stage backdrop, the King of the Blues is absolutely right. Celebrating 15 years this past September, Telluride Blues
& Brews has become one of the festivals in America you must attend. The festival is a three-day celebration of music and
microbrews, held in Telluride Town Park , an outdoor music venue surrounded by breathtaking 13,000 foot mountain peaks. Though
the primary focus is Blues, soul, gospel, rock and a touch of jam bands make this festival noteworthy enough to be listed
in the best selling book, 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die.
Film, Television and Video: Willy Bearden,
Memphis TN
The William Bearden Company is a Memphis-based
video and event company that has been creating national and international productions since 1988. Since 1998, Willy
Bearden and his team have produced the W.C. Handy and Blues Music Awards shows, as well as Blues Hall of Fame events in Washington
D.C. , and Lifetime Achievement Awards shows at the House of Blues in Los Angeles . In addition, he has overseen the
filming and editing of these shows, whether the end result was presented via public televisions stations, cable outlets or
distributed on DVD. He wrote and produced "Visualizing the Blues", the 2001 documentary that accompanies the photographic
exhibition of the same name. He is also the author of "Memphis Blues, Birthplace of a Music Tradition" and "Cotton,
From Southern Fields to the Memphis Market".
Historic Preservation: Shack Up Inn, Clarksdale
, MS
The Shack Up Inn is nestled three miles south
of the Hwy 61 and Hwy 49 crossroads outside Clarksdale on one of the oldest cotton farms in Mississippi , the former Hopson
Plantation. These down-home accommodations are nine sharecropper shacks slightly renovated and appropriately furnished
with a potent dose of memorabilia. The Shack Up Inn is also known as Mississippi 's oldest B&B - "bed and beer."
The houses were relocated from nearby farms, insulated, and retrofitted with electricity and plumbing. A live satellite Blues
feed is piped into the television sets. Otherwise, the houses look pretty much the same as back in the day with their rusted
tin roofs, leaning outhouse, washhouse and bottle tree. In addition to the shacks, the bins in the old cotton gin are unconventional
upscale hotel rooms. The hotel lobby is located in the gin as is the Juke Joint Chapel, where you can hear great Blues.
What began in 2004 with five friends who loved
the Blues has grown today into one of Europe 's major Blues promoters. In 2007, it organized the first Italian Blues Conference
which brought together dozens of Italian Blues entities. The success of that conference led to organizing, in June 2008, the
first European Blues conference where representatives from ten European countries met to form bonds and create a database
of European Blues entities whereby promoters, magazines, radio and record labels can better communicate. Roots 'n'Blues'
centerpiece is its five-week festival in Parma province. Each weekend, a different Italian village showcases its local cuisine
while hosting a roster of American Blues artists, primarily rural in origin. The result is a mix of Parma hospitality with
American Blues music. Its website www.rootsandblues.org has become one of the most important sources for Blues music
in Italy .
Internet: Pandora.com, Oakland , CA
Founded in 2000 by Tim Westergren, Pandora
has over 18 million registered users and has played 4.7 billion songs. Users type in the name of a favorite song or artist
and the Genome Project quickly scans over 600,000 analyzed songs to find songs with interesting musical similarities to the
choice of the listener. The Music Genome Project is the most sophisticated taxonomy of musical information ever collected.
Pandora does not use machine-listening or other forms of automated data extraction. Instead, each song is analyzed using up
to 400 distinct musical characteristics by a trained music analyst. These attributes capture not only the musical identity
of a song, but also the many significant qualities like melody, harmony, instrumentation, rhythm, vocals, and lyrics that
are relevant to understanding the musical preferences of listeners that generates personalized streaming radio for computer.
Pandora currently has over 60,000 artists, 70% of whom are independent artists.
Journalism: Hal Horowitz, Marietta , GA
Hal Horowitz is a Contributing Editor to Blues
Revue. Since joining the staff in 1997, he has written numerous profiles, interviews and over 500 CD reviews for the magazine.
In addition to his work for Blues Revue, Hal is a regular contributor to Amazon.com, All Music Guide, Georgia Music Magazine,
American Songwriter and Creative Loafing in Atlanta . Hal not only celebrates the work of Blues veterans, but is eager to
introduce upcoming and little known artists to the Blues world. Through his honest, colorful and occasionally humorous approach,
Hal skillfully keeps the Blues public informed and, perhaps most importantly, enthusiastically welcomes newcomers to the genre.
Literature: Craig Hopkins. Dallas, TX His
body of work about Blues Hall of Famer Stevie Ray Vaughan began as a quarterly newsletter in 1993, a website in 1997 and led
to three books: The Stevie Ray Vaughan Anthology (1996), The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan (2000) and Stevie Ray Vaughan: Day
By Day, Night After Night (2008). The latter volume chronicles the Blues master's entire life in 432 pages and almost 1000
illustrations. More than one hundred of the people closest to Stevie provided interviews and photographs. The intimate portrait
of Vaughan details his rise from humble beginnings, inspirational recovery from substance abuse and sharing stages with the
Blues legends he idolized – Albert and B.B. King, Johnny Copeland, Albert Collins and others. The book, available only
at StevieRay.com, is a must for everyone who loved the passion and energy of Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Manager, John Hahn, New York , NY
John Hahn has known Shemekia Copeland since
she was eight years of age and has carefully managed her outstanding career from the start. John's professional career in
the Blues dates back to the late 1980's as producer of Johnny " Clyde " Copeland's Flyin' High record. In addition to John's
intelligent guiding of her career, John was a co-producer of Shemekia's first two CD's, including her Grammy nominated Alligator
CD Wicked in 2000. In addition to being a manager, John is a well-known songwriter and producer. He is currently co-producer
of Bluzapalooza, bringing live Blues music to the troops in Kuwait and Iraq .
Organization: Washington Blues Society, Seattle
, WA
The Washington Blues Society will celebrate
its 20th anniversary in February of 2009. Founded by an enthusiastic core of Blues fans in Seattle , the society now
has 600 members statewide. The Society distributes 4,000 copies of its 32-40 page monthly Bluesletter that includes
Blues features, CD and concert reviews, and society special events. The society also supports local venues like the
Highway 99 Blues Club, Jazz Alley, offers free monthly concerts (called "Blues Bashes") for all-ages at the Red Crane restaurant,
and promotes many Blues events throughout Washington State . Pacific Northwest Blues in the Schools, originally
founded by the Society, has been a separate, self-sustaining BITS organization since 1994.
Print Media: Il Blues, Milan , Italy
As with so many efforts in the Blues, Il Blues
is a labor of love for its creative director Marino Grandi and his wife Luciana. For 25 years, Il Blues has published
a fifty-page, black and white collection of all things Blues from around the international Blues world. Four times a year,
readers can read concert reviews of shows throughout Europe ; they can read over a dozen pages of Blues CD reviews and more
pages of Blues book reviews. And there are profiles of old and new Blues performers. Though many American's Italian may be
limited to "vino rosso," the care and professionalism of Marino and Luciana breaks through all language barriers. Animated
photos, professional layout, and a director who strives for accuracy to keep his readers informed, Il Blues is another fine
example of European scholarship in Blues magazines.
Producer: David Z, Nashville , TN
Called the producer's producer, David Z (Rivkin)
has produced (and engineered and mixed and…) critically acclaimed Blues albums by Buddy Guy, Etta James, Al Green, Jonny
Lang, John Mayall (with Eric Clapton), Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tab Benoit, Gov't Mule, Ana Popovich, Mike Zito, and many others.
Most known for his production work on Prince's seminal Purple Rain, David always has an ear open for the next cutting edge
sound. As a producer, he is savvy enough to foster each musician's unique vision or talents in a way that powerfully communicates
the artist's message.
Promoter: Omega Events, Lake Forest , CA
Founded in 1995 by Rich Sherman, Omega Events
currently produces five music festivals and various concerts on the West Coast throughout the year. Omega's signature event
is the Doheny Blues Festival, celebrating its 12th Anniversary in 2009. Located at the Dana Point beach in Southern California,
Doheny Blues has succeeded by creating a fan-friendly environment and presenting an eclectic mix of music...Blues, soul, rock
and R&B. Past artists include B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, John Fogerty, John Lee Hooker, Robert Randolph and Etta James.
Omega has also helped to "introduce" many of Europe's finest artists to the states, including James Hunter ( England ), B.B.
& The Blues Shacks ( Germany ), and Knockout Greg ( Sweden ).
Betsie Brown's passion for the music and its
artists has always driven her work. Blind Raccoon is the firm that has grown out of that love. Blind Raccoon opened its doors
in January 2008 providing publicity services, as well as radio promotion, marketing and consultation, in the Blues/roots/R&B/Americana/folk/world
music genres. Prior to 2008 Brown was a co-founder and partner of Crows Feet Productions. Past and present clients include
Charlie Musselwhite, John Hammond Jr., Bobby Rush, Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, and Eddie Turner to name
just a few. Brown's pride and joy has been to work with emerging artists such as Moreland & Arbuckle, John-Alex Mason,
Zac Harmon, Jon Justice, Gina Sicilia and Nathan James & Ben Hernandez.
Radio (Commercial): Kai Turner, Denver, CO
Kai has been broadcasting Blues music on Colorado 's airwaves for more than seventeen years, the last twelve live every
Sunday night on KRFX in Denver . Known as the Blues Vassal, Kai has acted as a happy and humble servant by actively
developing an infrastructure for local and national artists to thrive by encouraging venues and promoters to include Blues
music in their events. Access to tremendous reach with well-crafted playlists and effective cross-promotion of Blues music
on one of the country's top classic rock stations has created in Kai's "Strictly Blues" show, a powerful medium fostering
the support of Blues throughout the region. In 2000 his show was chosen as the best Blues show in Denver , and in 2004
Kai was chosen the city's top radio personality.
Radio (Public): John Kessler, Seattle
, WA
John Kessler has been involved with public
radio since 1983. In his early career, John was musical director of the seven-piece band on West Virginia 's Mountain Stage.
Since he joined KPLU-FM in 1999, John has become the area's most knowledgeable Blues radio programmer. His playlists include
national touring artists mixed with local, Northwest talents. One of his innovations is The Blues Time Machine, where he plays
three versions of the same song from different eras. You might hear "Pony Blues" by Charlie Patton, Howlin' Wolf, and Alvin
"Youngblood" Hart. He has won the Washington Blues society's Best Blues DJ in 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Record Label: Delta Groove, Van Nuys , CA
If you play it right, they will listen. Randy
Chortkoff's deep love of traditional Blues gave birth to Delta Groove Music in 2004. Delta Groove's first project captured
the time honored Blues approach of the Mannish Boys, an all-star collection of West Coast Blues stars. The next label project
was to shine a spotlight on Kirk Fletcher, one of today's premier young Blues guitar slingers. Since those first records,
Delta Groove has released thirty CD's which keep traditional Blues alive and well. The label's new imprint, Electro
Groove Records is spotlighting an energetic crop of young artists who are poised to carry the Blues torch into this new millennium.
Retail: Manifest Discs, Charlotte , NC
When Junior Watson talks about spending all
his money in a record store every time he goes to Charlotte , the rest of us should take note. And Charlotte music fans
agree as the store annually wins local "Best of" recognition. This Charlotte store opened in 1998 in an old Winn-Dixie grocery
store in a strip mall. It features thousands of new and used CD's and records. The Blues section accounts for about 1/8 of
the store's merchandise and its vinyl selection keeps customers coming back. Because they are in Charlotte , Blues acts booked
at the Double Door often stop by for an in-store event to promote the evening's show.
Sponsor: Barbara Hammerman, Gig Harbor , WA
Barbara is the prime example of how one individual
can sponsor and support Blues music. She has personally raised more than $150,000 over the past 20 years to support a number
of local Blues societies and also she has used her acumen to support Blues Foundation initiatives. In addition to writing
her own checks, Barbara developed a 6-point strategy to engage others, which she knows sustains the musicians and Blues organizations.
Most notably, Barbara has hosted benefit concerts in her home to benefit The Blues Foundation. In recent years artists
such as Dr. John, Lee Oskar, Mitch Woods, Honeyboy Edwards, Louisiana Red, Ann Rabson, Shemekia Copeland, Tommy Castro, Candye
Kane, Henry Butler, Nora Jean Bruso, Jon Cleary and Cephas and Wiggins have performed at her benefit house concerts. She is
also an avid sponsor of the Delta Music Experience, the Port Townsend Country Blues Workshop and the founder of the Luther
Allison Endowment Fund and the Purdy Women's Prison Blues Workshop. She is an example to emulate.
Jay Sieleman Executive Director The Blues
Foundation 49 Union Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 901.527.2583 xt 12 jay@blues.org
