MIDWEST BLUES BEAT

MIDWEST BLUES BEAT

by Eric Steiner

BLUES ON BEALE

THE 2006 INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE

I’m pleased to report that Midwestern blues bands were well represented at the 2006 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. I want to recognize local blues societies that helped get artists to Beale Street, and celebrate an event that belongs on every blues fans’ calendar.

I encourage Midwest BEAT readers to not only join their local blues society, but join The Blues Foundation as well. The Blues Foundation is the hub of the world’s blues community with 140 affiliated societies worldwide. Signature events of the Blues Foundation include the IBC, the Blues Music Awards (formerly the W.C. Handy Awards), and the Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

The IBC is the world’s largest gathering of blues talent. Over four days, 115 bands play 16 clubs. I was fortunate to be a judge at Rum Boogie, where I worked with Steven Chapman and Jeffrey Dyson.

Chapman owns Chord on Blues in St. Charles and received a 2006 Keeping the Blues Alive Award in the Blues Club category. Dyson is active in the Blue Shoe Project, a Blues in the Schools effort in Texas. We evaluated eight bands in seven hours according to a scorecard that asked us to review each act for blues content, performance, and musicianship.

Blues societies are labors of love run by volunteers, but they play an important role in American blues. If there isn’t a blues society near you, start one. The Blues Foundation has a comprehensive manual, including instructions on how to form a Board of Directors, and to developing a membership base, at www.blues.org.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BLUES SOCIETY

I want to celebrate blues artists in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, and the fact they made it to Beale Street (thanks in part to the support of their society). While not every blues society in this area sent talent to the IBC this year, many Midwestern blues men and women made it to Memphis.

Guitarist Andrew Duncason and harp man Joe Asselin, “The Blues Boys from Illinois,” represented Peoria’s the River City Blues Society as a duo, while Sally Weisenburg And The Famous Sidemen celebrated their 13th year in music in the band challenge. Does the blues, as the old saying goes, “play in Peoria?” Absolutely!

Visit www.rivercityblues.org to check out the 2006 Winter Blues Fest on the 11th, featuring Ronnie Baker Brooks, Eden Brent (this year’s IBC winner in the solo/duo category), and 2006 IBC finalist The Mercury Brothers.

Crossroads Blues Society of Indiana sent Dave Morgan and Allen Stratyner to the solo/duo stage, and Governor Davis And The Blues Ambassadors in the group competition.

Central Iowa, Lizard Creek and Mississippi Blues Societies: Iowa Blues Hall of Fame member Joe Price made it to the finals in the solo/duo category, while The Mercury Brothers made it to the finals in the band challenge. For me, www.cibs.org is a gateway to the Iowa blues community.

REV. BILLY: Can I Get An Amen?

One of my favorite piano men is the Rev. Billy C. Wirtz. I left Rum Boogie during a break in the action and bumped into him on Beale. Like Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin and Doug MacLeod, I found out that writing is one of Billy’s sidelines.

When studying the scriptures of Howlin’ Wolf or singing about being smothered in love by “Roberta,” the Rev writes a travel column for the Charlotte Observer.

Billy, who’s very clear that his clerical qualifications are strictly mail order, leads his faithful at the House of Polyester Worship and Horizontal Throbbing Teenage Desire. He boogies through the Midwest this month at the Key Palace Theatre in Redkey, Indiana on the 18th. His new Blind Pig CD, Sermon From Bethlehem is a delight, capturing Billy live in Bethlehem, PA.

The IBC is an opportunity to meet many blues luminaries right on Beale. As I refilled my iced tea, I turned around to listen to harp genius Paul Oscher and Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin trading stories about Beale.

Later, I reconnected with Janiva Magness, who was eagerly awaiting her first shipment of her new Northern Blues CD, Do I Move You?

It was also a delight to see Michele Lundeen, a finalist in the Best Self-Produced CD category for Song Inside Me.

Lundeen received a 2006 Keeping the Blues Alive trophy as editor of the Blues Festival Guide, one of the most comprehensive resources for the blues fans and musicians alike.

Come Say… “HELLO”

I am happy to report that I will be flying in to Northwest Indiana to present the “Favorite Blues Artist” award to The Highway Band and a recognition award to The Steepwater Band, at the March 18th “Midwest BEAT Regional Music Awards” gala at 2nd Dimension Night Club.

Come join me at the free food buffet table and in hanging out with BEAT staffers like Tom Lounges, Freak, Corine Jurgerson, Hegewisch Lisa and Photo Editor Niva Bringas, plus a horde of great local talent being honored that night.

Until next month... when this humble blues scribe will focus my attention on Sopro Productions’ annual Easter Blues Revue on Tax Day... let’s play the blues!

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