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MIDWEST BLUES BEAT |
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THE YEAR OF THE BLUES |
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by Eric Steiner
Last year, Congress declared 2003 as the “Year of the Blues.”
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been mighty skeptical of
many things that Congress has done. Although I’m not originally from Missouri.
When it comes to politics, you just gotta show me.
This time, though, our elected leaders have hit a bi-partisan
home run. Where else could leaders on both sides of the aisle agree than
on a bill promoting the blues as -- “the most influential form of
American roots music, with its impact heard around the world in rock
‘n’ roll, jazz, rhythm and blues and even classical music?”
Illinois’ Senator Peter
Fitzgerald was one of six co-sponsors of the bill that established
2003 as the “Year
of Blues,” which was introduced in the Senate by Arkansas
Democrat Blanche Lincoln.
Senators Patty Murray and Maria
Cantwell, from my home state of Washington, were also co-sponsors,
in addition to Fred Thompson
(remember him in “The Hunt for
Red October?”) and Dr. Bill
Frist of Tennessee. Any way you slice it,
North or South of the Mason-Dixon Line, Republican or Democrat, 2003 is
going to be a great year for the blues.
Let me tell you why.
The “Year
of the Blues” will be celebrated by bringing together blues
events, multi-media projects, radio and film series, concerts,
festivals, and education initiatives. Spearheaded by
Robert Santelli, CEO and Director of Seattle-based Experience Music Project (EMP), and the Memphis-based Blues
Foundation, the “Year
of the Blues” aims to raise awareness of the blues, its unique
American stories, and its influence in America and around the world.
Last year, I had the good fortune to meet Pat Mitchell, the Executive Director of the Blues Foundation, and she told me that she was working on a touring
exhibit called “Sweet Home
Chicago” to bring the blues message home to America.
She’s been working with Experience Music Project, in the
shadows of Seattle’s Space Needle, to spread the blues word through
schools, colleges, and clubs across America.
For more information on this exciting opportunity to continue the
legacy of blues in America, go to: www.yearoftheblues.org
. This web
site is truly a blues treasure trove.
Players will enjoy the Fender
Players Club, sponsored by Fender Guitars, which includes .PDF and
MP3 lessons for blues guitar. The
“Riff Interactive” section
features a blues guitar lesson of the day, including classic 12-bar
blues.
If you haven’t checked my bio in the “Meet
The Beat” section of this publication’s wonderfullyrevamped web
site –– www.midwestbeat.com
–– I’ll let you in on a little secret.
Ever since I heard Elmore
James play “Dust My
Broom,” I’ve dreamed of playing it on guitar. Well, I’m
borrowing a Fender Strat from a buddy, and before the year’s end, I
hope to bend notes just like Elmore.
It’s the “Year of the Blues”
and I’ve got ‘em. MARCH
BLUES MADNESS
As I’ve said in these pages before, I always looked forward to
March, ‘cause Bert Weinman Ford
always advertised “March Madness” sales late nights on Chicagoland
TV featuring the late local media personality Linn
Burton. This was
TV-land, pre-cable. When the frost thaws, I always think back on how
Linn used to hawk cars on WFLD
(Channel 32) and WSNS (Channel
44). Those days are gone, but we’ve got some great blues to hawk here
in the Midwest.
If you’ve got a jones for the gritty Howlin’ Wolf style, check out Paul Reddick
& The Sidemen at Chord On Blues, out in St. Charles on the 7th
-- these bluesmen, hailing from Toronto, will definitely make it worth
the trip. That same night, guitar virtuosos
Eric Johnson and Tony Furtado
play Chicago’s House of Blues.
Last month, I saw Furtado open up for The Derek Trucks Band, and he smokes on electric guitar, six-string
acoustic, and banjo. That’s not a misprint: Tony brings the banjo into
the 21st roots-rock Americana century.
On the 8th, Shemekia
Copeland plays FitzGerald’s in Berwyn.
On Friday the 14th,
Governors State University hosts an evening that’s sure to be filled
with memories: Judy Collins
and David Crosby live. This
promises to be one of those “once in a lifetime” acoustic shows for
anyone interested in the ‘60s or ‘70s, and I’m confident that Judy
and David will give us their opinions on the current world situation.
Stray Cats founder Lee Rocker will play Martyr’s in Chicago on March 20th -- and I
you can bet he’ll play some cuts from his new 33rd Street Records CD, “Bulletproof,”
particularly his rousing version of the Buddy Holly hit “Midnight Shift.”
Looking ahead to April, I’m looking forward to seeing B.B
King when he brings Lucille
back to the Star Plaza Theatre on the 18th and 19th.
Don’t miss an opportunity to hear one of the true giants of
American blues, right here in your own backyard.
In the spirit of the “Year of the Blues,” let’s really get out and play the blues!!!
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