| MIDWEST BLUES BEAT |  |
by Eric Steiner
HANGIN’ WITH HONEYBOY...Talk about a house party. This one featured David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Louisiana Red, Mitch Woods and his Rockin’ 88’s, David Binder, and bluesmen and blues women like Stickshift Annie and harpman James Middlefield. The show was held at Barbara Hammerman’s home, WurliTzer Manor, in Gig Harbor, Washington, and benefited the Blues Foundation. Honeyboy Edwards’ 45-minute set featured timeless versions of “Sweet Home Chicago” and “Catfish Blues.” I got goosebumps all up and down when I thanked him for his music. I told him that his music has touched my heart for more than 20 years, and he sat back and smiled. “I just play the blues,” he said. “You know, I went to Washington a while back and received an award. It was quite a time. Quite a time, I want to tell you. I got an award at the Smithsonian, and I am very lucky.” Honeyboy was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship in 2002 from the National Endowment for the Arts. He was recognized as “a monumental figure... and living link with the birth of the blues.” Shortly after he left the stage, Honeyboy looked over the crowd and we clinked our bottlenecks of Alaskan Amber Ale. His ear-to-ear grin was positively infectious. Over 150 of us sang “Happy Birthday” to celebrate Honeyboy’s 89th birthday as he blew out the candles in one strong blow. As Mitch Woods and His Rockin’ 88’s played some swing blues, I caught up with Honeyboy’s manager, mentor and friend, Michael Frank, CEO of Chicago’s Earwig Records. I learned how labels like Earwig keep the blue flames burning for artists that would otherwise not be brought to the marketplace, and I’d like to share some snippets of my conversation with one of the true heroes of Chicago blues, Michael Frank. MIDWEST BEAT: As a producer, you’ve helped introduce Honeyboy Edwards to generations of blues fans. What drew you to Honeyboy’s music? MICHAEL FRANK: “I’ve known Honeyboy since I was in college, before I started Earwig Records. I had a couple of his LPs, and I was a big blues fan in the 1960’s in Chicago. I wanted to hear him, piano player Sunnyland Slim and a few other Chicago blues players, and I've been very fortunate to help share Honeyboy's music touring all over the world for the past 30+ years. Honeyboy is a great example of what blues music is all about.” MIDWEST BEAT: Your record label, Earwig, has helped blues fans discover some first-class talent. Without your ear to the ground, it's unlikely that folks like many Earwig artists would attract much attention. M.F.: “I’ve been very, very fortunate. If I weren't so interested in the history or such a huge fan of the music, I wouldn't be doing what I’m doing now. I want to help tell the story of the blues through some incredible artists and I am in a very fortunate position. As far as Earwig as a label, it’s always been one record at a time.” MIDWEST BEAT: You’ve got a catalogue of first-class artists. I’m thinking of Big Jack Johnson, Jimmy Dawkins, Louis Myers… M.F.: “The thing about being in the blues in Chicago is that no mater how great the musicians are, there are many, many talented players, and many are under served and under represented in terms of recording and in terms of artist representation. For somebody like me who’s really into this music and these musicians, there are many opportunities to work with people like Louis Myers and Jimmy Dawkins. I do have to be honest with you, though. I was around for the artists on the label when they were in a down period, and that’s where relationships come in. I think it all starts with the relationship first and then being a huge fan. Without the relationship, I would not have been able to do the things I've done. That said, I think it all starts with relationships, they're pretty important. I think that's true all across the board with the non-musical side of the music business.” MIDWEST BEAT: I think we’re lucky, as blues fans, that you are a musician and a producer as well. I saw you blow some mean harp with Honeyboy and the other blues legends today. I wished today's set was recorded live. M.F. : “I’ve got to be honest. Right now is a tough time to be in the record business. In keeping with the reasons that I, (Alligator Records President) Bruce Iglauer and a lot of others got into this business, I’ve had the great, good fortune to meet Dennis Binder, who’s played here today. We’ve had such a great time these past few weeks, and even though I hadn’t planned to doing any new recording right now, I’m going to hurry up and get into the studio with him and do some recording, and when Louisiana Red’s back in Chicago, we’re going to do something with him, too. I’ve got a record ready with Liz Mandville Greeson, who’s a great writer and singer who plays around Chicagoland. This will be her third Earwig record and it’s called Back In Love Again. Johnny Drummer has so much music in him all the time that we'll get around to recording him at some point, too. Honeyboy is long overdue to do something.” As Michael’s web site says, when the blues bug bites, go to: www.earwigmusic.com To learn more about WurliTzer Manor, go to www.gigginthenarrows.com Andrea Gresham photographed the show, and for a glimpse this outstanding young photographer’s work, check out Kenny Wayne Shepard’s Blues Documentary online at: www.kwsbandonline.com She’s opening a new Delta blues experience – art gallery and tours – in New Orleans later this year, and I’ll check in with her before opening night at report back on this exciting new opportunity to experience the blues. Until next time...blues the blues!
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