Saturday, July 31, 2010

recording of the jams on facebook

This is not a regular blog post. I just wanted to let everyone know I have been recording the jams for the past couple of weeks and if you want to download the recordings you can find them at the following link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lowcountry-Blues-Club/124403562362?v=app_2405167945&ref=ts

You can find the recordings by going to the Lowcountry Blues Club Facebook page and clicking on the "My Band" tab. That will take you to the recordings where you can listen to or download the songs. The club is not making a single penny by having the recordings either. It is just an added bonus to the members by tracking progress and recording great jams. The recordings are a tool to help you and it is included in you membership. We are trying this to see how it works, so please give us your feedback at lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com. Have a great weekend and thanks for your time!

Take it light,
JP Jones Jr.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Blues Club news

Hi All -

We had another great jam last night -- thank you to EVERYONE who came out to play or watch or dance!! Be sure you come out next Wednesday night to Home Team BBQ/West Ashley for more great music and fun...

This Friday night, July 30th, I recommend you come out to the Windjammer on the Isle of Palms to see our own John Hager, keyboard player, play a Tom Petty tribute show. The cover is only $8, and I can assure you that the show will be wonderful! I saw them do this at the Pour House just a few weeks ago, and it was awesome -- Sadler Vaden IS Tom Petty!

On Saturday night I recommend a show at Jimbo's Rock Lounge, 1662 Savannah Hwy in West Ashley, with Johnny Mac and the Booty Ranch, 8pm. Special guest will be our own Sarah Cole. You can pay $5 at the door, or get a free advance ticket at 52.5 Records downtown or Monster Music in West Ashley -- what a deal!

Monday night, check out the first in a series of Singer/Songwriter nights at the Pour House. Our friend Skye Paige is one of the eight musicians featured, as is Mac Leaphart, who plays with John Hager and others in the band Guilt Ridden Troubadour. Music on the deck starts around 5 or 6 (free) and the main stage is at 8pm (only $5!). Others featured are: Lindsay Holler, Danielle Howle, Graham Whorley, James Justin Burke, Gregory Scott, and Steven Hurst.

Upcoming excitement includes the Lowcountry Blues Challenge, battle of the bands. We have 4 spots open for the challenge on Aug 15 and Aug 29. Please contact Tim Shaw at thebigguyblues@gmail.com or (843)214-0555. We also need sponsors for the event. They get advertising on the poster and they get to place up a banner during the challenge. We will need volunteers during the Challenge to help with memberships and working the door.

Also, it is time to elect officers for the Lowcountry Blues Club.......Positions are President, Visa President, Secretary and Treasurer....Being a non profit C504 it is required to maintain our tax status. Our club continues to grow so if you have any one who is interested in getting involved as an officer or to serve on the board it would be helpful.

Reminders: Artists featured in August will be John Lee Hooker and Robert Cray. When you come to the jam, let our jam-master know if you want to play a song by one of the featured artists.

Join us on facebook and twitter.

Don't forget the Blues & BBQ Harbor Cruises in Charleston harbor run every Thursday July-August and then back to every OTHER Thursday all the way until October 28. This is a blast. Get more info and tickets at www.charlestonharbortours.com or phone 843 722 1112.

To get info in this blog, send all details of your event to lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com, and put "Attention blog-writers" as the subject heading, please.

LMW, July 29, 2010

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Blues news

Hi All -

For some fun this weekend, head over to Iacofano's in Mt P at 9pm to see our friends the Wyatt Garey band play on Friday night. Or head to the Pour House for Blues Night, featuring Mac Arnold and other great players, or to Home Team/Sullivans Island for Mississippi John Doude -- great choices all! On Saturday you might like to try the BBQ Bros at Home Team/SI if you like some rocking Americana/country.

Also plan to be at Home Team/West Ashley on August 15 and 29, for the first two rounds of the Lowcountry Blues Club Challenge, a battle of the bands with the winner receiving our nomination to go to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. More info on this coming soon. See Tim Shaw for more details.

This week's Featured Lowcountry Blues Club Artist: Sarah Cole

This week we're interviewing Miss Sarah Cole, who is an amazing guitarist and singer. Just 17 years old, she's been playing for about 5 years now. "When I was 11, my dad took me to see Kenny Wayne Shepherd", says Sarah. "It was my first concert, and I loved it. After that I started getting into blues, then my dad bought me a guitar. My dad started playing at the same time as me."

She had a few months of lessons, but is mostly self-taught. She has played in several bands: Tommy Thunderfoot and the Accelerators, Cole Train, and Sarah Cole and the Mojo Men. At the moment she's been playing around town with various combinations of musician/friends at a variety of venues.

Her favorite blues genres are Texas blues and blues-rock.
Favorite blues musician: Stevie Ray Vaughan
Favorite bands ever: Led Zeppelin and The Doors
Favorite song to play at the jam: Little by Little by Junior Wells
Would like to play at the jam: some Aretha Franklin songs
Favorite LBC jammer: John Hager
Musical influences: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Bonamassa, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Susan Tedeschi, Jimi Hendrix, Scott Holt, Buddy Guy...
Listening to now: Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, Allison Krauss, Robert Plant, Muddy Waters, Joss Stone, Janis Joplin, B.B. King, Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Dereck Trucks, Widespread Panic, and more...
Favorite city: Venice Beach, California
Favorite book: 1984
Favorite food: Japanese
Favorite movies: Oliver Stone's The Doors, Across the Universe, Dazed & Confused
Advice for others: "Practice, practice, practice. You can always learn new things. Stick to playing music that you can feel. Write as much as you can."
Most satisfying musical experience to date: "Probably when I got to play for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. I got to play with a lot of great players my age."

Sarah wants people to know that she's a very laid back person, and music is her only passion in life. She says she'll never stop playing. And those of us who come to the jams hope that she'll keep coming out to Home Team on Wednesdays, because we love to see her play and sing!

------------------------------------

Artists featured in July are Willie Dixon, Junior Kimbrough, and Buddy Guy. When you come to the jam, let our jam-master know if you want to play a song by one of the featured artists... August will feature John Lee Hooker and Robert Cray.

Reminders: Join us on facebook and twitter, and come out to the jams every Wednesday night at Home Team BBQ/West Ashley for a great time!

Don't forget the Blues & BBQ Harbor Cruises in Charleston harbor run every Thursday July-August and then back to every OTHER Thursday all the way until October 28. This is a blast. Get more info and tickets at www.charlestonharbortours.com or phone 843 722 1112.

To get info in this blog, send all details of your event to lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com, and put Attention blog-writers as the subject heading, please.

LMW, July 21, 2010

Friday, July 16, 2010

Grand Opening Celebration A Dough Re Mi this Saturday begining at 2pm

Hey Lowcountry Blues Club Friends

There is a lot going on this week but I wanted to send out a couple reminders for our members for this weekend. If you haven had time to read the Blog for this week take a little as JP did a great job!

On Saturday July 17 from 2pm until 6pm we are having an open jam to celebrate and toast our friends,Dave and Beth Clark on their new location:

A Dough Re Mi
The Shoppes At Brickyard
#100 - 2700 Hwy. 17N - Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
http://www.adoughremi.com/

The backline will be supplied so it's plug and play. The Dough is where we started so let's show our support!

July 18 is the deadline to have your applications in for the Blue Challenge this we. If you have not please email me at lowcountryblueschallenge@gmail.com or thebigguyblues@gmail.com that you wish to be in the shows.

We also need your help with dues, if you have not please renew your dues or spread the work about our club!

See all of you on Saturday!

The Big Guy

Monday, July 12, 2010

Give it up for. . . Jojo Wall!

Hello everyone! It’s JP Jones here and I am filling in for Lua this week. As promised, I will be doing another local bio of a Lowcountry Blues Club Jammer. This week it’s . . . the undeniable Jojo Wall!!

Jojo was born November 3, 1975 and is from Cross, Sc. He is a vocalist, harmonica, bass, and rhythm guitar player. The undeniable hand of fate brought Mr. Walls to Charleston and he has been hard at work on his many instruments for seventeen years to date. Jojo is a self taught musician that comes from a big ole musical family with deep blues pockets to boot! If Jojo could play any other instrument it would be the viola. His favorite blues sub genre is the Mississippi Delta blues and his other favorite music genres include but not limited to Celtic, Classical, Heavy Metal, and of course meditation music for the deep thought of life, like “Would I rather take part in a Star Wars Trek, or a Star Trek War??!!” Favorite blues musician would have to be Robert Johnson and all time favorite band is defiantly Pink Floyd. Jojo rather enjoys playing “Superstition” at the Wednesday night jams, and never gets to play “Born under a Bad Sign” in which case, he would love to! Any takers, “Born under a Bad Sign” for Jojo Walls? I am sure somebody will make this happen for sure.

Back to business, when Jojo was asked what his most satisfying musical experience in life has been he responded with the following tale: “I opened for Little Milton and Denise LaSalle at the Gaillard Auditorium. I made the mistake of using another bass player’s amp which of course malfunctioned in front of 5,000 people! I braced my leg against the input jack and by the grace of God, it worked! We proceeded to burn that f@#$#n place down! (Figuratively, as of late Jojo has kept his closet Pyromania hush, hush!)”

Jojo’s worst musical experience is when the G. D. input jack malfunctioned!!
The bands Jojo have played in are as follows: Easy Street Blues Band, Mamma and the Misfitz, Momma and the Redemption Band, Tommy Thunderfoot and the Accelerators, Drink Small, Jojo and the Voodoo Junkies.

JR Getches is Jojo’s favorite blues club jammer, no offense to any other players, he is just saying . . .

When I asked Jojo why he decided to play music, he gave the following response: “I’m not good at sports… But seriously! It was a divine flash of lightning when I was 16. I accidently hit a good note and my family thanked God I had musical talent. Then they put me to work!”

Growing up, Jojo listened to Freddie King, Albert Collins, and Santana. Now a days, he is listening to Tool, BB King, Metallica, Sleep, Big Bill Broonzy, Sun House, Tommy Emanuel, and Jerry Reed among many others.

Closing advice Jojo has for other players and people interested in learning to play music is this: “Stay in tune, Develop a sense of time, listen to advice, and be humble!” Well spoken!

Charleston is Jojo’s favorite city, and “Lasher” is his favorite book. Favorite local eatery is Teppanak Grill and his favorite movie is “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
That wraps up this week’s interview with the lovable Jojo Wall. What a great guy and if you enjoyed getting to know him, tell him so at the weekly jam! Let us know how we are doing with the Blog! Send your feedback to lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com. Thank you Jojo for your time and your involvement in the Lowcountry Blues club! See you at the Wednesday night jam at Home Team BBQ West Ashley at the highway 61 split.

Something very special has been happening at the Wednesday night jams. More people are coming to listen and take part in the festivities and for the last several jams; it has been standing room only so come early to grab a seat! Also, more and more musicians are coming out of the woodwork to take a stab at a three song set, sometimes with perfect strangers! Please keep in mind, that many people have never played together and what you experience at the jams is a collaborative sandbox of different musical mindsets and skill levels jumping into the moment and working very hard to play something entertaining and memorable. Musicians (except drummers) bring your own instruments. And bring money to pay your dues if you haven't yet joined for 2010 -- $10 for individuals, $25 for a family or band, $100 corporate, under 21 is free! This is the perfect musical laboratory to perfect your sound and impromptu performance ability!

Also, join us on face book if you haven't already done so: Low country Blues Club nonprofit). Many of our jam musicians are on face book too, so be sure to become a friend or fan of your favorites, and go see them when they play elsewhere during the week or on the weekend. We're on twitter, too.

Featured artists in July (because their birthdays are in July) are Willie Dixon, Junior Kimbrough, and Buddy Guy. When you come to the jam, let our jam-master know if you want to play a song by one of the featured artists...

If you've enjoyed the amazing dancing at the Home Team Wednesday jams, you might want to consider taking dance lessons from Aaron "Rat" Barse -- you can contact him at mcratsmith@gmail.com or at 607-651-3329. Thanks for the great dancing, Rat!!

Saturday July 17 - 2pm - 6pm there will be an Open Jam for A Dough Re Mi's Grand Opening.....A Dough Re Mi is located at The Shoppes At Brickyard #100 - 2700 Hwy. 17N - Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466. 843.881.6989. If you don’t know, A Do Re Mi hosted the Lowcountry Blues jam for years before they moved to their new location, so this jam is special as it will be a reunion of sorts. Come on out and support the people who have never failed to support the Lowcountry Blues Club and all the great jammers!! This should be a lot of fun as we will be playing outside and there will be events for the kids and everyone!

JJ CAILLIER & THE ZYDECO KNOCKOUTS roar back into the state today to do the opening honors, 5:30-8 pm at the tent stage on Main Street.
And blues into the weekend: CHARLIE SAYLES & THE BLUES DISCIPLES, MATTIE PHIFER BAND, DADDY MACK BLUES BAND, VERONIKA JACKSON, WARNER WILLIAMS & JAY SUMMEROUR, SHRIMP CITY SLIM, SC FOLK HERITAGE DUO, WANDA JOHNSON, many more.
Full info & schedule: www.greenwoodbluescruise.com
See you this weekend in Greenwood!
CAMDEN UPDATE!! CAMDEN UPDATE!! CAMDEN UPDATE!!
*********************************************
14th annual
CAROLINA DOWNHOME BLUES FESTIVAL
Thursday-Saturday, October 7-9
Camden, SC
Another great production...all small venues in downtown.
www.bluesbash.com/camden (to be updated with 2010 info)
It is our distinct pleasure to announce some of the headliners...
SUGAR BLUE - the world-travelled genius, "Miss You" by the Rolling Stones -
the original blues harp pyrotechnician
www.sugar-blue.com
LIL ED & THE BLUES IMPERIALS
Slide guitar wildman, nephew of legendary SC bluesman JB HUTTO
www.liledandthebluesimperials.com
BRYAN LEE & THE BLUES POWER BAND
Great and gritty Bourbon Street bluesman & his hot band
www.myspace.com/bryanleeandthebluespowerband
RJ SPANGLER BLUE 4, featuring BILL HEID
Ridiculously hip & groovy swinging keyboard-led blues quartet
www.eastlawnrecords.com
and an avalanche of acoustic blues, rockin' blues, from all across the genre...final line-up t.b.a. very soon.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW!
More updates soon. FYI the DRINK SMALL BLUES FESTIVAL in Bishopville, SC will be held January 28, 2011 (Drink's birthday) NOT November 19 as originally announced.
And also on the radar: 21st annual LOWCOUNTRY BLUES BASH,
February 4-13, 2011, 20+ venues, 50+ acts, Charleston, SC
www.bluesbash.com

We're starting to look forward to the second annual Low country Blues Club Challenge, a battle of the bands that ends with the winning band and solo/duo act receiving our club's invitation to represent us in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge, in February. Dan Wright represented our club last year, with Landon Moore on bass and Quentin Ravenel on drums -- and Sarah Cole represented us in the Youth Category, with Quentin on drums, Wyatt Garey on guitar, and Chris Cool on bass. Those of us who went to Memphis had a blast -- I recommend that you start saving your pennies now, and plan to go to Memphis for the weekend, whether you're in the winning band or not -- it's a party with great blues bands from all over the world! The challenge begins in August, at Home Team BBQ. More details on the competition are at the end of this email, including some date changes, for those who are interested.

To get info in this weekly email/blog: please submit all the details to Lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com by Monday of each week. Please put "Attention blog-writers" as the subject line. The blog is posted on either Tues, Weds, or Thursday, most weeks, depending on the blog-writer's schedule. If you'd like to be a blog-writer too, or just submit an article, let us know -- just email us at Lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com.

Info on the Low country Blues Club Challenge:

The Low country Blues Club’s local competitions for the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis have been set! It’s time for bands and solo/duo acts to make their plans to compete. One band and one solo/duo act will represent the Low country Blues Club in Memphis at the world’s largest gathering of blues musicians from February 2nd through February 5th, 2011.

The preliminary band competitions will be held on Sunday, August 15; Sunday, August 29, and Sunday Sept 12 at the award-winning Fiery Ron’s Hometeam BBQ, 1205 Ashley River Rd, Charleston SC 29406. Depending on the number of entries received, we may have to alter the preliminary dates.

Each competition will follow the rules of the Blues Foundation. Each set will be limited to 45 minutes, and each competitor will be allowed one 15-minute set change. Any South Carolina act may enter, however at least one member should be a Low country Blues Club member. Membership can be established at IBC entry, using the membership form. There is a non refundable $25 application fee due at the time your application is submitted for bands. There is a $15 application fee for solo/duo acts. You can obtain an application by emailing: lowcountryblueschallenge@gmail.com or call (843)214-0555. The application fee will be used to fund this event. A $5 cover will be charged at each event to aid in expenses. Any excess funds will be used to defray expenses of the winning solo/duo act and band to participate in the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Entry deadline is July 16, 2010. Please mail applications with the entry fee to:

Tim Shaw
LBCC
PO Box 40902
Charleston SC 29423

The Low country Blues Club’s Blues Challenge finals will be held on Sunday, September26 at Fiery Ron’s Home team BBQ, 1205 Ashley River Rd, Charleston SC 29407. Winners of the band contest and the solo/duo act will receive the Low country Blues Club’s nomination to the 2011 International Blues Challenge to be held in Memphis TN. Excess funds from the events will be placed with the Low country Blues Club funds for assistance for the winners in their trip to Memphis. Each winner may be required to perform at two fundraisers in 2010 and one fundraiser in 2011 at no charge. All fundraiser proceeds will help with expenses for Memphis. The LBC will help winners in fundraising, but cannot guarantee that all or any expenses for Memphis will be covered.

Judges will evaluate each act using the Blues Foundation scoring criteria (www.blues.org/ibc/scoring.php) and rules (www.blues.org/ibc/rules.php). Application is an initial statement of interest and not a binding agreement between applicant and LBC.

Make your plans to enter now! Applications and entry fees must be received no later than July 16, 2010.

Have a great weekend and we’ll see you at the Low country Blues Club Jam every Wednesday at Home Team BBQ West Ashley!!!

Take it light,
JP Jones Jr.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

July 7th-14

Hi Blues Club friends! We've been having some wonderful jams each and every Wednesday night at Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ in West Ashley -- and the jams keep getting better every week as our regular players get to know the newer players, everyone inspired by the amazing talent that gathers together! So don't forget to come out every Wednesday night, starting around 8pm. Musicians (except drummers) bring your own instruments. And bring money to pay your dues if you haven't yet joined for 2010 -- $10 for individuals, $25 for a family or band, $100 corporate, under 21 is free!

Also, join us on facebook if you haven't already done so: Lowcountry Blues Club (nonprofit). Many of our jam musicians are on facebook too, so be sure to become a friend or fan of your favorites, and go see them when they play elsewhere during the week or on the weekend. We're on twitter, too.

Featured artists in July will be Willie Dixon, Junior Kimbrough, and Buddy Guy. When you come to the jam, let our jam-master know if you want to play a song by one of the featured artists...

If you've enjoyed the amazing dancing at the Home Team Wednesday jams, you might want to consider taking dance lessons from Aaron "Rat" Barse -- you can contact him at mcratsmith@gmail.com or at 607-651-3329. Thanks for the great dancing, Rat!!

We're starting to look forward to the second annual Lowcountry Blues Club Challenge, a battle of the bands that ends with the winning band and solo/duo act receiving our club's invitation to represent us in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge, in February. Dan Wright represented our club last year, with Landon Moore on bass and Quentin Ravenel on drums -- and Sarah Cole represented us in the Youth Category, with Quentin on drums, Wyatt Garey on guitar, and Chris Cool on bass. Those of us who went to Memphis had a blast -- I recommend that you start saving your pennies now, and plan to go to Memphis for the weekend, whether you're in the winning band or not -- it's a party with great blues bands from all over the world! The challenge begins in August, at Home Team BBQ. More details on the competition are at the end of this email, including some date changes, for those who are interested.

To get info in this weekly email/blog: please submit all the details to Lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com by Monday of each week. Please put "Attention blog-writers" as the subject line. The blog is posted on either Tues, Weds, or Thursday, most weeks, depending on the blog-writer's schedule. If you'd like to be a blog-writer too, or just submit an article, let us know -- just email us at Lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com.

Info on the Lowcountry Blues Club Challenge:

The Lowcountry Blues Club’s local competitions for the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis have been set! It’s time for bands and solo/duo acts to make their plans to compete. One band and one solo/duo act will represent the Lowcountry Blues Club in Memphis at the world’s largest gathering of blues musicians from February 2nd through February 5th, 2011.

The preliminary band competitions will be held on Sunday, August 15; Sunday, August 29, and Sunday Sept 12 at the award-winning Firey Ron’s Hometeam BBQ, 1205 Ashley River Rd, Charleston SC 29406. Depending on the number of entries received, we may have to alter the preliminary dates.

Each competition will follow the rules of the Blues Foundation. Each set will be limited to 45 minutes, and each competitor will be allowed one 15-minute set change. Any South Carolina act may enter. However at least one member should be a Lowcountry Blues Club member. Membership can be established at IBC entry, using the membership form. There is a non refundable $25 application fee due at the time your application is submitted for bands. There is a $15 application fee for solo/duo acts. You can obtain an application by emailing: lowcountryblueschallenge@gmail.com or call (843)214-0555. The application fee will be used to fund this event. A $5 cover will be charged at each event to aid in expenses. Any excess funds will be used to defray expenses of the winning solo/duo act and band to participate in the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Entry deadline is July 16, 2010. Please mail appications with the entry fee to:

Tim Shaw
LBCC
PO Box 40902
Charleston SC 29423

The Lowcountry Blues Club’s Blues Challenge finals will be held on Sunday, September26 at Fiery Ron’s Hometeam BBQ, 1205 Ashley River Rd, Charleston SC 29407. Winners of the band contest and the solo/duo act will receive the Lowcountry Blues Club’s nomination to the 2011 International Blues Challenge to be held in Memphis TN. Excess funds from the events will be placed with the Lowcountry Blues Club funds for assistance for the winners in their trip to Memphis. Each winner may be required to perform at two fundraisers in 2010 and one fundraiser in 2011 at no charge. All fundraiser proceeds will help with expenses for Memphis. The LBC will help winners in fundraising, but cannot guarantee that all or any expenses for Memphis will be covered.

Judges will evaluate each act using the Blues Foundation scoring criteria (www.blues.org/ibc/scoring.php) and rules (www.blues.org/ibc/rules.php). Application is an initial statement of interest and not a binding agreement between applicant and LBC.

Make your plans to enter now! Applications and entry fees must be received no later than July 16, 2010.

Also don't forget that next Saturday July 17th jam at A Dough Re Mi's new location in the Brickyard subdivision of Mt. Pleasant. And finally Today is Mr. John Paul Jones Jr. Birthday so next time you see him, which may very well be at the jam tonight don't forget to wish him a happy birthday.

KMF

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Today, I happened across an Op-Ed piece on the New York Times website, NYTimes.com, written by Camille Paglia. Now, I have always found Ms. Paglia’s writing to be interesting even if I don’t agree with her conclusions. Her NY Times piece was about pharmaceutical companies in pursuit of a Viagra for women. Not a terribly controversial subject but I was struck by her reference to blues music.

“Black rhythm and blues, born in the Mississippi Delta, was the driving force behind the great hard rock bands of the ’60s, whose cover versions of blues songs were filled with electrifying sexual imagery. The Rolling Stones’ hypnotic recording of Willie Dixon’s “Little Red Rooster,” with its titillating phallic exhibitionism, throbs and shimmers with sultry heat.

But with the huge commercial success of rock, the blues receded as a direct influence on young musicians, who simply imitated the white guitar gods without exploring their roots. Step by step, rock lost its visceral rawness and seductive sensuality. Big-ticket rock, with its well-heeled middle-class audience, is now all superego and no id.”


We in the Lowcountry Blues Club can quickly dismiss her argument as we know that the young musicians we jam with have a great deal of respect for both the blues traditions and the players who created them. When I first came here from Los Angeles and heard Sarah Cole interpret Etta James I knew that the blues was alive and well in the lowcountry.

I am reminded of that message every Wednesday night at Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ in West Ashley as musicians of all ages celebrate that living thing called The Blues. These jams are a living laboratory of blues idioms as our regular players mix riffs with new players. At the end of the night, there are puddles of inspiration left by the amazed and the amazing.

Speaking if amazing, I am a fan of all forms of dance. So I have been so excited to see the the amazing dancing at the Home Team Wednesday jams. The Swing, Shag, and Lindy style dancing is so unique in the context of the blues music. The energy of the dancers adds so much to those jamming who see their musical ideas expressed physically.


If you haven’t paid your dues or become a member of the Lowcountry Blues Club, please bring your money -- $10 for individuals, $25 for a family or band, $100 corporate, under 21 is free!

For those of you on Facebook, find us there: Lowcountry Blues Club (nonprofit). Many of our jamming musicians are there, too. So reach out to our online community. We're on twitter, too.

I picked Buddy Guy as my featured artist born in July. George "Buddy" Guy was born on July 30, 1936 in Lettsworth, Louisiana. Buddy is known for his showmanship and is ranked thirtieth in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".

As a Chess Records session guitarist Buddy backed up Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Koko Taylor and others.

Let’s wish him a very happy birthday.

Lowcountry Blues Club Challenge
In a very short while, we will be in the midst of the second annual Lowcountry Blues Club Challenge. The Challenge is a battle of the bands with the winner receiving our club's invitation to represent us at the International Blues Challenge, in February in Memphis. Dan Wright represented our club last year and Sarah Cole represented us in the Youth Category.

The challenge begins in August, at Home Team BBQ. More details on the competition are at the end of this email, including some date changes, for those who are interested.

Tyler Boone and his group has been at Mantis Records making thier first, "full band" record. Some of these songs he’s been sitting on for about 2 years now. They recently picked up a new drummer and reworked their material. The resulting excitement propelled the to book studio time.

“These songs are really about what I've been through and just me expressing certain events in my life. With these songs going from blues, funk, to pop and even hard rock/punk, this record is really diverse and is able to express different emotions through out the music.”, Tyler told me.

“It's more mature and defiantly going from heavy "balls to the wall" kind of trio sound, to a heavy "filled up" sound, and it's just so very exciting.”

Tyler expects to be finished with the project and the final post-production in mid July.


To get info in this weekly email/blog: please submit all the details to Lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com by Monday of each week. Please put "Attention blog-writers" as the subject line. The blog is posted on either Tues, Weds, or Thursday, most weeks, depending on the blog-writer's schedule. If you'd like to be a blog-writer too, or just submit an article, let us know -- just email us at Lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com.

Info on the Lowcountry Blues Club Challenge:

The Lowcountry Blues Club’s local competitions for the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis have been set! It’s time for bands and solo/duo acts to make their plans to compete. One band and one solo/duo act will represent the Lowcountry Blues Club in Memphis at the world’s largest gathering of blues musicians from February 2nd through February 5th, 2011.

The preliminary band competitions will be held on Sunday, August 15; Sunday, August 29, and Sunday Sept 12 at the award-winning Firey Ron’s Hometeam BBQ, 1205 Ashley River Rd, Charleston SC 29406. Depending on the number of entries received, we may have to alter the preliminary dates.

Each competition will follow the rules of the Blues Foundation. Each set will be limited to 45 minutes, and each competitor will be allowed one 15-minute set change. Any South Carolina act may enter. However at least one member should be a Lowcountry Blues Club member. Membership can be established at IBC entry, using the membership form. There is a non refundable $25 application fee due at the time your application is submitted for bands. There is a $15 application fee for solo/duo acts. You can obtain an application by emailing: lowcountryblueschallenge@gmail.com or call (843)214-0555. The application fee will be used to fund this event. A $5 cover will be charged at each event to aid in expenses. Any excess funds will be used to defray expenses of the winning solo/duo act and band to participate in the 2011 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Entry deadline is July 16, 2010. Please mail appications with the entry fee to:

Tim Shaw
LBCC
PO Box 40902
Charleston SC 29423

The Lowcountry Blues Club’s Blues Challenge finals will be held on Sunday, September26 at Fiery Ron’s Hometeam BBQ, 1205 Ashley River Rd, Charleston SC 29407. Winners of the band contest and the solo/duo act will receive the Lowcountry Blues Club’s nomination to the 2011 International Blues Challenge to be held in Memphis TN. Excess funds from the events will be placed with the Lowcountry Blues Club funds for assistance for the winners in their trip to Memphis. Each winner may be required to perform at two fundraisers in 2010 and one fundraiser in 2011 at no charge. All fundraiser proceeds will help with expenses for Memphis. The LBC will help winners in fundraising, but cannot guarantee that all or any expenses for Memphis will be covered.

Judges will evaluate each act using the Blues Foundation scoring criteria (www.blues.org/ibc/scoring.php) and rules (www.blues.org/ibc/rules.php). Application is an initial statement of interest and not a binding agreement between applicant and LBC.

Make your plans to enter now! Applications and entry fees must be received no later than July 16, 2010.