Monday, August 23, 2010

Matt Foster Bio

Hello again, It’s JP and it is my week for the blog. This week we will be spending time with the amazing Matt Foster! Matt was born September 5th, 1993 and hails from Minerva Ohio. His main instrument is the guitar and second instrument is the ukulele. As far as what brought him to Charleston, he informs me it was his parents! Matt has been diligently putting his guitar through its paces for a year now and learned the craft from our own Wyatt Garey. When asked what other instrument Matt would like to play other than guitar, he says “The drums, because I think it’d be cool to make new beats.” I concur, that is a great part of being a drummer among many other things!

Matt’s favorite blues genre is classic blues artist like Robert Johnson, however Jack White is Matt’s favorite musician, and Led Zeppelin is Matt’s favorite all time band ever!! “Cortez the killer” by Neil Young is Matt’s favorite song to play at any given blues jam and wishes he could play more Zep at the blues jams.
Matt’s most fulfilling musical experience in life is jamming with the band Leslie at the Terrace Theater, and his worst musical experience is his first blues jam. Yeah, the first one is the toughest I think.

Bands Matt has played in are “Were just friends” and “Directions for Use” and he is not currently in a band. Dan “the man” Wright is Matt’s favorite blues club aficionado extraordinaire, and Matt’s motivation for playing music is his “Extreme
love of it!!!” Passion is pivotal!!

Matt growing up was into heavy stuff like Black Sabbath and Ac/Dc but has mellowed with age. Yes I was a little metal head also up until about age 15. It never leaves you though does it Matt? They wouldn’t understand, but we have mercury for blood!! “Long live Rock and Roll, Long live Rock and Roll Yeah” Rainbow, “Long live Rock and Roll.” Thank the maker for Ronnie James Dio, that little Italian pip squeak bastard, with the vocal chords of Zeus!!! Wild Tangent complete! Moving along, moving along!!

Now a days, Matt is listening to the oldies but goodies, Zeppelin, Steve Miller band, ECT as well as the black keys and the Raconteurs.

Matt’s ethics are simply put but always effective, “Work hard and work some more.” IN the words of some crusty old white dude, “Hard work is the reward of . . . HARD WORK!!!”

And the cleanup is as follows: Favorite City: Honolulu Hawaii, Favorite Book: Good Omen, Favorite Eatery: Yamato, and Favorite Movie: Almost Famous.
“I dig Music!!!!” Matt Foster.

That wraps up another bio! Who do you want to know more about? Who haven’t you heard from that you would like to?! You are who we work to please and without the fans of the blues club, we wouldn’t’ be whole! We love you guys and are grateful for all of you. The jams wouldn’t be the same without you. Please let your opinion be heard, drop us a line at lowecontrybluesclub@gmail.com and let your thoughts be known.

It's been a great week for music -- last weeks Wednesday jam was awesome, as usual! Many thanks to all the musicians who played as well as all the killer dancing!! And Sunday after last we had the first round of the Lowcountry Blues Challenge, with four bands competing. Thanks to Tim Shaw for much organizing, and thanks to our judges: Johnny Mac, Steve Simon, and Jeff Bateman, for being there start to finish, and helping us to determine who should be in the finals. Thanks too to all who participated, and helped in any way...

The next round will be Sunday, Aug 29th from 2-6pm at Home Team BBQ/West Ashley. Some of the competitors are Jeff Liberty, Dan Wright, Hollywood and the Willies, and Jon Hager -- so this should be a really great afternoon of music for just a $5 donation. Don't miss it!!

The third round will be Sep 12th, and the finals are Sep 26 -- all the Blues Challenge events are at Home Team/West Ashley -- so mark your calendars accordingly. The winners of the Challenge will receive our club's nomination to go to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. Now for some more blues news with Shrimp City Slim!!

BLUES & BBQ CRUISES...Don't miss the boat!
Only a few bodacious "Blues & BBQ Sunset Harbor Cruises" left this year. Summer is running down (Christmas can't be too far behind!), so come on out and listen to live blues from SHRIMP CITY SLIM, eat some killer BBQ courtesy of Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ, and sail your blues away on "Carolina Belle", leaving every Thursday, 6:30 pm from the Charleston (SC) Maritime Center".
Tickets & info at www.charlestonharbortours.com or call 843 722 1112
Reasonably priced and one of the best things happening in Charleston.
The last cruises of this year are (all Thursdays):

August 26, September 2,16,30 and October 14,28.

Remember: This is a perfect party plan for your next "do"...one price gets you the venue, the food, the band, and cash bar. Ask the office folks when you call and book ahead for that wedding reception, anniversary, birthday, company party, you name it.

You will be very glad you did.

Also,

Momma and Redemption band featuring Poppa DuPree, JoJo, Lovely Lisa Coopersmith and Big Jim Mathews will once again "ROCK the Dock "at Bowen's Island in a reprise of their record breaking Spoleto performance. Momma has invited the phenomenal Susie Summers and Al Pugliese to join her and the band for one last summer fling on Sunday, September 5, 2010 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm. MiMi and the good folks at Bowen's Island will provide great food and cold beverages.
We eagerly anticipate a great party with our many friends. Hope to see you there!!!
Peace,
Poppa DuPree “James Wall”

That wraps up this week’s Blues news!! Thanks for your partnership with the Lowcountry Blues Club and we will see you at the jam this Wednesday!!! Have a great week and week end. See you Wednesday!!
Your buddy,
JP Jones Jr.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Lowcountry Blues Club News

Hi Blues Club Friends --

It's been a great week for music -- last night's Wednesday jam was awesome, as usual! Many thanks to all the musicians who played!! And Sunday we had the first round of the Lowcountry Blues Challenge, with four bands competing. Thanks to Tim Shaw for much organizing, and thanks to our judges: Johnny Mac, Steve Simon, and Jeff Bateman, for being there start to finish, and helping us to determine who should be in the finals. Thanks too to all who participated, and helped in any way...

The next round will be Sunday, Aug 29th from 2-6pm at Home Team BBQ/West Ashley. Some of the competitors are Jeff Liberty, Dan Wright, Hollywood and the Willies, and Jon Hager -- so this should be a really great afternoon of music for just a $5 donation. Don't miss it!!

The third round will be Sep 12th, and the finals are Sep 26 -- all the Blues Challenge events are at Home Team/West Ashley -- so mark your calendars accordingly. The winners of the Challenge will receive our club's nomination to go to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

Now, some weekend events for you: Shrimp City Slim plays on Friday night Aug 20, 6pm, at FreshFields on Kiawah. And Rob Lowe plays at Bambu. On Saturday night Aug 21 Josh Roberts and the Hinges, from Columbia, play at Home Team/Sullivans Island, 10:30, for just $5. Their newest cd is called My War Cry is Amor, and there are some great songs on it. They're not blues, but if you like some rock/Americana from time to time, check 'em out. On Sunday our friend Skye Paige and her band play their version of rockabilly blues at Home Team/West Ashley at 6pm, and that's always a fun time, only $5.

Of course we want you to come out for the next Wednesday Blues Club jam, on Wednesday night at Home Team/West Ashley, 8pm -- an unbelievable amount of fun, for no cover! We love to watch the Charleston Swing Dancers who come out in force, and they seem to love us too...

And mark your calendars for the United Way Battle of the Bands at the Music Farm on Thursday, Aug 26, starting 6pm, $10, with our own Highway 17 as one of the bands competing. They'd love to have lots of Blues Club fans come out to cheer them on!

Check out some of our recordings from the Wednesday jams at http://www.reverbnation.com/lowcountrybluesclub featuring artists such as Jon Hager, Wyatt Garey, Dan Wright, JoJo Wall, Tim Shaw and many other local players. The recordings are also on our facebook page under the My Band tab. And thank you to JP Jones for posting these.

Reminders: Join us on facebook and twitter.

Artists featured in August are 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.

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, August 19, 2010

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Friday, August 13, 2010

August 9-14

Hello Blues fans
Just because it's Friday the 13th don't let that stop you from coming out and seeing the Highway 17 Bluesband tonight at Smokey’s Place Sports Bar and Grill, 1213 Remount Rd, in N. Charleston. They are Charleston’s premier power blues sextet featuring Lowcountry Blues Club members Tim “The Big Guy” Shaw, Jack “The Man In The Black Hat” Downey, the one and only mighty Dr. Rev. Jerry “Triple Threat” Newman (aka “Mr. Personality”), and your favorite blues harp jammer, Gary “Dream Weaver” Wright! If you like your blues served smokin’ HOT like smoldering asphalt, join in the fun and enjoy an evening of music and entertainment. Full schedule, photos, streaming music, and band merchandise can be found at Highway 17 Blues Band . Check out band info on facebook, myspace, reverbnation, and twitter! Contact the band at highway17blues@yahoo.com . Other dates for Highway 17 are:

The first battle of the Lowcountry Blues Challenge will be Sunday, Aug 15 at Home Team BBQ/West Ashley, 2-6pm, featuring Jeff Norwood, Hwy 17 Blues Band, Starling, and more, for only a $5 donation -- be sure to come out if you can! We still need volunteers during the Challenge to help with memberships and working the door, so email us at lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com if you wanna help.

And FYI, Shrimp City Slim plays on Sat Aug 14, 10 pm: Sullivans Is, SC (Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ)

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.

And if you've been out to the jams and wondering how it sounds or perhaps have been hesitant to come out because of music quality then check out some of our recordings at http://www.reverbnation.com/lowcountrybluesclub featuring artists such as Wyatt Garey Dan Wright JoJo Wall Tim Shaw and many other local players

Also local rock trio and friends of the Lowcountry Blues Club Leslie have just released a new single from their new album and you can download it for FREE at http://lesliemusic.bandcamp.com/ and hurry now and get it while you can.

have a great weekend!
KMF

Friday, August 6, 2010

Blues Club musings and news

Hi, lowcountry blues club members. I don’t know if my brain has been fried by the torrid Charleston summer heat or if the crashing economy has crushed my sunny disposition but I have begun to ponder the big questions. What is the meaning of life? When will extraterrestrial blues musicians show up for the weekly jam? Will they play too loud? What really is blues music?

So, being the geek I am, I visited Wikipedia, which is clearly a blues authority. It says “Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre created primarily within the African-American communities in the Deep South of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads. The blues form ubiquitous in jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll is characterized by specific chord progressions—the twelve-bar blues chord progressions being the most common—and the blue notes, notes that for expressive purposes are sung or played flattened or gradually bent (minor 3rd to major 3rd) in relation to the pitch of the major scale.”

I think there is some wisdom in that pithy paragraph. Personally, I hear the blues in a very wide range of music. The music that I love connects people together through our shared pain - loneliness, disappointment, disillusionment, and bad TV. It’s that connection that brings me to the blues club.

But, I hear people say “that’s not blues” when certain songs come up at the weekly jams. When I starting playing the guitar, the blues meant the soulful music of B.B. King, Freddie King, and Muddy Waters. But to most of my peers, the blues came second-hand from Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and Peter Green. As I went out into the world I heard the blues scale and the blue notes come roaring out in reggae, funk, and the Latin flavored solos of Carlos Santana.

I met B.B. King a few years ago and spent some time talking with him backstage after a show. I actually asked him about all of this muddy water and he said simply “Blues is a language spoken with many accents.” This made sense to me. I have heard people speak English all over the world yet often I have had no idea what they were saying. I have been in Britain, Ireland, and parts of the United States where the English spoken by the natives might as well have been the language spoken by fish deep in the sea. I fathomed not a word.

So, let’s all open our minds, ears, and hearts to experience those bent blues notes that bring us together to express the pain of being human in a flawed world.

J.R.

Here's an event you may be interested in this weekend: This Saturday night, August 7, there's a cd release party at the Pour House for the Charleston Sound compilation cd #2, with several local bands performing, including our own jam-master Dan Wright and our friend Skye Paige -- should be lots of fun!

Also the first battle of the Lowcountry Blues Challenge will be Sunday, Aug 15 at Home Team BBQ/West Ashley, 2-6pm, featuring Jeff Norwood, Super Kush, Hwy 17 Blues Band, and Starling, $5 donation -- be sure to come out if you can!

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.