BATTLE OF THE BLUES BANDS 2012

Another Harvest of the best of British Blues

Following the resounding success of this year’s UK-wide search for Britain’s best emerging Blues talent, the world-renowned Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, is launching, for the second year running, its ‘New Brunswick Battle of the Blues’. The competition is looking for unsigned bands and artists creating original, quality music and the winner will be showcased on a world stage at the Festival in September 2012.

New Brunswick Battle of the Blues will launch on 15 October. Heats for qualifying artists will be held in January in the North West (Newton Le Willows, Merseyside), the North East (Newcastle), the South West (Bristol), and South East (Billericay, Essex).

Hosted by the Province of New Brunswick, the competition is a fantastic opportunity for emerging or established British blues artists to raise their profile, play on a world stage – and experience the wonders of the Canadian maritime province that is New Brunswick!

Says Lisa Gagnon, who’s organising the competition in the UK for New Brunswick, “Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival is looking for new international talent to add to its line-up for 2012. There are exceptional blues musicians in the UK and this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Heat winners, plus one runner-up chosen by the public, will play at the final in London in March. We will then fly the overall winner out to Fredericton, New Brunswick, in September 2012 for their performance at the festival.”

24 Pesos were the overall winners of the 2011 New Brunswick Battle of the Blues and they have recently returned from their trip. Says Julian Burdock from the band; ‘We got the chance to play on 4 different occasions, once with Matt Anderson. We also did a live radio show for the CBC! The audience were so receptive and really loved what we did. We also did some fantastic things like whale watching and cycling in kilts, going out to clubs and drinking beer. Everyone was so welcoming, we can’t wait to go back. And since we’ve been home it’s been non-stop. The winners of 2012 have a wonderful – and career enhancing – experience ahead of them.”

‘New Brunswick Battle of the Blues’ invites bands or solo singer/songwriters to enter the first stage of the competition by visiting www.tourismnewbrunswick.co.uk. Here they will find all the information they need to enter. Artists will need to demonstrate the ability to produce new and original work, though some covers are permitted. To qualify, they will need to be unsigned at the time of the competition (including the final). Entries will be accepted from 15 October up until 15 December. The selection of acts for the heats will require the submission of details of an online video. Check the above web site.

New Brunswick is one of Canada’s 3 maritime provinces and is known as the ‘Jewel of Atlantic Canada’. The province is rich in history, culture and natural beauty and music is an integral part of its psyche. Visit www.tourismnewbrunswick.co.ukfor more information

The Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival is an annual music festival held in Fredericton, the capital of New Brunswick. It has an international following and features blues, jazz and world music, taking over the city for 5 days in September.

Details of heats:

· 13th January, True Blues Club, Newton Le Willows

· 18^th January, The Thunderbolt, Bristol

· 19th January, New Crawdaddy Blues Club, Billericay

· 27th January, Byker & St Peters Social Club, Newcastle

GIGS at the Star Inn, Bentworth

Hi, folks,

Check this one out...It's a bit unusual, but sounds like mucho funo.

Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith passes on

We are sad to report the passing of a true Blues legend, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith this morning in Chicago. Blues Blast Magazine had an interview with MrSmith in its May 26th issue. That issue can be read at:

http://thebluesblast.com/Archive/BluesBlasts/2011/BluesBlast5_26_11.htm

This sad news comes from our good friend Bob Corritore and Bob Kieser of Blues Blast, Bob Corritore has provided the following information:

With great sadness we report the unexpected passing of one the true greats of the blues. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Willie passed away this morning of a stroke. He was 75 and was musically active until the very end.

A brilliant drummer, harmonica player and vocalist, he represented the true essence of Chicago Blues, and was highly regarded by all as an undisputed master. He was an alumni of the Muddy Waters band and wore those stripes with honor. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith was born in Helena, Arkansas in 1936, and started playing harmonica at age 17, shortly after moving to Chicago. His harmonica first appeared on record in the 1950s gracing recordings by Arthur "Big Boy" Spires, and Bo Diddley (Willie played the harmonica on the Diddley classic "Diddy Wah Diddy").

At some point in the mid to late 1950s he started playing drums and in 1959 began his long association with Muddy Waters. Smith's drumming first appeared on record on Muddy Waters' 1960 album release of Sings Big Bill Broonzy. Smith had a real gift for drumming and his playing would help to define the later Muddy Waters Band sound.

Many of us remember the classic Muddy Waters lineup of Muddy, Willie, Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, and Calvin "Fuzz" Jones. In June of 1980 members of Muddy's band struck out on there own, and formed the Legendary Blues Band which eventually found Willie as the lead vocalist, showcasing his stellar, down-home vocals. Willie released his first solo album, Bag Full of Blues in 1995, which firmly established him as an artist in his own right. Willie would revive his first instrument in later years, and in 1996 he would release Way Back, which debuted his new direction, and showed him to be a solid harmonicist. His final recording, Joined At The Hip was a collaboration with the now deceased Pinetop Perkins, and it it earned the two a Grammy in the Traditional Blues category.

We have just touched upon a few of the many recordings of Willie "Big Eyes" Smith who's discography as both a frontman, and a sideman represents the highest of heights in the blues. Willie had a strong work ethic and was a consummate professional, and as a result he worked relentlessly. He won numerous BMAs (Blues Music Awards) as "Best Blues Drummer", and he always carried great bands with him. Of note is the wonderful management of Patricia Morgan, who helped guide the later part of Willie's amazing career, and the impressive booking of Blue Mountain Artists. Also thanks to Willie for bringing out the wonderful talent in his band with Jimmy Mayes, Bob Stroger, "Little" Frank Krakowski, and for his wonderful collaborations with other Muddy alums. Willie leaves his greatest legacy with his son Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, who has become one of the world's greatest blues drummers and carries on his father's sound and tradition.

Prayers for all of Willie's family, friends, fellow musicians, and fans as we say goodbye to one of the greatest blessings of the blues. We love you "Big Eyes". To visit Willie "Big Eyes" Smith's website click http://www.williebigeyessmith.com/ ."

2011 British Blues Awards: WINNERS

The winners of Awards in the 2011 British Blues Awards were announced on Sunday 11th September 2011 at the the Newark Blues Festival. Winners and runners up are below.  Sincere congratulations to all from Blues In The South. Similar thanks and congratulations go to the Nottingham Blues Society who organise and manage the whole thing.

The Blues In The South Male Vocalist:  – 1st Ian Siegal, 2nd Oli Brown, 3rd Marcus Bonfanti

Female Vocal – 1st Joanne Shaw Taylor, 2nd Sandi Thom, 3rd Connie Lush

Band – 1st Oli Brown Band, 2nd Ian Siegal Band, 3rd Matt Schofield Band

Guitar – 1st Matt Schofield, 2nd Robin Trower, 3rd Oli Brown

Harmonica – 1st Paul Jones, 2nd Giles King, 3rd Paul Lamb

Keyboard – 1st Jonny Henderson, 2nd Paddy Milner 3rd Bennett Holland

Bass – 1st Andy Graham, 2nd Fergie Fulton, 3rd Silas Maitland

Drums – 1st Wayne Proctor, 2nd Alan Taylor, 3rd Paul Hamilton

Instrument Other – 1st Son Henry, 2nd Patsy Gamble, 3rd Kyla Brox

Young Artist – 1st Chantel McGregor, 2nd Oli Brown, 3rd Ben Poole

Blues Festival – 1st Colne, 2nd Blues On The Farm, 3rd Maryport

Overseas Artist – 1st Joe Bonamassa, 2nd Walter Trout, 3rd Buddy Whittington

Album -
1st Heads I Win Tails You Lose - Oli Brown
2nd Merchants and Thieves - Sandi Thom
3rd Porchlight - Todd Sharpville

Kevin Thorpe Songwriter Award –
1st Same As It Never Was - Joanne Shaw Taylor
2nd Lousy Husband - Todd Sharpville
3rd Everything I Want – Ben Poole

RIP:David Honeyboy Edwards

It is with great sadness that I pass on the news that the great Bluesman Honey Boy Edwards has died. He was 96 years old. He died of congestive heart failure early Monday morning in his South Shore Chiicago apartment. 

Honey Boy Edwards was the last of the original Delta Bluesmen. He was a contemporary of Robert Johnson and was even there with Robert Johnson the night Johnson died.

Here is a link to a story of his passing in the Chicago Sun Times:

http://www.suntimes.com/7352665-417/chicago-blues-great-honeyboy-edwards-dies-at-96.html 

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the McCullough Funeral Home, 851 E. 75th St. There will be an open mike between 7 and 9 p.m. for remembrances from friends and fans. A friends-and-fans gathering will begin at 8 p.m. at Lee’s Unleaded Blues, 7401 S. Chicago Ave. 

Services will be private on Friday. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the National Blues Museum.

Re-formed Producers gigs

The Producers concert at the Electric Palace Theatre in Bridport has almost
sold out, 230 tickets have already been sold so if you haven't booked I'd do
it soon. The only other Dorset concert is on Sunday at Ferndown which the band are 
also getting lots of calls about - book that too!

This weeks info below:
...................................................................

THURS 18th AUG - Electric Palace Theatre, South St,
                                 Bridport, Dorset. DT6 3NY
          £12.50/£14.50                 01308 428354              Doors 7.30pm
Adv tickets can be bought at Bridport TIC             01308 424901      
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FRI 19th AUG - THE PRODUCERS, The Jook House, Railway Approach,
                                    Worthing, W.Sussex  BN11 1UR
Adv £12.00 from Box office             01903 203489       / 410276 or             07889 949850      
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SAT 20th AUG - THE PRODUCERS, ŒMusic in the Marquee¹
              Brasenose Arms, Cropredy, Oxon  OX17 1PW
                    Times + further info c/o             01295 750244      
................................................................

SUN 21st AUG - THE PRODUCERS, ŒBlues Night at the RBL¹
 Royal British Legion Club, Church Rd, Ferndown, Dorset.  BH22 9ET
 c/o             01202 631912              Adm £10.00    Members £7.50  Doors 8pm
                     Playing 8.30-11.00pm
...............................................................

Future Producers gigs are:
18th Sept - Darlington R'n'B Festival, DARLINGTON.
23rd Sept - Worthenbury Village Hall, Nr WREXHAM.             01948 770215      
1st Oct - Quicksilver Mail, YEOVIL, Somerset.             01935 424721      
13th Oct - The Tunnels, Temple Meads, BRISTOL.              0845 6050255      
28th Oct - David Hall Art Centre, SOUTH PETHERTON, Somerset
             (Rare acoustic concert) Box office             01460 240340      
19th Nov - The Greystones, SHEFFIELD.             0114 2665599      
25th Nov - Chapel Arts Centre, BATH.             01225 461700      
1st Dec - Bullfrog Blues, SOUTHSEA, Hants.             02392 877933      
7th Dec - The Railway Venue, WINCHESTER, Hants.             01962 867795      
New Years Eve - Square + Compass, Nr ILMINSTER, Somerset.             01823 480467      
25th Feb 2012 - SHAFTESBURY Arts Centre, Dorset.             01747 854321      
                (half acoustic / half electric sets)