~~~From the Prez~~~

JANUARY 28, 2010
MEMPHIS WRAP-UP

I've been involved with the IBCs at the Houston Regional level for four or five years and this was the first year I was able to go to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. It was a gift I gave to myself for taking on the responsibility of being the prez. What a ball we had and I can't begin to describe how much fun it was. Like Mardis Gras or New Year's Eve on Times Square, it's just something one has to experience to fully appreciate.

A slew of people from Houston and HBS were in attendance and we tried our best to rock the house at Club Chill where Sonny Boy Terry Band competed, and King's Palace, the venue for our solo-duo act Dupree. We were all floored when neither representative made it to the finals and one just has to shake their head and wonder, "Why not?" The mood throughout Beale street was somewhat more somber and hundreds of musicians retreated to "lick their wounds" for a few hours or more after the finalists were announced. And, dozens more were feeling the pain and surprise at the Orpheum Theatre when the winners were announced on a rainy Saturday night. But, as Sonny Boy Terry put it, it is a wonderful experience ... absolute pure joy!

I met many people associated with the Blues Foundation including Executive Director Jay Sieleman and his wife, Priscilla along with Joe Whitmer who navigated through an ocean of coordinated activities with style and grace. It was much fun working the "will call" table for the Foundation and I hope they will have me back next year. Well, they did invite me so, I'm gonna' take them up on it!

I need to thank our representatives who delivered stellar performances. The two sets by Stevie Dupree accompanied by Travis Stephenson brought tears to my eyes - really. Their harmonies were pitch perfect, the musicianship tight as it can get and the club was absolutely silent while they progressed through their performances. SBT band also did the very best we could ask of any musician and no doubt they will continue on with opportunities garnered in Memphis.

It's time to switch gears and I am looking forward to tackling the office ... getting our records and memorabilia in order with the assistance of an intern who will be working with HBS the next three months, courtesy of Dr. Joe Kotarba, Professor and Chair of Sociology at the University of Houston and, long-standing HBS member. Joe (along with Sonny Boy Terry and Travis Peoples) started the first Blues in the Schools Program for HBS funded by a Houston Arts Alliance grant way back in the early nineties.

And so blues music enthusiast friends, it is time to put this blues eblast to bed. I hope to see y'all out and about at any event that comes along. Check out the KPFT community weekly concert calendar for the most comprehensive listing which we republish on our website ... courtesy James Blueshound & Colleen Nagle. And, to all the KPFT blues programmers for their continued support, we are thankful.

One last thing, I was honored to attend a meeting of blues societies at the IBCs and met people from around the world who are doing fabulous festivals and various events promoting this genre of music but, I doubt that any could brag about the "Keeping The Blues Alive" awards received by our own. Jay Sieleman made it a point to recognize this success for Houston. The KBA for Pocket Full of Soul - A Harmonica Documentary was accepted by VP Lisa DelGrosso and Director Boyd Bluestein. It was heady stuff!

No doubt, we will be talking about our stroll down Beale Street 2010 for many moons to come.

Keeping the Blues Alive,
Linda Kirschbaum
The Prez




FROM THE PREZ - January 11, 2010

EVENTS

We were well-entertained yesterday at the Memphis or Bust Fundraiser at Dan Electros Guitar Bar. Both Dupree and the Sonny Boy Terry Band performed to a large audience of fans and supporters. Next week, we head to Memphis to cheer on our regional winners at the International Blues Challenge on Beale Street. In the meantime, please continue to support these great acts when you can.

The Sonny Boy Terry Band will be playing at the House of Blues Bronze Peacock Room tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 12th, in association with The Lonestar Jukebox and Troubador Tuesday (poster below). Show time is 5:00 to 8:00 and admission is FREE. They play again, on Thursday at Shakespears (a regular gig) and Friday, Jan. 15th at The Big Easy for the Goin' to Memphis send off party. www.sonnyboyterry.com Dupree will play at Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi, on Wed. Jan. 20th - the night before the IBC competition begins. They will also perform at the Blind Racoon Showcase in Memphis on Jan 22nd. Their next Houston performance is Jan 30th at Waldo's Coffeehouse at 1030 Heights Boulevard. www.thedeltaflyers.com

STUDY - T-99 SCHOLARSHIP FUND

It was exceptionally cold the night of the HBS Holiday Party-T-99 Scholarship Fundraiser. A huge thanks to everyone who ventured out into the elements to attend and support this HBS event. I wish to convey a special note of appreciation to Sherman Robertson and his band for rising to the occasion. Sherman was having some health issues a few days before the event and with the last minute permission of his physician, he was able to perform. Sherman said that he would not have missed it for anything in the world. What a class act! We will be working on producing the forms necessary to submit an application to HBS for a T-99 Scholarship.

STUDY - INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF BLUES SCHOOHOUSE PROGRAM

A group from HBS attended the premier of the Houston House of Blues Schoolhouse Program featuring our very own Tony Vega on guitar along with other talented musicians performing before an audience of fifth and six grade students. The polished version of the program will be presented this Spring and we will let everyone know the date and time as it becomes available to us. It is a program to be seen by adults and students as well who are interested in the history of blues and American roots music.

PRESERVATION - THE ARTERY SERIES

The board has made a decision to revise our thinking in regards to the Artery Series DVD production. Three individual performance VHS tapes were taken home by directors for viewing and discussion at the next meeting of the board on Jan 18th. We are of the opinion that a compilation DVD would be more interesting to viewers and less financially demanding to produce.

PUBLIC AWARENESS - LIGHTNIN HOPKINS HISTORICAL MARKER

The Lightnin' Hopkins Memorial Fund has almost received the monies required to erect the historical marker and plans are underway for the ceremony which is being organized by Mr. Eric Davis. We will pass along the pertinent information as it becomes available. HBS is proud to have donated $500 to that cause.

KBA

Vice-President Lisa DelGrosso will be at the Keeping The Blues Alive breakfast in Memphis next week and if needed, will accept the 2010 KBA award in Film, Television and Video on behalf of the film makers and our friends, Todd Slobin and Marc Lempert and their creation, Pocket Full of Soul - A Harmonica Documentary.

VALUE OF THE TRADITION

And finally, as a member, it is not too early for you to consider a position on the board of directors. Is it another responsibility? Well, yes. Is it time-consuming. Well, yes. Is it rewarding and fun? Well, yes, it certainly is! The Society survives only by the contribution of the volunteer-member who serves on the board and who, in most respects, does the majority of the work. I am honored to be the seventh president of the Houston Blues Society. And, is it by any coincidence that the first president of HBS, Mr. Sonny Boy Terry, will represent Houston at the International Blues Challenge next week?

We are a community of like-minded blues music enthusiasts who all have skills, experience and a little free time to share to ensure that the purpose, vision and visibility of the Society are maintained well into the years ahead. Please consider your ability to contribute and contact the nominations committee to convey your interest by emailing info@houstonbluessociety.org. Thanks. lk


Keeping The Blues Alive,
Linda Kirschbaum
The Prez