Blues News Online

Blues News Online Blues News Online
A publication of the Phoenix Blues Society

Volume 4, Number 3
February 16, 2005

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Blues Blast 2005

Blues Blast 2005, the blues event of the year in Arizona, is just a little more than a week away.

Tickets:

Specially priced tickets for PBS members and friends can be purchased directly from the Phoenix Blues Society for $15 each. You can pick them up at any PBS meeting or event, or through the mail by sending a check or money order, plus a self-addressed stamped envelope, to the Phoenix Blues Society at P.O. Box 36874, Phoenix, AZ 85067. Buy as many as you like --- they make great gifts for family & friends!

A VIP ticket, which includes a Blues Blast ticket, a Blues Blast t-shirt and other goodies, and admission to at least three Blues Week events, is available for $50.

Volunteers:

We have a few more slots for volunteers to help in the product booth, sell programs or raffle tickets, or collect admission tickets. Send e-mail to info@phoenixblues.org if you are able to help out on the day of the event.

What else can you do to help?:

Forward this e-mail to everyone on your e-mail list
Call your friends to ask them to join you at this really cool festival
Hand out or post flyers (pdf or jpg available for download)
Buy tickets for your friends and business associates
Come out to the Mesa Amphitheatre on February 27th and have a great time!

Around Town

Big Nick & The Gila Monsters will be at Char's Has the Blues on Friday, February 18th.

Poppy and the Usual Suspects are playing at Char's Has the Blues on Saturday, February 19th and Wednesday, February 23rd.

Desert Voodoo has a two-night gig at Pat Murphy's on Friday, February 18th and Saturday, February 19th.

Frank Ace is at Skipper's Lounge, in Glendale, on Friday, February 18th and Saturday, February 19th.

Tommy "Bluzman" Grills is appearing every Thursday at Pranksters 2, SW corner of Hayden & Thomas, Scottsdale, and every Saturday at the Pranksters 1, Broadway Rd. just east of Rural, Tempe. Shows at both locations start at 8:30 pm.

Down in Tucson, The Smoking Section Band is at Old Pueblo Grill at Foothills Mall - Ina/LaCholla, on Friday, February 18th from 7:00 until 10:30 pm.

Tucson's teen band sensation, The Night Owls, took second place in the recent Battle of the Bands sponsored by USA Today and the John Lennon Songwriting Bus Tour held in Tucson on February 6th. A total of 36 bands competed.

In Concert

Pinetop Perkins

This is a show not to be missed! Legendary blues piano player Pinetop Perkins heads an all-star lineup for a special night of Chicago blues at the Rhythm Room this Saturday, February 19th. Appearing with Pinetop will be former Muddy Waters band mates Calvin "Fuzz" Jones and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, plus Chicago guitarist Billy Flynn, Bob Corritore and Johnny Rapp. Admission price is $20. Smoking will be permitted only on the patio.

Musicians wanted

To be listed in this section, please send your requests to info@phoenixblues.org for listing in the next issue. Submissions will appear in two issues, after which they should be re-submitted if still applicable.

***

Bass guitar/string bass player with 10 years professional freelance experience in various styles, including blues and jazz, available for substitute or steady work. Contact Patrick at BassSpace@hotmail.com.

Experienced blues guitarist available for working band and fill-ins. Sings and works well with others. References available. Good chops. Call Guy during the day at 602-404-2222.

A keyboard player with 23 years of experience is relocating to the Phoenix area soon, and is looking for a band needing keys and a lead/backup singer. Contact Kevin at prosoloact@yahoo.com.

PBS Events

Michael Burks

Sunday, February 27th - Blues Blast 2005 (An annual PBS event for 13 consecutive years and the first outdoor blues festival of the calendar year. View more information about Blues Blast and the roster of internationally-known blues musicians who have appeared there through the Phoenix Blues Society website). Appearing at Blues Blast 2005 will be Bettye LaVette, Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Michael Burks, Hans Olson, Sistah Blue and Jim Glass Band.

Blues Week Activities

Friday, February 25

Mikel Lander, free in-store performance at Virgin Megastore, Arizona Mills Mall, Tempe, 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Smokin' Joe Kubek Band with Bnois King, appearing at the Rhythm Room, 9:30 pm.

Saturday, February 26

Festival Eve party with special guest Roy Gaines, at the Rhythm Room, 9:30 pm.

Sunday, February 27

Blues Blast Afterparty at the Rhythm Room, 8:00 pm hosted by Johnny Rawls.

Phoenix area blues clubs

Barcelona's
900 N. 54th St.
480-785-9004

Brass Rail
3738 E. Thomas

Char's Has the Blues
4631 N. 7th Ave.
602-230-0205

CK's
40th St. & Chandler Blvd.
480-706-5564

Craiger's Restaurant & Lounge
5400 N. 59th Ave.
Glendale
623 934-8071

Fat Cats
915 W. Grand Ave.
602-252-0988

Fifth Avenue Cafe
501 W. Thomas
(602) 274-0963

Pappadeux's Seafood Restaurant
11501 N. Black Canyon Highway
(602) 331-3434

Pat Murphy's
32nd St. & Thomas
602-522-0669

Philthy Phil's
2939 N. 16th St.
602-279-4339

Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Rd.
602-265-4842

Skipper's Lounge
6124 N. 43rd Avenue
Glendale

Sugar Daddy's
3102 N. Scottsdale Rd.
480-970-6556

Warsaw's Again
15220 N. Cave Creek
602-992-7476

PBS Membership Meeting

The location and date for the March meeting will be announced soon.

Blues Radio!

Those Lowdown Blues with host Bob Corritore
(preceded by Drew Verbis' Blues and Beyond at 5 pm and
followed by Portraits in Blue with Bob Porter at 11 pm).

Sunday nights, 6:00 - 11:00 pm
KJZZ 91.5 FM

Check the Phoenix Blues Society website for
membership information and products for sale.

Submit info for Blues News Online.