| Blues, Jazz & Guitar NEWS |
News Flash: Buddy Blue, of San Diego, CA passes
away unexpectedly. Related story. Sept 1, 2006 - - - - - - >
Our condolences to his family.
away unexpectedly. Related story. Sept 1, 2006 - - - - - - >
Our condolences to his family.
We want to thank the Spa City Blues Society for letting Mike sit in with the Hump Night
Blues Band, as he had a really great time jamming with some solid musicians that know
how to play the blues. What a treat. Check them out att www.spaccityblues.com
Blues Band, as he had a really great time jamming with some solid musicians that know
how to play the blues. What a treat. Check them out att www.spaccityblues.com
Johnny Mannion is our featured Artist this month, along with Big Daddy
Rucker. Johnny has some neat stuff to share with us. You can update
what is happening, and the Canadian Gospel Blues Festival at:
Rucker. Johnny has some neat stuff to share with us. You can update
what is happening, and the Canadian Gospel Blues Festival at:
| Hot Springs Arkansas Blues Fest 2006 |
We made a trip 30 miles south for the 2006, Hot Springs Blues Fest. The
show was billed to start at 6:00 on Friday, September 1st, but was pushed
back to 7:00, which was okay by us. Arriving early we found close by parking.
The free outside fest was set across the street from the Historic Arlington Hotel,
where the "Rat Pack" used to hang out on vacation to fish for crappie in Lake
Hamilton. Al Capone has stayed in the Arlington, as folklore tells it. The night
was cooling down to 87 degrees. The Arkansas heat wave was dissipating, and
the cooler weather was a pleasant arrival for this 9th annual event. Coco
Montoya, headlines the main event on September 2, and the Jazz Festival is
next weekend on the 8th & 9th.. We easily found seats, and sat down as we
heard everything Jimi Hendrix ever recorded coming over the PA system for the
next hour before the show started. A little blues, even "Red House" could have
set us up better. But, they were just testing the system anyway.
The Shuffle Kings, with Danny Smith - Strat & Vocal, Steve Danger -
Drums, Rooster Meeks - Bass, and Greg Badteron - Blues Harp. (name
spelling may be goofy, but that is our fault trying to hear over Jimi Hendrix
music) Danny, is a fine Beale Street Bender, sings well and works superb
with Greg on sharing the stage and solos. Danny ripped a few, before Greg did
some really nice melodic minor blues on the groups original, "Birth Of The
Blues." Real heart felt chromatic work. The boys can shuffle, thus their
namesake. The key component is the tight, on time smooth bass of Rooster,
and quite the showman having more fun than any bass player I've ever seen.
Mr. Danger is the prime ingredient in the King's delivery of driving shuffles, and
master of the double shuffle so many drummers drag. Lots of ride, and limited
hit-hats making the band sizzle.. . .All seasoned blues players, they play the real
deal, and not mocked, jacked up rock blues. Great job fellows - good show.
show was billed to start at 6:00 on Friday, September 1st, but was pushed
back to 7:00, which was okay by us. Arriving early we found close by parking.
The free outside fest was set across the street from the Historic Arlington Hotel,
where the "Rat Pack" used to hang out on vacation to fish for crappie in Lake
Hamilton. Al Capone has stayed in the Arlington, as folklore tells it. The night
was cooling down to 87 degrees. The Arkansas heat wave was dissipating, and
the cooler weather was a pleasant arrival for this 9th annual event. Coco
Montoya, headlines the main event on September 2, and the Jazz Festival is
next weekend on the 8th & 9th.. We easily found seats, and sat down as we
heard everything Jimi Hendrix ever recorded coming over the PA system for the
next hour before the show started. A little blues, even "Red House" could have
set us up better. But, they were just testing the system anyway.
The Shuffle Kings, with Danny Smith - Strat & Vocal, Steve Danger -
Drums, Rooster Meeks - Bass, and Greg Badteron - Blues Harp. (name
spelling may be goofy, but that is our fault trying to hear over Jimi Hendrix
music) Danny, is a fine Beale Street Bender, sings well and works superb
with Greg on sharing the stage and solos. Danny ripped a few, before Greg did
some really nice melodic minor blues on the groups original, "Birth Of The
Blues." Real heart felt chromatic work. The boys can shuffle, thus their
namesake. The key component is the tight, on time smooth bass of Rooster,
and quite the showman having more fun than any bass player I've ever seen.
Mr. Danger is the prime ingredient in the King's delivery of driving shuffles, and
master of the double shuffle so many drummers drag. Lots of ride, and limited
hit-hats making the band sizzle.. . .All seasoned blues players, they play the real
deal, and not mocked, jacked up rock blues. Great job fellows - good show.
| Blues Fest 2006 |
The Shuffle Kings
We had our first visit to Acoustic Sounds Café, in the 2nd
Presbyterian Church at 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock,
AR. Diesel, a pleasingly sooth singer from Hawaii, opened with
her guitarist. Easy listening songs with neat stories. Nick
Charles from Melbourne, Australia was on next, and is hailed as a
blues guitar wizard from down under. Not my total cup of tea, as I
am strictly a Beale Street Twanger, but Nick entertained me with
his great ragtime numbers which reminded me of D'jango. Mr.
Charles can do "Hot Club" with the best of them. His blues was
nearer Appalachian style, and with fabulous finger and chording
technique the envy of any guitar student. Again I'm an old boogie
shuffle nut, but Nick Charles kept my attention just from his guitar
artistry, although too many ballads and Hawaiian love song things
for me. Our ladies in our party liked the smooth stuff though which
was way cool since Jo Ann & were on a date. When Nick does
want to boogie, he can stay ahead of the pack. Worth a serious
listen especially guitar students that are technique slanted. This
picker can Merle Travis and Atkins you into amazement with
lightening finger pick runs. Great job. For you Arkies out there,
check out the line up at this super venue. Oh, my Uncle Floyd
Squires built this amazing church back in the seventies. (My only
"Matter Of Fact" thing this issue.) This was a fun evening seeing
great talent on the other side of the tracks. I hear so much blues
and jazz, this was very refreshing for me. by mike dollins
Presbyterian Church at 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock,
AR. Diesel, a pleasingly sooth singer from Hawaii, opened with
her guitarist. Easy listening songs with neat stories. Nick
Charles from Melbourne, Australia was on next, and is hailed as a
blues guitar wizard from down under. Not my total cup of tea, as I
am strictly a Beale Street Twanger, but Nick entertained me with
his great ragtime numbers which reminded me of D'jango. Mr.
Charles can do "Hot Club" with the best of them. His blues was
nearer Appalachian style, and with fabulous finger and chording
technique the envy of any guitar student. Again I'm an old boogie
shuffle nut, but Nick Charles kept my attention just from his guitar
artistry, although too many ballads and Hawaiian love song things
for me. Our ladies in our party liked the smooth stuff though which
was way cool since Jo Ann & were on a date. When Nick does
want to boogie, he can stay ahead of the pack. Worth a serious
listen especially guitar students that are technique slanted. This
picker can Merle Travis and Atkins you into amazement with
lightening finger pick runs. Great job. For you Arkies out there,
check out the line up at this super venue. Oh, my Uncle Floyd
Squires built this amazing church back in the seventies. (My only
"Matter Of Fact" thing this issue.) This was a fun evening seeing
great talent on the other side of the tracks. I hear so much blues
and jazz, this was very refreshing for me. by mike dollins
- Acoustic Sounds Cafe @ www.acousticsoundscafe.org
- Nick Charles @ www.charlesguitar.com
- Diesel @ www.cdbaby.com/cd/diesel
We just got the news that the bass player, and
long time friend in The Big Daddy Blues Band,
passed away on March 21, 2005. This is his
San Diego, CA Crawford High School picture.
Rest in peace, and you are missed by us at
JAM Music.
Joel Partovich
Joel passed away in March from a heart attack while recovering
from a stroke. He'd been living with his dad and brother Robbie in
Oceanside since the stroke. The family was still grieving over the
loss of both Joel's mom and younger sister Tina, who I believe had
died only a few weeks apart. 1967 grads Joel, Joe Osuna and I
were in a band together through our high school years, first called
the Monarchs, and then (at the dawn of psychedelia) the Glass
Menagerie. Playing in the band was easily one of the high points of
our lives and, to some degree, Joel was the catalyst for ttat. He
loved to play music, and kept at it, off and on, for the rest of his life,
at least until he was partially incapacitated by the stroke. Though I
only saw him a couple of times in the last months before he died, in
those brief visits he was bearing his personal tragedies with
characteristic humor. We're going to miss him. Joel's funeral was on
Easter Sunday at the Home of Peace cemetery on Imperial.
Thanks,
Joe Nachison
You can hear Joel on bass, and Joe on keys, at JAM Radio this
month backing Big Daddy Rucker.
long time friend in The Big Daddy Blues Band,
passed away on March 21, 2005. This is his
San Diego, CA Crawford High School picture.
Rest in peace, and you are missed by us at
JAM Music.
Joel Partovich
Joel passed away in March from a heart attack while recovering
from a stroke. He'd been living with his dad and brother Robbie in
Oceanside since the stroke. The family was still grieving over the
loss of both Joel's mom and younger sister Tina, who I believe had
died only a few weeks apart. 1967 grads Joel, Joe Osuna and I
were in a band together through our high school years, first called
the Monarchs, and then (at the dawn of psychedelia) the Glass
Menagerie. Playing in the band was easily one of the high points of
our lives and, to some degree, Joel was the catalyst for ttat. He
loved to play music, and kept at it, off and on, for the rest of his life,
at least until he was partially incapacitated by the stroke. Though I
only saw him a couple of times in the last months before he died, in
those brief visits he was bearing his personal tragedies with
characteristic humor. We're going to miss him. Joel's funeral was on
Easter Sunday at the Home of Peace cemetery on Imperial.
Thanks,
Joe Nachison
You can hear Joel on bass, and Joe on keys, at JAM Radio this
month backing Big Daddy Rucker.
| Two best kept secrets by what we call "Sink-Tinkerer's" you know guys that tear gear apart and then customize to their liking. Here are two super sites for any tinkerer you may know. StuMac, for many hard to find guitar parts, and even kits to build them from scratch. Another mail order dealer with ton of speakers and speaker building inventory, even Tolex covering, grille cloth, corners, handles and the cheapest studio foam we've found to date. Don't dump money on foam for you stuido, without checking Parts Express first. |
As we like to do, here is a beginner blues knowledge item.
spinach to you. Most carpetbaggers need a few helpings before they acquire a taste for them. The taste is
extremely strong compared to mild spinach. Bring to boil, and then simmer to desired tenderness. Simmer
them in water with a ham hock, bacon or fat back for days if you want. Then serve as a side dish with a main
meal. Oh yes, be sure to douse them with Trapper’s Hot Pepper vinegar after serving them on your plate.
Now your talkin’ blues food. Best with fried chicken, catfish, ribs, and pork chops etc.
- Turnip Greens
spinach to you. Most carpetbaggers need a few helpings before they acquire a taste for them. The taste is
extremely strong compared to mild spinach. Bring to boil, and then simmer to desired tenderness. Simmer
them in water with a ham hock, bacon or fat back for days if you want. Then serve as a side dish with a main
meal. Oh yes, be sure to douse them with Trapper’s Hot Pepper vinegar after serving them on your plate.
Now your talkin’ blues food. Best with fried chicken, catfish, ribs, and pork chops etc.
We begin publishing "Strictly Nothing But The Blues" in 1989, with a limited readership. We also
contributed to Jazz Link magazine, and other blues jazz publications. In 2000, we went online with
Blues, Jazz & Guitar News. Relocating from California to Arkansas in 2005, we were off line for 18
months, and sent out a little newsletter to our readership. We went on line officially on August 28,
2006, and we are in the process of building our site to match what we mailed out, and had such
great feedback from working, gigging musicians. We have so much in our archives to work with,
and our ambition is to reprint many blues articles along with new stories we gather. Not a total
vanity fair to self promote, but a site dedicated to real musicians. No stage hogs allowed, all great
and small get a shot at Blues, Jazz & Guitar. Submissions welcomed, and MP3's for JAM Radio.
Not like web sites with two miles of links, we list links that are working musician friendly, and aren't
trying to squeeze a buck out of us all. 'nugh said, see ya' all. PS: Pass the word along, thanks,
and thank you from Mike "Whisker Fish" Dollins.
contributed to Jazz Link magazine, and other blues jazz publications. In 2000, we went online with
Blues, Jazz & Guitar News. Relocating from California to Arkansas in 2005, we were off line for 18
months, and sent out a little newsletter to our readership. We went on line officially on August 28,
2006, and we are in the process of building our site to match what we mailed out, and had such
great feedback from working, gigging musicians. We have so much in our archives to work with,
and our ambition is to reprint many blues articles along with new stories we gather. Not a total
vanity fair to self promote, but a site dedicated to real musicians. No stage hogs allowed, all great
and small get a shot at Blues, Jazz & Guitar. Submissions welcomed, and MP3's for JAM Radio.
Not like web sites with two miles of links, we list links that are working musician friendly, and aren't
trying to squeeze a buck out of us all. 'nugh said, see ya' all. PS: Pass the word along, thanks,
and thank you from Mike "Whisker Fish" Dollins.
- Stritly Nothing But The Blues
- JAM Publications
- JAM Music
- JAM Radio
- Bostonia Sound
- Bostonia Music
- Blues, Jazz & Guitar News
Acoustic Sounds Café
September 2006
| The Editor’s Words: Hey, we are back online finally after 18 months being lost on a lake in the woods of Central Arkansas. We were just a couple of hours drive down I-530, cross the river at Pine Bluff and hit Blues Highway 1 & 88, to Blues Highway 49 and you are in King Biscuit, Helena, Arkansas with historic KFFA Radio. For those of you that are used to our no paragraph blues, jazz & guitar rambling, well we are back at it. For newcomers, you’ll get used to it, as this is the way it is around here. We talk in what we call guitarezze, and if you don’t know a 250k pot from a 500k, then hang around as we try to enlighten even the early students of blues, jazz & guitar. We made it down to the Hot Springs Blues Fest on Sept 1, 2006 and not exactly a Long Beach of San Francisco Blues Fest, but the charm of it all made the trip worthwhile. We didn’t need a press pass, and could talk to musicians freely, without a stage manager, event security and a crowd of hang arounder's blocking us access to take shots, and jot down notes. Our buddy Ted, made it the next day, and had the same feeling we had. When Ted gets us the pictures this month, we’ll post them. Next week Hot Springs plays host to their annual Jazz Fest. What we see these days is a lot of blues and jazz pickers that are using Epi Dot Necks. I guess everyone is tired of getting their 2k Gibson Dots ripped off, and what the heck the new Deluxe Epi Dot is a real deal playing blues and jazz guitar. We grabbed a used one at GC for under 300 hundred, and less than that after some horse trading and dealing. New I believe MF lets entry Epi Dots go for around 300 and some change w/o a case. Everyone is hep to the guitar case scam; If not, that is where dealers make the money. If you notice, except for green tag sales, cases hold a high price. GC tried to sell me a SKB for the Dot Neck, at 125 dollars. You can get the Epi Hard Shell at MF for 79 dollars. You know all the advertised prices are without a case, and sometimes not even a gig bag. It is like a hardware store selling you drywall at their cost, but they make their money on the mud, tape, dw nails, corner beads etc. Same applies to guitars. In today’s competitive market, and all the lower than ever price, and same price guarantee, the money is made in the case. Back to the Epi Dot. They need to trim down the head stock like they did on the Epi Les Paul’s, as I never was one for the massive big D'Angelico/D’ Aquisto type of head stocks. When I play the Epi Dot, and get lost in some passage, I forget I am on a Korean made guitar, and looking down at the body, if feels like many of the collector Gibson Dots I’ve had over time. The pick-ups are a little muddy, typical Asian made’s, but amazingly the mud is reminiscent of old Gibsons out of old tweed amps. Remember, the treble freaks weren’t around in the forties and fifties when miles of early electric blues and jazz guitar was recorded. My first thought was to replace the neck pick-up with a Seth Lover I have in my guitar junk box, but as I played the mud felt like a real Arkansas River Black Mud sound, and I started getting into it. If I need shrill, I’d play my PRS or Strat, this Dot Neck is singing like Billie Holiday, and I’ll keep her as is. As you know, I have to personalize every guitar I get, so I added a cream knob to the switch, why Gibson puts black ones on beats me, and the changed out the ugly Asian made top hat knobs, with gold speed knobs. I am a speed knob nut, and I like the way they look anyway. Since we are online again, finally, this will be cut short this time. We’ll get more going as time goes buy. We had almost 3,000 hits in our first week, and that was before we sent the press out on our new site. We discovered that Larry Lowe at Cybro Radio was still playing some of our old CD’s, that Blizzard Records still had our CD’s for sale, Radio Cave had us listed with all the jazz and blues greats, and Chris Cain has us on his links page still. We have so much going on this month, we’ll have to work to get October out as we can already see the Halloween crap in Wally World, (Wal Mart), and we know Autumn is upon us soon. You all take care, and enjoy your visit to our music family, and we pledge to keep improving the site, and adding working, gigging musician items for you. God blues. |
| Founded in 1989 |
| Our Name History The Esquires - 1960 The Caravans - 1961 The Jades - 1963 Big Daddy Rucker Blues Band - 1969 Bostonia Music - 1975 Bostonia Sound - 1979 Bostonia Music Group - 1979 Cruizin - 1979 Mike's Music - 1980 The Music Store - 1984 Strictly Nothing But The Blues - 1988 JAM Publications - 1991 JAM Music - 1995 JAM Records - 1997 Cruize Brothers - 1999 Blues, Jazz & Guitar - 2000 JAM Radio - 2006 |
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