Friday Nov 9th at Gilrein's with my old friends the Gary Bernath Blues Band we had a great time, cake and everything!

The bad ass Gary Bernath blues boys!

The Anniversary cake that Mohan had made for me-
it has the poster I made for the party on it in icing!


Gary has been playing blues in the local New England area for as long as I can remember. He has been band mates with his old friend Peter Henderson (also with Bobby Watson Band, Fat Wall Jack, Little Ronnie & The Sloan Sharks), Ray Fisk and his current band for upwards of 10 years. That's because he is a great guy with a great attitude about this music he loves so much. That's Gary on harp. Ray in the background on bass. They look good, play good (and loud) and have a great time on stage. Gary writes some nice songs and loves the tunes of Little Walter, who doesn't?

We had a fine time that night at Gilrein's. It is so wonderful to see the club brought back to pristine condition. It has lost a little of that blues seediness that is so endearing, but it is a pleasure to go there, no smoking in the club and it is all clean and bright. Great club, and thanks to Mohan Prashad, a blues fan and Worcester businessman who took a chance on the blues for me and you! Get down there, free valet parking and everything. They even have a nice kitchen with some lovely things to please your palate!

Gilrein's has a nice crowd and a small but accomodating dance floor.

**********************

Parker Wheeler's Blues Party at the Grog, Newburyport, MA

We had a fun night at the Grog in Newburyport, MA the other night with Parker Wheeler's Blues Party and special guests Diane Blue and Amadee Castenelle (in the blue wig) with Mike Duke (Elvis Mask) and Wolf Ginandes, Steve Burke and Steve Bankuti. It was a start to finish blast!

There were lots of r&b, soul tunes,
some good old rock 'n' roll and some swinging blues
for the Halloween revelers.
The dance floor was full all night and a good time was had by all.

Reverend Parker belts out a spirited tune. Roll your mouse over the picture below.

We have some upcoming BLUES AUDIENCE PARTIES
to celebrate the 16th Anniversary (Birthday)
of the newsletter at:

Gilrein's, Worcester, MA on Friday Nov 9th with Gary Bernath Blues Band (and Anniversary cake) with the raffle and lots of prizes and subscriptions to give away to lucky rafflers.

The Love Dogs put on a great show at Gilrien's in Worcester, MA on October 19th. We did the raffle thing and everybody (just about) won something. But it was the music that was the focus of the night. There were lots of dancers and action all night long. Ed Sheer "Most Charasmatic Entertainer 2007" coaxed me up on the stage and I sang with the band. Believe me that is a powerful sound to have behind you!

This is one good looking, classy band!

With one very charismatic singer...

Ed receives his 2007 Readers Poll Award
"Most Charasmatic Entertainer 2007"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

...Past parties...

 

Professor Harp

Friday December 15th we had a fun party at DelVaudo's
with Professor Harp and his fine band.
"I had a ball doing the harmonica boogie and "Harlem Nocturne."  Harp told me. Owner Jim delVaudo called it an "awesome night!" It is a very small club and I know they noticed all sorts of subscribers and friends of The Blues Audience newsletter showed up to party with us and that made my night. Martha and Lee Goodwine and their 2 friends, 2 people who came with a new subscriber (who's name I can't remember, sorry), Mike Michaels, his friend Paul Montero from Worcester, and Paul Suihkonen, who was the trumpet player for a band that was very popular in my youth, called Widespread Depression Orchestra, a wonderful Big band with a vibe player named Johnny and his sister played bass, I saw them at the Village Barn in Brattleboro, VT WAY BACK. Paul M. took this picture of a bunch of us. Paul S. is in the back with his thumb in the air, next to him is Harp's bass player, front row, Martha and Lee Goodwine, Harp, Diana Shonk (that's me) and Mike Michaels, cover star of the Dec/Jan issue where ther is an article about his very successful Blues Jam at 3-G's Sportsbar in Worcester, MA.

The Dancers were making due with the small dance space:

Harp put on a great show.

Professor Harp's band is an authentic four piece, pared down, all blues band including Tom Williams on guitar, who played an interesting original that had the taste of New Orleans Zydeco swing to it called "Hellbilly Stomp".  Professor Harp had this to say about his long time guitar player: "Tom absolutely shone when we did Johnny Bassett's 'I'll Get Over You' (classic Detroit blues)." Tom is a great guitar player and can play all sorts of cool styles to compliment Harp's singing and harp playing, it is not easy to play behind a singer/harp player, it takes a certain touch and a lot of knowledge and feeling for blues.

The drummer smiles and swings along making the dancers happy.
It is hard to stay seated during a great blues performance, that's for sure!

Bruce ("Dr. Feelgood") Thomas on Bass and Jody Bregler on drums.

Martha Goodwinelong-time subscriber and good friend, helped me during the raffle, thank goodness because I forgot my reading glasses, yes, I am wearing glasses, but those don't work! With Martha's help we gave away 13 CDs and a subscription. A couple of people won 2 CDs! Mike's friend won 2 CDs and a subscription! No shortage of prizes at a BLUES AUDIENCE PARTY!

Photos by Paul Suihkonen- trumpet player with te Widespread Depression Orchestra.

We can arrange to hold one of our famous
"Blues Audience Parties"
for your blues band or blues club.

We do these parties to promote
our participating bands and clubs
and to widen the subscriber base of the newsletter.

Every party benefits all our bands or clubs
because we get the newsletter into the hands
of new and old Blues fans who like to go out.

The audience leaves with a schedule that they can refer to,
for the next weekend, as they look around for
more great live music to see, they have a convenient guide
to live blues in the 6 New England states.

These are exactly the people you want to reach.

They use The Blues Audience newsletter
as a reference for their entertainment planning.

It costs you very little (just dinner for 2 off the band menu).
AND your club gets lots of extra advertising
and promotion.

We sell a $2 a ticket raffle and give away
hundreds of dollars worth of CDs and other cool prizes.
(All we ask is for is dinner.)

We advertise this special night
two months in advance to give people a chance to plan ahead,
and to encourage our subscribers
to try out your club.

CHECK US OUT, SEE HOW IT'S DONE!

 

Jason James in Worcester, MA at JJ's HOUSE OF BLUES!

Jason James and The Bay State Houserockers hosted a T.B.A. Party at
JJ's House of Blues on Friday Oct. 13, 2006.