Interview with Marc Broussard: "Cajun Soul Singer"

“Chet, you ol’ dog!” exclaimed singer Marc Broussard over the telephone. With such down-home exuberance evident right off we could have been talking about Broussard’s favorite football team, the New Orleans Saints. “I’m fired up about coming back to Grand Rapids--I can’t lie,” continued Broussard. To hear this sincerity it’s easy to understand why he has remained as one of the top vocalists going. Broussard’s music ripples with powerful currents of R&B, gospel, and swamp pop. His soul-laden original songs have always been quality crafted and delivered with emotional depth. Not bad for starters. Marc Broussard hails from the tradition rich, potent soil of Louisiana; so far has lived up to the southern soul singer heritage part. But when it comes to musical tradition down there, he says he comes by it honestly courtesy of the nearby Cajun community up by his hometown of Carencro. “I would say that some of these local boys, like Belton Richard and the Cajun and zydeco musicians, were always fun to listen to,” said Broussard from a recent tour stop in Columbia MO. “I’m still being influenced by Cajun and zydeco music,” continued Broussard. “Roddie Romero is an excellent musician and a good friend of mine. I’m a huge fan of Roddie’s stuff, no doubt about it. He started out playing accordion but he has turned into, truly, one hell of a slide guitar player. We’re going to do some writing together for my next record.” Broussard also readily acknowledges the influence of noted songwriter and fellow Louisianan Bobby Charles of “See You Later Alligator” fame, which was later immortalized by Bill Haley & the Comets. “Bobby’s a great, great songwriter,” said Broussard. "He wrote some fantastic songs for Fats Domino (“Walking to New Orleans”) and Bob Dylan.” Broussard appears in Grand Rapids at the Intersection on Sept 19 in support of his newest release simply titled Marc Broussard (Atlantic). The effort was produced and co-written by Nashville’s Jamie Kenney, who also contributed piano parts to the project. “Jamie was hugely instrumental in bringing about these arrangements,” said Broussard. “As a co-writer it’s rare to have such a connection from the get-go. We got along as musicians and as people. He’s supremely talented and a joy to work with.” For all the pop sheen applied to the Broussard release, the song “Eye on the Prize” is the most representative of Broussard’s “bayou soul” origins. “Prize” starts out swampy, murky, with a slash of slide guitar as you might expect and just keeps going. “We’re doing that one on tour now but doing it a little differently than the record version—a little more dynamic,” said Broussard. “I think it’s one of the shining moments on the album. I wish we would have had more time with “Eye on the Prize” before calling it quits on the recording. The original version of that song is vastly different than what we recorded. It started out really smooth and pop sounding. Imagine taking a Steely Dan song and totally swamping it out,” said Broussard with a chuckle. The Marc Broussard band coming to town will feature noted Memphis Hammond B-3 player Al Gamble on keys. In addition to a busy touring schedule, Broussard is known for his philanthropic work with post-Katrina New Orleans. “There was obviously a huge outpouring of support from all over this country and all over the world which allowed New Orleans to reclaim itself from shortly after the storm,” said Broussard. “Out of that tragedy it brought about some sort of reformation in that city. Obviously the New Orleans Saints football team winning a Super Bowl championship after the storm was a big part. Drew Brees (Saints quarterback) and those guys have been huge motivational factors for people who were skeptical about moving to the city. It’s funny how a football team can give a shot in the arm to a city like that but they sure as hell did. The city, I think, still has all of its charm and all of its culture but it’s got a little more pep in its step these days. I’m excited about being there.”

Marc Broussard wsg Chic Gamine & Scars on 45 at the Intersection Sept 19. More information at Marc Broussard's web page.

TMGR interview with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos

Even for a seasoned musician Steve Berlin sounded enthused. He was talking about the current co-bill tour affair of Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys where so far the jamming opportunities have been plentiful. It seems that Berlin, Cesar Rosas, and David Hidalgo had been taking time out of their busy summer nights to jam a few tunes with Los Lonely Boys onstage. "We're doing the LLB songs "16 Monkeys," "Friday Night," and "Heaven," Berlin said from a tour stop in Colorado. You would think that jamming opportunities for working musicians must figure into the equation with some regularity. While not always the case you must still  trust the other band before you get back on stage. Fortunately for Berlin and Los Lonely Boys the bonds of trust were established on their 2008 Brotherhood tour together. Now Berlin and LLB's Garza boys--Jo Jo, Ringo, and Henry--make it an almost every night occasion to sit in with each others bands. "We really enjoy playing the Los Lonely Boy songs," said Berlin. "They're built for jamming--probably more so than our songs are for the most part. We know these guys so well by now that it just feels natural when they sit in and, I hope, vice versa."  The bonus for the fans of Los Lobos is that LLB joins them for their signature songs "Don't Worry Baby," "La Bamba," and a bluesy "Pride & Joy." Berlin notes that the current show-sharing arrangement is "really what a double bill should look like."  The kicker for career musician Berlin is that he's digging the view from the stage of the varying age difference in each audience. "It's quite gratifying to see the demographic range when we play," said Berlin. "It's a win-win for fans of both bands. I think we're expanding each others audience with these shows. I hope we continue to perform with them for a long time." Los Lobos comes to Grand Rapids'  Fredrick Meijer Gardens on Aug 11 in support of their most recent release Tin Can Trust (Shout! Factory), which was nominated for a Grammy in the Americana category earlier this year. As the tour winds down on August 12 Steve Berlin, though a tad wistful, sounded pretty sure of one thing. "I think we're going to miss them (Los Lonely Boys) when this tour ends."

Los Lobos and Los Lonely Boys at Fredrick Meijer Gardens on Aug 11 at 6:30pm.

More information at http://www.loslobos.org/

Coming Soon: Interview with Steve Berlin of Los Lobos

Steve Berlin talks about his main influence on saxophone and what it's like jamming with Los Lonely Boys on their current tour together. The Brotherhood 2011 tour makes a stop at Fredrick Meijer Gardens on Aug 11. All this and more coming up on Taste Makers Grand Rapids.

Interview with Oliver Wood: The Wood Brothers at the Intersection 5/30

Heartfelt is just one characteristic of traditional American roots songs. Songs written by Oliver Wood display this and other essential lyrical traits. From fertile blues roots territory Wood is able to incorporate his own contemporary touch with folk and jazz nuances just as he did  when writing songs for blues singer Shemekia Copeland. In producing Copeland's latest CD Never Going Back, Wood says he believes Copeland and her camp were looking for the Wood Brothers distinct songwriting vibe and perhaps a brief departure from her rocking blues background. "I think they hired me to have her sing some pretty stuff, some spooky songs, and atmospheric things. I guess you could say they're contemporary but more than that the songs are just different enough than your standard blues." Oliver is convinced of one thing: most audiences secretly long to see the human side of those in the spotlight. “A lot of music can be great where its appeal is that it’s real aggressive or rocking; or its real forward or great for a party,” Wood said from his home in Atlanta. “There are so many good things about those types of music. My thought is what people like, and what often as artists we forget, is that people want to hear you be vulnerable sometimes. I think people want you to expose yourself somewhat. That comes from how you perform, if you sing softly for instance, but it also has to do with subject matter--what are you singing about. There’s a lot more to sing about than relationships. But often times you can still be personal about a song and it doesn’t have to be about a relationship. It can be just about anything: politics, addiction, kids, and parents. And it takes guts to do that. People like to see you be vulnerable about in the same way that--though they don’t always realize it—they like it when you screw up. It’s the same reason people watch NASCAR to see a crash or watch a hockey game to see a fight. They're there to see people’s pain and what’s real about them. As performers a lot of time, when you’re up there performing putting on a show you’re not doing that necessarily.” Even though he got his start as a touring musician with electric blues guitar great Tinsley Ellis, Wood says the roots influences he learned first-hand from that experience serve him today. “What’s similar musically is that we’re all influenced by the same roots,” says Wood. "From Chicago blues to acoustic blues, to gospel and R & B, there are so many ways you can express those influences and everybody does it a little differently. Even now with when I’m doing my original music thing with my brother this is how we express those influences. It is quite different from the Tinsley days but not a stretch.” Root vegetables are the best thing for the body. Similarly quality roots music done the right way is nourishment for your soul. Oliver Wood, along with his brother Chris, seem to feel this more than most. Although billed as a two piece act, the Memorial Day 2011 tour by the Wood Brothers will feature an extra musical hand in drummer/vocalist Jano Rix. Rix was asked by Paul McCartney to play piano on McCartney's Driving Rain release and world tour. He has recorded with Marc Broussard, Liz Wright, Damian & Stephen Marley. The Wood Brothers come to Grand Rapids in support of their most recent collection of songs called Smoke Ring Halo. Wood is proud to announce they’ve recently signed with a fresh imprint out of the Atlanta area called Southern Ground Artists, a new start up by Zac Brown of the Zac Brown Band. “Brown is doing really well now in the country market. He loves all kinds of music and wanted to start a label so he could get some music that he likes out in front of people. We’re already touring with the new record that comes out on August 2. We’re lucky to have been picked up by him.”

The Wood Brothers featuring bassist Chris Wood (below left) of Medeski Martin & Wood tonight at the Intersection, doors at 6:30 pm.

Tad Robinson wsg Greg Nagy Band at Billy's 1/8

Guitarist/singer Greg Nagy

Try as he might, Greg Nagy could hardly conceal his excitement. Nagy was getting worked up about his gig at Billy’s Lounge this weekend when a new development unfolded. No wonder. It seems Nagy had just secured Hammond B-3 player Jim Alfredson as a special guest to join Nagy’s band when they open up for vibrant vocalist Tad Robinson on Saturday night. Even though Nagy and Alfredson have an affiliation that goes back to their time with the Root Doctor, Nagy knows opportunities like this don’t always come together so easily. “Jim is helping me produce my new record as we speak,” Nagy said.”We’re in the studio now. Even so there are a few tunes that Jim knows that we haven’t done out live yet. I don’t worry because Alfredson is really good about thinking on his feet as far as just following along,” Nagy said of performing newer songs that might not be complete as they’d like. If that doesn’t work, there’s this. “Jim will pull stuff out of the hat which is kind of exciting. And when in doubt he can just lay out (improvise musically) and it’s not the end of the world,” Nagy said. Having a player as accomplished as Alfredson coming off the bench before half-time, so to speak, affords Nagy a coveted chance “to build a (better) show.” According to Nagy this sort of show-building worked out well when Alfredson joined the Nagy trio of Jim Shaneberger (bass) and kazoo playing drummer Kevin DePree at the Old Town Blues Festival in Lansing last September. “I think we’ll do half of the show as a three piece,” said Nagy. “Then I might have them sit down and I’ll do a solo number, a finger style thing. Then call the trio back up and get Jimmy up there as a special guest. When we call up Jim it clearly changes the sound and the choice of material you can do. The whole pacing of the set is more dynamic when you have a special guest.” Nagy sounded equally wound up about the chance to sit and watch Tad Robinson and not just play in his accompanying band on Jan 8. With good reason: Robinson brings to town a piece of blues history in the fabled Delmark records rhythm section of Harlan Terson and Marty Binder. Between them, these two Chicagoans have experience with just about every important blues artist of the last 35 years. For bassist Terson it came from recording with Lonnie Brooks and Otis Rush among others. For drummer Binder it was playing the kit behind Albert Collins & the Icebreakers and fellow Delmark label-mate Ken Saydak. “They’ve got that Chicago thing going on because they’ve been a part of that scene for so many years now,” Nagy boasts. “Marty has that ultimate “fat-back” beat which you don’t find too often.” Longtime Grand Rapids music lovers may remember seeing Binder with Saydak at the former Rhythm Kitchen Cafe. Rounding out Robinson’s side of the band is the Indianapolis connection of Kevin Anker (Delbert McClinton, Darrell Nulisch) on keyboards and Paul Holdman on guitar. And what more could Nagy say about Tad? “He’s a singer’s singer and an excellent harmonica player," Nagy explains. "In my opinion Tad doesn’t get nearly the credit he deserves for the way he plays the harp.”


Tad Robinson wsg the Greg Nagy Band, Jan 8 at Billy’s Lounge.

Los Straitjackets wsg The Concussions at Billy's Lounge Jan 1

Photo courtesy of the Sears Portrait Center

Good bands don’t have to come across as meaningful to have meaning. You can be meaningful if your sole purpose is to entertain. This is one thing Eddie Angel of the instrumental guitar quartet Los Straitjackets is willing to reveal to your un-masked face. According to guitarist Angel, rock ‘n’roll lost the way of fun around 1965. “There’s a good term for what we do--it’s called vintage entertainment,” Angel said from his home in Nashville. “We’re fans of the way entertainment was until the mid-1960s. Then it changed from entertainment to everybody getting on stage and singing about themselves. It’s a real simple idea that’s been lost.” In pursuit of this seemingly lost basic mission since 1995, Los Straitjackets have recorded 16 albums (including a Christmas collection) of instrumental surfs-up sounds pummeled with root equivalent rockabilly and garage rock. Their vibrato-rich chewy twang was featured on an entire blues album by Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater called Rock ‘n’ Roll City. One of their non-instrumental albums is called Sing Along With…and features guest vocals from Big Sandy, Raul Malo, Nick Lowe, and Dave Alvin. But according to Angel not every singer who agreed to be on the recording could make it in. “We had Joey Ramone lined up but then he got sick,” Angel said. “Brian Wilson (Beach Boys) was going to do it but then he got wishy-washy; he’d go back and forth. Brian’s a funny guy.” “But we’re big Beach Boys fans, “Angel continued. “Brian writes great songs. Their harmonies are amazing. It’s like ear candy.” In their Mexican wrestling masks Los Straitjackets might look like the space invaders from the crop circle movie Signs but they’re much less scary to listen to. “There’s a certain sensibility that says rock-n-roll should be fun—mainly,” Angel said, noting there is one Grand Rapids band who shares this entertainment-first thought. “They’re really good musicians,” Angel said of The Concussions, whose members play alongside Angel in a garage band called the Neanderthals. “It’s not that common (anymore) but they want it to be fun for everybody. And Tommy Schichtel is a good bass player,” Angel said of the Closed-Head Injury Crew guitarist. Link Wray and The Ventures are the biggest influence on Los Straitjackets, Angel admits. Angel was even tapped to provide the Wray-like vibe on a recording by pre-Stray Cats rockabilly revivalist Robert Gordon. Angel and company look forward to a return visit to West Michigan. “I really like Grand Rapids,” Angel said. “I think it’s a pretty cool rock ‘n’ roll scene.”

Los Straitjackets wsg The Concussions at Billy's Lounge on Sat Jan 1. Doors 8:30, show 9:30.

Visit Los Straitjackets MySpace page

New Riders of the Purple Sage at the Livery Friday 12/17

There is a quote that reads “life is a journey not a destination.” The culmination of experiences along the way is what matters most. It’s unclear whether this famous line by Ralph Waldo Emerson applies to a life that actually begins with a journey. But that’s how it happened for renowned pedal steel guitarist Buddy Cage of the New Riders of the Purple Sage. His musical trip began with a journey and an infamous one at that. By 1970 Cage had hooked up with Canadian duo Ian & Sylvia just as their influential country-rock group Great Speckled Bird was taking off. Before he knew it Cage and Great Speckled Bird were immortalized in the film Festival Express, a documentary about a traveling music festival of the same name by train across Canada. Also on the train were the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Buddy Guy, and Delaney & Bonnie. During the shooting of the movie Jerry Garcia took a keen interest in the pedal steel guitar playing of Cage. Unbeknownst to Cage at the time Garcia was eyeballing him as a substitute for a new band Garcia was in called the New Riders of the Purple Sage. According to Cage, Garcia was becoming so busy that a sub made sense. “Garcia really tore into steel playing around 1969 and just went nuts with it,” Cage said. “He kept it up until NRPS put out a recording which is what they did in the day. Prior to that Jerry was just plunk-plunking around on the steel; he wasn’t that good at it. But during this time he was doing unbelievable shows playing acoustic guitar with (David) Nelson and a couple of the Riders but it was mostly Grateful Dead guys that formed an ad-hoc beginning set. Then they would switch to an electric New Riders country set and then they would switch over to the standard Grateful Dead two-sets which kept Jerry onstage for up to four and-a-half hours. Then that became too much even for Garcia. In the end NRPS were really getting good but Garcia wasn’t getting any better (on pedal steel). He was ready for someone to take the gig and I was the guy. Plus it was time for Garcia to go do serious work on Working Man’s Dead and American Beauty.”

The off-shoot band of the Grateful Dead then went on to tour extensively and record landmark albums like Oh, What a Mighty Time. In between all the craziness Cage was asked to record with Tommy James and the Shondells, fellow Canadian Anne Murray, and Bob Dylan. Something about Cage’s style of pedal steel playing attracted Dylan’s ear. Cage then recorded on perhaps Dylan’s most personal album Blood on the Tracks. "The stuff that I do is different than other people," Cage said. "That's what it's all about anyway--as an individual playing, right? On the Bob Dylan Blood on the Tracks stuff for instance, the cut "Meet Me in the Morning" defines a whole different way of steel playing. It was just something that I knew how to do. It wouldn't have fit with the Nashville sound of the day. They used asked me 'Why don't you move down to Nashville?' I would say ‘Why don't you kiss my ass?' Just so I can fit into some kind of mold or plug-in thing? I don't think so."

Even then those developments were a long way from when Cage starting playing music. In the early 60s he had to realize the only outlet for his instrument at that time was country music. Just prior Cage had been newly influenced by pedal steel master Ralph Mooney (Merle Haggard, Buck Owens). The only problem was Cage hated country music. “I never had a desire to be a country western player, " Cage said while he waited for sound check in Chicago. "When I was kid I thought it was cornball shit and hayseed. It just didn’t work for me. I ended up with country and western music until I found really good players and good bosses who taught me what was good country, and what was not. They gave me a great education into what was good bluegrass and stuff that was hard to listen to.” One of those good bosses ended up being early rock-n-roller Ronnie Hawkins, whose claim to fame about that time was having hired the band before they became The Band. Today the New Riders still perform and record. They have a new record out called Where I Come From. I asked Cage if he ever thought what’s left of the Dead and the New Riders would hook up for shows like they famously did. “Why yes,” Cage said. “We have a New Years gig in Pennsylvania with Bill Kreutzmann (Dead drummer) and Papa Mali in a group they call 7 Walkers.” So yes, from reluctant country and western pedal steel player to jam band NRPS and beyond, Cage and company are still around and doing fine.

The New Riders of the Purple Sage at the Livery, Benton Harbor, tonight 9 pm (doors 8). More info at:
The Livery website

Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, & Big Chief Monk Boudreaux at the Livery Sunday 11/14

Louisiana soul singer Tab Benoit is set to play the Livery (pictured) in Benton Harbor on Sunday. TMGR has learned that Benoit will be accompanied by guitarist Anders Osborne and New Orleans music legend Big Chief Monk Boudreaux on percussion. Benoit sings like Otis Redding and plays guitar reminiscent of Albert Collins. Imagine that if you will. Sweden-native Osborne has seen his songs recorded by country music star Tim McGraw. Osborne's songwriting collaborators have included Keb' Mo' ("A Better Man"on Slow Down). Boudreaux is a well-known "Big Chief" of the Mardi Gras Indian tribe, the Golden Eagles. He is a former member of the Wild Magnolias. The Wild Magnolias played the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1970. Like Benoit he records and tours as part of the Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars. Tab Benoit at the Livery continues their recent tradition of not to be missed shows.


For directions to the brewery and ticket information please visit The Livery website.

The Lustre Kings at Billy's Lounge Nov 3

The Lustre Kings are just coming off a busy summer. From this point on they're looking at a decent autumn booking season. Along with their club dates are special events like a wedding in Alabama, the Elvis Festival in Green Bay WI, and for the tenth year in a row the Hell's Angels Halloween Party at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Rochester NY. What is it about the Greenville NY-based Lustre Kings that makes them so irresistible? Is it because too few bands even try to pull off an Elvis number in the flesh? Try to pin down guitarist Mark Gamsjager (above) on what genre his band plays and he says this. "I'd like to think of it as American music. That's the way I label it. Rockabilly vein, sure. But it's not straight-up rockabilly or straight-up country. It's hillbilly rock-n-roll. We just try to play good music." Within that Gamsjager still considers himself a fan of the Stray Cats. "When the Stray Cats hit in 1980 it was like the freshest thing. There are these neo-hipsters who think they know everything about late 50s music and who like to bash the Stray Cats," Gamsjager said from his home near Albany. "I say keep it positive. Everybody's doing their own thing. There's enough room for it all. It's not really cool to say you like them. But I like 'em." Gamsjager started out playing bluegrass music then became a fan of Commander Cody. You may have seen The Lustre Kings at the former Gibson's restaurant on Lake Drive. If you were missing the steel guitar at the Big Sandy show recently, the Lustre Kings quartet has that covered. The band for their show Nov 3 at Billy's Lounge will feature a steel guitar player. "There are so many great bands I listen to like Jack Baymoore and the Bandits out of Germany. They're so authentic it's scary. I can't sound that way; I've got to sound like what we sound like," Gamsjager said. "I've never really tried to cop any one particular sound. I never said we're going to try to sound like Elvis or Jerry Lee. We play a lot and it sounds like the Lustre Kings. We try to make every song our own. By putting that on it, it works."

The Lustre Kings (MySpace) wsg the Midnight Cattle Callers at Billy's Lounge tonight at 9 pm. (MCC on first)

Deke Dickerson at Billy's Aug 17

Mottled are the rockabilly music fans at Deke Dickerson’s shows. In the house you’re bound to see tattooed swing dancers swirling alongside mascara-lined punk rockers standing next to assorted guitar nerds. No matter the lot, these are the demographics that seek out future guitar museum curator and rockabilly artist Dickerson.
“I’m sort of unique in the rockabilly scene that way. I tend to draw from all types of audience members. We get some of the psycho-billies, sure,” says Deke Dickerson.
“But we also see people from all walks of life: the college kids, the old people, and whatever else. We have a very diverse audience.”
“I’m always glad when I win them over and they become regular customers,” he adds.
Among his many talents Deke now writes feature articles for Vintage Guitar and the Fretboard Journal, plus a bi-monthly column for Guitar Player magazine. That’s not too out of step. Dickerson started college with an eye on a career in journalism.
“It’s kind of interesting, all these years later, that writing is what I wound up doing. I’ve been writing a lot lately and writing about things that I would have wanted to write about anyway if I had been a journalism major,” said Dickerson during nine-hour drive from Kansas City to Minneapolis.
“I’m not going to complain,” said Deke of the seemingly win-win situation he faces.
Roots music fans will have a win-win on their hands when Deke Dickerson and his four-piece Ecco-Fonics hit Grand Rapids on Aug 17. Deke’s current edition of the Ecco-Fonics band includes drummer Pete Curry of Los Straightjackets and Australian bassist Jon Flynn. Piano player Amy Hawkins of St Louis hooks up with the group just in time for their appearance at Billy’s Lounge.
“Amy is a great piano player. I saw her play when we were in St. Louis earlier this year and she sat in with my band. She plays with a jump blues band called Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers. I liked the way she played so I asked her to come on tour,” said Dickerson.
Here’s a bonus for those fans of surf music. Deke says with the inclusion of Curry they’re doing more from the surf catalog, songs they wouldn’t normally do. This bodes well for those folks already coming out to hear the belly-flop beach sting of GR’s The Concussions.
But Deke wouldn’t come all the way to town without a special surprise.
“Did you hear the news story about the guy who discovered he had diabetes after the dog ate his toe?” Deke asked me.
“I’m writing a song just for the evening in honor of Big Jerry called I Miss My Big Toe.”

Deke Dickerson & the Ecco-Fonics wsg The Concussions at Billy's Lounge Tues Aug 17 9:00pm 21+ $12

JJ Grey & MOFRO June 17 at Frederik Meijer Gardens

We caught up with soul singer/songwriter JJ Grey as he busied himself finalizing production for his new album due later this summer. He was in the middle of getting copies made of the original recordings and sending the disc to be pressed. Otherwise preparing to depart for Grand Rapids and a show with Buddy Guy at the Fredrick Meijer Gardens Amphitheater on June 17. This trip comes days after a short Canadian tour with George Thorogood. One of the first things to come up is the oil spill.

“We don’t have any shows coming up along the Gulf coast so that’s not an issue now,” Grey said of the worsening slick in the Gulf of Mexico.

“But it will affect me somehow that’s for sure. I don’t know how but it will,” Grey said.

One way Grey's livelihood might be affected is if no one wants to hit the Gulf Coast on vacation this year because they can’t go to the beaches. If bars and clubs are struggling keep the doors open they won’t need the extra entertainment expense. It seems the ongoing news of the spill’s magnitude hits Grey hard.

“I live by all kinds of lakes and streams. We’ve got fresh and salt water down here. I can get to the ocean and surf in about 35 minutes. I live in paradise,” Grey said ever the outdoorsman.

His song "Lochloosa" helps illustrate his place among nature in his home state:

Homesick but it's alright; Lochloosa is on my mind. She's on my mind.

I swear it's ten thousand degrees in the shade. Lord have mercy knows - how much I love it. Every mosquito, every rattlesnake; every cane break – everything. Every alligator, every black water swamp; every freshwater spring - everything

All we need is one more damn developer tearing her heart out. All we need is one more Mickey Mouse. Another golf course, another country club, another gated community. Lord I need her, Lord I need her, and she's slipping away…

JJ Grey the musician lives in Northern Florida about half-an-hour west of Jacksonville and another 25 minutes from the udder–like chunk of densely-wooded Georgia forest protruding into the panhandle. Also living near him with the mosquitos and rattlesnakes is a well-known grasshopper. Hear tell it’s a cool grasshopper; you know, as insects go. Kind of spunky, resilient, and familiar. But evidently there's been some talk among the townspeople. Leave it to Grey to worry that people might say he is comparing himself to the grasshopper somehow, of all things.

“This is not the case," he said of the gossip.

"I could only hope to be as cool as that grasshopper. The old timers down here call it the Georgia Warhorse. It’s got a folklore all its own.”

Founding players and writers wrote about things they saw everyday like trains. Other local sights and sounds inspired Southern writers were church bells ringing, steamboat horns bellowing, and shrill whistling. True to this storied writing form, Grey writes songs about elements of life in his neck of the woods.

“Things like the Georgia Warhorse are just part of my environment down here. I write about what I see,” Grey said.

But unlike the four-piece band that just toured with Thorogood, Grey plans on bringing a big Southern-style soul revue band to the Meijer Gardens complete with horn players and guitarist Daryl Hance. This way you'll get to experience the spirit of Stax records and songwriters like Tony Joe White. It’s not often he can get everyone together with so many schedules to deal with but it’s an opportunity he tries to enjoy every time.

“I encourage my players to go do their own things when they feel it necessary. We’re all adult men and try to deal with it as such. I appreciate these guys but I don’t want them to feel like they owe me anything,” Grey said.

His new CD on Chicago-based Alligator records, Georgia Warhorse, is due at stores and online August 24. A brand new song collaboration with Toots Hibbert (Toots & the Maytals), who contributed vocals, has Grey particularly excited.

"I had Toots up for the Blackwater Sol Revue. He will always be one of my heroes. I was excited to hear he'd participate in this project, so I sent him demos of me singing all the parts of the song. He sent it back and it sounded great in a way only Toots can," Grey beamed.

If you’re wondering if Georgia Warhorse will sound similar to its successful predecessor Orange Blossoms (Alligator), Grey offers this.

“I recorded it in the same studio as Blossoms with the same gear and some of the same musicians. All of my releases have featured different sets of players and this is no exception.”

Buddy Guy wsg JJ Grey & MOFRO at Meijer Gardens Thursday June 17 at 7 pm

(As of Tuesday 6pm only about 60 tickets remained)

Click here to hear more on JJ's MySpace page

Wanda Jackson at the Orbit Room 5/15

Rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson loves what she does. She counts her blessings for having made it this far in her decades-long career, and she gets a kick out of Betty White. She is a 2009 inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Early Influences category) and counts Elvis Presley as one of her former admirers.

Ask why music lovers who come out to her live shows still like to hear songs written 50 years ago, you’ll get this response.

“This music says America--rockabilly and ‘50s rock,” says Jackson on her way to a tour stop in Buffalo.

"I think songs like this will live on, really, forever because it's just classic and good stuff. Clean and innocent--for the most part. This music is so opposite from the stuff they're doing today. Not everybody likes what they're doing today. That's where we fill in a gap."

Jackson has been filling musical gaps all along, even forging her own way back in the ‘50s when it came to onstage fashion. She was one of the first to start wearing fringe dresses, high heels, and jangly earrings as part of her country singing act.

“I was the first to break barriers, whatever you want to call it. I had been wearing traditional cowboy attire. But I never did like because it was heavy and cumbersome. I didn’t look good in it. I’m only five foot one. It was just too heavy.”

“I told my mother who was always my seamstress that I wanted to come up with something that was showy but sexier, more glamorous. So we got our heads together, found this silk print, and decided that was the way we were going to go. I was the first one to get out of boots and hats,” says Jackson.

Her hour-long set with her band the Lustre Kings will showcase her influential singing style.

“I feel so lucky. I’ve always loved a variety of music. Even when I listen to it for pleasure I play a variety of styles. I feel fortunate that I could record it first of all, that my producer let me stretch and get outside the borders a little bit. This helped me in my career later on because now I have audiences in gospel, country, and rockabilly—I prefer to call it ‘50s rock.”

“Country and ‘50s rock are like kissing cousins. Anyone who likes one usually likes the other. It makes for a good varied show; I always get comments about the variety of material that I do. I even throw in a yodel to go with the gospel, country ballads, and Elvis songs,” says Jackson.

http://www.myspace.com/wandajacksonmusic

Wanda Jackson with The Lustre Kings, wsg The Rhythm Dogs (local) and DJ Del Villarreal (Ann Arbor), appear at the Orbit Room in Grand Rapids on May 15 at 7:30pm.

More info: http://www.orbitroom.com/

Claudia Schmidt at Wealthy Theatre April 22

The artistry of Claudia Schmidt goes like this: She's got a split-brain musical personality disorder--sort of. On paper, jazz and folk couldn't be further apart in most anything--audience included. However, over the course of a 35 year career Claudia has given the idea life and made it look easy. One might say her very own spot well-deserved; an 'X' on the musical stage of life. She practically invented a sub-genre of music--currently not classified by name--by infusing jazz and folk with highlights of spoken word and humor. Even with her unique talent and vision going for her, this duality is hard to grab hold of for some. Schmidt finds she must continue to carve out a space for herself.
“Those two forms--folk and jazz--as best as anything represent what I’ve been all along,” says Schmidt.
“I’ve always done a hodge-podge of different styles of music. My more easily described solo stuff tends to be more folk-ish and my band material more jazz-ish.”
The jazzy side of her sound will be the focus of her next show in Grand Rapids celebrating the release of her newest CD “Promising Sky” at the Wealthy Theatre on Thursday April 22.
Despite the boundary-straddling all is not on the downside for northern Michigan resident Schmidt. This twin approach has lead to musical appearances on the acclaimed “Prairie Home Companion” and spot in the movie “Gap-Toothed Woman.”
“Folk club owners are afraid to hire me sometimes for fear I’d sound too jazzy. Then you have jazz club owners who say ‘Oh. I didn’t know she was a folkie,’” says Schmidt from the middle of a two-week solo tour in the Pacific Northwest.
Add to that a perceived shrinking of an already-narrow mind set of some music listeners.
“It’s worse now than it has ever has been,” she says of people wanting to think of her in singular music categories
“People are less adventurous in terms of their musical palate.”
Leave it Claudia to come up with a handy answer for that.
“I’ve found I’m constantly there to rub salt in the wound of musical ignorance,” laughs Schmidt with her good-natured response.
“I’m here to say ‘Try this, it might not be as bad as you thought,’” noting that long term fans have always appreciated both sides.
“It’s still going to be me no matter what kind of music. It’s still my musical sensibilities. That is a constant,” says Schmidt.
“I’m only doing songs that I love to do. The art of performance for me is always about figuring out a fun sequence of songs. I never do the same set twice. That makes it fun for me. I always put together a set of songs that are special and particular for that night.”
Claudia Schmidt has stylishly out maneuvered musical margins—stealthy as she is—and that’s lucky for the rest of us.
On April 22 Schmidt will take the stage at the Wealthy with a quartet of jazz musicians from Traverse City plus local drummer Randy Marsh. Together onstage you get several decades worth of musical expertise.
“Promising Sky” contains several gems including the opening track, “Can’t Get Yourself Out of Love,” which reminds of Maura O’Connell courtesy of the languid pedal steel of Joe Wilson and enriching mandolin of Don Julin.
The bluesy side takes over on “Missy Ma’am,” a medium tempo propelled along by Marsh’s crisp drum work.
If putting together a long career weren’t enough, Schmidt must sometimes convince potential employers that while she might not be that much of a hot babe any longer, she remains the one who can deliver the goods.
“There are some club owners out there who when you call on them you get the impression they’re thinking, 'Oh, it’s you again. I thought you just went away…'”
At that point if Claudia has her druthers she’ll be right over with the salt shaker--no extra charge.

More info: http://www.claudiaschmidt.com/

Claudia Schmidt & her Funtet perform at the Wealthy Theatre on Thursday April 22 at 8:00pm. She also performs with the Funtet at Blissfest 2010 (Cross Village) July 9-11.

Bruce Katz at The Livery in Benton Harbor 4/18

The Bruce Katz Band plays a live show at The Livery in Benton Harbor on Sunday April 18 at 6:00pm. The band features Katz, on Hammond B-3, along Chris Vitarello on guitar and vocals; Ralph Rosen on drums and Rod Carey (Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters) on bass and vocals. Lately Katz has been part of the Greg Allman & Friends band. Here is a review of his 2004 release A Deeper Blue for 88.1 WYCE-FM.

The Bruce Katz Band: A Deeper Blue

Ross Bon of the Mighty Blue Kings poses this question: Is Ray Charles a first-rate blues singer or just a great jazz piano player? “You know what,” he says. “It’s both.” Bon ought to know; everyone just had to ask MBK if they were blues or jazz. Simply put, it was jazzy jump blues which couldn't help itself from smoldering in soul. A similar sentiment holds for this disc from Severn records--a solid blues label from the East Coast stabling Darrell Nulisch and Mike Morgan along with Bruce Katz. Katz is skillfully proficient on the piano as anything else: check out the honky-tonk duet “Stovepipe Boogie.” Most other times he builds on the soulful organ groove of the Hammond B-3. Many tracks on here are originals but one cover features guest guitarist Ronnie Earl (Katz was/is a member of The Broadcasters) on a vintage Earl Hooker piece, a cooker called "Blues in D Natural." A Deeper Blue offers shining and lively blues with jazzy low-down sensibilities. At his best Katz keeps the tempo moving just long enough for the sweaty lower-back, slow-drag blues to come around. All the players are solid. Enjoy now.

WYCE album review by Chet Eagleman, Jr.--July 2004

EXCLUSIVE: Smokin' Joe Kubek records live at Callahan's (Auburn Hills) w/ Jimmy Thackery 4/25

TMGR is reporting that blues guitarist Jimmy Thackery will join the set of Texas blues band Smokin' Joe Kubek with B'nois King for a live recording at Callahan's near Detroit. Thackery, with his band the Drivers, plays the club the night before. The Kubek band will feature Patrick Recob (Gary Primich, Lee McBee& the Confessors) on bass.

More info: http://www.atcallahans.com/

All-Michigan Not So Taxing Wine Event at the BOB in Grand Rapids, April 15

Although no fault of our own, April may forever be remembered as Dreaded Tax Deadline Month. Now for the good news: April has also been designated Michigan Wine Month by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Throughout the month Michigan’s regional wineries are getting operations cranked up and ready to roll for the busy summer season. The wine industry gets things started with a bang at the “All-Michigan Not So Taxing Wine Event” to be held at the BOB in downtown Grand Rapids on April 15 from 5:30 to 9:00pm.

Event organizer Bill Koski says the reason to hold such a gathering is simple.

“We’re here to promote Michigan wines and at the same time promote Michigan jobs. This industry has to be one of the few bright spots of growth in our economy,” says Koski.

According to the michiganwines.com website, the official website of Michigan’s wine industry, wines made here produce nearly $790 million in total economic value for the state. Wine makers in the state employ 5,000 people with a payroll of $190 million.

Koski reports that 31 wineries will be represented Thursday on the 3^rd floor of the BOB to display wares and talk shop. The $20 admission price includes opportunities to meet the winemaker, educational talks designed to inform about wine production in Michigan and, of course, chances to sample wines and food made from by wineries and bakeries from Traverse City to Fennville.

According to Koski, General Manager with the Gilmore Collection, large wine gatherings like this are rare.

“Normally--other than conventions--these large events are held up north at places like Shanty Creek. We’ve got a who’s who of winemakers coming down from Traverse City including Chateau Chantal and Larry Mawby. The southwest growing region is well represented by Fenn Valley, Round Barn, and Lemon Creek Farm Winery of Berrien Springs,” says Koski.

Koski noted that five Michigan food producers are signed up. They include Stone House Bread of Traverse City (now available locally at D&W), the famous Farm Country Cheese House in Lakeview--the heart of Amish Country--which collects milk from 80 Amish farms to produce Amish cheese. Also, what would the afternoon look like without a trout farm representative on hand. The Douglas Winery from Manistee will be there with organic cheeses and hard apple cider. Cider, Koski notes, is “the oldest drink in America.” Other vendors slated to appear are Vertical Paradise Farms with tomatoes and Ingraberg Farms of Rockford with greens from their garden.

Koski says that because of the increased interest from winemakers he hopes to make this event an annual stop on the wine calendar.

“This is by far the biggest all-Michigan tasting event to date. It’s not too often this many winemakers get together in this area let alone in the same room. It should be fun.”

More info: http://www.thebob.com/

An American Daughter at Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids

A Wendy Wasserstein drama set in Georgetown Washington D.C. is the next production of Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids.
An American Daughter features local veteran actor Ray Gautreau in the role of the father figure. Gautreau was seen most recently in the G.R. Civic Theater presentation of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest where he portrayed the character Randle Patrick McMurphy. TMGR has learned that Gautreau's role in Daughter features a steamy scene at a pivotal moment with a delightfully attractive blonde cast mate and one wonders what will unfold next. An American Daughter, directed by Jeralyn Pinsky, will be presented in the Spectrum Theater on the campus of Grand Rapids Community College. Show dates are April 15, 17, 18, and 22, 24, 25. More info at www.jtgr.org

Boo Boo Davis canceled; Zora Young to replace

According to Pete Bruinsma at WYCE, on Thursday Boo Boo Davis, scheduled for the Cabin Fever show at Billy's on Feb. 27, canceled due to band member illness. Singer Zora Young (left) named as replacement.

West Michigan Benefit for Haiti Relief at Intersection 1/28

On the heels of the pop music's mega-production telethon effort to raise money for the victims of Haiti's earthquake comes a similar heartfelt effort- grassroots this time around- when local musicians gather in the front room of the Intersection in Grand Rapids on Januaray 28 to raise money for the Red Cross effort in Haiti. The Donald Kinsey Band along with Jimmie Stagger (presumably solo) and other local musicians including Griff and Jon's Afterhours Experience - featuring Ray White (former guitarist with Frank Zappa) with Griff from the Verve Pipe (Botfly, Daddy Longlegs). Bluesman Stagger has answered the call for musical assistance once again and lends his time as he has done throughout his career for the positive work of groups like God's Kitchen, Hospice of Grand Rapids, and Crib Full of Blues among many others. If you've never seen Jimmie alone with just a National steel guitar then you've never seen his real forte in action. $20 VIP includes food at 5, music at 6; from 7-11 only $10.
Please see www.sectionlive.com for more details.

TMGR Exclusive: The Fabulous Thunderbirds at The Livery (Benton Harbor MI) in August

The Fabulous Thunderbirds are set to play the 4th anniversary celebration of The Livery Brewery in Benton Harbor. TMGR has learned that the group, led by phenomenal harp player and soul singer Kim Wilson (pictured), will be appearing the weekend of August 15 for two shows (tentatively Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th). TMGR will confirm the dates soon.