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UPDATE: The
Arkansas River
Blues Society will celebrate their annual Christmas Open
Blues Jam on Friday, December 16, 2011, at the
Cornerstone Pub & Grill,
located at 314 Main Street in North Little Rock. Festivities start
at 8 pm and the cover is only $5 per person! Unseen Eye will be the
house band with Gil Franklin and Lucious Spiller as a special guest.
Hope to see you there!!!
October 2011: A short time ago, through a chance meeting, I became
acquainted with Aaron Crowder, Chairman of the Arkansas
River Blues
Society's 2011 Arkansas Blues Contest, which
was held last Saturday night (October 29, 2011) at the Parrot Beach
Cafe on Mac Arthur Drive in North Little Rock.
The event had yet to happen when Aaron and I met, and
at his invitation I took up the position of 'official timekeeper'
for the performances.
What a hoot!!!
The program started at 7pm. The club reminded me of
the haunts (no Halloween joke intended) I'd haunted in my (much)
younger days: countrified, casual and convivial. Everyone smiling
and relaxed. There were even a couple young kids in the place, and
everyone was making each other feel very much at home.
I was given my 'official timekeeper' training by the
lovely
Babs
Bearden, President of the Arkansas River Blues Society. We reviewed
the rules and I set myself up on a barstool, with a good
view of the stage and the 'official clock', ready to enter the
'start' and 'stop' time of each performance on the 'official
timekeeper form'.
Josh Stoffer was first to the stage with his
impressive mastery of classical guitar, mandolin and lap steel
accompanied by a kick drum and tambourine at his feet, resonating
with folk-rock-blues.
Chris Thomson, a standard in clubs and festivals in Little Rock,
Fayetteville, Eureka Springs, Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Tulsa and
Memphis since 1980, often appearing as "Blind Boy White," has a
vibrant musical swagger all his own and shares it with gusto and
professionalism.
Bluesboy Jag and Johnny Baxter made me think of 'the hippie and the
cowboy' even though this duo act combines guitar, keyboard, vocals
and harp with extraordinary finesse.
Ben "Swamp Donkey" Brenner is an acclaimed finger-style Delta
Blues Master whose original songs express
the heart and and come from the soul of the low side of the road.
Lucious Spiller radiates style and showmanship as his
blues guitar lays down the slow, gritty and
grinding tunes accentuated by his flamboyant
vocals.
David Kimbrough Jr. leads the band in Mississippi guitar
rhythms that define the spiritual vibe with
sensual and suggestive flair, continuing in his father's tradition
of repetition, salty licks, and funky soul.
Deb Moser of KABF's Blues House Party emceed the
affair, which had only a $5 cover and played to a nearly-packed
house.
The winners, Spiller in solo/duo category and
Kimbrough in bands, will represent the Arkansas
River Blues Society in Memphis,
Tennessee January 31st through February 4th, 2012 at The
Blues Foundation's International
Blues Challenge.
Sounds like a hoot! Maybe I'll apply as
timekeeper...!!!
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Josh Stoffer
Chris Thomson
Bluesboy Jag and Johnny Baxter
Ben Brenner
Lucious Spiller
David Kimbrough Jr. Band
Deb Moser of KABF's Blues House Party & Blues Competition Chair
Aaron Crowder, drawing tickets to give away CDs!!!
A strumming good time was had by all....
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