Toughest girl alive – The turbulent times of Candye Kane - ticket information

Thank you for your interest in The Toughest Girl Alive stage play at the Diversionary Theater in San Diego on January 29, 30, 31 and Feb 1 at 8 pm.The Diversionary Theater is located at 4545 Park Blvd in San Diego, 92116.Tickets are NOT available thru the Diversionary Theater website and the Toughest Girl Alive is not part of their announced season. Tickets for the Toughest Girl Alive are ONLY available thru the information provided below so please read to the end.

The Toughest Girl Alive is a workshop of a musica,l based on the life of Candye Kane, Singer/Songwriter/Activist/Diva. The no-holds-barred evening was arranged by acclaimed San Diego director/choreographer Javier Velasco and features San Diego actors Amy Bidel and Daren Scott helping Candye take us on her sometimes shocking, sometimes joyous, always colorful journey. The show also features 23 of Candye’s songs, performed by Candye and her entire band, including the inimitable Sue Palmer tickling the ivories. So although the show is technically a “workshop”, you will certainly get more than your money’s worth of entertainment.

Due to the workshop nature of the show, we will be trying out different material during the run to gauge audience reaction. To that end, while all performances will feature the same script, the Saturday and Sunday shows will feature more adult imagery. This is, after all, the honest accounting of a life lived through hardship. If you are considering bringing an older teenager to the show, perhaps you may chose to attend on Thursday or Friday.

The show DOES deal with adult themes, while illuminating the triumph of the positive human spirit. At times dark, at times poignant, the toughest girl alive winds its way thru the curves and pitfalls that paved the way for Candye Kane to become the survivor she is. This is, in the end, a very FEEL GOOD show.

While entry may be purchased at the door for $15 (cash only) on the night of the performances, we would prefer that our attendees reserve their seats ahead of the performance by using Paypal. By using Paypal, you will not only be assured a seat in the intimate venue, but you will allow us to serve you better on that date, as box office services are limited. Due to the fee that Paypal charges, rather than $15, your ticket will cost $16.50. If you have not used Paypal before, it is a well-established, secure method for purchasing goods and services online. If you cannot use paypal, you may purchase tickets at the door on any of the four nights of the show. You can visit Paypal at www.paypal.com The paypal account user name is thetoughestgirlalive@yahoo.com.You will receive an additional Paypal e-mail shortly.

It is EXTREMELY important that in the Notes/Comments area you state the date of the performance you wish to attend. Print out your receipt and bring it with you the night of your requested performance. You will not receive tickets in the mail. Your name will be placed on a list to be admitted at the door.

Important! There is also a typo on our postcards. Performances will take place on Jan 29 (Thursday) thru Feb 1 (Sunday). There is NO performance on Jan 28 (Wednesday.) Thank you very much and enjoy the show!

Javier Velasco and Candye Kane

What: The Toughest Girl Alive – the Turbulent Times of Candye Kane stageplay workshop of a work in progress.
Where: The Diversionary Theater/ 4545 Park Blvd in San Diego, 92116
When: Jan 29 – Feb 1.Time: 8:00 pm
Tickets: $16.50 at www.paypal.com
The paypal account is thetoughestgirlalive@yahoo.com.

Hello everyone and happy summer!!

Our tour is going great here in the Netherlands. www.unitedbymusic.nl for photos. Sue Palmer left us Sunday and my son Tommy is here now to take her place on piano (tough shoes to fill!) and play some trombone for us, for the remaining two weeks. Yesterday we played in a big barn in Rotterdam at a petting zoo. It was an incredible place to have a concert amidst the hay and the goats. There was actually a peacock in the haystack with us and she just sat there the whole time during our rowdy and raucous set. She seemed a bit upset about my big feathery hat and she kept fluffing up her feathers, trying to look bigger. It was cute.

The United by Music artists are getting better and more confident each performance and that is really exciting to witness. I couldnt have done this tour without the help of my friend, UK blues artist Dani Wilde. I have had to cancel a few of my performances because of my health and Dani has been right there to emcee for me and perform her own amazing songs. The entire band is just awesome and everybody is doing their very best for our kids. Robbie Smith arranged all of the horns for me. Johnny Ferreira goes above and beyond the call of duty daily, playing his sax to the kids on stage and playing with them offstage too. He has such a big and friendly personality. The singers all love him. Billy Watson is another great friend and stage artist willing to do whatever it takes it get the job done. He sings a duet with J.A. Grace of "Hit the Road Jack" and sometimes he even lays right down on the ground during the song. His wild antics crack us all up. Harm Van Sleen has really helped the whole time, rehearsing with the UBM artists and he speaks dutch so its great having him there to communicate if things get confusing. The rhythm section features Paul Loranger and my son Evan on drums. Paul is just an angel and he has been so good to me. I love him and of course, Evan is right there for me all the time, keeping the beat and making me laugh. And finally, my girl Laura Chavez is just so incredible. The soul and heart that comes from her guitar playing is just awesome. I am so lucky to play with her and with all these great people. Our tour manager Nanda leaves tomorrow to go back to Singapore. We will really miss her. She is just a beautiful person inside and out. I am so glad we will see her again in Capetown.


On August 25, we will go to Capetown, South Africa for the World Congress for People with disabilities. I don't know how on earth my body will endure a 15 hour flight but this is a realization of several years of hard work. It has been a dream of mine and Joris Wijngaarden to bring the United by Music project all over the world. It will be a chance for us to explain to caregivers and educators why we specifically use blues music to inspire special needs people to overcome adversity. Because the blues was partly born from the oppression of African Americans, I feel it is uniquely suited to inspire people who are challenged by physical and intellectual disabilities in their every day lives. Some of our artists have already written their own blues compositions. Mirielle wrote a song called "Im not that special. I am just like you." When she performs that song, she demonstrates the honesty and heart that the blues is all about. It is my sincere hope that the United by Music project can someday be as big as the Special Olympics. By using blues as a metaphor, we can inspire others to create and enjoy music to pull them through their daily challenges. I will be doing a slide show and verbal presentation. The slide show will have photos of blues artists such as Big Bill Broonzy and Memphis Minnie alongside plantation pictures and photos of our special needs artists. If any of you can give me suggestions on where I can find archives for my slide show, please contact me at candyekanetour@aol.com


I am feeling okay but sometimes food does a number on me. Food I used to eat without event has suddenly become indigestable. I got really sick the other night after eating some pad thai. The next day, I took a chance and I ate a salad with some bleu cheese. I thought I would get really sick since I have been virtually dairy free except for acidophulus and yogurt and yet, I felt fine after the cheesy salad. Then I ate a little tiny bit of ice cream and was up all night crying with pain. Its really weird and unpredictable. Everyday is a new gastronomical experiment. I also get really tired very quickly. On this show, I only have to emcee and do a couple of songs nightly. It wears me out! I do give a lot of energy to the singers and musicians in the show and lots of hugs, kisses and a shoulder to cry on sometimes. But still, it has been draining at times, and I have had to take a few nights off. Its really great to have wonderful musicians to rely on to carry me thru. I am also grateful for the kind understanding of the united by music crew and Joris Wijngaarden. They have been so kind when I have had to cancel and their gracious understanding really makes it easier. And of course, it really helps to have my friend and caregiver Heather here with me. She gives me massages once a week and makes fresh juices for me when she is staying with me. I should have probably stayed at home to convalesce longer but Joris and the UBM volunteers have made the tour so easy for me, I had to come and do my best. I didn't think my special needs artists would understand if I didn't make it.

I took the liberty of canceling a few of my Midwest shows. I just had such a full schedule that I couldnt imagine having to help drive for four or five hours a day and then performing several shows a night. I still havent purchased a small RV because they are so expensive and my budget is limited; (and I simply haven't had the time!) So I am really sorry to those of you who were looking forward to seeing me in Omaha, Lincoln, Ann Arbor, Navarre, Des Moines, Indianapolis, Columbus and New York City. We will still be flying out to the festivals in Los Alamos, Wausau, Wis and Marshfield, Mass and will resume normal touring schedules in September. I really hated to cancel anything and let people down. I know how much my agents at piedmont talent and the wonderful promoters and club owners depend on me so I hope people will forgive and realize that I am still healing and figuring myself out. With the Capetown trip looming, I just didn't feel physically ready to do all of my dates and I had to make a difficult decision. I really hope my fans and blues friends can forgive me and understand that the United by Music Capetown trip can do so much more good for the blues in the long run.

I will have another round of cancer tests on September 6 to find out if all the cancer was removed in the surgery. 14 out of 20 lymph nodes were cancerous so there is a slight chance that some lymph nodes were missed. I am really hoping that my cancer is completely gone, that my strict diet is working and that I wont have to endure more surgery and treatments. In the meantime, I am trying to get as much work done as possible and enjoy the time I have here on earth NOW. I know I live a charmed life and I am so blessed to do this amazing work with these wonderful people.


I met an M.D. the other day and she was amazed at how good I look and how well I am doing since having the Whipple surgery less than three months ago (April 18th!). Comments like hers give me courage especially since I am faced with more fragility than usual. I am not used to feeling feeble and it has been hard to accept. But I am just so grateful to be alive and to be back here in Europe with both of my sons. And even though I look pretty good and feel good most of the time, I am still trying to take things one day at a time. The understanding and kind hearts of those around me really means so much.


xo candye

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SENDING ME MESSAGES AND ADD FRIEND REQUESTS TO THIS PAGE BUT I NEVER EVER CHECK THIS ONE, I MAINTAIN THE WWW.MYSPACE.COM/CANDYEKANEBAND ONE ALL THE TIME. PLEASE GO THERE IF YOU WANT TO GET A HOLD OF ME. LOVE CK

The tour just started. played in austin on thursday night with seth walker. it was a super fun show. Had lunch with derek o brien and toni price; both old and dear austin friends. Toni will be moving to san diego in June so we san diegans are very lucky. I guess a lot of people in austin are really hasseling poor toni about her decision to leave austin. she has been there and been playing her happy hour at the continental for 15 years! She said people have been really hostile to her since she announced her move. Thats just so sad and she is really disillusioned.

last night was a super fun show in houston at the continental. The Octanes opened and they were just awesome! They reminded me of a young Paladins. Really good. That Adam has a great guitar tone and a cool singing voice. It wasnt very packed since I was going up against Texas legend Marcia Ball, but some really nice people came down from KPFT; sandy, buddy love and nancy and some other incredible folks. it was so nice meeting them and sandy will be in memphis so we will get to hang out.

I am playing in dallas tonight with blue lisa, cheryl arena and andrea d. Pianist Red Young will be sitting in with us. Red is an old friend and he is just amazing. Hes been touring alot with eric burdon so i am real lucky hes not on the road. we are playing at sons of hermann hall which I hear is a super cool place so Im excited.

Tomorrow is OKC and then we will spend two nights off in clarksdale, MS!! We will just hang out and try to visit all the sites in steve chesebroughs delta blues book. Bill Stuve has never been to clarksdale either so we are both really excited. I was shocked that bill had never been down there after 30 years on the road. Bill says Rod would never go anywhere unless they paid him a lot to be there! Charlie Musselwhite sent me a detailed email with who to ask for and what to see in clarksdale. He said he will quiz me on it when I get to memphis!!

I am so excited about coming to memphis and going to the awards show. This will be my very first time there for the awards. I played there once at the new daisy theater during the awards but didnt go. So I am really looking forward to meeting any of you who will attend. I cant wait to hook up with my old friends and make some new ones. Anyway, travel safely and hope to see you down the road somewhere somehow.
xo
candye

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Dallas was awesome! we played at this historic hall. You could feel the ghostly energy in there. It was an old saloon dance hall. It was a fun show but the dallas crowd wasnt very emotional. we had a fun time though. Cheryl arena played with us and she was just amazing! and red young came down and played again. It was really fun having these two incredible musicians onstage with us.

OKC was a lot of fun too, I sat in with the opening western swing band, the stockyard city boys. They were very sweet and it was fun singing with a fiddle and steel player in the group. Just like my old days in hollywood at the Palomino. VZDS is an old drug store in the historic part of OKC. My myspace buddy jason came down with his sweetie and we all had a really fun night.

Tonight we are in clarksdale, ms. we are going to the delta blues museum and to the cathead store. we'll visit the riverside hotel which is now on the site where bessie smith died. we'll eat soul food at sarahs and visit memphis minnies grave. Then we'll mosey on up to memphis, on the same highway muddy waters traveled, for the blues music awards. You can feel the soul down here. Its eerie the way the fog rolls across the cracked asphalt and the lightning and fireflies flash in the sky. The air feels humid, thick and serious and even though its impossible to find the exact spot where blues man robert johnson sold his soul to the devil at the crossroads, you can see why this would be the place where legends like that live on. So many amazing musicians traveled these roadways - hwy 61, hwy 49, with their lucky mojo bag and their black cat bones, risking everything to try to find a way to make music for a living. I am so lucky to be able to travel these roads after them.

Today we were driving through all kinds of gnarly thunderstorms and tornado warnings. It dawned on me how many times I have risked my life on the road, just to get to the next town to play music. I have been stuck in several blizzards; jack knifed my trailer in the snow; stayed in scary dumps where I was sure I would be robbed or the van would be broken into. I have weathered floods and electrical storms; had shows cancelled because of hurricanes (including katrina!) I have seen semi trucks collide and seen hairy accidents when you just knew there were no survivors. I have witnessed drunk drivers swerving all over the road and seen hail the size of golf balls. I have almost collided with moose and deer and elk. I have had so many near misses when cars have cut me off going 80 miles an hour. I have had hotel rooms that cancelled out by mistake and had to sleep in the van with all the other guys in freezing temperatures. Through snow, sleet, freezing ice and rain, I have driven across the country from san diego to portland, maine again and again and again and been stuck in snowstorms from copenhagen to lillehammer to stuttgart. But I am so blessed to do this for a living, I still manage somehow to get in the van again the next morning and put myself through it all over again. Not just me, but tons of road musicians out here doing the very same thing, bringing our shows to your town because we love this life and love this music. So thats why it means so much when you come out and spend your hard earned dollars to see a live band. Thank you for coming and seeing me in big cities and little towns, everywhere and thanks for continuing to support any kind of live music. Risking your life for music may seem weird to some, but I wouldnt have it any other way. see ya soon in your town!! xo ck
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Yesterday was awesome. I am still sore from dancing. explored clarksdale; visited the riverside hotel where bessie smith died and hung out with the colorful and sweet proprietor "Rat." he was full of stories and gave us a lovely tour of the hotel where Sonny Boy, JFK Jr, Lightin Hopkins and many others have stayed. He was spraying diesel when we arrived to scare off any snakes that might come up from the river!! We went to Morgan freemans club, ground zero and I was thrilled to see my old friend Joni working there who used to manage the Grand Emporium in Kansas City, That was a great surprise. Hung out awhile with Pinetop Perkins on the couch in front and bought him a coke in the 80 degree humid heat. he is 94 and just a sweetie. He said " I sing songs about big fine gals like you and youre double bubbles." We visited the delta blues museum, the cat head store and the hambone gallery where I discovered the amazing folk art of Stanley Street. wow, he is incredible. Then at night we went to an old juke joint called Reds. Red was a big, jolly kind of intimidating character who kept demanding that everyone tip more. He loved me though and we took lots of pictures There were people there from Paris, Rotterdam, Australia and Japan. I guess the people who are craziest about blues and southern history tend not to be americans!

Johnny Rawls played with Roger hurricane wilson on guitar. Johnnys smooth, sexy soulful voice kept all of us ladies up and dancing. Eventually, the night turned into a big jam session with my son Evan on drums, Stanley street on harp, Bob Stroget on bass, then switching off to Bill stuve, and soon my whole band was up there and even me singing a few. Both Pinetop and Mitch woods showed up but alas, there was no piano! I danced and laughed and drank beers and poured sweat in the humid mississippi night. It was wonderful to be making music in this historic and magical place. Now were off to memphis minnies grave on our way to the city of memphis.
more later! xoxo

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Blues foundation award show impressions

Wow. The blues foundation awards (formerly known as the Handy awards) were amazing! I had such a great time. I have never been before, mostly because I am usually on the road during the time period and its expensive to travel to Memphis and pay to get in. BUT this year, my bassist Bill Stuve was nominated and we were able to launch our tour around the awards. I am soooo glad I went! I saw so many of my old friends and the show was a great chance to see people I admire.

The highlights? It was great to see Sugar Pie De Santo so spunky after losing her husband and her home to a fire earlier this year. Irma Thomas was ever soulful and inspiring. I hung out with old friends I love - Gracious Marcia Ball backed up Irma Thomas and also won an award. My buddies Johnny Dyer and Kim Wilson blew me away again with an awesome version of "Juke." It was so cool hearing all those harmonicas onstage at once with mark hummel, sweet dick and mitch kashmar. Sweet Bob Margolin backed up Diunna Greenleaf whom I thought was the best performer of the evening. What a voice! Janniva Magness was sparklingly lovely in her silver beaded gown as she won for best contemporary blues artist, yet again.

I got to see people I have heard about but never seen – EG Kight whose song "Call me sugar" was amazing. Slick Ballinger did this Pentecostal style gospel thing; a bit weird, I thought, for a drinking, partying crowd. He almost started speaking in tongues! Thankfully Bobby Rush followed him with his three hoochie mamas, shaking their big, luscious behinds for a little bit of sexual healing. Watermelon Slim was incredibly dapper in a lime green suit and his performance was top notch!

Right after Tab Benoit won, he took Amanda May (Kim wilsons luscious girl toy) and lucky ME on his arm, right into his big, fancy tour bus. It was a lot of fun hanging out with Tab, moments after his big win. I loved his words about Hurricane Katrina in that sexy Louisiana drawl! All that talent and brains too. Oh my gawd!!!

I was surprised how many fans there were that asked for my autograph or wanted to take a picture with me. I wasn't even nominated but people wanted me to sign their programs and posters. That was a real honor. It was fun seeing all my musician friends who also were there for the fun. I wasn't even looking and I ran into old friends Al Blake, Kid Ramos, Richard Innes, Larry Taylor (who I mistook for Junior Watson! Sorry Larry!); Ann Rabson who is warm and wonderful as always, Bob Corritore and beautiful girlfriend Kim. I saw Charlie and Henri Musselwhite (Henri looked so classy and elegant in her black dress), gorgeous Jeff Turmes whose new CD I really love; Mitch woods in his cute vaudeville straw hat; Chip Eagle with long hair!He is as smart and adorable as ever; Spunky Trudy Lynne; Little Ed who had on an amazing fez; Guitar Shorty who won an award in his Texas shirt; RJ Mischo – my fave harp playing Midwesterner; Guy Davis - a gorgeous and talented hunk o' guitar picking and singing love; and accordion blues man Jt Lauritzen all the way from Norway.

I cried through the whole entire memorial part of the show. I mean, I was sobbing from sam myers in the beginning all the way to the end. Floyd dixon, clifford antone, chico chism, ruth brown, tayo lesmayer...we lost so many beautiful people this year!

It was a wonderful night full of fun and friendship. The only criticisms I have - the show was way too long. Performers should be limited to one song unless they fall into the "legend" category like Irma Thomas or Dr. John. It went on well after 1:30 am. 5:30 to 1:30 is a long, long time even for music we love. I dont understand artists who hog the stage for too long causing their colleagues to go on too late. all of us play for a living. we should be polite and limit our time onstage so everyone gets a chance to be heard! I also wondered why they served pork ribs, which are pretty hard to eat when you are wearing a suit or an evening gown or are a Jew. There were no vegetarian options for dinner, which I found strange. The service though, was really great I thought. They shouldn't lump big stars like Etta James in the same category with young upcoming stars. It makes it impossible for a newcomer to win because people will always vote for name recognition. And I still wonder - who are these people that decide who gets nominated? I went up close to the stage to see who was seated at the VIP tables (I assume the tables up front were VIP or for photographers) and I didn't recognize anybody. I mean, I don't know everyone that's a who's who of the blues but it would be helpful if they had some information about each person who is on the nominating committee on the website at www.bluesfoundation.org or somewhere! Maybe its there and I am just clueless!

Overall though, I thought it was an awesome evening. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I made lots of new friends and I got to hug and kiss my old ones. I took some amazing pictures and I smiled so much, my cheeks hurt when it was over. I recommend this event to anyone who loves the blues. You get to see your musical favorites up close and personal and you meet fans and friends from all over the world. I don't know why I didn't do it before but I hope to get to come back next year! Maybe, Goddess willing, if miracles do happen, I'll be a nominee myself! Keep your fingers crossed for me. Hope to see YOU there in 2008!
XO

join the blues foundation at www.bluesfoundation.org


Candye in alabama



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Had a great show in montgomery alabama at the capital oyster bar. when we arrived, we were shocked to find that they were without power due to a lightning strike nearby. I was pleasantly surprised by my good friends michael and kristen benoit who had driven down from atlanta to see me and lovely fiona boyes and her husband steve stopped in as well. We ate delicious oysters by candlelight and then the power came on just in time for us to take the stage. we played a 75 minute set and just as we were ending, it started pouring! sometimes our timing is just right!<br>
Now we are in Nashville for a night off, and I was lucky enough to be able to catch my dear friend Ranger Doug with his western swing group the time jumpers at the station inn. I sat in and sang " all of me" with these ten amazing musicians. they will do a live broadcast next week on XM radio. They are just tremendous musicians. If youre in nashville, they play the station inn every monday night www.timejumpers.com
tomorrow we play here in nashville at bourbon street. I hope to see you there!

What is it about sex and sexuality that make it so scary for others? Why do we care who other people make love to or how they make love in the privacy of their own bedrooms? Why do we feel it necessary to confirm whether a person is male or female, and whether they were born that way? Is it our need to know whether the person in question is a possible sex partner for ourselves? Why was it an impeachable offense for former President Bill Clinton to have sex on the job with an intern, while our current president lies boldface to us, repeatedly and no one even starts an inquiry? Why is sex more threatening than a full-blown war and repeated cover ups?

Once again, the people of Largo Florida prove that good job performance can be totally overshadowed by sexuality. Call me biased. I have several transgendered friends and I don't care who they are sleeping with. Their sexuality and gender preferences don't threaten me. I just want them to be happy. Why cant the people of Largo see it the same way?

After 14 years, excellent performance ratings and another raise just last year, the Largo, FL city manager, Steven Stanton, was fired for announcing his upcoming sex-change operation. The City Commission fired him because he had "violated their trust" and "caused a major disruption."

What the City Commission members really mean is, "Wow, you're confusing me! Making me uncomfortable! Making it impossible to ignore my own sexual beliefs! If you don't stop, we'll, we'll, we'll send you away so we can zip our existential terror right back up."

These five men and women actually think they have the right to vote on Steven Stanton's gender. They're demanding protection from their discomfort with his personal choices. Of course, if they weren't so obsessed with his personal choices, they wouldn't need quite so much protection from their own terror.

And these people are actually willing to sacrifice Stanton's high-quality managerial services just so they can pretend the world is never going to change. Do you know how hard it is to find a decent city manager?

Well, Commissioners, you can ditch Stanton. But you really blew it–Stanton was your chance to develop a little tolerance and self-soothing before being challenged by someone you really care about: your son coming out as bisexual. Your wife saying she's been faking orgasms. You catching yourself thinking about being spanked by both Barack Obama and Condi Rice. It will be great sport to watch you squirm when it's your grandkids or nieces or best friends challenging the dominant paradigm about sexuality instead of a guy you can just send away to Fire Island.

Sexually, the world isn't really divided into gay and straight. It's divided between people who can tolerate others' sexuality, and people who can't. People who may think about others' sexuality, and people who judge others' sexuality. That second group seems obsessed with others' sexuality. Who else spends every waking moment thinking about homosexuality, sex-change operations, prostitution, orgies, premarital sex, and porn, porn, porn, porn, and porn.

You want a city manager you can "trust"? Try drug addict Rush Limbaugh, extortionist Jack Abramoff, attempted child molester Tom Foley, compulsive gambler Bill Bennett, or the unemployed Tom DeLay—all eligible by virtue of keeping the gender they were born with. Ann Coulter has no managerial experience, but she obviously loves being a woman, so she's safe, too.

Oh, the Largo city motto? "To provide superior services that enhance the quality of life and community pride." In one gesture, they've
• gotten rid of the guy who coordinated the superior services,
• undermined the quality of life for all tolerant people, and
• smeared the community's pride with shame


Hate and fear—undoubtedly the two strongest forces on earth.

Besides sexuality, that is.

(Portions of this blog reprinted by permission of Dr. Marty Klein/www.sexualintelligence.org)

please check out my ebay auctions and thanks so much to those of you who bid last time, YOU are really helping me through this slow period. I have only 3 gigs in April!! So I am selling off many one of a kind items including a my last "Lets put the X back in Xmas" cd with Country Dick Montana, one of a kind photos from my private collection, A brand new limited edition skull bowling ball, Vintage clothing, Festival posters, Framed prints and a beautiful original pulp fiction lesbian art piece by Katie Gilmartin. Check out the auction. My ebay handle is Kanecandye. Or you should be able to simple search candye kane and come up with the items. Thanks again for everything and hope to see you soon in your town!

xo
candye

CANDYE KANE ON TOUR

4/20 Solana Beach/ Belly Up Tavern
4/21 San Diego/ Tio Leos CD Release Party!
4/22 Encinitas/ Calypso Restaurant
5/3 Austin/ Continental Club
5/4 Houston / Continental Club
5/5 Dallas/ KNON show/ Sons of Hermann Hall
5/6 Oklahoma City/ VZDS
5/10 Blues Foundation Awards/ Memphis! Vote for our bass player Bill Stuve!
www.bluesfoundation.org
5/11 Memphis, Tn/ Blues City Café/ Beale Street
5/12 Montgomery, Alabama/ Capital Oyster Bar
5/13 Gulf Shores, Alabama/ Lulu's
5/14 New Orleans, LA/ The Rusty Nail
5/15 Nashville, Tn/ Bourbon street
5/16 Maryville, Tn/ Brackins Blues Club
5/17 to 20 candye and Heine travel to Munich for convention
5/21 Charlottesville, VA/ Gravity Lounge
5/22 Guitar'd and Feathered Available in Stores!
5/22 Washington DC/ Claredon Ballroom
5/23 Baltimore, MD/ House Party
5/24 Bladensburg, MD/ Chick Halls Surf Club
5/25 Charlotte, NC/ Double Door
5/26 Asheville, NC/ Jack of the wood
5/27 Arlington, VA/ Iota Bar and Grille
5/30 Angola, Indiana/ Skips Lounge
5/31 Cleveland, Oh/ Wilberts
6/1 Columbus, Ohio/ Thirsty Ear Tavern
6/8 El Cajon Street Fair
6/9 Portland, Oregon/ Starkeys Bear event (candye only)
6/24 Long Beach Bayou Festival/ Rainbow Lagoon
6/30 Phoenix,Az/The Rhythm Room
7/3 Lincoln, NE/ the Zoo Bar
7/5 Omaha, NE/ Murphys Lounge
7/6 Des Moines, Iowa/ Blues on Gtand
7/15 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada/ Ottawa Blues Festival
8/12 San Diego/ Cityfest/ Hillcrest street fair
8/16 Wichita, KS/ Sedgewick Zoo
8/18 Kansas City, Mo/ Knuckleheads
9/ 23 Scottsdale, AZ/ Blues and Jazz festival with the Neville Bros, Bo Diddley and Irma Thomas
10/13 Nancy, France/ Jazz Pulsations Festival
11/12 - 18 Europe





above all, love yourself!

www.candyekane.com
www.myspace.com/candyekaneband
www.sonicbids.com/candyekane

As many of you know, I recorded a tribute song, a version of Female Trouble from the John Waters film of the same name. I was a huge fan of Mr. Waters and of Divine's. I own all the movies and have purchased all books I could find regarding both of them.

When I recorded the song in Amsterdam with Ana Popovic, I was so excited. I couldn't wait to get back home and send the song to Mr. Waters personally, as I hoped for his blessing. Many of my friends have appeared in his films; James Intveld as the singing voice of Johnny Depp in Crybaby, Dave Alvin, Tab Hunter and the late great Ruth Brown are all friends of mine, some of whom confirmed their thoughts that John Waters would love me. I have been sending him my cds regularly for years.

It seemed like the perfect fit. I often proclaim that I am a "black drag queen trapped in a white womans body" and have been a long time gay activist and supporter. Drag queens worldwide perform my material so why wouldnt John Waters embrace me and my colorful music? Divine was the first drag queen I had ever seen and Divine gave many of us license to be as big and trashy as we wanted to be. White trash girl and Masturbation Blues could be directly taken from a John Waters film. It seemed that John Waters and I were a perfectly suited, trashy match.

Alas, it was not to be.

I sent Mr. Waters a copy of the cd certified mail and called his agents at CAA to find out where to send the publishing and royalty checks. Ill admit this isnt the normal procedure. Usually my record label or publishing administrator BUG music secures all mechanical rights and licenses. Because I had been sending my cds to Waters home in Baltimore since 1994, I felt like I should take different action than usual, and let him know what a fan I am and that I had recorded the song.

I was shocked to receive a ten day cease and desist letter from his lawyers instead. Not knowing where to turn, I did some further research and located Bob Harvey, the former bassist of Jefferson Airplane. Bob is the original writer of Black Velvet Soul which is the song that inspired Female Trouble. Bob, being a musician himself, graciously gave me his immediate permission to record the song. He wanted John Waters to know that he had specifically granted me permission when Waters would not.

I only record songs I write or feel passionate about. I choose songs that have something to say, usually constructive songs about unity or celebrating ourselves and our dreams. I could have kept female trouble on the cd, and pursued the normal channels of paying all mechanical royalties. BUT after receiving this aggressive letter from waters threatening me with TRIPLE damages, it really yanked the rug out from under me. I was soured on the song and felt that if john waters was so adamant in his refusal to allow me to pay him tribute, then I would pull the song from the cd.

It was not an easy decison. It cost me a lot of money to go in and record another song for Guitar'd and Feathered. But I did it, because I dont have the money to spend on lawyers, even if the end result is that I am right. I cant fight the power and money of John Waters who has enough money to sue Nickoleodeon network over their use of the "Odorama" in the Rugrats movie. I am a single mom with a kid who dreams of going to college. I am a struggling blues musician selling stuff on Ebay and working Temp jobs to make ends meet. I cant afford to fight against a millionaire like waters. I gave in and removed the song.

So it hurts to read Mr. Waters comments; that I never asked for permission for the song. He states below that I didnt go through the appropriate channels to secure the rights to the song. This is just untrue and wrong.

I made every effort to go out of my way to secure the rights to this song and hoped that John Waters would be the hero he seemed to be. He could have proven that he was a champion of the underdog, as he likes to portray himself. He could have embraced this drag queen wanna be and allowed me to PAY HIM ROYALTIES to promote his work with my fans. He could have; but he didnt.

I have recorded songs by Bob Dylan, Carole King, Isaac Hayes, Led Zeppelin, Willie Dixon and never had any trouble securing the rights and paying royalties. I never dreamed that by worshipping someone and wanting to pay them tribute that this would happen to me.

I am just a little known blues diva. But many of you here, make me feel like a star. Please write to John waters yourself at

John Waters
c/o Atomic Books
1100 W. 36th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211 USA

or you can contact the email address of the writer below. Please let him know that you want to hear my version of female trouble and that you are disappointed in him and his behavior. I doubt it will make any difference. BUT its still not too late to let him know that I am not just some NOBODY. I am a somebody who loved him, loved divine and loved their work. What a sad development.

From the Baltimore Sun:

John Waters says no way
By Chris Kaltenbach Sun reporter
Originally published March 6, 2007

If only she'd asked.

There'll be no "Female Trouble" on the CD by Hustler magazine cover girl Candye Kane, after director-songwriter-sleaze raconteur John Waters denied her permission to include an update of the title song from his 1974 movie of the same name. Kane recorded the song last year. But Waters, who co-wrote the song with Bob Harvey, said he didn't know about it until he received her e-mail saying it was going to be on her CD.

"She never asked ... permission," he said yesterday from his Baltimore home, "and you don't get permission by writing new lyrics and changing the whole thing."

Waters said there are right ways and wrong ways to use other artists' work. "I spent two years getting the rights to the songs on A Date with John Waters," he says of his album of love songs issued last month. "I know what you have to go through. She has to, too."

chris.kaltenbach@baltsun.com

 

 Taschens coffee table book "The Big Book of  Breasts" is out now. (see the link below) My pix and interview appear on page 358. Its a beautiful, glossy book that goes from the 40's to the 70's and features big breasts models Candy Barr, Kitten Natividad and Candy Samples amongst many others. Although I am in the '70s section (which was impossible since I was a minor and graduated high school in 1979)  I am proud to be included in this book that celebrates the beauty and bounty of gods gift to us all; the breast!