As some of you know, I am co-founder (with Ray Lewis) of the SONGWRITERS' CIRCLE in Jacksonville, FL (www.pickersandsingers.com). We now have concerts at European Street Cafe, 5500 Beach Blvd every Saturday night at 8PM in a listening room environment. It is becoming a very special place!

Tonight we were treated to Robert Johnson style blues by a real master-Mr. Bill Sheffield( http://www.billsheffield.com/)  from outside Atlanta. Playing a cool 1936 Kalamazoo small bodied acoustic guitar, with a sound hole pickup, Bill put on a clinic of how to play, sing and present the blues. He also did some great stuff outside the box like Eleanor Rigby and a great version of the Allman Brothers Little Martha. Unlike many blues guys, Bill dosen't try to immulate old black blues guys, he is one-except he's white. Powerful vocals delivered with great passion and expression, he is the whole package. Now, even though I have almost no blues in my voice, I am a hugh fan of the style and then throw in terrific slide guitar work in open tuning and wow-what else could you want.

Although we have been having great attendance lately, 80+ for the Peyton Brothers last Saturday, we knew that the start of college football season would impact us as it did tonight with only about 20 some attending. But our room is so comfortable and the folks so responsive to the talent, it's still a great gig. We hope Bill will be back again soon and that many who love great blues and guitar playing will be able to join us. Meanwhile, go to Bill's site and check it out and buy a CD!

NEXT CIRCLE-Thurs, 9/11, Neil Dixon / Ron Perry and ME!, European Street Cafe, San Marco, Jacksonville, 8:30 PM