08.17.09
Dear folks,
We're back from the last run and we all agreed that it was one of our most enjoyable tours in a long time. Starting in D.C. at The Birchmere with xtra drummer/percussionist George Sheppard along with L'il Ed and the guys, quite the extravaganza! Check out the 'tubes' on this one. Really brought back some memories for me concerning Ed's uncle, J.B. Hutto, the first bluesman I ever played with back about 1970. Uncanny!
Then up to The Turning Point in New York and a fun show. Bill Murry showed up just as the last piece of gear was loaded into the truck and asked "IS IT OVER?" ... Yep! So we talked about Mexican food for a minute and off he went.
On to Detroit and my fav new place, "Callahans" where I recieved a lifetime achievement award from the Detroit Blues Society and saw ALMOST all my old friends and had a great jam with JIM McCarty. We also had a "Band Outing" to The Henry Ford Museum which really helped us remember what made our country great. And a trip to Wayne Road Beach for a spectacular party with old friends.
On to Colorado where we camped for a few days at THE BOULDER OUTLOOK HOTEL and I had the honor of sitting in with Zack Harmen et al. A stone groove to be sure.
Next was the first MILE HIGH BLUES Fest which was a big success for all involved. Very well attended and well run by John and Gina.
Then to our favorite gig of all, the annual THACKERY THANG in Clark, Co. Man, we wait ALL YEAR for this one! It has been more or less a private affair in the past, but they let in the public this time and, WOW! What a great day. The weather was what good childhoods were made of, perfect!
John Alex Mason opened the festivities with some major delta rythms and notes I've never heard on his cigar box guitar, then we asked him to sit in for a few tunes. Man! He's right, we gotta record some of this stuff. Thanks to ALL the Larrys and RoseLynn and Jeff for the hospitality.
Then on to The Natural State Of Arkansas and a gig with my best bud and FAVORITE guitar slinger, EARL CATE. Man, it just don't get no better than this, folks.
Finally, the end of the tour party was held at the grand opening of THE ROCKIN' PIG right here in good ol' Eureka Springs,Ar ... Great turn out and good chow! Even my exterminator and his wife rode the bikes to this one and we really threw down for all my neighbors.
Thanks to Bumpy Rhodes and KING ROLLO GIGANTE for makin' this one a tour to remember and thanks to the friends and fans for coming out and supporting live music. Can't do it without you ,folks!
Oh! yeah, a special thanks to Thayrone for havin' me on his talk radio show, you can hear a clip from it on this site.
I invite you all to check out photos and clips here, and submit your own cool stuff too!
Thanks, one and all and look out Pennsylvania, we are booked and bound to go ...
Pray to the PURPLE NOTE!
~ Jimmy ~