Honey Bee's Blues

Blow wind, blow wind, blow my baby back to me...

2012-02-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

Blow wind, blow wind, blow my baby back to me.

Well, you know if I don't soon find them,

I will be in misery.

Those of us living on the Front Range need no explanation for this week’s title. Yes, we have Chinook winds throughout the year, but thus far, 2012 has been a blustery, gale-filled blowhard, and I for one am done! I believe I’ve yet to arrive anywhere in 2012 without looking like a scarecrow having a bad hair day. Enough!

Fortunately for us, these strong winds are blowing the Mike Zito Band into town, and they arrive tomorrow! There are still tickets, but I suspect we’re going to have a solid crowd tomorrow night. Mike’s a house favorite (or maybe that’s just me...). Boulder Outlook, 7:30 p.m.

Once again, Mike is having a great year, having secured yet another BMA nomination for 2012 Best Blues Rock Album, with the wonderful Greyhound. The BMA’s are in Memphis on May 10th, and if the travel gods are smiling on me, I’ll be going with Lionel (who’s nominated for Best Instrument - Other/Violin).

For some reason (probably having something to do with the winds), I’m waxing poetic today, in the mood for sweet reflection, and with my dear friend but 24 hours away, I think I’ll wax rhapsodic about Mike. We first made our acquaintance via email, by way of Jason Ricci. It was about three years ago, and Mike and the band had two nights off during a tour, Jason advised him to contact me about a musician rate at the hotel. Within a week or two, Mike had filled those dates, so we didn’t meet for another couple of months, backstage at the 2009 Blues From the Top. I walked over to where he was sitting, and said, “Mike?” He looked up at me (like I said, he was sitting...still didn’t have to look up much), quizzically, and said, “Yes.” I said, “I’m Honey from the Outlook.” Without another word, he stood and gave me the kind of hug customarily reserved for close friends and family. And three years later, we are just that.

The last time he was here, in September, we had more concentrated time, just the two of us, to talk. No, Talk. We rarely go more than a few weeks without an email exchange, a quick phone call, etc., but those long, uninterrupted times are sparse, and I treasure them for the jewels of time they are. Like I said, Mike’s family, so join us tomorrow night at the big reunion. I love you, Mike!

Speaking of pretty (and when speaking about Mike, it’s implied), tomorrow night Stone Soup is back with Deborah Stafford, and that Don Finan is all kinds of pretty! They pack the dance floor, so wear comfortable shoes.

My Beloved Delta Sonics return Saturday night for their first Outlook gig since returning from going to the semi finals in Memphis, so let’s dance a lot and eat bar-b-q. Tuesday is Dan Treanor’s jam, he also having recently returned from Memphis where he accepted the KBA for Education (Bob Corritore told me he said a lot of touching things about John-Alex in his speech), so another big “welcome home” is in order.

Tickets for Tommy Castro and the Painkillers are still selling, so call today if you’ve been procrastinating. Today is Leap Day, so make use of the extra 24 hours and get some live Blues tickets. Make the day count!

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Congratulations Diunna!

2012-01-24T13:32:00.001-07:00

My good friend, Diunna Greenleaf, and her band, Blue Mercy, is number one all over Europe! I’ve been hearing and reading about her latest CD, Trying to Hold On, and even listening to song snippets on her site, and DAMN! That woman can not only sing the Blues, she can write the Blues. So well that she’s once again been nominated for a couple of Blues Music Awards: for the Koko Taylor Award - Traditional Blues Female, and for Traditional Blues Album.

I’m going to get back to Diunna in a minute. I just moseyed over to the Blues Foundation site to look at all the BMA nominations again. Including Diunna, this year there are SIXTEEN nominees who’ve played the Boulder Outlook at least once, and they are: Tab Benoit, Johnny Sansone, Candye Kane, Tommy Castro Band, Trampled Under Foot, Samantha Fish, J.P. Soars, Eric Clapton (just seeing if you’re paying attention), Danielle Schnebelen, Lazy Lester, Keith Crossan, Lionel Young, Otis Taylor, Ben Prestage, Eden Brent, Mike Zito, and Zac Harmon. Right now I feel like I need to have a lie-down. That’s an overwhelming list of talent we’ve had the great fortune of hearing and seeing up close and personal. Wow...

Ok, back to Diunna. Anywho, I had a nice long phone chat with the Houston native late last week, and it was thrilling to share in her much-deserved excitement. Several months ago, I was having a nice long phone chat with another good friend (who also happens to be one of Diunna’s BFFs), Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, a producer on this CD, and he told me I’d need to fasten my proverbial seatbelt once I got my hands on it. He said it was one of the finest Blues records he’s heard in a very long time. Last week I had yet another phone chat with yet another Bob (who produced six of the thirteen tracks and plays harmonica on four of them), who has this to say: I’m just thrilled to be a part of Diunna’s new record. I feel it is simply brilliant. Diunna’s is one of the greatest voices in Blues today, and the songwriting on this is superb. A simply brilliant songwriter-oriented blues CD. ~Bob Corritore~
I agree with both Bobs.

I’ve known Diunna for about three years now, introduced by Bob Margolin here at the Outlook. She came out for a weekend with him as a special guest, and indeed she was. Winner of the 2005 IBC Band Category, Diunna has played with or opened for a who’s who of the Blues world: Bob Margolin, Keb Mo, Willie “Pinetop” Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, James Cotton, Carrie Bell, Big Bill Morganfield, Smoking Joe Kubek and B’Nois King, Anson Funderburge, Sam Meyers and the Rockets, Bernard Allison, Odetta, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, I.J. Gosey, Sherman Robertson, Kenny Neal, the late great Teddy “Cry Cry” Reynolds, and numerous others.

In 2008, at the legendary Blues festival, Blues From the Top, in Winter Park, CO, Diunna and I hung out the entire time. I was actually her assistant that weekend, helping her get to the merchandise tent with her CDs, making sure she was hydrated at the 9000 ft. altitude, and doing whatever necessary so she could keep her focus on the music. Right before she went on stage, she asked me to put her water bottle at the base of her mic stand. So, I climbed the stairs, glanced at the crowd, then placed the bottle at the base. As I righted myself, I caught the view of the musicians. In terms of outrageous beauty, the view from that stage can more than hold it’s own with Red Rocks (not that I’ve been on that stage, but I can still get a pretty good idea of the view. And I’ve seen photos). And I’m certain the set she and Blue Mercy delivered was uniquely energized by that Heavenly view. I cried the entire set. It was that beautiful. I should also disclose that it was just a couple of weeks after the passing of Koko Taylor, a friend and mentor of Diunna, so the set was particularly poignant.

I could go on and on as a one-woman fan club, but instead, I’ll give you the links that will have you running to join me as a willing Diunna Disciple.

This is a great review from Blues Blast Magazine: http://www.thebluesblast.com/Archive/BluesBlasts/2011/BluesBlast4_21_11.htm

Good review: http://blues.about.com/od/cddvdreview1/fr/Diunna-Greenleaf-Trying-To-Hold-On-2011.htm

I leave you with both my Bobs and Diunna at the 20th Anniversary of the Rhythm Room in Phoenix. You MUST watch the video of the them. http://bushdogblues.blogspot.com/2011/10/diunna-greenleaf-rhythm-room.html

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Happy Birthday Dan!

2012-01-19T15:07:00.001-07:00

The Ambassador of Cool, and owner of the fantastic Boulder Outlook Hotel, has left the building for a much-needed vacation after the FANTASTIC barnburner we had Monday night at the 4th Annual Dan King Appreciation Day! In 2009, Gretchen Troop hosted the first, and since deciding to move it to a Monday night, a lot more musicians were available to sit in. Gretchen had even arranged for Delores Scott to fly in from Chicago as the Surprise Guest. He was indeed surprised. Even Otis Taylor came with his band, including daughter Cassie!

It was truly a joyful night of music and friends, and although I won’t speak for Dan, I will say that he looked like he was having the time of his life. Congratulations, Gretchen, on such a wonderfully successful night. I do believe Dan felt the love!

Tomorrow night we have Ms. Emma Henry opening at 6:45 for Kort McCumber. It’s been a good long time since Kort has been here, and Emma was out of town last month for her regularly scheduled opener, so let’s all welcome them back.

Friday night we welcome back Chicago’s own, Joe Moss. It’s been about three years since last he graced our stage, and I’m really looking forward to seeing him. A couple of weeks ago, he and I had a very looooong phone chat, and I found a funny, talented, complicated man during that visit. And he cooks. Italian.

Joe is the baby brother of Nick Moss (he of Flip Tops fame), and brother-in-law to guitarist Kate Moss (Nick’s wife, not the super model...actually, prettier than the super model), and uncle to vocalist, Sadie Mae Moss (7). And for a little family trivia, Nick’s favorite meal that Joe cooks is a meat sauce with ground pork and pork neck bones in a red sauce, and their mother’s meatball recipe, which includes pork, beef, and veal. I was starving by the time we got off the phone. But not until I gave him the recipe for one of my signature dishes: Pasta Salmone, a Venetian dish that I adore (as does Gretchen, ask her).

Back to the Moss family. Joe is husband to Sandy and father to Maricela. And what a story that name carries. Joe and Sandy were listening to Los Lobos when they met, more specifically, “Maricela.” Fast forward a few years, now with a daughter sporting that name, Joe called a business that makes guitar pickups, and was speaking to a woman named Maricela. Joe told this older Maricela about his daughter and how she got her name. Older Maricela laughs and says, “Caesar and David wrote that song for me. I’m The Maricela!” There are more Moss/Los Lobos stories that are both fun and funny. Perhaps I can get Joe to elaborate while he’s here.

Joe and I talked art, Mesopotamia, the cradle of human civilization, the ancient script cuneiform, and the quiet dignity of a Rodin sculpture in Chicago. Who knew?

And of course we discussed the inevitable comparisons between Joe and Big Brother Nick. Their styles are their own, so comparison is neither inequitable nor accurate. In some ways, their situation is much like Jimmy and Stevie Ray. Very different players, but DNA constantly forces unfair comparisons. Joe speaks eloquently about his brother’s playing, and there seems an utter void of sibling rivalry or competition. I don’t know if that’s true, but the admiration I hear from one brother for the other is palpable (well, that and they’re of Italian descent). And Joe takes those comparisons in stride and with good humor. Join me this Friday night for some deep Chicago Blues from a deep Chicago Son.

Speaking of son, Saturday night, My Son, Young Austin and No Difference are back! Although Tim and Krisanne Young are raising Austin, he is MY SON! And I am so very proud of that young man. He handles himself with such grace and maturity, that I don’t harbor fears of what the music business could do to him. He’s too solid, as are Tim and Krisanne. The Colorado Blues community has had the pleasure of watching Austin develop his craft while he grows up right before our reluctant eyes. He has one hell of a bright future, and I love bearing witness to his efforts, dedication, talent, and professionalism. Oh, and I LOVE watching Austin and Bob Margolin, on stage together, just the two of them, paying tribute to Muddy. Sixteen-year-old Austin is doing his best to keep the Blues alive for the next generation. Let’s support him in those efforts.

I leave you this week with a community notice from Gretchen Troop:

"My music photography will be featured at an exhibit at Boulder Digital Arts (1600 Range Street, Suite 100 in Boulder, right off of Arapahoe). The opening is February 2nd from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. I just framed the photos and I am really excited to see them hanging. The Live Concert, Stage Performance Art Show will help kick off the 2012 season of BDA's Digital Salon Series. At 7 p.m. David Glasser, of Airshow Mastering in Boulder, will share many experiences from his 30 years of audio engineering, including the re-mastering of the Grateful Dead's Europe '72 tour. The show will run through mid-April, 2012.

I FINALLY got some Favorites up on the website, http://www.gretchentroop.com/favorites.html and will get caught up completely in the next few weeks. Enjoy!"

Sounds great, G! I’ll be there. Next week, I have a Q & A with Bob Margolin about his ebook. You won’t want to miss that.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Let's Be Gracious

2011-12-05T13:29:00.001-07:00

I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon in bed, finally getting some time to rest a head cold. The only way for me to get proper rest is to go off line; no emails, no facebook, no news. I lasted until about 6:30 p.m. I opened FB, and saw Matt Hill’s status on the passing of Hubert Sumlin at the age of 80. My heart sank.

Just the weekend before, Thanksgiving Weekend, Bob Margolin was in Boulder for the Otis Taylor Trance Blues Workshop/Jam/Festival, and he and I talked about what a difficult year the Blues has suffered. We were sitting at the bar of Blues & Greens at the Outlook, as we have so many times over the years, having a quick bite in between workshop sessions. Because the restaurant staff has suffered an inexplicable number of tragedies, particularly in the young sibling department, the subject of loss was heavily in the air: the 39-year old sister of one of our senior bartenders (and one of my best friends) was terminally ill, and passed away the day after this conversation. Three weeks earlier was the sudden passing of another bartender’s 22-year old brother.

We both decided “beaten” was the most apposite description for 2011. Pinetop, Honeyboy, Willie “Big Eyes,” Mojo Buford, John-Alex, and now Hubert. I never had the privilege of hearing Mr. Sumlin live, nor meeting him, so I know him only through the eyes and heart of Bob. My first real impression of him came about through an email exchange with Bob. It was a few years ago, and was venting after having spent an unpleasant evening with a less-than-pleasant artist, something that has only happened once at the Outlook (most Blues artists are just too real to behave like that). Bob wrote that there is no excuse for that kind of behavior, no matter who you are. And then I read the words that have stuck in my head in more ways than one: “Hubert Sumlin and B.B. King are the two most gracious people I’ve ever known.” I’ve not met B.B. either, and if I never do, I still know that he’s a gracious man.

So, when I read Matt’s status, I realized the world, which is in desperate need of grace, is now a little less gracious. And that Bob, once again, was getting punched in the gut, and there is nothing I can do to make my friend not hurt so much. Except maybe to tell him the reason that email exchange and what he said about Hubert and B.B., stuck so solidly in my head back then, was I realized at that moment my own obligation to emulate them, my own obligation to be gracious in life. I don’t always succeed, but it’s a goal worthy of endeavor, and a manner in which we can all bring some grace to the world in Mr. Sumlin’s honor.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

I Have A Cool Job!

2011-11-16T09:17:00.001-07:00

I’ve know for a few years now that my job is way cool, but sometimes the severity of the way coolness can be overwhelming.

First, I’ll not make the assumption that all readers know what I do: I book and promote live Blues shows at the Boulder Outlook Hotel. A little history; when hotel owner, Dan King, first started booking music in the hotel’s restaurant, he had a kitchen tenant called Skinny Jay’s. Some artists would say, “Welcome to Skinny Jay’s!” on the mic. I asked them to please change that to “The Outlook,” as the tenant had nothing to do with the music, and I didn’t want the name recognition falsely placed. Then three years ago, Dan took over the kitchen, and named the restaurant Blues & Greens (local food, live music). I’ve spent the last three years introducing bands with “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Blues & Greens.” I gave that up a week ago. Because of my earlier insistence, everyone refers to us as The Outlook.

I’m coming up on five years at this wonderful Home of the Blues, and am daily grateful that I decided very early on that we needed a weekly “Blues Letter,” as now, all those shows have been documented. I was genetically blessed with a good memory, but we’ve had so many barn-burners here, that even my near-total recall is tested (Blues Letter archive here).

One memory that’s always fresh: we had a jam in March of 2010 that included the Tommy Castro Band, Jason Ricci & New Blood, The Insomniacs, and local Blues greats, the Delta Sonics (who are going to the 2012 IBC for the Colorado Blues Society). Blues Revue contributor, and area resident, Mike Cote was there, and here’s what he had to say about that night.

What a night! And one of many. Anytime Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, Prodigal Son of the Outlook (that’s his full name around these parts) is in town, magic ensues. Bob is one of the most generous musicians I know, and without fail brings up local musicians to sit in. Like Boulder resident, Otis Taylor. Or Austin Young, Taylor Marvin, Zach Bahn, and Tony Golden (then 15, 16, 9, and 9 years old respectively) Yeah, we have those kinds of nights. Bob’s family.

The Ronnie Baker Brooks Band was in the region and had a couple of nights off, so they came to the hotel to relax. Fortunately for us, one of those nights was a Blues Jam, and our audience received a thrilling surprise. Even Jelly Bean Johnson got in on it! What a night.

Speaking of Ronnie, last December, he flew in to be the headliner for my 4th Annual Blue Star Connection Birthday Benefit, an event to raise funds for the charity (http://www.bluestarconnection.org/). We had the Delta Sonics backing him and along with several other musicians, legends Otis Taylor, Lionel Young, and Eddie Turner stopped by to make it a birthday party I’ll never forget. Since the hotel wasn’t full, we were able to stretch the curfew a bit. By an hour and a half.

One amazing night in August of ’09 had the Zac Harmon Band booked for their inaugural Outlook gig, and Jimmy Thackery just happened to by staying at the hotel with the night off. Zac invited Jimmy up early in the second set, and neither Zac nor the audience would let him leave. Again, what a night.

My cool job has also brought me travels. On Memorial Day Weekend of 2009, I flew to Dallas for 23 hours to attend a Blue Star Connection Fund-raiser/Birthday Party (Don Ritter of Category 5 fame) with an all star lineup: Bob, Diunna Greenleaf, Jonn Richardson, Zac Harmon Band, Smokin’ Joe Kubek and Bnois King, Sean Carney, Albert Cummings, Tommy Shannon, George Rains, and I know I’m forgetting someone...sorry, Someone. Last January I embarked on a nine-day road trip to Memphis with the Lionel Young Band (complete blog entries here), and they prevailed at the 27th Annual International Blues Challenge. Great memories created with great friends.

And what great friends I now enjoy thanks to this cool job. Isaac Stern once said, “Everywhere in the world, music enhances a hall, with one exception: Carnegie Hall enhances the music.” Fair enough, Mr. Stern. However, there is no hall on earth that enhances the music like listening to it with friends while it’s being played by friends.

I have this cool job because of a friend. In early 2006, I went to the Outlook to hear my friend since the early 80’s, Bob Margolin (I told you he’s family). He was with Willie “Big Eyes” Smith for the sold-out show. He came back a few months later, and that’s when I was introduced to Dan. Within months, I was developing a promotion plan and writing the Blues Letter for the relatively new venue, and now, only five years later, I’ve amassed a lifetime of memories and friends.

Unfortunately, in amassing wonderful, beautiful friends, we sometimes have to face the grief of losing one. And more. The Blues community in general, and the Colorado Blues community specifically, have recently suffered a heart-breaking loss in the tragic death of 35-year-old John-Alex Mason. John-Alex was not just a friend, but a damn good friend. We remain stunned and grief-stricken. John-Alex passed away just days before Gary Allegretto was flying in as the Artist in Residence for the CBS’s Blues in the School program. Gary was to be John-Alex’s musical guest at the Outlook the night he flew in. Instead, he recruited the Rob Wilson Band and performed a fantastic Tribute Concert to John-Alex. Gary and I had dinner together before the show. We’d spoken via phone a few times, but those conversations had been primarily regarding updates on John-Alex’s condition. When we finally met, we spent a lot of time talking, and a friendship was borne of unimaginable grief. Gary later sent me an email reminding me how much John-Alex loved introducing people and witnessing a separate, autonomous friendship develop. I hope he’s pleased.

Just a month before John-Alex’s passing, we lost Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. He’d last been at the Outlook just five months before, and I’m beyond grateful that I was able to spend some real time with him on that day. The summer before, Robin Rogers (who only played the Outlook once) was on what turned out to be her final tour. She was with Debbie Davies, and although I only had a day or so to spend with her, I loved her instantly, so her death hit hard. No one wants to embrace heartache, but we hurt because we love. Once the shock and raw pain begin to subside, smiling is in order, for the best thing we can do for our friends is to keep the celebration of the friendship alive in our hearts and minds, as they will always be our friends.

Of all the great live Blues I’ve heard, none of it would be quite as beautiful and soulful without wonderful friends swaying and foot-tapping in the same room.

To paraphrase Ralph Waldo Emerson (replacing the masculine noun and pronoun with the feminine), “A woman’s growth is seen in the successive choirs of her friends.” Indeed Mr. Emerson, indeed. Yeah. I have a cool job.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

John-Alex

2011-10-30T11:32:00.002-07:00

The first time I met John-Alex Mason was the first time I was to hear him perform. Both events proved to be monumental on many levels. Musically, I couldn’t believe this Nordic version of the Greek God Apollo could sound like an African American native of Clarksdale, MS. But indeed he did.

I would go on to hear John-Alex many, many times over the years, and each time, my mind returned to the first, because each time was sui generis. One of the last times I heard him play, he was at the Boulder Outlook with the Cedric Burnside Project, and I wrote this (complete blog entry can be found here):

The evening opened with the amazing one man wall of sound, John-Alex Mason, alone on guitar. I’ve known John-Alex for a few years now, and yet this was the first time I’ve heard him alone on guitar. He typically plays his solo gigs on guitar and drums simultaneously, creating the illusion of a full band, and with a voice that was made for singing the Blues. I loved hearing him stripped down and raw last night.

I so did love it. Although most know that I’m the promotional director and talent buyer for the Boulder Outlook, I’m still perfectly comfortable blowing our own horn. We’ve had countless “one of those nights” at the Outlook. One jam saw the Tommy Castro Band, The Insomnias, Jason Ricci & New Blood, and the Delta Sonics. No cover. That lucky capacity crowd will be talking about that night for the rest of their Blues-loving lives. The same can be said of the audience that night with John-Alex and the CBP. So much so, that I broke the rules and let them play past music curfew. No one wanted that night to end.

And no one wants to say goodbye to John-Alex. But tragically we must.

I was working at my desk on October 13th, a Thursday evening, when I received a call from Todd “Buck Weed” Edmunds. After only a few seconds of greetings, Todd said, “I have some bad news.” His next several words forever diminished the world in which we live. “John-Alex is in a coma, and it doesn’t look good. No, it’s bad.” We talked for several minutes, but I don’t remember much else. I could only see John-Alex standing over me at Club 152 in Memphis at the first round of the quarter finals, about thirty seconds after the Lionel Young Band downbeat. He was all smiles, with a long, scraggly beard and those pale locks (much longer than I was used to) raining out of a black top hat. He looked fabulous! The club was packed, but miraculously, the seat next to me was free. Well, here’s how I described what happened next (entire blog entry here):

“...The Lionel Young Band.” Nice applause. The set opens with Lionel on guitar, slide. About 30 seconds in, I look up and there’s John-Alex Mason, all smiles and energy. He joins us at the table, smiling and supporting, as the crowd jubilantly cheers the solos. A minute or so later, I lean over and say, “Wait until he picks up the violin. They’re going to go nuts.” John-Alex then breaks into a HUGE, knowing grin.

That’s all I could “see” as Todd spoke. And that’s still what I see every morning when I remember our enormous loss, and then many more times throughout the day.

The Outlook hosted a memorial service/Blues jam in John-Alex’s memory, on Sunday, October 23rd, and approximately thirty of his musical colleagues came ready to play for him. And so many of his friends and fans. It was a lovely tribute to a tremendous human being. Throughout the evening’s conversations, I learned of the many images of others, all circumstantially unique, but uniform in their personal significance. Those first thoughts and images that come to mind when one is hearing life-altering news.

Those of us in Colorado are fortunate to have a lot of memories of John-Alex, as he performed so much in his home state. The rest of the world has his extraordinary music. His last CD, Juke Joint Thunderclap, is a masterpiece, pure and simple and it can be purchased here.

Several months ago, John-Alex gave me a copy. I listened to it repeatedly (still do), and then a few weeks later, he gave me the LP version. Yes, he also had LPs cut. The artwork is gallery-quality, so it made sense to have the big version. I treasure it. When I got home that night, I put on the CD and was admiring the LP. I thought it odd there were no liner notes. I picked up the CD, and discovered the same thing. Then I reached inside the front cover, and VIOLA! There they were. Nerd that I am, I always read the liner notes, cover to cover, including the lyrics (I know, I’m a nerd). When I got to the “thank you” section, I actually squealed when I saw my name. He wrote:

Dan and Honey at the Boulder Outlook Hotel for the place to hang our hats.

I’m not going to speak for Dan, but that is some of the highest praise I have or will ever receive.

John-Alex left us on October 19, 2011, the day humanity lost one its best creations. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s a beautiful autumn day here in Boulder, and I’m going to take a long walk and spend some time in Memphis with John-Alex.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

John-Alex Mason, November 30, 19--, October 19, 2011

2011-10-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

It is with a very heavy heart that I must report the news of John-Alex’s passing. He had been in the hospital in critical condition for almost three weeks after a routine outpatient procedure. He was comatose for all of that time with massive brain damage.

John-Alex was scheduled to play here this Saturday night with Gary Allegretto. Gary is now hosting a Memorial Concert with the Rob Wilson Band. There is no cover. 8:00 - 10:30.

Sunday we are hosting a Memorial Service and Blues Jam for John-Alex, 6:30 - 10:00. Let’s make sure he hears us. Goodbye my friend.

~Honey Bee Sepeda

The Future of The Blues

2011-10-10T11:50:00.003-07:00

There are several perks that come with being a talent buyer for a popular live Blues venue, and the music itself heads the list. High up on that list is bearing witness to growth of the next generation of great Blues musicians.

Yesterday afternoon, we had the Young Blood Blues Band open for a Dan King for City Council campaign volunteer party, and the kids were a worthy choice for the honor. This band came to be about three years ago, starting with Tony Golden (bass) and Zach Bahn (drums and recently excepted to the Denver School of the Arts ), who were both eight at the time. They were at the Outlook for a Sunday jam, sat in with the adults, and were already a solid rhythm section. I told them if they put together a band, I’d hire them to open on occasion. They took me seriously. Not too long after that, Zach and Tony sat in with Steady Rollin‘ Bob Margolin once at the Outlook, prompting Bob to say on the mic, “I’ve had to pay rhythm sections that aren’t this good.” Oh, and they got their picture in Blues Review magazine in Bob’s column. Not bad. Now a seasoned eleven, they rock the stage with bandmates Ryan Hutchinson, eleven (keys), Brady Hutchinson, fifteen (guitar), Melisa Lundy, thirteen (vocals), and Rhyleigh Abel, ten (harmonica).

Since the conception (Jim Primock and I even came up with the band’s name that very first night), they have played a few times at the Outlook, and I recently arranged for them to open for Bob Margolin at the Buffalo Rose in Golden, CO. They then returned the favor, and had Bob sit in with them. Pure magic. (See YouTube on the right).
They also have the good fortune to have Mr. Rex Peoples as their coach and mentor. They’re clearly working hard, and Rex has a great rapport with them. They’ve played Blues From the Top in Winter Park, CO, one of the state’s most prestigious Blues festivals, and did a great job. Every time I hear them, I’m thrilled and impressed with their progress. They obviously love what they’re doing. Fortunately, we have a Blues community that genuinely supports and encourages these Blues kids.

A few years older, Austin Young, sixteen, and Taylor Marvin, seventeen, are a couple of other young Colorado slingers we’re watching closely with a great deal of pride. They are serious band leaders, Blues musicians and songwriters, and both have been to the IBC with the Youth Showcase and left their audiences staggering at their level of talent. Last month, both of their bands competed for the Colorado Blues Society’s entry in the band category of the International Blues Challenge. They made it to the finals, competing against six adult bands, and turned in terrific sets. I predict that both of their bands will soon represent the CBS in Memphis, and I’ll be there to cheer them on.

Like I did for another brilliant Colorado musician, Nic “Cottonseed” Clarke, at the 2011 IBC Semifinals in Memphis at the New Daisy. Nic plays harp with the Wyoming band, Another Kind of Magick, with the oldest then being seventeen. Only forty-four of the original one hundred and ten bands went on to the semis, so no small feet for five teenagers. Nic then took home the 1st Annual Youth Knowledge Bowl award and is also one of the youngest players ever endorsed by Hohner Harmonicas. Maybe there’s a bit of Clarksdale in the Rocky Mountain’s water.

Two wonderful young singers, Tomara Conrad and Emma Henry (both sixteen), are making national waves, with Tomara recently appearing on Rachel Ray and Emma on X Factor. I’m hoping to have both of them play at the Outlook more, allowing us to bear testimony to their musical growth, while simultaneously forming a protective and healthy environment for them.

The music business can be tough, so I’m glad all of our talented kids have great parents and a large community looking out for their best interests. We embrace our responsibility to these kids with a familial obligation we aggressively undertake. They’re ours and we’re damn proud of them.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

2011-09-16T14:03:00.001-07:00

The phone call came in at 10:01 a.m., Friday, September 16, 2011. It was John Catt, founder of the Grand County Blues Society. I was moments away from heading out the door for a long walk on an only-in-Colorado September day of glorious beauty; slightly crisp temperature, with glimpses of vibrant golds and reds in the leaves, heralding the upcoming annual display of their brilliant pallet. The mountains are looking on in excited anticipation of the show. It’s my favorite time of year. Then the day crashed and burned into horribleness. The conversation went like this:

HB: Hi Darlin’, what’s up.
JC: You haven’t heard [stated more as a sad fact than a question].
HB: [Cautiously] Heard what?
JC: I’m sorry, Dear, I have bad news.
HB: What.
JC: Willie “Big Eyes” Smith passed away this morning.”

It’s a few hours later, and the word “no” is still screaming in my head.

Willie and I weren’t friends on the level of phone calls and “keeping in touch.” No, ours was a Blues Friendship. Those Big Eyes lit up when he saw me, as did mine. He was one of the sweetest, loveliest people I’ve ever known, and I rejoiced every time his agent (for this region), Derek Smith, would email me with dates for Willie. The last couple of time he’s played the Outlook, I’ve had to move local bands to accommodate his schedule. The local bands didn’t complain. Actually, they felt honored to be rescheduled for Willie.

Willie and Bob Margolin were the first national acts to play the Boulder Outlook. They were on the gig together, and it was the first time I went to the place that was to become my home away from home. It was a sold-out show, and the music was superb. I saw Willie (with his band) about a year later, again at the Outlook. It was a rare weekend night that local Blues heros, the Delta Sonics, had the night off, and Willie Panker and John Butler (drums and bass respectively) came down for the show, and we all sat together. It was remarkable.

He’s played for us a number of times since, and each time our friendship grew a little deeper, with more laughs borne of familiarity and history (not to mention mutual friends). He was last here on April 23rd, and we spent a good bit of time together that day, a few hours before the gig. His son, Javik, was with him as well. We had a lovely time, most of it spent laughing. When I went up to him to say “goodnight,” I was met with the type of embrace, so warm, so genuine, that it was the first thing that sprung to my mind when John Catt delivered the sad news. I may not have Willie here any longer, but that moment is mine forever.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Stuck Inside of Boulder with The Memphis Blues Again

2011-09-08T14:55:00.002-07:00

Apparently I woke juxtaposing Memphis and Bob Dylan. But with the IBC Preliminary Band Round here at the Outlook this Sunday, ‘tis no wonder I’ve Memphis on my mind.

But first, tonight. The wildly energetic Jason Downing will be here with Musketeer Gripweed, and it’s been quite some time. Jason has unique approach to music, and he’s fun to watch. See you tonight, Jason.

Tomorrow night brings one of my favorite’s back; Maynard Mills. The last time he was here, Gretchen Troop and her husband, Biff, were thinking of going out, and so I suggested the Outlook for Maynard since they’d not heard him before. They picked me up, and on the drive over told me they were only staying for the first set. I thought to myself, “We’ll see about that.” By the third song, they were both asking me how it was they’d not heard him before. We stayed for both sets.

Saturday night Paul Soderman and BluesHouze is back! It’s been a long time coming, so don’t forget if you want to get a seat come early, however with them it’s usually come early if you want to get in. And rest up, because there is always a very crowded dance floor for these guys.

And now back to Sunday’s IBC Round. The music starts at 2:00 p.m., and it will get crowded, so come early if you want to be assured of getting in. Every year we have to turn some people away, but it’s always the late-comers. The competing bands are:

2:00 Bumkin

2:40 Immortal Blues Ambassadors

3:20 Bid Daddy Lee & the Kingbees

4:00 Eddy & the Haskells

4:40 Orphan Boy Blues Band

5:20 Taylor Marvin & the Golden Boys

6:00 Teresa Lynne and the Dreamboats

Come out and cheer on your favorite bands!

Here’s a little something I received from the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival: it’s a contest for two 3-day passes and lodging for some lucky couple. Here are some details:

Telluride.com and Telluride Blues & Brews are giving away two, 3-day passes and 3 nights lodging to a lucky couple for the 2011 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival on September 16th-18th! Click the link below (bottom of the blog) and follow the instructions to enter the contest. We will announce the winner on the morning of Tuesday, September 13th. Contest includes:

Two, 3-Day passes to Telluride Blues & Brews Festival

Three night stay for two people at the Aspen Street Inn Bed & Breakfast. Room includes a King size bed and breakfast, each morning, for two! Check out the link to the room: http://www.telluridehotels.com/rentals/aspen-street-inn-morningstar (Dates include either 9/15-9/18 or 9/16-9/19).

*Contest is only valid from 9/6-9/13. Giveaway is only valid for the 2011 Blues & Brews Festival - Tickets and Hotel are non-transferrable.

Here is the link: http://www.telluride.com/blog/tags/lionel-young

Good luck!

Next Wednesday, I’m hosting a Pro-Invite Fund-Raiser Jam, from 5:00 - ?. Musicians who’ve confirmed thus far, are: Billy Hoke (who is also providing the drum kit), Gretchen Troop, Jack Hadley, Joe Pacheco, Mike Ray, Lionel Young, Dan Treanor, Mark Diamond, Russ Musilek, Randall Dubis, and Mac (from the Informants). I’ll send out a blast early next week with the full list.

I want to make sure calendars are marked for a couple of other big doings we have going on September. On Sunday, September 18th, at 2:00 p.m., we are hosting the IBC solo/duo finals, followed by Mike Zito. However, this isn’t going to be a typical gig. You see, last month the guys were here for a couple of nights off, and they did a set at Gretchen’s jam, and then sat in with jammers. At breakfast, they all four told me they had a blast. Then I told Mike that if he wanted to, since so many of us will still be here from the IBC Finals, they can start early, do two sets, then a pro-invite jam for a third set. He was excitedly on board with that plan. Come on people! You know it’s going to be “one of those nights!” I can’t wait.

Then on Tuesday, the 20th, Jeff Strahan is back. Jeff first played here a year ago, and Dan and I were both in the bar. Our jaws dropped. We both had other plans for the evening, and we both rescheduled. We didn’t want to miss a note from this monster. And, he’s as great on keys as he is on guitar. And then there’s the voice. For me, however, wordsmith that I am, it’s his astounding lyrical writing that continues to captivate me every time I hear him, live or CD. Anyone who loves the Blues must get to know this artist’s music.

I’ll leave you this week with some future dates:

11/9 Samantha Fish Band

11/12 Jake Loggins Band

11/17 Harper

11/25 Otis Taylor and Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin

11/30 Candye Kane

As you can see, the Blues Gods are being very generous with us. ~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Do You Remember The Very First Day Of September...

2011-09-01T09:34:00.003-07:00

Ok, so I kind of paraphrased Earth, Wind and Fire there, but it fits. Love was changing the mind of pretenders...

Speaking of pretenders, before I go any further, a Craigslist ad was brought to my attention this morning, and I’d like our readers to know WE DID NOT PLACE THIS AD AND IT HAS NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH THE OUTLOOK. Here’s the ad:

“Looking for a Blues Band (Colorado)

Date: 2011-08-31, 4:39PM MDT

Reply to: comm-emg3w-2575956816@craigslist.org

If you are a local blues band and you have not yet played at The Blues and Greens Restaraunt in Boulder.................then I would like to see a pic, bio and hear your music.”

First of all, if I were to place an ad, the spelling and grammar would be correct. Just sayin’. Second, it’s not THE Blues and Greens, it’s Blues & Greens. We at least know the name of the venue, sheeeesh! Amateur!

Ok, so on to the Blues! Tonight is the long-awaited Clay McClinton show! We’ve all been wondering about the Son of Delbert, but we know that he grew up with the Blues in his blood, listening to the best. I can’t wait to hear this future of the Blues Ambassador. And I have to admit that since his posters have been hanging around the room for about four months now, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that he’s something of a cutie pie. Again, just sayin’. Here’s something tasty:

“Clay's musical virtuosity shines with the release of his third album, Livin’ Out Loud (2010). He blends Americana and Texas blues with a touch of country to give us a tremendous follow up to his two previous releases—Out of the Blue (2004) and Son of a Gun (2006). Livin’ Out Loud is openhearted and thoughtful, and often explores the tension between the love for adventure and the longing for home. Clay has taken grand leaps both as a singer-songwriter and as a musician, and the eleven tracks also foretell of great things to come. Much like his earlier albums, Clay wrote or co-wrote ten of the tracks. He was honored to write with Bruce Channel, Dave Duncan, Rob Roy Parnell, Ricky Ray, and of course, Delbert. He produced the album with Kevin McKendree, a longtime family friend as well as Delbert’s piano player. Clay describes the process of creating the album with these and other great musicians as one of self-discovery and personal and professional growth.”

And we’re on this CD release tour! Tonight! One night only!

Tomorrow night is another One Night Only! My girl, Ms. Mary Bridget Davies (Betty to me), FINALLY makes it to the Outlook. As I’ve reported before, I first met her after the IBC Finals on February 5th, where she placed second after the Lionel Young Band. At that time, she was booked here for April 28th, so we talked about that. As we know, that tour had to be rescheduled to TOMORROW!!! I had barrels of fun at BFtT this year, knowing that very few had heard her voice. Right as she was being introduced, I positioned myself for maximum facial-expression viewing, and was not disappointed. Jaws dropped.

Mary/Betty is fun, alive, funny, energetic, and puts on a show that evaporates time. Although she’s yet to step foot in the Outlook, she’s already family. At BFtT, we spent the day being asked if we’re sisters. We said “yes.” By that time we were. I’m taking this show personally, to be honest; it’s as if my sister is coming for a visit, and I want everything to be perfect. I do you hope you can join us for what I promise will be filled with extraordinary music and rip-roaring fun. And meet your new sister. It’s a girl!

Saturday night, Erica Brown makes her long-awaited return to the Outlook, and I could go on and on about her, but you all already know. See you Saturday!

Tuesday is Dan Treanor’s jam, and if the forecast is correct, it will be a perfect evening for opening the door while playing and listening to some Blues. I for one will be happy to celebrate cooler temps.

I’m closing with a save-the-date notice: September 24th, for the first time in more than a year, the entire Lionel Young Band, 2011 IBC Winners, returns to the Outlook. They have been out there, all over the country this Summer, representing us beautifully. I’ve been reading the reviews, and they have shaken up the festival circuit, with many of them inviting them back next year. As proud as we all are of them, the cold reality is we’re not going to get to see them as often as we’d like, because when they won, we handed them over to the world, and it’s a big place. We have to share, like it or not. I miss Lionel terribly, but he calls frequently and fills me in on their multitude of shows and adventures. And, they’ll be back next week!

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

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To Jason, Shawn, and Todd, With All My Love

2011-08-27T14:09:00.005-07:00

It’s been a bit more than a year since one of my favorite bands disbanded; Jason Ricci and New Blood were one of those bands that always filled a room, and we certainly miss them as a unit. There is a lot I can say but I think the review I wrote the first time I heard them almost five years ago, is pretty much to the point:

New Blood for the Blues

For centuries there has existed a rare, temporary medical condition striking a dozen or so tourists annually in Florence, Italy, the cradle of Italian Renaissance, and a city which simply groans under the weight of her myriad masterpieces. For these few tourists, encountering masterpieces pretty much wherever the eye lands, creates symptoms including amnesia, dizziness, and disorientation, and often requires a hospital stay. French novelist and writer Marie-Henri Beyle, known as Stendhal, was struck with the malaise in 1817, thus finally giving the illness a name: Stendhal Syndrome.

Boulder, Colorado has recently experienced an opposing variation of this rare malaise, in that rather than the visiting tourist being struck, it is the locals who are visited by it. And it’s not as much a visual attack, it’s an oracular one. It’s known as “JRS,’ or Jason Ricci Syndrome, and it clobbers Boulder periodically. The symptoms are the same. The treatment, however, rests not in minimizing the exposure, but intensifying it. The patient becomes incapable of resisting finding JRS-related masterpieces online and listening for hours on end, abandoning sleep and nutrition. And on occasion, all mental reason.

This most recent documented case was at the Boulder Outlook Hotel and Suites, which, aside from being a great (and green) hotel, is Boulder’s home of the blues. It arrives in the form of Jason Ricci and New Blood, the kickin’est jam band, well, probably ever. Ricci is a harmonica virtuoso, master, prodigy, alien. When he takes the stage with Shawn Starski on guitar (another prodigy alert!), Todd “Buck Weed” Edmunds on bass (who looks like he’s having fun beyond measure), and Ron Sutton on drums (who, ironically, seems to be the quiet one), the oblivious patient is spot-welded to the seat by the G forces of sound. Perfect, clear sound.

To paraphrase Muddy, the blues had a baby, and his name is Jason Ricci. Reviews aplenty for this remarkable band (many trying to make near impossible comparisons) can be found online. They were also listed in the Mercury News “Top Ten Shows of 2005” with Prince, Rush, and Green Day. (Has anyone ever heard of PS, or RS, or GDS? No!)

Disclosing that the author is not a musician, and therefore ill-equipped to analyze on a technical level, it seems to me that every note emanating from Ricci carries every experience of his young life. One does not have to be musically skilled to understand that some things just can’t be explained (and though Ricci slams Red Bull™ throughout his performance, I don’t care what their slogan is, NOTHING can give you those kind of wings. At least not over the counter. [Note to self: contact Red Bull™ people for ad campaign idea: 30-second videos of Ricci]. For more technical reviews, see their website, jasonricci.com. WARNING! If your speakers are on, prepare for the onset of symptoms.

In Ricci’s hands, the harp becomes an entire symphony, creating sounds of countless instruments. During one of his solos, it took merely looking away to be certain I was hearing a guitar solo. But I wasn’t.

Then he sings. Just consider if James Brown and Janis Joplin had a child. He’d sound like Jason Ricci. Spellbinding in its raw power, the patient again feels his life’s experiences. And with all due respect to the late James Brown, he has nothing on Ricci’s primeval scream. And in terms of the hardest working? See a show and decide for yourself. Ricci works so hard, even the audience needs a shower afterward.

The skillful gentleman on drums was clearly born to it. Drummers are tough; they’re too fast to follow visually, but the ears can somehow hear it all, the expertise and passion. Ron Sutton possesses both in abundance.

As a long time fan of the blues, I will admit to a guitar bias. I live for it. There isn’t a bad mood a great solo can’t alter. At only 27, we can all look forward to mood alterations for decades to come from Starski. He’s one of the gifted ones. He could masterfully hold his own sharing a stage with Kenny Wayne Shepard, or Buddy Guy, or Bob Margolin. (And for our female patients, he’s easy on the eyes).

Speaking of easy, Buck Weed enlivens his bass with a fluid effortlessness that is a mesmerizing serenity in the middle of a Ricci Storm. Or a Starski Storm. Held higher than I’ve ever seen, Buck Weed caresses that bass like a sweetheart without whom he cannot exist. He appears wholly in love with his job.

Speaking of being in love with a job. Another harp master, Al Chesis of the Delta Sonics, is the wonderful soul who advised me to review Jason Ricci and New Blood [another note to self: send Al a nice bottle of wine]. Sitting there at the Outlook, being annihilated by some of the finest music ever generated, I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so very in love with my job. Thank you, Mr. Ricci, Mr. Starski, Mr. Sutton, and Mr. Weed. I now live for your December 21, 2007, appearance at the Outlook. And, since the Delta Sonics play here a bit more often, I will have copious opportunities to thank Al again, and again, and again.

How Do You Solve A Problem Like The Beiber?

2011-08-10T09:47:00.001-07:00

Like many a Blues fan, I am frequently frustrated at the fortunes of mediocre, auto-tuned talent, while geniuses like Pinetop Perkins and Honeyboy Edwards have to work well into their 90’s to keep food on the table. It isn’t fair, but it is our actuality.

I was in the middle of a big move when the news of Amy Winehouse’s untimely death hit the wire, and was leveled with sadness at the loss of such a talent. I’ve been thinking a lot about her, one of those rare artists who captivated the masses without requirement of bells and whistles, just that raw, scarcely-found innate talent. I don’t often find myself thinking about globally popular musicians, nor the pop world in general, but now that I have, I’ve come to realize a few things:

First of all, I don’t think Justin Beiber is a problem, and in all candor, I’ve only heard approximately four minutes of his music, so I’m too ill-informed on the subject to pass judgement, beyond that those four minutes didn’t speak to me. It is here I must disclose that when I was ten, I was all about Donny Osmond and Michael Jackson, so I do understand the appeal to young girls. And since that will never change, the Blues world needs to embrace it. And I have just the magic weapons to get the Blues into the hands, ears, and hearts of the next generation: Austin Young, Jack Gaffney, Taylor Marvin, Nic Cottonseed Clark, Noah Mast, and Forrest Raup. The oldest in this fantacy band is seventeen.

Given the technology we have today, stars are being made on You Tube. The trick is to get something to go viral, and viola! At the risk of sounding exploitative, all these guys are good looking, charming, and DAMN talented. And whether we want to admit it or not, what initially gets the attention of tweens and teens are looks; the music comes later. I was eighteen the first time I heard live Blues, and I was hooked from moment one. I think kids are smarter than Madison Avenue gives them credit, and if you give them quality, they will recognize it.

Remembering that the word “fan” derives from “fanatic,” once people become fans of a band, they will read every interview and review they can find, and it is through that practice that they are directed toward the influences of their new musical heros. I speak from personal experience: Several years ago I was at the Outlook to review a band I’d not seen, Jason Ricci and New Blood. I became an instant fan, and for weeks searched the internet for all I could find. And, in light of that research, I know about all of Jason’s influences.

So, for the sake of argument, imagine this band of teenagers gets a viral hit, and then the interviews begin. Then, everyone of their fans would know the names and music of Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Kim Wilson, Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, Pinetop Perkins, etc. What I’ve realized in all this thinking about Amy Winehouse, is that there is a HUGE audience for true genius, and we have a lot of them in the Blues world, we just need to start thinking like the kids if we want to reach them. I’m going to talk to the parents of the aforementioned geniuses, and see if we might want to put something together. Anyone reading this who also knows of young, genuinely talented Blues artists, consider You Tube. The Blues is the oldest and most deeply rooted music in the American catalog, but our approach can’t be. We need to change the way we think about promotion, and the first step is accepting the reality that the way to the masses’ hearts begins with the youth.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Young Austin

2011-07-18T13:33:00.003-07:00

I was planning on doing an extensive interview with fifteen-year old Austin Young, but after his performance yesterday at Arvada, CO’s Blues and BBQ Festival, it can’t wait. He’s just that good.

With sixteen-year old Noah Mast on bass, and Austin’s father, Tim, on drums, Young Austin and No Difference are becoming one of the area’s more sought-after bands. And with damn good reason. Before I continue, here is a paragraph from his bio:

"...Austin Lee Young, a Colorado native, has been described by some as being a “phenom” guitar player. His youth and energy lend to his own style of music which he calls “Texandrix Blues”. At 15 years old he exudes unbelievable passion and displays electrifying musicianship in his performances. His inspirations span the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Tim Young, and Ted Johnson..."

Although the guitar is his instrument of choice, Austin is able to participate in any jam on the drums, bass guitar, and keyboards. His stage presence and relationship that he builds with audiences can only be described as “crowd pleasing”.

Crowd pleasing, indeed. I’ve been watching his talent develop for about three years now, and yesterday was the most electrifying performance of his that I’ve seen to date. He dedicated Muddy’s “Honey Bee” to me, and he tore up the long solo. To shreds. Not only would Muddy have been proud, I know his mentor and recent Pinetop Perkins Foundation Masterclass Workshop teacher, Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, would have been as well.

Bob and Austin first took the stage together at the Outlook about a year ago, and they’ve since developed a friendship that I’ve no doubt will continue to grow. Neither one can sing the praises of the other enough, and after several days together in Clarksdale, MS, last month, I heard the results: there was quit a bit of Bob’s influence in Austin’s cover of “Honey Bee.” I have a feeling these two are headed for some pretty heavy creative collaborations. And we’ll all be better for it.

Yesterday, in ninety-plus degree heat, Austin came out blazing, stunning the large crowd assembled at the Blue Star Connection Stage. I had spent most of the festival under the protective Colorado Blues Society tent when I wasn’t visiting the Blue Star Connection tent, two tents over (they had a fan. I visited them a lot), but braved the direct sun in front of the stage for Austin. It’s always fun to try and count how many times I hear, “Oh my God!” Or, “How OLD is he?” Austin has the handsome, young, and joyful face of a teenager, but the talent of a seasoned artist.

And he knows how to entertain as well. He jumped off the stage during that “Honey Bee” solo, and I could barely keep up with him while trying to film (it didn’t come out very well...), as he walked just about every square foot of the audience, while playing amazing riffs, reminding me a little of Ronnie Baker Brooks. Like Ronnie and Tommy Castro, Austin has a natural and genuine rapport with his audience because he is so completely in love with playing that guitar, and has such confidence in his passion. His passion is involuntary, it’s not what he does, it’s who he is.

He’s also funny, thoughtful, kind, happy, enthusiastic, grateful, and just about exploding with joy. He’s a special kid, and not just because he’s such an amazing musician. He’s special because he’s an amazing young man. I’m proud of him, and just yesterday, I told his parents, Tim and Krisanne, how happy I am with the way they are raising my son. I’ve told them this before, and they still laugh. And then smile with pride, as they should.

Austin, Tim, and Krissane are my friends, but we also have a professional relationship, and it's always a joy to work with them. Any time Bob is in town, I make sure Austin knows well in advance so as to give them a chance to play together. I know they both enjoy it tremendously, but I’m afraid I have to disclose that neither of them could possibly enjoy it as much as we do. We know we’re bearing witness TO the birth of Blues history, and we’re all happy and lucky to be along for the ride.

Thank you, Austin, for keeping the Blues alive, and being such a great friend.

Honey Bee Sepeda~

Wet Carpet Blues

2011-07-13T15:20:00.003-07:00

Last Thursday, just as I was mentally confirming my decision to move (dramatic rent increase on the horizon), the skies over Boulder opened wide for more than an hour. I stood looking out my sliding glass doors at my partially enclosed terrace, noticing quickly rising water. The deluge was too much for the drain to handle.

It only took about fifteen minutes for the edge of the carpet to feel damp. Within half an hour, about 100 square feet of my living carpet was soaked. Half my living room was primed for seeding. Management showed up with an industrial sized shop vac (a good plan since my neighbor across the hall suffered the same wet fate), and after rearranging my living room furniture, spent over an hour vacuuming rain water out of the carpet, along with my dream of an indoor vegetable garden.

The following afternoon fans arrived. Big, loud, vibrating carpet-drying fans. I was told they needed to run at least 24 hours. Fair enough. I have plenty of CDs to drown out a couple of fans. And so I passed the rest of Friday and much of Saturday rotating CDs (I’m old school; I still have a CD player), while I cleaned up and sorted for the move.

I said “much” of Saturday. Around 2:30ish, just as I was preparing to silence the fans for a few hours (the carpet was almost dry), the skies opened up again. Do I need to go on with this tale of woe, or can you figure out what happened next? I’ll give you clue: Think deja vu: Management, neighbor, rain water again sucked up with my garden dream. Just add a fan. I had three loud fans. So the remainder of Saturday, and all of Sunday and Monday were passed with the loud din of drying being covered by some loud Blues.

I started out with Zac Harmon, From the Root. The entire CD is great for packing boxes, but my particular favorite is his great original “Honey Bee.” Go figure. Next up came a little Jimmy Thackery. I’m still getting to know his latest CD, Feel the Heat, so it was as good an opportunity as any to become further acquainted. As a city girl and long-time pedestrian, his song “Hang Up and Drive,” is a personal favorite. I nearly get hit a couple of times a week, and 98% of the time the driver is on the phone. I identify with this song. And I love the record.

I learned something very interesting this past February: any time I’m feeling less than happy, the Lionel Young Band’s On Our Way to Memphis does the trick every time. If I’m in a hurry, I need merely listen to “Bring it on Home” to find myself filled with joy. Not to mention back at the Orpheum Theater in Memphis. I was with them all the way to Memphis and back (anyone who’s not read THAT adventure, sit back, buckle your seatbelt, and have at it here).

It was when they guys hit the last note of that song that the rest of the audience found out what I had known for six months: the Lionel Young Band was to be the 2011 IBC winners. When I listen to that song, I can close my eyes and hear, see, smell, and feel that moment with a couple of thousand people on their feet, riotously applauding the band. The day I was informed of the upcoming rent increase, I must have played that song a dozen times.

Trampled Under Foot’s new one, Wrong Side of the Blues, is a favorite as well, and I typically put that one on repeat for a couple of go arounds. Although, as I’m trying to be upbeat and energetic, I have to skip “Goodbye.” Can’t handle it. I plan on adding that to TUF’s contractual obligations (along with “I’d Rather Go Blind”) when I book them at the Outlook, but when I’m trying to sort through and get rid of stuff, that’s the LAST song I need to hear.

The now defunct Insomniacs’ (hang on, I need a tissue) At Least I’m Not With You, can get a house cleaned! It’s one of my go-to’s when I need to get moving. Before the end of “Lonesome,” my alter ego, Doris Domestic, steps in and takes over. “She Can Talk” is only 3:14, but by the end of it, the toilets will be surgically clean. Oh, and fun little game: listen to the title cut, and then make a list of all former romantic partners to whom you’d like to send that song. It’s fun!

I close this fun, packing-avoiding little diatribe with a favorite CD of mine. I bought it about four years ago, shortly after I began my tenure at the Boulder Outlook. The Colorado Blues Society had decided to send a band and solo/duo to the following IBC, and held some preliminary rounds at the Outlook. Each band only had 25 minutes, and that was all I needed. I approached the young man on guitar and vocals to purchase a CD. Because of my position at the venue, he tried to give it to me, but I insisted on paying. That was the best ten bucks I’ve ever spent. I fell in love with that CD. Then, about three years ago, it disappeared. I couldn’t remember if I’d loaned it to someone, but I kept looking. I see said guitarist (who’s now in another great band) frequently, but he doesn’t have any copies. I ran into his former bandmate the other night and asked him. He said he’d send me an electronic copy.

Now here’s the nice thing about seemingly bad news. I really love this apartment. I got very lucky a few years ago in a sublease at an almost rent controlled price in downtown Boulder. I knew this day would probably come, but wasn’t prepared for it last Wednesday, and I was not a happy girl. Resigned to my fate, yes; happy, no. So, as I began cleaning out a file cabinet, what did I find? That CD had slipped into a file. So, yes I have to move, but I also have one of my favorite CDs back. Produced by Chicago’s great Nick Moss, Chicago Sessions with the former Shuffletones’ Ronnie Shellist and Jeremy Vasquez (who wrote all songs), is one wonderful record, and I’m so happy to have it back that I don’t care that I have to move.

Although I'm still pissed about the indoor garden.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Deal With The Devil: A Boulder Story

2011-07-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, I published a spoof on Robert Johnson’s deal-with-the-devil. Many laughed, and many emailed me to see if I was alright. I repost it here, but if you don’t know the story of the Robert Johnson myth, this won’t makes sense. Any readers falling into that category, I suggest you read this first.

I wanted to share a recent experience with you (for those of you not familiar with Boulder, we used to have an eyesore known as the Crossroads Mall).

Ok, something happened to me on my way home on the night of October’s full moon. I couldn’t be sure if what I think happened actually happened. I needed some time to process. Well, now I think I can let you in on it, freaky and unbelievable though it is.

I’d been at the Outlook listening to some great, soulful blues and decided to walk home. I was Walking up the road with my laptop in my bag propped up on my shoulder on an October cool night, a full moon filling up the dark sky. I was thinking about the blues preaching to me, when I heard, "Put that laptop down, girl, you drivin' people nuts." It was a quiet, dark and lonesome road, with a crazed, poisoned dog howling and moaning in a ditch alongside the road sending electrified chills up and down my spine, as I was coming up on the ghost of the demolished Crossroads Mall just south of home. Then I saw a man sitting off to the side of the road on a log at the heart if the old Crossroads Mall, and he says, "You're late, Honey Sepeda." I dropped to my knees and said, "Maybe not."

The man stood up, tall, barrel-chested, and black as forever, and walked out to the middle of the old Crossroads Mall where I kneeled down. He says, "Stand up, Honey Sepeda. You want to throw that laptop over there in that ditch with that hairless dog and go on back to the Outlook and just listen, because you just another blues reviewer like all the rest, or you want to write about the blues like nobody ever wrote about it before? Turn phrases nobody ever heard before? You want to be the Queen of the Blues Writers and have all the whiskey and men you want?"
"That's a lot of whiskey and men, Devil-Man."

"I know you, Honey Sepeda," says the man.

I felt the moonlight bearing down on my head and the back of my neck as the moon seemed to be growing bigger and bigger and brighter and brighter. I feel it like the heat of the noonday sun bearing down, and the howling and moaning of the dog in the ditch penetrates my soul, coming up through my feet and the tips of my fingers through my legs and arms, settling in that big empty place beneath my breastbone causing me to shake and shudder like a woman with the palsy. I said, "That dog gone mad."

The man laughs. "That hound belong to me. He ain't mad, he's got the Blues. I got his soul in my hand."

The dog lets out a low, long soulful moan, a howling like I never heard before, rhythmic, syncopated grunts, yelps, and barks, seizing me like a Grand Mal, and causing the keys on my laptop to vibrate, hum, possessing me, taking me over, spinning me around, losing me inside of my own self, wasting me, lifting me up into the sky. I looked over in the ditch and see the eyes of the dog reflecting the bright moonlight or, more likely so it seems to me, glowing on their own, a deep violet penetrating glow, and I knew and felt that I was staring into the eyes of a Hellhound as his body shudders from head to toe.

The man says, "The dog ain't for sale, Honey Sepeda, but the words can be yours. The words of the Blues."

"I got to have those phrases and interviews, Devil-Man. They are mine! Where do I sign?"

The man says, "You ain't got a pencil, Honey Sepeda. Your word is good enough. All you got to do is keep walking north. But you better be prepared. There are consequences."

"Prepared for what, Devil-man?"

"You know where you are, Honey Sepeda? You are standing in the middle of the old Crossroads Mall at midnight, and that full moon is right over your head. You take one more step in the direction you're headed, you going to be in your office under this full October moon, and you are going to write about the Blues like never known to this world. My left hand will be forever wrapped around your soul, and Boulder's Home Of The Blues Blues’ weekly Blues Letter will possess all who read them. That's what's going to happen. That's what you better be prepared for. Your soul will belong to me. This is not just any old Crossroads Mall. I put this "X" here for a reason, and I been waiting on you."

I rolled my head around, eyes upwards in their sockets to stare at the blinding light of the moon which has now completely filled the pitch-black Front Range night, piercing my right eye like a bolt of lightning as the midnight hour hit. I looked the big man squarely in the eyes and says, "Step back, Devil-Man, I'm going to my office. I am the Blues Reporter."

The man moves to one side and says, "Go on, Honey Sepeda. You the Queen of the Blues Reviewers. Go on home to your office. And when you get to your office, you get you a plate of hot tamales because you going to be needing something on your stomach where you're headed." And that’s what happened, I swear. It was my Meeting with the Devil at the Former Crossroads Mall.

Now, forward this along and let’s get the legend started. 11/07

Tear Drop Collector

2011-07-08T14:07:00.004-07:00

As I am moving next month, I spent much of today organizing and packing CDs. Lots, and lots, and lots of CDs. I do believe I could open my own CD kiosk if I were of the mind to sell them, which I’m not. Anywho, I put on Teresa Lynne and the Dreamboats’ latest CD, Tear Drop Collector, to keep me company while I pack, and I’m glad I did. I have to get back to packing, but here’s what I think about this fantastic CD (I initially wrote this a couple of months ago):

I’d like to tell you about Teresa Lynne’s new band, Teresa Lynne and the Dreamboats. They played the Outlook recently, and it was my first time hearing this new lineup, and they are dreamy! Along with Ms. T. are Jimmy Lange, Rick Ross, Richie Foelsch and Jerry Alan. I’ve always loved Teresa’s music no matter who’s backing her, but this band was born to play with her. I swear her voice is even better with these guys, and she’s kicked her harp mastery up a few notches.

Now color me biased, but her latest record, Tear Drop Collector has become one of the top ten played here at Chez Honey Bee, and she’s in some heavy company. Ok, yes she has both Bob Margolin and Chris Cain as guests on this release, and ok, yes she mentions me in the liner notes, but I’d love it even if she had forgotten me. Teresa knows how to turn a phrase, and as good as she is on covers (although there is only one cover on this CD), making them her own, it’s her facility with innuendo and phraseology with her originals that knocks out the listener. She’s wry, droll, and clever, turning common terms upside down and shaking the hell out of them. She’s a wordsmith, pure and simple, not to mention a Colorado treasure. I’m honored to have my name associated with this favorite record of mine. This is one purchase immune to buyer’s remorse.

Congratulations, Teresa! It’s one hell of a record!

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Winter Park, Summer Blues Parts #1, #2 and #3

2011-07-08T11:05:00.004-07:00

PART ONE

I can tell when I’m going to have a Wordsworth day the moment I open my eyes. Like this morning. That last stanza is about reflection, and this morning I’m in full-on reflection mode from this past weekend’s 9th Annual Blues From the Top festival. The daffodils and my heart are dancing to the Blues (read the poem at the conclusion, and that will make sense).

This is the first year I’ve made the journey to Winter Park, CO, on Saturday morning instead of Friday evening. There were logistical concerns that prompted that decision, and although I missed the Friday night jam at Smokin’ Moe’s, I still heard about a week’s worth of great Blues in an awe inspiring Rocky Mountain setting. It’s just so damn beautiful! And, had I gone up Friday evening, I wouldn’t have had an EXHILARATING wildlife sighting. My good friend Bill was driving, and as we rounded a corner, I noticed what I thought were three small deer having a little nosh by the side of the road. Just as we got parallel to them, I noticed they were in fact rams. I’ve been in Colorado for twelve and a half years and these were my first rams! I’m still pretty excited about it. The last two on my list for sightings are mountain lion and bobcat. If anyone has any good sighting areas, hit me back.

We entered the park just as Michaela Rae was getting started, the teenager’s third consecutive year opening the festival, and she did us proud. I was carrying a boxed kid’s electric guitar for signatures. It’s a beautiful small, fire-engine red electric that I’m hauling around the planet for signatures so we can auction it at my Blue Star Connection Birthday Benefit in December. What better place than festivals to maximize signature value? The front is now almost completely covered. And guitarists only on this one.

After settling in at a table in the VIP tent (thank you John Catt!), all the greetings commenced, at this, the second event of the Blues Social Season (two weeks ago, Greeley Blues Jam kicked off our auspicious season). We’re just as snobby as other society events, but we’re snobby about hugs. We’re huggers. I had no shortage of great hugs this weekend, and I was just speaking to Jill Watkins to fill her in (she couldn’t make it this year...), and after we hung up, I realized I had actually made mention of the quality of a couple of hugs I’d received. So yes, I’m hug snob. I gave and received many memorable, but the top hugs for the weekend belong to Austin Young, Krisanne Young (Austin’s mom), Albert Cummings, Cricket, Janie Soong, Debbie Obermann, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Shara Todd, Carlton Armstrong, Enid Strong, Mary Bridget Davies, Scotty Rivera, and Art Ferrari. Just to name a few. Some people are just gifted huggers, and I don’t want to brag, but...

Speaking of Enid Strong, she and her husband, Dave, are very involved in the Colorado Blues world, this festival, and Blue Star Connection, and I had to get a little crafty on Saturday in order to get the guitar signed. Let me explain: John Catt always comps tickets for me and any staff from the Outlook. For the last couple of years, he’s also graciously given me an All Access pass. As I got to Will Call, hauling the guitar, I gave them my name, and nothing. John forgot me, but I called, and he spoke to the volunteer working Will Call and told him to give Bill and me a two-day VIP bracelet, which was greatly appreciated. A few minutes later I ran into Dave Strong and asked if he knew where John was, as I needed to get the guitar back stage. For the next couple of hours, John and I kept just missing each other, so he finally sent me a text. It said, “Come back stage now.” I thought, well, I don’t have a pass. But I do have a text. So, I showed the text to security, and they let me through. And again, I’d just missed John, but at least I got to get the guitar in the Green Room.

After returning to the VIP tent, I realized that I really needed to go to the Green Room every hour or so to ask for signatures, but again, I was without a pass. And then I realized that I still had the text. Now I know I shouldn’t have done it, but I told Dave and Enid I was going to, and they laughed and confirmed John wouldn’t care. There were three ways to enter the back stage area, and they shifted personnel every hour or so, so I just had to make sure I didn’t show the text to the same person twice. It worked! Now I must say that John Catt needs to be damned proud of his security, because they scrutinized the text to make sure it really came from him. They just didn’t check the time. I saw John first thing Sunday morning, and he gave me a pass. If he hadn’t, don’t think for a second I wouldn’t have used that text. Repeatedly.

Just as the Dustin Pittsley Band was taking the stage, I looked out and realized that I’d never seen that many people that early in the day at this festival. I’d also never seen so much snow still on the mountains either. It was gorgeous.

As my fingers hit these keys, I realize I’m already at nearly 1200 words, and I’ve only just touched on Saturday, and we still have Sunday to go, so I’m going to have to serialize this.

Before I go for now, I would like to just like to say a few words about my very dear friend (and equally gifted hugger), Austin Young. At fifteen years old, this fantastically talented guitarist possesses a grace many adults never realize. He was on the kids’ stage for most of the weekend, and I made sure to make my way over for his sets. During the course of the weekend, I heard more than a dozen people come over, shake his hand while saying, “You belong on the main stage.” They’re right, of course, but Young Austin smiled that warm, friendly, joyful smile of his, and said “Well, thank you!” from the bottom of his genuine heart. Having just returned from Clarksdale, MS., for the Pinetop Perkins Foundation Youth Masterclasses, Austin is riding high, and I feel like a proud parent. That night, I sat in the Green Room having dinner with Ronnie Baker Brooks after his closing set, just the two of us, and out of the hour or so we had together, most of it was spent talking about Austin. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Exactly one week earlier, I spent that much time, and a bit more, on the phone with the guitar instructor for the PPF program, Bob Margolin, and he too can’t say enough great things about Austin.

Austin and I are going to have a nice long interview soon, so I can dedicate an entire blog to him, but first, I have to finish Blues From the Top 2011. More tomorrow. ~Honey Bee Sepeda~

I WANDERED lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretched in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay: 10

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed--and gazed--but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood, 20

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils. 1804

PART TWO

So, where was I? Ah yes, Dustin Pittsley was just taking the stage. The boys from Oklahoma revved up the crowd and let everyone know why their Colorado popularity is exploding. This was their first Blues From the Top appearance, but clearly won’t be their last.

In between each of the main stage acts, we enjoyed sets from The Future of the Blues, the kids’ stage. Ranging in ages ten to late teens, the Future Stage produced some wonderfully memorable sets, demonstrating the remarkable musical abilities inherent in some kids, and how fun that can be when they are given both encouragement and room to grow. I think the youth stages at both BFtT and Greeley Blues Jam show how serious we Coloradans are about the future of our beloved music.

A couple of weeks ago, Young Austin received the first standing ovation of the GBJ, and this past weekend, he got a few more, as did all of the kids. At the risk of sounding corny, one would have to be soulless not to tear up and feel a glowing warmth from head to toe and beyond watching and listening to these kids give it their all, with the Blues flowing through their young veins. Every great now and again I get some mild grumbling about how often I put kids’ bands on the stage at the Outlook, usually opening for a bigger act. I’ll take the grumbling, because along with John Catt of BFtT and Pam and Al Bricker from GBJ, I firmly believe it is my responsibility and obligation to do whatever I can to nurture and motivate these talented kids. The Catt, the Brickers, and the Bee will continue our support of these kids and their music for as long as we draw breath.

Speaking of forever, I have a new bestie. Mary Bridget Davies and I finally got to spend some real time together. Coincidentally, I was the first person to congratulate her after placing second at this year’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis in February. This time however, we had a lot more than just two minutes to talk, and she’s like family now. More so since a dozen or more people kept asking if we were sisters. Yes, there is a resemblance. Mary is younger than I am, but I kept insisting she’s the elder sister. And let me tell you, my big sis can SING! Among the several dozen people I knew at the festival, I was one of a very few who was in Memphis and heard her. I blogged that entire trip, and mentioned that out of the eight finalists, the Mary Bridget Davies Group was our primary competition. All the bands were good, but I thought the Lionel Young Band had it hands down until Mary opened her mouth. That’s when we got concerned. As we know, the LYB took first, and MBDG second. Mary (or Betty, as I call her), will be at the Boulder Outlook on Friday, September 2, and you don’t want to miss this show. Her voice sends chills all over the body, while the mind reels at so much power coming out of such a little girl. Love you, Betty! See you in September.

Next up on the main stage was Girls With Guitars, featuring Cassie Taylor, Samantha Fish, and Dani Wild. Now, I know both Samantha and Cassie, but little English rose, Dani, was new to me. These three tore it up! Yes, they are very attractive, sexy young women, but there is no questioning their hard work. Their set was tremendous, perfectly composed, and flawless in their rotation of voices. All three of them can sing their asses off! Cassie has a CD release party coming up on August 24 at the Outlook with the Cassie Taylor Band, so for those of you who missed this weekend, you can at least hear one third of the Girls. And, Cassie’s band is damn good as well.

Then it was time for John Nemeth. I adore this man’s music, and it had been about a year since last I heard him, so I made my way to the front of the stage. Gretchen Troop was standing with me, and I turned to her and said, “I just love him.” To which she replied, “I love everything he does.” So did the rest of Winter Park. He came out in a plaid suit that only he could pull off. He actually looked retro great! However, I’m not digging the new beard. Just saying. But that voice...

Along with his Flip Tops, the powerhouse that is Nick Moss took the stage next. Damn! Just damn! This man is not just from Chicago, he IS Chicago. His big brother, Joe, was with him, and he came out to show us all that it runs in the family. And not just by blood. The next day, Nick’s wife, Kate Moss, took the stage with Samantha Fish, and she PLAYED that guitar. More on the Moss chicks in Part III. There is another one, and her name is Sadie Mae. There’s Chicago Moss growing all over us.

Saturday’s headliner was one of my all time favorite bands, the Ronnie Baker Brooks Band. I don’t even know where to start. Yes I do. I hadn’t seen Ronnie, Carlton, or CJ before their set, so wearing my RBB jersey, I stood right in front of the stage. By about the third song, Ronnie glanced down and saw me, and then pointed at me and gave me a shout out! Made my weekend! A few seconds later, I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned and there was Cricket. In the middle of one of her world class hugs, she said, “I’m so glad Ronnie pointed you out. I’ve been looking for you all day.”

Their set had to be cut a bit due to curfew, but it was still fantastic, fun, funny, great, etc. I could tell who had never seen the band live before, because the first time anyone witnesses Carlton Armstrong on bass, there is an exhilarating fear. Chewing on a licorice stick, Carlton moves in an almost Zen-like fashion, with facial expressions that induce the aforementioned fear. He looks terrifying. The first time I met these guys was two years ago at the GBJ, and I hid from Carlton for most of the day. He scared me. I’ve since discovered one of the loveliest people I know, with a wicked sense of humor, and a relaxed and easy way with people that utterly defies his stage presence. And I miss him already.

Now we come to one of the weekends Defining Moments. Two weeks prior, it had been Kent Obermann who tapped my shoulder and said, “Coco Montoya is looking for you.” At this festival, it was Kent’s drop-dead gorgeous wife, Debbie, who provided the Moment. She tapped, and said, “Someone is looking for you.” I looked at her inquisitively, and she said, “Ronnie Baker Brooks.” I just love the Obermanns! They are always the harbinger of good news.

And gorgeous Debbie can cook. After sitting back stage with Ronnie for a while, my friend Bill and I walked the 50 yards to the condo the Obermanns had rented. They were hosting a small party, and it was great fun. Kent and Debbie, their two kids and their spouses, along with Cricket, Janie Soong (Tommy Castro’s merchandise manager and road den mother), Merrily, Gretchen Troop, and Carlton made up the party. Debbie and her equally beautiful daughter, Megan, had made great guacamole and fajitas, and there was homemade beer, and some of the best laughs friends can have together. I’ve known Kent and Debbie for a while, but this is the first time we had the space to relax together, and I certainly walked back to the hotel that night with the feeling of newness. I have a new family to add to my big extended family, and I’m thrilled. We even watched the Honey Badger video together, while laughing till tears ran.

I leave this installment of the series with a note from Janie Soong, as in its own funny way, it sums up the familial camaraderie between us, particularly at the Obermann party:

A little bit of trivia for you...Carlton was the first to call Cricket, Merrily & me "the Powerpuff Girls," Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles, respectively.

I will never call them by their other names again. Stayed tuned for Part III.

PART THREE

And now we’re on to Sunday. Blues From the Top Sundays always start at 10:30 a.m. with a gospel set. This year was Ashley Cleveland, and wow! This was the most rocked-out gospel performance I’ve ever witnessed. By appearances alone, gospel is the last genre of music one would assume from this band, but gospel they are, and I witnessed a number of tissues on faces by the time Ashley’s voice was quiet. She’s a powerhouse, and I personally hope BFtT brings her back. I’d also like to have the flowing cardigan she was wearing. It was beautiful. And I’m so shallow...

They were followed on the main stage by one of Colorado’s great Blues heros, Sammy Mayfield, and judging by the audience reaction to his introduction, he inspires a lot of pride around these parts. Right before he and his band went on, I was backstage and I heard someone say, “I think he has Mr. Wonderful with him.” I spun around on my heels and said, “Mr. Wonderful is here?! I LOVE Mr. Wonderful.” About a year or so ago, Mr. Wonderful and Frank Terry came to one of the Blues jams at the Outlook, and Mr. Wonderful did a cover of “Stand By Me” that had tears streaming down my face. It was and still is the best cover I’ve ever heard of that great classic.

Sammy had nine people on that stage, including my good friends, Andy Irvine on bass and Scotty Rivera on drums. Round about the middle of the set, as I was dancing away in the pit, I glanced up and Scotty was smiling at me. So I did what any girl would do: I blew him a kiss. He then did something pretty amazing. Right in the middle of playing, he was able to shift one of his sticks to the other hand and blow me a kiss without missing a beat! Very impressive. As was the entire band, and with Mr. Wonderful’s energetic performance, I think we were all a little exhausted after their set. And happy.

Joanne Shaw Taylor was scheduled to perform next, but she couldn’t make the journey to Colorado as she’s ill (nothing too serious I was told), so Samantha Fish and Kate Moss took the main stage, and every man at that festival (and a few women I imagine) was spellbound and mesmerized by these two beautiful women tearing up guitars with talent and force. The feminist in me was beaming.

Speaking of beaming, there was another Moss woman performing last weekend, and this was her second time on the main stage at BFtT. She was there last year, and there is no better term for her than “crowd pleaser.” Her name is Sadie Mae Moss, and she very recently turned seven. She is the daughter of Kate and Nick, and the musical gene is hers for the taking. She sang a few songs with her dad on guitar and Grace Ritter, the daughter of Category 5 Amplifier’s Don Ritter, on tambourine. I believe she’s nine. Yes the kids are really cute, but they are also talented (Grace is also a bit of a photographer, carting around a camera almost her size). Sadie Mae is comfortable on stage, and has a terrific presence. She seems to be aware of and embracing her destiny. Let’s hope she continues, because at seven she already has a very good voice. It’s only going to get better.

Next up, my good buddy Albert Cummings! It had been two years since we last saw each other, and as we do tend to have a lot of fun together, I was really looking forward to spending some time with him. Unfortunately, we had some time, but not enough. There’s always so much going on at festivals, with a lot of people wanting time with the artists, so there’s nothing to be done. What little time we had, however, consisted of, as usual, laughter. The first time I met Albert he called me a bitch. It was in 2006, dead of winter in Winter Park. He was there for a Blue Star Connection Benefit with Tommy

Shannon, of Double Trouble fame, and George Rains, drummer for Jimmie Vaughan at Smokin’ Moe’s. I went to the green room after the show to interview Tommy. All three were there, and it went like this:

AC: John tells us your friends with Bob Margolin.

HB: Yes, I’ve know him since I was a teenager.

AC: So you’ve heard all the Muddy Waters stories first hand.

HB: Yes, and I actually got to meet him once.

AC: [SLIGHT PAUSE] You bitch!

Yes, the first time I met Albert he called me a bitch. The same trio came to play the Outlook a bit more than a year later, and as they arrived the evening before the show, we all had dinner. I reminded Albert of that first conversation, and he said, “That’s right. You bitch.” A couple of months later, I flew to Dallas for a Category 5 benefit show for BSC at the Granada Theater, and the same trio was on the lineup. I was at the theater helping with the auction items and getting ready for the doors to open, when I saw Albert walking up the street. I ran out to say hello, and we talked for a few minutes, along with Mike Widner, a Blues promoter. Albert then needed to go to the hotel to change, and I had to get back to work. A few minutes later, Mike Widner walked into the lobby, approached me with a very uncertain and uncomfortable expression and it went like this:

MW: Um, Honey?

HB: Yes Mike.

MW: Um....Albert told me to tell you you’re a bitch.

The look on Mike’s face when I burst out laughing was priceless. It was one of relief and confusion. I guess he’s not used to a woman laughing at being called that name. Just by point of clarification, Albert is the ONLY one who can get away with that, so don’e even try it!

Next up came courtesy of the United Kingdom; the Matt Schofield Trio, and wow! It was my first time, but hopefully not my last. It’s great to bear witness to this most soulful and original form of American music being nurtured in other countries. Keeping the Blues alive should be an international endeavor.

The iconoclastic Jimmy Hall and Wet Willie closed the festival, and there was no shortage of happy, dancing people enjoying this reunion. The crowd stayed strong until the end. It was still a packed park of sun-glowing Blues lovers, spent from the weekend, but still not ready for it to end. Well, at least that’s how I felt. Anyone else? Every year, parting is such sweet sorrow.

But part we must, and I’ve already started the countdown for next year. However, we do have one more John Catt/BSC event to come this summer. On August 6, in Littleton, Colorado, join us for the first annual Blue Star Connection Festival with Emma Henry, Jack Hadley, Ana Popovic, Deanna Bogart, Mike Zito, Zac Harmon, and...wait for it...The My Tommy Castro Band! We’ve just a bit more than a month, so don’t wait, get your tickets now. And while you’re at it, check out the great things Blue Star Connection is accomplishing.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Winter Park, Summer Blues Part #3

2011-06-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

AC: John tells us your friends with Bob Margolin.

HB: Yes, I’ve know him since I was a teenager.

AC: So you’ve heard all the Muddy Waters stories first hand.

HB: Yes, and I actually got to meet him once.

AC: [SLIGHT PAUSE] You bitch!

MW: Um, Honey?

HB: Yes Mike.

MW: Um....Albert told me to tell you you’re a bitch.

Winter Park, Summer Blues Part #2

2011-06-29T11:34:00.000-07:00

I leave this installment of the series with a note from Janie Soong, as in its own funny way, it sums up the familial camaraderie between us, particularly at the Obermann party:

A little bit of trivia for you...Carlton was the first to call Cricket, Merrily & me "the Powerpuff Girls," Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles, respectively.

I will never call them by their other names again. Stayed tuned for Part III.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Winter Park, Summer Blues Part #1

2011-06-29T10:12:00.001-07:00

I’m having another one of my William Wordsworth days. Perhaps I should explain. Wordsworth’s I Wondered Lonely as a Cloud has been my favorite poem for decades. Certainly the imagery is beautiful and spot on, but it’s that last stanza that hooked me the first time I read it. And every time since. I even made a refrigerator magnet with that stanza to remind me of the benefits of daily reflection.

I can tell when I’m going to have a Wordsworth day the moment I open my eyes. Like this morning. That last stanza is about reflection, and this morning I’m in full-on reflection mode from this past weekend’s 9th Annual Blues From the Top festival. The daffodils and my heart are dancing to the Blues (read the poem at the conclusion, and that will make sense).

This is the first year I’ve made the journey to Winter Park, CO, on Saturday morning instead of Friday evening. There were logistical concerns that prompted that decision, and although I missed the Friday night jam at Smokin’ Moe’s, I still heard about a week’s worth of great Blues in an awe inspiring Rocky Mountain setting. It’s just so damn beautiful! And, had I gone up Friday evening, I wouldn’t have had an EXHILARATING wildlife sighting. My good friend Bill was driving, and as we rounded a corner, I noticed what I thought were three small deer having a little nosh by the side of the road. Just as we got parallel to them, I noticed they were in fact rams. I’ve been in Colorado for twelve and a half years and these were my first rams! I’m still pretty excited about it. The last two on my list for sightings are mountain lion and bobcat. If anyone has any good sighting areas, hit me back.

We entered the park just as Michaela Rae was getting started, the teenager’s third consecutive year opening the festival, and she did us proud. I was carrying a boxed kid’s electric guitar for signatures. It’s a beautiful small, fire-engine red electric that I’m hauling around the planet for signatures so we can auction it at my Blue Star Connection Birthday Benefit in December. What better place than festivals to maximize signature value? The front is now almost completely covered. And guitarists only on this one.

After settling in at a table in the VIP tent (thank you John Catt!), all the greetings commenced, at this, the second event of the Blues Social Season (two weeks ago, Greeley Blues Jam kicked off our auspicious season). We’re just as snobby as other society events, but we’re snobby about hugs. We’re huggers. I had no shortage of great hugs this weekend, and I was just speaking to Jill Watkins to fill her in (she couldn’t make it this year...), and after we hung up, I realized I had actually made mention of the quality of a couple of hugs I’d received. So yes, I’m hug snob. I gave and received many memorable, but the top hugs for the weekend belong to Austin Young, Krisanne Young (Austin’s mom), Albert Cummings, Cricket, Janie Soong, Debbie Obermann, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Shara Todd, Carlton Armstrong, Enid Strong, Mary Bridget Davies, Scotty Rivera, and Art Ferrari. Just to name a few. Some people are just gifted huggers, and I don’t want to brag, but...

Speaking of Enid Strong, she and her husband, Dave, are very involved in the Colorado Blues world, this festival, and Blue Star Connection, and I had to get a little crafty on Saturday in order to get the guitar signed. Let me explain: John Catt always comps tickets for me and any staff from the Outlook. For the last couple of years, he’s also graciously given me an All Access pass. As I got to Will Call, hauling the guitar, I gave them my name, and nothing. John forgot me, but I called, and he spoke to the volunteer working Will Call and told him to give Bill and me a two-day VIP bracelet, which was greatly appreciated. A few minutes later I ran into Dave Strong and asked if he knew where John was, as I needed to get the guitar back stage. For the next couple of hours, John and I kept just missing each other, so he finally sent me a text. It said, “Come back stage now.” I thought, well, I don’t have a pass. But I do have a text. So, I showed the text to security, and they let me through. And again, I’d just missed John, but at least I got to get the guitar in the Green Room.

After returning to the VIP tent, I realized that I really needed to go to the Green Room every hour or so to ask for signatures, but again, I was without a pass. And then I realized that I still had the text. Now I know I shouldn’t have done it, but I told Dave and Enid I was going to, and they laughed and confirmed John wouldn’t care. There were three ways to enter the back stage area, and they shifted personnel every hour or so, so I just had to make sure I didn’t show the text to the same person twice. It worked! Now I must say that John Catt needs to be damned proud of his security, because they scrutinized the text to make sure it really came from him. They just didn’t check the time. I saw John first thing Sunday morning, and he gave me a pass. If he hadn’t, don’t think for a second I wouldn’t have used that text. Repeatedly.

Just as the Dustin Pittsley Band was taking the stage, I looked out and realized that I’d never seen that many people that early in the day at this festival. I’d also never seen so much snow still on the mountains either. It was gorgeous.

As my fingers hit these keys, I realize I’m already at nearly 1200 words, and I’ve only just touched on Saturday, and we still have Sunday to go, so I’m going to have to serialize this.

Before I go for now, I would like to just like to say a few words about my very dear friend (and equally gifted hugger), Austin Young. At fifteen years old, this fantastically talented guitarist possesses a grace many adults never realize. He was on the kids’ stage for most of the weekend, and I made sure to make my way over for his sets. During the course of the weekend, I heard more than a dozen people come over, shake his hand while saying, “You belong on the main stage.” They’re right, of course, but Young Austin smiled that warm, friendly, joyful smile of his, and said “Well, thank you!” from the bottom of his genuine heart. Having just returned from Clarksdale, MS., for the Pinetop Perkins Foundation Youth Masterclasses, Austin is riding high, and I feel like a proud parent. That night, I sat in the Green Room having dinner with Ronnie Baker Brooks after his closing set, just the two of us, and out of the hour or so we had together, most of it was spent talking about Austin. And I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Exactly one week earlier, I spent that much time, and a bit more, on the phone with the guitar instructor for the PPF program, Bob Margolin, and he too can’t say enough great things about Austin.

Austin and I are going to have a nice long interview soon, so I can dedicate an entire blog to him, but first, I have to finish Blues From the Top 2011. More tomorrow. ~Honey Bee Sepeda~

I WANDERED lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay: 10
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood, 20
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils. 1804

One Of Those Days

2011-06-24T03:12:00.008-07:00

I recently had one of those days that makes me thrilled to be involved in this great music. My last blog was on the Pinetop Perkins Foundation and all they do, and posting it prompted a call from PPF Board Member, Bob Margolin. He wanted to fill me in on the Masterclasses he’d just finished teaching. He was driving back to North Carolina from Clarksdale, so he had some time to chat.

The workshop kicked off last Tuesday night with a meet and greet between the students, their families, and the teachers. Bob was teaching the guitar, with Erwin Helfer filling in on piano for the recuperating Ann Rabson. Here’s the schedule:

Youth Workshop Series Schedule

Tues., June 14 5:00 PM Meet and Greet
Wed., June 15 9:30 AM-4:00 PM Masterclass Workshops
Thurs., June 16 9:30 AM-4:00 PM Masterclass Workshops
Fri., June 17 9:30 Am - Noon Masterclass Workshops
Fri., June 17 8 pm - 1:00 a.m. Performance Jam - Ground Zero Blues Club

That’s a full few days! This was the second year of the program, and by Bob’s account, a tremendous success. There were fourteen kids attending, ten on guitar, and four on piano. The event took place at the Shack Up Inn and Hopson’s Commissary.

A little history: anyone with any Blues knowledge whatsoever knows about Hopson’s Plantation and the many Blues legends who, at one time or another, picked cotton there. I was less certain about the Commissary, so I decided to do a little research. That was a few hours ago. I got steeped and lost in history. Here are a couple of wonderful excerpts regarding both the present use and historical use of the Commissary starting with a couple of paragraphs from Gary W. Miller © 2001, Gary W. Miller, Djgaryblues.com, (Appeared in Nov, 7 2001 issue of Blueswax.com)

I had a strange enlightening when I first entered the Delta, just south of Memphis, where the strip malls, pig-ear joints and rug bazaars sort of fade back into the North and the Delta raises its cotton nappy face to you. As far as you can see, if the gambling joints don’t get in the way, is the stark realization that, at one time, these hundreds of thousands of acres of Blues jeans and tee-shirts had to be picked by hand. That means PEOPLE had to do that. It’s the first thing that makes one aware that life just isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. If that doesn’t give you the Blues, try picking this stuff!

People did that, for sure! South of Clarksdale, MS is the Plantation of the Hopson’s. This place was, the day after the King Biscuit Blues Festival, the place to be. They were having a little thing for Pinetop Perkins, with Rusty Zinn on guitar. You see, the Commissary, which the main building is called, is now a roadhouse, with all of the memorabilia of a hundred years on the walls, and some of the best musicians from the Delta on the main stage. Complete with its safe, wherein all the money used to be stashed, the Commissary was the place where everybody who worked the land bought their foodstuffs and, maybe, bought a little tobacco and coffee. The Commissary wasn’t a place where people who worked the land went to party. It was the place where they paid off.

Now for a historical account.

Hopson Plantation History

MY MEMOIRS

JAMES E. THWEATT

The main commissary was divided into four main sections then. The back fourth was the bookkeeping office with a small PRIVATE office behind it that was Mr. Hopson's. Also in the corner of the building closest to the shop there was a small efficiency apartment. It was occupied by Mr. & Mrs. Patterson, who I think lived there for free. There was a partition from the front, back to the office area. Looking from the office, the left side was used for storage of many supplies needed to run a farm. The other side was divided from side to side with the front part used as a small retail grocery store run by Mr. Hudson. The back part in front of the office, was the commissary where we issued groceries. The large side doors were always kept open in the summer time to insure a breeze throughout the building....

The concrete porch at the front of the store was a cool place to sit and visit a minute, sitting on the long green bench. This was where I learned to skate. The artesian well out front overflowed into a large trough, one half of a big steam boiler where the mules were watered as they pulled the cotton laden wagons to the gin. There was a large 1-1/2" pipe with a valve where anyone could get a wonderful drink of good cool water. There was also a large overhead type pipe where you could fill up barrels of water that were hauled there on a wagon. Many of the tenants used this as their source of water for many years.

The above is but a small sampling of what I’ve been reading, and my imagination is reeling. Not just about the remote history, but also about recent history. Like last week. I’ve seen some of the photographs on the PPF website, so I have a visual context, but I also know two of the kids who participated, Austin Young and Jack Gaffney, so I’m picturing them playing, laughing, and befriending. Bob also told me about an amazing twelve-year-old Mississippi guitarist, Kingfish. There’s a photo of him there too, so we can have a face to a name.

Next year, the foundation is hoping to add harmonica to the Masterclasses, and I’ve already informed Nic “Conttonseed” Clark that he’ll be in that inaugural class.

Since their return, I’ve spoken with Austin and received an email from Jack. I know they had a memorable time and have now been informed by history through the Spirit of Place. Having spoken with one of the instructors, I know all of the kids had a great time. However, as great a time as they had, I think Professor Margolin had the best time of all.

Please visit the PPF site and see how you can become involved.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

The Pinetop Perkins Foundation

2011-06-18T09:44:00.002-07:00

Pinetop Perkins was one of the last great Mississippi Bluesmen. He began playing blues around 1927 and is widely regarded as one of the best blues pianists.

The Pinetop Perkins Foundation is a tax exempt non-profit organization. It's mission is to provide encouragement and support for youth and young people at the beginning of their musical career; and help provide care and safety for elderly musicians at the twilight of their career.

~thepinetopperkinsfoundation.org~

That’s a lofty and noble mission, and one in which I plan to become heavily involved. What’s not to admire about this foundation?

As I sit here at my desk, early on a Saturday morning, I’m thinking about Austin Young and Jack Gaffney. Austin is 15 and Jack is 13. Last night they both played Clarksdale, MS’s renowned Ground Zero Blues Club®, famously co-owned by Academy Award® winning actor, Morgan Freeman. Not bad for a couple of Colorado teenagers.

Here’s how this went down: shortly after Mr. Perkins’ passing, I was speaking with Foundation Board Member, Bob Margolin, about the mission and how I might become involved. Bob thought that I should speak with Board President and Pinetop’s long-time manager, Patricia “Pattop” Morgan, but to wait a few weeks until she had time to decompress from the funerals and breathe a little bit. So I did.

Fast forward a few weeks. I began organizing a Pinetop Perkins Tribute Tour with Bob Margolin, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Bob Stroger, Jimmy Mays, and Muddy’s son, Big Bill Morganfield (who got the idea rolling). So I checked everyone’s calendars, and all were all available from September 29 - October 2 (it’s coming up soon!). Making my life significantly easier, four of the five share an agency, Blue Mountain, so I had only to deal with Derek Smith, the sole agent from any of the Big Three I’ve actually met, and one with whom I have a comfortable working relationship. So we cleared the dates, and then I had to explain what I have in mind for this tribute.

Here is the email I sent him:

Derek,

Here are my thoughts about the tour: It started with Big Bill talking with Dan the week Pine passed. Bill was here and mentioned that he'd like to do some sort of tribute. From that conversation came my involvement later that evening, and from a one-night gig to a short tour.

My idea is to have an empty piano bench with a framed photo of Pinetop, and only people who have played with him on the bandstand. I've also arranged for some Colorado teenagers to perform an opening set; last month at one of my fund-raisers (I have a lot of them...), these guys tore it up on a 45-min. set dedicated to Pinetop. Bob M. has played with these kids before, and he loved the idea. From that, I decided I would bill this as a Pinetop Perkins Foundation Awareness tour as well, with the next generation of the Blues opening and demonstrating what can happen when kids are exposed to the Blues. And, because I tend to think long-term, I can also see this being an annual fund/awareness raiser, although not necessarily with so many big names on the bill.

I've worked for three years with several young Blues musicians, between the ages of 6 - 17, and I love encouraging them and giving them a stage. I always invite them to sit in with Bob M. when he's here, and these relationships are becoming strong. I spoke with Bob about perhaps having Young Austin (his name is Austin Young, and he's a 15-year-old slinger who's sat in with Bob a couple of times now) as a Pinetop Perkins Foundation Ambassador, spreading the word whenever he plays, which is a lot.

I'm going on and on now, but I need you to understand that I have a lot more in mind than just one 4-gig tour. I'd like to be involved in helping the Foundation, and you can speak to Bob about my fund/awareness raising abilities. I'm not known as The Professional Tin Cup for nothing.

I haven't addressed these ideas with you before, as Bob thought it best to give Pat some time after Pine's passing, and I agreed. However, perhaps now is as good a time as any to discuss the Foundation and any assistance I can render. Thanks,

Honey

Derek forwarded my email to Pattop, and she loved the idea. Derek then sent me Pat’s phone number and said, “Call her.” So I did. By the conclusion of that long conversation, Pat had offered a couple of scholarships to this years PPF’s Youth Workshop Series Masterclasses in piano and guitar. I immediately thought of Austin, and mentioned him to Pat. She then asked me if I knew any piano players. I said no, but that I know of one who I could probably find (apparently there are a lot more young guitarists out there than pianists). So I set out to find him.

About a year ago, my friend and Blues singer, Jill Watkins and I were at the Boulder Creek Festival downtown. We rounded a corner and came upon the Teen Stage and heard some jammin’ keys accompanied by the voice of an angel. It took a minute to locate the source as he was barely visible behind his keyboard. Unfortunately, we were running a bit late meeting people so we could only stay for one song, but it was long enough to have tears running down Jill’s face and my jaw on the ground. Next to the stage was a small table with his cards on it, so I grabbed one. And promptly lost it. All I could remember was his name started with a “J.” Not much to go on, but I knew I could simply contact the people who book the festival to find out. I had a very busy week, so it was going to have wait.

Later that week, I was speaking with Lionel Young who happen to mention a really good young piano player had come to the Outlook for one of our Sunday Blues jams. He couldn’t remember his name, but described him to me and I knew it was my missing “J.” I told Lionel that I needed to find him, so to please ask some of the jammers if they could remember his name.

That Saturday night, the Outlook was hosting our first-ever show with the amazing Otis Taylor, so I was a nervous wreak. The show sold out, and all was great! Right around the beginning of the second set, I was standing in the sound booth when I felt a firm tap on my shoulder, I turned around and it was Lionel with his hands on a kids shoulders, and he said, “Aren’t you looking for a piano player?” I looked at the face of the boy, and it was him! Jack Gaffney. And because of that, he played Ground Zero last night. He went to Clarksdale! I still haven’t been to Clarksdale!

The workshop was from June 15 - 17, concluding with a jam last night at Ground Zero. Please visit the site to learn more about the Youth in Spotlight program and how you can help.

Pattop and I are talking about initiating a Youth Ambassador Program, and I’ve made a note to call her early next week to fine tune the concept. Having tremendously talented teenagers out there spreading the word about the Blues and the Pinetop Perkins Foundation is how we secure the future of our beloved music. And I can think of no better way to honor and thank Mr. Joe Willie “Pinetop” Perkins than helping to guarantee his music lives on.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~

Jammin' In Greeley!

2011-06-15T16:34:00.002-07:00

The Colorado Blues Season is officially open! Saturday was the seventh annual Greeley Blues Jam, the kick off festival, and they did it up right. Even Mother Nature cooperated offering up perfect weather, with just enough cloud cover to keep it from getting too hot. All the heat came from the performances.

I entered the Arena to the frenzied energy of Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers, and they raised a lot more than just hell. Dwayne has arms like Big Bill Morganfield that dwarf the accordion, over which Mr. Dopsie has absolute dominion. He’s also funny and enjoys a lot of playful audience interaction, keeping people dancing and laughing. After their highly energized performance, I set out to find Dwayne to give him my card for the next time he comes through Colorado. They would be a lot of fun at the Boulder Outlook, so we’re going to be talking in the next week. It’s a good thing too, as throughout the course of the day, I ran into many of the Outlook’s regular supporters, and several inquired as to the possibility of booking these young men.

While I was backstage waiting for Dwayne, I ran into my friends, the Nighthawks. We had a tremendously fun reunion which lasted most of the day. Last month they took home a Best Acoustic Recording BMA for Last Train to Bluesville, so it was good to get the chance to congratulate them. It’s a wonderful CD.

Just as I was preparing to head to Second Stage for Another Kind of Magick, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but for me, Blues festivals have Defining Moments, every year, every festival. Something wonderful or magical or both always happens, and Saturday was no exception. I turned around and there was my friend, and Blues singer, Kent Obermann saying, “Coco Montoya is looking for you.” I’ve met Coco once, a year and a half ago, and I certainly didn’t expect him to remember me. I was blissfully wrong. I went around to the artist area and there he was. I approached, extended my right hand for shaking, and he just smiled at me, spread those massive arms, and gave me a great big hug. That was a Defining Moment for me, and on it’s own would have left me in perma-grin mode for the day had Trampled Under Foot not delivered another one a couple of hours later. I’ll get to that.

Another Kind of Magick out of Cheyenne, WY earned some respect as they showed the crowd what dedicated teenagers can do with some God-given talent. Those kids threw it down! By the end of their set, no one was surprised to hear they had made it to the semi-finals at the International Blues Challenge in February. Out of 110 bands, only 44 advanced to the semis, and as 15-year-old harp-wiz Nic “Cottonseed” Clarke is a Colorado boy, we claim the entire band as our own, so there were a lot of proud Coloradans in Memphis cheering them on. For my Boulder-area readers, they will be playing the Outlook on October 14th, which also happens to be National Honey Bee Day. I know how I’ll be celebrating. And by way of disclosure, Nic calls me his Outlook Mom, so I might just be a tad bias.

Next up on the Main Stage, The Nighthawks! There are reasons aplenty why this band is a favorite of so many Blues fans, and they collected a bunch more by the end of their set. They first collected me in 1980, back when a young Mr. Jimmy Thackery was on guitar. Mark Wenner is still the voice of the The Nighthawks nearly 40 years after first founding the band, so I’ll admit to a strong sentimental attachment here. Which is why I rarely left Mark’s side the entire day, poor guy. Fortunately, they weren’t in a rush to get anywhere, so they stayed for the music, and somehow listening to the bands while sitting with these guys added another layer of wonderfulness to the day, and I’m still up in the clouds where I’m happy to stay for a while.

I did manage to get in a lot of running around and socializing. I wrote an earlier blog about Greeley being the kick off for the Blues Social Scene, and boy was it ever! On the way home, my good friend, the great singer Jill Watkins and I were marveling at how much love was there, in one venue, begging to be absorbed. Neither of us could count how many friends we saw, how many hugs were happily given and accepted, how many welcoming smiles were worn by so many happy souls. On a side note, I think two of the biggest smiles I kept running into all day were worn by Pam and Al Bricker, the determined duo behind this event. The day was successful on EVERY count, at EVERY level, and the flow of the sets was absolutely inspired. I heard numerous comments on that, so it wasn’t just me who thought the flow was perfect. Congratulations to the entire GBJ committee and volunteers on a hugely successful day! You’ve all earned your smiles and ours.

After the Nighthawks blew the place up, Colorado’s Big Jim Adam and John Stilwagen, 2011 IBC Finalists in the solo/duo division, took Second Stage and delivered a rousing 45-minute set to an enthusiastic crowd, all trying to get closer to the stage. They are two perfect examples of the great talent we have in this area, and along with the other Second Stage acts, the Otone Brass Band and the Erica Brown Band (all of whom were GREAT), we don’t have to wait until festival season to hear good Blues.

We’re Blues blessed in these parts, and we should all remember to check calendars and support live Blues year round, because it isn’t the seasonal festivals that keep the Blues alive. They are the celebrations of the ongoing efforts of local live music venues around the country, without which musicians wouldn’t be able to make a living. In these parts the two work together: the primary reason I have a friendship with Pam and Al isn’t from seeing them once a year at their festival; it’s because we see each other at a number of live Blues shows throughout the year; we see each other at Blues From the Top in Winter Park, the Grand County Blues Society’s prestigious annual festival (June 24 - 27 this year). They decided to book the Nighthawks after seeing them for the first time at the Outlook last October. See how this works? We’re family.

Speaking of family, WE HAVE A NEW BABY! Elijah Christopher Ogle was born on April 8th to Danielle Schnebelen of Trampled Under Foot, and Travis Ogle, a super guy and a tremendous sculptor. This little cutie has the arts flowing through his veins. And there is no mistaking he’s a Schnebelen. He favors Travis in the eye area, but is otherwise all Danielle. And my goodness, this little baby is chill. While Danielle and her brothers, Nick and Kris, were setting up and tuning, John Catt was holding Elijah for his photo ops (so many people wanted a picture of him, that John and I toyed with the idea of charging five bucks a pop for Blue Star Connection; however, we figured Danielle might frown upon our selling photos of her infant, even if it was for charity). The kid has cute down pat! I so very much wanted to hold him, but by the time they got there, I’d met numerous people shaking numerous hands, and knew it best not to risk the potential germ exchange. Damn near killed me, too (particularly as he provided Defining Moment #3). So, while Mom and the Uncles were on stage, Mary Chesis took over holding duties, and, just as Danielle promised, when their set started, he passed out. He slept through the entire set. Is it just me, or do kids seem to rebel younger and younger these days?

Elijah was the only one sleeping during that set. The Nighthawks hadn’t heard them yet and asked me what I thought. I grinned and said, “Just wait.” I then went around to the photographers’ pit, right up front. My work in the Blues industry affords me the privilege of all access passes to these festivals, and I am most thankful for having access to the pit. I’m only five feet, two inches tall, so if I actually want to see anything, I have to be right up front. Nick opened by himself, behind the drums, resonator in hand, and got the crowd’s attention. By the time Kris and Danielle joined him on stage, the entire crowd was angling to get closer. It’s always fun to be in a big crowd where at least half of it is hearing Danielle’s voice for the first time. I love the sound of collective gasps. Danielle evoked a lot of them yesterday. But then she always does.

Her brothers, Nick on guitar/vocals and Kris on drums, are supreme musicians, and this family affair is the most creatively successful of any I can think of, at any time in recent history. That distinction is clearly evident by their latest cd, the WONDERFUL Wrong Side of the Blues, and they spent most of their 75 minutes on their newer material. But not all of it. Here comes Defining Moment #2: Danielle walks up to the mic, points at me standing in the pit, and says, “This one’s for Honey!” And they launched into their original, “Honey Bee.” So clearly I’m going to start saving for Elijah’s college fund.

They closed with “Goodbye.” My only complaint about TUF, is that I’ve yet to get through an entire show without crying. Before first hearing the ballad this past March, Danielle’s “I’d Rather Go Blind” was typically what sent me in search of tissue. With “Goodbye,” she’s added to her arsenal in her battle against my mascara. Which leads me to Defining Moment #3, courtesy of Elijah. I had grabbed a clean napkin after lunch and put it in my pocket, so I reached in for it and dabbed at my watering eyes a couple of times. Then I noticed a slightly sour odor coming from my face, which I thought was odd. As Danielle extracted another round of tears, I again took said napkin and dapped said tears. It was right then that I remembered that while John was holding Elijah for his photo ops, he’d spit up a little (Elijah, not John), and I had dispensed of the evidence in the aforementioned napkin. So, my face was sporting my tears and her son’s recycled lunch. Pretty. But well worth it. For any readers not familiar with Trampled Under Foot, I urge to watch this. It’s not great quality, but Danielle’s raw emotion does the driving.

Coco Montoya was next up on the Main Stage, and he thrilled us all! Some artists suffer the altitude, but Coco’s voice was spot on. What was also spot on was the sun: spot on Coco the entire set. The brief period of day when the sun was on the stage was the only period of the day that didn’t have cloud cover, but Coco’s shirt didn’t even wrinkle. The man is a pro! The audience was also suffering the sun, but they still held strong and stayed right up front, dancing for the entire set. Coco is one hell of an entertainer. He and his band know how to hold an audience in the palms of their hands, and they did just that.

The last two sets, the North Mississippi Allstars Duo and Robert Randolph and the Family Band, continued the Perfect Flow motif of the day. A very successful day. The NMA Duo produced a full band of sound. I hadn’t realized they were coming without bassist, Chris Chew, and wondered how much of my first live NMA experience would be compromised. Answer: none. With all due respect to Mr. Chew, Luther and Cody Dickinson came out and for 90 minutes demonstrated their Blues and Roots legacy with tremendous force, originality, and soul well beyond their young years. Their father, the late Jim Dickinson, always told them, “Play every note as if it’s your last because one of them will be.” They did. He also told them, "You need to be playing music together. You are better together than you will ever be apart." Saturday, as the sun was finally settling down, everyone in that audience was glad Luther and Cody followed their father’s advice.

I have to confess that I had to leave just as Robert Randolph and the Family Band were taking the stage. I didn’t want to, but I had an early morning appointment. I’ve seen enough on youtube to know that I missed a great performance, and that is my cross to bear.

I’d like to extend my great thanks to the following people: Dan King, for letting me do a job with such extraordinary perks; Pam and Al Bricker, for always extending the kind of hospitality that is making this a much-talked about event out on the circuit; To Kent Obermann for saying, “Coco Montoya is looking for you;” and to all the musicians who work damn hard year round to keep these nasty old Blues alive for all of us nasty old Blues lovers.

See you next weekend in Winter Park! ~Honey Bee Sepeda~

The Blues Had A Grand Baby

2011-04-21T13:48:00.002-07:00

The title is obviously a paraphrase of Muddy’s famous quote, “The Blues had a baby, and they named it Rock and Roll.” That phrase kept rolling around my head last night as I listened to the Cedric Burnside Project. If Rock and Roll is the baby of the Blues, then Rap and Hip Hop are the grandkids. And they were on stage together last night at the Boulder Outlook. To take the theme even further, Cedric and baby brother Cody are the grandsons of Blues legend, R. L. Burnside, and they offer up all kinds of proof of their lineage.

Cedric, or “Ced,” as his friends call him (and I’m now one!), is a triple threat: guitar, drums, and a voice that makes butter seem bitter. The evening opened with the amazing one man wall of sound, John-Alex Mason, alone on guitar. I’ve known John-Alex for a few years now, and yet this was the first time I’ve heard him alone on guitar. He typically plays his solo gigs on guitar and drums simultaneously, creating the illusion of a full band, and with a voice that was made for singing the Blues. I loved hearing him stripped down and raw last night. And then he brought up a couple of friends.

He introduced Cody Burnside, and during the applause, big brother Ced quietly got behind the drums. John-Alex and Cody then did what inspired this title: mixed some deep, nasty Blues with rap like I’ve never heard before, trading verses and styles seamlessly. It was the first time I so clearly recognized the apparent genealogy between the two genres. And that relation would repeatedly present itself throughout the evening.

Now granted, old Blueshound that I am, I’ve not really heard much rap beyond college students driving down my street with their windows down, but I still know enough to be certain what I heard was of the exceptional variety. Cody’s voice is seductively beautiful, and his lyrics flow with such ease that it boggles the mind that anyone can write or freestyle like that. And again with that voice!

After a very short break, Ced took the stage alone, sitting on a chair with a guitar. That’s when I first heard his voice. He and Cody are clearly brothers, both possessing voices of angels. During Ced’s solo set, one name kept coming to mind: Alvin Youngblood Hart. He’s his own man, but I certainly heard some beautiful similarities. And given that Alvin is one of my favorite solo shows of all time, I began believing this Wednesday night special was designed solely for me (hey, I can believe whatever I want!).

After a bit, there was yet another addition: the multi-talented Jesse Hiatt who spent the evening switching between drums and guitar. And he’s a slinger on guitar and rhythm master on drums! The last 90 minutes had John-Alex back up and Lionel Young on that fiddle! I can’t begin to describe all the soloing back and forth, inescapable talent throwing itself all over the room, hitting us with stunning accuracy. The Outlook has hosted countless great Blues shows over the years, and this one is now on the books as one of the greats. So much so, that I made an exception: Being that the Outlook is a hotel, we have a music curfew, and during the week that is 10:00 p.m. They ended on time, but I just had to break the rules. I begged for one more really long song. They did not disappoint.

Check the CBP website and calendar often. When these guys come to your neighborhood, pack up the family and friends and don’t miss it. You’ll be talking about it for years.

~Honey Bee Sepeda~