"Blues and Brews" Live Monday Night Jam!

"Blues and Brews Live" every Monday night at Sud's O'Hanahan's in downtown Beloit featuring Dave Potter and the Alley Kings. Monday night 2/16/09 was the first show and the place was packed. It is a jam session and over 12 musicians were there. The show runs from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. This looks like a great way to hear some good music and for local musicians to showcase their skills!

Sud's O'Hanahan's Irish Pub
(608) 368-1933
435 E Grand Ave, Beloit, WI 53511
Map It: http://maps.yahoo.com/map?q1=435%2BE%2BGrand%2BAve%20Beloit%20WI%20US&mag=5&lat=&lon=&ard=1#mvt=m&lat=42.499775&lon=-89.03483&mag=5&zoom=14&q1=435%2520E%2520Grand%2520Ave%2520Beloit%2520WI%2520US&gid1=16770360

The Kilborn Alley Blues Band to Perform at Big Cities Thursday, February 19, 2009

Well, this is quite the short notice but we have the opportunity to have The Kilborn Alley Blues Band come to town and who could pass that up? On Thursday evening, February 19, 2009 the band will be at Big Cities starting at 8:30 PM for some of their great music! Many of our members will remember them from last year when they opened the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival with a hot set of down and dirty blues!

Cover charge is only $5- a great deal! The music will be hot and you will not want to miss this show. Mark and Steve crossed paths last with the boys in the band at the Illinois Blues Music Awards at Buddy Guy's in Chicago and have been in touch with the band to get them to Rockford. Another cancellation was our good luck. Check them out on Myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/thekilbornalleybluesband "The Kilborn Alley Blues Band was formed in 2000 when Andy Duncanson was still in high school, and Chris Breen and Josh Stimmel were barely out. Within a few months Joe Asselin, from Maine, signed on, and in 2005 Ed O'Hara

joined the band. The line-up is Duncanson vocals and guitar, Asselin harmonica, Breen electric bass, Stimmel guitar, and O'Hara drums.The Kilborn Alley Blues Band plays filthy Chicago blues, with just a little bit of southern fried soul. The point of the act is to deliver the blow out bar show associated with blues at its zenith. Kilborn Alley is not about youth angst; it is about adult delirium.If we wrote the history of this band here, you wouldn't believe us. Just put it this way; Kilborn has played over seven hundred shows, and knows how to smile in your face and then kick you in the ass-- musically. "

This is "in your face blues," the kind that after you hear it your hair ismessed up and your clothes are disheveled as if you've just been run over by a blues train! That's because after you see them you will have heard some of the hottest music played by these young and talented musicians!!!

Kim Wilson Show Draws Huge Crowd!

Over 90 people packed into Rockford's Big Cities Lounge to listen to Kim Wilson on Tuesday night, February 3rd. Kim, backed by by the superb Doug Deming and Jeweltones and special guest Jeremy Johnson (and with a surprise appearance by piano legend Barrelhouse Chuck), gave the crowd a legendary perfromance. Whether it was the electricity in the air or the near zero temperatures ouside requiring attendees to get warmed up, the place was on fire after only about 12 bars into the first song. Kim and the bandmembers perfromed two strong sets of music that had the crowd clapping and on their feet.

Wilson's harmonica and vocals were strong. Whether blasting out originals or working great covers of other blues legends like Sonny Boy Williamson's songs, Kim captivated the audience. Doug Deming's guitar work continues ot amaze me for it's precision, clarity and just the fine overall musical quality of his work. He can pick out a tune with the best of them! Joing Deming on guitar this night was Jeremy Johnson from Minnesota, who held his own with some great riffs! The first set was hot and when finished the band mingled with the excited crowd.

At the onset of the second set, the old upright piano was broken out and Barrelhouse Chuck joined in the fun for the entire set! It was an even more rousing time when Kim's co-conspirator with the Cadillac Records Band played along. To note, Kim, Chuck and the Cadillac Records Band recently played one of the inaugural bashes in Washington. The music and performance by all were just outstanding. It was probably the finset show ever put on at Big Cities based on the size and reaction of the crowd!

Kim's newest album, Kim Wilson's Mix Volume I and Demmings' Double Down (along with some older CDs) were scarfed up by the adoring fans. We were also excited to learn that Deming has a new CD that is very close to release and that Volume 4 of Barrelhouse Chucks' Chicago Blues Piano is out!

If you missed this show, you probably missed the Rockford blues even of the year! Thanks go out to the Crossorads Blues Society whose hard work and financial backing once again made a another great show possible!

Kim Wilson to Return to Rockford!

Tuesday, February 3rd at 8:00 PM in Big Cities Lounge. Click on the poster below to expand.

Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang Show Saturday, December 20th at Big Cities

Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang's show at Big Cities has been moved to Saturday, December 20th (one day later than previously announced).

Eddie Shaw on tenor and alto saxes (and harmonica) is a very talented singer, songwriter, musician, arranger, and band leader. He was Howlin'Wolf's personal manager for five years. Eddie is one of the most respected blues musicians alive today. Originally from Benoit, MS, Eddie now lives on Chicago's South Side.

Band Members include Eddie Vaan Shaw Jr., Eddie's son, who is one of the best guitar players in the blues business. Vaan has music of his own , CD's, MORNING RAIN and THE TRAIL OF TEARS. Lafayette" Shorty" Gilbert, has been Eddie's bassplayer for over 20 yrs. Strong vocalist , his version of " Rainy night in Georgia" brings tears to your eyes. Tim Taylor on drums, is son of the late Eddie Taylor .

2008 Crossroads Blues Society Christmas Party

Well it's time to get off your Yule logs and get ready for the season in style! That's right, it's the annual Crossroads Blues Society Christmas bash at Big Cities Lounge. This is a long-standing and time-honored tradition that goes a long way back (all the way to 2005, which is amazing that some of us can remember it!). Friday, December 12th is the big night of fun!

This year we will celebrate the holidays with a local blues fan favorite- the Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys! In addition to the music, we will have food (bring a dish to pass if you can) and a short meeting at 8 PM. The meeting should not take too long, but we have to start thinking about a BITS benefit after the New Year rolls in.

Members can check out CDs from our library at the meeting- everything we review (and more) is in the library and can be checked out on loan for free to our members. Membership is only $15 a year for individuals and $25 for families, with 6 newsletters a year jam packed with music reviews and articles and unlimited CD borrowing (up to 5 at a time) throughout the year! And if you need a gift for a blues fan, why not make them a member of Crossroads? Gift memberships are a great way to remember your blues fan friends!

Ernie “Sugar Lips” Brown Benefit Raises Almost $1,500!

The benefit show for Ernie "Sugar Lips" Brown was held at Big Cities Lounge on Sunday, November 16, 2008. It was a great day of music, food and fun! The event raised $1,495 thanks to the generosity of all who attended. Over 70 people turned out to honor and support the 5-time RAMI Award winning musician.



The Port Bluez Band played first. The band reformed and got back together to honor the man who mentored them, a man whom they love like a brother. They were exciting to listen to and watch. They played and sang their hearts out and put on a great show. Between the music and conversation amongst the band members, the crowd was treated to some excellent music and entertainment. Keyboardist and singer Bob Lowther also made up 50 copies of CDs of a 1996 show with Ernie and the band to sell; the proceeds will go to Ernie. Dozens of copies were sold at the show.

Next up was The Po Boys! The band played and their leader Ernie joined them on stage and sang with them. It was a pretty touching set of music with Ernie leading the band again. Bob Levis and Larry Pendleton were on guitar, Victor Wattes was on bass, Link Leary was behind the drums and Teddy Lawrence provided some great harp as Ernie was unable to play the Mississippi saxophone. The guys put on a great show and the crowd was excited and fired up.

Brother Dave Kaye and Bob Lowther put together a set of musicians that did a third set. The crowd really enjoyed their rockin' blues!

The money from the door, donations received by Crossroads, a 50-50 raffle and silent auction raised $1,495 dollars for Ernie Brown. There were also some private donations and CD sale money that will raise that sum over $1,500! Ernie was humbled by the generosity and turn out of support by his friends and fans.

A big note of thanks goes to Nino for opening Big Cities early for this event and for hosting the benefit. The bands who played also deserve a big thank you for coming out and playing. Thanks also need to go out to Alligator Records who sent us 20 CDs to use a prizes and auction items. Lastly, thank you to all the attendees who came out, donated auction items, prepared food, and gave of their time and money! It was great day with three super sets of music, delicious food, fun to support and man who has been so instrumental in keeping the blues alive in the Rockford, Northern Illinois and Chicago areas!

Upcoming Blues Events November-December 2008

A big month is coming up in November for Crossroads Blues Society Members and blues fans in the Rockford area! The main event is the Ernie Brown Benefit that will be on Sunday, November 16th at Big Cities. It will run from 3 PM to 9 PM and features Port Bluez, The Po’ Boys and The Barstool Bob Band. Food will be provided. Cover is $10 and donations will be accepted. Fundraising events will be held during the day to support this Rockford-area Bluesman in need!

Friday November 7th is Westside Andy and Mel Ford at Big Cities for a big night of blues and for Nino’s birthday. It should be a good night with these bluesmen from Madison!

The annual Crossroads Christmas Party will be Friday, December 12 at Big Cities. Reverend Raven will be playing up a storm! Bring a dish to pass if you can, but for sure come out for a great night of blues!

Eddie Shaw and the Wolfpack return for big show at Big Cities on December 19th, too! Check our calendar inside on page 12.

Our next Blues in the Schools Benefit will be after the Holidays, so watch out for news of that in the next newsletter.

We are also working on a big show but can’t mention anything yet. If things work out, stay tuned for a big announcement!

November and December are shaping up to be two big months of great music and fun. We hope to see you out and about keeping the blues alive!

Mississippi Valley Blues Society

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society (MVBS) provides our members a home away from home. I say that because I see more of our members in Davenport at the MVBF every Fourth of July weekend than any other time of the year. But what if that home away from home goes away? It could, without your help.

Last Spring, Iowa encountered flooding of near epic proportions. The 2008 MVBF was moved from LeClaire Park to downtown Davenport. Attendance was way down. Fundraising efforts have helped but they remain $96,000 behind the level of funding they need to make the 25th Anniversary Festival a reality in 2009. They need your help to raise money and close that gap to keep the show going and keep the blues alive.

Membership in MVBS is one way to help. Membership is available at a variety of levels; see table below. Business/Organization supporting memberships are available for $250.00 per year. You can send us a check along with an explanation of what membership you want to:

Mississippi Valley Blues Society102 South Harrison Street,
Suite 300Davenport, IA 52801-1811

1 Year 2 Years 3 Years Lifetime
Single $15.00 $25.00 $35.00 $400.00
Family $25.00 $45.00 $65.00 $500.00

Fundraisers are also being held. The next one is with Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater will play a fundraiser for the Mississippi Valley Blues Society on Friday, Nov. 7, at the Redstone Room in Davenport. The night will also include a silent auction of blues memorabilia including framed photos. Doors open at 6 p.m., with Ellis Kell and “Detroit” Larry Davison playing from 6:30-7:30. The first of Eddy Clearwater’s two sets begins at 8:00 p.m. Admission is $20.00, which includes hors d’oevres as long as they last.

Stay in tune with MVBS news, events and fundraising at www.mvbs.org!

Ernie “Sugar Lips” Brown Benefit

Ernie “Sugar Lips” Brown Benefit
Sunday, November 16th
Big Cities Lounge 3 to 8 PM
$10 Cover
Food will be provided
Music by:
Port Bluez
The Po Boys
Barstool Bob Band