According to the Washington Post: By Cara Kelly, Don Cornelius, the creator of ‘Soul Train,’ was found dead in his California home early Wednesday morning. Cornelius, 75, was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound about an hour after he was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, according to the coroner’s office. The innovator was best [...]
Archive for Category: "Breaking News"
The word on the street ….
The streets are busy with the influx of blues fans. In a few hours, blues musicians will be scurrying to their designated venue. It is a site to behold… players carrying their guitars and such…cleaned up and ready to do battle. They will all walk tall with a purpose…knowing that they ALL were winners just [...]
Walking in Memphis
“Walking in Memphis…” Memphis is eagerly opening its arms to the masses of blues fans as they converge on Beale Street for the 2012 International Blues Challenge. That famous street was alive and well last night when I arrived in town….as part of the ‘advance’ team. Those ever familiar flashing lights from the various clubs [...]
Former B. B. King bassist Melvin Lee Green Passes in Memphis
Melvin Lee (far left) performs with Earl the Pearl and the Peoples of the Blues at the Southern Hot Wings Festival on South Main in Memphis (Memphis, Tennessee) It is with great sadness that we report the passing of a very dear friend and colleague, indubitably one of the world’s finest Blues musicians. Melvin Lee [...]
STAX Artist J. Blackfoot Dies Today in Memphis
(Memphis, Tennessee) Memphis soul singer J. Blackfoot, a member of STAX vocal group, the Soul Children, and a longtime solo artist, died today at Methodist Germantown Hospital. Blackfoot, who had been diagnosed with cancer, was 65. J. Blackfoot, who was born John Colbert in Greenville, Mississippi, earned his nickname as a youth. He and his [...]
Mojo Buford former Muddy Waters Harmonica Player has Passed
(Memphis, Tennessee) It is with great sadness that we relay the news from George “Mojo” Buford’s son that Mojo has died this morning in a Minneapolis hospital. Mojo, a fine singer and harmonica player, was hospitalized since July of this year when he underwent surgery for an embolism. He never fully recovered from this [...]
Neil’s Bar in Memphis Suffers 2 Alarm Blaze
(Memphis, Tennessee) Like so many nights in the past, the author played Neil’s Music Room on Saturday night with the Reba Russell Band. It was our last spot in Memphis where we performed with any regularity because of the good crowds and the kindness of owner Neil Heins and his staff. Sunday night at Neil’s [...]
Amy Winehouse found Dead
(Reuters) – British singer Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home in north London, Sky News reported on Saturday. Police said they had found the body of a 27-year-old woman at a flat in Camden Square, north London, after being called by ambulance services around 1500 GMT (11 a.m. EDT). They said they [...]
Mike Enright, reknown Memphis Musician passes
(Memphis, Tennessee0 over the past weekend a great guitarist and musician, Mike Enright, passed away after a brief illness. Mike was always held in very high esteem for his exemplary talent and extremely dry wit. He sang and played in seminal Memphis bands since the 1970′s (Nonconna, Hobo Fit, Uncle Jam Band, Suspicions, Busta Jones) [...]
Earl Gilliam’s life is ebbing, but the love is still flowing…
The Houston Blues community/and artists will come together Sunday to play musical homage to one of the godfathers of blues piano, Earl Gilliam ~ his life is ebbing, but the love still flowing. Earl will be watching from his hospital bed, and I’m sure he’ll be smiling to beat the band. Longtime friend and fellow jammer [...]
Memphis Keyboard Legend Tony Black has Passed
(Memphis, Tennessee) The whole of the Memphis music community, players and fans alike, are in shock at the passing of the vibrant and incredibly talented Tony Black. Tony who has played in bands full time his whole life, was notable for playing in guitarist/singer Jack Rowell’s bands for many years. Tony died on last Friday, [...]
Sympathy to Mr. Mickey Rogers and Family
24 year old Ricky Smith, son of renowned Delta bluesman Mickey Rogers, passed away early this morning unexpectedly after a brief illness. The Central MS Blues Society will be accepting donations at Blue Monday this week to help the family with expenses related to this sad event. Further details about memorial services will be shared when [...]
Tornado destroys Malaco Records
Malaco Records which has recorded and/or released albums for dozens of Soul and Blues legends, had its offices and recording studios destroyed Friday afternoon when a tornado hit Jackson, Mississippi. Of the three buildings in the compound, one was a total loss, while the other two had more than half of the structure destroyed. A [...]
LA Music Award nominee for Blues Roots and Americana, Artist of the Year:
On March 24th in Hollywood California, Ron Tanski took home a nomination for Blues Roots Artist of the Year at the first LAMA (Los Angeles Music Award) showcase at the world famous Whisky a go-go. Hosted and presented by Al Bowman, the LAMAS have been showcasing the best of the best in musical talent for over twenty years. [...]
Fundraiser for Big Jack Johnson Wed. March 16 at Ground Zero Clarksdale
BIG JACK JOHNSON UPDATE: (from Roger Stolle) • WED 3/16 @ 8PM – Ground Zero Blues Club (0 Blues Alley, Clarksdale, MS) – Big Jack Johnson tribute with All Night Long Blues Band and special guests. (Cover charge pays the hosting band… with “donation bucket” benefiting Big Jack’s family to help with medical/funeral expenses.) • [...]
