The photo above is the famous statue of W.C. Handy, “Father of the BLUES,” in Handy Park on Beale Street. Memphis jazz man Dr. Herman Green was presented the Lifetime Music Achievement Award on Sunday at the 13th annual W.C. Handy Heritage Awards. Herman is a dear friend and was a fellow colleague of my [...]
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Where the Music Came From
(Memphis, Tennessee) Earlier this year I wrote about my dear departed friend, Jim Dickinson, and I received a link to this fascinating YouTube clip this week which features Jim speaking to the subject of where the unique Memphis sound originated. Jim Dickinson photo by Joe Teri It explains a lot about the Memphis horn sound [...]
Cincinatti Blues Festival 2009
Spectacular vistas, the Ohio River, and the Cincinnati Blues Festival (Memphis, Tennessee) My recent trip to Cincinnati and Denver with the Memphis-based Reba Russell Band was a great introduction to two explosive blues festivals. What a rollicking good time! After a quick Delta flight (the seats keep shrinking on these planes…I can’t feel my knees) [...]
James Luther Dickinson Dies
(Memphis, Tennessee) I am sad to report the passing of a legendary Memphis musician, songwriter and record producer, 67 year old James Luther Dickinson, who passed away in his sleep early Saturday morning. Jim Dickinson was my friend, an inspiration to musicians and artists across the globe. I am sorry I did not get to [...]
Blues Jam Protocol
(Memphis, Tennessee) Blues Jam Protocol- the Do’s and Don’t of Jamming or How to Avoid a Major Blood-lettingTerry “Gatorman” Lape contributes to this article(photo by author) After discussing this idea with my editor and friend, our Chicago correspondent Terry “Gatorman” Lape, he added a few suggestions of his own to the mix.Memphis Blues Society hosts [...]
Billy Lee Riley Dead at 75
(Memphis, Tennessee) I am sad to report the passing of one of Sun Records greatest talents, rockabilly star Billy Lee Riley. Billy Lee also played a mean blues harmonica and was a charismatic and moving talent on stage and off. Born in Pocahontas, Arkansas, his family moved to the cotton producing town of Osceola, Arkansas, [...]
Memphis to Chicago and Back
(Memphis, Tennessee) I am the southern correspondent for the American Blues News and I am sincerely delighted to be able to contribute a few stories and interviews to the beloved fans of the blues worldwide. By way of introduction, let me tell you what I have been doing for the past 30 years or so. [...]
