HOUSE OF BLUES SUNSET STRiP 8430 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA  90069 (323) 848-5100 Possessed Sadistic Intent, Letum Ascensus, Witch Haven Mon. 3/2 On Sale $22.50 adv / $25dos 8 pm All Ages Heavy Metal Bad Religion W/ Broadway Calls, Hi-Fi Handgrenades Tue. 3/4 SOLD OUT $22.50 8 pm All Ages Punk Bad Religion W/ Miss Derringer, Del Toro Wed. 3/5 SOLD OUT $22.50 8 pm All Ages Punk The Dan Band (Limited seating available) Fri. 3/7 On Sale $25 GA $35 Reserved 8 pm 18 + Tribue/Comedy Super Diamond This Charming Band Sat. 3/8 On Sale $22.50 adv/ $25.00 dos 8 pm 21 + Tribute Bad Religion Ignite, HDR Tue. 3/11 SOLD OUT $22.50 8 pm All Ages Punk Bad Religion W/ Chuck Ragan (acoustic) Wed. 3/12 On Sale $22.50 8 pm All Ages Punk Bad Religion W/ Flipper, Revolution Mother Fri. 3/14 On Sale Sat. 3/1 @ 10 am $22.50 8 pm All Ages Punk Bad Religion W/ Flipper, Revolution Mother Sat. 3/15 On Sale Sat. 3/1 @ 10 am $22.50 8 pm All Ages Punk Bad Religion W/ Flipper, Revolution Mother Sun. 3/16 On Sale Sat. 3/1 @ 10 am $22.50 8 pm All Ages Punk Trey Songz + J. Holiday Fri. 3/21 On Sale $35 8 pm 18 + Hip Hop Horrorpops The Outskirts Sat. 3/22 On Sale $16.50 adv/ $19.50 dos 8 pm All Ages Psychobilly / Punk Ace Frehley The Trews 3/25 On Sale $30 adv / $35 dos 8 pm 18 + Rock HOB & Sean Healy Present: Too Short + Bun B W/ Greedy Ent. Fri. 3/28 On Sale $30 adv/ $35 dos 8 pm 18+ Hip-Hop Lost 80’s Live feat: Dramarama, Flock of Seagulls When In Rome, Real Life and Gene Loves Jezebel Sat. 3/29 On Sale $22.50 adv/ $26.50 dos 8 pm 18+ New Wave Throwdown w/ Soilwork Thru The Eyes of The Dead, War of Ages Wed. 4/2 On Sale $16.00 adv/ $17.50 dos 7 pm All Ages Metalcore / Death Metal CU La Tour / Last World Tour w/ Ministry Meshuggah Sat. 4/5 Sun. 4/6 On Sale $45 / $100 vip 8 pm All Ages Industrial Metal Yellowcard (acoustic) The Spill Canvas, PlayRadioPlay!, Treaty of Paris Sat, 4/12 On Sale $19.50 7 pm All Ages Alternative STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) Fri. 5/16 On Sale Sat. 3/1 @ 10 am $16.50 adv/ $20.50 dos 8 pm 18+ Rock/Electronica STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) Sat. 5/17 On Sale Sat. 3/1 @ 10 am $16.50 adv/ $20.50 dos 8 pm 18+ Rock/Electronica Ratt featuring:Warren DeMartini Stephen Pearcy,  Bobby Blotzer w/ White Lion, Little Caesar Thu. 4/18 On Sale $25 adv / $27.50 dos 8 pm 18 + Metal / Rock Symphony X Sat. 4/19 On Sale $27.50 adv. $30 dos 8 pm All Ages Heavy Metal Yonder Mountain String Band Fri. 4/25 On Sale $20 adv/ $22.50 dos 8 pm 18+ Bluegrass/Country Stiff Little Fingers Fri. 5/2 On Sale Fri. 2/29 @ 10 am $15.50 adv / $18.50 dos 8 pm All Ages Punk Puddle of Mudd W/ Meriwether, Deepfield Sat. 5/3 On Sale Sat. 3/1 @ 10 am $22.50 8 pm All Ages Rock Paganfest USA feat ENSIFERUM, TURISAS TYR, ELUVEITIE, SuidAkrA Thu. 5/8 On Sale $20 adv./ $25 dos 7 pm All Ages Viking Metal Rick Ortiz Presents: Best of Tributes Tue. 5/13 On Sale Now $10 8 pm 18+ Tribute Sweet and Tender Hooligans The Ultimate Tribute to Morrisey & The Smiths Thu. 5/22 On Sale $15 8 pm All Ages Smiths Tribute Arch Enemy W/ Dark Tranquillity, Divine Heresy, Firewind Fri. 5/30 On Sale $20 adv/ $22.50 dos 7:30 pm All Ages Death Metal **SHOW TIME IS ONE HOUR AFTER DOORS OPEN ** (subject to change) HOUSE OF BLUES ANAHEiM 1530 S. Disneyland Dr. Anaheim, CA  92802 (714) 778 BLUE Bad Religion Ignite, HDR 3/1/08 Sold Out $22.50 8pm All Punk / Alternative Bad Religion The Briggs, Hi-Fi Hand Grenades 3/2/08 Sold Out $22.50 8pm All Punk / Alternative Detour Live 3/3/08 On-Sale $20 8pm All Alternative Boyu.com & Dave L Presents: Tabloid N/A 3/5/08 On-Sale TBD $10 8pm 18+ Dance Lifehouse Matt Nathanson Honey Honey 3/6/08 On-Sale $25 adv / $27.50 dos 8pm All Christian Rock Rick Ortiz Presents: FIST FULL OF STEEL Chime 3/7/08 On-Sale $12.50 adv / dos 8pm All Tribute New York Dolls We are the Fury 3/9/08 On-Sale $22.50 adv / $25 dos 8pm All Adult Punk/ Alternative Hotel Café Tour feat. Ingrid Michaelson, Cary Brothers, Greg Laswell, Kate Havnevik, Jessie Baylin, Jim Bianco 3/8/089 On-Sale $15.50 adv / $17.50 dos 8pm All Singer/Songwriter Detour Live TBA 3/10/08 On-Sale $20 8pm All Alternative Angels & Airwaves Meg & Dia, The Color Fred, Ace Enders 3/12/08 Sold Out $25 7:30pm All Alternative / Punk Particle Featuring Robby Krieger From The Doors TBA 3/13/08 9-Feb $22.50 adv / $25. dos 8pm All Classic Rock Angels & Airwaves Meg & Dia, The Color Fred, Ace Enders 3/14/08 Sold Out $25 7:30pm All Alternative / Punk The Fenians Rick Boyle Rose’s Pawn Shop 3/15/08 On-Sale $32.50 8pm All Irish Rock Kinky Money Mark 3/17/08 On-Sale $12.50 adv / $15.50 dos 8pm All Rock en Espanol / Alternative Candlebox Golden  State The Black Summer Crush 3/18/08 On-Sale $20 8pm All Alternative The Presidents of the United States of America Pleaseeasaur, Ludo 3/19/08 On-Sale $17.50 adv / $20 dos 8pm All Alternative / Punk / Pop Trey Songz & J Holiday 3/20/08 On-Sale $27.50 8pm All Hip-hop/R&B Bad Religion 3/21/08 On- Sale $22.50 8pm All Punk/Alternative Ace Frehley The Trews 3/22/08 On-Sale $30 adv / $35 dos 8pm All Classic Rock Bad Religion Broadway Calls 3/25/08 On-Sale $22.50 8pm All Punk / Alternative Bad Religion 3/26/08 On-Sale $22.50 8pm All Punk / Alternative Lost 80’s Live Featuring Dramarama, A Flock of Seagulls, When In Rome, Real Life, Gene Loves Jezebel 3/28/08 On-Sale $25 adv / $28 dos 8pm All Alternative Pop Sweet & Tender Hooligans Sons & Heirs 3/29/08 On-Sale $16.00 adv / $18.50 dos 8pm All Punk/Alternative Bad Manners TBA 3/31/08 On-Sale $15  8pm All Reggae/Ska  The Avett Brothers Jessica Lee Mayfield 4/1/08 On-Sale $17.50 adv / $20 dos 8pm All Alternative Folk Family Force 5 The Maine Ivoryline 4/13/08 On-Sale $13.50 adv / $15 dos 8pm All Christian Rock Ratt Little Ceasar 4/19/08 On-Sale $25 8pm All Glam Metal / Classic Rock Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine TBA 4/26/08 On-Sale 3/1 $27.50 adv / $32.50 dos 8pm All Lounge/Covers Voodoo Glow Skulls Mustard Plug Knockout 4/29/08 On-Sale 3/1 $15 8pm All Ska The Slackers Deals Gone Band The Greg Lee Band 5/2/08 On-Sale $13.50 adv / $15 dos 8pm All Ska Stiff Little Fingers TBA 5/4/08 On-Sale 2/29/08 $19 adv / $21.50 dos 8pm All Tribute Manic Hispanic Noise Attack Guana Batz 5/5/08 On-Sale $17 8pm All Punk/Latin Unwritten Law TBA 5/9/08 On-Sale 3/8 Announce 3/6 $20 adv / $23 dos 8pm All Punk/Alternative Unwritten Law TBA 5/10/08 On-Sale 3/8 Announce 3/6 $20 adv / $23 dos 8pm All Punk/Alternative Led Zepagain TBA 5/25/08 On-Sale 3/1 $17.50 adv / $20 dos 8pm All Tribute Thrice Circa Survive Pelican Aushua 5/27/08 2/21 $17.50 adv / $21.50 dos 6:30pm All Alternative/Punk Thrice Circa Survive Pelican Aushua 5/28/08 2/21 $17.50 adv / $21.50 dos 6:30pm All Alternative/Punk Delirious? TBA 6/26/08 On-Sale $20 adv / $22.50 dos / $40 vip 7:30pm All Christian Rock

AMERiCA EMBRACES ACHiSON After a year living in the US, Australian guitarist/songwriter Geoff Achison has had a big impact on the Blues/Roots music scene here. And America has had it's own impact on him, his wife and 5 year old son, who see the US for the first time. Geoff Achison is about to complete his first year as resident of the country from which the music he adores originates. With countless radio interview and performance spots, multiple television broadcasts, tireless touring and international radio airplay more people than ever have been exposed to Geoff's sound. His recent critically acclaimed live release, Souldigger CD, has helped. It reached #23 on the US Roots Blues Chart, and was identified by a variety of DJ's and many Internet sites (including Jambands.com and Kweevak.com) as one of the best releases of 2007. On his latest tour of the UK in the summer, he returned to the BBC Studios to again record a national radio program there. He also is proud to have completed his tenth year of teaching at Jorma Kaukonen's (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp. Needing an amp, he was fortunate to develop a relationship with an American manufacturer (Kustom Amps) who provided him with a tube guitar amp to use for the duration of his time in The States. (a '72 Coupe). While Geoff still performs solo in some shows, he also has a slew of new musical friends who frequently join him for his full band performances as Souldiggers (Geoff's band wherever he is.) These musicians include drummers like Yonrico Scott (Derek Trucks Band), Chris Fryar (Oteil and the Peacemakers) and Tyler Greenwell (Susan Tedeschi Band) and bassists such as Charlie Wooton (Zydefunk), David Stoltz (Dickey Betts Band) Ted Pecchio (Susan Tedeschi Band), and many others across the US. “Each musician brings their own particular style to the band," Geoff says, “and that keeps my ears open to new ways of playing some of my old tunes." The ever-evolving Achison further explains, “I'm able to treat these songs as sort of inter-stellar space vehicles that we can fly to different planets and back. Well sometimes we come back!" He also has co-billed with, and/or been joined onstage by the iconic Colonel Bruce Hampton (Aquarium Rescue Unit, The Quark Alliance), Tom Principato, Webb Wilder, Delta Moon, Oliver Wood (Wood Brothers), The Red Elvises, Watermelon Slim and fellow Aussie, Harper. His January performance with Randall Bramblett (Traffic, Steve Winwood, Allman Brothers) and Atlanta folk legend Caroline Aiken was so well received at Atlanta's Eddie's Attic that the trio is being encouraged by industry players to do a regional tour. His co-bill with gritty Atlanta songsmith Donna Hopkins was covered by Jambands.com magazine, has been downloaded thousands of times on the Live Music Archive website, and even spent some time on their Top 10 Critic's list. Geoff and his wife Michelle have enjoyed their experience with American culture as well. Geoff was able to take Michelle and their 6-year-old son Jacob to Memphis to experience the musically significant city and visit the site of his 1995 International Blues Challenge victory. The family members also took part in their first full-on, American Halloween experience replete with ghosts, ghouls, skeletons and trick or treating for the young Jacob, not to mention costumes for Geoff and Michelle! The couple's parents even made the trip to Georgia in December and were able to experience an unusually wintry Atlanta Christmas. “I fell in love with Decatur and Atlanta quickly," says Michelle, “The warmth and generosity shown to us by Geoff's friends and fans has overwhelmed me. Decatur in particular is a wonderfully artistic and creative community." However, Geoff certainly has not forgotten his beloved native country, and the jumbo jar of vegemite delivered to him by fans visiting from Australia in September helped as well. One particularly Acho-friendly Atlanta-area venue even had a vegemite pizza baked just for Geoff when he was performing in their room in celebration of Australia Day! RHYTHMS iN BLUES AWAiT THE LOWER KEYS BIG PINE KEY, Florida Keys -- The tranquil blues of the subtropical sky are to blend with melodic blues at the seventh annual Lower Keys Jazz and Blues Festival, scheduled 1-6 p.m. Sunday, April 13. The event is to be presented by the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce on the grounds of the chamber's visitor center, mile marker 31 oceanside. Themed "Rhythms in Blues," the fest features masterful musicians performing sultry jazz and blues in a shady open-air setting International touring and recording artist Joe Donato is to head the talent lineup. A composer with hundreds of original melodies to his credit, Donato electrifies audiences with a repertoire that spans early and contemporary jazz, blues, Broadway classics and more. Other scheduled performers include regional favorites Quintessence, the Southernmost Brass Band, Injade and vocalist Libby York. Attendees also can discover a different type of blues -- and virtually every other hue -- in the oils, watercolors, sculptures and fine crafts available on site. A juried art show is planned to complement the musical offerings. The arts of cuisine and mixology won't be neglected at the event. Food and libations, including cocktails from an exotic martini bar, are to add to the afternoon's appeal. Music lovers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to provide comfortable seating as they savor the jazz and blues wafting through the property. Tickets are $20 per person in advance or $25 per person at the door and can be purchased at the chamber's visitor center. For information about the event and accommodations in the Lower Florida Keys, call the chamber at (305) 872-2411 or (800) 872-3722 or visit the Florida Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com RUSTY WRiGHT BAND Rusty Wright is an incendiary guitarist and from his first note the stage practically sizzles with high octane energy as he throws down a six-string gauntlet and challenges his band to ever greater heights as tasty guitar, sax, Hammond B3 and vocal riffs volley back and forth across the stage. BluesBunny.com, a Scottish blues webzine describes the RWB sound as “Kind of like Poppa Chubby without the urban aggression.” Fronting the band with Wright is his wife, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Laurie LaCross-Wright, a compelling singer with a vivid and expressive vocal style that stretches with ease from a breathy, crooned endearment into a two-octave slide that becomes a throaty affirmation of her ability to wail. The chemistry between Wright and his wife is both obvious and refreshing as they exchange playful banter onstage and share anecdotes about the songs and their lives with the audience. Musically, they soar. Their passion for music and performing is evident as they take turns playing off each other. Laurie laughs with delight when Rusty plays a particularly inventive riff. His guitar work echoes the dynamics and emotion of her voice as she sings. He closes his eyes and loses himself in the music as he plays. She, in turn, looks directly out at the audience, smiling widely from the stage, as if to say You'd better believe this is every bit as fun as it looks! THE LIVE SHOW The RWB live show focuses on material from their critically acclaimed first CD Ain't No Good Life. In January, the band will also introduce new material from their upcoming second CD, slated for release in April 2008. The new disc will include two previously unreleased tunes penned by Warren Haynes of Govt. Mule. RWB has dynamic 45, 60 and 90-minute concert sets that are ideal for keeping a diverse, multi-generational audience entertained. The crowd response says it all - more often than not Rusty and the band receive standing ovations during their performances, and they leave audiences on their feet clamoring for more. Rusty Wright Blues also has a feel-good, energetic nightclub show that expands on the band's concert sets. In addition to their own brand of sizzling hybrid-blues and engaging onstage husband/wife banter, the band pulls out the big box of crayons to color their blues as they pay tribute to a wide spectrum of artists whose music has inspired them. "They're probably some the best blues I've ever heard." ~ Craig Martin, director, Pix Theatre, Lapeer MI. "There are many who may not have heard of this band before their performance, but I doubt any will forget them afterwards. They were the darlings of the festival on Sunday. If you get a chance to get out and see them, go! go! go!" Cheryl Olson, music reviewer, WOAS FM radio personality, Porcupine Music Festival Talent Coordinator "When we book a band for a festival we want a full sound, great vocals, and somebody that can work the crowd. We got all of that and more with the Rusty Wright Band. That's why we keep bringing them back!" Dennis Massingill, Kalamazoo Blues Festival "They may not have won the contest, but they did win critical acclaim from the likes of Bill Wax from XM Radio, Legendary Blues Manager and photographer Dick Waterman, and Alligator Records Czar, Bruce Iglaur. Rumor has it that Rusty and the gang will be on the festival circuit next year and that a trip to the Virgin Islands' St. Johns Blues Festival is in the offing." Steve Allen, Detroit Blues Society President DELTA BLUESMAN JAMES "BOO BOO" DAViS TO START EUROPEAN SPRiNG TOUR Next month, March 7, 2008, Delta bluesman Boo Boo Davis will start a Spring European tour. The real deal. Boo Boo is still alive and kicking, writing and singing his music….. raw first-hand experience blues directly from the Delta. Boo Boo's father, Sylvester Davis farmed cotton and played several instruments. Boo Boo remembers these and other musicians dropping by and rehearsing at their house. At the age of five Boo Boo was playing the harmonica and singing in church with his mother. This band traveled all throughout the Delta and Boo Boo recalls a Battle of Music between The Lard Can Band and a young BB King. In the early sixties Boo Boo and his brothers moved to East St Louis and started playing real drums. In 1972 Boo Boo formed another Davis family band known as the Davis Brothers Band, It was the weekend house band at a club called Tabby=s Red Room in East St Louis for eighteen years. Boo Boo can be heard on the Arthur Williams CD AHarpin= It Out@. The CD (East St Louis) got very nice reviews in the international blues magazines and is played on blues radio stations all over the world. In the USA Boo Boo performed among others at the KING BISCUIT BLUES FESTIVAL (Helena, AR) and the POCONOS BLUESFESTIVAL. Colne GB Blues Festival (UK) and the NORTH SEA JAZZFESTIVAL (NL). For his new recording project, Boo Boo teamed up with Ramon Goose (from nublues) and they fused the raw blues sounds from the Mississippi delta with modern grooves. MOJO Magazine (UK) listed it with the 10 best blues records of 2006 and Boo Boo was invited to perform for the 2007 edition of the POCONO BLUES FESTIVAL, one of the biggest blues festivals in the USA. In March this year Boo Boo performed live on CBC Radio One (Montreal) national radio in Canada. March 7, Beauvais (F), Le Blues Autour du Zinc March 8, Beauvais (F), Le Blues Autour du Zinc March 11, Winchester (UK), Tower Arts Centre March 13, Monaghan (IRL), McKennas March 14, Keighley (UK), Bronte Blues Club March 15, Castor, Peterborough (UK), Shakedown Blues @ Village Hall March 16, Menai Bridge (UK), Victoria Hotel March 18, Sheffield (UK), Boardwalk March 19, Glasgow (UK), The Ferry March 21, Laxey / Isle of Man (UK), Riverside Pavilion March 22, Bocking, Essex (UK), The Retreat March 23, Burnley (UK), BURNLEY BLUESFESTIVAL March 24 (afternoon) , London (UK) session for PAUL JONES SHOW/BBC RADIO March 24 (evening), Hampton (UK), The Raven 'n' the Blues @ BFBS Radio 2 March 25, Hoegaarden (B), 't Nieuwhuys March 26 (afternoon), Hilversum (NL), live @ NPS Studio 6 (Dutch national radio) March 28, tba (Canary Islands), tba March 29, Fuerteventura (Canary Islands), Festival Internacional de Blues April 2, Frth (D), Kofferfabrik April 3, Fribourg (CH), La Spirale April 4, Torino (I), Folkclub April 5, Douzy (F), Chorus @ Salle des Fetes ALBERT COLLiNS LiVE AT MONTREUX Eagle Rock Entertainment will release both the CD of Albert Collins Live At Montreux 1992 and its companion 102-minute DVD on March 4. These stunning documents mark one of the last concerts that the late bluesman (1932-1993) performed before he succumbed to cancer on November 24, 1993. Prebook date is February 13. Collins was known throughout the blues world as "The Ice Man." With his trademark Fender Telecaster and his distinctive fingerpicking style, Collins, on this night, delivered a career-spanning set of originals and covers. Bonus tracks on the DVD include four lengthy jams from Montreux '79: "Listen Here, " "Snatchin' It Back, " "Cold Cold Feeling" and "Frosty." Collins was a Texan, a distant relative of Lightnin' Hopkins, who, as a kid, soaked up the regional blues styles of Chicago and Mississippi. His first band, in 1952, played Houston bars. His first independent album, in 1965, The Cool Sounds Of Albert Collins, came after he relocated to Kansas City and included the instrumental "Frosty." In '67, he moved to San Francisco, a mecca for exploding rock'n'roll of the hippie subculture, where he found national fame playing alongside some of the biggest bands in the country. One such band, Canned Heat, helped him get a major label deal. The 1968 Imperial result was one of the great '60s blues album, Love Can Be Found Anywhere (Even In A Guitar). He moved back home to Texas as a star in 1973. In 1978, he signed to Alligator for that year's Ice Pickin', the first of seven albums for the Chicago blues label. The '80s and '90s saw him tour around the world, influencing generations of blues and rock performers. He won the 1983 WC Handy Award for Don't Lose Your Cool (Blues Album Of The Year). His 1985 Showdown album with Robert Cray and Johnny Copeland won a Grammy Award. CALGARY BLUES MUSiC ASSOCiATiON ANNOUNCES FiRST ANNUAL CALGARY MiDWiNTER BLUESFEST Feb 04, 2008 – Calgary, Canada - Calgarians will have the opportunity to chase away the winter blues and enjoy two festivals this year courtesy of the Calgary Blues Music Association (CBMA). Organizers have announced the first annual Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest will run from February 25 to March 1, and in keeping with CBMA's tradition, wil feature the finest in regional and international blues in a range of workshops, concerts and special events. Topping the bill is Chicago blues icon Hubert Sumlin, who will make two rare Calgary appearances as part of the festival. Sumlin is considered a living blues legend, and among his many credits the 74-year old bluesman has played with Pinetop Perkins, Willie Dixon, The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry and countless others. He counts among his biggest fans Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, and John Mayer as well as Keith Richards and Eric Clapton, both of whom play on About Them Shoes, his new album. Fellow headliners announced to date include Canadian blues guitar greats Bill Johnson (Victoria), who's fiery fingers have opened for the likes of Delbert McLinton and Otis Rush, Canada's first lady of slide guitar, Ellen McIlwaine (Calgary) and Juno award-winning Jack Semple (Regina). Signature events will include the Acoustic in the Round concert, slated for Thursday, Feb. 28, the concert offers an up-close and intimate view of festival artists. On Friday, Feb. 29, Guitarmania lX sees the return of the ever-popular event showcasing the best in blues guitar in a full roster of headline artists. On Saturday, March 1, the great Hubert Sumlin will be featured in the Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest Headline Concert, backed by a local band of blues veterans. Wednesday, Feb. 27, the Twilight Blues Jam features some of Calgary's finest players hosting a red-hot jam session. As part of the evening's activities, the Calgary Blues Music Association will induct several local artists into the newly-founded Calgary Bluesfest Hall of Fame. Kicking off the week is the Blues Vocal Camp, one of three workshops offered that week. The two-part camp is designed for aspiring blues singers, who will receive instruction from professional voice clinicians on Monday, Feb. 25 in preparation for performance with a band before a live audience on Tuesday, Feb. 26. Wednesday afternoon's Emerging Artist Workshop features John Rutherford, blues musician, former radio host, and founder of the Carma Acoustic Blues Series held annually at the Epcor Centre's Engineered Air Theatre. Friday afternoon's Midwinter Guitar Workshop is hosted Jack Semple, who will share his music, guitar and industry expertise. CALGARY MIDWINTER BLUESFEST SCHEDULE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Blues Vocal Camp - Workshop Ironwood Stage (1429 - 9 Ave SE) 8 pm TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Blues Vocal Camp - Performances Ironwood Stage (1429 - 9 Ave SE) 8 pm WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Emerging Artist Workshop Kits on 16th Downstairs (720 - 16 Ave NW) 3-6 pm Twilight Blues Jam Calgary Bluesfest Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Kits on 16th (720 - 16 Ave NW) 8 pm HURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Acoustic in the Round Ellen McIlwaine - Bill Johnson - Jack Semple Mikey's Juke Joint & Eatery (1901 - 10 Ave SW) 8 pm FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29 Midwinter Guitar Workshop Kits on 16th Downstairs (720 - 16 Ave NW) 3-6pm Guitarmania lX Bill Johnson - Ellen McIlwaine - Jack Semple - Hubert Sumlin MacEwan Hall (University of Calgary) 8 pm SATURDAY, MARCH 1 Mid-Winter Bluesfest Headline Concert Starring Hubert Sumlin Kits on 16th (720 - 16 Ave NW) 8 pm LEVON HELMS "DiRT FARMER GARNERS GRAMMY LOVE Levon Helm’s first solo, studio recording in 25 years, Dirt Farmer, was released to the public on October 30, through Dirt Farmer Music LLC in conjunction with Vanguard Records. Levon sings and plays drums, guitar and mandolin on the CD, accompanied by Larry Campbell on guitars and fiddle, and the voices of Amy Helm and Teresa Williams. The record explores songs Levon learned as a boy in Arkansas and others in that style. “Growing up on a cotton farm in the Arkansas Delta, Dirt Farmer rings true to home,” Levon said. “Amy encouraged me to go all the way back and try to record some of the family songs from home that we always loved best.” The record reveals the essential beauty of traditional songs like “Little Birds” and the Stanley Brothers’ “False Hearted Lover Blues,” and takes a new look at Paul Kennerley’s “A Train Robbery,” Buddy and Julie Miller’s “Wide River To Cross” and another sentimental favorite, Lauralyn Dossett’s “Anna Lee.” Levon said: “‘The Girl I Left Behind’ was one of the first songs my parents taught me as a child, along with ‘Little Birds’and ‘Blind Child.’ ‘The Poor Old Dirt Farmer’ is a song that my wood-carver musician friend Michael Copus and I learned together when we worked with Jane Fonda on The Dollmaker down in Tennessee. ‘Single Girl, Married Girl’ is one of my favorite songs of the whole session. It gave us the chance to address a traditional standard with the entire rhythm section using non-electric instruments and a full set of drums. It also gave us the chance to monkey up the rhythm of a traditional country beat.” Levon Helm's 'Dirt Farmer' has earned him sustained attention heading into 2008. Here's a roundup of Helm's recent and upcoming activities spurred by the album: * Helm's 'Dirt Farmer' earned him a GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Traditional Folk Album, as announced by The Recording Academy December 6. The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held February 10, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA and will be broadcast on CBS. * In a long-form interview with host Terry Gross, Helm will appear on Fresh Air today. * The Levon Helm Band performed on air during Don Imus' return to radio December 3 at NYC's Town Hall. Of the set, NY Daily News' David Hinckley declared, "Levon Helm's band with Larry Campbell played some FIRST-RATE TUNES." * Amazon.com named 'Dirt Farmer' "THIS YEAR'S TOP FOLK RECORD" and posted the video for "Poor Old Dirt Farmer". * The Levon Helm Band will perform at The Beacon Theater in New York March 7 and 8, 2008. More info soon. THE BEST OF BiLLY VERA AND THE BEATERS On February 19, Shout! Factory will release Hopeless Romantic: The Best Of Billy Vera & The Beaters, a compilation celebrating Vera's talent as both singer and songwriter. Produced by Billy Vera, this new compilation includes songs from his albums Billy & The Beaters, the album recorded live at the Roxy in Los Angeles and which included his smash hit “At This Moment,” and Billy Vera, which was recorded at Muscle Shoals, as well as three previously unreleased tracks. Hopeless Romantic is the only current release of the original chart topping version of “At This Moment,” and the first time that version will be available on iTunes. Born in Riverside, CA, and raised in New York, Vera started out his musical career as a songwriter. His song “Make Me Belong To You” was a hit for Atlantic Records star Barbara Lewis, and Rick Nelson had a hit with Vera's “Mean Old World.” Vera released two albums on Atlantic himself, and had a series of hits for the label in the 60s. In 1979 Vera moved from New York to Los Angeles to write songs for Warner Music after Dolly Parton had a #1 hit with his cut “I Really Got The Feeling.” After starting a band with a friend, Vera was playing the Troubadour every Monday night and his became one of the most talked-about bands in town. In 1980 Vera signed a deal with Alfa Records. Vera's first release on Alfa was Billy & The Beaters, a live recording released in 1981 that included the single “At This Moment.” The song wouldn't become a hit until 1986, and Alfa shut its doors not long after Vera's third release. Richard Foos, then CEO of Rhino and now CEO of Shout! Factory, had formed a friendship with Vera through a mutual friend. After Vera told Foos he was selling out shows every week, Foos agreed to put an album out, thinking they'd be lucky to break even. As Rhino began to license the album, Vera mentioned that the show “Family Ties” had used the song a few months before, generating bags of mail from fans asking where they could buy the song. As luck would have it, the show used the song again about the time that By Request: The Best of Billy Vera & The Beaters came out. The song shot to #1 in Billboard, held the position for two weeks and remained on the charts for approximately five months. “It turns out that the album that we put out as a favor to a great guy became the biggest-selling record in Rhino's annals, and the only hit single in its entire 30-year history,” says Foos. “At This Moment” wound up a #1 hit that crossed all boundaries of age and demographics, charting Pop, Country and R&B, and changing my life in the process,” writes Vera in the album's liner notes. I will always be grateful to Richard for giving me that shot, and now that I own my own masters, the first place I called was his new label, Shout! Factory, to make them available again.” The version of “At This Moment” included on Hopeless Romantic is the original live version that topped the charts after “Family Ties” made it a sensation. Billy Vera has continued touring with The Beaters, compiled and documented dozens of historical albums, and produced albums for other artists, including four for Lou Rawls, taking the great singer back to #1 on the jazz charts, and reviving his recording career. Their last collaboration was “Rawls Sings Sinatra,” released one year prior to Lou's passing. Vera, who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is also an in-demand voice for commercial voiceovers. Artists who have recorded Billy Vera songs include Bonnie Raitt, Robert Plant, Fats Domino, the Shirelles, Tom Jones, and Etta James. Further biographical information available at www.billyvera.com. Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory's DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company's audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, Calif. MAVERiCK BLUES ARTiST RELEASES FiRST MODERN DAY URBAN BLUES OPERA Al "Coffee" McDaniel may be a new voice to the Blues, but he is not new to the world of music. He has been performing professionally since he was five years old. It was thenthat he fronted a gospel band. Granted this band was comprised of siblings, but he knew even then what course his life would take, and the direction he would pursue. July 29th CPA Records, McDaniel's private label, will release a landmark recording for the Blues. It may very well be the first modern day urban Blues opera. This fourteen track CD, possibly autobiographical, in music and song, tells the story of a man who finds himself married to a woman who is controlling, abusive and unfaithful. He asserts his autonomy from this relationship, meets and falls for another woman who ultimately helps his career as she helps him attain fame and notoriety. Al Coffee has successfully accompanied himself on this awesome CD with two of the most recognizable names in the music industry, legendary producer/songwriter/drummer, Narada Michael Walden, and blues great, guitarist/keyboardist/songwriter, Lucky Peterson. With this level of incredible future hall of fame artists joining AL "Coffee" McDaniel on this project, "Blues In My Shoes", it has genuine Grammy awards potential. This phenomenal CD,   which will be nationally distributed, includes songs ranging from traditional Blues,  to Chicago and Texas blues, mixed in with a nice touch of R&B. While he paints each track with a different tint and hue from the Blues pallet, he defines each track with lyrics that paint a picture as though he were a fine artist. Each track, solid enough to stand on its own, comprises another act and scene that unfolds as it is listened to and considered as a whole. McDaniel's portrayal of the night club entertainer bedeviled by the woman to whom he is married, a woman who would possess him and destroy him, is particularly poignant. With the two-disc A Shoe Is A Shoe (CPA, 2006) representing a fork in the road and Blues in My Shoes the direction he has chosen, Al "Coffee" McDaniel is an artist whose path is clearly one to follow.  Blues In My Shoes: A Modern Day Urban Blues Opera in 14 Tracks Storyline synopsis: Women aren't the only victims of domestic abuse. Daily men are victimized by the women in their lives. These cases of domestic abuse go largely unreported. In this story Al McDaniel plays the part of a night club entertainer who finds himself married to a woman who is abusive, controlling and unfaithful. She is resentful and demeaning of Al's profession. This story is a poignant portrayal of a man married to such a woman, until he meets the woman of his dreams, someone who ultimately helps him in his career attain fame and notoriety. The tracks below correspond with the scenes described below:   Track 1/ Scene 1/ Act 1. Just Tryin' To Be Me. As this story opens, Al's wife Leche has flown into a rage, tearing up the house, throwing things at Al demeaning his profession, demanding that he give up. He sings this song, the opera's opening, just as he leaves the house and enters the streets.   Track 2/ Scene 2. Blues In My Shoes. Al is not scheduled to work. However, when he enters the club, many of his regulars, surprised by his arrival, call out him to perform something for them He sings and dances this number.   Track 3/ She Ain't Perfect. Coffee is present in the audience and taken by Al's performance, she approaches management and asks for an introduction. Management takes her to be a star struck fan, and sensing no harm in doing so, introduces her. Her friends think it odd that she does this, and so does Al's friends. Al senses immediately an attraction to this woman, a connection and  performs this number.   Track 4. A Shoutout. Unaware of where Al is, knowing that he was not scheduled to work. his wife- Leche arrives at the club with a male friend. She sees and Coffee talking at a table, and flies into a rage.  She creates a scene disturbing the club's patrons.  She is subdued and restrained until the police arrive.  She is carted off to jail. Al sings this number as if taunting his wife for the hell she has made of his life.   Track 5. 2 Headed Monster. At the club, Al's friends ask what this was all about. They have never known him to be anything but professional, and never suspecting what he endured at home.  He tells them in this number, the only acoustically performed track on this CD.   Track 6. For The DJ. Recognizing that this scene has made Al uncomfortable, the DJ starts up the music. Al steers attention to the DJ and as the patrons of the bar start to dance, Al and Coffee slip out of the club.   Track 7/Act 2/Scene 1. Taxi. The relationship between Al and Coffee develops, maybe too quickly for Al. Trying to protect his feelings, Al has insulated himself. He breaks things off with Coffee and takes a taxi ride to clear his head and to sort things out.   Track 8. Scene 2. Hey Baby. Recognizing he loves her, Al returns to Coffee. He asks he to slow things down.   Track 9. Scene 3. Hello, Forever. He proposes to her. Track 10. What A Woman Wants. He recognizes that he is prepared to give Coffee everything she wants.   Track 11/ Act 3/ Scene 1. Don't Touch The Dog. Al's wife has filed for divorce. In court she is present with yet another male friend. Al is prepared to give up everything he owns but pleads, " You can have my ex, but don't touch the dog."   Track 12/ Scene 2. Thrill is Gone. As Al leaves the courthouse,   he passes his ex- and her male friend. He sings, "The thrill is gone."   Track 13/Act 4/ Scene 1. Scufflin' Al's friends throw him a divorce party at the club.   Track 14. Finale. Reggae Blues. This song represents the perfect marriage of Reggae--C0ffee is Jamaican--and the Blues--this is Al's background. Al Coffee McDaniel  is a national recording artist, and has released several CDs under his private label, CPA Records. Highly recognized as a premier male vocalist, and a seasoned guitarist, he is an arranger, composer, producer, and a captivating entertainer. No matter where "Coffee" performs, he captures the attention of his audience and fills them with music. While preserving the spirit of the original artists, "Coffee" revives their songs in a personal way, polishing them, enhancing them, customizing them with his own added touches, making each song more beautiful than it's original version. His performances consists of pop, blues, jazz, R & B, standards, mixed in with some of his own music. McDaniel has become the singing sensation of Clearwater Beach, Florida, performing at the Cabana Grill & Bar (Sand Key)  .  He has developed a loyal following of locals who enjoy that fine, strong baritone voice, and the visitors love him, too.   He has also appeared on several television and radio gospel music programs across the nation in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casinos; Nashville, Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, North Carolina; Washington, DC; New York City, NY; and across the state of Florida. He  has also performed with some of the great artists in the music industry to include, Billy Paul, Gene Chandler, , Joe Simon, Denise Lasalle, and others. While serving in the United States Air Force, he also performed abroad in Europe, South East Asia, and The Pacific Islands. ALLiGATOR RECORDS SiGNS BLUES AND SOUL VOCALiST JANiVA MAGNESS ! NEW CD SET FOR 2008 Alligator Records is proud and pleased to announce the signing of blues, soul and R&B vocalist Janiva Magness. A 30-year veteran of the music scene, Magness has a soulful, husky voice and absolute command over her material. Winner of the 2006 and 2007 Blues Music Awards for Best Contemporary Female Artist Of The Year, Magness’ steady ascension to the top of the blues world will undoubtedly continue its upward trajectory. Magness has seven solo recordings to her credit and has made countless guest appearances on CDs from Kid Ramos, RL Burnside, Doug MacLeod, Jeff Turmes and others. Her presence on stage is legendary, as she performs 200 nights a year at clubs, festivals, and concert halls all over the world. A survivor of an impossibly rough childhood, Magness’ life experience informs her music in a way that is both brutally honest, emotionally moving and, above all, spiritually healing. According to Alligator president Bruce Iglauer, signing Magness was a natural move for the label. “I've been watching Janiva over the last few years and seeing her mature into a major artist. Her deep, subtle understanding of blues and R&B music is obvious in every note she sings. Plus, her live performances simply captivate the audience. She's going to be a wonderful addition to the Alligator roster, and prove to be one of today’s and tomorrow’s crucial blues voices.” And Magness is equally thrilled. “I am so very grateful for all the gifts in my life. One of those gifts is joining the Alligator family. I’m very excited about this new chapter in my life. This is a huge step up for my career.” Born in Detroit, Magness was inspired by the blues and country she heard on her father’s record collection and by the vibrant music of the city’s classic Motown sound. By her teenage years, though, her life was in chaos. She lost both parents to suicide by the time she was 16. She lived on the streets, was in 12 foster homes in two years, became a teenage mother who gave her baby up for adoption, bounced from city to city, and felt hopeless and desperate. One winter’s night, Magness hitchhiked across Minneapolis to attend an Otis Rush concert, and for the first time saw her future. “It opened up some other place in me, like letting oxygen into a sealed crypt for the first time.” She began going to as many blues shows as possible, soaking up the sounds of her favorite artists, including Johnny Copeland and Albert Collins. She listened to James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and all the other R&B greats. It was music, particularly the blues, that sparked the young woman. Several years later, while working as an intern at a recording studio, she was approached to sing some supporting vocals on a track. Finding her voice, she soon began working regularly as a background singer. By the early 1980s, Magness made her way to Phoenix and befriended Bob Tate, the musical director for the great Sam Cooke. With Tate’s mentoring, she formed her first band, Janiva Magness and the Mojomatics, and within the year was named the city’s Best Blues Band by the influential Phoenix New Times. She moved to Los Angeles in 1986 and slowly began finding work. She married musician and songwriter Jeff Turmes with whom she recorded her first studio album, It Takes One To Know One, in 1997. After three more independent releases, Janiva signed with Northern Blues, and recorded Bury Him At The Crossroads in 2004 and Do I Move You? in 2006. Both CDs were co-produced by Magness along with Canadian roots star Colin Linden, and both garnered Magness a massive amount of critical and popular attention. Magness and Linden won the prestigious Canadian Maple Blues Award for Producers Of The Year for Bury Him At The Crossroads in 2004. Do I Move You? was the #1 Blues CD Of The Year in 2006 on Living Blues magazine’s radio chart. In addition to her musical accomplishments, Magness is active in the Blues In Schools programs as well as being a National Spokesperson for Casey Family Programs promoting National Foster Care Month year round, a position she is honored to hold. She has reconnected with her daughter, and is now the proud grandmother of a six-year-old boy. “I have a life today I never could have imagined, ” says Magness. “The tragedies of my life no longer define me.” What defines Janiva Magness is the strength, power and passion of her deeply soulful, emotionally moving music, sung with truth and soul-shaking talent. With plans to return to the recording studio shortly, Magness is busy mapping out her upcoming Alligator debut while simultaneously barnstorming across the country. With the stars seemingly all lined up for her, Janiva Magness will delight her current fans and earn legions of new admirers all around the globe. “When saucy blues singer Janiva Magness delivers a song, you’re convinced. She blurs the lines between blues and soul, singing with elegance and authority.” --Los Angeles Times HONORS KEEP COMiNG FOR DELTA GUiTARiST DAVE HONEYBOY EDWARDS GREENVILLE -- Less than a year after being honored in his hometown for his contribution to Mississippi's blues culture, Dave "Honeyboy" Edwards will receive more recognition this weekend.On Saturday, fellow musicians will salute Edwards during the 30th annual Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival, of which he is among the headliners. It will be the latest in a growing number of accolades for the Delta-born blues guitarist. Earlier this year, Edwards received the 2007 Handy Award for Acoustic Blues Guitar. "I like that, you know," he said Monday from a New York airport. "We got a lot of acoustic players out there." To be named the best among them is special, he said. Edwards recently completed a European tour with stops in five countries over three weeks. He returned Monday to his Chicago home. The tour had performances in Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia and England, said Edwards' manager, Michael Frank. "He played all over England," Frank said. "Since then, we've been to a lot of places in the U.S.A." After Saturday's festival, Edwards will be busy again. Upcoming dates are the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in Telluride, Colo.; Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, with the Muddy Waters Alumni Band; Berklee College of Music in Boston; Portalegre Blues Festival in Portalegre, Portugal; and the World Music Institute Blues Concert at Town Hall in New York. Edwards was born June 28, 1915, in the Mississippi Delta town of Shaw. He is one of the last living links to Robert Johnson, and one of the last original acoustic Delta blues players. It's that link that Edwards said will endure. "Oh, yeah," he said, when asked if he had a message for young blues followers. "The blues ain't gonna go nowhere. It may be slow, but it ain't goin' nowhere."