The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Summer heats up, and so does the music
Otis and the Hurricanes are putting in a busy week. Sunday, it is Music in the Barn at the Weston Historical Society. Monday, the band plays Blue Monday in Mystic at Mystic River Park on the banks of the Mystic River. Wednesday, it’s Block Island time. The season kicks off of “Blues on the Block” at theTown Beach 6 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, Kinky Friedman’s Circus of Life Tour will be at 41 Bridge Street Live. A 2riter, musician, politician and a huge talent, he provides not only entertainment but often somethings to think about. Another way to learn about him is in his recently released biography. The light is shed most clearly in Mary Lou Sullivan’s just-released authorized biography, Everything’s Bigger in Texas: The Life and Times of Kinky Friedman. Sullivan and Friedman will sign copies of the new book (and anything else) during the tour. Sullivan is an award winning author from Connecticut.
Saturday, Friedman will be at Daryl’s House.
Friday, Bridge Street has An Evening with David Bromberg.
Music of The Band is making its way through Connecticut. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center has The THE BAND Band on Saturday. This group is paying tribute to The Band’s 50th Anniversary of the “Music From Big Pink.” Friday, Big Al Anderson & The Floor Models finish their visit.
Wednesday, Poor Man’s Whiskey performs music of The Band at FTC Stage One.
Black-Eyed Sally’s is bringing in Johnny Marino & Blueshead in on Saturday. Marino has been featured in harmonica showcases at BES on several occasions. On this Evening he comes in with Tom Terry from his own BluesHead Ensemble along with members of the New England famed One Eyed Johnny and the Gravediggers, This is sure to be an eventful show.
Chris Smither is at FTC Stage One on Thursday. His latest “Call Me Lucky” is his new record with his first set of brand new originals in six years. Recorded in the Texas foothills. The new record features Smither’s trademark songs that offer commentary on the human condition with a wink of an eye and pulls from deep in the soul. To complete the project are a couple of surprise covers that remind us of Chris’ deftness as a song interpreter as he makes the songs his own.
Honing a synthesis of folk and blues for 50 years, Smither is truly an American original. He is a profound songwriter, a blistering guitarist, and intense performer as he draws deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and humanist philosophers.
The Mohegan Sun Wolf Den has Robert Randolph & the Family Band on Friday. The Band is led by pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph. Other band members include drummer Marcus Randolph, vocalist Lenesha Randolph and Brett Haas (guitar). He brings a spirit and joy to the music.
On Thursday, The Wolf Den has Jeff Pitchell’s Legends. The Legends include the daughter of BB King, Claudette; the son of Gregg Allman, Michael; and the nephew of Stevie Ray, Tyrone Vaughan.
The summer weather brings the blues to a number of different venues. Many towns also offer concerts.
Eran Troy Danner and his electric trio will take part in the Wallingford Summer Concert Series at Wallingford Parade Grounds on Wednesday. Jeff Pitchell and Texas Flood have a Friday at Carter Hill Farm. Then Saturday, its Yankee Boat Yard & Marina. Stick around for the fireworks show.
The Old State House has the Balkun Brothers on Friday. Also on Friday the F& B Blues Band is part of Groton’s Concerts in the Park. The Wolcott Summer Concert Series at Peterson Memorial Park feature the Kathy Thompson Band on Sunday.
Dan Stevens will be at the New Britain Museum of American Art on Sunday at 3 pm.
The Wheels of Soul Tour rolls into Hartford’s XFINITY Theatre on Friday. Scheduled performers include the Tedeschi Trucks Band, the Drive-By Truckers and the Marcus King Band.
Saturday, The Big 50 Birthday Bash with Crosseyed Cat and Steel Rodeo at The Shamrock Pub & Grill.
Saturday is Blues Fest at SilverBacks Bar and Grill. Murray the Wheel band will be jamming with friends on the big outdoor stage and pavilion starting at 5 pm. Get set for Blues, BBQ-Fest and Big Jim’s Birthday.
The Blues Foundation has started preparing for two of its awards events. The Keeping the Blues Alive Award is taking nominations. These awards will be presented on Friday, January 25, 2019 in Memphis during the week of the International Blues Challenge.
Recently, The Blues Foundation removed categories from the nomination process to open opportunities for this award to be given to individuals who do not fit into a specific grouping. However, the KBA Committee still looks to honor an affiliated organization, an American blues festival, an international festival, a blues club, and a blues radio entity.
The Blues Music Awards is event brings together Blues performers, industry representatives, and fans from all over the world to celebrate the best in Blues recordings and performances from the previous year. The BMAs are generally recognized as the highest honor given to blues musicians and are awarded by vote of Blues Foundation members. The foundation is receiving submissions now.
Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http://bluesbeatnews.word press.com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.