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Ladies Sing The Blues

Hey Blues Fans,

This week we dedicate the entire issue to the ladies of contemporary Blues. All our reviews, interviews and videos are about some great women Blues performers. And there is a wealth of talent on the feminine side of Blues so check it out!


Blues Wanderings

We made it to the Old Capitol Blues & BBQ Festival in Springfield, Illinois last weekend. The fest featured the Illinois Central Blues Club's 2009 Solo Duo and Band competitions followed by several national acts on the main stage.

The headliner acts were Junior Watson, Toni Lynn Washington and Big James and The Chicago Playboys. The fest also featured some great eating with a multitude of BBQ vendors offering up some smoky delights.

We will have a complete review of the fest with pictures of all the Blues Fun in next weeks issue.


BIG Blues Weekend

There are many great Blues festivals this Labor day weekend. Our staff is heading to Des Moines, Iowa for the Living History Blues Fest to hear Pinetop Perkins, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Bob Margolin, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Hamilton Loomis, EC Scott and several more great artists. CLICK HERE to visit their fest website or scroll down to see their ad below for more information. If you go and you see some folks with cameras in the Blues Blast T-Shirts, stop and say hello!

Also this weekend is the Marquette Area Blues Fest in Marquette, Michigan. The fest features Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King, Gina Sicilia, Curtis Salgado, Super Chikan, and several more great acts. See their ad below or visit their website at www.marquetteareabluessociety.com.

There are also many more great festivals this week end all over the country, The Illinois Blues Fest in Peoria, Illinois, "On the Waterfront" festival in Rockford, IL. and many more.

Labor Day Weekend is one of the biggest times for Blues festivals and there are a bunch of them coast to coast as well as some in other countries. To see information on a good number of them and to check if there is one near you, visit the ultimate source of Blues festival information, www.bluesfestivalguide.com


In this issue - Blues Reviews and MORE!

This week we feature all Blues women. James Walker reviews a CD from Jean Shy & The Shy Guys. Michael Packer reviews a new CD by Cee Cee James and and sits down for an interview with Eden Brent. Super reviewer Dale Clark send us a comparative review of three CD's by lady Blues singers, Betty Harris, Christy Howard and Roxy Perry.

Our Blues video of the week is a clip by BBMA nominee Robin Rogers.




Blues Blast Music Awards Tickets

On Sale NOW

Advanced tickets are only $25 and available now on our website. CLICK HERE to get yours now before they sell out.

Buddy Guy's Legends is the most famous Blues Club in the entire world. But it is a Blues club and not a huge arena so there will be a limited number of of tickets available for Awards show on October 29th.

Those with advanced tickets will be let in first and get the best seats. So get your tickets early and get there for a great show featuring some of the best Blues talent on the planet including Eden Brent, Kenny Neal, Nick Moss & The Flip Tops, Shirley Johnson, Albert Castiglia, John Primer, Chris James & Patrick Rynn w/ Bob Corritore, Kilborn Alley Blues Band, Robin Rogers, The Insomniacs, Dave Herrero, Guy King, and Dave Gross. Join us for a gala celebration of the best in Blues music today.

HOW TO GET THE BEST SEATS!! - You can get advanced tickets with great reserved seating by becoming a sponsor of the awards. Several packages and sponsor levels are available. It is a great way to advertise your Blues organization or product and see a GREAT show too.

Sponsor packages include free tickets, great reserved seating, Blues memorabilia (Can you say "goodie bag"?) and some Blues advertising and promotion. There are a limited number of packages available on a first come, first served basis so inquire NOW! For complete information CLICK HERE.



Blues Video of the Week

Robin Rogers - Ain't No Use Baby

This week we feature Blues Blast Music Award nominee Robin Rogers and the Hot Band recorded for Fox News Rising. Robin is nominated for best female Blues artist and this video really shows off her enormous talent.

Visit Robin's website to see their touring schedule, listen to more tunes, and everything else Robin Rogers! www.robinrogers.com .

You can hear Robin perform live at the 2009 Blues Blast Music Awards October 29th, 2009 at Buddy Guy's Legends. For more information about the awards show and how to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE

To see this cool video on our website, click the play button below.

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For other videos on our website CLICK HERE.



Featured Blues Review 1 of 3

Jean Shy & The Shy Guys - The Blues Got Soul

King Edward Records

www.jeanshy.com

www.myspace.com/jeanshy

12 songs; 68:09 minutes; Suggested

Style: Female Vocals; Blues-Rock; Rock and Roll; Soul-Blues; R&B; Gospel

Finding gold for the 1850s miners in California usually required a lot of hard work. Sometimes, though, all they had to do was bend over and pick up a nugget lying right at their feet. Similarly, finding a review-worthy CD usually requires some digging amongst those available. This time, however, Jean Shy & The Shy Guys was right there at my fingertips, literally handed to me.

While not really a “Blues” album, this vocals-and-band showcase is pure gold in terms of quality. When it comes to Jean Shy, it is another one of those “where-have-I-been?” moments. I am just a Johnny-come-lately to the incredible singing of this Chicago born now Germany living lady, signed by Chess Records at age 12. It was her nomination for a 2009 Blues Music Award for Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year that first caught my attention. Jean Shy is an internationally acclaimed Rhythm & Blues/Rock, Jazz, Blues, and Gospel singer, songwriter, music producer, and actress.

"The Blues Got Soul" is a compilation of some of the hottest material recorded by Jean Shy and her highly competent German band “The Shy Guys,” which was partially performed live at an open air concert in Duisburg, Germany. It consists of original compositions and surprising covers (Bob Seger, Leon Russell, Reba McEntire) performed, mostly, in their own rocking, upbeat arrangements and unique style.

The sound is not like most “Live” CDs because the recordings originally were not made for a CD release. There were no microphones set up in the audience, and the crowd is hardly audible. On those live tracks, Jean decided against any studio editing in order to keep the pure and powerful sound. Re-Mastering of all songs by "Big Bottom" Bob Lanzner at Technovoice Mastering in Studio City CA evened everything for this CD presentation. The result is a powerful set that will make one wish he had been there for the original.

With no typical, “Give it up for Jean Shy” Live introduction to the stage, track one’s instantly satisfying opening is a shimmering guitar beside a pulsing bass and organ. At twelve seconds, Jean hits us with her impressive voice chiding “I Wouldn’t Wanna Be You,” a song recorded by Reba and written by Jeff Silbar and Randy Sharp. Klaus Zimmermann and Martin Hoette both take guitar solos to maintain the charge until Bernd Winterschladen briefly eases the tempo with a saxophone solo at the bridge. Jean picks it back up, and by the end, golden-nugget thoughts are beginning.

Song two seals the deal when Jean and the band launch into a funk laden, up tempo rendition of the Ray Charles and Joe Cocker classic “Unchain My Heart.” This has been a much requested number at Jean Shy concerts over the years.

Keeping the fun and surprises coming, for track three, Jean dusts off a Leon Russell classic, “Song For You.” Maintaining the original tempo, Shy and her band light up this old favorite with her emotional and powerful vocals accentuated by soaring guitar accompaniment and Frieso Luecht’s piano opening and cascading passages.

Snatching fans from their seats and back to their feet, “Livin’ The Blues” is the Rock and Roll type of song that has become trademarks of Shy’s live shows. There is also a near 11 minute rocking version of Muddy Waters’ “Rock Me,” 10 minutes of Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock’ n Roll,” and a heart-pounding Shy original “We Like the Same Thangs.”

“One Day (Blues Version)” is a song that talks about the search for peace, love, and understanding that Shy wrote after seeing many homeless people living in cardboard boxes on downtown streets in Los Angeles.
For fans of Gospel and welling organ, there’s Shy’s “I Can’t Save You (From Yourself),” the traditional “Precious Memories,” and the closing “Amazing Grace” which is performed in a celebrated fashion.

This CD may not appeal to Blues purists, but what a mistake it would be not to scoop up the wealth of talent laid out before us by Jean Shy and the Shy Guys.

Reviewer James “Skyy Dobro” Walker is a noted Blues writer, DJ and Blues Blast contributor. His weekly radio show “Friends of the Blues” can be heard each Thursday from 4:30 – 6:00pm on WKCC 91.1 FM in Kankakee, IL
To See James “Skyy Dobro” Walker's CD rating system,
CLICK HERE

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


Tab Benoit Kenny Neal Band Ronnie Baker Brooks Davy Knowles & Back Door Slam Kelley Hunt
Reba Russell Band The Underground Blues Division The Cate Brothers Josh Garrett & the Bottomline
Steve Smith and the Sneakers Stewart Mann and the Statesboro Revue Shae

For tickets and complete information: www.greaterozarksbluesfest.com


Blues Society News


Send your Blues Society's BIG news or Press Release to:

Please submit a maximum of 175 words or less in a Text or Word format ONLY.


Windy City Blues Society - Chicago, IL

The Windy City Blues Society presents the Chicago Blues Challenge ( Round 2) September 10, 2009 8:00 pm at Rosas’ s Lounge, 3420 W Armitage, Chicago. Illinois. $7 admission. For more info visit http://windycityblues.org.

West Virginia Blues Society - Charleston, W.V.

The West Virginia Blues Society will hold its Third Annual Blues Competition at noon on October 3, 2009 at Christopher's Banquet Center, 104 Van Kirk Dr., Fairmont, WV . Blues bands and solo/duo blues acts will compete for cash prizes and WVBS sponsorship to the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

8 competition slots will be filled by regional blues acts from all over West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and other states. This is the onlyBlues Talent Competition in West Virginia recognized by the Blues Foundation.

The first-place winner of Blues Competition will receive $750 dollars in cash and WVBS sponsorship to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in early 2010. The second place winner will receive $200 in cash and third-place winner will receive $100 in cash.

Complete information, application & rules are available online at www.wvbluessociety.org . Deadline for application submission is September 1, 2009. For more information contact Competition Director, Jack Rice at 304-389-1438 or e-mail: bkravenhawk@hotmail.com

Friends Of The Blues Shows - Kankakee IL

The Friends of the Blues 2009 Blues concert Series upcoming shows:

Tuesday, Sept 22 The Insomniacs, 7 p.m., Kankakee Elks Country Club, 2283 Bittersweet Drive , St. Anne IL 60964 (815) 937-1228. Tuesday, Oct 13, Too Slim & The Taildraggers, 7 p.m. , Legacy Bar & Grill, 135 N Kinzie Ave (Route 50), Bradley IL 60915. (815) 936-1649. Tuesday, Oct 20, Paul Rishell & Anne Raines 7 p.m. , Legacy Bar & Grill, 135 N Kinzie Ave (Route 50), Bradley IL 60915. (815) 936-1649

Illinois Central Blues Club - Springfield, IL

BLUE MONDAY SHOWS - Held at the Alamo 115 N 5th St, Springfield, IL (217) 523-1455 every Monday 8:30pm $2 cover - September 7 - Black Magic Johnson



Featured Blues Review 2 of 3

Cee Cee James - Low Down Where The Snakes Crawl

FWG Records

www.ceeceejames.com

Cee Cee James is a blues-rock singer who resides in the state of Washington.

I liked the guitar intro on the title cut 'Low Down Where The Snakes Crawl and Yes, Cee Cee James does sound like Janis Joplin sometimes on this track. 'Black Rain' is a cool track with some nice harmonica by Michael Wilde. I especially like 'Love Makes Change'. It has a catchy hook and is a very contemporary song. 'Desert Blues' with a Bo Didley beat is also quite good. 'Roll Me Over' has an American Indian feel to it and the spiritual lyrics to 'Make It To The Other Side' is also interesting.

'I'll Ask The Question, You Tell The Lies' is a fun novelty song that I think will get radio airplay. 'White Picket Fence' and the sexy, 'Watermelon Juicy' are songs geared to the rock genre but the feeling Cee Cee James puts into 'Done Love Wrong' showed me she has the blues and it comes from her soul. 'Spirit Of Shaman' is another inspired American Indian song.

I could make comparisons to Janis Joplin in Cee Cee James voice but when I listened to the CD I got to know her more. She has her own voice. It can be smooth, earthy, sexy and downright soulful plus she has a great collection of songs.

I also enjoyed her band. I can tell they are seasoned veterans. The most important thing to me is I like the sound of this CD. It has particular sound from beginning to the end. I listen to a lot of CDs from artists who are all over the place musically. In my opinion Cee Cee and her band have created their own sound.

Blues traditionalists won't like this CD. There are no shuffles or Stormy Monday's. This is a blues-rock album, recorded and performed well by a lady who has a passion for her music!

Reviewer Michael Packer is a singer-guitarist from NYC who fronts his own band "The Michael Packer Blues Band". He has been performing for over 40 years and has recorded on major labels Atlantic and RCA.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.



Featured Blues Review 3 of 3

Betty Harris - Intuition

Evidence Music - 2007

www.myspace.com/bettyharris

Running time 64:04

Christy Howard - I Crossed the Tracks

No Cover Productions - 2009

www.christyhowardband.net

Running time 62:52

Roxy Perry - In My Sweet Time

BluePerry Hill Records - 2009

www.roxyperry.com

Running time 51:28

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: the human voice is our very best instrument for the blues. The last patient venue operator will finally swing closed the door on the last blues promoter who brings the last “watch the guitar player play the guitar act” in America. And the amazing, world shattering, cultural direction setting project that was the blues will be done once and for all. Male singing in the blues is all but undiscussable. The rare good male blues singers need to be cherished like ambrosia and guarded like plutonium. Fortunately, the women who front our blues acts usually can sing; though, let’s be clear, a lot of the “big” women guitar players sing every bit as “adequately” as do their male peers. Do we go to hear our great female voices, look to them to define our scene, have their names on our lips, turn to the record bins and catalogues searching them out, and demand them at our festivals? Don’t fudge your answers.

'If you have a decent blues or soul radio station in your area you may have already heard some of Betty Harris’ Intuition, which got significant air time around the country, especially in the early months of 2008. You may have heard “Is it Hot in Here [or is it me]” which does that Tina Turner thing—straight forward, balls to the wall sexuality, with just a touch of irony for protection. Or you may have heard “Intuition,” a song in a gauzy little girl Macy Gray voice (or if you prefer historical comparisons, in a vulnerable Billie Holiday coo.) This is fine work.

Betty Harris is a great story. Harris toured through the 60s, landing high on the charts in 1963 with Solomon Burke’s “Cry to Me.” Life on the road got too hard, so she quit and went back to school, got a civilian job and a life. A few years ago her adult daughter told her people were writing about her in r&b collectors circles on the internet, that her old 45s were valuable. The possibility of a revival was born.

Jon Tiven produced this album. Tiven has a lengthy musical resume, including guiding Little Milton’s final award winning work and a long collaboration with Ellis Hooks. He has done a series of musical reclamation projects in the r&b and gospel genres on talents such as P.F. Sloan, Don Covay, and Garnet Mimms. Tiven did or shared most of the writing on Intuition, sharing primarily with former B.B. King bassist Sally Tiven. We blues lovers are inclined to smile favorably on anyone who can write a nugget like “A Bible and a Beer.”

This album works on many levels, with fourteen highly experienced players backing Harris through a good variety of contemporary blues tempos, melodic schemes, and familiar instrumental and backing vocal gambits. Harris, plainly, stars. She talks it straight, shouts at us, strains majestically, just flat out sings like you would like to stand next to her in church and lean in to hear her hit every last damn note.

I assume most people who pay attention to the blues know this, but just in case you are seriously confused that our music is made like Bruce Springsteen’s, where everything gets twenty takes, and songs are built over months of studio exertion, well it is not. Most of the cds reviewed in Blues Blast were probably rehearsed in one day and recorded in three or fewer days. So, the weaknesses of this album are found in the fact this is not the work of a “real band” that performs together all the time and has developed a whomping full sound. The drummers ride along, staying out of the way; the guitarists dutifully fill. It is good work, but it is craftman-like, and probably will not blow you away. There are times the listener suspects Harris is reading the lyrics off a sheet as she sings, that she does not really own all of these songs yet. This album needs to be four songs shorter. If it had been four songs shorter, and if Harris had fronted a band to really support it on tour last year, it would have been taken very seriously for blues awards for 2008 releases.

I was sent Christy Howard’s I Crossed the Tracks this spring, and popped it into the car CD player as I drove around St. Louis on a beautiful early April afternoon. I thought this was some kind of joke. This woman was trying to sing as if she is really tough, like a parody of some mean, dimwitted biker chic in Joe Namath’s legendary 1970 movie C.C. & Company. But don’t stop reading just yet. As with Harris’ album, it seems pretty clear, part of the problem here is that Howard brought in special “name” players, and the effect is a lot of riding along unobtrusively with predictable flourishes and turns. You cannot underestimate the way financial constraints are effecting what we are getting in the blues. As with Harris, Howard may well not have had the familiarity with these songs to go on short practice; but while Harris could probably sing the back of a box of Rice Krispies, Howard just forcefully puts hers out there. This is lesson 1, 2, and 3 for those blues bands who are doing great on some local scene and want to jump up to play on a national and international stage, and who are tempted to think there will be some kind of borrowed magic in some big name players with just enough hours in the studio to do the job. But if you are in Christy Howard’s band, don’t turn off the computer in disgust yet. At the mid-point, this CD opens up. “He’s Gone” is a fine slow blues, with fat guitar bending and cool piano lines underlining the melody. There is some humor and some menace in this. When Christy Howard speaks, “You better run, baby,” it works. This song is good enough that other bands should consider it for their repertoire. Jan Abrams adds some fine vocals; many listeners will especially enjoy his ballad “Six Feet Down in the Blues.” Christy Howard and Jeff Howard did all of the song writing on this CD, and obviously have not just potential but polish in their lyrics.

One can easily see that Roxy Perry’s 2009 release In My Sweet Time, will become a good friend to many listeners, never far from the top of the CD stack. Perry has maturity and is the soul of musical confidence. As with many blues albums these days, this is a bit of a contemporary blues revue; a little jazzier and more swinging than some, it makes a tour of different blues styles nonetheless. If that is too eclectic for some tastes, it works for Perry, because at the center is her voice and command.

When I try to put my finger on what makes this work special, I think of “release.” Perry and her players are so absolutely sure of themselves and each other, they have mastered the micro-stops, and almost imperceptible note elongations, that go past craft to art. They make the sound, hold it, and then release it when it says what they want it to say, and more than you thought it was going to say. The imagination floods.

Except for Hank William’s “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” Perry (with a hand from her mates Mike Ventimiglia, Chris Vitarello, and Mat Baxter) did all the writing on In My Sweet Time. For good humored, pissed off women songs her “Goodbye Honey” is great (her relationship diagnosis being, “He did the waltz, I did the tango . . .”). But as much as the opening jazz piano strains of the first song “Bed of Blues” brings you in, this album won me at the end with “Not Bad Enough,” a 1920s Bessie Smith type of piano blues with “authentic” record player “scratch” sounds. The song goes that she died and went to heaven but they didn’t want her there, so she went to hell and the devil told her, “You were bad, but you weren’t bad enough. You were bad, but your strong suit wasn’t sin. You were bad, but you can’t come in.” I would love to hear blues bands across the world trying their hand at this. It is a gracious note, to a fine album. Jurors will surely take Perry seriously when it is time to make 2009 blues award nominations.

As painfully trite as it is to say it, pay attention to our blues women. They may be our last refuge against cookie cutter guitar players.

Reviews by Dale Clark.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


John Primer

ALL ORIGINAL

Nominated for 2009 Blues Blast Music Award

Best Traditional Blues Recording

To Purchase the new CD CLICK HERE

To Read the CD review CLICK HERE

Vote for John Primer in the 2009 Blues Blast Music Awards

John is also Nominated for

Best Male Blues Artist

To vote now CLICK HERE

http://www.johnprimerblues.com


Blues Want Ads

Blues Musicians Place Your Want Ad here for FREE

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Why are we advertising in a Blues publication? Because of our passion for the Blues! We seek an experienced webmaster with a passion for the Blues! We don't just need a web master. This opportunity is for someone who understands the potential of the Blues music market and has experience promoting music on a local or regional level.

Please send digital resumes before September 15th,2009 to the email address of

All ads submitted will be used if space allows. If space is limited, ads will be randomly selected to appear in the Blues Blast. Ads may be edited. Send your ad submission to


Deep Blue Innovators Festival

Sat., Oct. 24, 2009

Rivoli Theater - Monmouth, IL

Buy Tickets Here!

Charlie Hayes and Joel Fleming

Joe Price

Bernie Pearl

Shawn Kellerman

Watermelon Slim

www.monmouthblues.com


Featured Blues Interview

An Interview with Blues Blast Award nominee Eden Brent

By Michael Packer

This interview took place on Sunday August 23,2009 at the Hudson River Blues Festival in New York City after blues pianist Eden Brent performed a brilliant set of her music.....

MP - I would like to know more about your friendship with Boogaloo Ames. He must have been very important person in your life?

EDEN - I had seen him play many times. Boogaloo was a Mississippi celebrity who played the social events and restaurants. I attended North Texas State, studying jazz and failing miserably, not making poor marks, just not learning how to play. I would go to his gigs and make requests like, "Can you play some, "Thelonius Monk" and finally I got bold enough to ask him to teach me. He said "He would". During my college breaks whenever I was home he would teach me. After I graduated we kinda fell into a performing duo and it developed into a life-long friendship. We loved each other. Boogaloo was a celebrated band leader in the 40's in Detroit and he played on many Motown recordings during their early years. As a soloist he taught me the importance of the left hand, keeping the groove going.

MP -I liked it when you said ''That you were somebody now", after winning the IBC solo competition in Memphis 2006.Can you tell me the importance to you in winning the IBC?

EDEN - I didn't know what the Blues Foundation did until 2004.Then I realized they have an important role keeping blues fans and artists connected. So winning that just overnight introduced me to the people who would come to my shows and buy my CDs. It was a huge step. It was like taking off in a rocket ship.

MP - Did Yellow Dog Records sign you shortly after the IBC?

EDEN - We talked about it but they had other artists they were focused on. I went and recorded Mississippi #1 and then signed to Yellow Dog. It took two years to make Mississippi #1.

MP - It must have been something being nominated for four Blues Music Awards and then winning two. What did all this mean to you personally?

EDEN - I was very surprised to be nominated for four awards. It knocked me out! Yellow Dog records has a good track record and promotes their artists in a real fine way. To win two awards was such an honor and to be there with Koko Taylor at her last appearance was something else again. I am really grateful for the awards. I dedicated Mississippi #1 to my mother and the people of Mississippi who supported me and my music.

MP -You have been touring around the world. What's the best thing about being on the road?
EDEN - Meeting people. I love people, finding out what they like to eat and drink (laughs).New landscapes. The Mississippi Delta is flat with lots of farmland. Nice to see new scenery. The worst thing about it is when I travel alone, I get lonesome. But I like people so it's easy for me to make friends.

MP - Your favorite city?

EDEN – Greenville, Mississippi!

MP - You have been touring solo. Are there plans to tour with your own band?

EDEN - I have done several festival shows with a bass and drummer. With a bassman it frees up my left hand so I can focus on my solos. It gives me more flexibility and playing with other musicians gives new life to the music. A famous jazz musician, it might have been Dave Brubeck, said 'Jazz is the sort of music you never play the same way once'. It's also good for me to let the musicians express themselves and give them their freedom.

MP - What was your best gig ever?

EDEN - I like different occasions for different reasons. It's great to go all out with a full band behind you but the intimacy of a solo gig is cool too. I pretty much love them all.

MP - What was your worst gig?

EDEN - I played this Christmas party where there were a lot of white guys with cowboy hats. They kept asking can you play something we can dance to? I tried... but the evening turned out to be a disaster .The woman that hired me was very nice though.

MP - Where were you when you first heard yourself on the radio?

EDEN - My sister called me on the phone and my music was on the radio in the background. She was so excited and was shouting "Your on the radio!". I tried to tell her, it is the same music you heard on the CD.

MP - Do you have a favorite artist?

EDEN - My mother. My father loved Hank Williams and I would sing along with him. My sisters and I sing great harmonies together and they and even my brother are songwriters.

MP - Are there plans to record a new CD?

EDEN - I am working with a producer this time and I have written some funny stuff like "She's In Love With My Wallet" .I am excited to make a new recording and develop some more material to add to my arsenal when I go out on the road.

MP - Where do you want to be musically in your career?

EDEN - I want to win a Grammy, a gold record. These are tangible pursuits unlike other pursuits like being a better soloist, improving my vocals, writing more songs. It's easy to get into a rut sometimes but the wonderful thing about music is it's like making a chair. You have to work at it. You can never get to the top.. No such thing. The sky is the limit!

MP - If Hollywood made a movie of your life who would you want to play you?

EDEN - What's the matter with me!

MP - I knew you would say that......Thanks Eden....

Reviewer Michael Packer is a singer-guitarist from NYC who fronts his own band "The Michael Packer Blues Band". He has been performing for over 40 years and has recorded on major labels Atlantic and RCA.

For other reviews and interviews on our website CLICK HERE.


Live Blues Calendar

YOU can submit your Blues performances for FREE at: http://www.illinoisblues.com/submitnews.htm

Performance dates were submitted by Musicians, Club Owners, Blues Societies and Blues festivals.

TheBluesBlast.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.

CLICK HERE - for the Latest Complete Blues Calendar on our website at: TheBluesBlast.com

or click a state to see Blues shows by State

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Performance dates submitted by Musicians, Clubs, Blues Societies and Blues festivals.

The BluesBlast.com is not responsible for errors or omissions.


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