Friday, July 27, 2012

Carl Henry fundraiser a success

CARL HENRY
Gary "Shadowhawk" Ellis reports that a well-attended fundraiser for ailing Detroit musician Carl Henry on Thursday at Scooter's Bar in Flint raised $2,000 to help with Henry's medical expenses.

Henry was not well enough to attend the event, but kept up by viewing photos posted on Facebook, and was able to thank the crowd via a phone call that was broadcast through the PA.

Two other Carl Henry Fund benefits are on the horizon: an Irish music benefit on Aug. 19 at Nancy Whiskey’s in Detroit and a blues music benefit on Aug. 26 at Cooley Lake Inn in Commerce Township.

You can make donations to the Carl Henry Fund on the Detroit Blues Society’s website (www.detroitbluesociety.org). Donations can also be mailed to the Detroit Blues Society, attn. Carl Henry Fund, at P.O. Box 488, Goodrich, MI 48438.
 

To send info to JB Blues, please email Joe.Ballor@dailytribune.com

 

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Benefit for Carl Henry


CARL HENRY
Blues musician Carl Henry has always been a strong supporter of those in need, donating his talents to numerous benefits, including the Detroit Blues Society’s Headstone Project. Now, the “big man with the big heart” needs some help himself.

Henry contracted a flesh-eating virus that landed him in intensive care and near death. According to Henry, doctors gave him a 17 percent chance of survival. But, following four surgeries, Henry pulled through, minus about 25 percent of his left thigh. Now, he faces another challenge as he embarks on a long rehab program with three visits weekly at a wound care center.

“I truly believe that it was the power of prayer from all my friends, which I called my ‘Mojo Warriors,’ that pulled me from the brink,” Henry wrote on his Facebook page. “I truly believe without all my Mojo Warriors’ good wishes, I'd be pushin’ daisies.”

Like many musicians, Henry does not have health insurance, so it’s not surprising that dwindling finances are another hurdle he must clear. But, Henry is receiving a boost on that front from his many friends in the Detroit music community.

The first of three fundraisers will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 26, at Scooter’s Bar and Grill, 6004 Torrey Road, in Flint. An impressive array of musicians have donated their time and talents, including Broken Arrow, Lester’s Blues, The Boa Constrictors, Big Bill Harwell, Flying Crowbars, Greg Nagy, Tim Freeman, Motor City John and Sweet Willie Tea.

A $10 donation will be accepted at the door.

The fundraiser will include the release of Henry’s new CD, “Carl Henry and Tony Berci Live in Detroit – Eat, Drink, Boogie, Repeat.” Many of Henry’s friends, including Gary “Shadowhawk” Ellis (Broken Arrow Entertainment), Motor City Josh (Sound Shop Studios), Peter Jay (Peter Jay Audio) and Steve Somers (Alley Records) donated their time and talents to complete and print the CD, which will be for sale at the event and later available on Henry’s website www.CarlHenryMusic.net.

“He’s the first guy in line when somebody needs something,” said Shadowhawk, drummer for Broken Arrow. “Carl’s always right there. He’s paid it forward tenfold and now it’s his time.  He has a lot of equity in the bank and he’s being paid back by a lot of people.

“We’ve got his back.”

You can make donations to the Carl Henry Fund on the Detroit Blues Society’s website (www.detroitbluesociety.org). Donations can also be mailed to the Detroit Blues Society, attn. Carl Henry Fund, at P.O. Box 488, Goodrich, MI 48438.

The Detroit Blues Society has already delivered a check for $2,500 to Henry as a result of the first wave of generous donations.

Henry expressed sadness that he is not well enough yet to attend Thursday’s fundraiser. Two other benefits are on the horizon: an Irish music benefit on Aug. 19 at Nancy Whiskey’s in Detroit and a blues music benefit on Aug. 26 at the Cooley Lake Inn in Commerce Township.

“I want to thank everyone involved, from the performers to the organizers, for everything they have done for me in holding this, you will never be forgotten,” Henry wrote on Facebook, which now includes a Mojo Warriors page for those musicians needing prayers and positive thoughts. “When people ask you what love is, point at things like this. Thank you all.”

In another post, Henry wrote: “To see the outpouring of love from all sides as my friends help me carry a torch I can't do alone right now, is simply humbling, and re-affirms the love we share of life and music and more is so real. I will be better. And I will always be there for all of you. That is what life is supposed to be about, screw the other stuff. Thank all of you for joining me on that road.”

Johnnie Bassett ailing

JOHNNIE BASSETT
Another wonderful and giving person, singer-guitarist Johnnie Bassett, is ill and dealing with his health issues in a local hospital. He is getting stronger and his family appreciates the support he’s received and asks for continued prayers for a speedy recovery.
Known as “The Gentleman of the Blues,” Bassett is one of the finest people in the Detroit music scene.  So, Mojo Warriors, send your prayers and positive energy his way.

Salgado on mend

Alligator Records reports that soul blues singer/harmonica player Curtis Salgado underwent successful surgery on July 18 in Portland, Ore., to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, according to his manager Shane Tappendorf.

Doctors removed the entire lower lobe of his left lung where a metastasized mass was found. Doctors anticipate a complete recovery. Salgado had a similar mass removed from his lung in 2008. Salgado, who was diagnosed with liver cancer in 2006, underwent successful liver transplant surgery on Sept. 30, 2006 at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb.

Donations to help with Salgado's expenses can be made online at: http://curtissalgado.chipin.com/curtis-salgado-medical-fund. Donations can also be made to the Curtis Salgado Fund c/o Odaglas LLC Donation Account at all US Banks or by mail to US Bancorp, 2550 NW 188th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97124. For additional information, please visit www.curtissalgado.com.



 To send info to JB Blues, please email Joe.Ballor@dailytribune.com

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Moe's Rock'n Blues Fest

Brian "Moe" Motyka (photo by Don McGhee)
Local musician Brian "Moe" Motyka was shot and killed on Oct. 6, 2011 on his way to perform at the Harbor House in downtown Detroit. 

Over 40 blues musicians – including Harmonica Shah and Howard Glazer, Erich Goebel, The Difficulties featuring Rachel May, Big Ray and The Motor City Kings, and The Dale Robertson Band, among others – are scheduled to perform at Moe’s Rock’n Blues Fest from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (July 8) at the VFW Bruce Post in St. Clair Shores.
There will be Polish and BBQ food, artists, games, a bounce house village, dunk tanks, memorabilia T-shirts, and special handmade gift baskets for sale on the four-acre site overlooking Lake St. Clair. Donations will be accepted at the gate.
All proceeds will benefit the Moe Motyka Memorial Fund to assist in solving the mystery surrounding the death of “Motor City Moe.”

Ailing musicians
Detroit bluesman Carl Henry has always been one to donate his time and talent for worthy causes.
Carl Henry
Now, Henry needs some help.
He has been hospitalized with a serious leg infection and has no medical insurance. Because he has been unable to perform, he has also lost his income.
You can help Henry defray his loss of income and pay mounting medical bills by making a tax-deductible donation to:
Detroit Blues Society
Carl Henry Fund
P.O. Box 488
Goodrich, MI 48438
Also, Alligator Records reports that singer/harmonica player Curtis Salgado  will undergo surgery on July 18 in Portland, Ore., to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, according to his manager Shane Tappendorf.
A partial lobectomy will be performed to remove a segment of Curtis's left lung where a metastasized mass was found. It is suspected to be the same type of cancerous mass that was removed from his lung in 2008.
Curtis Salgado
Salgado will be hospitalized for a period of four to six days and will require a recovery time of up to four weeks. Salgado and his doctors anticipate a complete recovery.
Winner of the 2012 Blues Music Award for Soul/Blues Artist of the Year, Salgado has recorded eight critically acclaimed solo albums. He tours internationally with his own band and has also toured as vocalist with the Robert Cray Band, Roomful of Blues and Santana. Salgado is also credited with being the inspiration for John Belushi's character of Joliet Jake in “The Blues Brothers” movie.
"I am extremely grateful for the overwhelming support of my family, friends and fans and the courageous people that have faced this fight before me," Salgado, 58, wrote from his home this week. "I also want to thank the promoters and venues for their understanding regarding my medical situation. We will do our best to reschedule all of our performances affected by my surgery."
Salgado, who was diagnosed with liver cancer in  2006, underwent successful liver transplant surgery later that year at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
Donations to help with Curtis's expenses can be made online at: http://curtissalgado.chipin.com/curtis-salgado-medical-fund. Donations can also be made to
The Curtis Salgado Fund, c/o Odaglas LLC Donation Account at all US Banks or by mail to:
The Curtis Salgado Fund
US Bancorp
2550 NW 188th Ave.
Hillsboro, OR 97124
For additional information, click www.curtissalgado.com and www.facebook.com/CurtisSalgado.


Youth Blues Challenge
 The Detroit Blues Society is hosting a Youth Blues Challenge for bands age 21 and under on Aug. 12 at Callahan’s Music Hall in Auburn Hills.
The contest is free to enter and the winner will represent Detroit at the International Blues Challenge in January in Memphis, Tenn.
Each band will play a 25-minute set of blues, with original songs encouraged.
Interested bands should submit videos or audio to Hillbird@comcast.net.



To send info to JB Blues, please email Joe.Ballor@DailyTribune.com