Youth Blues Challenge bands needed; Taj Mahal and Johnny Winter shows upcoming

The Detroit Blues Society is looking for bands to participate in the 2014 Youth Blues Challenge, which will be held Sunday, Aug. 10, at Classic Lanes in Rochester Hills.

Applications will be accepted through June 1. Six bands will be chosen to compete from all qualified applicants. Bands and solo/duo acts are eligible. Original material will be scored higher than covers.

The winning act will move on to the International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase in Memphis in Jan. 2015.

All musicians must be under the age of 21 at time of the Youth Showcase in Memphis in January 2015.

For information, click detroitbluessociety.org, or call Cherie at 248-894-5338.

Upcoming shows

Two blues greats will be performing in the Detroit area in March.

Blues and roots artist Taj Mahal and his trio will be at the Magic Bag in Ferndale on Saturday, March 1.

Taj Mahal

Mahal has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards, winning two for “Senor Blues” (1997) and “Shoutin’ in Key” (2000).

His music features many influences, including blues, Caribbean, West African  and even Hawaiian music.

Tickets are $58. For information, call 248-544-3030 or click themagicbag.com.

Guitarist Johnny Winter brings his “Down and Dirty – LIVE” tour to Callahan’s Music Hall in Auburn Hills on Sunday, March 16.

The concert will celebrate the release of Winter’s "Down& Dirty" movie and career-spanning box set “True to the Blues: The Johnny Winter Story.” 

Winter celebrated his 70th birthday on Feb. 23 with a show at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York.

Advance tickets start at $50.

Callahan’s hosts shows with Joe Louis Walker (Feb. 27) and Commander Cody (Feb. 28) this week. Due to health issues, Jeremy Spencer’s show scheduled for March 1 has been canceled.

Another upcoming show at Callahan’s that is sure to be joyous is Jim McCarty & Friends featuring James Montgomery on Saturday, March 8.

Guitarist Jim McCarty’s resume includes stints with Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, the Rockets, Cactus, the Detroit Blues Band, and his current group Mystery Train. He is a winner of the Detroit Blues Society’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Boston-based harmonica great James Montgomery has jammed with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells and many others, in addition to fronting his James Montgomery Band for over 30 years.

For ticket information, go to atcallahans.com.

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

Pazman recalls Motor City Blues Project as 'magic time'

When Mark Pasman thinks back on his 26-plus year run as host of the Motor City Blues Project radio show on WCSX-FM (94.7), his thoughts go immediately to when he hosted live remote broadcasts from the now defunct Memphis Smoke nightclub in Royal Oak.

Mark "Pazman" Pasman

“The best musicians in Detroit were in the house band,” said Pasman, who’s more commonly recognized as “Pazman.”  I would have guest artists, and conduct interviews while jamming on my guitar.  And it was all live on the radio. Nobody does that anymore.

“It was magic time.”

Pasman’s long run at WCSX ended last week when the Greater Media station “decided to go in a different direction on the weekends,” according to a statement. His 7 p.m.-midnight shift Sunday will be filled by Pam Rossi (host of the Sunday morning “Over Easy” show).

Pasman thoroughly enjoyed his lengthy run on the air on Sunday evenings and is thankful  for the opportunity provided by Greater Media.

“I got to talk with with B.B. King, Taj Mahal, John Mayall and Tommy Castro, the blues stars of yesterday and today. I got to jam with some of my heroes, Kim Simmonds, Jimmy McCarty, etc.

“It’s been a great, long run and I am very appreciative of the opportunity to do it, but it’s their baby. They are in charge of what goes on the air. I’m not in their plans anymore and that’s OK.”

Pasman is disappointed that the Motor City Blues Project will no longer be a part of the Detroit music scene, providing fans with information and local blues artists an opportunity to showcase their music.

But, he really only has one regret.

“I would have loved to have had a chance to say goodbye properly. That last show would have been off the hook.  I would have talked to B.B. King on the telephone and had the Howling Diablos and Mitch Ryder in the studio.

“It would have been a good ratings booster, I assume, that Sunday night. … I would have loved to have had one final show to do it properly.”

Pasman, who is well known as a guitarist with his Pazman’s Supersession band, held many jobs at WRIF and then WCSX, including morning show producer and program director.

His Motor City Blues Project came to fruition a year or so after he started at WCSX.

“They wanted me to do a show that concentrated on the roots of classic rock: jazz, folk and blues. I told them that, even with three hours, that was a pretty wide swath and that my love and expertise was more in the blues realm.

“It took awhile to develop ‘anything blue will do.’ That was not only our slogan but my mantra. Anything that came from the blues was in our ballpark and important.”
Pasman has received lots of support from friends, fans and musicians as he and his wife Karen take a little time to mull over future possibilities.

“I have been really kind of astounded at the reactions I’ve gotten in the community and in the business,” said Pasman, a Southfield resident who grew up in Oak Park and graduated from Berkley High School. “My phone’s been ringing pretty good. I’ve gotten lots of beautiful phone calls. So it’s both a sad and happy time.

“The love I’ve gotten the last few days has just been remarkable,” he continued, choking back tears.  “It confirms that my Mom and Dad raised me right, that I have conducted myself in a professional manner, and that I’ve been good to people. l tried to do the very best I could at all the stations I’ve worked at.”

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

Root Shakers host DBS Jam

The Detroit Blues Society Monthly Meeting and Jam returns to Shelly Kelly’s in Fraser on Saturday, Feb. 8.  This week’s host band is the Root Shakers, featuring Jim Finch (guitar and vocals) and Al Rude (bass and vocals).

The evening will start at 8 p.m. with a set by the host band and will continue until 1 a.m. with a steady stream of jammers, undoubtedly including some of Detroit’s top musical talents. You never know who will show up, but the DBS Monthly Jam is always full of fun surprises.

Often,  musicians who headline their own groups get a rare chance to jam together, all for fun.

There’s no cover charge and you don’t have to be a DBS member to attend, but after you check it out you’ll probably want to join the group so you can keep in touch with all the blues happenings around town.

A basic membership is only $25 per year and includes the group’s monthly Blues Notes newsletter, which is full of calendar info, music reviews, and more.

Shelly Kelly’s is at 18339 14 Mile Road in Fraser.

For information, click www.detroitbluessociety.org.

Benny Reeves in concert

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Detroit Blues Society and the Plymouth Elks present singer Benny Reeves with the Paul Carey Trio.

Reeves, a Detroit native, was a a founding member of the Contours (“Do You Love Me”) and is the brother of singer Martha Reeves.  He has performed with many Motown greats. 

Reeves will be performing favorites of the era and plenty of jump and down-home blues.

Carey is a veteran guitarist on the Detroit scene having been affiliated with such acts as Thornetta Davis, the Sun Messengers, Alberta Adams, Sir Mack Rice & many more. 

Tickets are only $5.

The Plymouth Elks Club is at 41700 Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth. For info, click plymouth­_elks_1780.tripod.com/

Rusty Wright Band debuts new lineup

Rusty Wright

Catch the new lineup of the Rusty Wright Band tonight (Jan. 24) at Callahan's Music Hall in Auburn Hills.

Laurie Lacross-Wright, who fronts the band along with her husband Rusty, reports that the band has spent the last few months "hibernating" and rehearsing with new band members Marc Friedman (drums) and Robert Manzitti (keys/vocals). Both come from a Summer of Love tribute band called Magic Bus. Dennis Bellinger (bass/vocals), who has been with the band since June of 2012, completes the lineup.

Lacross-Wright said she's more than pleased with the band's progress.

"Very seldom do I recall laughing out loud during rehearsal because something sounds so good and so right, and we're all doing it at least once every session."

The band will also debut a few tunes from its upcoming recording.

Doors open at 6:30. Admission is $10. 

On Saturday, Callahan's hosts singer Shaun Murphy, who is celebrating the release of her new CD, "Cry of Love." Murphy, longtime singer with Little Feat, has worked with artists ranging from Eric Clapton to Bob Seger. 

Tickets are also on sale now for Jimmie Vaughan with the Tilt-A-Whirl Band featuring Lou Ann Barton on May 7.

For information on all these shows, click atcallahans.com

Ferndale Blues & Music Fest kicks off

The Bud Light Ferndale Blues & Music Festival kicks off tonight.

John Rhoades (Photo by Mike Klewicki)

Over 10 days, there will be more than 60 concerts and events at nearly two dozen locations. Best of all, donations help two local non-profit organizations: Ferndale Youth Assistance and the Michigan AIDS Coalition.
Looking to see some of Detroit’s top blues performers? Tonight (Jan. 24), catch Luther “Badman” Keith at Buffalo Wild Wings, Erich Goebel and the Flying Crowbars at One-Eyed Bettys, or Lady Champagne & the Motor City Blues Crew at Rosie O’Grady’s. On Saturday, Howard Glazer will be at Dino’s.

At One-Eyed Bettys, catch young guitarist John Rhoades on Sunday, harmonica player/vocalist  Dale Robertson and guitarist Dan Dekuyper on Tuesday, Broken Arrow Blues Band on Wednesday, guitarist/vocalist Brett Lucas on Thursday, and the Bobby Murray Band on Saturday, Feb. 1.

The festival offers more than blues. Longtime favorites the Howling Diablos bring their blend of funk and rock to Dino’s tonight; The Reefermen rock Bosco on Thursday and Dino’s on Saturday, Feb. 1; blues/rock chanteuse Eliza Neals sings at the New Way Bar on Friday, Jan. 31, and rockers The Muggs headline at the BBQ Rib Burn Out VII Tent on Saturday, Feb. 1.

A complete music schedule can be found at Ferndalebluesfestival.org.

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

Goin’ Down to Memphis fundraiser

The Social Bandits

A fundraiser for the band The Social Bandits, winners of the Detroit Blues Society’s 2013 Youth Challenge, will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday at Classic Lanes, 2145 Avon Industrial in Rochester Hills.

All proceeds from the event -- which includes music by The Social Bandits, The Deals (the winners of the 2012 Detroit Blues Society Youth Challenge) and Painting Cows -- will go toward assisting The Social Bandits with expenses when they represent the Detroit Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase in Memphis. The International Blues Challenge begins Tuesday and runs through Jan. 25.

Members of the band include Jesse Medawar (vocals/guitar), Jared Bentley (lead guitar), Brad Rude (bass), and Dylan Walsh (drums).

Admission to the fundraiser is $10 at the door and includes four hours of bowling. Shoe rental will be 50 cents.  Admission is $5 for non-bowlers.

The DBS is seeking teen bands to enter the 2014 Detroit Blues Society Youth Challenge on Aug. 10 at Classic Lanes. The contest is free to enter and the winning band will represent Detroit at the 2015 IBC.

Bands wishing to enter the contest can contact Cherie Lowe at Hillbird@comcast.net.

Next month, The Social Bandits headline an EP release party and benefit for Mittens for Detroit. The event is slated to start at 8 p.m. on Feb. 15 at Small’s in Hamtramck. Advance tickets are available for $8 at smallsbardetroit.com, or $10 at the door. A silent auction will benefit Mittens for Detroit.

Also performing will be the bands Dream Version and Brae. A donation of a pair of new, unused mittens or gloves nets you a free CD from all the bands.

For more info, click www.mittensfordetroit.org.

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

Bobby Murray Band at Plymouth Elks

Bobby Murray (Photo by Mike Klewicki)

Blues guitarist and band leader Bobby Murray leads his band in performance at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the Plymouth Elks Club, 41700 Plymouth Road (734-453-1780). The club is one mile west of I-275.

The Bobby Murray Band will perform as a trio, with Dave Uricek on bass and Ron Pangborn on drums. Also performing will be two outstanding vocalists – Red Redding and Lenny Watkins, who were among the featured singers on the band’s fine new CD, “I’m Sticking With You.”

“We’ll be featuring songs off the CD and, like, the old adage says, ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, and, definitely, something blue,’” Murray said. “We might pull out a surprise or two.”

Admission is a $5 donation.

The Bobby Murray Band featuring Lenny Watkins will also perform Friday and Saturday at the Blue Goose in St. Clair Shores.

Murray performed as a member of the Tosha Owens Band that hosted last Saturday’s Detroit Blues Society Meeting and Jam at the Cooley Lake Inn, where Lifetime Achievement Awards went out to guitarist Jim McCarty and  the late piano player Big Maceo Merriweather.

“It was really nice,” reported Murray, a longtime member of the late Etta James' band, who received the DBS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. “The place was packed, Jim was great, and the jammers were great.

“And, Tosha Owens is just wonderful.”

To see more on "I'm Sticking With You," click here.

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

Jim McCarty honored by Detroit Blues Society

Jim McCarty (Photo by BluesPhotos by Don McGhee)

With bands including Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Cactus, and The Rockets, Jim McCarty gained international fame as a rock ‘n’ roll guitarist. With the Detroit Blues Band and his current group Mystery Train, McCarty has earned renown as a blues artist.

Who would have thought that the roots of his musical career are in jazz?

“My old man (the late James McCarty) was a drummer in the big band days,” explained McCarty, who will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Detroit Blues Society (along with the late piano player Big Maceo Merriweather) at the group’s monthly meeting and jam on Saturday. “I grew up listening to jazz, all the Blue Note and be-bop stuff – Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrell.

A chance purchase turned McCarty into a devotee of the blues.

“I don’t think it’s a conscious decision,” McCarty said. “B.B. King is the guy who inspired me to play guitar, through a record I bought at a hardware store. It was ‘My Kind of Blues.’ I started teaching myself to play guitar by listening to it. I’ve still got that album.”

McCarty, 68, who recorded with Jimi Hendrix and Bob Seger, says he always had both rock ‘n’ roll and blues in his soul.

“I’ve mentioned more than one time that I need both rock ‘n’ roll and blues to be musically happy,” McCarty said. “Even during my days with Cactus and The Rockets, being on the road for 20 years, I listened to more blues than rock ‘n’ roll. The blues has always been a part of me, it reached a part of me of what I want to play.”

After The Rockets broke up, in the late 1980s McCarty joined the Detroit Blues Band. Other band members at that time were Emmanuel X. Garza (vocals/guitar), Bob Rabut (harmonica), the late Billy Landless (bass) and Tommy “T-Bone” Wagner (drums). McCarty and the band recorded two albums, “Real Life” (Blues Factory) and “Can’t Get You Off My Mind” (No Cover).

“When The Rockets ended I made a conscious decision to play the blues,” McCarty said. “With The Rockets, the mindset was always to get a big (rock ‘n’ roll) hit record and have a blues project on the side.

“At that time, I wanted to play the music I really feel in my heart.”

After an eight-year stint with the Detroit Blues Band, McCarty formed his band Mystery Train. The band, which includes both McCarty and Rick Stel on vocals and guitar, bassist Marvin Conrad, and several musicians including McCarty’s son Dylan on drums, has been together for about 18 years.

In 1997, the band joined with Detroit blues legend Willie D. Warren on the No Cover release “Willie D. Warren and Mystery Train Live.”

“We played with Willie every Sunday at The Firehouse,” McCarty said. “Mike Boulan (of No Cover Records) was running sound and recorded it. Willie didn’t even know it, and I don’t think I did either.

“After the gig ended, Mike told me ‘I think you should listen to it.’ What was great about that recording is it caught Willie right before his health started failing him.

“That old man’s voice raised the hair on the back of my neck. He was a sweetheart too. Me and Willie first met years before that. It was immediately, ‘I know who you are,' and 'I know who you are.’ It was great. I miss him.”

McCarty is still actively playing music and tearing it up.

In 2011, he released “Jim McCarty & Friends” (Cally’s Records and Tapes),  a collection of 12 songs recorded live at Callahan’s Music Hall over a three-year period. Each tune features McCarty in impromptu jams with the likes of Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Jimmy Thackery and John Nemeth. It demonstrates McCarty’s ability to excel in a variety of blues styles.

Late in 2013, he released “Jim McCarty and Mystery Train Live,” which is available on iTunes and CD Baby.

Joining the band on the recording was harmonica player Kenny Welk.

“It starts out as a straight-ahead blues band and then moves into Cactus territory,” McCarty said. “It’s a continuous building of energy.”

McCarty loves the CD and especially credits the playing of his son Dylan, 40.

“He’s right in the pocket and just nails it.

“You should hear it when he kicks his old man in the ass on ‘Oh Well.’”

FYI

The Detroit Blues Society monthly meeting and jam starts at 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at Cooley Lake Inn, 8635 Cooley Lake Road, Commerce Township. Hosting will be the Tosha Owens Band. There’s no cover charge. 

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