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.”

For information, call 586-759-8446 or clickhttp://www.prlog.org/11906324-moes-rock-and-blues-fest-to-take-place-july-8-2012-in-st-claire-shores-michigan.htmlor http://www.prlog.org/11888379-metro-detroit-musicians-unite-for-tribute-concert-honoring-fellow-slain-musician-moe-motyka.html

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