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San Luis Obispo Blues Society Check out these upcoming events! Blues Round Up Outdoors at the Paso Robles Hot Springs and Spa 3720 North River Road, Paso Robles 5PM-11PM, Tickets at the door. Members $12, Non-members $15, Children 12 & under free with adult Voice mail: (805) 541-7930 E-mail: Blues Society |
NOW SHOWING
Saturday, July 22, 2000
THE BLUES ROUND UP
BLUES
SHOW REVIEW
The SLO Blues Society will host its 12th annual Blues Round Up Saturday, July 22 from 5pm to 11pm outdoors at the Paso Robles Hot Springs and Spa. This year's line-up features a mixture of Central Coast Blues performers and out of town guests. The show will begin with two acoustic blues acts: our own Doc Stoltey and Santa Barbara's Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan. As evening comes rolling in, we will shift to electric blues with the local band Slidewinder, the Los Angeles based Café R&B, and the Central Coast Blues Divas.
Cafe R&B. "Imagine Etta James riding a Harley out of an active volcano and you'll have some inkling of the vocal power emanating from Roach, the frontwoman of L.A. blues 'n groove outfit CAFE R&B. Roach has found a perfect compliment in the scorching leads of guitarist Byl Carruthers." (Hits magazine). CAFE R&B delivers soul and rhythm and blues with a "torrent of emotion that spills over the stage". This is a band with a surprising amount of energy, primarily coming from their lead singer, Roach. She has been described as a mixture of Aretha Franklin, Bessie Smith and Etta James. "This lady not only feels every emotion, she makes it a spiritual experience" (Music Connection).
The band pays blues, soul, and R&B, primarily original songs. Although veterans of rock and blues bands, they have been playing blues together for the last five years. Based in Los Angeles, they play blues clubs here and Chicago. They have played in Europe and toured with Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Dr. John, and Little Feat. Besides lead singer Roach, the band includes Byl Carruthers on guitar, Harry Cohen on organ, Ken Dooley on bass, and Steve Klong on drums. Their first CD "Black & White" (itWorks Music) was released in 1998. After listening to it, Ike Turner said, "I ain't seen shit like this since me and you know who."
Doc Stoltey. Doc is an accomplished singer, musician, and songwriter who combines guitar, National steel guitar (for slide and bottlenecking), and harmonica for a polished performance of rockin' blues, country, and ballads. His music comes in many variations from rhythm and blues to toe-tapping, good-time ballads. Doc Stoltey is based in Templeton, but he travels throughout the West, playing at county and state fairs and events. His influences include John Hammond, Van Morrison, and Paul Butterfield. Performances include a mixture of classics (from Robert Johnson to Jimmy Reed) and his own songs.
Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan. Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan have been bringing their unique blend of guitar and harmonica blues, rags, and good time music to diverse audiences for two decades. They have performed live all over the world. Together and separately, they have worked on dozens of film scores, TV soundtracks, and recording sessions. They have appeared on television and radio, and are frequent guests of National Public Radio. Their six duo albums have garnered W. C. Handy Award nominations and critical acclaim throughout the world. At home and wherever they go, Tom and Kenny fit in at blues, bluegrass, jazz, and folk festivals. Because their music is a blend of American roots styles, they are regulars overseas, drawing rave reviews as "America's good times blues ambassadors."
Slidewinder Blues Band. The Slidewinder Blues Band has been performing on the Central Coast for the past three years. The band plays Chicago style blues such as songs by Little Walter, Howlin Wolf, and Elmore James. The band is fronted by Chris "Catfish" Jezek who is the vocalist and harmonica player for the band. His unique vocal stylings and driving harmonica solos give the band a unique flavor. The drummer, Franco Oliveira, is the backbone of the band. He is a blues drummer who knows how to capture the feel of a shuffle, jump, or slow blues. The band's bass player, Ric Briley, remains steady and in perfect groove with Oliveira. Ric gives the band the bounce and structure essential to the blues sound. Slidewinder gets its name from lead guitarist Bruce Krupnik who plays kick-ass slide guitar. His powerful rhythm playing and awesome lead work guarantees you'll be up on your feet and dancing.
Central Coast Blues Divas. The Central Coast Blues Divas is not a band, but an event. We had a difficult time selecting which of the very good Central Coast blues bands to include in this year's Round Up, so we decided to end this year's show with a collection of women Blues singers. The Blues Divas include Karen Tyler, Valerie Johnson of the Blues Doctors, Lisa Plevel and Harmonigirl (Cecelia LoForti-Mueller) of the HooDoo Blues Band, and Donna Deack of the Smokehouse Blues Band. Accompanying the divas will be Al Ingram on guitar, Fred Murray on bass, and Greg Barnes on drums.
PROGRAM IN ORDER OF PERFORMANCE WITH ESTIMATED
TIME OF PERFORMANCE
Doc Stoltey 5:00
Tom Ball & Kenny Sultan 6:00+
Slidewinder 7:30
Café R&B 8:30+
Central Coast Blues Divas 10:00
LOCATION
The Paso Robles Hot Springs and Spa is located east of Paso Robles.
To get there from the south, take Highway 101 North to the "Paso Robles
Street" exit, turn right on to 13th Street and go to next light, turn left
on to North River Road, and then travel north for about 2 miles until you
reach 3720 North River Road. Look for the signs.
The show will be in a large open, grassy field overlooking Paso and the surrounding area. It is beautiful. It is spacious. It is a perfect setting for listening and dancing to music. This is a great way to spend a summer afternoon and evening. And yes, this is an all ages event, so bring the family along.
TICKETS & SHOW TIME
All tickets are sold at the door. Ticket prices are $12 for Blues
Society members and $15 for non-members. Children 12 and under are
admitted free, if accompanied by a parent. Don't worry about the
lack of advance tickets, this place has a lot of space. If you have a Blues
Pass, it will only admit one person. Music is scheduled from 5 PM
to 11+ PM. The gate opens at 4 PM.
THE RULES
No dogs. No alcoholic beverages, coolers, or glass containers.
We don't have any special seating rules, except don't sit in the dance
area (for your own safety).
PARKING
There is plenty of parking. However, car-pooling reduces traffic
congestion and it is always good to bring along a designated driver.
So, bring your friends with you.
FOOD & REFRESHMENTS
We will have soft drinks, beer, wine, snacks, and barbecue available
at the show. For insurance and safety reasons, you are not allowed to bring
in your own alcoholic beverages or any glass containers. Please leave
your coolers at home.
HELPFUL HINTS
Sunscreen and dancing sandals are recommended. Bring your own low back
chairs or blankets. There will be plenty of space for sitting, dancing,
and enjoying the music. For more information, see our website (www.thegrid.net/slo_blues_society/)
or voice mail at 541-7930.
SALES / RAFFLE
There will also be a raffle (grand prize 25 blues CDs, second
prize is a hot tub for two for one hour at the Paso Robles Hot Springs).
SLO Blues Society t-shirts will also be for sale.
VOLUNTEER
If you would like to volunteer (and get free admission), call the Blues
Society Voice Mail at 541-7930 before the show. We need volunteers
for both the show and to help do publicity before the show. Volunteers
are accepted on a first come basis.
THANKS
We want to thank the folks at Sycamore Mineral Springs and the Paso
Robles Hot Springs and Spa for their support. Co-sponsoring the event are
the New Times and KOTR.
