Cool Issue 182 September 2009

Lots of Bluesmore photosLes Paul, 1915-2009Lots of thanks!Big Mo’s CD reviewLocal LIVE music schedulesCheckers annual Golf Party

In this September issue —

The Publication of the Linn County Blues Society- lcbs.org

The Daddy-O WOWS the Crowd at Bluesmore 16!

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photos by Andy Bunce

Mike Zito

Guitar Shorty(Lester William Polsfuss)Les Paul1915-2009

The Linn County Blues Society is a way cool, non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of Blues music in Eastern Iowa as well as to provide charitable contributions to other commu-nity organizations. LCBS is an Affiliated Organization in the Blues Foundation’s international network. The BLUESPAPER is a monthly publication of the LCBS.

Website: lcbs.org

LCBS OfficersPresident - Andy DergoVice President - Evan VulichSecretary - Steve SpringerTreasurer - Sue Dergo

Directors at LargeBob De Forest, Bill Meeks, Frank Wilson

ChairsPR Chair: Stephanie HeckEntertainment - Greg WestMembership - Kevin CutsforthMerchandise - David Andrews

The Bluespaper & LCBS folksEditor - Evan Vulich Photographers - Bill Ray, see bylinesStaff Writers - Bill Ray, see bylinesDistribution - Andy Dergo, Bill MeeksParliamentarian - Bill MeeksProgram - Bob De ForestP R - Julie Anderson and Lori BlattnerWeb Admin: Evan Vulich

MembershipTo learn more about the Linn County

Blues Society or to join, see the member-ship form in this Bluespaper or the LCBS website. Your membership includes;

• Discount admissions to many local Blues activities.• Monthly LCBS Bluespaper.• Voting rights in the LCBS elections.• Being a apart of the groove!

Bluespaper Contact informationSend news, band or club live entertain

-ment listings or advertising to:Evan Vulich at: evulich@mchsi.com.

Bluespaper Ad Rates$15.00 - Business card size - 2” x 3.5”$25.00 - Quarter page ad - 3.5” x 4.75”$50.00 - Half page ad - 4.75” x 7.25”$100.00 - Full page - 7.5” x 10”

Submission Requirements- All ads, photos or scanned images, either color or black/white, need to be 300ppi. Native Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, JPG, TIFF, EPS, PDF, BMP accepted. Ads created in Word may cause dimentia, severe cramp-ing and diarrhea. Deadline for submis-sions is the 19th of the month.

Moving? Send your new address to; LCBS, PO Box 2672, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2672 so you won’t miss a single issue of your Bluespaper.

2 / Linn County Blues Society ©2009

Les Paul Thanks!1915-2009 ... for Bluesmore

wikipedia.org

Les Paul

On August 13, 2009, Les Paul (Lester William Polsfuss) died of complications from pneu-

monia at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York. His family and friends were by his side. His attorney stated to the media that Paul had been “in and out of the hospital” because of ill-ness.On hearing

of his death, many artists and musicians paid tribute by expressing their sorrow in various news media. Among those who paid tribute to Les Paul were Saul Hudson (Slash), Trey Anastasio, Joe Satriani, Tom Morello, Ace Frehley, Tad Kubler, John 5, Keith Richards, Randy Bachman, Brian May and B.B. King. On hearing of Les Paul’s death, former Guns N’ Roses and current Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash called him “vibrant and full of positive energy”. U2 guitarist The Edge said: “His legacy as a musician and inventor will live on and his influence on rock and roll will never be forgotten.”Paul was the godfather of rock guitar-

ist Steve Miller of the Steve Miller Band, to whom Paul gave his first guitar les-son. The close family ties with Paul and the Millers were evident again, as Steve Miller’s father served as the best man at Les Paul’s wedding to Mary Ford. Paul resided in Mahwah, New Jersey.Paul married Virginia Webb in 1938.

They had two children: Les Jr. (born 1941) and Lester (born 1944); they divorced in 1949. Later that year, Paul married Mary Ford. They divorced in 1963. Paul is sur-vived by his four children, and his com-panion Arlene Palmer. Les Paul was an Honorary Board Member for Little Kids Rock, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing free musical instruments and music in-struction to underfunded schools across the United States of America.He has earned the Presidential award

from the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.

On be-half of D e n n i s

‘Daddy-O’ Mc-Murrin and my-self, I would like to thank The Linn County Blues So-ciety, the staff at Brucemore, and Nate Hines and company of 16th Ave Music for their respect, courtesy, and overall pro-fessionalism at the 2009 Bluesmore Fest. I have performed at four Bluesmores now and this by far was the best event I have participated in. In a town where all too of-ten the wrong bands open for national acts, politics and corporate email lists substitute for talent, and hobby bands who place no value on what they do are rampant. The Bluesmore event is an island of preserva-tion and respect for showcasing blues, roots music and real local and national talent. I urge everyone to support this effort on all levels. Thanks again.

— Dan ‘DJ’ Johnson

De ForestPainting

All types of paints,stains etc.

319-362-6523ReferencesBob De Forest

Interior & Exterior

©2009 Linn County Blues Society / 3

Fiona BoyesBlues Woman Yellow Dog RecordsRelease Date: May 5, 2009Kanga-Roots

Just That One Little Thing

OK, puns are the lowest form of humor especially since Aus-sie Fiona Boyes lives in Port-land, OR. But regardless of where she lives or where she’s from, Fiona Boyes shows the highest form of blues musi-cianship. Surrounded by the likes of Marcia Ball, Watermel-on Slim, Derek O’Brien among others, she fingerpicks and wails her way through 15 tunes (3 covers) in a deep Mississippi Delta/swamp groove. Doesn’t matter if it’s a sacred or secu-lar tune they all ooze Missis-sippi/Florida mud. She has no trouble convincing me that you don’t have to have picked cot-ton to play the Blues. It’s a fun listen with all the right grease in the right places.

— John Heim (A.K.A. “Big Mo”)

Continued on page 7

Heartfelt Thanks!Bluesmore “Sweet 16” a HUGE success!

Bill Meeks, LCBS Board member

It’s taken me all my life to learn what not to play.

— Dizzy Gillespie

Heartfelt THANKS to all for a fantastic show at BLUESMORE ‘09!

The LCBS Board of Directors are ex-cited to extend our most sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in produc-ing another wonderful success - BLUES-MORE 2009! THANK YOU ALL! For all those who were fortunate enough

to attend our annual “Blues Blast at the Big House” this year, you witnessed Ce-dar Rapids history being made. For the Sixteenth awesome year in a row, Bruc-emore & the Linn County Blues Society joined forces to host and produce a one-of-a-kind Blues Lawn Party on a truly beautifully landscaped lawn with a classic Victorian mansion in the background as the setting with some of the hottest local, regional and national blues talent avail-able for the show; and all at a “family affordable price”, something not easy to find in this crazy mixed-up world we live in! On top of all that, we got very lucky and, once again, beat the weatherman’s odds to take what was predicted as a pos-sible rainout early in the week, that ulti-mately would turn into yet another very entertaining and successful Bluesmore. The weather watchers in our group were a nervous crew as we set about preparing for our all important, annual fund-raising show, but when the festival day arrived and the sun chased the clouds away, we were a relieved bunch of blues music lov-ers! We were well rewarded for our efforts with a fantastic show provided by all our hard working entertainers. Many thanks to our Entertainment Chair and Commit-tee for their super selection of talented, diverse musicians! There are many others we would like

to thank as well. First and foremost, we must thank the Brucemore staff for the countless hours and tireless effort they put into the production of this fine fam-ily event that they host on the front lawn of this National Historic Trust property which is truly a local treasure from the “Big House” itself down to the classic at-mosphere it provides. Jim, Maura, Tara, Roger and the rest of the Brucemore staff

are fantastic to work with and are masters of event management. We could not do without our wonderful

media sponsors: The Gazette and KCRG-TV9 who did an incredible job of advertis-ing and promoting our show; many, many thanks to them. We also owe a huge thank-you to both our

generous stage sponsors; our Main Stage sponsor Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust and our Side Porch Stage sponsor Hometown Restyling, for again stepping up in a huge way to help us continue to provide such great musical entertainment. We thank our passionate Public Radio

partner, Kirkwood‘s own KCCK (88.3 FM in CR), for their fine promotional assis-tance. We thank Nate and the super sounds of

16th Avenue Music for the sweet sound production work they do. Kickin’ it up a notch with the huge new stage was a big hit with the entertainers and worked out Su-per! We always get great feedback from the bands on the fine quality of their efforts. We thank Tom and Nick, owners of To-

maso’s Pizza, and their family and staff at the Center Point Road shop for generously feeding the performing artists and hungry volunteers with great pizza and BBQ all night long. You guys rock! There are many others we thank as well:

Fleck Sales for providing refreshing bever-ages for sale and backstage, the C.R. Jay-cees for serving the fine cold refreshments, the Optimists for their work as ticket takers and greeters, Jeff Roland at Wilbert Vault for providing tents for cover from the sun, Craig Taylor and his crew for donating their quality security services, our many deli-cious food vendors for keeping the fans fed and refreshed, our ticket outlets for helping us promote our show and any others I may be forgetting in my dazed post show trance. Finally, before we run out of ink, we can-

not forget to thank our many hard work-ing board members and volunteers for the countless hours of dedicated work they donated to make our show possible: Andy Dergo, our President, fearless ringleader and organizer extraordinaire; Greg West,

“I takes my eatin’ seriously” — Big Moe

4 / Linn County Blues Society ©2009

Great music, beautiful day, lots of food, huge crowdBluesmore “Sweet 16” a HUGE SUCCESS!

photos by Bill Ray

Guitar Shorty has the huge Bluesmore crowd up and dancing.

“I takes my eatin’ seriously” — Big Moe

Members of the Demolition band (left)are from left, Dennis “Daddy O” McMur-rin, Bobby Thompson on sax, Paul Cun-

Some of the axes that were used to lay down the music at Bluesmore.

Gary Gibson (left), who hosted the back porch stage at this year’s

16 with a Jimi Hendrix style national anthem.

Mike Zito (right) took the stage after a blistering performance of the Daddy-O’s Demolition Band

(below).

©2009 Linn County Blues Society / 5

“Gary Gibson (2nd from left) leads the back stage band. Byron Stevens on bass. Johnny “pour me another Bailey’s” Mattingly on keyboards, and Herman Sarduy on drums.

Guitar Shorty had as much fun as the crowd at the post Bluesmore jam at the Longbranch.

A very large crowd at the post Bluesmore jam at the Longbranch really enjoyed the music.

Students, Joey Wielinski and Evan Stock, “trading fours” in a 12 bar blues progression, Cleanhead Blues, on the back porch stage at Bluesmore.

(Above) Guitar Shorty and Mike Zito trade licks at the post Blues-

more jam at the Longbranch. The post Bluesmore jam is a

great event that follows right after the Bluesmore festival each year. This is where a lot of “ music magic” happens when our enter-tainers really relax after the fes-

tival and jam in to the night with each other and local favorites.

This year, local blues artist, Gary Gibson and “Johnny Juke”

Mattingly, really fired up the night and made it easy playing for the headliners with some really tight

grooves.

“Johnny Juke” Mattingly, of Newton, holds the groove for the post jam band.

6 / Linn County Blues Society ©2009

Local Music

Sat. - The Firehouse- Jam with various players 4-8PMSun.- Mahoney’s - Various artists-Never a Cover, 6pmSun.- Charlie’s, Coralville-Blues JamWed.- Checkers Tavern-Kevin BF Burt solo 6-9Thurs.-J.M.O’Malley’s-T-Bone Giblin Jam FestEV

ERY

Specializing inRIBS, STEAK, PRIME RIB, LOBSTER & CRAB

Featuring our award winningBBQ Pork Ribs!

Seafood • 30 item salad barKids menus • Specialty desserts

The LCBS meets the *1st Monday of each month. See you at the Longbranch on September 14, 6:30PM for the

LCBS general meeting. Guests are welcome!90 Twixt Town Rd., Marion • 377-6386.

*Due to Labor Day, the general meeting was moved to the second Monday in September only.

September CalendarWed. 2 Shuey’s, Shueyville McMurrin & Johnson, 7-10PM

Thur. 3 J.M. O’Malley’sThird Street SaloonChappy’s SafariGeorge’s, Iowa City

4Box O Rocks, 9-1AerorootMike & Rob Show, 9-1Patrick Hazel & Tony Brown, 9PM

Fri. 4 Chrome HorseCR Landing

O’Connell Brothers Band4 Box O Rocks, 9PM

Sat. 5 New Bohemia FestivalYacht Club, Iowa CityFirehouse- JAMPark Farm WineryC & D, Mt. Vernon

McMurrin & Johnson, 2-3PMMcMurrin & Johnson, 10PMVarious players, 4-8PMThe Blue Band, Bankston, IAMike & Rob Show, 8-1

Sun. 6 New Bohemia FestivalMahoney’s Irish PubFB & Co, WaubeekShuey’s, Shueyville

3rd St., Cedar Rapids, IATBA, 6-10PMThe Blue BandMcMurrin & Johnson, 6-10PM

Wed. 9 Next Door McMurrin & Johnson, 7-10PM

Thur. 10 J.M. O’Malley’sOverman Park, Cedar FallsQuentin’s, Iowa CityShuey’s, Shueyville

Bryce Janey Group w/ DJ, 9-1The Blue Band, 5-8PM, Wing DingKilowatt & Grismore, 9-1Mike & Rob Show, 9-1

Fri. 11 1st Avenue Winery, CRCR Landing

Mike & Rob Show, 5-7PMMcMurrin & Johnson w/Skeeter, 9PM

Sat. 12 City Park, Iowa CityFirehouse- JAMChrome HorseDoghouse, OxfordChappy’s Safari

Carolyn Wonderland, 3PMVarious players, 4-8PMFunk DaddiesMike Williams (solo) 9-14 Box O Rocks, 9-1

Sun. 13 Mahoney’s Irish PubMarion Art Fair, MarionParlor City

Uniphonics, 6-10PMJ. Kilowatt & Saul Lubaroff, 5:30-7:30PMDemolition Band, 6-10PM

Thur. 17 J.M. O’Malley’sChappy’s SafariMulligans

Gibby and Friends, 9-1Mike & Rob Show, 9-1McMurrin & Johnson, 9-12

Fri. 18 Blues On GrandCSPS, Cedar RapidsCenter Field, Center PointErnie’sNext Door

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, 9:30PMTony Furtado, 8PMMike & Rob Show, 9-1McMurrin & Johnson, 6-8:30PM4 Box O Rocks, 9PM

Sat. 19 Firehouse- JAMJerseys, Cedar RapidsChappy’s Safari

Various players, 4-8PMMike & Rob Show, 9-1Bryce Janey Group w/ Dan Johnson, 9-1

Sun. 20 Mahoney’s Irish Pub Public Property, 6-10PM

Thur. 24 J.M. O’Malley’sMulligans, Cedar Rapids

Gibby and Friends, 9-1Mike & Rob Show, 9-1

Fri. 25 Rowley Bar & Grill, RowleyBlues On Grand, DM

Mike Williams (solo), 9-1Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, 9PM

Sat. 26 Firehouse- JAMChrome HorseBrandon, IA. Fools RideLaPorte City, IA. Fools Ride

Various players, 4-8PMGibbs BrothersElectric Mule, 9-1Bryce Janey Group w/ DJ, 3-6PM

Sun. 27 Mahoney’s Irish Pub Eastern Blok, 6-10PM

Tue. 29 Daniels Arthurs McMurrin & Johnson, 8-10PM

Saturday 19-Sunday 20-Two Concerts!! PATRICK HAZELL in Concert with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra as

part of their annual Pops Concert. People also may order Pops tickets by contacting the Symphony Office

at 610 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641; or write — seiso@iwc.edu. Tickets for concert-only seating

will be available (without prior reservations) at the door.

*Tony Furtado mixes rootsy, old time, folk, indie-rock, blues, and jazz styles. His latest album is called Deep Water. He has opened for and toured with acts such as Greg Allman, Susan Tedeschi, Taj Mahal, Leftover Salmon, Eric Johnson and he has shared the stage with the likes of Sonny Landreth, Keith Richards, David Lindley, Derek Trucks, Norah Jones among many others.

©2009 Linn County Blues Society / 7

our Entertainment Chair, contracts man-ager and hostage negotiator; Evan Vulich, our Vice-President, Mainstage coordi-nator, “webmistriss”, Bluespaper editor and staff artist/designer; Gary Gibson, our Back Porch stage manager and Blues School organizer; Bob DeForest, our em-cee, KCCK coordinator and stage host; David Andrews, our Merchandise chair and volunteer disorganizer; Sue Dergo, our Treasurer and financial guru; Steve Springer, our Secretary and merchandise volunteer, Kevin Cutsforth, our Member-ship Chair and new member promotions creator; Frank Wilson, chief stagehand and backstage organizer; Janet Evans, our Musician’s hospitality manager; and last, but not least, yours truly, Bill Meeks, chief cook & bottlewasher extrordinaire. Additionally, we had many energetic vol-unteers who worked in various areas in-cluding: the merchandise tent, backstage on one or both stages, on-stage setup and teardown crews, etc. and we want all these folks to know their work is greatly appreciated and they are welcome back anytime. If you see any of these folks out and about, be sure and thank them for putting on such a fabulous, fun-filled, family event. AND, DON’T FORGET TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP – WE NEED YOU!

Huge Thanks, continued from page 3

Hey, armchair blues fans! There is no better time to join the LCBS than now! We could use your help now. We have posi-tions open. Bluesmore 16 is now behind us, we are planning next year’s festival. Just fill out the application on our web site and send it in with your 20 bucks and we’ll see that you are a part of a really great organization! Help us keep the blues alive! Be a part of the groove!

4651 1st Ave SECedar Rapids, IA 52402319.378.1720guitarcenter.com

Helping people make great music and pursue their dreams for over 43 years.

Tomaso’s Pizza

3234 Center Point Rd.

Official Pizzaof Bluesmore!

364-4313

It’s Time For The Annual Checkers Tavern & Eatery GOLF PARTY 2009 Labor Day Saturday Sept. 5th. Join Us at the Airport National Public Golf Facility Check In 8AM.Dr. Shot Start 8:30AM. You Must Pre-register by August 31 It’s still a 2 person Best Shot Format. It’s ONLY $45 per person - Paid at Sign Up. This covers 18 holes golf - 1/2 cart Dr. Shot start, Prizes, numerous flag events food & such back at Checkers after golf. There’s a limited number of openings. So Stop In & Get Signed Up TODAY. Out of Towners Just Contact Us either e-mail checkerstavern@ymail.com or call 319 364 9927Bring a Friend or two or three ... Thanks!

©2009 September-Linn County Blues Society

Friday Blues-• 6-10 PM - Da Friday Blues• 10-11 PM - Backstage Blues• 11 PM to midnight - KCCK Jams• Midnight Blues CDSaturday Blues -• 6-10 PM - Da Blues with Bobby D• 10-11 PM - The Crawfish Circuit• 11 PM -midnight - The Melting Pot• Midnight Blues CD

kcck

.org

3535 1st Ave SE319-286-1111Ask for Chris

2160 Edgewood RD SW319-654-8405Ask for Darin

$5.00 OFFoil changes!

10% OFF all other servicesfor all LCBS members and family!

Linn County Blues SocietyPO Box 2672Cedar Rapids, IA52406-2672