Posted by John on July 24th, 2010
Posted in:
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steve guyger DVD
My good buddy, Steve Guyger, has recently completed an instructional DVD for Hal Leonard & Co. Entitled “Blues Harmonica“, the DVD will hit the streets July 27th, 2010. If you’re a harp player, or as aspiring harp player, you’ll want to grab a copy of this one!
Steve is one of the top blues harmonica players in the world today and he shares many tips and tricks on this new DVD. Accompanied by Billy Flynn, an outstanding Chicago guitar player, the performances alone are worth the price of admission, but there’s much more.
Steve covers harmonica history, harmonica basics, harmonica techniques, sound and tone, playing chords, blues progressions, using positions and keys, playing in a band and more. The DVD includes guitar backing tracks so you can practice what you learn and try to match the technique and tone of this monster player.
As soon as I get my hands on a copy, I’ll be doing a complete review of the DVD, so stay tuned. It’s available for pre-order, so if you can’t wait, reserve your copy now by clicking the image above.
Roots, Rock ‘n Blues
The Blues Foundation has recently announced the nominees for the 31st annual Blues Music Awards (formerly known as the W. C. Handy Awards). A complete list of the categories and nominees can be found on the Blues Foundation News page:
http://www.blues.org/#tagNews_862
If you’re a blues fan and not already a member of the Blues Foundation, sign up! It’s not expensive and the money goes to support the blues.
John
The 3rd annual Delaware River Blues Fest was held September 20th, 2009 at the Stockton Inn. Showcasing a wealth of talent from the PA/NJ area, the event was headlined by Johnny Winter, the legendary Texas guitar slinger.
Also appearing were the following area musicians:
- The J.B. Kline Band
- 2009 Blues Awards Nominee Steve Guyger and the Excellos
- The Sarah Ayers Band
- King Bee and the Stingers
- Paul Plumeri
- Joe Zook and Blues Deluxe
- The Don Mayer Band
- David Barry
- Cristina Harris
The event benefitted SAFE of Hunterdon County (for victims of domestic abuse), childhood cancer research and NOVA (Network of Victim Assistance) in Bucks County, PA.
The following photos are courtesy of Tom Furman of Richmond, VA:
Joe Zook’s Blues Deluxe
Steve Guyger and the Excellos
Don Mayer Band with Jim Weider
Jim Weider playing his Fender 1954 Tele
Johnny Winter
Johnny Winter with his 1963 Firebird
Chon
Living Blues Magazine has opened voting for its 2009 Living Blues Awards. Ballots must be received by July 5th, 2009 to be counted, so do it now while you’re thinking about it!
Simply go to the Living Blues web site at http://www.livingblues.com then click the link at the top of the page to cast your votes.
Roots, Rock ‘n Blues
Chess and Alligator recording artist Koko Taylor, the legendary “Queen of the Blues”, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at the age of 80. Winner of more Blues Music Awards than any other blues performer in history, her last performance was May 7, 2009 at the Blues Music Awards presentation ceremonies after receiving the Traditional Blues Artist of the Year Award for 2008.
Check out videos of Koko doing her thing here:
http://rootsrocknblues.us/videos/kokotaylor
“Koko Taylor is the great female blues singer of her generation. Raw vocal power and blustery swagger.”
– Rolling Stone
“Koko Taylor is a national treasure…she packs firepower a lot of youngsters only wish they had.”
– Chicago Tribune
“Koko Taylor is the blues…a growling goddess of down-and-dirty. Sheer, unstoppable shouting power, full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes. There are many kings of the blues but only one queen. Koko’s voice is capable of pinning a listener to the back wall.”
– Boston Globe
“Raucous, gritty, good-time blues…Taylor belts out blues in a gravel voice with ferocious intensity. Foot-stomping music that’s rough, raw and wonderfully upbeat.”
– People
“Chicago’s best blues singer…she has fire in her lungs.”
–Chicago Sun-Times
Amen.
Roots, Rock ‘n Blues
The Blues Music Awards (formerly known as the W. C. Handy Awards) for 2009 were presented in ceremonies Thursday evening, May 7th. For a complete list of the winners, click the following link:
2009 Blues Music Award Winners
Congratulations to all the nominees, as well as the winners!
Roots, Rock ‘n Blues
The results are in for the 2008 Blues Critic Awards Readers Poll. Blues Critic readers have spoken and the winners are:
-
Blues Album Of The Year
Kenny Neal “Let Life Flow” (Blind Pig)
Runner-up: Sean Costello “We Can Get Together”
-
Best Traditional Blues Album
B.B. King “One Kind Favor” (Geffen)
Runner-up: Kenny Neal “Let Life Flow”
-
Best Soul Blues Album
Curtis Salgado “Clean Getaway” (Shanachie)
Runner-up: Johnny Rawls “Red Cadillac”
-
Best Blues/Rock Album
Elvin Bishop “The Blues Rolls On” (Delta Groove Music)
Runner-up: Michael Burks “Iron Man”
-
Best Live Or Compilation Album
Fiona Boyes, Mookie Brill & Rich Del Grosso “Live From Bluesville” (Blues Empress)
Runner-up: Various Artists “M For Mississippi”
-
Blues Song Of The Year
Albert Castiglia “Bad Year Blues” (Blues Leaf)
Runner-up: “Blues Rolls On” by Elvin Bishop
-
Blues Singer: MALE
Curtis Salgado
Runner-up: B.B. King
-
Blues Singer: FEMALE
Irma Thomas
Runner-up: Susan Tedeschi
-
Blues Guitarist
Michael Burks
Runner-up: Sonny Landreth
-
Blues Harmonica
Jason Ricci
Runner-up: Steve Guyger
-
Blues Keyboards
Marcia Ball
Runner-up: Christian Dozzler
-
Blues Instrumentalist (Other)
Larry Taylor
Runner-up: Bob Stroger
-
The BLUES CRITIC staff pick…
Contemporary Blues ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kenny Neal
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!
Roots, Rock ‘n Blues
The Blues Foundation has announced the winners of the 2009 International Blues Challenge competition. Congrats to everyone who won their regional competition to get to the IBC and to the winners!
Band
1st place
South Florida Blues Society–JP Soars & the Red Hots
2nd Place
Cascade Blues Association–Ty Curtis Band
3rd Place
Ottawa Blues Society–MonkeyJunk
Best Guitarist Award
JP Soars
Solo/Duo
1st place
Blues Society of Tulsa–Little Joe McLerran
2nd Place
Crossroads Blues Society of Mississippi–Alphonso & Richard
Roots, Rock ‘n Blues
The 2008 Blues Critic Awards Readers’ Poll is open. Check out the site and vote for your favorite album, song, and artists.
Continuing his streak of “better late than never” recognition, Steve Guyger is one of the nominees for Blues Harmonica. Some other nominees are the late Sean Costello and Jeff Healey, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Janiva Magness, Curtis Salgado, and many others.
Support your favorites with your votes!
Roots, Rock ‘n Blues
The Blues Foundation’s annual Handy Awards nominees have been named for 2009. Check out the full list here: http://www.blues.org/bluesmusicawards/nominees.php4
I’m very pleased to note that a long-time friend of mine, Steve Guyger, has been nominated for Instrumentalist of the Year: Harmonica. What can I say except “It’s about frickin’ time!!” Steve has been a well kept secret despite having toured with the late Jimmy Rogers, among others. As far as blues harmonica goes, it doesn’t get any better than Steve and I’m delighted to see him recognized publicly.
Roots, Rock ‘n Blues
