September 2015 Bandstand

Tracey Fordice and the 8-Balls
Greetings CBA Members and more,

It’s been a busy summer and also a lot of fun. We have had some great shows and been to a lot of fun places. Hope to see everyone in the months to come.

Well we have finally completed our long awaited new CD, and it’s a good one!

It’s entitled, Out of the Blues and features 11 original songs from the band, and one penned by George Marinelli (Bonnie Raitt’s “other guitarist). We have also enlisted the help of some of Portland’s finest musicians to add their flare to our music. You’ll hear Phil “Suburban Slim” Wagner on guitar, Jim Wallace on harp, Joe McCarthy, Brad Ulrich, and Ben Medler on horns, David Alvey on guitars, Franklin Spicer on organ, Jim Toussaint on Fiddle, and Chris Baum on piano. Not to mention the multitude of instruments that we put down ourselves on these tunes!

Being produced and recorded by David Alvey at Drool’n Dogg Records, co-produced by Randy Yearout and Tracey Fordice, with mastering by Steve Sundholm, you know it’s going to sound good. It’s got lots of Blues (rockin’ and traditional), Soul, Gospel, and a New Orleans flavor that will please everybody, including a nod to the British Invasion that helped bring the Blues to the forefront of the music scene in the 60s.

We can’t tell you how pleased we are with it, and the efforts put in by Johnnie Corrie, Steven Mills, Randy Yearout, and myself, Tracey Fordice, were outstanding, and possibly some of our best work ever. We think you will feel the same!

Look for a CD release party at the Lehrer on September 18, and an in-store performance at Music Millennium on September 19.

Blues to you,
Tracey Fordice and the 8-Balls

Sister Mercy
We are honored to be Cascade Blues Association’s Journey to Memphis winners for 2015 and are so excited to head to Memphis in January.  There will be several opportunities to lend your ear and support for our trip.  Rae Gordon has been instrumental in getting the 2015 Blues Cruise set up for October 3 from 3:30 – 5:30 on the Portland Spirit.  Join the Journey to Memphis All-Stars for a great afternoon of music.  We also want to call out The Lehrer and Cherie’s Blue Highway for sponsoring an afternoon show in August.  Our recent album Head Over Heels has been getting rave reviews since its release in December 2015.  Thanks also to the great sound guys at the Waterfront Blues Festival so quick set up and sound quality.