Two Nights In Portland With Doug MacLeod-July 23rd & July 27th

The blues world’s premier storyteller Doug MacLeod will be returning to Portland for a pair of shows in July celebrating his latest recording Exactly Like This. Humorous and always engaging, there are few solo musicians who can entrance an audience with just an acoustic guitar and a pocket full of stories that reflect his own personal experiences and timeless tales. A modern troubadour, Doug MacLeod travels the world capturing listeners and earning great praise, including thirteen nominations and two wins at the Blues Music Awards for acoustic artist and acoustic album of 2014 for his release There’s A Time.

Doug MacLeod will perform at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd, on Thursday, July 23, for a 9:00 pm showcase. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event and you can receive a $1.00 discount at the door by showing your current membership card.

Then on Monday, July 27, Doug MacLeod will be appearing at the intimate Lake Theater, 106 N State Street, in downtown Lake Oswego. Show time is 7:00 pm.

Blazing Guitarist J.P. Soars & The Red Hots At Duff’s Garage-July 24th

Since winning the International Blues Challenge in 2009, guitarist and vocalist J.P. Soars has been on a steady roll making a name for himself in blues circles. He has received nominations from the Blues Blast Awards and the Blues Music Awards, and also gained notoriety as a member of the Southern all-star group Southern Hospitality alongside Victor Wainwright and Damon Fowler.

Currently touring in support of his third solo recording, Full Moon Night In Memphis, Soars will be hitting Portland on Friday, July 24 at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd, for a 9:00 pm show. He will be supported by his outstanding band The Red Hots that include drummer Chris Peet, bassist Charles Gaspar, and guitarist Steve Laudicina. This is a raucous band, filled with driving slide and cigar box guitars and that lights up every room where they play with good time fun!

This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event. Bring your current membership card and show it at the door to receive a $1.00 discount on admission.

Acoustic Guitar Great Pat Donahue-July 24th

Pat Donahue - photo by Greg JohnsonGrammy Award winner Pat Donahue is one of the most popular finger pickers in the world. A singer and songwriter with eclectic musical tastes, Donahue considers himself foremost a folk guitarist, but his influences are rooted in the blues traditions of Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, and Muddy Waters and alongside jazz greats such as Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. Donahue seamlessly blends jazz and blues with folk. He worked weekly on Minnesota Public Radio’s widely syndicated A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keiller for twenty years and is also a former winner of the National Fingerpicking Championship.

Pat Donahue will be performing at The Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta Street, on Friday, July 24, at 8:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased at the venue’s website, www.albertarosetheatre.com for $22.00 advance, $25.00 day of show. There are also preferred seating available within the first few rows, center stage for $30.00. This is an all ages event, with minors allowed when they’re accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Award Winning Acoustic Bluesman Keb’ Mo’ Coming To Revolution Hall-July 29th

Keb Mo - photo by Greg JohnsonWhen singer and songwriting bluesman Keb’ Mo’ released his first solo disc back in 1994 he was certainly setting the pace for what has become one of the iconic careers of a modern blues master. Twenty years and a dozen recordings later, Keb’ Mo’ has become a cross-over sensation on blues and pop radio, with three Grammy Awards and multiple Blues Music Awards. He has performed before presidents, on stage, film, and television, and his music has been recorded by many highly recognized artists ranging from BB King and Buddy Guy to The Dixie Chicks and Joe Cocker. Destined to be considered one of the greatest bluesmen of his generation, Keb’ Mo’s shows are always exceptional and you shouldn’t miss them.

Currently touring in support of his latest release BluesAmericana, Keb’ Mo’ will be making a stop in Portland to perform at the new Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, on Wednesday, July 29. Show time is 8:00 pm and this general admission show is only open to 21 & over patrons. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.TicketFly.com for $45.00 or at the door day of show for $48.00. Buy your tickets soon, as this show will certainly sell out.

Southern Troubadour Paul Thorn Returns To The Alberta Rose Theatre-July 29th

Paul Thorn - press photoPaul Thorn has been pleasing crowds for years with his muscular roots music — bluesy, rocking and thoroughly Southern, yet also speaking universal truths. The Tupelo, Mississippi native worked in a furniture factory, jumped out of airplanes, and was a professional boxer before sharing his experiences with the world as a singer-songwriter. This son of a preacher is currently touring the country is celebration of his latest release, Too Blessed To Be Stressed, with a stop in Portland at The Alberta Rose Theatre on Wednesday, July 29. Thorn’s performances are memorable, with his exceptional stage presence and storytelling abilities. We last witnessed Thorn recently when he played at The Alberta Rose with Joe Ely and Ruthie Foster.

The Alberta Rose Theatre is located at 3000 NE Alberta Street. Show time is 8:00 pm. Tickets are $25.00 advance and $28.00 day of show and can be purchased through the theatre’s website at www.albertarosetheatre.com. Minors are welcome when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Popa Chubby To Rock The Blues At Duff’s-July 29th

Popa ChubbyTed Horowitz, better known to the world as Popa Chubby, recently made a trip to Portland a few months back and won over some new fans who had not been exposed to this heavy-hitting, rocking blues artist or who had not seen him for quite some time. The stellar guitarist returns to Portland for one night only as he plays at Duff’s Garage on Wednesday, July 29. New Yorker Popa Chubby was originally inspired by the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Cream and Led Zeppelin, constantly moving forward with his own progression of blues in his own approach.

Popa Chubby’s show at Duff’s Garage is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event. You can receive a $1.00 discount at the door by showing your current membership card. Duff’s Garage is located at 2530 NE 82nd. This is a 8:00 pm show.

Rockin’ Blues Guitar With Scott Holt – July 30th

Scott Holt - press photoLanky, tattooed Tennessean Scott Holt has been a bearer of the Blues torch for his entire career. Born in Tennessee and raised in Tennessee, Texas, and Mississippi, Holt began his musical journey at the relatively late age of 19. He jumped on the musical performance fast-track by joining his friend and mentor Buddy Guy, playing guitar for 10 years during the most successful period of Guy’s legendary career. Since leaving Guy’s band, Holt has taken on his own successful solo career, with seven releases under his own name featuring his powerful penetrating guitar work and his crafty storytelling. This is forceful, rockin’ blues — Holt’s band’s motto is “Loud is good,” but that’s not a suggestion that the quality of the band’s music is improved by its loudness, rather that his music speaks to a “spiritual loudness.”

Scott Holt returns to Portland on Thursday, July 30, for a show at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd. Showtime is 9:00 pm. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so make sure to bring your CBA membership card to receive a $1.00 discount at the door.

KALAMA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Come join in the fun at the Kalama Music Festival on August 1, at the Marine Park along the Columbia River in Kalama, Washington. This year’s event will include a varied selection of blues, R&B, reggae, rock, Motown — just a lot of good music. There will be food and a Beer/Wine Garden and artists/craftspeople will also be onsite showing their wares.

This year’s event will be headlined by Florida-based bluesman J.P. Soars & The Red Hots. Soars is a past winner of the International Blues Challenge and has received nominations for the Blues Music Awards under his own name and with the all-star band Southern Hospitality. His gravelly voice echoes Howlin’ Wolf, and his guitar and cigar box playing is in its own league.

Also on this year’s line-up will be Portland-based blues favorites Franco Paletta & The Stingers with special guest Oregon Music Hall of Fame member Terry Robb on guitar, the genre-crossing sounds of Ocean 503, which offers a diverse musical performance spanning R&B, reggae, funk, and blues, and Southwestern Washington’s blues band The Mojo Blasters. The music of Motown, R&B, and soul will be provided by The Elite, and hip rock, folk, and reggae tunes will be represented by Portland’s band The Sale.

A Cigar Box Guitar Raffle will also be held, offering a hand-made Cigar Box Guitar donated by headliner J.P. Soars, with all proceeds going to the Kalama Helping Hand. Tickets are one dollar, but you can get six for five dollars the day of the event.

The Kalama Music Festival takes place from noon until 9:00 pm, with entry only $10.00 and 2 cans of food. Marine Park is located at 110 West Marine Drive, in Kalama. Tickets may be purchased in advance at www.TicketTomato.com.

What’s on Tap for July’s General Membership Meeting . . .

The Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland
Wednesday, July 8, 7:00 pm
Members Always Free – Non-members $3.00
Opening Acoustic Set – David Pinsky & Phil Newton
Second Electric Set – Randy Morrison’s Party Bus

You know that in July things are going to heat up around town when it comes to live music, whether indoors or outside. I don’t think that I have to remind anybody in Portland that the Waterfront Blues Festival will be kicking off the month in a huge way. But what I do need to remind everybody about is that since the festival happens the first week of July on Thursday, we will be heavily occupied moving our merchandise to the park for set-up on the Wednesday before. Therefore, our regularly scheduled monthly membership meeting is once again being pushed back a week, taking place on Wednesday, July 8. Same place, same time as usual, just a week later. And we’re going to have a good line-up for everybody, too.

Starting the night off will be the Cascade Blues Association’s 2015 International Blues Challenge entry for the solo/duo competition, David Pinsky & Phil Newton. We last saw them perform in Portland in November when they held the set midway through the Muddy Awards ceremonies and again at The Lehrer the following night. David & Phil are not only fantastic musicians, but they emit a happy energy while performing. You just know watching them how much they enjoy playing.

The longtime friends have been performing throughout Southern Oregon for more than thirty years as solo artists or with their own groups before hooking up to play with one another. David’s propulsive guitar, welded to Phil’s harmonica chops, provide a steady groove reminiscent of the ‘60s Chicago style duets. The two will also on occasion will employ a twin harp attack. Both David and Phil bring decades of vocal experience, with David concentrating on his original compositions and Phil interpreting blues and roots. They have also released their own joint effort CD, Over The Moon, filled with biographical and fun original songs.

The second set of the night will present Randy Morrison’s Party Bus. A brand new blues band in the Portland, Oregon area composed of long-time veterans of the local music scene. The group brings excellent musicianship, top notch vocals, and bluesy, funky, fun excitement that should have the members dancing at our meeting.

Randy, on guitar and vocals, has played with and fronted bands on stages from Florida to Chicago, Las Vegas, California, Washington, and Oregon, most recently focusing on playing acoustic solo singer-songwriter style shows. His soulful vocals and spirited, easy-going interaction engages audiences everywhere he plays.

Stephen Anderson, also on guitar and vocals, and Laura Petch on bass and vocals round out the stringed instrument portion of the band. Both are very experienced veterans of Portland’s blues community. Steve’s tasteful and inspired guitar work does the band’s heavy lifting, and his style makes him truly an entertaining performer to see and hear live. Laura’s rock-solid bass lines really glues the unit together, and combined with veteran drummer Eric Williams, provides the rhythm section engine that drives The Bus the way it needs to be driven. Besides their instrumental contributions, Steve and Laura’s vocals, both lead and harmony backup, are essential to the band’s sound, and combined with Randy, really set this band apart.

Definitely a fun-filled night will be at hand, especially for those going through blues festival withdrawals never wanting the music to end. And we will have free ticket drawings and our winner take all raffle of multiple CDs, lots of fun with friends and more great blues music keeping the blues feeling rolling into the summer. See you there!

Remembering Janice and Linda

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An All Star Showcase on Wednesday July 8th 6:30pm-8:30pm @ Dawson Park (N Williams Ave. & Stanton Street). Portland Parks & Rec. organizers wanted a special Show of appreciation for Janice Scroggins & Linda Hornbuckle. They both were regular favorites at their Concert series and are so very missed.

Performing: Norman Sylvester, LaRhonda Steele, Janice’s daughters Arietta Scroggins-Ward & Nafisaria Scroggins-Thomas, Lenanne Miller-Sylvester, Mary Tucker, Lyndee Mah, MaryEtta Callier, Brian Foxworth, Peter Dammann, Randy Monroe Mark Steele, Peter Moss and Lauren & Sarah Steele.

The concert will include Gospel, Blues, R&B, Soul & Funk to attempt to represent these amazing women’s contribution to every Genre of music. Please join us and bring your families to rejoice these extraordinary Women’s work of Music & Community outreach.