Andy Stokes Music Has Been Serving Up A Funky Sound in Portland for Over 35 Years

,
Andy Stokes

Andy Stokes - photo by Greg JohnsonAndy Stokes was the 2015 Muddy Award winner of the “Curtis Salgado” Male Vocalist award. But when he arrived in Portland 40 years ago, music wasn’t his main focus. He was on the path towards becoming a pro football player. “I came to Oregon on a football scholarship to Mount Hood College, then went on to the University of Oregon. I always fantasized about being a lead singer in a band but never thought it would happen,” Andy said.

But it did happen and continues to happen every time he takes the stage. With influences such as Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, BB King, and Muddy Waters, Andy has spent the last 35 years performing and perfecting his R&B sound.

In addition to his recent Muddy Award, he has also received several other awards including another Muddy Award for Top Performance with the Ray Charles Tribute Band, Top R&B band while he was with Cool’r in 1983, and in 2009, Cool’r was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall Of Fame.

Even though Andy comes from an athletic family, he says there was music in their home when he was growing up. He said he’d sit in his room, listening to music and using a broomstick as a mic. “I sang around the house. I especially enjoyed the sounds of James Brown and Stevie Wonder.”

In the mid 1980’s, Andy formed his band, Cool’R. He also performed with other locals including Curtis Salgado, Linda Hornbuckle, and New Shooz. Nationally he performed with the Stylistics, George Clinton, Temptations, Michael Bolton, Connie Stevens, and others. In 1992 he formed the Andy Stokes Band.

In an interesting twist of Andy Stokes trivia, Andy was the voice for one of the California Raisin characters, developed at Portland’s Will Vinton Studios. The character originally was featured in a commercial, but the raisins were later featured in a CBS special in 1989, called “Meet the Raisins.”

His musical talent can be appreciated while listening to Andy Stokes Band live at Jimmy Mak’s, which was his first CD. A second CD is in the works for a 2016 release.

,

In the Andy Stokes Band, Andy is accompanied by his bandmates: Rusty Cox on drums for the last 15 years, Ricky Varnado on bass and keys for the last 8 years, and Doug Lewis on lead guitar for 20 years.

To find out where you can see Andy perform, visit his website at www.andystokesmusic.com.

Atomic Gumbo and The New Iberians To Shake Up Duff’s Garage! Dec. 4th

The New Iberians - press photoCajun and zydeco music will prevail as Duff’s Garage hosts a pair of the most beloved Louisiana-themed bands in Portland. Atomic Gumbo and The New Iberians get together for a special double-headed bill that is sure to keep the dance floor jumping with excitement with a 9:00 pm show on Friday, December 4.

And if the feel-good music of these popular bands is not enough to get you excited, there are several reasons why this should be a destination event for your Friday night. 1) Opening act the New Iberians will be featuring the triple threat artistry of Michael “Buck” Brummel guesting on vocals, harmonica and saxophone. 2) Terry Anne will be on hand working her magic throwing together her sensational file gumbo, available for the mere price of $5.00 a bowl. 3) This will be the first performance of Atomic Gumbo since the passing of their original bassist and friend of the Portland music community Jim Miller. And, oh yeah, did I mention what a party atmosphere it’ll be with these two bands?

Don’t miss out. It doesn’t have to be Mardi Gras season to enjoy this infectious music aiming to make you want to jump in excitement! Duff’s Garage is located at 2530 NE 82nd. Plus, this is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so bring your membership card and receive a $1.00 discount at the door!

Daniel Castro Band Encore Show At The Birk: Dec. 5th

Daniel Castro - press photo“Daniel Castro is the latest and one of the greatest blues guitarists to come bursting out of the highly competitive West Coast scene. To the classic music of B.B. King, Albert King, and Albert Collins he has added the three T’s: taste, tone, and technique. His raw passion warms your soul while his deep groove kicks your butt on fine, fresh originals and well chosen covers.” – Guitar Player Magazine

Describing Daniel Castro as a blues artist doesn’t begin to tell the whole story. Castro is more like a highly accomplished guitarist and singer/songwriter with a strong musical point of view grounded in the very best blues traditions. Combine those talents with original blues-based material and you begin to understand Daniel’s strengths as an artist. Well-known for being a dynamic performer who “leaves it all on the stage” night after night, Daniel brings crowds to their feet with his blistering solos, soulful singing, and tight arrangements.

The Daniel Castro Band recently made a short swing through the Oregon area a couple months back and the reaction from the fans was quite enthused. Therefore, the band will be returning to The Birk, 11139 Hwy 202, Birkenfeld, on Saturday, December 5, at 7:00 pm. Admission is $10.00 at the door. If you missed them before, then don’t do it a second time.

Duffy Bishop, One Show Only: Dec. 7th

Duffy Bishop - photo by Greg JohnsonHere’s a terrific surprise for all Northwest blues lovers. Duffy Bishop and Chris Carlson were not expected to return to the Portland area until late spring and summer, 2016, but they will be making a quick trip to town for one week in early December and have scheduled a show at The Lake Theater on Monday, December 7. This will be the only the only show during their visit, so expect another sold out affair.

If you’re unaware of Duffy Bishop (which would be hard to believe of anyone in the Northwest), then this description by Ty Hitzemann from Buko Magazine is apt: “Sultry and sexual, beautiful and bold. Mannish boy cool, feminine frill or Raggedy-Ann mousey. She Is reckless and flailing, yet graceful in her delivery—full of wanton abandon. Duffy Bishop is a risk-taker.”

Tickets are on sale now, but will go fast and are available through The Lake Theater & Café website. General Admission $15.00 or $80.00 for a VIP table (seats up to four, reserves you one of the six tables closest to the stage). Tickets may be purchased online up until 4:00 pm day of show. The Lake Theater & Café is located at 106 N. State Street in Lake Oswego. Show time is 7:00 pm.

ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons Celebrates New Solo Album With Portland Performance: Dec. 11th

Billy Gibbons - press photoWith his signature bead and African headgear, Billy Gibbons is instantly recognizable as the centerpiece and of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band ZZ Top. A legendary master of the six-string, Gibbons is widely regarded as one of America’s finest blues-rock guitarists, and in 2015, Gibbons recorded the first solo album of his career, Perfectamundo, an album that contains a variety of musical palettes, including an infusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms and flavors. A musician’s musician, Billy Gibbons is a wellspring of what he likes to refer to as the “three T’s”: tone, taste, and tenacity, and he delivers exactly that whenever he performs on stage.

Billy Gibbons is currently touring in support of Perfectamundo and will be coming through Portland on Friday, December 11 at Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark Street Suite #110, for an 8:00 pm show. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $49.50 through TicketFly.com or at the door day of show for $55.00. VIP packages are also available ranging from $150.00 to $275.00, please check the ticket outlet website for more details. This is a 21 & over only show.

Candye Kane Returns With Two Northwest Oregon Shows: Dec. 10th & 13th

Candye Kane photo by Greg Johnson

Candye Kane photo by Greg Johnson

The story of Candye Kane’s long battle with cancer has well been documented over the past few years, yet while many musicians who face this situation may have set aside their performances, Candye still hits the touring circuit bringing joy and entertainment to her fans despite the pain and discomfort. That truly earns her the title of the Toughest Girl Alive more than just another song in her repertoire. As anybody knows who has witnessed one of Candye Kane’s shows, she gives her full energy, emotion, and personal love into each and every performance.

Armed with a number of outstanding releases that have garnered awards and nominations, and one of the sharpest and adept guitar slingers on the planet — Laura Chavez, a Candye Kane show is one that should be on every blues lovers list of must see performances every time she comes your way. Filled with humor and often very risqué, her songs are social and quite telling of her own personal journeys as she proves she is a songwriter as well as a singer of high merit.

Candye Kane’s shows fill venues everywhere she goes and locally she has a huge following of fans and supporters. Though her condition forced her to cancel her shows last winter, she is now back on the road, proving once again her courage and tenacity. She’ll be performing at a couple of Oregon venues in December.

On Thursday, December 10, Candye will appear at The Birk for a dinner show starting at 7:00 pm. The Birk is located at 11139 Hwy 202 in Birkenfeld, Oregon. Admission is $10.00 at the door.

On Sunday night, December 13, she will be returning to Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd in Portland. This is a 8:00 pm show and guaranteed to have a full house so get there early. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so make sure to show your membership card for a $1.00 discount at the door.

 

17th Annual NW Women R&B Christmas Concerts: Dec. 10th

For seventeen years Sonny Hess has gathered a handful of her best friends to present the annual Northwest Women R&B Christmas concerts. Two shows are scheduled this year with another amazing group of ladies performing as Musicians for the Cure to benefit Kids with Cancer and The Candlelight Organization.

The first concert will be held on Thursday, December 10 at St. Phillip Neri-Carvlin Hall, 2408 SE 16th in Portland. Tickets are $20.00 – $37.50, showtime is 6:00 pm. The line-up for this night will include Sonny Hess, Vicki Stevens, Lady True Blue, Sarah Clarke, Lisa Mann, LaRhonda Steele, Ellen Whyte, Katherine Grimm, Theresa Lowe and Rae Gordon.

The second concert will be held at The Trails End Saloon, 1320 Main Street, Oregon City, on Sunday, December 13 at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $20.00 and the line-up for this night will feature Sonny Hess, Vicki Stevens, Lady True Blue, Sarah Clarke, Lisa Mann, Ellen Whyte, Katherine Grimm, Rae Gordon and Tarshene Pinney.

Tickets for both shows are available in advance through nwwomenblues.com. Please plan on attending one show or the other, or maybe even both, and help bring holiday joy for Kids with Cancer.

Cascade Blues Association Holiday Party – Dec 6th 

THE SPARE ROOM,
DECEMBER 6,  noon – 6:00pm

The CBA HOLIDAY PARTY, on SUNDAY, DEC 6, is OPEN TO EVERYONE, so bring your friends & family & enjoy the fun.  It will be held again at The SPARE ROOM, 4830 NE 42nd Ave in Portland.  Many of you have been there before, but if this is your first time, enjoy purchasing the very reasonably priced food & drinks.  To start the Holiday Season, you are welcome to BRING SWEET TREATS & DESSERTS for all to share.  We will have both a SILENT AUCTION and RAFFLE, so begin your Christmas shopping here.  Members attend free and non-members pay only $5.00 —  a steal for six hours of music.

Please think of those less fortunate during the holidays and bring enough cans & nonperishable items of food to help feed a family for a day. The 2nd annual Ken DeRouchie Band’s Food Drive for the Oregon Food Bank has a barrel set up at the Spare Room, so start bringing those donations. Nobody should go hungry during the holidays, or any other time of the year.

The bands coming to play this year are filled with Muddy Award winners & nominees !!

Tracey Fordice & the 8-Balls
The Knuckleheads
Stevens Hess Band
Lloyd Jones
Rich Layton & The Troublemakers

This is an event not to miss.  Come early and stay late for the best Sunday of the month.

Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular To Bring Holiday Joy For Hospital Children: Dec. 11th

The Second Annual Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular will take place at The Star Theater on Friday, December 11. This extravaganza features an incredible line-up of some of the best musicians in Portland gathering to help raise funds and gifts for the kids at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland.

Performers include: Aundria Lauren, Dan Berkery, Heidi Shuler, Jennifer Smieja, Jim Wolfe, Joe McCarthy, Karen Lovely, Katy Oberg, Kris Deelane, LaRhonda Steele, Lefty Head, Mark Bowdon, Michael Quinby, Pete Moss, Peter Dammann, Reggie Houston, Steve Kerin, Tim Shaughnessy, and Ural Thomas.

Tickets for this benefit show are available through startheaterportland.com or the theater’s box office, $15.00 advance or $20.00 at the door day of show. It is also requested that you please bring a new unwrapped toy for the Shriners Hospital patients. The Star Theater is located at 13 NW 6th Ave. Showtime is 7:30 pm.

The Strange Tones Present A Double Dose Of Crime-A-Billy Christmas Shows: Dec. 12th & 19th

Over the past few years the Strange Tones have presented their annual Crime-A-Billy Christmas concerts in large venues such as the Hollywood Theater. This year they will present two concerts, but in more intimated settings, thus they’re calling the event this time out as “A Cozy Crime-A-Billy Christmas.” You’re still in line for a fun-filled night of holiday cheer with the city’s favorite good-time outfit and friends; it’ll just be a little more down home and comfy.

Joining the Strange Tones will be their regular cast of holiday buddies: the lovely Volcano Snow Vixens, Elvin Priestly, Jim Toussaint, Randy Yearout, Jim Wallace the Gingerbread Men, the giant Nutcracker, and more…. And there will be special treats and multi-media surprises!

The Strange Tones will present “A Cozy Crime-A-Billy Christmas” first on Saturday, December 12 at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd for an 8:00 pm show. Tickets will be $12.00 and available in advance through TicketTomato.com. Cascade Blues Association members will receive a $1.00 co-sponsorship discount (for those who purchase their tickets in advance, show your card at the door with your ticket and receive $1.00 back).

Then, on the following Saturday, December 19 the show will move up the mountain to the Skyway Bar & Grill, 71545 US 26, Zigzag, Oregon. Admission will be $10.00.

Plus, they’ll be accepting non-perishable food items at each show to donate to the Oregon Food Bank, because no one should be hungry over the holidays.