Entries by Greg Johnson

,

Third Annual Cody Myers Music Outreach Foundation Benefit Concert: Oct 22 @ Trail’s End

trailsendsaloonCody Myers was a sharp 19-year-old who had a passion for music, was a devout Christian, with a desire to help those less fortunate when his life was tragically taken from him three years ago. His family decided to continue his life’s dream of assisting underprivileged youth who wish to learn music which might ultimately lead to faith. They formed the Cody Myers Music Outreach Foundation providing music, instruments, instruction, and guidance both musically and morally thru a structured setting of responsibility, respect and accountability to oneself, Cody and the Foundation.

The Cody Myers Music Outreach Foundation will be holding …

,

Blues-Rock Torchbearers Gov’t Mule Coming To The Roseland Oct 26

Few bands have a reputation for making music as consistently honest, organic and daring as Gov’t Mule. The enduring group fronted by visionary singer-guitarist Warren Haynes returns to Portland celebrating their first album in four years, Shout! for a performance at The Roseland Theater on Saturday, October 26th. The inventive and incendiary musical performances of Gov’t Mule are legendary, springing from the jazz-like philosophy and creative language the Mule’s members have developed together. They’re the rare rock ‘n’ roll group with an improvisational heartbeat, which allows all four musicians to expand on the songs’ themes in non-formulaic ways. …

Bonnie Raitt At The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Oct 12

Bonnie Raitt is without doubt one of American’s most beloved blues and roots performers. Over the past four decades she has released sixteen albums, received ten Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Her tours across the country sell out continuously and she has shared stages with the biggest names in the industry including Ruth Brown, BB King, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Sippie Wallace and an endless list of others.

Touring in support of her most recent recording, the Grammy-winning Slipstream, Bonnie Raitt returns to Portland for a performance at the elite Arlene …

A Benefit For LaRhonda Steele: Oct 14 @ Jimmy Mack’s

When it comes to soul, blues, gospel and R&B, LaRhonda Steele stands firmly amongst the very best vocalists in Portland. Aside from fronting her own LaRhonda Steele Band, she has worked and performed with many of the city’s finest and best performers, including The Norman Sylvester Band, Curtis Salgado, Linda Hornbuckle, Paul deLay, Obo Addy, Thara Memory, Janice Scroggins and the Ken DeRouchie Band. Recently LaRhonda has learned that she has breast cancer and to help her meet some of the expenses necessary for treatment, Soul Sisters Productions has put together an all-star benefit concert.

A Benefit for LaRhonda Steele …

The Legendary Ramblin’ Jack Elliott At The Alberta Rose: Oct 16

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is an American icon. A folk music legend who has been nominated for five Grammy Awards, including a win for Best Traditional Blues Album in 2009 for the disc A Stranger Here. With six decades of performing he has quite a lengthy and noted resume. In his early years he worked the roads as a troubadour alongside his buddy Woody Guthrie and became a huge inspiration for future musicians including Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits and just about anybody who has picked up a guitar to play folk and roots …

Blues Stains On My Hands: A Celebration Of 30 Years Of The Norman Sylvester Band: Oct 12 @ Jimmy Mack’s

On Saturday, October 12th, a special celebration event will happen at Jimmy Mak’s honoring thirty years of one of Portland’s most favorite bands, The Norman Sylvester Band. This band led by the always impeccable and gracious Norman “The Boogie Cat” Sylvester on vocals and guitar, has long been a breeding ground for many of the foremost R&B and blues musicians in the region. Many of those will be on-stage to help out in the festivities, including the likes of Rob Shoemaker, Janice Scroggins, LaRhonda Steele, Lenanne Sylvester, Sarah Billings, Renato Caranto, Paul Shoemaker, plus special guest appearances from …

Delta Groove Recording Artists Sugaray Rayford and Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes Team Up For Show At Duff’s Garage: Oct 24th

Delta Groove Records is one of the foremost blues labels today and two of their biggest recent success stories are teaming up for a fantastic night at Duff’s Garage, 1635 SE 7th, on Thursday, October 24th as part of a short Northwest tour that will also see them appearing in Walla Walla and Seattle.

When Sugaray Rayford belts out a song, you not only hear it, you feel it. The excitement in the room is palpable when he takes the stage; he is a superb vocalist and entertainer. His dynamic voice is large just like the man. …

Leukemia Cage Match Benefit Party Featuring The Duffy Bishop Band: Oct 18

Local blues fan Toby Dittrich is a leukemia survivor and wishes to celebrate his eighth anniversary of his remission and his birthday by hosting an event to help raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He has put together a special night taking place at Duff’s Garage on Friday, October 18th that will be headlined by Cascade Blues Association Muddy Hall of Fame member Duffy Bishop and her band, plus a jam with a host of Portland music all stars.

Duff’s Garage is located at 1635 SE 7th. Seating for this event will be available starting …

,

Ramblings On My Mind

ramblings201306BNGreg Johnson / CBA President

You know the one thing I truly hate about summertime in Portland? There is just too much happening in town and around the region to keep up trying to see it all. There is just no way that can happen, physically and financially. But I have to get out there as often as I can to see what I can. Thankfully, summer is coming to a close and things will lighten up . . . not a chance. This is Portland after all and we have been blessed with such a great scene for the …