Entries by Greg Johnson

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Don’t Forget to Return Your Muddy Award Ballots

Watch your mail boxes this month for your first-round ballot for the Muddy Awards. Ballots will be sent to CBA members, giving you the opportunity to nominate your favorite performers, venues, recordings and events in 20 categories. Please remember that these awards are meant to recognize local artists for their work from September 1st, 2012 through August 31st, 2013. There are categories open for national performers, too. You may select up to three nominations in each category. You are not required to give three nominations, but if you put down more than three your selections will be voided in that …

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New Home For The Cascade Blues Association

On August 2nd, the Cascade Blues Association physically moved our office space from the UFCW Building in Tigard to our new space at 2020 SE 7th in Portland. This is actually the building that we had space in prior to our move to Tigard five years ago, so it is somewhat of a home-coming for us with our old landlord Curt Davis. Unlike our former space at the UFCW, we can actually use this new location as a working office if we’d like, with a separate room for storage and one for our monthly board meetings.

We …

Cee Cee James & Lisa Mann, The Ladies Take On Duff’s Garage Sept. 26th

Two of Oregon’s finest blues ladies bring their respective bands to Duff’s Garage for a big-time double-header event. Both are award winners and have competed in the International Blues Challenge, making them fan favorites wherever they play. Cee Cee James returns to Portland from her home in Southern Oregon. She has been busy on the touring circuit across the country this summer and was also nominated for a Blues Blast Music Award for song of the year for her number “I Have A Right To Sing The Blues.” Joining Cee Cee for this event will be Lisa Mann & Her …

Another local act, Tevis Hodge Jr., will compete at the IBC in Memphis

By Laurie Morrisey

At a recent CBA monthly meeting, I could have sworn I was sitting at one of the many amazing bars along Beale Street in Memphis. Honestly, I closed my eyes and I thought I was there. The amazing bluesy sound coming from the stage was mesmerizing. I opened my eyes and in front of me was Tevis Hodge Jr. I found out he is headed to Memphis to compete at the International Blues Competition and I knew I had to find out more about this young man.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born Michael …

Jeff Jensen

Jeff Jensen CD coverRoad Worn And Ragged
Swing Suit Records

Jeff Jensen has gone through a lot of trials and tribulations since his last release, the outstanding I’m Coming Home in 2009. His life has gone through major changes and not always the most pleasant. And that is all reflected in his newest CD Road Worn And Ragged; a very personal and revealing disc that takes him through heartbreak and frustration to new found happiness.

Jeff was quite successful in California, playing over 200 shows a year, competing three times in the International Blues Challenge, opening shows for BB King and co-founding the …

Thank you Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom

When we were readying for the picnic, we realized we needed ice to keep the beer kegs cold since the keg place wasn’t open on Sunday. But then we had nowhere to store the ice except in the rental truck and it was hot out!  The new Imperial Bottle Shop and Taproom came to the rescue.  Not only did they help us in storing the kegs in their new walk-in cooler, but they assisted in helping us to save money in securing the beer and the wine for us.  In exchange, we promised to give them a little boost in …

The Strange Tones

At Home With The Strange Tones
Meteor Sonic Records

Strange Tones CD cover colorLook out! There has been a serious security breach at The Strange Tones secret headquarters. Perhaps somebody left the garage door open or the back gate ajar. But whatever happened somehow I came into possession of a master copy of their yet to be released CD, titled At Home With The Strange Tones. And I have to tell you, this is going to be a favorite recording by the band for many years to come. Filled with the delicious guitar licks and vocals that are the band’s trademarks, the album hits …

The Strange Tones Debut New Recording At Bossanova Ballroom Sept. 20th

1234669_10201673668474215_605756335_nPortland’s Crime-a-Billy super heroes The Strange Tones have a brand new CD, At Home With The Strange Tones, and they’ll be holding a special gala at The Bossanova Ballroom to officially release it to the public on Sept. 20th. The premier rockabilly-surf-blues band will offer the musical adeptness of Guitar Julie, Suburban Slim, Andy Strange and Andy Gauthier along with their partners in crime The Volcano Vixens and many of the usual suspects and maybe a surprise here and there as guests joining in the fun. One thing you can always count on with The Strange Tones in these special …