Entries by Greg Johnson

A Celebration of Robert Johnson’s 103rd Birthday

1604705_761032323916755_4712554003943019247_n[1] Robert Johnson is perhaps one of the most mythical and most highly acclaimed bluesmen of the 20th Century. With only 29 songs recorded before his premature death at age 27 in 1938, he changed the world when it comes to the way that music sounds and is being played. Though not as well known in life as he is in death, Johnson has influenced generations of guitarists with his masterful string work with those few songs that have etched their way into the vocabulary of the most recognized tunes ever written. And they continue to work their magic on …

Two Chances To Catch Rick Estrin & The Nightcats

Mark your calendars because one of Portland’s most favorite touring bands will be making their way back to town in May for two nights in Northwest Oregon. Rick Estrin & The Nightcats always fill the room and treat those in attendance to crafty guitar playing from Kid Andersen and the witty lyrics and vibrant harmonica of leader Rick Estrin. Rick Estrin was named the recipient of the 2013 Blues Music Awards for harmonica player and the band has been nominated for four awards again this year. Always in demand for festivals, blues cruises and major venues worldwide, they are touring …

American Music Icon Ramblin’ Jack Elliott To Appear At The Alhambra Theatre

“Nobody I know, and I mean nobody, has covered more ground and made more friends and sung more songs (than Ramblin’ Jack Elliott). He’s got a song and a friend for every mile behind him.” – Johnny Cash

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 …

Huge All Star Event To Help Aid Mike Moothart In His Fight With Cancer

1601431_767966943221993_5902319648285297749_n[1]There are many great things about living in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Really way too many to list here. But a couple I will list are the fantastic music scene we have and all the outstanding musicians that pull together when one of us is in need. I know. I can speak from personal experience. I was helped a number of times by the folks here in Portland and in Eugene, when going through health issues. If it wasn’t for Randy Lilya, Jan Bisconer, Greg Johnson,

the Cascade Blues Association, Terry Currier, Bill Shreve, Paul Biondi, M.E.M.A (Musicians Emergency …

Tab Benoit To Headline Triple Bill at The Star Theater

One of the most beloved bluesmen of his generation, Tab Benoit returns to Portland after a couple years absence to headline a show at The Star Theater on Thursday, May 15th. Tab Benoit, hailing from the Louisiana wetlands in the early 90s has been a much in demand performer for his outstanding guitar work, songwriting skills, deep velvet smooth voice and his Southern charm. The recipient of the Blues Music Awards BB King Entertainer of the Year recognition in 2007, he has also receive a Grammy Award and released seventeen recordings over his career including his work with …

Rising Star Valerie June to Play at Rose Festival

Raised in small towns in Tennessee, Valerie June moved to Memphis following high school and absorbed as much of the music of the MidSouth

as she could. The sounds of the church was intermixed with the folk, blues and country, all of it feeding into her mind and pouring out through her original music. It can be heard prominently in her critically acclaimed debut disc Pushing Against A Stone. A self-taught multi-instrumentalist, Valerie June holds a strong grip on the future sounds of indie-folk and blues-related Americana with her superb songwriting skills and on stage savvy.

Valerie June will be …

Sugaray Rayford, Only Oregon Shows – Two Nights At The Birk

Delta Groove recording artist Sugaray Rayford is one of the most exciting and dynamic performers touring the blues circuit today. As a member of the Blues Music Award winning Mannish Boys or with his own band, this is one artist who is guaranteed to have you at the edge of your seat or frantically busting your moves on the dance floor. If you had any problems going into a Sugaray show, you’ll surely have forgotten them by the end of the night. The perfect cure-all for all your miseries. The big man knows how to have fun and it will …

Little Hurricane To Blow Into The Wonder Ballroom

Little Hurricane - press photo

 

San Diego-based duo Little Hurricane describes their music as a dirty-blues twosome. They are a rootsy blues-rock outfit with an Americana sense of storytelling, a disarming ease with breezy melody and a broader sonic palette. At times stark and lushly textured, gritty, edgy and downright soul shaking. Made up of guitarist Anthony “Tone” Catalano and drummer Celeste “C.C.” Spina. This pair have just released their latest recording, Gold Fever. They first formed in 2010 and have since been making highly touted appearances at festivals, at SXSW and were named best new artists at the San Diego Music Awards. Daytrotter …

The California Honeydrops Are Bringing The Party To Mississippi Studios

The California Honeydrops - photo by Rob McDougall

 

The California Honeydrops are living proof that pursuing your dream can be rewarding, taking you literally from the streets to working major festivals all across the country. That is exactly what band leader Lech Wierzynski did with the small acoustic group he first formed in college back in Ohio, relocating to Oakland, California and teaming with original California Honeydrop member Ben Malament. They began playing on the train platforms for tips and became so popular they started receiving gigs at venues all around the Bay Area with their fun-filled music combining New Orleans second line material with blues and …

Bonepickers

Strollin’
Self-Produced

Bonepickers CD coverWhen it comes down to the greatest innovators of the electric guitar, T-Bone Walker stands high amongst the most influential guitar players of all time. Breaking out of Texas and becoming one of the crafters of the West Coast jump sound out of Los Angeles, his impact is felt within just about every modern player of our times, from Chuck Berry to Jimi Hendrix to BB King, the methods of Walker touched them all.

In recognition of Walker’s influence a group of musicians in Portland, Oregon gathered together to pay tribute with a show to focus on his …