Entries by Wendy Schumer

NW Women Rhythm & Blues, Lloyd Jones Have Special, Not-To-Miss Holiday Events Coming Up

December is right around the corner and the holidays will soon be upon us. Though they’re still a couple of months away, we wanted to mention a couple of special events coming up this December. Both of these are sure to sell out, so don’t hesitate, get a step ahead, and make your plans now by purchasing tickets.

For the 18th year, Sonny Hess will be hosting two nights of the NW Women Rhythm & Blues Christmas Concerts benefiting The Candlelighters, an organization aimed at aiding children with cancer. As a cancer survivor, this is an event that means …

Terry Robb

Cool On The BloomTerry Robb - Cool On The Bloom
NiaSounds

Terry Robb without question is one of the finest guitarists playing the blues (or any other form of music for that matter) today. Adept at electric and acoustic guitars, he displays lightning quick, crisp flair on his instrument that is right on the money every time. His true forte is on acoustic and he is the master of both fingerpicking and bottleneck styles with expert original and innovative readings of Delta blues, rags, spirituals, and whatever else he puts his mind too musically.

Robb’s latest release, Cool On The Bloom, finds him on a …

Thunder Brothers

Eponymous EP
Self produced

Thunder Brothers CD CoverThe Thunder Brothers eponymously titled debut recording is a four song EP chock full of powerful, driving rocking blues. Made up of four of Portland’s most talented and respected musicians, they each have a resume that could fill a warehouse with their historical contributions to Portland’s music scene and beyond. And on this disc these guys don’t just play music, they bring it alive. They’ve unleashed a maelstrom of musical fury that holds nothing back and consumes you with a desire to hear more and more.

The Thunder Brothers are made up of guitarists Michael Quinby …

Portland’s Heritage of Amazing Youth Blues Musicians Continues with Timothy James

Timothy James

The usual interview questions don’t work too well when talking to Timothy James. “Did you always want to perform professionally or if not, what did you want to be when you grew up?” 14-year-old Timothy’s response was, “I didn’t ever think ahead. I never thought about a job and I still don’t think about college.” He says his current jobs are “school and chores.”

Cascade Blues Association (CBA) President Greg Johnson describes Timothy as a “fourteen-year-old triple threat (guitarist, singer, and songwriter) [with] an incredible feel for the guitar with adeptness that belies his age. He recently competed in the …

Chase Walker Band

Not Quite Legal
Revved Up Records

Chase Walker Band CD Not Quite LegalThe Chase Walker Band’s second release, Not Quite Legal, is a great indication that these teen-aged musicians were not just another flash in the pan group of youngsters trying their hand at the blues. They really mean their place in the genre and their rocking it big time with their approach, while showing that they’re still growing as a band, too. It is kind of scary just how good these kids are, as songwriters as well as musicians.

Band leader Chase Walker is already quite an accomplished guitarist. He also has plenty of …

Thanks For Helping At The CBA Rummage Sale

By Cherie Robbins, Rummage Sale Chair

The Cascade Blues Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of blues and roots music in the Great Northwest. Formed in 1986, the CBA has since become one of the largest blues associations in the country, and it holds events to support our region’s musicians and bring the blues community together, such as the Journey to Memphis Competition, The Muddy Awards in November, many co-sponsored shows, monthly meetings with musical acts, the Red, White & Blues Dance, a merchandise tent at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, a members-only picnic, …

The Muddy Awards – A Premier Blues Night

Muddy AwardThe biggest single night for the Portland blues community returns again to The Melody Ballroom on Wednesday, November 2 as the Cascade Blues Association presents its annual Muddy Awards. Honoring musical achievements from the past year, awards will be handed out to recipients in twenty-two categories to stand-out musicians, venues, recordings, events, and more.

Members of the Cascade Blues Association Board of Directors, musicians, and other blues industry notables will present awards to the winners who were selected by members of the CBA through an online ballot.

And what would an event recognizing musical talent in our area without music …

For The Love Of John: A Benefit For John Pounds

john-pounds-press-photoSalem-based bassist John Pounds has long been a favorite of the Oregon music scene, so when he suffered a stroke last March, many of his friends and fans wanted to help him out as much as they could and put together a number of benefit shows down around the Salem area. Well, here’s another chance to help John, show him your love, and experience a great full day of music provided by many of his good friends. For The Love Of John: A Benefit For John Pounds will take place at Bradford’s Sports Lounge, 10346 NE Halsey Street in Portland …

Lightnin’ Willie and the Poorboys, Hot Blues From Los Angeles                       

lightnin-willie-photo-by-mike-kendall“Los Angeles based bluesman Lightnin’ Willie has developed a particularly intriguing wrinkle on the genre, one that’s cool, airy, with a sinuous groove that infiltrates his audience’s consciousness and invariably gets them on their feet. He has no quarrel with mixing dance with the blues.” – LAWeekly.

Nicknamed “The biggest little blues band on earth,” Lightnin’ Willie & The Poor Boys consists of Lightnin’ Willie on guitar and vocals along with Dennis Gurwell or Michael “Fireball” Murphy on keyboards/ bass and the pocket master Jerry Olson on drums. They are winners of two California Blues Challenges (Southern California and Ventura …

Duffy Bishop Headlines 2016 Oregon Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies and Concert

duffy_bishop_14_resized_croppedOn Saturday, October 8, the Oregon Music Hall of Fame will present a special evening celebrating this year’s honor roll inductees. The class of 2016 includes prominent musicians and industry members Pete Krebs, Fernando, Brian Berg, Paul Brainard, Tim Ellis, Bart Day, Dave Cutter, the band Sleater-Kinney, plus one of the Northwest’s most favorite blues artists, Duffy Bishop.

Duffy Bishop will also be performing at the concert, as will Three Leg Torso and a set with Fernando and guests Pete Krebs and Paul Brainard. Duffy’s band for the night will include guitarists Chris Carlson and Henry Cooper, bassist Dean Mueller …