Entries by Wendy Schumer

New Music To Note – October 2016

Here’s a list of new music received at the CBA office or purchased personally this past month that should be noted:

Alexis P. Suter Band – All For Loving You (American Showplace Music)
Anni Piper – More Guitars Than Friends (Sugar Daddy Records)
Backtrack Blues Band – Way Back Home (Flaming Cheese Records)
Bakin’ Phat – Voodoo Eyes (Self Produced)
Big Harp George – Wash My Horse In Champagne (Blues Mountain Records)
Bobby Black Hat – Accidental Blues (Self Produced)
Bruce Katz Band – Out From The Center (American Showplace Music)
Fabrizio Poggie – Texas Blues Voices (Appaloosa Records)
Grady …

Rae Gordon & the Backseat Drivers — Blues in the Fast Lane

rae-gordon-and-the-backseat-drivers-photo-by-cherie-robbinsRae Gordon is a familiar name in the local blues community. Not only for her music talent, but for her amazing support of musicians and their craft. Rae and her band, the Backseat Drivers, will be representing the Cascade Blues Association at the 2017 International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January. This month, Saturday, October 8, Rae has organized a blues cruise fundraiser to help them get to Memphis. Rae and the band answered some questions to let us know more about them.

Who are the band members and what part do they play in the band?

  • Rae Gordon –

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Band Stand – October 2016

Lloyd Jones

Looky Here Everyone,

As summer comes to a close and the holiday season begins, we look forward to “hangin’ with friends and family back home.  This was the best summer ever (got to play at a Castle in Denmark, take the subway to a gigs in Manhatten NY, and play some wild California fests too) but let’s look ahead. way ahead!

Just confirmed Saturday December 17 at Jimmy Mak’s to put on a Special Holiday Show with the “Sweet Angels”. The magnificent Teresa James is coming in from Los Angeles to join me along with LaRhonda Steele, and …

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CBA Picnic 2016 THANK YOU

by Wendy Schumer

The 2016 picnic was a huge success! Even the folks at Columbia Crossing said it was the best picnic ever in their history. And of course we could not have done it without the help of many great volunteers and the CBA board. Thank you to board members Wendy Schumer, Merry Larsen, Brenda Docken, Fred Morgan and JoAnn Morgan—all of whom worked tirelessly to prepare, set up, work and then tear down at this year’s picnic. Thanks to Jody Gunn for signing up volunteers.

As you can imagine, this takes a lot of work and time so …

Too Slim and the Taildraggers’ Encore Performances! Sept. 4th & 5th

Tim Too Slim Langford - photo by Dean DavisIf Tim “Too Slim” Langford only played slide guitar, he would slither around most other blues guitarists and put a ferocious bite on their pride. However, as the sole six-string slinger, songwriter, and lead singer of the power trio Too Slim and the Taildraggers, he is a complete force of nature.

After leaving his mark in his native Northwest by tearing up stages for the best part of three decades and receiving hall of fame status from three blues societies, Langford moved to Nashville piecing together a new version of The Taildraggers (Eric “Stretch” Hansen on bass and Jeff “Shakey” …

Nick Moss Band Offering Chicago’s Best Blues: Sept. 5th

The Nick Moss Band is beyond any doubt one of the most exciting and dynamic Chicago-based blues acts on the circuit today. The band’s website describes them as “Distinct, honest, and intense, a blend of traditional blues and progressive, jam-oriented blues rock. Face-melting guitar solos that rise above the crowded field of pretenders, and a versatile band that brilliantly delivers unparalleled improvisational jams to packed houses night after night, city after city.”

Nick Moss - photo by Mark GoodmanGuitarist and songwriter Nick Moss has worked with legendary blues greats such as Jimmy Dawkins, Jimmy Rogers, Buddy Scott, and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith before forming his own …

Timberbound presents: The Northwest Folk Songs of Woody Guthrie and other Ramblers

Timberbound - photo by Greg JohnsonAfter reviving Northwest sawmill ballads from an obscure songbook, local folk/acoustic/blues band Timberbound is now interpreting the Northwest songs of Woody Guthrie for a forthcoming album, Roll On, Columbia. With an upcoming performance at The Lake Theater & Café, fans have the opportunity to get a live preview of these obscure songs Guthrie penned while living in the Portland area and working for the US government’s Bonneville Power Administration. This November, Timberbound will release a double album recording of Guthrie’s songs!

Timberbound is led by banjo player and guitarist Joe Seamons (half of the 2016 International Blues Challenge solo/duo …

California and Texas Blues Greats Teamed Up With The Golden State Lone Star Revue : Sept. 6th

Golden State Lone Star Revue - photo by Rachel KumarThe blues have long played a major role in both Texas and California’s musical culture. Some of the most renowned artists have hailed from these two states, so it would seem quite fitting that pairing musicians from both these states would produce fiery results. In the form of the Golden State Lone Star Revue that paring is definitely igniting some impressive sparks. Guitar heroes Anson Funderburgh and Little Charlie Baty join up with harmonica ace Mark Hummel and between the three of them there are some 47 Blues Music Award nominations and 10 wins. With this line-up, how could they …

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears Coming To The Doug Fir Lounge: Sept. 2nd

Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears - photo courtesy of Funk U MagazineHailing from Austin, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears music is a collision of Southern soul, Midwestern blues, and vagabond punk. While he’s been compared to “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown, and counts among his inspirations blues deity Howlin’ Wolf, Lewis let his punk-flag fly on the group’s third studio album, Electric Slave, where he has honed its signature sound and perfected his gritty blues shouting and raw guitar riffs. Lewis refuses to confine himself to genre-defining boundaries and instead indulged all his many musical influences. With plenty of women chasing, hard-knocks, and all-around good time tales to …

Award-Winning Performer Ruthie Foster Back In Portland: Sept. 7th

Ruthie Foster - photo by Mary Keating-BrutonFrom houses of worship to houses of blues, Ruthie Foster has always been a rafter-rattler. And with a soul-filled voice honed in Texas churches, she can move audiences to tears or to ecstasy, sometimes during the same song. Foster is a blues-world rarity: an original voice who honors her forebearers, yet transcends gentrification. She has been honored with six Blues Music Awards, including three Koko Taylor Traditional Female Artists of the Year nods, multiple Grammy nominations, and is currently up for two Living Blues Music Awards, Female Blues Artist of the Year and Best Live Performer. Those who have followed …