Bandstand May 2016

Lisa Mann
Greetings BluesNotes readers! If you are reading this, it means you care about the blues in the Pacific Northwest, and I want to thank you for all of your support. If we blues artists had no one to perform for, and no one to listen to our CDs, we’d be pretty damn useless, so thank YOU for making the music scene happen.

It’s been a crazy busy year, with gigs in FL, MA, RI, CT, CA, AZ and TX, and of course in good ole OR and WA. By the time this issue is out, I’ll be headed to Memphis for the Blues Music Awards. I’m blessed to have received another nomination for bass, and blessed to be in the same nominee boat with NW greats like Karen Lovely, Jimi Bott, Mary Flower (with Ragpicker String Band), and former PDX-er Fiona Boyes. Big thanks to those of you who joined the Blues Foundation and voted for us! I wish I could put every one of you in my bags and bring you to Memphis too, although I WILL see some of you there.

Soon after I return (empty-handed or not), my latest CD Hard Times, Bad Decisions will be unleashed upon the world. It features Jason “JT” Thomas on guitar, Michael Ballash on drums, Brian Harris on keys, as well as many special guests including Kirk Fletcher, Andy Stokes, Dave Melyan, Alex Shakeri, Sonny Hess, and Vinny Appice (yes, that Vinny Appice). It was recorded, mixed and mastered at Opal Studio by engineer Kevin Hahn. In Portland, we’ll have a “YUGE” CD RELEASE PARTY at the Rose Room Bar & Grill on Friday May 13. It’s an incredible new venue, literally just a minute off of I-205, with the high traffic vinyl dance floor of your dreams, ample parking, and a great stage and sound system. Ben Rice, Louis Pain and soul-man Andy Stokes are among our special guests. On Saturday, May 14 we head up to Seattle’s juke joint Highway 99 for a smash up show, so tell your northerly pals we’re coming!

Then we’re playing at the Rally at the Border in Oroville, WA on Sat. May 21, and headed to Coos Bay for BBQ Blues & Brews on May 28 & 29. We’ve got LOTS of travel plans later this year, including California in June, Idaho in August, Florida in October, and I’ll even be heading to the UK in July, backed by British guitar phenom Dudley Ross and his crew.

Again, I must say none of this would be possible without the support of blues fans like you, so give YOURSELVES a round of applause!

With gratitude,
Lisa Mann

 

Lloyd Jones
“Before we head off to summertime touring to Europe and the East coast in June, California in August, I’d like to invite ya’ll to my special “Belated Birthday, Bon Voyage, Full Band Dance Party, Beginning of Exotic Summer Touring, Full Band Extravaganza with special guests at Duffs Garage Friday, May 20!!!!!!

Gonna hit the road in a flurry of balloons, cake and beer! Need your help spread the “Swampified Funkstivity” , so I’m also inviting all you “Blues Dancers” I’ve heard so much about. This one’s for YOU. You’re ready to graduate beyond the DJ and go LIVE baby!

While I’m in full babble mode, please let me mention to those in Washington, that we are going to play the Lincoln Theatre (Mt. Vernon) on May 28 with the full Band and…AND feature the magnificent LaRhonda Steele in the show to promote her brand new CD!!! Check our website for more details at www.lloydjonesmusic.com.

Lloyd Jones