Tag Archive for: The Strange Tones

We recently posted this list on the CBA Facebook page. It received a thankful response from so many that we thought we would run it in the BluesNotes, too This list is a compilation of regional musicians who were nominated for the 2013 Muddy Awards. Though the final ballot is limited to only a few in each category, all of the following artists were recognized by our members in the ballots returned to us for nominations in the first round.

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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 events is that it will be guaranteed to be spectacular.

The Bossanova Ballroom is a beautifully renovated 1920s venue located at 722 E Burnside Read more

Robin Gibson Blues Band

Robin Gibson Blues Band

The Ilwaco Blues and Seafood event returns for their 2013 version which may just be the strongest line-up yet in the event’s history. Happening Friday, August 16th and Saturday, August 17th at the Port of Ilwaco in Ilwaco, Washington.

The Robin Gibson Band with featured guest Kenny “Blue” Ray will open up the festival on Friday night followed by the North Coast Blues Band and our famous All Star Jam with the Heartbreakers, featuring a terrific line up of the Northwest’s premier female blues singers including Lucy Hammond, Rae Gordon, Lady A, Lady Kat True Blue, Maggie Kitson and Mary McPage.

Saturday night kicks off with Muddy Award Hall of Famers Kevin Selfe & the Tornadoes. He’ll be followed by The Strange Tones, who will be bringing the Volcano Vixens along to help blow the roof off. The original NW Boogie Cat, Norman Sylvester, is back by popular Read more

The Strange Tones

Hello Everybody,

Well summer’s in full swing, and it’s so nice to be playing and seeing friends in the great outdoors! We have such a variety of fun summer shows, from Pioneer Square to Willamette Park to Ilwaco Blues Fest, to name a few, and it’s always great to have a wider audience join our beloved usual suspects!

And when not gigging, we’ve also been spending a lot of time underground in the volcano, working on our top secret recording sessions. In fact, we just finished wrapping up the project and have sent it out for CD production!

And we have BIG NEWS: We’ve found the perfect location, and set the date for the official CD release! It’s going to be on Friday, September 20, at the Bossanova Ballroom. Located a few blocks from the Melody Ballroom, this historic Portland venue has been beautifully Read more

 

Hey everybody, just a quick news flash from the volcano hideout. Exciting times in the land of Crime-A-Billy! We are wrapping up our latest CD and planning on an early fall release. As a band we take care of all the song writing, recording, engineering, graphics, promotion, and pretty much everything else all by ourselves – it’s as home made as it can be, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. The project is very bluesy and also true to our Crime-A-Billy mission to bring original sounds to life. So stay tuned for details on the upcoming release!

 

While we are secreted away in an undisclosed secure location working on the recording, we won’t be playing local clubs very much, but we do have a very special show this month. On Saturday June 1st, we’ll be playing on a float for Portland’s famous Starlight Parade. The Strange Tones and our loyal and trusty partners, The Volcano Vixens will be performing on the Waterfront Blues Festival float. We’re honored to represent such a great event and are very excited about it. If you don’t want to brave the crowds, the Starlight Parade will be broadcast live on FOX 12 T.V. , for those who want to enjoy it from T.V. Land. So for now, call us on the red phone if you need us. Until then… over and out.

 

The Strange Tones

 

 

Over the years, The Cascade Blues Association’s Sweethearts Dance has become a Valentine’s weekend tradition, as we have brought some of the finest local talent to help celebrate the event. That talent has included the likes of  Mary Flower, Duffy Bishop, Robbie Laws, Bill Rhoades, The Strange Tones and one year we even had Blues Music Award winner Watermelon Slim drop by to help out while he was in town. Always a fun night of the blues and dancing with that special sweetheart, we’re hoping to have you join us again this year on Friday, February 15th at Vie de Boheme (1530 SE 7th). And we’re going to make this year’s event a showcase of local Women in the Blues.

We will open the night with a familiar face if you attended last year. Melissa Buchanan sat in with the Deep Blue Soul Revue last year and she was so well received we decided to invite her and her new band to play this year. The artful subtleties and straight, but powerful delivery of the vintage masters are inspiration to Melissa as she works to deliver a performance to remember. She employs several genres of music to fit the audience mood or event ranging from jump blues to smoldering torch songs. Melissa also has a swing and blues dance background, so when it comes to performing music, danceability is of utmost importance.

Making the trip from Eugene for the second set will be the Joanne Broh Blues Band. A past finalist in the Cascade Blues Association’s Journey To Memphis and a musical mentor with United By Music, Joanne Broh is also a recipient of the Rainy Day Blues Society’s Rooster Awards for Female Vocalist. Joining Joanne for the performance are several of the Eugene area’s finest players, including Jerry Zybach, Jim Badalich, Sean Brennan and John Bryson. Joanne has been known to offer a variety of music, from rock and funk flavors, but it is always steeped heavily with the blues in everything she does.

Headlining this year’s Sweetheart Dance will be one of the quickest rising stars on the international blues scene today, and recent transplant to the Portland area from Southern Oregon, Karen Lovely. Following her taking second place at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, representing the Cascade Blues Association in 2010, Karen has released two highly praised CDs, received seven CBA Muddy Awards and was nominated for three Blues Music Awards in 2011. And she has also been a favorite for festivals and concerts throughout North America and into Europe. Joining Karen will be her regular guitarist Leonard Griffie, making the trek up from Ashland for the event, and a yet to be named group of Portland area all-stars to compliment her performance.

Vie de Boheme is an urban winery with great food and plenty of room for dancing. Admission to the Sweetheart Dance is $10 per person or $15 for couples. Everything will start at 8:00 pm, so grab your sweetheart and come celebrate Valentine’s Day with three outstanding vocalists and good friends. Always one of the most fun nights on the CBA calendar every year. Hope to see you there.