I’m so far away from home…
I have a confession. I now have an iPhone.
I know…trust me, I know but my old reliable Motorola (so tough it survived multiple falls, Scooter and skidding across the Wal Mart parking lot) had starting not holding a charge for more than a few hours and I knew I needed to replace it. Kahuna, easily swayed by the tech-pretty, had picked up an iPhone for his new job. Then he tempted me over to the Dark Side.
“we can talk to each other for free” he says. “both phones on the same handy bill” he says. “unlimited internet” he says. Having neither light saber nor Jedi mind powers I was unable to resist.
So now I have an iPhone. Since I had little time to download any music for it before the move, I ended up with lots of eighties power ballads, seventies southern rock-ish stuff, Lightnin’ Hopkins (lots of Hopkins - the tracks were on sale) Bon Jovi and a few new things.
We set off for North Carolina with Kahuna, the kids and the cats all in a rental monster SUV while I drove the car. By myself. For over ten hours.
I had a backseat piled full of boxes, pillows, blankets and our giant water bottle change jar. The front seat had boxes, bags and a guitar. I felt like a country song come to life. After a couple of hours of the radio, I plugged in my phone and pretty much listened to it for the rest of the trip. This explains why I have Bon Jovi on the brain (still) and have a new favorite band.
One of the things I picked up for my phone was The Nimmo Brothers “New Moon Over Memphis“. It is a fabulous album and the guys kept me company and kept me awake all the way through South Carolina and a ways into North Carolina. My favorite songs are probably “Feels Like Rain“ and “New Moon Over Memphis” but I love the entire track list.
Awesome Vid - Day Number Two - New Moon Over Memphis
This is fairly sparse. Black and white, Alan and Stevie on acoustics and on stage. No tidying up or mixing for a better sound. What you hear is them playing and singing. They are having a good time and the music is just beautiful.
Music by The Nimmo Brothers - Live recording at Cranleigh Arts Centre, 2008.
- Kit
Let me make my final stand…
I very rarely do memes as I just don’t have the time but to try and get back in the swing of things (actually posting) after the move I decided to give this one a try. It is a song meme and I was going to list all the questions at the end of the post in case anyone else wanted to join in.
Day number One - What is your favorite song? - er…uh…
And I am batting zero already since this is an impossible question for me to answer. My favorite song changes from week to week and sometimes from day to day. I have genre-specific favorites and even decade-specific favorites.
So, I scrap the song meme. But I really do want a theme for a post a day this month. While trying to figure out how to send Kahuna a Dr Who vid I ran across this piece of awesome vidding. And Kit’s “Awesome Vid of the Day” was born”.
One video each day, pro or fan-created that I (or you all if anyone else wants to join the party) loved. Why it is a good video, how well the audio meshes with the video, how well the images complement the lyrics, - that sort of thing.
Awesome Vid - Day Number One - Blaze of Glory
(If you aren’t familiar with the show - Sam, Dean and the Impala fight the things that go bump in the night.)
*this vid contains scenes of graphic violence*
I love how well the vidder matched scenes not only to the lyrics but also to the beat and flow of the music. The drumbeats when anyone falls, the placement of the explosions and the overlays were so well done. I love the cuts (er, scene wise not knife wise) that flow beautifully from one clip to another and how it has another layer of meaning if you watch Supernatural. Honestly though, it is just a very, very cool video. 
Music by Jon Bon Jovi - images from Supernatural - video by giandujakiss.
-Kit
Just happy to get it up before the storm hits…
September 2010 Blues and Music Festivals in the South:
Friday, September 3, 2010
Howlin Wolf Memorial Blues Festival
West Point, Mississippi, U.S.
http://www.wpnet.org/Howlin_Festival.htm
662-605-0770
Friday-Saturday, September 3-4, 2010
Summertime Blues Festival
Freeport, TX, U.S.
www.freeportbluesfestival.com
979-549-9896
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Zydeco Louisiana Blues Festival
Manor,TX, U.S.
www.austinzydecobluesfest.com
512-981-6535
Saturday, September 4-5, 2010
Bedford Blues & BBQ festival
Bedford, Texas, U.S.
www.bedfordbluesfest.com
817-952-2128
Friday-Saturday, September 10-11, 2010
Blues, Brews and BBQ
Charlotte, NC, U.S.
www.bluesbrewsandbbq.com
704-332-2227
Friday-Saturday, September 10-11, 2010
23rd Annual Bull Durham Blues Festival
Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
www.bulldurhamblues.org
919-683-1709
Friday-Sunday, September 10-12, 2010
Blues at the Beach
Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
www.natchelblues.org
757-588-8689
Saturday, September 11 2010
End of Summer Blues Festival
Camp Green Cove, Zirconia, North Carolina, U.S.
www.endofsummerbluesfestival.com
828-551-3860
Saturday-Sunday, September 11-12, 2010
Mississippi Gulf Coast Blues Festival
Gautier, Mississippi, U.S.
www.msgulfcoastbluesfest.com
228-497-5493
Friday-Saturday, September 17-18, 2010
Tommy Johnson Blues Festival
Terry, Mississippi, U.S.
www.tommyjohnsonblues.com
601-212-6088
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival
Greenville, Mississippi, U.S.
www.deltablues.org
662-335-3523
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Chili, Blues n’ Blues Festival
Waynesboro, Virginia, U.S.
www.waynesborodowntown.org/events.php
540.942.6705
Saturday, September 25, 2010
3rd Annual Tangerine Blues Fest
Gulfport, Florida, U.S.
www.TangerineBluesFest.com
727-723-5660
Saturday, September 25, 2010
1st Annual Blue Gypsy Bluesfest
Virginia Beach, VA, U.S.
www.bluegypsybluesfest.com
804-384-7555
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wing Dang Doodle Festival
Gaddis Park, Forest, Mississippi, U.S.
www.forestareachamber.com
601-469-4332
Saturday-Sunday, September 25-26, 2010
Clarkston City Blues Concert and Festival
Clarkston, Georgia, U.S.
www.clarkstonfestival.com
888-789-4830
Tuesday-Saturday, September 28-2, 2010
Mississippi Delta Blues Harmonica Jam Camp
Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.
www.bluesharmonicajamcamp.com
310-457-8278
Thursday-Saturday, September 30-2, 2010
Old Town Blues & Jazz Festival
Rockhill, SC, U.S.
www.yorkcountyarts.org
803-328-2220
Check out the websites for more information.
Here’s hoping the power stays on. -Kit
Dooley was a good ole man…
So yes, we have internet again but I still have boxes to unpack, photos and giant wooden utensils to hang and learning to navigate a new city occupying most of my time. I have been online but mostly to look for loft beds (the ‘Bit) and order pizza. Last night while skimming over Livejournal (of all places) I saw a post announcing that Mitch Jayne had passed away from cancer on August 2nd.
Back in the dim, dark recesses of time (more commonly called the ’80s) when I was not much more than a kid and neither of them were sporting grey hair, I worked with Rodney Dillard and Dean Webb . They played a music show at Silver Dollar City - I sold their music to the crowd.
I never knew Mitch but guys, I am very sorry for your loss. I hope you are both doing okay.
- Kit
Tell that story, pain and glory…
Briefly coming out of my move-induced hiatus to post a couple things.
One is the list of blues and music festivals for July. I know I missed a few but the list still seems short. Is the lack from the slow economy or the unrelenting heat?
The other is just a little signal boost for the benefit concert Jimmy Buffett is putting on Sunday July 11th in Gulf Shores to help tourism and the folks on the Gulf Coast. The concert was scheduled for July 1st but the weather did not cooperate. (hey, it’s hurricane season) Jimmy, Sonny Landreth and the Zac Brown Band will perform along with several other bands.
Tickets are free, either from ticketmaster or you can get them from merchants in the area. You can purchase concert t-shirts to help out but just being there and spending a little money on food and lodging will help tremendously. Check out the Margaritaville site or the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce website for more information.
Check out the - Kit
Good times down the road…
July 2010 Blues and Music Festivals in the South:
Friday-Saturday, July 2-3, 2010
BB King Homecoming: “Blues, Bikes & BBQ”
Indianola, Mississippi, U.S.
www.indianolams.org
662-887-4454
Saturday-Monday, July 3-5, 2010
Festival for the Eno
Durham, NC, U.S.
www.enoriver.org
919-620-9099 ext 203
Thursday-Saturday, July 8-10, 2010
Greenwood Blues Cruise
Greenwood, SC, U.S.
www.greenwoodbluescruise.com
843-762-9125
Friday-Saturday, July 9-10, 2010
Louisville Blues-n-Barbecue Festival
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
www.bisigimpactgroup.com
877-582-9478
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Grassroots Blues Festival
Duck Hill, Mississippi, U.S.
www.grassrootsblues.com
662-565-2478
Saturday, July 10, 2010
14th Annual Sedalia Blues Festival & Competition
Big Island, Virginia, U.S.
www.sedaliacenter.org
434-299-5080
Sunday-Tuesday, July 11-13, 2010
Virginia Blues & Jazz Festival
Hot Springs, Virginia, U.S.
www.vabluesfest.org
877-558-1689
Friday-Saturday, July 16-17, 2010
Hot Ribs & Cool Blues
Anniston, Alabama, U.S.
www.downtownanniston.com/julybbq.html
256-237-5250
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival
Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
www.blueridgeblues.org
540-529-8502
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Blues Concert & Crawl with Seth Walker
Southern Pines, North Carolina, U.S.
910-692-8501
Sunday-Friday, July 18-23, 2010
Augusta Blues Week
Elkins, West Virginia, U.S.
www.augustaheritage.com
304-637-1209
Friday-Sunday, July 23-25, 2010
Cape Fear Blues Festival
Wilmington, NC, U.S.
www.capefearblues.org
910-350-8822
Friday - Saturday, July 23-31 2010
W.C. Handy Music Festival
Florence, AL, US
http://www.wchandymusicfestival.org/news.htm
256- 766-7642
Friday-Sunday, July 30-1, 2010
Tall City Blues Fest
Midland, TX, U.S.
www.tallcitybluesfest.com
432-262-0034
For more information check out the websites or for info on festivals outside the South, pop over to the Blues Festival Guide.
-Kit
What makes a man to wander, what makes a man to roam…
June 2010 Blues and Music Festivals in the South:
Thursday-Sunday, June 3-6, 2010
Eureka Springs Blues Weekend 2010
Eukeka Springs, AR, U.S.
www.eurekaspringsblues.com
Friday-Saturday, June 4-5, 2010
19th Shannon Street Blues & Heritage Festival
Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.
www.downtownjackson.com
731-427-7573
Friday-Sunday, June 4-6, 2010
Alleyfest
Longview, TX, U.S.
www.alleyfest.org
903-753-3281
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Highway 61 Blues Festival
Leland, Mississippi, U.S.
www.highway61blues.com/festival_page_1.htm
866-285-7646
Thursday-Sunday, June 10-13, 2010
Tinner Hill Blues Festival
Falls Church, VA, U.S.
www.tinnerhill.org
703-241-4109
Friday-Sunday, June 11-13, 2010
Virginia Blues & Jazz Festival
Hot Springs, Virginia, U.S.
www.vabluesfest.org
877-558-1689
Friday-Sunday, June 11-13, 2010
Texas Folklife Festival
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
www.texasfolklifefestival.org
210-458-2224
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Solo Soul and Blues Festival
Humble, Texas, U.S.
www.solozp.com
281-520-4040
Saturday-Sunday, June 12-13, 2010
Ashvegas Blues Festival
Asheville, NC, U.S.
www.myspace.com/ashvegasbluesfestival
828-273-0874
Saturday-Saturday, June 12-19, 2010
W. C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival
Henderson, Kentucky, U.S.
www.handyblues.org
800-648-3128
Friday-Saturday, June 18-19, 2010
The Second Annual Lake Cumberland Blues, Boats and BBQ Fest
Jamestown, Kentucky, U.S.
www.statedock.com
888-782-8336
Friday-Saturday, June 18-19, 2010
T-Bone Walker Blues Fest
Linden, TX, U.S.
www.tbonewalkerbluesfest.com
903-756-7774
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Appalachian Foothills Fire Muster
Barbourville, KY, U.S.
www.ky24ihc.org/affhs/muster.html
606-546-4300
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Bentonia Blues Festival
Bentonia, MS, U.S.
http://yazoo.org
662-746-1815 or 1-800-381-0662
Friday-Saturday, June 25-26, 2010
North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic
Potts Camp, Mississippi, U.S.
www.nmshillcountrypicnic.com
662-801-7272
Friday-Saturday, June 25-26, 2010
Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Festival
Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
www.riverfrontbluesfest.org
479-462-8547
I find it serendipitous that June’s music festivals begin and end in Arkansas. The riverfront in Fort Smith is kind of special since I went along with Pa to help carry equipment and set up when he and the Sundowners performed during the Old Fort Riverfest.
(We are NOT going to discuss how many decades have past since that afternoon)
Mom newspaper-ed in and around Eureka Springs so I have spent many days enjoying the shops and music, by myself and later with Kahuna.
(And one memorable time with a very tiny ‘Bit, who was determined to carry off a shop cat she fell in love with)
With the move getting closer I find myself becoming nostalgic for places and people long gone. Music seems to heighten the effect, with the songs and snippets of music I have listened to recently setting off memories. This is not a really a bad thing. Music should evoke thoughts, memories and emotions.
What I am trying to say is a music festival can bring all those things alive in a way recorded music can’t. The music festivals I have attended put the audience in the performance. They are kind of like music in surround..life. The performers can be up on a stage or standing two feet from you, but in each case you get the feeling you are needed, not to make the music ’cause they are playing and singing up a storm, but to make it come alive.
June is a busy festival month for blues and music in general. Hope you can get lost in one. If not this month, then soon.
-Kit
At the galaxy’s end where the stars burn bright…
Back from our trek to North Carolina. It was nice. North Carolina that is. The trip was about like all long car trips with a toddler, but it was productive at least. Crossed several important ‘to-do’ things off the ‘to-do’ list, met a few nice people, got a place to live (with all that entails) and saw a lot of pine trees.
A lot of pine trees.
The ‘Bit discovered a Dippin’ Dots and a Gamestop a few minutes from our new house and was overjoyed. Scooter was a much harder sell. She just wanted out of her car seat so nothing made her happy.
Our car was in the shop so we rented a little Kia Rondo for the trip. I don’t care how boring and dull all the car reviewers say it is, I don’t care that it is essentially a mini-minivan, I think I fell in love. Everything was the perfect height for me. The back area, the drivers seat, the baby car seat, everything. I want one. Preferably red but I am not picky. I just want one.
So we are back home and while zooming around the ‘net paying bills and doing research I found THIS:
- as Ten was found of saying, “Brilliant.”
- Kit
you Tube link with a larger screen , vid creator notes and song list
I’m blowing the day to take a walk in the sun…
April 2010 Blues and Music Festivals in the South:
Friday-Sunday, April 9-11, 2010
Tampa Bay Blues Festival
St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S.
www.tampabaybluesfest.com
727-502-5000
Friday-Sunday, April 9-11, 2010
George’s Music Springing the Blues Festival
Jacksonville Beach, Florida, U.S.
www.springingtheblues.com
904-249-3972
Friday-Sunday, April 9-11, 2010
French Quarter Festival
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
www.fqfi.org/frenchquarterfest/index.html
800-673-5725
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Hampton Acoustic Blues Revival - A Tribute to John Cephas
Hamtpon, VA, U.S.
www.natchelblues.org
757-722-5811
Sunday, April 11, 2010
International Heritage Celebration (Louisiana Stage)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
www.myspace.com/ihclouisianastage
225-952-0784
Friday-Saturday, April 9-10, 2010
Barbourville Redbud Festival and Quilt Workshop
Barbourville, KY, U.S.
www.redbudfestky.com
606-545-9674
Thursday-Saturday, April 15-17, 2010
Wanee Music Festival
Live Oak, Florida, U.S.
www.waneefestival.com
954-453-3058
Friday-Sunday, April 16-18, 2010
Juke Joint Festival & Related Events
Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.
www.jukejointfestival.com
662-624-5992
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Cat Head Mini Blues Fest I
Clarksdale, Mississippi, U.S.
www.cathead.biz
662-624-5992
Friday-Saturday, April 23-24, 2010
Barnesville BBQ & Blues Festival
Barnesville, Georgia, U.S.
www.barnesville.org
770-358-5884
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Baton Rouge Blues Festival
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
www.batonrougebluesfestival.org
225-383-0968
Wednesday-Saturday, April 28-1, 2010
Mac Arnold Cornbread & Collard Greens Blues Festival
Greenville, South Carolina, U.S.
www.macarnold.com
864-517-9558
Friday-Sunday, April 30-2, 2010
Beale Street Music Festival
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
www.memphisinmay.org
901-525 4611
For more information check out the individual websites or for the big list of festivals world-wide, pop over to the blues festival guide.
- Kit
To the world at large…
Many, many years ago when we were kids, my brother came home with a tattered paperback about a guy called Doc Savage. After that first paperback we were hooked. We read every book in the series we could find and when we ran out of books we made up our own adventures in the back yard. 
A few years ago I received The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril by Paul Malmont in a shipment of books for review. It was almost like being a kid again except, it was even better. It is sort of a ”Walter Gibson and Lester Dent go on an amazing adventure similar to those they write about and lots of other authors tag along for the ride’ book. It is one of my favorite books and you all should READ it like, yesterday.
Yes, I am a fan and you can imagine my glee when I went to read Paul’s blog and discovered he had been chosen to write the new Doc Savage title from DC Comics. Malmont and Doc together. It is like the Reeses Peanut Butter Cup of writing!
Check out the article and interview with Paul Malmont over 0n Comic Book Resources. Jeffrey Renaud talks with Paul and gets more indepth with what the comic will feature and mentions the sequel to Chinatown Death Cloud Peril.
Yes, a sequel. Excuse me while I hunt down the smelling salts.
-Kit
Oh - Doc Savage #1 goes on sale April 14th
