The Landcaster Blues

"Shoot The Centerfold"

2011-02-06T17:30:00.004-06:00

Shoot the centerfold was all about learning lighting techniques.

Top photo: Arny Fretag with Miss March 2010, Kyra Milan

Middle Photo: David Mecey with Melissa Jean

Bottom Photo: Jarmo Pohjaniemi with Ksenia Tsiulina

STC photos from Jan 30th, 2011

2011-02-06T15:47:00.014-06:00

Soul Brothers in Tiptonville

2010-06-12T20:19:00.001-05:00

Is no longer there. Burned to the ground a while back.

Maybe the owner will see fit to put up a pole barn and a slab of concrete. But something about those shotgun shacks. So fitting of the deep south. To build anything less would be just cost effective and would have be bigger for a dance floor and a respectible DJ booth.

Guess who I saw Friday afternoon ?

2010-04-05T08:57:00.000-05:00

Priscilla Presley, never thought in a million years I'd see her at the many book stores I go to. I seriously doubt if she even bought anything there, as she after all is news in the making. But, it's no doubt a low key event she was at and they probably had their own photographer there.

As it'd really would have been a pity if she had all her friends there and they didn't a single photo. I'm from the world don't bother people in real time, online they can weed thru stuff fast and or use the delete button.

As that's the way I am too. You know, I'm just surprised Priscilla doesn't have her own line of sunglasses... Just don't do what Maria Sharapova did was get the glasses that TAG probably recommend for her. I mean, the Urm Thurman style was way hotter. They clearly saw her coming and wasn't picky.

Wonder which brand Priscilla would pick ?

Cellular South Championship 2010

2010-02-26T18:40:00.000-06:00

Guess who I saw last Saturday night ?

"Maria Sharapova", what can I say about her. Take a look at my video's of her knocking the ball around. Stay tuned as I will upload a few more video's.

Soul Brothers in Tiptonville is now a Blues Club

2009-01-14T13:12:00.000-06:00

Which is worthy of visiting. Though, if your under 25 years of age. Good luck on trying to get inside as this club caters only to older black folks who still like to be entertained. I spoke with the owner of the establishment who apparently has ties to a recording label.

He noted that a "Earl Gaines", may be heading to Tiptonville, TN to do a show, which would definitely be a treat. Thought seating is limited to the capacity of the building which looks like less than 40 people. I myself, prefer a cozy place.

Which, for those who reading the Blues Revue or was it Living Blues Magazine they recently reviewed his CD.

If your ever in the area or fishing on Reelfoot Lake, do take the time and check out this place. The jukebox has a vast array of blues music, but most of the younger ladies prefer the new stuff.

This club could easily be rented out - for say if one wanted to cut an album. Being a visuals guy photographically speaking... Gone, is the dark and worn look of the old club, which had the feel of a Mississippi Juke Joint. As the renovations of this club gives it a more of a Chicago or St.Louis Style Blues Club.

Does Tyra Banks get into the Blues ?

2008-08-27T18:34:00.000-05:00

I believe I saw on the Willie King blues website how she's and avid diehard blues lover. Clearly, one has to wonder why she's not doing her show in Mississippi.

And indoctrinating all the "Next Top Models" on this great form of art, and that one doesn't have to get drunk to enjoy it. Imagine if Clapton showed up. No doubt, that'd be a popular show. Imagine if he took part in that show.

Wonder what the photography is like in Antigua.
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To see all my small format video's, go to "YouTube" and type in my Ham Radio Call Sign.

Johnny Winters in Bowling Green, Ky

2008-08-23T01:07:00.000-05:00

Aug. 23, 2008

Nothing like finding out at the very last minute where that guy is going to be playing at. Found a killer LP of Edgar Winters. Called "Road Work - White Trash", it's a live album and Edgar says to the crowd "I've got a special guest tonight, people keep asking me where's your brother?", it's a hoot to hear and of course how Johnny comes out and plays Hootchie Koo Rock & Roll.

Never did make it to the Johnny Winters Concert, maybe someday he'll play "The New Daisy" in Memphis or atleast Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Blues Club in Memphis or Clarksdale.

That guy would do wise to just see where Robin Trower played at and or use his manager to set up his gigs.

Kenny Browns N. MS Hill Country Picnic

2008-07-02T23:41:00.000-05:00

Set for July 4 & 5th should be a helluva holiday weekend. Along with the Blues Guitar Workshop set for Thursday, July 3rd. Seems this event just keeps getting bigger every year.

Wonder who the special guest is going to be jamming with Kenny Brown? Buddy Guy ? BB King ? Clapton ? Beck? Steve Cropper? With Memphis so close by - it should be very interesting as to who's going to show up... as like all shows, some of these guitar guys seem to come out of the woodwork wanting to play. Which is what it's all about.

Whomever, should be a helluva good night of guitars jammin' and of course the blues !

Found a old style Juke Joint in Tiptonville, TN

2008-05-06T22:47:00.001-05:00

Just north of the main intersection... How descriptive this that... Just go up one block and cross over the train tracks and there it is.

Mind you, they play rap music but from the owner that I talked with they have a few blues tunes in there jukebox. This is would be an idea place to cut an album, rent it out and invite in some of the ladies in town to sing to and wha-la.

If you love the blues and are just out one day, this place no doubt has seen the likes of some of the finest bluesmen the south has ever seen. All neatly tucked away.

Memphis in May 2008...

2008-05-01T18:42:00.000-05:00

Went to it... This is not my thing, I prefer to be up close to the musicians, not a eighth of a mile from them. The Blues Tent was decent.

Would I do it over again, depending on who's playing.

Ground Zero Blues Club Memphis is now open !

2008-04-27T21:45:00.000-05:00

Go by there and check the place out if your ever in Memphis.

The Silver Moon in Henning, TN

2008-04-25T20:39:00.000-05:00

Although, no longer a club but a vacant building where was once a small mom & pop grocery store. (This was the only cinder block building I could find in the vicinity).

But, per a bootlegger son who rein from Union City, TN. He noted back in the late 50's BB King use to play there. Which is located in one of the poorer sections of town as all the buildings look to be from the 1920's era... Just east of City Hall - go under the train tracks, via the small tunnel which is a one lane under pass, but includes a walking area. Clearly a one of a kind, except for the fact that there's another one just a block away. But, go about 30 yards around a sharp curve in the road and then go about 30 yards and on the right hand side of the road amongst some older homes is the Silver Moon, aka... vacant grocery store.

Henning is a sleepy little town just to the North of Memphis about 55 miles. Home of Alex Halley, author of Roots. Course, Isaac Hayes was born and raised in Covington, TN which is about 8-10 miles from Henning and Tina Turner was born in Flatbush, TN, not too far from Henning either.

One has to wonder, have they ever been to the Silver Moon ? Or ever heard of this establishment ?

Anyway... I've yet to hear back from the folks at BB King's whether he played there or not. But, it's one thing about bootleggers, they get to know everybody as everybody likes to have a nip ever once in a while.

I've never been to Henning on a Saturday night, as the town does have what appears to be some black establishments, which are probably on the same par as Humbolt, TN. Another choice destination, I've yet to tread into as I'm a white dude and well, it's best to be in the company of others to be invited in.

But, no doubt.. A few blues fans might have heard that T-Model Ford was on a chain gang while serving out a sentence while in Humbolt. No doubt, if I ever get the chance to corner some of these characters. I'll ask them if they've ever heard of the Silver Moon or the Kings Inn in Cairo, IL.

One of these days I'll make it over to Cairo to scout out and get there blues history and stop in at the local Speakeasy Resturant/Club.

Robin Trower was pretty fair

2008-04-25T20:32:00.000-05:00

Course the show was about a month or so ago... Just now finding time to post a little ditty about what's happened. Needless to say, just go check out some of my video's.

He's got a helluva site on Ning.

Saturday Crusing in Memphis

2008-01-21T20:52:00.000-06:00

I probably should have made tracks into Memphis on Friday night as there were a few bands I really need to be checking out.

I did stop into Wet Willies on Beale Street but I just wasn't in the mood for super loud music - though I did happen to catch the trailing in act of the band across the street where in which one fellow was playing a Gibson SG. It's just my luck, I sit down to watch and the show is over.

Just as well, as I'm thinking more and more about getting a Gretsch or maybe just the Wal-Mart special guitar... I did happen to step into a pawn shop, but they've priced everying well above what there items are worth. Not much of a deal in those places anymore. Especially in a town where there are probably more musicians and luthier than one knows what to do with. Much like Nashville where darn near everybody is a singer or a guitar player, or were at one time or another.

I could have swore I saw a famous guitar guy eating some chicken with two of his pals. But, the service was lousy and so I left. Probably best not to post the name of the establishment in the even the guy stops in there often.

Though, I did finally establish a solid route on getting to Sun Studio and is now easy to find.
Drove around looking for St. Blues Guitars Headquarters - as there sign has a lot to be desired.
If they had any business savy they'd have painted a huge guitar on the front of there building, or hired the local graffti kid to paint them something - as he'd be the last one to paint over his work.

As the International Blues Challenge date grow closer the more excited I get. Not really, but I do wonder are some of these acts really worth watching and laboring thru ? Stop by airport and pick up yellow ear plugs.... To cut down on the audio and preserve ones hearing.

I see Robin Trower is coming to Memphis

2008-01-14T21:52:00.000-06:00

On March 2, 2008. No doubt, gonna have to sift thru youtube and get a feel for his blues.

Plus, for $20 plus tax, one can hardly balk at that price to see a real British rocker. That price is even less than what I paid to see Leon Russell on Dec. 21, 2007 when he played at the Gibson Showcase Lounge. I'd hope to think the New Daisy has better acoustics than that place.

Holly smokes I check that guys schedule and he's playing darn near every night for the next 3-4 months. No doubt, best to keep a tight schedule and staying focused during that time, so that when he's off the other 8-9 months he can relax.

His show will be at the New Daisy on Beale Street.
Wonder if we'll ever see Winwood doing a show there or Clapton ?

Saturday night I was in Memphis

2008-01-14T21:15:00.000-06:00

And came across "Victor Wainwright & Blues Band playing at Wet Willies on Beale Street in Memphis. Bear in mind, there's not a cover charge at Wet Willies, hence this is a great place to kick back and watch the show and there's always lots of pretty girls walking into this place to get a Daiquiri.

So it's a win-win kind of place !

Here's my video of them... This is one of many to come.

If you like The Blues of the South

2007-12-17T20:51:00.000-06:00

This is the place to read about.

If you have a special request in terms of me going there and getting pictures of the place and the general feel of the place just post, your desires.

So where do I start ? This is my first blog so bear with me.

I think you'll in time enjoy it, as I sure have a way of making the rounds and if you like photographs, I certainly take alot of thoses as well as a few video's as well.