BLUES N'AT

Mrs. Black-N-Gold was determined to make the summer of 2013 the "Summer of Blues". There were all kinds of great blues happenings going on in and around the area. One problem, though. She had the "No Cash Blues". How do you have a bluesy summer when, to quote the late, great, Stevie Ray Vaughan, "Money's tight, nothing's free"? Well sit back and let me tell you all about the "Summer of Blues". Sure there were some tremendous artists at both the Pittsburgh Blues Festival and the Heritage Music BluesFest. The Big Bossman and I would have loved to attend. Alas, we were unable. We mostly kept it local and were able to see many talented blues musicians, both local and national, for free or a minimal cover charge. It all started when spring had actually been in full bloom, back in May. We were lucky enough to see Ruby Red and the Dirty Devils for the first (but not the last) time. They have a special place in my heart as they're the first band to be gracious enough to allow me an interview. Believe me, they did not disappoint. Our calendar was starting to take shape in June. We were able to see 2013 Blues Challenge winner Billy the Kid and the Regulators put on a rocking, funky good show at the Hungarian Club in Belle Vernon. We got to see Tommy Castro and the Painkillers in South Park and Pittsburgh's own Shot O' Soul joined them. It was the first time for both of these bands and they kept us dancing all night long. We attended the Ladies Sing the Blues event in Bridgeville. I've never seen Shari Richards, Stevee Wellons, or Miss Freddye before and they were sensational. The night ended with Pittsburgh legends Jill West and Blues Attack bringing down the house. Whew! What a way to start the summer. July brought even more blues and more fun. My hometown, Washington, PA, hosted the Whiskey Rebellion Festival. Friday night is always Blues, Brews and BBQ. There was a whole lot of shakin' going on that night with Ruby Red & the Dirty Devils, Jill West and Blues Attack and the Billy Price Band. Thank goodness I wore my dancing shoes! Two days later was another blues and BBQ extravaganza, courtesy of Billy the Kid at the Hungarian Club in Belle Vernon.  Good food and good times, indeed. On our next stop, we had the pleasure of seeing Shannon and the Merger at the Kopper Kettle in Washington for the first time. There was a big crowd ready to shake a leg. And shake a leg we did! August had the "Summer of Blues" on the road to see Lower Case Blues in Rehoboth Beach. If you're ever in that area, check them out, they're highly recommended. From there, it was back home to finish out the month. We were delighted to see the Bobby Hawkins Back Alley Blues band for the first time. We also got to enjoy Billy the Kid in an unplugged setting the following week. He performed re-worked acoustic versions of songs from his CD as well as blues tunes that influenced him through the years. We closed out the month of August as we got to see the swinging, jazzy blues of the Jimmy Adler Trio. Which brings us to Labor Day, the end of summer. But, fear not, there are more bands on the horizon. The coming weeks promise us Tony Janflone, The Rumpshakers and more blues events than you can shake a tambourine at. As the weather turns cold, the blues will heat up with the Blues Picnic, the Blues to Fight Blindness, the Fall Blues Cruise, Blues Goes Pink....the Divas Return Show, Blues for Tots and Toys Christmas Party, and rounding out the year, the New Year's Eve Blues Bash. You'd better keep your dancing shoes handy. So long for now. Until next time, keep it bluesy.