ENKINDLER

One thing is for certain, Karen Lovely is the real deal. Straight off the heels of their success at the 26th annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, the Karen Lovely Band is turning heads wherever they perform. With Karen’s powerhouse voice and a “shoulders back” confidence, she has no thoughts of ever turning back. “Going to the IBCs was one of the greatest experiences of my life. We were honored to represent the Cascade Blues Association, and thrilled to make the finals. Being a finalist had us over the moon!” she exclaims.

To put it in perspective, the challenge started with 1600 bands from 90 countries and 43 states. One hundred and eleven of those bands won their regional competition allowing them to compete at the semi-finals. Of those, eleven made it to the finals, and when it was all over they took 2nd place.

Karen found success early in her career, but took a twenty year hiatus to raise her children and earn her degree. “I never lost my love of music, I would just sing to an audience that consisted mainly of my children.” Her influences include Etta James, Big Mama, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Bessie Smith, and Tina Turner, women with character. Her first release “Lucky Girl” was the #1 on XM Radio’s B.B. King’s Bluesville. She debuted at #13 on the Living Blues Chart and hit #1 on Blues City Radio.

After surviving a horrific break-up with her husband and two near death experiences, it would seem that the only way out was up. She would say, “This is why I love the Blues…it’s real, no judgments. It’s life affirming!” Her star has steadily risen over the last six years and it appears that there are no limits to her blues elevation.

Her latest release due out in March 2010 is produced by Dennis Walker. ”Dennis is the perfect fit for me. I have always admired him as a songwriter. He is my mentor and has become a good friend. He is not just a songwriter, but a story teller.” Dennis is a multi Grammy & Handy (BMA) award winning producer & songwriter. He has produced Robert Cray, Bettye LaVette, B.B. King, Joe Louis Walker, The Mavericks, and Maria Muldaur. There is no doubt about it, Dennis Walker has found a new voice for timeless story telling.

“The record is a mix of contemporary & traditional blues, with an R&B/soul feel. Each of the songs tells a love story, a knock-down dragged out~ain’t but one kind of blues, love story”, she says. She is a force of nature stirring the melodies of love, loss, self respect and determination through the vulnerable substrate of the blues. Four of the songs off this next record were performed at the IBC, including the original tunes “Blues Ain’t Far Behind”, “Knock Knock” (which got a standing ovation at each performance) and “I’ve Had Enough.” The record showcases what she can do vocally. Some songs she can really belt out, others are down in the basement, soulful blues ballads. Her voice is as full as the blues she is singing.

In the song “Still the Rain”, written by Al Mirikitani, Karen identifies with the plight of a battered woman. It’s about a woman who opens up the front door of her house during a Louisiana thunderstorm and allows the flood waters to wash her drunken abuser away. The song is soulful and swampy, taking you to a place where you can see the characters breath on the window pane: creating images that remains imprinted upon your soul as she delivers competent blues notes. “The song hit a chord with me.” she says, “I have always been an advocate for women and children against violence.”  In an ironic twist, her new CD includes the song, “I gave you what you wanted” by Ike Turner.

Her band consist of  Karen on vocals, Joe Diehl on guitar, Bob DiChiro on bass, Teri Cote on drums and Allen Crutcher on keys. Other musicians on the new recording include: Lee Spath (drums), Alan Mirkitani (guitar), Michael Vannice(sax) and Richard Cousins and Jim Pugh from the Robert Cray Band. “With original songs written by Dennis Walker, Alan Mirikitani, Ike Turner, Karen Lovely and bandmate Allen Crutcher, this woman is poised to take the Blues world by storm.”

admin Blog This!, Published Articles

Eddie Christmas

Original Article from Bluesfestivalguide.com May 1, 2009

Recently, I was able to spend time with GRAMMY® nominated Louisiana Blues musician, Tab Benoit (pronounced Ben-Wah, “like the balls”), he would remark in his stage show. Half comedian, half electric blues guitar genius, this former pilot from Houma, La. is on a mission to save Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, one mesmerizing blues performance at a time.

With skillful percussionist Eddie Christmas and smooth bassist Carl Dufrene laying down the rhythms, Tab uses the groove to launch into places only his battle scared guitar can reach. Often, playing so fiercely that two strings dangle in the aftermath of symphonic sweetness as the remaining four strings ride the edge of each sonic note.

“The guitar is only part of it,” he would remark humbly. It is really about a message. “The music allows us tell our story.” He adds. Blues is the music of the common man. Tab is a common man doing uncommon things.

As President of Voice of the Wetlands (V.O.W), he has been able to testify before congress about the state of the Louisiana Wetlands and gather a loyal group of all –star musicians to champion this cause. Including legends Cyril Neville, Big Chief Monk, Boudreaux, Waylon Thibodeaux, George Porter Jr., and Dr. John. Add Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone on the Mouth Harp or Accordion and you’ve got some Zydeco that is incredible to watch and hear. If Tab’s music doesn’t get your butt moving, it’s probably broken. If his fervor for his culture doesn’t grab your attention, you’re in a coma. Tab Benoit uses his music as a catalyst for a message that is far greater than him and comes directly from his heart. His passion flows through every fret in a way that is rare in today’s music.

I watched Tab play drums in a jam session attended by about only six people until about five in the morning on a night between shows. He plays drums as well as he plays guitar. With a fever of transitional beats and a fusion of Jazz, Cajun blues, and Funk, he and host of others played frantically into the night. I couldn’t leave my chair. I literally, had to” hold it” for two hours. The freedom and tenacity of his jams are legendary and awe inspiring. “Just don’t talk yourself out of it, that’s the answer to how to keep a good beat,” he says as we sit in the cigar lounge offset the stage. “It’s the same as when you suddenly get a great idea, he would explain. You can’t let fear keep you from doing something about life’s challenges.” His truth is simple, profound, and genuine.

Tab would say, “The Alligator can’t pick up a guitar and tell the world what’s going on, but I can. It’s all about getting out and doing something to fix the problem. If you watched seventeen miles of your culture, wildlife, and community disappear, you’d get up and do something too, that or you just don’t care.”

This former pilot from Pontchartrain brings a powerful punch to the conscience of American music and the State of the Louisiana Wetlands. Tab Benoit is a person who is driven by love of community and circumstance into action. Tab remarks, “If you love something, you’ll let everybody know.”

In San Francisco we spent an evening with Tab as he partnered with forthebayou.org to raise funds and awareness about the disappearance of the wetlands. According to Elizabeth Welborn President of forthebayou.org, “Louisiana has so many complex issues, this one has been in the shadows. Many people in New Orleans have lost everything. Some people in Houma are really beginning to lose hope too. Most people don’t know that despite being the second largest provider of oil and gas to the nation, it is also the leading provider of wild caught shrimp, oysters and blue crabs. It is the birthplace of Cajun culture.” Natalie Snider, Science Director for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, in Baton Rouge, La. says, ”Every thirty minutes, Louisiana loses the equivalent of one football field of wetlands. Eighty percent of America’s lost wetlands are in Louisiana.”

Maybe now that we have a President willing to restore science to its rightful place, there is a chance for us to show the world how communities, culture and wildlife can be preserved and live harmoniously with industry and progress through careful, ecological planning. This is not just a Louisiana issue, this is an American issue. People will say why don’t people just move away from the Mississippi River? What they don’t realize is the river will create more land if not interfered with by more levees. “We must pay attention to nature and return to the balance of nature.” Tab points out. By redirecting the Mississippi River from its natural flow, south Louisiana’s wetlands are being consumed by the strengthening current of the Gulf of Mexico at an alarming rate.

As documented in MacGillivray Freeman’s 2006 IMAX release “Hurricane on the Bayou”, the natural barriers of protection are being washed away. This may be one of the most serious geological problems facing America today. With the New Year underway and a new U.S. President promising to attend to our economy, environment, and people, there is hope on the horizon. There is an open door towards real change. Now is time for action. Tab may be gifted enough to turn the Blues a new shade of Green, but he can’t do it alone. Write congress, share this story with a friend, and please visit www.voiceofthewetlands.com for more information. Find out how you can get involved and for goodness sake, see Tab perform live!

Digital version as it appears in bluesfestivalguide.com 2009

http://tinyurl.com/yfj4e52

admin Blog This!, Published Articles

David Kirton: The Ambassador of Barbados interviewed by James Curt Byrum

Emerging from Barbados, Reggae Artist David Kirton grew up listening to a lot of classic Caribbean melodies. This reflects in his music and his passion.  With influences like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Steel Pulse, he has not wandered too far from his roots. Yet he has a style that mirrors his independent and easy going nature. In 2008, David managed to pull off a “hat trick” by winning Video, Song, and Artist of the Year in Barbados. His song “Green Camouflage” has struck a chord with fans all over the world as a modern roots anthem. “It is against the law in Barbados to wear those colors. You may be arrested, searched, or harassed by police if you wear it” David says. “It has been stigmatized by the government as being worn only by those who sell drugs, thieves, and revolutionaries”, he says. “Just last week a youth was arrested after having his house searched.”  If that is not art imitating life, I don’t know what is. I found David to be a very inspirational, humble, and genuine artist; his love of songwriting is at the forefront of his music. He plays guitar well, which adds an element to his writing that is uniquely his own. He says, “It is an important part of my songwriting, it helps me stay in the zone and can often enhance the composition of a song.” His song “Sugar” shows that he’s not saccharine. David’s dual meaning lyrics lead many to a forked road as he turns over yet another stone. At first glance his songwriting would have you believe, he’s talking about a woman. Instead, he tells a story about the sugar industry in Barbados that has been embedded in the roots and struggle of his Nation. On David’s current recording, “Time for Change” he has produced his best work yet. With tunes like Free to Fly, Green Camouflage, and the Title track, he has cemented himself as an uprising star. Right now he is touring in California, U.S.A. and is certainly becoming entrenched with his fans there, along with expanding that base. He has already written several songs for his upcoming release and played many of them as he opened for Inner Circle in Santa Cruz where I saw him perform live.  His next big hit is sure to be “Hand to Mouth” another encouraging call for the humble to keep the faith and in time, you will be lifted up. “…..I ain’t looking for no pot of gold, I see rainbows fade from the sky. Talking  ‘bout  Hand to Mouth, See how we’re  living? Every day is the same thing. Before we get the money it’s all ready spent, Can’t get the hole in the pocket to mend……” D. Kirton(Hand to Mouth) Of the song he remarks, “The greater the size of the battle, the sweeter the victory!” This is the David Kirton, I’ve come to know. Respect. Interview By : James Curt Byrum James Curt Byrum is a writer residing in California. He is interested in writing about that which inspires humankind. In addition to reviews and short stories, he enjoys penning poetry and lyrics. Passionate for human rights and politics, he keeps his readers abreast of current world events through Reggae Festival E-Guide E-Newsletter. His articles written under, “In Jah’s name we pray” focus on intentions as well as results, along with the struggle and courage of common individuals. “I am eager to learn about people most, you never know what kind of story may be revealed!” His personal blog can be found @Enkindler.com james@jamescurtbyrum

Published in ReggaefestivalEguide Nov.13th, 2009

admin Blog This!, Published Articles

Published by Reggae Festival E-Guide 9/14/06

Mirror, Mirror on the wall - who is it that I despise?

Isn’t it funny how the behaviors that we despise most in others tend to be the characteristics we possess in ourselves? For example; A person who interrupts during a conversation may be irritating to you. You may become agitated during the conversation and wish to not even talk to this person. However, unknown to you there are several people who think you also are guilty of being an interrupter. Unless the doorway of possibility opens wide enough to bring light into our consciousness, and we begin to see clearly the mirror of truth reflecting these universal realities, we humans may remain blind to our own flaws. The simple fact is that the person who irritates you most, may be most like you. The person may just be reflecting those attributes in you. You may find this hard to swallow. No one wants to be a hypocrite.

Consider the manager who gets under your skin at work. He is so bossy and controlling that your blood pressure raises every time he enters the room. As soon as he leaves the premises you confide in another co-worker your feelings about this “know-it-all”. You exclaim, “I know several methods that would improve productivity here at work - if I was the boss I’d manage this place so much better!” Unknown to you, your co-worker is thinking, “but, you are just like our manager”.

Throughout the planet religious leaders point their fingers at those that they believe are wrong. Zealous followers quickly join in to help increase the tension hatred brings. Together, they direct they’re prayers, energy, and intentions toward the opposing belief system. All the while, unaware that those they hate the most, are only reflecting their own intolerance. These intolerant radicals only serve as reference points for each other. Both claim to have the full truth. Both claim that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Neither conscious of the turmoil they bring at the rest of the world’s expense. Maybe they are not able to truly love their neighbors, because they do not really know how to love themselves?

There is an ancient saying that we may wish to meditate upon this week. KNOW THE ENEMY, KNOW YOURSELF.

admin Published Articles, Short Stories reggaefestivaleguide.com

Published by Reggae Festival E-Guide 5/3/06

This new age of information and technology has certainly connected humans from around the globe. Ever since the invention of the telephone, technology and human communication have been inseparable. For better or worse, the marriage of communication and technology through the airwaves and wired worlds are here to stay. The fact is the internet, satellite radio, and HD frequencies will guarantee that free speech will remain in tact and continue to grow. Unfortunately, the sad part is we are losing our manners!

It seems that people find it easier to be rude to each other when we are not in the presence of each other. Have you ever had someone write you a nasty email or hang up on you while on the phone? I have.

Everyone has dealt with someone like this at sometime. Surely, it’s not the end of the world when someone is obnoxious when responding to us, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if we simply considered all communication to be personal? When we pray, we communicate to a force we cannot see, yet we are pleasant. Even in our angered petitions, we usually remain humble. In the scriptures, we are told that how we treat the least of those around us reveals our true heart toward our creator. The way we treat each other matters.

This week I took two preteen girls to an open market area to shop. One was my daughter Hannah , the other her friend Emily. As we sought to buy a pair of sandals, we passed a young man who was obviously traveling and without shelter. He held a sign that read, “Homeless, anything you can give will help”. Upon passing the young man, Emily said aloud, “I think I’m going to give that man my money instead of buying sandals.” And then she did. Later on the way home, I asked her why she did that. She responded by telling us that her teacher, Mrs. Pedigrew had shown the class a movie called, “Pay it Forward”. A movie about the karmic rewards of practicing random acts of kindness. Emily then finished her response by saying that she did this because she thought it would be better to act upon this belief than to just do nothing. Wow! Thank you Jah, for children and teachers like these. May we learn from their example. May we consider those around us to be worthy of our best intentions.

As we become aware of needs and issues, we are not to judge, we are to act. In the weeks following we will be focusing our prayers and attention on the crisis in Darfur. We have to face the facts that atrocities such as genocide and rape are taking place in Sudan. So far, 250,000 people have died.

admin Published Articles, Short Stories reggaefestivaleguide.com

Published by Reggae Festival E-Guide 9/21/06

It was around 9:30 at night in the hospital where I work. I had finished my last rounds and my patients were all quiet. I had a headache so I went to the lounge to rest, but it was filled with loud gossiping nurses. I was exhausted from carrying a heavy patient workload at the hospital and from a weekend of rough-housing with my friends. So I went up to the seventh floor waiting room to kick back and rest.

When the elevator door opened I was pleased to see that it was quiet there. Only the sound of the rain, the television and a homeless man snoring could possibly interrupt my break. I looked out the rain soaked sliding glass door to the left of the TV, and noticed the lights of the city. I thought to myself, “when this shift started it was dark outside and it will be dark when I leave”. I sat down and tried to find a comfortable position in an uncomfortable chair. As I rustled around using newspapers as a pillow to brace my tired head against the wall, I was sure I’d finally found my moment of peace and quiet. My eyes had been closed for about a minute and I had finally blocked out the fluorescent lighting that had intensified my headache. My ears were ringing from a day of continuous alarms and pagers, but I had successfully drowned out the sound of the documentary on the public access channel and was just beginning to hear my own breathing.

Suddenly, I heard a low grumbling voice, “Do you believe this? Do you believe this?” I pulled the good housekeeping magazine off of my face to see who was speaking. As my eyes began to focus on the man who was speaking, I noticed an unforgettable ear to ear smile. He spoke again, “I’m sorry to have woke ya up!” “No problem”, I replied as I frantically looked for the clock to see how long I’d been asleep. To my surprise, it had only been about an hour. Rubbing my eyes, I started to focus on the man who had awakened me. “Do you believe this?” he said again as he was staring at the TV. Then I stretched my aching, stiff neck and sat up in my chair to get a better look. It was a documentary based on a conspiracy theory about the U.S.A. moon landing being a lie. I watched it with him as it ended. I turned to him and replied, “Well, you can’t believe everything you see!” His eyes lit up and his grin widened as if he’d found an ally. He immediately outstretched his long arm across the coffee table, his hand unfolding out of his overcoat like an old wooden expansion bridge. “I’m Elmo Henderson. Nice to meet ‘cha. My friends call me ‘TEX’. Tex Henderson, on account of me being from Texas.”

After shaking his hand and introducing myself, he asked me why I was moving about so slow? I told him I had been backyard boxing with my friends over the weekend. He laughed and then asked, “Is that right?”… a question I later heard often when speaking with Elmo. After explaining to him that backyard boxing is a non-violent way to entertain drunk friends, he asked if he could share a story with me. Curious to hear what he was about to say, I listened as intently as he had. He sat upright in his chair, placed his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. He looked around as if he was sharing top secret information, then exclaimed, “I was once a professional boxer and I beat Ali!” “Muhammad Ali?”, I interrupted. “Why yes!” he said as he smiled like the Cheshire cat. I won’t tell you that I believed him immediately, but he caught my attention.

He went on to tell me his life story, including the little known historical fact that he once fought Muhammad Ali and beat him. He spoke of his relationships, his faults, and of course, his accomplishments. I found Elmo “Tex” Henderson to be one of the most engaging and authentic men I had ever met.

As I got up to answer my pager, he stood up and shook my hand. I told him it was a privilege to meet him. He replied, “Son, the privilege was all mine. Here, we found ourselves engaged in a wonderful conversation. We were kept dry and warm. We had an interesting television program to watch and a top story view overlooking the lights of the city. In many ways we had the best seat in the house.” It was this grateful attitude that best represented Elmo Henderson to me. He made such an impression on me. In upcoming articles I will share his story with you and I hope it will inspire you as well. I truly had the best seat in the house.

After this encounter with Elmo. I did some detective work and found out all of what Elmo was saying was true. In fact, were it not for trouble with the law in Texas midway through his career; who knows maybe TEX Henderson would be better known.  Elmo was a sparring partner for George Forman during his years fighting Ali. TEX would say, “I had to act like I was whoever George was fighting, adapt my style to emulate theirs. Ali was so bold that after a weigh in, he was jawing something crazy to George. He’d heard enough, so George told Ali, “My sparring partner Tex could knock you out in three rounds!”  So Ali and I fought. I said and what happened next.

Well I knocked him out in the third round. When you ask Elmo who is the greatest fighter of all time? His response is clear and without hesitation. “That would be me, the greatest fighter of all time is, ME…cause I beat Ali!” That’s why I love Elmo Henderson. I would expect nothing less than this answer! He always paints the world with a positive twist! His official record:

Elmo Tex Henderson
Heavyweight
27 (16) - 18 (10) - 1
1954-1979
San Antonio, Texas, United States

admin Published Articles, Short Stories reggaefestivaleguide.com

Alice Stuart and her band Snake were playing shows nightly in the early 70’s, but she found it difficult to balance the rock ‘n roll lifestyle with raising children. In a 1975 Rolling Stone® feature called “Guitars of the stars”, she was mentioned along with Chet Atkins, Mike Bloomfield, David Bromberg, Jose Feliciano, Bonnie Raitt and Doc Watson as premier guitar players to watch. Then she disappeared.

She took time off to raise her children.  She says, “You only get once chance to raise them!  I could play music every night; but at the end of the day, motherhood had to come first.”

Alice has been covering the landscape of blues, folk, acoustic guitar since 1964. They say without Alice Stuart there would be no Bonnie Raitt. She performed with Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention. She toured with Van Morrison in Europe.  All the way from Chilean Washington apple country in 1961- playing folk music, influenced by blues, hootenanny, Americana, Delta, and country blues with early influences including Cree Indian Patrick Sky.

Alice Stuart pioneered a style of guitar that opened the door that many women have followed through.  She plugged in electrically shortly after Dylan. She is the First Lady of acoustic and electric blues. Without her influence and courage to pick up a guitar and play, the music we hear today may sound a bit different. Who knows if there would be a Joan Jett, Melissa Etheridge, or Chrissie Hynde?

She would remark, “In today’s music industry if you don’t look like Taylor Swift and sound like everyone else, it’s hard to get heard.”

Often times if a record company can’t keep the selling CD’s year after year, they discard you. It is not so with the blues, most musicians don’t settle into their own sound and gauge their own abilities properly until later in life. When Alice and her current band, The Formerlys perform it is effortless, original, and free. Her smooth, angelic voice is now sultry and laced with wisdom and grace .The stories in her music make you want to hear the next line. While her style may not be for everyone, it is uniquely her own.

Nearing her seventh decade, Alice is getting her stride. Who knows? She just may be having her cake and eating it too. She shows no signs of slowing down. This full time woman would be a great part of any festival.  She is like a fine wine, just getting better with time.  She is still a very feisty woman. She is determined, driven, and doesn’t take anyone’s crap. She is straight forward, has a sense of self that is undeniably Alice! She is also humble and easy to get along with, yet didn’t hesitate to say of some of her peers, they can barely tune their own guitars. If you want the truth straight, go ask Alice. Alice is an American original who never sold out!

When I listen to Alice’s music, I think she has made a seamless connection between who she was as a spark of American folk and Blues and who she is now. She is an effortless guitar player, who is a national treasure. Alice may be a bit of a shrinking violet, but she remains an American legend and a huge talent.

I was able to catch Alice and the Formerlys in Northern California.  She was well received by her Mill Valley audience. Playing the music that has spanned her career and sounding ever relevant. The songs she sings are honest and direct. Her voice is gracile. She puts heart behind every note.

The Formerlys are made up of bunch of “formerly famous musicians”, as they would proclaim with fervor. I was able to sit like a fly on the wall as Marc Willett (bassist) and Pat Tennis (guitar) talked shop. They all three passed ideas back and forth through harmonious code. I was impressed by their passion and knowledge of the music. Alice sat there compact on the floor hugging her knees. She’d pop in with a perfectly timed “like this” or “like that”. Usually, it’d be followed by an assuring nod from the boys. They have great chemistry on and off stage.

Currently, she is working on her solo acoustic recordings due for release this year. I’m looking forward to hearing what Alice creates next.

While making wonderful music, Alice has managed to raise her son and daughter who are successful in their own right. They are her heart.  Her son is a master craftsmen and her daughter earned her Degree at UC Santa Cruz. After an aptitude test discovered Alice was fit to study music, she earned a degree in music. Alice is a great example of perseverance and dedication, ultimately preserving her integrity along the way.

http://www.alicestuart.com

admin Published Articles

Greetings!

My hope is that everyone is well. I am well, despite my wife fighting the flu. This winter I have kept busy balancing my three teenagers and full time job at the hospital. I have also been working overtime, so my time has been short for writing. My prayers have been with those suffering in Kosovo and Tibet. During the last quarter of this year so many of the daily headlines have left me speechless. Therefore, I have spent a lot of time pondering. My thoughts become conversations in my head. Conversations that lead to debates than only subside when I reach the inner courtroom of silence. The inner sanctuary, where darkness is blessed by light. With so much double talk in the media, it becomes increasingly necessary to find the time to contemplate the world in we live in. The culmination of absurd information we digest through our eyes and consciousness of our being all seek to sculpt our reality. With so many prognosticators, spin doctors, and perception shapers continually spewing new reality onto age old quandaries, it would seem that Babylon is in full effect. Confusion reigns the airwaves! Therefore, we must use what Jah has given us and THINK!
How ’bout this headline from AP Feb. 2008, “Icelandic Singer-songwriter Bjork banned from China”, “Chinese government demands apology!” Recently, she said said two words at the end of a concert she performed in Shanghai, two words that were apparently so obnoxious and hurtful that they warranted an apology.
The two words, you ask? TIBET, TIBET! Now, if you have ever examined the human rights violations of China, it reads like a how-to book on torture. How could they ever claim indecency while they themselves sponsor torture and killings of Tibetan Monks? Our government here in America subsidizes company’s like Walmart who purchase large amounts of consumer goods from China. If you have not heard Bjork’s song “Declare Independence” from her latest work “Volta”, I urge you to purchase it. Björk dedicated her set-closing song “Declare Independence” to independent Kosovo, which did unilaterally declare independence from Serbia a few days earlier on 17, February 2008. According to her management, she was subsequently and consequently dropped from July’s Exit Festival, which is held in Serbia, in the city of Novi Sad in the northern province of Vojvodina, a major event that each year draws over 150,000 people, half of them from abroad. Sometimes, the only way for the light of truth to expose the darkness is to “stir it up” as Mr. Marley once sang! Not too bad, for someone who stand less than five feet tall.

Blessings,
James Curt Byrum
Free Tibet: Bjork Declare Independence for Tibe in Shanghai

Jah March 2008 first appeared in ReggaeFestivalEguide.com

admin Blog This!, Published Articles

Published by Reggae Festival E-Guide 7/27/06

Anyone who has ever raised a child or helped knows that it takes a lot of hard work, patience and grace. The challenges of parenthood also produce some of the greatest rewards in life. Recently, I received an email that I wanted to share with you. It impressed me because it is simple, yet profound. This is Bob’s Recipe for a strong family unit:

The following elements will be included in the recipe and blended to create a solid unit:

1) Knowing who you are.

2) Understanding and compassion.

3) Love and respect.

4) Express your feelings in a way that doesn’t destroy the people in the family.

5) Have fun and laughter as often as possible.

6) Add your higher power, whatever that would be for you, as support for the family.

7) Love yourselves.

8) Have clear communications among the family members. Let the family members finish their communication without interruption.

9) Be a good listener.

10) Allow a family member to cry if they need to.

11) Look for support people in the community when needed to help the family through trouble periods.

Blend all ingredients to make a strong balanced family unit. Please feel free to add whatever measurements you desire of the above to meet your goals in life.

Who is Bob you ask? Bob Hesseltine is a retired cattlemen and father of two. He is a gentleman and kind-hearted soul. When I asked Bob why he created the recipe he replied, “Families are in turmoil in the World today. There is lot of lack of communication among families due to high stress levels of the parents having to cope with their daily lives. This recipe is a tool to use to lighten up some of the stress that goes on in the family unit.” Thanks Bob for your wonderful insight.

admin Blog This!, Published Articles

It’s 3:30 AM as I look at my watch while on my way back to my cabin after an amazing jam session. Delbert blurts out as he passes me by, “Do I need to throw that thing overboard?” I look up and there is a spry Delbert McClinton grinning and reaching out to shake my hand. I tell him that this is my first Sandy Beaches Cruise and he responds, “Well did we get your cherry?” I smile back and say,’ Gladly!” On Delbert’s’ Cruise all egos are left at the port. There is no difference between fan or band. This is what makes this cruise so much fun! From the first hand shake to the last hug, Delbert and his friends made us feel like family.

My wife and I accepted an offer to go on the cruise because she is the Webmaster of the BluesFestivalGuide.com. I write for the ReggaeFestivalEguide.com, so I usually have my ears entrenched there. We didn’t care what music would be playing on the cruise, we just thought it would be nice to leave our three teenagers ashore with Grandpa and eat some great food!

It was the day of the Inauguration, we had been at Sea for two days and were about to stop in Zihuatanejo, Mexico. All eyes glued on our new President, Obama! Beginning on the Aft stage, Cyril Neville and his beautiful wife Gaynielle stand along with the rest of Tribe 13 as the boat begins to simultaneously celebrate the peaceful transition of power. The first question from Cyril as he broke from the opening Funk Jam, “Will you remember where you were today?” “I know I will!” He exclaims as the Tribe breaks into a funkified blues medley version of “I feel Good!” Beautiful, both the music and message. Ricky, Amari, and Norm are incredible musicians and new found friends. Jimmy is a dream.

Just like Gilligan’s three hour tour, we got a little lost on our excursion to Isle Ixtapa. Who should we find there but “Doyle and Debbie”? A.K.A Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton are as sweet in person as they are funny on stage! I enjoyed my dinner with new friends from Kansas and Australia. They made us promise to catch this “Aussie” guitar slinger name Geoff Achison. Thank God we did. That night back at the Vista Lounge my wife and I were astonished by the subtle soulful brilliance of Geoff’s skill with a six-string. He wields his guitar like a wild-spirited warrior.

After soul man Mike Ferris and The Roseland All Stars blessed us with an inspirational morning montage of angelic revival music, the demons seemed to have cleared out only long enough for the Devil to walk in. Tom Hambridge and The Rattlesnakes are one band you’ve got to see live. This is headbangin’ country! And as they say, “We got cha’ Country right here!” Bringing 38-Special back to the future with Brian Love and Sal Baglio on guitars. Rob Wilbourn and Tom McDonald steady the groove as they serve up some kick ass deep Southern Fried Rock! The next day at Miramar Beach, Mazanillo I was able to speak with Grammy(R) Nominated Tom Hambridge. As we stood on the edge of the shore watching his daughters play, I asked him about his legacy. Producing and writing for such legends as Johnny Winters, Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeski along with working with Chuck Berry, ZZ Top, and George Thorogood to name a few. With over 250 songs written, what else is there to accomplish? He lifts up his daughter and says that she has won a songwriting award of her own. I am reminded of my own daughter. A humble answer from a proud father. Tom adds, “I don’ want to make a bunch of records, I just want to make twenty really great collaborative recordings.” He is well on his way.

“Just don’t talk yourself out of it”, that’s the answer to how to keep a good beat. Simple, profound, and genuine. This is the kind of answer you get from Tab Benoit about his notorious nightly jam sessions ‘til four thirty A.M. Tab Benoit (pronounced Ben-Wah) “like the beads”… He would remark in his stage show. Half comedian, half electric blues guitar genius…either way this former pilot from Pontchartrain brings a powerful punch to the conscience of American music and the State of the Louisiana Wetlands. You could easily find Tab playing name that TV tune with fans on the deck well into the night. Not to mention, he plays music with two of the coolest people I’ve met anywhere Eddie ”Blame Hip-Hop” Christmas and Carl “La Foosball” Dufrene. With so many friendly people on this cruise, it is impossible to be bored. Seth Walker is musical magic, he conjures such sweet sounds while Cuban blues crooner Raul Malo delivered a rare eclectic symphony. Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps would make Janis herself stand and applaud. So much talent gathered in one place.

We met so many genuine nice people along the way. Paul Thorn is a true gentleman and a delight to see live. Fans and bands alike, from Big Jim to Big Curtis, we never felt so welcomed. Our dinner pals Doug and Bonnie, who delivered the sound equipment were able to live out their dream of swimming with the dolphins. This boat helps dreams come true. Thanks to the fans from Norway who helped us celebrate the end of the Bush era in style. Peggy, Chip, and Mary, you’re the bomb! Thanks again Delbert for keeping the boat rockin’. I was truly able to lose track of time, now that’s a vacation! I would sell my car to go back next year. It will be the sixteenth Delbert Cruise and possibly the last, so sign up early, you will not regret it! Love and peace to all our new friends. See you next year!

James

This article was published in the Blues Festival E-Guide E-Newsletter 2/6/09. This article is archived here.

admin Published Articles, Short Stories BluesFestivalGuide