Highs, Lows, and Candye Kanes
Hey everybody…I’m just gonna write my end of the year piece now, even though we’ve got almost two months to go till the end of the year. As I write, we have a new president for 2009. I, for one, am so ready to say goodbye to the culture of greed, fear, war and shopping, and usher in an era of hope, change, and soulfulness! Fingers crossed! My work is basically done for the year so it’s time for me to sit back, reflect, and share some experiences.
One thing you can say about 2008 is that it has not been boring! Between the on-going campaign toward this major election, and the various economic crises, I think I am safe in saying that we’ve all been on quite a roller coaster together! And wouldn’t ya know I did some major touring this summer during the height of the gas price hike! But this is the blues, after all, so perhaps it’s fitting to lose money but have BIG FUN in its place. We really played some awesome festivals this year and had some great experiences!
A definite high note for me was getting the opportunity to perform in and explore two new countries: Romania and Poland. Having both been behind the iron curtain prior to 1989, they are both still firmly entrenched in the “old Europe” atmosphere and culture which is always preferable to finding McDonalds and Walmarts on every corner! Forgive me, but I am just so in love with Europe!
The death of Sean Costello was such a painful shock to me and the rest of the blues community. Sean was the kid I always would cite when an interviewer would ask me “who’s out there carrying the torch” or “who do you like among the new young players?” Sean was deep man, really down into the music. No fluff, no frills, the kid really knew his stuff and had done all the homework. There were no gimmicks goin’ on there. Rest in peace, Sean.
As we were trying to move through Sean’s passing, the blues community was hit with another shocker: the announcement of Candye Kane’s cancer. Could this really be happening to the “toughest girl alive?” Candye, a fellow nominee for Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist, 2008, opted for the most radical, cutting edge surgery possible…something called the “Whipple.” Immediately the music community pulled together and put on numerous benefits for Candye across the country. Happily, I was able to make it down to the one in Hoboken, N.J. and participate in a benefit hosted by Gina Sicilia. Bob Margolin drove non-stop, all the way up from Greensborough, N.C. with his band. Bob did of course put on my favorite performance of the evening…he is MR. BLUES!
Lots of popular N.Y. blues artists showed up to either perform or just show their support and there was a lot of love in the air. Backed by my drummer, Don Castagno, and Saturday Night Live bass alumni Paul Osola, I hooked up with Arthur Neilson (Shemekia’s guitar slinger) and we had a little guitar “showdown” together. Somebody actually did a little filming of the event and you can find us now on YOUTUBE…check it out!
And now for the good news…after little more than a month, Candye was back on the road! When she came through the northeast and hit the Hill Country Bar-B-Que in New York City, a bunch of us blues types showed up at the show in support, not to mention to get a good dose of bluesy roots music! Candye has lost about half of herself, but she still ain’t nothin’ but a BIG GIRL and proud of it! She looked beautiful and radiant, and her voice was already back in shape. My band and I sat with Popa Chubby and his wife, Galea (a fine singer and bass player in her own right!) as Chubby proceeded to shoot a lot of pictures of Candye and the band all night long! Dave Gross and Gina Sicilia were in the house, along with all kinds of colorful C.K. fans! All of us were totally diggin’ Candye’s new guitar player, Laura Chavez, who I have called one of my “Little Sisters” for about 10 years now. She’s a bad-ass guitar player, and for more about Laura, check out an article I wrote a few years back called SAN FRANCISCO BLUES. Just scroll down in the Letters From The Road section and you’ll find it! And check out this awesome photo that Chubby took of us “GOILS!”
