The BMA’s

I hadn’t been to the BMA’s (Blues Music Awards) since they were still called the Handy’s and took place in Memphis. But as a nominee this year, I was excited to go and take part in the festivities and hang with old friends. Good friend Harley Erickson, who is a budding blues guitarist herself, and does a lot of work for me, decided to make the trip too. Tunica, MS here we come!

Everybody stayed in the same hotel so ya never actually got anywhere when ya tried to leave, as so many familiar faces and folks would be hangin’! But somehow we did actually make it to the awards ceremony and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the performances!

At the cocktail party prior to the show, I experienced the band “Trampled Under Foot,” a young trio of siblings with the sister playing bass and doing the singing. With a voice like Susan Tedeschi, solid bass lines, and the ability to do it all in stiletto high heels, girlfriend has got it goin’ on! They sound great!

And speaking of the young-uns, I would like to add a category to the BMA award list: “Cutest Young Blues Couple.” I think it would be unanimous that the award this year would go to Dave Gross and Gina Sicilia. But these two better watch out as the runners up, closely on their heels, are Samuel James and his lovely lady, Rose.

Somebody I hadn’t gotten to see enough live was Watermelon Slim, and I gotta say, he did not disappoint! Great, gritty, groove stuff! I would have to say that his performance and Doug MacLeod’s solo performance were the most soulful, and my favorites of the day (and night)! Though it’s tough to have favorites when there were so many great performances. But Doug MacLeod’s ability to hold the entire room in the palm of his hand, and emit so much soul, just blew me away! Talk about a fine wine aging and all that…he was amazing!

Also at the top of the list would have to be the Severn Blues Review, Duke Robillard’s Review featuring Bruce Katz, and Tommy Castro’s Rhythm and Blues Cruise Review which actually featured some women: Deanna Bogart on both sax and piano, and Teresa James on piano and vox.

And speaking of the gals, how about a shout-out to Deanna Bogart for taking home the award for best instrumental/sax, and Honey Piazza for Best Instrumentalist, Piano. You go girlfriends! And here’s a thought…how about a woman, at least being nominated, for Best Instrumentalist, Guitar?

The following day was the big Delta Groove Review at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, MS. I couldn’t wait to hear a couple of new bands: Los Fabulocos featuring Kid Ramos, and the Insomniacs. Not to mention some old favorites like the great Jackie Payne! And I had a special invitation to sit in with the Mannish Boys, and I was itchin’ to play! Ground Zero turned out to be just the coolest club! It kinda reminds me of the Grand Emporium with its big, boxy shape inside, and real bluesy, funky vibe! Not to mention they serve Bar-B-Que pork sandwiches.

Kid Ramos never disappoints and with Los Fabulocos he scored again. Que Bueno! The Insomniacs are a new, young, jump band out of the northwest and just killin’! When I got up to rip with the Mannish Boys, my joke was “I’m the girl with the Mannish Boys!” I think that irony was only funny to me! Jackie Payne just oozes soul and sex and wait until ya see how his band was dressed…yea, I got a photo…now these guys understand the meaning of “showbiz.”

Happiness is getting to hear and hang with all of these folks, including Tab, Hubert, Magic Slim, Johnny Dyer…and the list goes on! Enjoy the pix. Still and always a fan as well as an artist, Deb.