March was a very exciting month out here at BLUES JUNCTION. It was the first time in a very long time we have heard so many exciting, original and well executed CDs that have recently been or are soon to be released. We have ten songs from ten outstanding CDs I really enjoyed in the April edition of Jukebox at the JUNCTION.

Speaking of new records, while checking the Roots Music Report’s Blues Chart last week, I noticed that the number one album is the March release by Janiva Magness. She is the subject of our April Monthly Artist Spotlight. I caught up with her a few days ago while she was barn storming through the midwest. As always Janiva was honest, up front and on point as we discussed her new record, Stronger For It. She touched on a few other topics that are important to her. One of these is a benefit concert for Candye Kane. Candye is at “press time” on her way home to San Diego, CA after cancelling dates on her European tour due to illness. See the poster for the event called Big Love on the site as well. I spoke to the man who, like Janiva, is working behind the scenes to make this event a success, Michael Kinsman. He told me the entire idea came from Janiva. Both Michael and Janiva’s modesty about their role in this should be commended as these two class acts have not made it about themselves but about the music and the cause.

After the announcement of the benefit concert that is taking place on April 30^th at the Belly Up Tavern, in the northern San Diego County enclave of Solana Beach, a second event taking place on April 29^th in Burbank, CA was announced.  If you are interested in learning more about this show see our links page. I would like to thank all of our readers who have expressed an interest in the San Diego area show as information went up on this site a few weeks ago. I am happy to make you aware of this second show scheduled the day before and further on up the road. 

Enjoy an absolutely stunning photo essay from the great Alex Gardner of last month’s CD release party by Nathan James and the Rhythm Scratchers. Special guest James Harman was also on hand for the festivities. Nathan was joined on a couple of numbers by last month's BLUES JUNCTION featured artist Al Blake. Al even blew harp as Harman sang a tune. Blake told me later, that hasn’t happened in a very, very long time.

This month’s Tiki Bar show is a CD release Party for The 44s. They too will be joined by some special guests.  Also on the bill is the Brophy Dale Band. There is a new start time for this show, 2:00 pm and it will also be the Tiki debut of Velinda The Taco Girl...so bring an appetite. There is a $5.00 off admission coupon in this month’s BLUES JUNCTION. Find it, print it and bring it to the show.

The 44’s sophomore release on Rip Cat Records is a huge leap forward by this Southern California based band. Read a review of their new CD entitled, Americana.

I have some remembrances of who may be the oldest living blues man at the time of his passing on March 7^th. “Big” Walter Price “The Thunderbird” was not a widely known musician but he was a highly respected songwriter, vocalist and piano player who played with style and flair who encouraged me to explore more of the music I had learned to love. I hope you enjoy my thoughts as it relates to another very classy man.

I would like to thank Bob Corritore for his obit on Jerry “Boogie” McCain. I think this marks the third time in the last four months that Bob has shared with our readers an obituary of a recently departed blues man.

Finally, we are “republishing” a story which ran last April. It is one I wrote several years ago that I just happen to like. It is called Hope Springs Eternal. It is the kind of article that sends people clicking away from our website in droves and gets others scratching their heads. It is however what we are all about. Blues music doesn’t happen in a vacuum any more than any other aspect of the human experience. The article Hope Springs Eternal explains why I have been seen from time to time with a blue hat with a “B” on it. I am amazed how many times I am out taking Rosco “The Wonder Dog” Gordon out for a walk at the beach and some dude walks by and says,  “Yea, go Red Sox.” I am color blind but that is ridiculous. If this happens at one of our upcoming blues festivals, I will hand that person a business card and say, "Hey brother, get hip to BLUES JUNCTION".

- David Mac