This August edition of our ezine has more new and original content than we have had in a few months. For our Monthly Artist Spotlight feature we go all the way to Sao Paulo, Brazil. There you will find one of the bright young lights of this music, Igor Prado. Hear what Igor has to say about his young life in this music, his great band and their stunning new album.

I did an interview with another young musician, Shawn Pittman. This thoughtful native Oklahoman, by way of Texas, is a recent Los Angeles transplant. Hear what Shawn has to say in an interview I conducted with the multi-talented multi-instrumentalist.

I have been corresponding with another multi-instrumentalist, Paulie Cerra. Paulie is ats closely associated with the tenor saxophone perhaps as Shawn Pitman is with his Stratocaster, but like Shawn he is constantly trying to improve and add to his repertoire.

Both Shawn and Paulie will be appearing on a gigantic double bill on August 26^th at the Tiki Bar’s ongoing concert series. Check out the tab that reads, World Class Blues in the O.C.

Enjoy a photo essay on the July Tiki Bar show starring Junior Watson, Fred Kaplan and special guest sax Gordon, by Alex Gardner and Chris Corbett.

I caught up with Fred Kaplan and we sat down a couple of weeks ago and discussed his brand new album. It was, as all conversations are with Fred, a fascinating journey into the mind of an incredible musician. Read this interview under the tab, Fred Kaplan Discusses the Making of a Masterpiece.

Another terrific new album crossed my desk and went into my stereo speakers last month. It is the new album by Rick Estrin and The Nightcats entitled, One Wrong Turn. Read what I think of the new offering by this veteran Northern California based band.

This month’s Jukebox at the JUNCTION is loaded with new and soon to be released CDs. Check out what we have been listening to way out in the wild, wild west.

This month we received a load of mail in response to an editorial I wrote in July entitled, “Getting Clipped”. I was expecting to receive lots of correspondences from our readers and, as always, you came through and proved that you are truly a thoughtful group of people, I always enjoy a thoughtful, respectful and intelligent exchange of ideas and once again you didn’t disappoint. I share with the rest of our readers a few of these letters to the editor. Thanks to everyone for their support of BLUES JUNCTION and for all the kind words of encouragement. You people are the greatest.  

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This month’s edition of BLUES JUNCTION is dedicated to my dear friend, Nancy Noonan who passed away this past July after a several months’ long struggle with brain cancer. Nancy was 54 years old. I learned of her illness when she called me from a hospital bed on November 13^th of last year. She had been taken there after suffering a seizure. Many of you know Nancy perhaps through her relationship with me and my association with this music we love.  Many more of you don’t. For those of you who didn’t get a chance to know her, you really missed something.

Nancy was extremely bright without being pretentious. She was relentlessly funny. She never ended any correspondence with “LOL”. It didn’t need it. She had confidence and humility. She was talented and yet self-effacing. She taught me a lot about life. She lived  life on her own terms and didn’t give a damn what anyone thought. Her philosophy was that God did not put us on this Earth to be miserable. She had enough confidence and self-assuredness that she didn’t need Facebook to elevate her own social profile.  She had a high profile in real life. She was a one woman declaration of independence. Nancy had that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness thing down pat. She didn’t live nearly long enough, but believe me she didn’t get short changed either.

I am very grateful to have spent the lion’s share of my adult life around several strong, assertive, intelligent and independent women. Nancy fit this archetype to a “T “.

I am also grateful to her for many things not the least of which was getting me to take my writing seriously. Before I met her, my best work I shared with no one. I was too shy and lacked the self-confidence to write from the heart and share that writing with others. While I was perhaps a technically proficient writer, my worked lacked the soul that only true love, passion, honesty and truth can reveal. She prodded, cajoled and even bribed me to get behind the keyboard. She could be very complimentary when my work called for it and could give me an honest critique when my work called for that as well. This is the sign of a true friend and confidant. In short, she was my muse in high heel shoes.

I am also grateful that the last words we ever said to one another were, “I love you.” Remember to tell people how you feel. If you love them tell them so. You never know if you will ever see them again.

- David Mac