Welcome to the February edition of BLUES JUNCTION.

Last month I wrote a piece that was entitled Congratulations to the Blues Music Foundation. First, I apologize for getting the name of this organization wrong. Like so many of our readers, I have only a passing interest with this group. The name of this Memphis based non-profit corporation is of course simply "The Blues Foundation.” Maybe it was only a Freudian slip that I inserted the word “music” and they left the “music” out. Either way, I left the article on the top shelf here in February so for those who didn’t read it the first time, it will be easy to find. It will then go into the archive section of the site, which I encourage you to explore.

In February, our Monthly Artist Spotlight shines on the Chicago based sax man named Sam Burckhardt. He recently released an album on the Airway label entitled Fly Over. Sam is backed by the great Joel Paterson Trio. Enjoy a recent conversation I had with Sam. 

Our Monthly Album Spotlight shines on the brand new (upcoming) release by the Southern California based band, The Mighty Mojo Prophets. It is entitled Record Store. It is reviewed here in this month’s ezine.

Here also, you will find a wonderful piece written by Jim Pugh. Jim was featured a few months ago in the JUNCTION. The long time organ player with the Robert Cray Band sat down for an interview and we discussed a great many things, not the least of which is our love of the Hammond B3 Organ. Jim was kind enough to submit an essay entitled, The Best Hammond B3 I Ever Had. You are also welcome to check that interview out in the archive section of the site.

I guess one of the few advantages of watching so much calendar fly by for so long is you develop quite a backlog of memories. I have had people who know me ask if I can share some of those anecdotal stories, experiences and events which I have attended or have been a part of through these many years I have been around this music. Maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea since we have such a large audience gathered around our campfire here to talk about some of the wonderful people and their music which has made all these trips around the sun so enjoyable. Personally, I can’t think of too many things less appealing than an old dude talking about the old days, so I have avoided much of that. However, there is one concert in particular which I knew at the time would stay with me forever. I have shared this experience with friends who I thought would take an interest. So if you will indulge me and are so inclined, you are welcome to read the piece entitled, A Great Night in Hollywood. It is a concert review of a Wednesday night show sixteen years after the fact.  

As all of us are now aware death has been hungry over the past several weeks. Some of the biggest stars in showbiz and music have left our mortal coil. Some of these include classic rockers and cultural icons such as David Bowie, Abe Vigoda and Glenn Frey of the Eagles. In reading numerous obits on these public figures a reoccurring theme in the Glenn Frey appreciations was the references to his band, The Eagles, as being the torch bearers of the Southern California sound. This sent me scurrying around outside the blues tent with my hair on fire for a few moments. As if the 2016 Winter Namm Show in nearby Anaheim wasn’t enough. It was. However, I couldn’t resist weighing in on a little pop culture. Read my musings in a piece entitled, The Dude, Glenn Frey and The Southern California Sound. It could have been subtitled, “Why I Don’t Hate the F*cking Eagles.”

Blues journals wrote about Glenn Frey, David Bowie and Scott Wieland of Stone Temple Pilots believe it or not. This further cemented in the minds of the general public that blues and classic-rock are the same thing. In this flurry of death one man’s passing went virtually unnoticed by the blues press.

The passing of Joe Houston went with very little notice. I can’t be too surprised, as it gets really hard to keep up with all of this as both blues icons and 70’s era pop stars are all getting up there in age at the same time. The other reason Houston got snubbed is he spent most of his career on the West Coast, which is outside the purview of the generally provincial blues community. Mike Malone, Houston’s longtime band mate wrote a heartfelt appreciation of his friend while at the side of his death bed. Thanks Mike for letting me share your thoughts with our readers.

I don’t spend a great deal of time thinking about nationality, gender, age, race or regional identity when it comes to editorial decisions relating to BLUES JUNCTON. However, I think now and again it should be discussed as we are in fact talking about music born out of a particular culture and social milieu. I know that any type of thought as it relates to any of this makes people uncomfortable. Hell, any thought whatsoever makes folks a little squeamish these days. So take a pill and hear what Tony TC Coleman thinks about such things. If you have read this before...read it again. Maybe it will start to sink in and make sense, the second or third time around.

I thought the timing is just right to hear from TC. So right up here on the top shelf is the Tony Coleman interview. It is already a fan favorite and one of the most read and talked about pieces ever to appear here at the JUNCTION. With all the fuss surrounding the IBCs, the BMAs and the WTFCs read what Tony has to say about all this. TC discusses what he calls the “Shitstem”, race and culture as it relates to blues music. In my view it is a must read. 

Thanks always for reading BLUES JUNCTION and for your grass roots, word of mouth advertising campaign. Thanks also for the letters to the editor and comments on social media. Thanks for all of your kind words of encouragement. I can’t tell you how humbling it is and how much it means to me.  I also enjoy hearing other points of view. Whether we agree or not, that isn’t the point. It is about a thoughtful discussion and that is always a good thing. Until we meet again, be well and be in touch.

-David Mac                                        



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