Welcome to the long awaited, much anticipated March, 2016, edition of BLUES JUNCTION. As is the case every single month, we have a whole new batch of features which celebrate the history and future of this quintessential American music we call the blues.

After all these years, people write me or mention on social media something to the effect of, “Hey Mac, I loved (or hated) that article you posted on Facebook.”

I mention this as there is a pretty good chance that the piece has been right there on your computer all along. It was likely pulled from our voluminous archives, which like the blues, is sittin’ right on your doorstep 24/7/365. So while it might be the acme of foolishness to post the website on a site in which you have already for the moment affixed your attention, I’ll do it anyway as many of you are still only peripherally aware that we are here for you always at  www.bluesjunctionproductions.com. A brand new edition is live with new articles and features that we hope are as timeless as the music that we embrace. The old and the new is right at your fingertips, in a user friendly format. Its dishwater safe, educational, historical, danceable and just plain good old fashioned family fun.

Visit the archives, dive right in there, swim around and fish something out to read. It’s fun, it’s nutritious, it’s good and good for you. BLUES JUNCTION is not for everyone. Remember, talk to your doctor to see if BLUES JUNCTION is right for you. It may cause laughter or crying and may even cause a desire in you to turn on an old record and even buy a new one. It may make you think. Based on the Republican debates, that is clearly not for everyone. Don’t read BLUES JUNCTION while driving or operating heavy machinery. Isn’t an automobile a type of heavy machinery? I digress...if you can’t tell the difference between classic rock and the blues...read BLUES JUNCTION in moderation and increase the dosage as needed. If you don’t have a sense of humor, don’t read BLUES JUNCTION. Try BLUES JUNCTION free of charge for thirty days and see if BLUES JUNCTION is right for you. If you don’t like BLUES JUNCTION give it another month.

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Now on with the extravaganza...                                     

First up...I would like to share my thoughts on what I thought was an extraordinary event that took place on Saturday, February 27^th. It was the first annual Winter Blues Spotlight. The festival or private party or whatever you might call it took place in Fullerton, California, and was hosted by Luis Leon of Sweet Lou’s BBQ fame. Leon hit it out of the park and I thought our readers would like to read my thoughts on this unique afternoon and evening of first rate blues music. This feature is augmented by a photo essay by Alex Gardner.

Our Monthly Artist Spotlight shines on Sam Burckhardt. He is a Chicago based musician who has a brand new album out entitled Fly Over. Enjoy a recent conversation I had with this exciting talent.  

Our Monthly Album Spotlight shines on the brand new album by The James Hunter Six. These veteran performers’ new album is their first on the Daptone label and is called Hold On! It is exceptional. I remind our readers that the Doheny Blues Festival is coming up on May 21^st and 22^nd.  The line-up features several of our favorite performers and we will continue to spotlight some of those here at the JUNCTION as we ramp up towards our favorite weekend of the year.

With that in mind, may I suggest you make your plans to visit us here at the Southern California resort town of Dana Point...not only does this two day festival take place on one of the prettiest stretches of beach in California, but there are related activities at local clubs in Dana Point and nearby San Clemente. I love catching up each year with our readers who make it out to this of the part of the planet. Please note: I am not affiliated with the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, the California State Beach Parks, the California Coastal Commission or Omega Events, the producers of this festival. I’m just an old timer who grew up in the area and I love to play tour guide. You are welcome to contact me for any and all travel tips. 

One of the big treats about attending the Doheny Blues Festival is a chance to flip through the record bins of Charlie Lange’s Bluebeat Music. Charlie, like myself, has attended this event every year since its inception. Many of you who are regulars at Charlie’s online CD store will have a chance to meet up with the sage of Santa Cruz in person. At various times during the day there are more festival musicians shooting the breeze with Charlie and shopping at Bluebeat Music than are hanging out backstage.

As many of you are also aware, Charlie is an ongoing contributor to BLUES JUNCTION. In that capacity he has again rounded up some brand new, old noise (as he calls it) and put it all together for your consideration and entertainment. Read all about that in our regular feature entitled, Charlie’s Re-Issue Rodeo.

This month’s Re-Visited feature, or what some are calling DDIDs, short for Dave’s Desert Island Discs, discusses the 1968 album entitled Black Magic by The Magic Sam Blues Band.

Speaking of desert island discs, I thought it would be great to once again tap into the mind and soul of an artist whose music we admire very much. His name is Tom Ellif. His band the Mighty Mojo Prophets whose brand new album was in our monthly artist spotlight in February, played at the Winter Blues Spotlight in Fullerton. He and his partner Mitch Dow are the founders and leaders of the Prophets. Tom was kind enough to share with us ten (OK make that eleven) albums that had an influence on his approach to music and his life in general.  

Both Tom and Mitch will be the subject of an interview in the upcoming April edition of BLUES JUNCTION.

This month marks the one year anniversary of the passing of a man generally referred to in his lifetime as “The World’s Greatest Blues Drummer”. His name was Richard Innes. For the record he was too modest and too much of a class act to give any thought whatsoever to that title. He just worked very very hard at his craft. He studied the masters and took his cues from some of the greatest musicians in the blues field. He was a completely uncompromising individual when it came to the music he loved and worked with only the musicians whom he held in the highest regard.

In December of 2014, I had a conversation with Richard Innes. At the time I didn’t know it was the first interview he had ever conducted. He knew that of course. He also knew it would be his last. After decades of beating his way through this wicked, wicked world, the man who shunned the spotlight had something to say. So from the interview section of our archives I would like to once again direct your attention to Richard Innes: A Conversation with David Mac.

This also gives me a chance to direct you to the Archive tab on the site. If you scroll down there is section called, In Memoriam; there you will find a moving tribute to Richard Innes written by Jansen Richards. He is a young man who never met Richard, but conveys what his drumming means to so many including himself. I put this last sentence in the present tense as his legacy lives on in the recordings on which he participated. At the conclusion of the interview with Richard there is a link that will take you to a comprehensive chronological discography on Richard Innes.  

This past month was pretty typical business as usual. I received many letters to the editor and comments on social media regarding what has been published and what people would like to see in BLUES JUNCTION. I again turned down suggestions that came from people that want to use our little corner of the cyber world to forward their own agendas that didn’t comport with our brand.

On one afternoon alone I got emails telling me that I am biased towards west coast blues and local (Southern California) musicians and then took a phone call in which a publicist told me I don’t support local musicians. That conversation ended with that individual calling me a heartless S.O.B. He was only half right. I don’t support “local” musicians. As far as the other half, take that up with my Mom. She is 85 years old, 5’1” and might be inclined to kick your ass, if you don’t grab a clue. 

I support great musicians, where ever they might hang their hat. By pandering to folks just because I might see them at a gig or the grocery store cheapens our entire product. It is why so many are trying to get their music written about here in the pages of BLUES JUNCTION. I just try and stay true to my instincts which for the most part (in this field anyway) have served me pretty well.

As I read other online publications I realize how hard it is for people to turn down bribes to write about music that is manufactured with shoddy craftsmanship. Maybe they don’t know the difference or, more likely, don’t care.

On the other hand by taking this path, by having the ability to say “no” so many of you have said, “yes” to BLUES JUNCTION. I am so thankful and grateful you have found us.

Until we meet again, be well and be in touch.

-  David Mac



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