Before we get started with the starting line-up and all the exciting features that we have prepared for you, I would like to thank those readers of BLUES JUNCTION that have leant their support to our fledgling little corner of the cyber universe by purchasing a BLUES JUNCTION men’s t-shirt or woman’s  tank top.  Big thanks to our # 1 fan and a dear friend – Leslie Hagins!  She’s a blues lover with big ears and we are humbled by her support. To our supporter in Michigan and the great blues writer, Tom Hyslop, Minnesota blues man Don Scott and the sage of Des Moines and long time blues impresario of Iowa, Don T-Bone Erickson THANK YOU gentlemen.

To the great vocalists and blues women out there from Massachusetts, Sunny Crownover, the singer with the Duke Robillard Band, to west coast blues diva Adrianna Marie who just recorded an album with a roomful of great musicians....THANK YOU.

To eighteen year old blues man Robert Eliff representin’ in the LBC to Big Mac in Denver, Colorado, the curator of the Red Bass...THANK YOU. My Brother is also the bass player for hire out of Denver, Colorado. He was the founder and bass player of the wildly popular Informants band. He is now playing one of his six basses in both the Outliers and the Anthony Russo Band. Anthony is a fine young player whom we hope to hear from more in the future. Thanks Brochacho for your encouragement and support for our little word factory by the sea.

As far as the red bass that is seen (looking kind of pink here) in this picture, that instrument is the inspiration for the BLUES JUNCTION logo. You are welcome to read about that 1980 G&L by looking up a pair of articles that sit in our Archive section entitled "The Red Bass" and “That Place Where Things Mean Nothing.” 

Those two pieces help to explain the affection that I have for that wonderful, four stringed instrument.

A great bass player along with a great drummer is at the heart of every great blues band. It is after all called rhythm and blues. Last year I did the first interview and, as it turned out, the last interview with Richard Innes, who was generally considered the greatest blues drummer of his generation. You of course can also find that piece in our archives. Innes spent a great deal of time on the bandstand and in the recording studio playing with the incomparable Larry Taylor. These two musicians constitute what is widely regarded as the finest rhythm section in the blues. Their work starting with the Hollywood Fats Band and continuing with their long running association with Kim Wilson’s All Star Blues Band represents 40 years of recording excellence. Of course Taylor’s career pre-dates all of this and continues on to this day. I thought it was high time I caught up with the one and only Larry Taylor. He is in the October Monthly Artist Spotlight.

Our Monthly Album Spotlight shines on a soon to be released album by Delta Groove Music and one of their longtime artists, Mitch Kashmar. His latest offering is a real beauty and makes for an essential entry into any blues library.

I also wrote two editorials which speak for themselves. One is entitled The New Monuments Men and the other, The Blues Capital of the World.

This month I pay homage to one of the greatest communicators ever to stride across this great stage of life. That of course is Vincent Edward Scully. He retired as the broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, October 2, 2016, after 67 years on the job. If my native Southern California has a voice it is that of Vin Scully. His light touch behind the mic was the tonic that brought this sprawling metropolis together from spring to fall for as long as most of us can remember.

We also have a whole host of new and soon to be released CDs to share with you in the Recommended Listening section of our ezine.

2016 marks the 30^th anniversary of the tragic death of the great Hollywood Fats. This year also marks the 40^th anniversary of the one and only studio album that was made with the now legendary Hollywood Fats Band. That album, this extraordinary guitar player and the band that bears his name is the focus of our popular Re-Visited feature.

While on the topic of the Hollywood Fats Band, their pianist, Fred Kaplan, like the rest of the band, is a blues musical historian to one degree or another. Fred has been kind enough to write a few essays for BLUES JUNCTION. These can be found in the Archive section of our site. I thought since we are celebrating that band this month I would pull one of those pieces entitled The Truth is Your Reward and put it up here on the top shelf of the October edition of our ezine. 

Finally, we'd like to thank the other 30 or so people who are also sporting BLUES JUNCTION attire for their support.  We have spent the last few years building a following of fine folks who love this music and seek out quality features on the music and its artists.  To have their and your support means the world.

Again much thanks to all of our readers who have emailed or hit me up on Facebook with your thoughts on what you read here at the JUNCTION each and every month. It is always great to hear from you. Until we meet again, be well and be in touch.

- David Mac



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