BLUES JUNCTION Productions - Rumble For Ramos

BLUES JUNCTION Productions
7343 El Camino Real
Suite 327
Atascadero, CA 93422-4697
info@bluesjunctionproductions.com

Rumble For Ramos - A Photo Essay

The Long Beach blues scene has gone underground. At least on Sunday, October 28, 2012, it did. On this day, the Southern California blues congregation met directly beneath The Congregation Ale House at Harvelle’s nightclub in Long Beach to help out one of our own, David “Kid” Ramos. As most of our readers know, the world renowned guitarist has been diagnosed with cancer. He is in the midst of treatment to eradicate this insidious killer. The benefit was organized to help offset some of the medical costs that have and will be incurred by the Ramos family.

If there was a theme to the day’s festivities it was “family”. The gathering of people who opened their hearts as well as their wallets were the same people who are always there for a musician in need. It is humbling and inspiring to be in the presence of so many soulful and spirited people who continue to exhibit such a benevolent spirit.

The BLUES JUNCTION Productions family made its way up the coast towards Long Beach in an SUV full of love as well as Rumble for Ramos t-shirts and posters that were for sale, as well as guitars which were donated as auction items.

It dawned on me that this excursion used to be a regular part of our Friday and Saturday night routine, as we would spend countless evenings at the world famous Blue Café that sits right next door and up one flight of stairs to the subterranean nightspot, Harvelle’s. With Halloween just a few days away, the ghosts of those halcyon days of the Long Beach blues scene didn’t seem so far away that afternoon. In fact many of those old ghosts were in attendance on this special day.

Kid Ramos played with great regularity at the long defunct Blue Café, as did many of the musicians who played at the Rumble for Ramos. Many of the patrons at this benefit concert were regulars at the fabled blues shrine and “imbibatorium”. The Blue Café’s talent buyer, raconteur and master of ceremonies, Vince Jordan was in attendance at Rumble for Ramos. The old owner of the famed Café Boogaloo, Steve Roberts was also in the house. Bob, the Boogaloo’s doorman back in the day, came by and also contributed to the cause. It seemed like a family reunion.

It was great to see the president of San Diego’s blues society, Blues Lovers United of San Diego, Janine Harty and so many of that organization’s members make the long trek up the coast to donate to the cause.

Musicians young and not so young who weren’t on the bill came to the event to support the Ramos family. Blues musicians Mercedes Moore and Scot Smart, also from San Diego, were at the show. Los Angeles area based musicians including bassists Rick Reed, Scott Lambert, Mark St. John and Art Krantz along with guitarists Jay Summers, Anthony Contreras and Coco Montoya were in the house.

Two musicians who are also record label owners had artists from their rosters on the bill. Randy Chortkoff of Delta Groove Music who has done so much to help out the Ramos family was of course in attendance. Scott Abeyta of Rip Cat Records was also there to support the cause.

Many others should be commended for stepping up to the plate not the least of which are DJ Art Martel, MC Barry G and MG (“Merch Girl”) Jayne Intveld who selflessly gave of their time and talent.

Those who were there to contribute to the cause and enjoy the music were in for a treat. Fans heard a wide variety of blues, soul, rhythm and vintage rock and roll. The event was in fact a throwback to the Southern California blues scene of a decade ago. In those days traveling musicians like Curtis Salgado (from Portland, Oregon) would come through town with greater regularity. Emerging talents like Bharath Rajakumar (from Montreal) would be given a showcase to play in front of a large audience. Blues based roots rockers and rockabilly acts like The Blasters and Brophy Dale often played on the same bill with more traditional blues artists like Junior Watson and Fred Kaplan. Two musicians who were coming off European tours, drummer Tony Braunagel (Robert Cray Band) and Larry Taylor (Canned Heat), showed up and shared their talent with the appreciative audience. Taylor in fact came directly from the airport and was in the house from start to finish. Other musicians like Bill Stuve and Doug MacLeod had evening gigs but extended their day by showing up early and pulling a “double shift.”

The musicians in many cases worked outside of their own bands and familiar settings to make music with like minded artists. It was another demonstration as to just how much impact Kid has had to this music. The show was tantamount to a large weekend blues festival compressed into a small nightclub in a single afternoon.

The man who is most responsible for the Rumble for Ramos was Richard Duran aka Lynwood Slim. It was Slim who, just as recently as a few months ago, was suffering from his own debilitating health maladies which were so severe that, as he said, “I was ready to check out.” On a rainy Saturday afternoon at the Tiki Bar in nearby Costa Mesa, a benefit was held in his behalf. It was his friend Kid Ramos who played and managed the stage for almost eight hours at a benefit called, “Slim Jam”

It was a tremendously bittersweet, sad and yet heartwarming irony that 50 weeks later his longtime friend and musical collaborator would return the favor. Slim is living proof that these benefits do make a big difference. They go a long way to relieve some of the financial stress associated with the recovery and treatment of cancer but can show the benefactors, in this case Kid, just how much so many people care.

When you get well Kid, your blues family will be here to welcome you back.

- David Mac

Enjoy a photo essay of this special afternoon from Mike Lovato.