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December 31, 2007

• 2007 Recap: Bob Corritore would like to say "thank you" to all the friends, fellow musicians, blues fans, talent buyers, festivals, radio show hosts and program directors, record labels, magazines and e-publications, photographers, blues societies, The Blues Foundation, NARAS, Karen Leipziger, Tempest Recording, Porcupine Studios, Mona Watkins & The Rhythm Room, Rack Shack Barbeque, KJZZ, Bill Wax, Jim O'Neal, Michael Frank, Bruce Iglauer, Dick Shurman, Bob Koester, Dale Baich and Blue Witch Records, Randy Chortkoff and our friends at Delta Groove, Blind Pig Records, Scott Cable, VizzTone Records, Harry Turner, Terry Buckalew, Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars, Dave Riley, Tomcat Courtney, Bob Margolin, the Phoenix Blues Society, Scott Dirks, Paul Oscher, Kim Wilson, Jocelyn Richez, Michel Remond, Hohner Harmonicas, Joe Filisko, and my lovely Kim Danielson for making this another banner year. Though there were some sad losses of beloved artists and blues people, there were also great adventures, recording sessions, recognitions, airplay and CD sales, festivals and performances, musical growth, and lots of love and support.

• Great Year at KJZZ: Bob's radio show Those Lowdown Blues on KJZZ turned 23 years old. It was honored by The Blues Foundation with a KBA Award (Keeping The Blues Alive) in which Bob went to Memphis to receive a special award. Every week, this is a time that Bob gets to play music from his vast collection of blues recordings. Some special shows that come to mind are:

The annual Phoenix R&B show with Bob's radio mentor John ("Johnny D") Dixon

An amazing on-air performance by Tomcat Courtney and Chris James

Pinetop Perkins: The 94 year old blues piano master gave a two hour interview as we played and commented on many of his historical records with Earl Hooker, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, and others

Jerry Lawson, former lead singer of The Persuasions, stopped by to share his latest release with his new A Capella group, Jerry Lawson & Talk Of The Town. Jerry's interviews always include lots of delightful "on the spot" singing

A weekend with guests Henry Gray, Billy Flynn, and Eddie Kobek joining Big Pete Pearson and The Rhythm Room All-Stars

An interview and live performance with Phoenix's blues boss, Big Pete Pearson

Randy Chortkoff guesting and playing some of his spectacular productions from his Delta Groove record label and before

A five-hour tribute to Chico Chism on the day of his passing frantically put together by Bob and his loyal blues assistant Jennifer Waters (thank you, Jennifer) which included loving commentary mostly received that day by Koko Taylor, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Sam Lay, Tail Dragger, Hubert Sumlin, Richie Villiger (formerly of the Lucerne Blues Festival), Johnny Rapp, Chris James and Patrick Rynn, Lil' Ed, Kim Wilson, and many others. It was the hardest show ever on so many levels; but it was so important to give this great bluesman his due. He added so much to the Phoenix Blues Community and to the blues world at large

A tribute show to the late Ike Turner, of which about four of the show's five hours were focused on Ike's amazing recorded contributions to blues. Many listeners commented that they never realized all that Ike had done: recordings with B.B. King, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, Charlie Booker, Otis Rush, Jackie Brenston, Little Milton, Billy "The Kid" Emerson, Boyd Gilmore, Ike and Tina Turner, and much more

A live on-air performance by Johnny Rawls where he went back to his gospel roots

Thanks to Scott Williams and everyone at KJZZ for providing a safe and supportive home for a blues radio show.

• Press Recognition:

Three blues magazines did feature articles on Bob Corritore: ABS Magazine (France), Blues Magazine (France), and Big City Blues (U.S.)

Also great mentions with photos in Juke Blues (UK), Soul Bag (France), Twój Blues (Poland), Baker Street (France)

Juke Blues Magazine (UK) did a spectacular article about my friend Middle Walter (by Dave Williams and Cilla Huggins) where they included my recollections plus photos and posters of Middle Walter from my archives

Charlie Hussey interviewed Big Pete Pearson and Bob Corritore for his radio show, Blues Train, aired in Dublin, Ireland

Living Blues interviewed Big Pete Pearson

Cover Story on Big Pete Pearson in Virus De Blues (France)

Voice of America ran features on both Big Pete Pearson and Bob Corritore

Feature article on Big Pete Pearson in Blues News (Finland)

Numerous mentions and features in BluesWax

Plus great reviews of this year's releases from all the blues magazines (thank you)

• CDs/DVDs Released:

Big Pete Pearson/I'm Here Baby (Blue Witch) with The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey) plus guests Ike Turner, W.C. Clark, Joey DeFrancesco, Johnny Dyer, Kid Ramos, Chico Chism, Johnny Rapp, and more. Produced by Bob Corritore.

Pinetop Perkins/Born In The Honey (VizzTone) with one cut produced by Bob Corritore that features backing by Bob, Johnny Rapp, Paul Thomas, and Chico Chism.

Nappy Brown/Long Time Coming (Blind Pig) with one cut featuring Bob Corritore, Henry Gray, Kid Ramos, Johnny Rapp, Mario Moreno, and Chico Chism. That one track was produced by Bob Corritore and the rest of the CD produced by Scott Cable.

Various Artists/House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin' (Blue Witch) was produced by Bob Corritore & Clarke Rigsby and features live at the Rhythm Room performances by The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Floyd Dixon, The Mannish Boys featuring Finis Tasby, Billy Boy Arnold, Sonny Rhodes, Paul Oscher, Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars, Louisiana Red, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Johnny Dyer, Henry Gray, Kid Ramos, and Long John Hunter.

Dave Riley & Bob Corritore/Travelin' The Dirt Road (Blue Witch) produced by Bob Corritore.

• Recording Sessions: With Honeyboy Edwards, Pinetop Perkins, Duke Robillard, Henry Gray, Billy Flynn, Johnny Dyer, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Diunna Greenleaf, Bob Margolin, Mookie Brill, Chuck Cotton, Eddie Kobek, Chris James & Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey, David Maxwell, Sam Lay, Tomcat Courtney, Big Pete Pearson, Dave Riley, two Fabulous Thunderbirds live recording sessions; some sessions as a producer, some as a player, but most sessions in both roles.

Thank you to my dear friend Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recording for being my recording partner through the years, and for delivering the quality in recording and mixing. Thanks to John Wroble and Jeff Harris of Porcupine Studios for being my patient post production saints. Thanks to Dave Shirk of Sonorous Mastering for his amazing touch, and for Tony Amato of Amato Image Design for some spectacular and soulful cover art. A big thanks to Dale Baich, Beth Lipham, and Judy Marut from Blue Witch Records for three wonderful releases this year, and for their unbelievable ability to make a label a family. Thanks to Karen Leipziger for a stunning publicity campaign on this year's three Blue Witch Releases. Also, thanks to the publicity teams at Blind Pig Records, VizzTone, and Delta Groove for their great efforts in putting the word out. Lots of great recordings in the pipeline and more announcements of releases to follow shortly.

• Passings: Susan Greenberg, Chico Chism (my longtime partner in blues and one of my closest friends), Crown Prince Waterford, Paul DeLay, Leroy Brown, Richard Cason, Carey Bell, Big Joe Duskin, Bill Perry, Walter "Sunny" Gaines, Jimmy "T-99" Nelson, Eddie Berner, Ernest Withers, Johnnie Mae Dunson, Gary Primich, Jerry Ricks, Ike Turner, Cotton Candy, Pookie Hudson (of the Spaniels), Luther Ingram, Zola Taylor (of The Platters), Nellie Lutcher, Chantel Rey (Michael Cloeren's significant other), Backwards Sam Firk, Bois Sec Ardoin, Little Sonny Warner (who sang "There Is Something On Your Mind"), Lefty Bates, James Davis (Georgia Blues Artist), James B. Davis (of the Dixie Hummingbirds), Slim Hunt (of the Supreme Angels), Peter Dames, Esmond Edwards (Producer for Chess Records), Hy Weiss (owner of the Old Town Record label), John E. Johnson (of The Starlings and The Twilighters), Jimmy Cheatham, Joe Hunter (of the Funk Brothers), Jesse James Johnson AKA Jesse Brown (bassist for Bo Diddley), Dakota Staton, Alvin Batiste, Billy Richard (Of The Robins), Weepin' Willie Robinson, and "Uncle John" Turner.

  We will miss you.

• Awards, Recognition, and Nominations:

KBA Award: Bob Corritore's radio show was honored by The Blues Foundation with a KBA Award for public radio; it is awarded to individuals or groups who have furthered the cause of this music form.

New Times Best Of Phoenix: The Rhythm Room received editorial awards for "Best Club For Blues" and "Best Gig Posters", as well as Reader's Choice Award for "Best Club For Blues". KJZZ has yet again won the New Times Best Of Phoenix  Reader's Choice Award for "Best Blues/Jazz Radio Station".

Phoenix Mayor's proclamation of "Bob Corritore Day": Saturday, September 29, 2007 was proclaimed "Bob Corritore Day" in honor of Bob's cultural contributions to the city. The particular day was chosen to coincide with Bob's 51st birthday party.

Big Pete #1 on Powerblues Radio Chart, January 2007: Click here for the chart listing. Powerblues is a classification made by French blues radio show hosts and appears both on the Powerblues website and in the popular French rock magazine Crossroads.

Grammy® nomination under the Traditional Blues Category: The Pinetop Perkins CD On The 88's - Live In Chicago on Sagebrush Productions/VizzTone Label Group has made it into the final five in the Grammy® nominations under the Traditional Blues Category. On this CD are 9 live tracks recorded in Chicago, with a band that includes Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (drums), Bob Stroger (bass) and "Little Frank" Krakowski (guitar). Also included is one bonus studio track called "Rather Quit Her Than Hit Her" recorded in Phoenix by Bob Corritore (producer) and Clarke Rigsby (engineer), that features Pinetop backed by Chico Chism (drums), Johnny Rapp (guitar), Paul Thomas (bass), and Bob Corritore (harmonica). This is the first time that a recording with Bob's harmonica playing has been up for a Grammy®!

Blues Music Awards nominations: Bob Corritore is proud to be associated with many great projects nominated for awards this year: Dave Riley and Bob Corritore's album Travelin' The Dirt Road on Blue Witch Records was nominated as Acoustic Album of the Year, Pinetop Perkins' CD/DVD Born In The Honey on CDMojo was nominated for Best DVD of the year, House Rockin' And Blues Shoutin!: Celebrating 15 Years Of The Rhythm Room on Blue Witch Records was nominated for Historical Album of the Year, and Nappy Brown's album Long Time Coming on Blind Pig Records was nominated for Traditional Blues Album of the Year.

Independent Music Awards nominations: Big Pete Pearson was nominated for Independent Music Awards in the category of "Best Blues Album" for I'm Here Baby on the Blue Witch record label, and "Best Blues Song of the Year" for the title cut of that record.

• Festivals and Great Gigs:

Delta Groove Show at Gibson Beale Street Showcase in Memphis: Big Pete Pearson and Bob Corritore made a guest appearance with The Mannish Boys, in a star-studded show that included the amazing Delta Groove roster, as well as the Blue Bella label. Click here for photos taken that night, and here for the poster

Scottsdale Music Festival with Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars opening the day on the main stage and Dave Riley and Bob Corritore playing on the side stage in between sets

Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival appearing as a guest of the Mannish Boys, playing harmonica behind two Johnny Dyer songs. Also made guest appearances on the sets of Diunna Greenleaf and Mississippi Spoonman & Carla Robinson

KFFA live on-air performance with Dave Riley with hosts Terry Buckalew and Sonny Payne

Dave Riley and Bob Corritore Travelin' The Dirt Road CD Release Party at the Delta Cultural Center

Paul Butterfield Fund and Society's Conference and Gathering in Clarksdale, Mississippi with the Sam Lay Blues Band where Bob also met and played with the talented young bluesman from St. Louis, Marquise Knox.

Lucerne Blues Festival, Lucerne, Switzerland with Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars with special guest Bob Margolin

Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris, France with Big Pete and the All-Stars plus Bob Margolin

Big Pete Pearson CD release party at The Rhythm Room

Opening for Bobby Rush with Big Pete Pearson and The Rhythm Room All-Stars

Down Home Blues Festival at The Rhythm Room appearing as house band on a show featuring Honeyboy Edwards, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Tomcat Courtney, Big Pete Pearson, Chris James, and Paris James

Patrick's II in San Diego with The Fremonts

Liz Mandeville's Chicago Blues Festival After-Party appearing with Aaron Moore and Barrelhouse Chuck

Sam Lay Blues Band gig at The Rhythm Room with special guests David Maxwell and Big Pete Pearson

Chief Schabuttie Gilliame's 81st Birthday Party

Great gigs with San Diego-based Tomcat Courtney at The Rhythm Room

Opening for the Chicago Blues Reunion with Paris James in a small down-home combo setting

Being called up on the Siegel-Schwall Band's set at The Rhythm Room to perform a number with Sam Lay, followed by a harmonica romp with Corky Siegel, Marcy Levy, and myself all trading riffs

Though the saddest day of the year, it was an honor to perform at Chico Chism's repast and honor the man who has filled my life with great music, joy and friendship for over 30 years

Bob Corritore's Birthday Bash with Phillip Walker performing with Bobby Jones! Also on the bill was dear friend and fellow harpman Randy Chortkoff

Mini Colorado tour with Big Pete Pearson

Pinetop Perkins gig at The Rhythm Room

Christmas Blues Party with Henry Gray, Billy Flynn, Big Pete Pearson, and The Rhythm Room All-Stars

Playing at the Farm restaurant in Phoenix with Paris James and Big Pete Pearson

Blues Harmonica Showcase - Calling up Bill Tarsha during my portion of the show to join me for a wild harmonica duet

Sitting in with Fiona Boyes at The Rhythm Room

A powerful night backing Roy Gaines at The Rhythm Room

A cool evening with Mark Hummel and Johnny Dyer with Big Pete Pearson and The Rhythm Room All-Stars opening up at The Rhythm Room

Playing a song with John Németh and Junior Watson at The Rhythm Room

Blues For The City benefit show (put on by the Phoenix Blues Society) appearing with Diunna Greenleaf and Blue Mercy

And of course, all the regular gigs with Big Pete Pearson and The Rhythm Room All-Stars at our home base, The Rhythm Room!

Special thanks to Rhythm Room general manager Mona Watkins who runs The Rhythm Room with such love and dedication that it allows me to concentrate of being an artist and the travel that this entails. Mona, you are the best!

Thank You: For your part in allowing this great year to happen. The new year brings the promise of more great shows, recordings, travel, new friendships and renewed bonds and the sacred gift of blues music. My humble appreciation for your support.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year,

Bob Corritore

December 21, 2007

• Spectacular Send-off to Ike Turner: Kim and I flew into Los Angeles on Thursday, December 20, 2007 to attend our friend Ike Turner’s funeral, and went directly to the visitation at the Angelus Funeral Home. There lay Ike, in his favorite lilac suit with the gold sequins, which he wore when he accepted his 2007 Grammy® Award in the Traditional Blues Category. Around him were flower arrangements by dignitaries such as B.B. King, Pinetop Perkins, and Phil Spector. We sat in the chapel listening to Ike’s music being played, and spent about an hour reflecting on all of his great contributions to music. We met Margena Christian of Jet Magazine, who did Ike’s last interview, and who will run a feature on Ike in an upcoming issue of Jet Magazine. We ran into Roy Gaines at the visitation, who we spoke to at length in the lobby.

The next day, the funeral was held at a simply beautiful church in the Compton area, called the City Of Refuge. Sitting with us were Roger Naber, Leon Blue, and James “Broadway” Thomas. In the row behind us was Roy Gaines and “Poo Poo Man” Anderson from the band Parliament. In front of us were Joe Bihari and his wife, who we had met in Memphis two years ago; who, before the service, shared some wonderful stories of traveling through the South with a teenage Ike Turner, and about Ike’s piano work on his B.B. King sessions. In front of Joe sat Phil Spector and his entourage. In the row in front of that and across the room sat Little Richard.

The service had a strongly religious note, with preacher Edwin Perry reading from Psalms 18:1-2 and thanking God for the gift of Ike Turner. The Kings of Rhythm performed, with the great Ernest Lane, Ike’s childhood friend and fellow piano player, who, like Ike, also studied under Pinetop Perkins. The band performed “Caldonia” then "Rocket 88", and served as a backing band to Lyricia Garnett, who sang “Nutbush City Limits” and then “Proud Mary”. Robert Johnson, owner of Rooster Blues and Ikon Records, first read a statement from Jerry Wexler, and then gave an eloquent speech about the record he and Ike collaborated on, which was right after Ike’s release from prison and the movie release. Robert said Ike could have easily just crawled under a rock, but instead, Ike had the courage to face all the obstacles in front of him. After Robert’s speech, Vera Hamilton sang a version of “I Will Always Love You”. After Vera’s song was a loving speech by Ike’s former wife Jeanette. Barbara Cole then sang “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”. Ike’s daughters Mia and Queen then read the reflection on Ike’s life, which was reprinted in the funeral program. Little Richard then began the testimonials, with great praise of his friend, as a person and as a talented musician. One of the many warm mentions from Little Richard’s speech was of Ike Turner paying his mortgage note during a tough time for Richard, allowing him to stay in his home. Little Richard stated that he was so influenced by Ike Turner that he borrowed the piano intro of "Rocket 88" and made that the intro to “Good Golly Miss Molly”. Ike’s son, Ike Junior, then spoke of producing the record that was later Ike’s final, Grammy®-winning record. Risin' With The Blues. Other speeches included a surprised Phil Spector (who stated he was not expecting to speak and therefore unprepared for a statement), who disputed the book “I, Tina” and the movie “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”. Phil was highly critical of Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement of the book, and spoke of Ike as one of the greatest guitar players he had ever known. Ollie Woodson of The Temptations sang a simply spectacular performance of “Walk Around Heaven” with a heartfelt delivery. Solomon Burke then gave a healing sermon, complete with song, in which he invited those in the audience to come to the altar to be personally saved, calling specifically for Phil Spector to join him (which he did - see picture here). Ike’s sons and daughters then spoke lovingly of their father. In addition, Ike’s manager, Phil Arnold, spoke of how Ike was unleashing numerous new projects, one of which was a new hybrid musical genre to be called “Blues-Hop” (which Phil referred to as “Blues on top and Hip-Hop on the bottom"). Ike’s lawyer, James Clayton, and “Poo Poo Man” Anderson then spoke. The service concluded with a processional by The Kings of Rhythm. Guests were met in the lobby by a New Orleans-style brass band, playing "When The Saints Go Marching In", "Down By The Riverside", and other brass band favorites.

A repast was held at The Savoy, complete with a buffet, drinks, and fellowship, followed by live music. We were proud to go this event pay tribute to a man who gave the world so much music, and who gave us personal joy and friendship. A few more links on the services: from Yahoo! News, Associated Press, and from BluePower.com. Look for a new photo page soon on BobCorritore.com memorializing Ike Turner, as well as scans of the memorial program.

-Bob Corritore

December 15, 2007

• Little Walter To Be Inducted In Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame! This just announced: Little Walter will be among the 2008 inductees into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Little Walter's induction will be under the "sideman" category. The late Marion "Little Walter" Jacobs is considered by many to the greatest harmonica player who ever lived, and his classic 1950s recordings a frontman and a sideman (with Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, John Brim, and others) redefined the role of harmonica in blues. For more information on the Rock& Roll HOF's website, click here. For more information on Little Walter, click here. For nice photos of Little Walter on Bob's website, click here. Special thanks to Scott Dirks (Co-Author of Blues With A Feeling: The Little Walter Story) for making us aware of this news.
• Ike Turner Memorial Services: Please be informed that memorial services for the late Ike Turner will be held in Los Angeles next week:

Viewing:

Thursday, December 20, 2007 from 10am to 8pm

Angelus Funeral Home

3875 South Crenshaw Blvd. (at West 39th St.)

Los Angeles, CA 90008

(323)296-6666

Funeral Services:

Friday, December 21, 2007, 11am

Greater Bethany Community Church City Of Refuge

14527 South San Pedro St. (East  - Rosecrans Ave)

Gardena, CA 90248

(310)516-1433

December 14, 2007

• 2008 Blues Music Awards Nominations: The 2008 Blues Music Awards nominations have been announced, and Bob Corritore is proud to be associated with many great projects nominated for awards this year. Dave Riley and Bob Corritore's album Travelin' The Dirt Road on Blue Witch Records was nominated as Acoustic Album of the Year. Pinetop Perkins' CD/DVD Born In The Honey on CDMojo was nominated for Best DVD of the year. House Rockin' And Blues Shoutin!: Celebrating 15 Years Of The Rhythm Room on Blue Witch Records was nominated for Historical Album of the Year. Nappy Brown's album Long Time Coming on Blind Pig Records was nominated for Traditional Blues Album of the Year. Congratulations to all the nominees; click here for a full list of nominations.
• Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers Perform Tonight: West Coast blues harmonica king Rod Piazza and his Mighty Flyers will appear at the Rhythm Room Friday, December 14, 2007. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Tickets are $15 in advance or day of show; advance tickets are available at the Rhythm Room, all Ticketmaster store locations, Charge by Phone: (800)745-3000, or Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 8pm. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This will be a patio smoking only event, no indoor smoking will be allowed.
• Bob's Appearances Next Week: Bob Corritore will make two appearances next week. First on Tuesday, December 18, 2007, Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room as part of the Harmonica Showcase, which will also include Bill Tarsha, Bob Corritore, Jimmy Johnson, Larry Dee, Big Nick, Walkin' Cane Mark, Robert Jackson, Blind Ronnie, Larry Polk, Gypsy, Lee Poole, John Cally, Dee, Barry Logan, Dwight Miles, Doc, Steve Passanelli, Paul Klapper, Hans Olson, Sugar Bear, Lenny Blues, Jerry Swartz, and many more! Doors open at 7pm, cover charge is $7. Then, on Thursday, December 20, 2007, Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room as part of the December Jazz & Blues Celebration, which will also honor Margo Reed's Birthday, and Nancy Gee & Bill General's Golden Anniversary. Performers include Margo Reed, Michael Reed, Nancy Gee, Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, John Shea, Dan Hart, Sherry Roberson, Joel Robin, Delphine Cortez, and many more! Doors open at 6pm, cover charge is $10. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. These nights will be patio smoking only events; no indoor smoking will be permitted. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
• Upcoming Paul Oscher Show! Legendary harmonica master Paul Oscher will appear for an early show at the Rhythm Room Friday, December 21, 2007. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 5pm; cover charge is $12.00, and the show will last from 6 to 8pm. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This will be a patio smoking only event, no indoor smoking will be allowed. Immediately following the show will be Phoenix favorites, Sistah Blue, performing for the remainder of the evening.

• Weekend Recap/Henry Gray Revelation on KJZZ: It is always a great pleasure when blues piano master Henry Gray comes to town. Last weekend at the Rhythm Room was no exception. A great band was constructed that included Big Pete Pearson, Billy Flynn, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Eddie Kobek, and of course, Henry Gray. Both nights were well attended and received. The next day both Billy and Henry had separate interviews on Bob's radio show, Those Lowdown Blues on KJZZ in Phoenix. Henry Gray revealed some interesting information of interest to die-hard Chicago Blues fans. First, when we played "I Declare That Ain't Right" from Chess Records, I asked Henry Gray about the harmonica playing, which was credited to Henry Strong. Henry Gray stated that it was Junior Wells playing the harmonica. If that is the case, then we wonder if there are any recordings available that feature harmonica player Henry Strong, who, at this point, has a mythical status in the history of Chicago Blues for being the replacement for Little Walter in Muddy Waters' band when Walter left to pursue a solo career based on the success of his hit, "Juke". When asked about knowing Little Walter, Henry Gray stated that he knew Little Walter from Louisiana, and that they didn't live very far apart. He said that he recalled seeing Little Walter perform then, at various functions where Walter would play unaccompanied (without a band). He also told a story about Little Walter, saying "Everything Little Walter did was fast. He talked fast, he walked fast, and he played fast." Henry also told a story of driving Little Walter around where Walter put his foot over Henry's and stepped down on the accelerator, forcing Henry to drive (you guessed it) fast. Henry also told stories of working with Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Rogers, Dusty Brown, Howlin' Wolf, and Morris Pejoe; it was a great interview. The next day we were in the studio with the same great band as the weekend, plus special guest Johnny Dyer. Big Pete, Henry Gray, and Johnny Dyer all took turns at vocals and Bob Corritore and Johnny Dyer switched back and forth on harmonica. Some very heavy Chicago Blues was captured during the recording session. A great four-day run that we hated to see end!

• 4 More Upcoming Harmonica Releases:

1) Dennis Gruenling reports that he has produced a Tribute To Little Walter record with himself and other harmonica champions. Kim Wilson, Rick Estrin, and Steve Guyger are Dennis's special guests.

2) "Little Frank" reports that a forthcoming Willie "Big Eyes" Smith CD was recently recorded in Chicago. Willie, though best known as Muddy Waters' longtime drummer, is a beautiful harmonica player and vocalist. His son Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith played drums and produced the session, which also included Billy Flynn on guitar (and mandolin on one track), "Little Frank" on guitar, Bob Stroger on bass, and Barrelhouse Chuck on piano. Sounds like it could be a brilliant follow-up to Willie's highly acclaimed Way Back CD on HighTone.

3) Multi-instrumentalist and harmonica master Paul Oscher reports that he will be releasing his Live At The Rhythm Room CD in 2008. Simply an on set recorded over two nights in 2005.

4) BluesWax reports that Wallace Coleman, former harmonica player in the late Robert Lockwood Jr.'s band, teamed up with U.K. bluesman Dave Thomas for an album called Repossession Blues. Wallace is simply an amazing harmonica player.

• Bob Corritore Recordings in Living Blues Radio Charts: Dave Riley and Bob Corritore's album Travelin' The Dirt Road on Blue Witch Records was number 11 in October and number 15 in November. House Rockin' And Blues Shoutin!: Celebrating 15 Years Of The Rhythm Room on Blue Witch Records was number 8 in October and number 9 in November. Nappy Brown's album Long Time Coming on Blind Pig Records, in which Bob is on one cut as a player and a producer, was number 14 in October and number 2 in November. Thank you, Living Blues and to all of the radio show hosts around the world that have given such great support to these releases.

• Ike Turner Honored on Bob's Radio Show This Sunday: The late great Ike Turner, who passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2007 will be remembered on Bob's radio show, Those Lowdown Blues, next Sunday, December 16, 2007. Please note that this show will also memorialize the 10 year anniversary of Jimmy Rogers' passing. Listeners may hear Those Lowdown Blues anywhere in the world (real time Sunday nights from 6pm-11pm Phoenix time) via web streaming by clicking here, or on KJZZ in Phoenix at 91.5 FM in Phoenix, Arizona, 89.5 in Cottonwood, 90.1 in Prescott, 98.9 in Tucson, and 99.1 in Kingman.

December 12, 2007

• RIP Ike Turner - November 5, 1931 - December 12, 2007: It is with shock and sadness that we report the loss of our friend Ike Turner. Ike was 76. Ike was simply and definitively one of the most influential figures in blues music. In addition to being a great musician and entertainer, Ike was a great organizer and talent scout, and was responsible for launching the careers of B.B. King, Little Milton, Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, and, of course, Tina Turner. Ike was also credited for making the first Rock 'N Roll record, "Rocket 88", in 1951. Ike endured a terrible reputation due to Laurence Fishburn's villainous and misleading depiction of him in the hit movie What's Love Got To Do With It? with Angela Bassett playing Tina Turner. Ike was no angel; but, he was not that guy in the movie as was known to me by some cherished experiences I personally had with him, and from what Little Milton personally related to me. "Ike was a great man, and that movie did him wrong; It just didn't happen that way" Little Milton once said to me. He also said, "If it wasn't for Ike Turner, there would be no Little Milton". Ike was a brilliant guitarist, pianist, songwriter, arranger and bandleader. Ike won a Grammy® last year in the Traditional Blues Category as a final validation of his great work. We will miss you, Ike.

Please see these links for more information on his passing:

USA Today article

Click here for his complete discography with an amazing number of historic releases.

Click here for some great photos of Ike celebrating his teacher, Pinetop Perkins, as Pinetop accepts a Lifetime Achievement Grammy® at the induction ceremony.

-Bob Corritore

December 10, 2007

• RIP Jerry Ricks - May 20, 1940 - December 10, 2007: Sad News came today from Carey Wolfson that bluesman Jerry Ricks passed away. Jerry left us at 10:05am in his hospital room in Rijeka, Croatia. Jerry and his wife Nancy had been living in Croatia since early this year. He was diagnosed in September with a brain tumor. Jerry was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and began playing guitar in Philadelphia venues in the late 1950's. Jerry had lessons from the legendary Lonnie Johnson and embraced all styles of traditional country blues. This beloved bluesman traveled extensively, played blues festivals all around the world, and recorded a number of beautifully constructed albums. Jerry was very involved in research and education as another way of advancing the word of the blues. In 1970, Jerry moved to Western Europe where he found great acceptance and performed regularly. He would come back to the States on a frequent basis to perform at numerous festivals and concert appearances. For a complete bio on this great bluesman's life, please check out Jerry's website by clicking here. We are grateful to this noble man for his accomplished work in the blues and we pray that his legacy will live on.

December 7, 2007

• Traditional blues Grammy Nominations Announced! Pinetop Perkins CD with Bob Corritore on Harmonica in the Running! The Pinetop Perkins CD On The 88's - Live In Chicago on Sagebrush Productions/VizzTone Label Group has made it into the final five in the Grammy® nominations under the Traditional Blues Category. Pinetop Perkins is now 94 years old, and is considered by many to be the greatest living blues piano player. On this CD are 9 live tracks recorded in Chicago, with a band that includes Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (drums), Bob Stroger (bass) and "Little Frank" Krakowski (guitar). Also included is one bonus studio track called "Rather Quit Her Than Hit Her" recorded in Phoenix by Bob Corritore (producer) and Clarke Rigsby (engineer), that features Pinetop backed by Chico Chism (drums), Johnny Rapp (guitar), Paul Thomas (bass), and Bob Corritore (harmonica). This is the first time that a recording with Bob's harmonica playing has been up for a Grammy®. The complete listing of Grammy® nominees in the Traditional Blues Category is listed below:

Pinetop Perkins On The 88's - Live In Chicago

Pinetop Perkins

[Sagebrush Productions/VizzTone Label Group]

Live...And In Concert From San Francisco

Otis Rush

[Blues Express, Inc.]

10 Days Out: Blues From The Backroads

Kenny Wayne Shepherd Featuring Various Artists

[Reprise Records]

Old School

Koko Taylor

[Alligator Records]

Last Of The Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live In Dallas

Henry James Townsend, Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, Robert Lockwood, Jr. & David "Honeyboy" Edwards

[The Blue Shoe Project]

Any of these fine releases have a good chance to win. This year's traditional blues category is well represented with so many worthy veterans (Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Honeyboy Edwards, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Henry Townsend, and Pinetop Perkins). Even the youthful Kenny Wayne Shepherd's CD is filled with great veteran special guests (Pinetop Perkins, B.B. King, Henry Gray, Jerry McCain, Hubert Sumlin, George "Wild Child" Butler, Henry Townsend, and more). Congratulations to all the nominees! For great photos of Pinetop Perkins from Bob's website, click here and here. The 50th Annual Grammy® Awards will be held Sunday, February 10, 2008 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and broadcast live on CBS. How exciting to be involved in a Grammy® nominated release!

December 4, 2007

• Christmas Blues Party at Phoenix's Rhythm Room This Weekend with Henry Gray, Billy Flynn, Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars, and More! This Friday and Saturday, December 7 and 8, 2007, the Rhythm Room presents a Blues Christmas Party with the extraordinary lineup of Henry Gray, Billy Flynn, Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars, plus Eddie Kobek. Henry Gray (now 82 years old) is one of the greatest living Chicago Blues pianists. His piano playing has been on definitive 1950s and 60s recordings by Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold, Dusty Brown, Morris Pejoe, and others. Henry's celebrated CD, Plays Chicago Blues, (produced by Bob Corritore) earned him four W.C. Handy Award nominations (now called Blues Music Awards), and a cover story in Living Blues Magazine. Billy Flynn is considered one of the greatest blues guitarists on the scene today, and is a frequently sought-after sideman, having been on records by Snooky Pryor, Jimmy Dawkins, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Kim Wilson, Little Arthur Duncan, Little Smokey Smothers, John Brim, Wallace Coleman, Willie Kent, and more. Eddie Kobek is a first call drummer in Chicago, working regular gigs with Billy Flynn, Jody Williams, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Nick Moss, and others. Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars include Phoenix's legendary blues vocalist Big Pete Pearson, plus Bob Corritore on harmonica, Chris James on guitar and vocals, and Patrick Rynn on bass (Eddie Kobek will be filling in for vacationing Brian Fahey, The Rhythm Room All-Stars' regular drummer). Look for some real Chicago Blues to be played on these nights. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $10. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. These nights will be patio smoking only events; no indoor smoking will be permitted.

• Lucerne Blues Festival and Paris Photo and Commentary on the Web: Photos of Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars' shows at Lionel Hampton Jazz Club in Paris and the Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland (some including commentary) from earlier this month have appeared recently on the internet. Here are a few: On the Lucerne Blues Festival site, over 1000 photos of the 2007 Festival have been posted. Click here to go to the Gallery section of the Lucerne Blues Festival website. More of Aigar's Lucerne photos can be viewed here.  Dragan Tasic's photos of the Lucerne Blues Festival can be viewed here. Dragan's photos of Big Pete and the band can be viewed here. Jocelyn Richez's photos and commentary on Paris shows in Docteur Blues can be viewed here. Jukejoint Blues and Soul can be viewed (untranslated) (translated) Pat Delmar's MySpace Site contains photos of the Fest; once on the site, click on the pics section. Do not forget to visit Jean Luc Vabres' blog about Lucerne for Juke Joint Blues.
• Six New Blues Harmonica Releases! Look for some great releases with harmonica as a centerpiece, scheduled for release in early 2008:

1) Andrew Galloway of Electro-Fi Records reports that a new Billy Boy Arnold has been recorded with a theme of John Lee "Sonny Boy" Williamson songs. Billy Boy was actually taught by Sonny Boy, and sings and plays this style better than anyone. Mel Brown and Billy Flynn are part of this promising new release.

2) Michael Frank of Earwig Music reports that a new Honeyboy Edwards release will feature backing by a number of harmonica players including Bobby Rush, Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones, Billy Branch, Sugar Blue, and many others. Very exciting!

3) Kevin Johnson of Delmark Records reports a Little Arthur Duncan CD and DVD is due out early next year. Little Arthur is one of the greatest veteran harmonica player/vocalists on the Chicago scene today, and his great band featuring Illinois Slim (my good friend) and Rick Kreher on guitars really has a special touch in backing him.

4) Chicago Harmonica Project Vol. 2 - This forthcoming release on Severn Records follows the tradition of Vol.1 by presenting a group of singer/harmonica players. The harp players on this one are Little Arthur, Reginald Cooper, Charlie Love, Big D, Jeffrey Taylor, and Harmonica Hines. The band again includes Illinois Slim and Rick Kreher on guitars, Twist Turner on drums, and others.

5) Frank Roszak reports that Delta Groove Records will be releasing a CD early next year by West Coast harmonica great Mitch Kashmar. This will be Mitch's third CD for Delta Groove.

6) Harmonica hellraiser RJ Mischo reports his new CD will be called King Of A Mighty Good Time, and will be released early next year on his own Challis label.

• Three New Great Reviews for Travelin' The Dirt Road: The latest CD by Dave Riley and Bob Corritore has been getting great attention lately. Special thanks to Bill Wax's "Bluesville" on XM Satellite Radio for their strong rotation of this CD. Here are three new online reviews just in. Click here for the review from Gibson Guitars, and here for the review from Radio Ung. Also, David Barnard (AKA Dr. Feelgood) contributes reviews to a Canadian music magazine called Exclaim, which has published a review in the December issue. You can read it online here. All of these reviews are also available on BobCorritore.com - check the review page for Travelin' The Dirt Road as well as many great new reviews of House Rockin' And Blues Shoutin!: Celebrating 15 Years Of The Rhythm Room, also on Blue Witch Records.
• Dave Riley to Open for Etta James this Friday, December 7, 2007 in Monterey: Dave Riley will appear at the Golden State Theatre in Monterey, California doing an opening set for Etta James at 8pm. Dave will be appearing solo on this show. This event is supported by the Monterey Bay Blues Society. For more info on the show, click here. Also check out Dave Riley's new website.

November 14, 2007

• Bob Corritore to Appear with Paris James Tonight at the Rhythm Room: Bob Corritore will do a guest set with Paris James on Wednesday, November 14, 2007. Look for some down-home blues on this night! The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Doors open at 7:30pm, cover charge is $3. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This will be a patio smoking only event, no indoor smoking will be allowed.
• Pinetop Perkins to Appear at the Rhythm Room on Saturday: Widely acclaimed as the greatest living blues piano player, Pinetop Perkins, now 94 years old, will make a rare appearance at Phoenix’s Rhythm Room on Saturday, November 17, 2007, backed by Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Tickets are $20 in advance or day of show; advance tickets are available at the Rhythm Room, all Ticketmaster store locations, Charge by Phone: (800)745-3000, or Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 8pm. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This will be a patio smoking only event, no indoor smoking will be allowed.
• Reverend Louis Overstreet on YouTube: During the 1950s and 1960s, Phoenix was home to many great musicians. One of the great artists based out of Phoenix was Reverend Louis Overstreet of the St. Luke's Powerhouse Church Of God In Christ, who performed a down-home, blues infused gospel. Arhoolie Records had issued a beautiful album that documented this artist. Though Reverend Louis Overstreet has passed, his sons carry on the tradition of their father by holding services at the St. Luke's Powerhouse Church Of God In Christ in Phoenix. Reverend Louis Overstreet was also a teacher and inspiration to Paris James. Recently, some unbelievable footage of Reverend Louis Overstreet from the 1960s has appeared on YouTube. Click these links (clip one, clip two, clip three) to see some Phoenix blues-based gospel.
• Paris and Lucerne Recap: As we get back from this wonderful trip of playing music, it is hard to summarize how great this trip was. Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Big Pete Pearson, with Chris James, Bob Corritore, Brian Fahey, and Patrick Rynn) were joined by the great Bob Margolin as our special guest for these dates. Our entourage included Bob Margolin's wife, Pamela, Big Pete's guest, Kelly Beechler, and my lovely Kim Danielson, as well as Dale Baich and Beth Lipham of Blue Witch Records. We started the trip with three nights of performances at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club, located in the heart of Paris at Le Meridien Hotel. This club is one of the most elegant venues I have ever seen. When you walk in, it looks like a movie set, with beautiful furniture, ambient lighting, and a gorgeous stage. You are also greeted by numerous photos of great artists, many of whom are our good friends (Ike Turner, Francine Reed, Shemekia Copeland, the late Willie Kent, Magic Slim, and more). Every night was well attended with great crowds, including a great representation of many of the who's who in the French blues scene, including Xav from Baker Street, Jocelyn Richez, Michel Remond, Little Victor, Miss Sophie Kay, Thibaux Chopin, K-Led Ba’Sam, Romain Decoret from Guitarist Magazine (he interviewed Bob Margolin before Wednesday's show), numerous people from Blues Again Magazine, Rene Malines from Virus De Blues, Claude Dannic from Soul Bag Magazine, and so many of our great friends, supporters, and blues publications and promoters stopped in to see us. Each night we performed two 90 minute sets. On the last night, we were able to hang with Mookie Brill and Chuck Cotton, who were touring with Nappy Brown (scheduled to perform in the upcoming days), and who also work regularly with Bob Margolin. Thank you, Didier Tricard, for allowing us the honor of working your fine venue. On Friday, we caught a plane from Paris to Mulhouse, and were greeted by Marcel and Hermann, our drivers, who took us to Lucerne. The ride was magnificent, with all of the characteristic Swiss architecture against the backdrop of the Swiss Alps. The Lucerne Blues Festival, which won a KBA Award (Keeping the Blues Alive) this year, has been called by many one of the greatest blues events in the world. It gathered a fantastic lineup of great artists including Koko Taylor, Janiva Magness, Zac Harmon, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Coco Montoya, Sonny Rhodes, Paul Oscher, Mike Morgan and The Crawl featuring Lee McBee, Billy Branch and Sons of Blues, Philipp Fankhauser, The Chargers, Blues NETTwork, and others. Note that Willie King had cancelled his slot at the last minute due to health reasons, and did not appear at the festival. This festival drew some of the most prominent people in the blues community coming from all around the world, including labels, photographers, journalists, promoters, and fellow musicians. We performed twice; first on Friday night at the Grand Casino Luzern, playing two sets at the after-party starting at 1:30am and ending at 4:00am. Though this sounds rather late, the house was packed to the end when they actually had to clear the crowd who did not want to go home. We also played the opening slot of the main stage again at the Grand Casino Luzern on Saturday night (which, by the way, was the festival's first ever sold-out night). A few random great moments include the surprise appearance by our dear friend Diunna Greenleaf, who kept it a secret from Bob Margolin and myself that she would be making it to the festival, meeting John Steadman of JSP Records, hanging out with fellow harp players Paul Oscher, Johnny Sansone, Lee McBee, Jeff Stone, and Billy Branch, seeing Maria Giulia Sorrentino of the Marco Fiume Blues Passions Festival (who gave Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars their first European gig), getting a kiss from Koko Taylor, seeing Koko call up Janiva Magness and Diunna Greenleaf to join her at the end of her set on Saturday, seeing our joyous friends, Richie and Theresa Villiger, in their native country, hanging out with Art Tipaldi and Donovan from the Blues Foundation, introducing Marino Grandi from Il Blues Magazine to Beth and Dale from Blue Witch, hanging out with Jean-Luc Vabres of ABS Magazine and Jacques Périn of Soul Bag Magazine, discussing our Irish-American rhythm section of Brian Fahey and Patrick Rynn with Charlie Hussey and his fun-loving group from Dublin, Ireland, Chris James enjoying his connoisseur chocolate shops of Switzerland, watching Bob Margolin sit in with Janiva's band at the Blues Brunch in the elegant Schweizerhof Hotel, and watching my lovely Kim joyously dancing on the side of the stage while I was playing on Friday night. But, one of the greatest parts of this trip, I feel, is that we, The Rhythm Room All-Stars, got to show the world the level of playing that we have achieved. It takes a complete band with everyone working together to put on the shows we played, and everyone played their best. Big Pete, as a front man and entertainer, seems to always rise to the occasion of a big stage, completely working the crowd. Thank you, Guido "Mojo" Schmidt, Martin "Mad Carl" Bruendler, Kurt Schuermann, Kurt Lotter, Gody "The Ear" Berger, and Mike "Get Shorty" Hauser of the Lucerne Blues Festival. On Sunday night, there was an elegant dinner for the artists, hosts, and sponsors of the festival, again at the Schweizerhof. Guido and Martin gave emotional speeches thanking all the participants in the festival. Art Tipaldi had a speech in which he said that the Lucerne Blues Festival had raised the bar for all blues festivals. After dinner, there was a brief jam session, where we all were able to perform in an informal way. The jam was led by Bob Margolin, and included performances by Diunna Greenleaf and Bob Margolin, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone, Mike Morgan and The Crawl featuring Lee McBee, Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars with Paul Oscher, who did a chromatic harmonica duet with me as Big Pete Pearson sang "Tin Pan Alley". On the flight home, the band agreed that this was one of our greatest musical experiences ever. We are all home safe and sound, with plenty of warm memories of this great trip. Photos to come soon! -Bob Corritore

November 1, 2007

• Bon Voyage Party This Weekend and Paris and Lucerne Next Week: Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars prepare to embark on an exciting and prestigious trip to Europe, playing at two fantastic venues. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars will appear at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club at the Le Meridien Hotel on November 6, 7, and 8, 2007 in Paris; and Friday and Saturday at the world acclaimed Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland on November 9 and 10, 2007. The Rhythm Room All-Stars' regular lineup of Big Pete Pearson, with Chris James, Bob Corritore, Brian Fahey, and Patrick Rynn will also include special guest guitarist Bob Margolin, former member of the Muddy Waters Blues Band. Other acts appearing on the festival will be Koko Taylor, Janiva Magness, Willie King, Sonny Rhodes, Paul Oscher, Lee McBee, Billy Branch, and many others. For a complete lineup and more information about the Lucerne Blues Festival, click here. The band will celebrate its departure with a Bon Voyage party Friday and Saturday, November 2 and 3, 2007 at the Rhythm Room. Doors open at 8pm; cover charge is $7. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event.
• Big Pete Pearson  up for 2 Independent Music Awards! We are delighted to see that Big Pete Pearson is up for Independent Music Awards in the category of "Best Blues Album" for I'm Here Baby on the Blue Witch record label, and "Best Blues Song of the Year" for the title cut of that record. Voting is open to the public, and we encourage our fans to put in some solid votes for us. Click here to vote for I'm Here Baby as Album of the Year, and click here to vote for I'm Here Baby as Song of the Year. For more information on voting and this wonderful release, click here to visit the Blue Witch records website. We also hope that nominators for the Blues Music Awards will remember Big Pete, Dave Riley, Bob Corritore, House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’, and Nappy Brown as they do their first round nominations this week.
• Bob Corritore on Voice Of America: Doug Levine recently interviewed Bob Corritore for Voice of America Radio, for those unfamiliar with Voice of America, this is a syndicated radio broadcast that is aired all around the world. To find out more about Voice of America, click here for their website, and to specifically hear the interview and read about it, click here.
• Travelin' The Dirt Road Media Reaction - Great Reviews in Blues Revue and Blues & Rhythm Magazines, and More: Bob Corritore's latest collaboration with Dave Riley, Travelin' The Dirt Road, has been getting some worldwide attention lately. Once again, thanks for all the great support we have received from radio hosts, print media, and from fans who have called or emailed to let us know how much they enjoy this release. We have just posted on www.BobCorritore.com two more great reviews from Blues Revue Magazine (thank you, Art Tipaldi), and from the UK publication, Blues & Rhythm (thank you, Norman Darwen). Click here to read these reviews. Also thank you to BluesWax for its recent rave review of the new Nappy Brown CD and for mentioning Bob Corritore’s participation on that disc. (Thank you again, Art Tipaldi.) To read this review, click here.
• Pinetop Perkins to Appear at the Rhythm Room Saturday, November 17: Widely acclaimed as the greatest living blues piano player, Pinetop Perkins, now 94 years old, will make a rare appearance at Phoenix’s Rhythm Room on Saturday, November 17, 2007, backed by Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Tickets are $20 in advance or day of show; advance tickets are available at the Rhythm Room, all Ticketmaster store locations, Charge by Phone: (800)745-3000, or Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 8pm. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This will be a patio smoking only event, no indoor smoking will be allowed.
• Christmas Blues Spectacular December 7 and 8: This just out: The Rhythm Room will have a Christmas Blues Extravaganza on Friday and Saturday night, December 7 and 8, 2007, with a spectacular lineup that includes host band Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars, plus special guests Henry Gray, Billy Flynn, and Eddie Kobek. Eddie Kobek is Billy Flynn’s great drummer, filling in for the vacationing Rhythm Room All-Stars drummer, Brian Fahey. Nothing but an old-school, down-home blues party that Friday and Saturday night! Doors open at 8pm; cover charge is $10. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event.

October 18, 2007

• Saturday Appearance with Diunna Greenleaf at Phoenix Blues Society Event: Bob will perform on two songs with Diunna Greenleaf at the Blues For The City benefit show during Diunna's performance from 9:20 to 10:45pm on Saturday, October 20. The 2 day event is put on by the Phoenix Blues Society, and takes place on Saturday October 20, and Sunday October 21, 2007. The Phoenix Blues Society has the following description of the event on their website: A cool new event, Blues For The City, will be held in downtown Phoenix on Saturday, October 20, and Sunday, October 21, 2007. The Saturday block party will be held on Jackson Street just south of US Airways Arena, with the Sunday show taking place in the courtyard at Alice Cooperstown. This event is "Help for its Kids", and will benefit Rosie's House, the Arizona School for the Arts, Young Sounds of Arizona, and the Phoenix Symphony Guild Youth Orchestra. Saturday's show, which will run from 11:00 am until 11:00 pm, will feature Kal David & the Real Deal, Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy, Eddie Turner, Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns with Jerry Lawson, Big Nick & the Gila Monsters, The Rocket 88s, The Chuck Hall Band, Jimmy Peyton's Midnite Blues, Sir Harrison, Honeyboy Dupree & the Smokehouse Players, and Nina Curri. Sunday's show, running from noon until 9:00 pm, will feature Zac Harmon, Alice Tatum, Hans Olson, Big Daddy D and the Dynamites, Scotty Spenner, Jim Glass Band, Mikel Lander, KC Blues Band, Soulcatcher, and The Top Cats. To purchase tickets for this event, click here. For more information on this and other great events, please check out the Phoenix Blues Society website by clicking here. Thanks to Phoenix Blues Society president Kyle Deibler for his tireless efforts to advance our blues community and his great worldly perspective of where Phoenix fits into the big blues picture.
• Gary Primich Memorial Announced: This just in from John Juke" Logan: “To my friends & associates who knew or knew of Gary Primich: Hey y'all... John Juke" Logan here... hope you are well & good... Possibly everyone receiving this is by now aware of the passing of my good friend & musical partner, intergalactic blues & jazz dynamo Gary Primich (if you are not, I am sorry to be the one to bring the news to you), on September 23, 2007. Those in Gary's tight musical familia are already aware of the up-coming memorial & the details thereof; for those who are not, I've included the info below. Folks are coming from all corners of the globe to celebrate Gary's life & body-of-work, & interpret that work into a gigantic musical tribute (he'll no doubt be smilin' - & playing along - from where he is in the "next experience")... Gary Primich Memorial & Life-Celebration: Sunday, October 28, 2007, 8pm Saengerrunde Hall ("an 1866 German-immigrant-confederate-built public hall & bar") 1607 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701 Gary's favorite charities (along with all the news that fits on his great career) are listed on www.GaryPrimich.com”. -John Juke" Logan
• New Tomcat Courtney Photo Page: Check out this great photo page of Tomcat Courtney, San Diego's elder statesman of the blues. Now 78 years old, Tomcat was born in Waco, Texas where he grew up listening to the blues of Lightnin' Hopkins and T-Bone Walker, both whom he knew personally. His father-in-law was the legendary Smokey Hogg. Tomcat is a stunning vocalist and guitarist, with a beautiful down-home approach to the blues. He relocated to California in the 1960s, first moving to Los Angeles; then, in the early 1970s, to San Diego, where he has lived since. He has become a prominent elder statesman of the San Diego blues community. Bob and Tomcat were introduced in 2007 by Chris James, who had played with Tomcat since the early 1980s (Chris joined Tomcat's band at age 13). Bob Corritore has produced a beautiful Tomcat Courtney CD that will be released in early 2008. Please enjoy this collection of photos of the great Tomcat Courtney by clicking here.
• New Blue Witch Releases Getting Great Reviews and Airplay: Special thanks to all the radio show hosts and reviewers who are giving great support to the two latest releases on Blue Witch, House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’ (various amazing blues artists recorded live at the Rhythm Room), and Dave Riley & Bob Corritore/Travelin' The Dirt Road. To see the House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’ reviews, click here, and to see the Travelin' The Dirt Road reviews, click here. Thanks also to the fans and blues lovers for their enthusiasm regarding these releases.
• ABS Magazine Article in High Quality PDF Now on Website: Marcel Benedit of France's ABS Magazine has sent over high quality PDFs of the 11 page Bob Corritore article from earlier this year. This is much easier to read than our previously scanned version. Click here to see the article in improved quality. Thanks to ABS Magazine for running such an in-depth interview on Bob, and for their great support of the blues.
• Smokin' Joe Kubek Appears this Friday at the Rhythm Room: Our dear friends the Smokin' Joe Kubek Featuring B'Nois King will play at the Rhythm Room on Friday. This band has recently signed with the great Alligator Records. Doors open at 8pm; cover charge is $10. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event.
• Photographer Ernest Withers Passes: This just in from BluesWax: "Ernest C. Withers, a photographer whose voluminous catalog of arresting black-and-white images illustrates a history of life in the segregated South in the 1950s and ’60s, from the civil rights movement to the Beale Street music scene, died on Monday, October 15, in Memphis. He was 85. The cause was complications of a stroke, said his son Joshua, of Los Angeles." In addition to his work of great importance to the civil rights movement, Ernest C. Withers photographed many memorable blues images, including one of Howlin' Wolf, James Cotton, and Little Walter in a cotton field, and another of group photo of Bobby "Blue" Bland, Little Junior Parker, and Elvis Presley. He had a great humanity to his artful images and he left the world with a window to the reality of the Southern experiences of the past. God bless the great Ernest Withers.

October 11, 2007

• Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars This Weekend at the Rhythm Room: Please come see Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars as they perform Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13, 2007 at their home base, the Rhythm Room. The band's all-star lineup includes Big Pete Pearson, Chris James, Bob Corritore, Brian Fahey, and Patrick Rynn. Doors open at 8pm; cover charge is $7. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event.
• Fabulous Thunderbirds Live Session Last Weekend: Kudos to Kim Wilson and his great new lineup of the Fabulous Thunderbirds for a wonderful live recording session last weekend at the Rhythm Room. Phoenix's award winning recording wizard, Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recording, did a star job of capturing what is probably the best of a series of Fabulous Thunderbirds live recordings done over last 5 years at the Rhythm Room. Kim Wilson is completely thrilled with his current ensemble that features Kirk Fletcher and Johnny Moeller on guitars, Randy Bermudes on bass (formerly with Charlie Musselwhite) and Jay Moeller (brother of Johnny) on the drums. Kim and the T-birds effortlessly blazed through 2 marathon sets, the first one being 90 minutes long, and the second set over 2 hours. The house was packed, and the vibe was right. Kim had a ridiculously great harp tone, playing his majestic harp through a vintage Fender Concert and a separate rig of 2 speaker columns each, containing 4 vintage 8" speakers and powered through a separate vintage Fender Concert amp. His sound and playing was just wild! Eventually, Kim will be releasing these live performance jewels which he has been stockpiling over the years.
• Delta Groove Site and Newsletter - Thanks to Rand Chortkoff and the Folks at Delta Groove Records for Their Constant Support: In the latest monthly newsletter, they feature a section on Bob's birthday party at the Rhythm Room (click here to see), and in the photo section of their website, they have included a photo gallery of the recent Mannish Boys show in Helena at the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival, in which Bob made a guest appearance behind the great Johnny Dyer for two numbers. To see these photos, click here. The Delta Groove label is now a little over three years old, and has a stunning catalog that includes releases by Rod Piazza, Mitch Kashmar, Lynwood Slim, Phillip Walker, The Hollywood Blue Flames, Kirk Fletcher, The Jackie Payne/Steve Edmondson Band, and many others. They just signed youthful guitar ace Sean Costello to the label. Check out their great website by clicking here, and while you are there, sign up for their great monthly newsletter.
• Great Reviews in Latest Issue of Living Blues: Wow! Three great reviews of CDs associated with Bob Corritore in the same issue! The feature of the review section is Nappy Brown's amazing comeback album, Long Time Coming, on Blind Pig Records. Note the Nappy CD is produced mostly by Scott Cable, but features one track that was produced by Bob and features Bob's harmonica work (thank you, Scott and Blind Pig Records, for including this track). Also, rave reviews for the two latest Blue Witch releases: Dave Riley & Bob Corritore / Travelin' The Dirt Road, and House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’ (featuring various artists all recorded live at the Rhythm Room). The Nappy review was by Lee Hildebrand, the Dave and Bob review by David Whiteis, and the House Rockin'  review by Dave Ruthenberg. Thank you, Living Blues.
• Bob to Make Guest Appearance with Diunna Greenleaf on the "Blues For The City" Benefit Show Put On by The Phoenix Blues Society: Diunna just called Bob to invite him to perform on two songs with her on at the Blues For The City benefit show. The 2 day event is put on by the Phoenix Blues Society, and takes place on Saturday October 20, and Sunday, October 21, 2007. Diunna's set takes place on the Saturday of this event. The Phoenix Blues Society has the following description of the event on their website: A cool new event, Blues For The City, will be held in downtown Phoenix on Saturday, October 20 and Sunday, October 21, 2007. The Saturday block party will be held on Jackson Street just south of US Airways Arena, with the Sunday show taking place in the courtyard at Alice Cooperstown. This event is "Help for its Kids", and will benefit Rosie's House, the Arizona School for the Arts, Young Sounds of Arizona, and the Phoenix Symphony Guild Youth Orchestra. Saturday's show, which will run from 11:00 am until 11:00 pm, will feature Kal David & the Real Deal, Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy, Eddie Turner, Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns with Jerry Lawson, Big Nick & the Gila Monsters, The Rocket 88s, The Chuck Hall Band, Jimmy Peyton's Midnite Blues, Sir Harrison, Honeyboy Dupree & the Smokehouse Players, and Nina Curri. Sunday's show, running from noon until 9:00 pm, will feature Zac Harmon, Alice Tatum, Hans Olson, Big Daddy D and the Dynamites, Scotty Spenner, Jim Glass Band, Mikel Lander, KC Blues Band, Soulcatcher, and The Top Cats. To purchase tickets for this event, click here. For more information on this and other great events, please check out the Phoenix Blues Society website by clicking here. Thanks to Phoenix Blues Society president Kyle Deibler for his tireless efforts to advance our blues community and his great worldly perspective of where Phoenix fits into the big blues picture.
• Bluesville XM Features House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin': Thanks to our dear friend Bill Wax of XM Satellite Radio's Blues station, Bluesville, for featuring House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’ in their "Picks To Click" for the week of October 13, 2007. House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’ from the Blue Witch record label was produced by Bob Corritore & Clarke Rigsby and features live at the Rhythm Room performances by The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robert Lockwood, Jr., Floyd Dixon, The Mannish Boys featuring Finis Tasby, Billy Boy Arnold, Sonny Rhodes, Paul Oscher, Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars, Louisiana Red, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Johnny Dyer, Henry Gray, Kid Ramos, and Long John Hunter.
• Nappy Brown to Appear on A Prairie Home Companion: Nappy Brown will appear Saturday, October 20, 2007 on A Prairie Home Companion as they broadcast from Charlotte, North Carolina. Nappy will play selections from his new CD, Long Time Coming, on Blind Pig Records. The live appearance will include backing by some of the musicians appearing on this highly celebrated CD.
• Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars to Appear at the Silver City Blues Festival: Big Pete Pearson and The Rhythm Room All-Stars will appear at the Silver City Blues Festival in Silver City, New Mexico on Saturday, May 24, 2008. The two other headliners on the festival are Zac Harmon and Sherman Robertson. Bob Corritore, Chris James, and Patrick Rynn appeared on this festival in 2000 as part of the Sam Lay Blues Band.

October 8, 2007

• Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival Trip Recap: As always, it is such a pleasure to visit Helena, Arkansas and attend one of the greatest blues festivals around. Though best known as the King Biscuit Blues festival, it has currently changed its name to the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival. Kim and I landed in Memphis on Wednesday morning, rented a car, and started our trip with lunch at King’s Palace on Beale Street. We stopped by Memphis Music Record Store, and were proud to see the Travelin' The Dirt Road CD on display. It seemed to symbolize the great trip ahead. Then we stopped by to see our friend Ms. Zeno, who performs each afternoon on the courtyard of Silky O’Sullivan’s. Then it was down Highway  61 to Helena. After we checked in to our room, we stopped in to Bubba's Blues Corner to consign some CDs and to hear Bubba Sullivan tell he great stories of Sonny Boy Williamson II, Robert Lockwood, Jr., and Sonny Payne. We were pretty exhausted from our travels so we kicked it early.

On Thursday, we got our wake up call from Dave Riley who said that we were invited to perform on KFFA at 1pm hosted by the legendary Sonny Payne and co-host Terry Buckalew. That was followed by a call from Kim Wilson to go over some details for the Fabulous Thunderbirds live recording session at The Rhythm Room. We then got a call from Bill Barclay who said he would not be able to make it to the fest this year as he was completing his documentary called “The Helena Story”, which has been a work in progress for the last 5 years. He said that he and his team were just weeks away from completing this film, and mentioned that a performance by Dave Riley and I had made the final cut. Also included will be CeDell Davis, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Sam Carr, Robert Lockwood, Jr., and John Weston, as well as archival footage of Robert Nighthawk, Muddy Waters with James Cotton, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Frank Frost. After talking with Bill, it was off the Delta Cultural Center and the studios of KFFA, where the legendary Sonny Payne interviewed Dave Riley and myself, and played a few selections from the new CD, as well as having Dave, myself, and Tom Coulson perform live on the air. It was a dream come true to play on King Biscuit Time, the legendary show that Sonny Boy Williamson II once played on! Then we stopped by the Isle Of Capri Hotel and Casino, to meet our dear friends Diunna Greenleaf and Bob Margolin, to work on some material for an upcoming studio session. Diunna is such a natural talent and such a beautiful soul. Bob is such a wealth of knowledge, and a brilliant guitarist and arranger. While we were there, we ran into Richie Villiger from the Lucerne Blues Festival, who showed me the souvenir CD for the forthcoming festival, and I was pleased to see that in addition to Big Pete's version of "Tin Pan Alley", they also included my instrumental version of "Naptown Blues" from the All-Star Blues Sessions CD. Then, it was off to the festival grounds, where it was great to see festival mastermind Jerry Pillow, who has created a legacy of amazing lineups over the years. Diunna Greenleaf and Bob Margolin invited me onstage for a well-received guest appearance on one song with Diunna's band, Blue Mercy, in which Bob has been playing bass. I enjoyed playing off of their fine guitarist, Jonn Richardson. After the show, I ran into Carla Robinson, the widow of the great John Weston, who asked me if I would join her and Mississippi Spoonman for their noon Saturday set. We became aware that our friend Blues Sister Jeannie from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who we love seeing each year, had suffered a heart attack the day before, and had to be hospitalized. Latest word is that she was doing OK. We also ran into so many friends, including Henri Bellows (WMWM in Salem, MA), Pat Morgan, Rayne Gordon, Sean Carney, Jay Sieleman and Priscilla (Blues Foundation), Joe Whitmer (Blues Foundation), Peter Damen (of the Paul DeLay Band), David Horwitz, Jef Jaisun, and so many others. We did not stay to the end, however; as we still had a little sleep to catch up on.

The next day (Friday), I had no performances so it was a fun hang and listen day. We were greeted upon arrival by dear friends RJ Mischo and "Little Frank" Krakowski. From there it was hello to Hugh Southard (Blue Mountain Artists), Gary Miller of Blues Source, Dirk Wissbaum from Big City Blues Magazine, Alligator Records chief Bruce Iglauer (who reported to us the passing of Chicago Blues Great Johnnie Mae Dunson, writer of "Big Boss Man"; for her obituary in the Chicago Tribune, click here), Wallace Coleman, Jimmy Markham (of Tulsa fame), Krickett of the Baton Rouge Blues Society, Dusty Scott of Dusty Blues, Lindsay Shannon Of BB’s Lawnside BBQ, Tammie King (photographer), Paul Kelso, Steve Cheseborough, Big Red, Onno Wink, our friends at GoorBlues, David Berntson of the Tulsa Blues Society, Dave Beardsley (of STLBlues.net), and so many others. We saw great performances by Sam Carr’s Delta Jukes (though Sam was not in the health to perform) with Dave Riley and Fred James fronting the band, A great set by Pinetop Perkins and Bob Margolin with Bob Stroger, Richard Rosenblatt (blowin’ strong harp), Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Calvin Jones, and Diunna Greenleaf. Then great sets by Smokin' Joe Kubek Featuring B'Nois King, and Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials. We called it after that in preparation for a busy Saturday.

I woke up on Saturday to see the local paper with a photo on the front page of Dave Riley and I and a caption advertising our CD release party. (Click here to see a scan of the paper.) Then at noon, the day kicked into action with a guest appearance on the set of Mississippi Spoonman and Carla Robinson for a down home little romp with Terry Buckalew on the guitar. Though I had never played with this band, I found it fascinating to work off the spoon percussion as the center piece of the band Then it was off to the Delta Cultural Center Annex to set up for our CD release party. On route I was able to hear a few amazing songs from the main stage set of Willie King, who revived the spirit of Howlin’ Wolf in fine fashion. The CD release party for Travelin' The Dirt Road on Blue Witch Records (produced by Bob Corritore) kicked off at 3pm to a packed hall, and Dave was in his usually rowdy form. We began the show as a duo performing five songs before calling up Dave Riley, Jr. on bass, and Tom Coulson on drums. The audience was right there with us and everyone played great. It was wonderful to see so many friends stop by, including Bob Stroger, Rune Myhren (a fine harp player from Norway) Memphis harmonica great Billy Gibson, Jimmy Markham, photographer Pamela Martinez, and many others. Since it was a long hallway, there were many people that I did not see to acknowledge in this list. It was great to perform the songs from this CD, and see so much acceptance of this new release. After wrapping things up on this show, we stopped by the main stage to see the Robert Lockwood, Jr. tribute set featuring first the great Cleveland Fats playing guitar in true to form Robert Jr. style, and then the amazing Wallace Coleman, who is such a great harmonica player. Robert's widow, Mary Lockwood, came down from Cleveland for the tribute and was presented with an award honoring her late husband. It was great to see Anson Funderburgh, whose set we missed. He spoke of his sadness in losing Sam Myers, and spoke of the joy of his new baby. He said that before Sam passed, he saw Anson's new child, and was rubbing the baby’s feet in a loving way. Anson said he will always cherish this memory. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith kicked off his set with an amazing version of "Juke", with a killer band that included Bob Stroger on bass, Eddie Kobek on drums, and "Little Frank" on guitar. We had to leave right after that to change clothes and freshen up for that evening’s performance with The Mannish Boys. After showering (it was a long hot day) and putting on my favorite suit, Kim and I headed back to the fest where I hung out in the backstage area. It is always so great to see all The Mannish Boys, who both individually and collectively, I have done so many great things with over the years. I always love to connect with Johnny Dyer, who has been my harmonica mentor for many years now. We hung out back stage playing harmonica together. These days, Johnny prefers to just sing and have other harmonica players blow behind him. He loves to sing Jimmy Rogers and Muddy Waters songs, which of course call for harmonica backing. So The Mannish Boys did their normal spectacular show, with Kid Ramos kicking it off with a great instrumental, Randy Chortkoff singing and playing harp on a few (killer Jimmy Reed-style harmonica), Franck Goldwasser singing an intense version of Hound Dog Taylor’s "I’m Gone", and then time for Johnny Dyer who hit the stage with the band’s namesake song with Rand on Harp. Then Johnny performed "You're Sweet" with Scott Dirks playing some magnificent 3^rd position work, and then I was called up to play two with Johnny (a Jimmy Rogers song, and a slow Muddy song with Frank playing powerful slide guitar). It was such a pleasure to play off of Johnny's great down home vocals and this great band’s interaction. What a great moment! Finis Tasby then finished out the set with his unbelievable vocals. A big thank you, Randy Chortkoff, for this wonderful opportunity, and for your kindness and generosity in allowing me this great moment with your champion band. After the show, we hung out at Bubba's Blues Corner before calling it a spectacular day.

The next day Kim and I eased into the Pinetop Perkins’ homecoming bash at Hopson’s Plantation in Clarksdale, which has become a post-fest tradition. There was an embarrassment of musical riches there, with performances by Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Bob Stroger, Super Chikan, Bob Margolin, Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, RJ Mischo, Billy Gibson, Diunna Greenleaf, "Little Frank" Krakowski, Terry "Harmonica" Bean, Guitar Mikey, Marquise Knox (who just turned 17), Kenny Neal, Calvin Jones, and many others. I played a few at the adjacent Shack Up Inn with Cedric Burnside (my dear friend and the grandson of R.L. Burnside) and Lightnin’ Malcolm. We did a few raw deep Mississippi blues, and it was a blast! This was right after a set by the cantankerous and always brilliant T-Model Ford. The trip was completely satisfying, and an amazing gathering of blues people. I look forward to next year's festival.

-Bob Corritore

October 2, 2007

• Going to The Biscuit: It's that time of year again for another spectacular trip to Helena, Arkansas to participate in the Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival, formerly known as the King Biscuit Blues Festival. This is Bob and Kim’s fifth time attending the festival; the first time was 2003, when Bob appeared with Louisiana Red.  Kudos to Jerry Pillow for putting together the festival's great lineup. Always a great part of attending this festival is the chance on Friday at noon to hear Sonny Payne broadcast his famous "King Biscuit Time" radio show live on KFFA. On Saturday, October 6, 2007, to celebrate their new release on Blue Witch Records, Travelin' The Dirt Road, Dave Riley and Bob Corritore will host a CD release party in conjunction with the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival at the Delta Cultural Center Annex, 223 Cherry Street, Helena, AR, 72342, and admission is free! There will be a one-hour performance starting at 3pm, followed by a CD signing. Thanks to Terry Buckalew (from the Delta Cultural Center) for his work there behind the scenes. Later that night, Bob Corritore will make a guest appearance on Mannish Boys set at Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival at 10:30pm on the main stage.  Bob will play harmonica behind Johnny Dyer on a Jimmy Rogers number. Thanks to Randy Chortkoff for including Bob. Rand and all The Mannish Boys have always treated Bob as one of their family. Then, on Sunday, Bob will have the honor of attending Pinetop's homecoming celebration at Hopson’s Plantation in Clarksdale, Mississippi. There is a big commissary, which has been converted into a bar, and once again, this year the host band is Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, including many special guests such as Pinetop Perkins (of course), Bob Margolin, and many more. Special thanks to Patricia Morgan, who promotes this event each year. Pat is the manager of Pinetop Perkins and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Pat is a simply amazing woman, who, in addition to the demands of looking out for Pinetop, makes sure that this event is flawlessly organized; kudos to Pat.
• Fabulous Thunderbirds Live Recording at the Rhythm Room: On Friday, October 5, 2007, Kim Wilson and his Fabulous Thunderbirds return to The Rhythm Room to do yet another in a series of live recording sessions at The Rhythm Room. This time they boast their newest member, guitarist Johnny Moeller, who replaces Nick Curran in the current lineup of the band. Clarke Rigsby will record the evening, for a forthcoming Fabulous Thunderbirds Live at The Rhythm Room release, a culmination of all of their live sessions to date. Tickets are $20 in advance or day of show; advance tickets are available at the Rhythm Room, all Ticketmaster store locations, Charge by Phone: (800)745-3000, or Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 8pm. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This will be a patio smoking only event, no indoor smoking will be allowed.
• More New Times Best Of Phoenix Awards: The Rhythm Room has yet again won the New Times Best Of Phoenix  Reader's Choice Award for "Best Club For Blues", and KJZZ has yet again won the New Times Best Of Phoenix  Reader's Choice Award for "Best Blues/Jazz Radio Station". Thank you, New Times readers, for these honors.
• Gary Primich Funeral Information: Services will be held for Gary Primich on October 28, 2007. For more details, check back later to GaryPrimich.com. Gary's wonderful website includes photos, discography, equipment lists, and more; and a "Stories From The Road" section that takes the reader into Gary's life on the road. We miss you, Gary.
• Media Reaction to New Blue Witch Releases: Thanks to all the blues radio show hosts who have been playing Dave Riley & Bob Corritore/Travelin' The Dirt Road and House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’, and all the journalists who have given these releases glowing reviews. To see some of the reviews of Travelin' The Dirt Road, click here, and for reviews of House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’, click here.

September 30, 2007

• Tonight on Those Lowdown Blues: Tune into to Bob's radio show tonight, as during the first three hours he will include memorial sets by late harmonica great Gary Primich, who passed away one week ago today (we miss you Gary). Then, the last two hours will feature an interview with Delta Groove Records label chief Randy Chortkoff, who will share some stories and music from his phenomenal traditional (yet contemporary) blues label. Randy is also a great band leader and harmonica man, whose group, The Mannish Boys, is considered one of the greatest touring blues festival acts on the scene today. Randy is a longtime friend of Bob's, and this part of the show will include music produced by Randy by The Mannish Boys, Mitch Kashmar, Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, Lynwood Slim, The Insomniacs, The Jackie Payne/Steve Edmondson Band, Phillip Walker (who, by the way, put on an amazing show last night at Bob's birthday bash), and more! Listeners may hear Those Lowdown Blues anywhere in the world (real time Sunday nights from 6pm-11pm Phoenix time) via web streaming by clicking here, or on KJZZ in Phoenix at 91.5 FM in Phoenix, Arizona, 89.5 in Cottonwood, 90.1 in Prescott, 98.9 in Tucson, and 99.1 in Kingman.
• Thank you, New Times! The Rhythm Room has yet again won some New Times Best Of Phoenix Awards! The Rhythm Room received an award for "Best Club For Blues" and "Best Gig Posters". Thank you, New Times, for this honor.

September 26, 2007

• Bob's Birthday this Saturday at the Rhythm Room: Please join Bob as he celebrates his 51st birthday on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at the Rhythm Room, with great entertainment provided by Delta Groove recording artist Phillip Walker and his fantastic band. Look for guest appearances during the night by Randy Chortkoff, Bobby Jones, Leon Blue, Big Pete Pearson, Chris James, Patrick Rynn (of The Rhythm Room All-Stars), and more... Other guests of honor will include Bob Auerbach of HighJohn Records, Dale Baich and Beth Lipham of Blue Witch Records, Jerry Lawson, former lead singer of The Persuasions, Alvin Battle, former bass player for Dyke & The Blazers, Kyle Deibler of the Phoenix Blues Society, Jennifer Waters (Blues Assistant at KJZZ), and many other dear friends, family, and honored guests. Of course, the birthday boy will making an appearance on harmonica in the second set of the night. This party will coincide with the Phoenix Mayor's proclamation of "Bob Corritore Day". (Thanks to Richard Kelleher for making this happen.) To see GetOut Magazine's online article of this proclamation, click here. Anyone who has attended Bob's previous parties knows that these events are talked about for years to come! Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $10. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This show will be a patio smoking only event, no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Bob Appearing with The Fremonts in San Diego: On Friday, September 28, 2007, Bob Corritore will appear at Patrick's II in San Diego with The Fremonts, filling in for the vacationing Troy Sandow (The Fremonts' great harmonica player).
• Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars Lineup to Include Special Guest Bob Margolin for Upcoming European Tour: Long time Muddy Waters guitarist Bob Margolin will join Big Pete Pearson and The Rhythm Room All-Stars for a string of European dates this November. Bob Margolin will replace guitarist Johnny Rapp, who will be unable to make the trip due to ongoing health issues. We are delighted to add Bob Margolin's spectacular blues guitar playing to our high profile European dates. The combination of Bob Margolin and Chris James together is a rare presentation of the Chicago blues two-guitar tradition, with both these gentlemen being masters at that bag. The European tour includes appearances in Paris in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club at the Le Meridien Hotel on November 6, 7, and 8, and at the Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland on November 9 and 10, 2007. For these dates, The Rhythm Room All-Stars' complete lineup will be Big Pete Pearson, Bob Corritore, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Brian Fahey, and our special guest, Bob Margolin (a true all-star lineup). For more information about the great roster of talent appearing at this year's Lucerne Blues Festival, click here.

September 24, 2007

• RIP Gary Primich 4/20/58-9/23/07:  It is with great sadness that we report that harmonica great Gary Primich passed away suddenly on Sunday, September 23, 2007 in his home base of Austin, Texas. He was 49. Gary was a spectacular artist who was considered among the greatest of harmonica players. He had become a respected member of the Austin music community. Gary recorded CDs for Amazing Records, Antone's, Black Top, Electro-Fi, and Flying Fish. Gary also appeared as a sideman on records with Steve James, Candye Kane, Tish Hinojosa, Omar & The Howlers, Doyle Bramhall, Sr., Libbi Bosworth, Nick Curran, Jesse Dayton, and others.

Bob first met Gary in Chicago around 1980 when Gary was playing rhythm guitar (not harmonica) in Byther Smith's band. Bob stopped in at their gig with Willie Buck, and Willie and Bob sat in for a few with the band. That started a long friendship that continued on through the years, though Bob had lost touch with Gary as of late. Gary included Bob on the special thanks of two of his CDs (My Pleasure on Amazing Records and Travelin' Mood on Flying Fish). Gary was a kind man and a greatly gifted harmonica player. For Gary's website, click here. For a complete bio of Gary Primich, click here.

September 19, 2007

• A Wonderful Weekend of Blues: This weekend, Bob Corritore will appear at two major blues events: The Rhythm Room’s 16 Year Anniversary Party & Blue Witch Records Double CD Release Party at the Rhythm Room on Friday and Saturday, September 21 and 22, 2007, and the Scottsdale Music Festival in Scottsdale, Arizona on Sunday, September 23, 2007. More information about these great events:

Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22, 2007 - Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, AZ as part of the Rhythm Room 16 Year Anniversary Party & Blue Witch Records Double CD Release Party for Dave Riley & Bob Corritore/Travelin' The Dirt Road and House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’. The party will happen at The Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road in Phoenix, on Friday and Saturday, September 21 and 22, 2007. The Rhythm Room, which opened September 18, 1991, will be celebrating 16 years of presenting live music in Phoenix. For a look at The Rhythm Room website, and the simply amazing lineup of talent booked for the fall, please click here. Cover charge for the Anniversary/CD Release Party is only $6, with Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars (with Big Pete Pearson, Chris James, Bob Corritore, Brian Fahey, Patrick Rynn, and Johnny Rapp) and Dave Riley & Bob Corritore performing. CDs will be available for sale both nights. Doors open at 8pm, and Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. These nights will be patio smoking only events, no indoor smoking will be permitted.

Sunday, September 23, 2007 - The Scottsdale Music Festival's first day is dedicated to jazz, and the second to blues. The September 23, 2007 blues lineup includes The Robert Cray Band, Blues Traveler, Taj Mahal, Koko Taylor, Eric Johnson, Candye Kane, and Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars. Gates open at 10 am, with music kicking off at 11am. The event website includes all details, and can be viewed by clicking here.

Since Bob will be playing on Sunday, Bob pre-taped his radio program, Those Lowdown Blues, to run in its Sunday night slot. The following Sunday, Bob will be back live in the studio with fresh sounds. Listeners may hear Those Lowdown Blues anywhere in the world (real time Sunday nights from 6pm-11pm Phoenix time) via web streaming by clicking here, or on KJZZ in Phoenix at 91.5 FM in Phoenix, Arizona, 89.5 in Cottonwood, 90.1 in Prescott, 98.9 in Tucson, and 99.1 in Kingman.

September 13, 2007

• The Week in Recap: This amazing week of great times and accomplishments began with last Sunday's Down Home Blues festival at the Rhythm Room, which was huge success in both attendance and performance. The show featured the 92 years-young Honeyboy Edwards, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Big Pete Pearson, Tomcat Courtney, The Rhythm Room All-Stars (as the host band), and Paris James. The program was fast paced, as we briskly rotated featured artists to give everyone their time in the spotlight. The show finished with Honeyboy, taking everyone to the deepest of blues with a brilliant and energetic set that included Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on the drums. Willie also did a great set of harp and vocals before settling into the drums. Many people were turned on to Tomcat Courtney, who had a set early in the program. Tomcat, who is 78 years old, was born in Waco, Texas and is a contemporary of Lightnin’ Hopkins. He plays and sings in a down-home blues style all his own, and has an amazing ability to tell a story in the songs he writes. In addition to all the great music that night, David Horwitz had a spectacular blues photo show on the patio with over a thousand amazing images of blues greats.

The next day was at Tempest Recording Studio (owned and operated by the great Clarke Rigsby), where we laid down some heavy tracks with Honeyboy backed by a small electric combo. These tracks included a hypnotic version of the Memphis Minnie classic "Bumble Bee" and the romping Robert Lockwood, Jr. evergreen "Take A Little Walk With Me". Such songs have a transcendental effect when performed by a man who was there as they were being created. Thanks to Michael Frank and Earwig Music for allowing us the honor of bringing Honeyboy in the studio. We then recorded a few songs with Texas blues veteran Tomcat Courtney to complete an album project slated for release early next year (which will be Tomcat's first national release!). Tomcat brought to the session a new song about New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which was simply a masterpiece. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (who played drums on the session) said of the song during the playback, "That's one that a lot of people will be covering". Big Pete Pearson stopped in and contributed a song that added another great moment in a wonderful and productive day in the studio.

Then on Thursday, Chris James, Patrick Rynn, Kim Danielson, and I headed to Clarksdale, Mississippi to the 2007 Paul Butterfield Fund and Society's Conference and Gathering. This event also was an awards presentation and a birthday party to Paul's son, Gabriel Butterfield (who is, by the way, a fine drummer). We (Chris, Patrick, and I) went there to perform behind our former bandleader, Sam Lay, who received an award at the event. Special Thanks to Gabriel Butterfield and his lovely wife Salli Squitieri, who created and executed an amazing event. We performed each of the four nights at different venues in Clarksdale, including Ground Zero, The Depot Blues Club & Restaurant, The Commissary at Hopson's Plantation, and Club 2000. Sam Lay brought pianist Bob Riedy with him from Chicago, and it was an honor to perform with Bob Riedy, after being a big fan of his Chicago Blues Band during the 1970s. Riedy was a pioneering figure in the early 70s, creating a niche for blues bands on Chicago's North side with his RMR Productions. It was also great to meet Rod Hicks, who played bass in the horn-driven later version of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. I also really enjoyed hanging with Alan Bloomfield (the brother of Michael Bloomfield), 16 year old Marquise Knox (who is a brilliant traditional blues singer and guitarist, and an understudy of Henry Townsend, Louisiana Red, and Honeyboy Edwards), Ellen Foster (of the River City Blues Society of Richmond, VA), Dave Beardsley (of STLBlues.net), Zack Pomerleau (a 14 year old passionate harmonica player whose main influence was Paul Butterfield), Gashouse Dave, and many other great people too numerous to name. In addition to the nightly playing, we were able to enjoy many of Clarksdale's blues stops, including the Shack Up Inn, Cat Head Delta Blues and Folk Art, owned by Roger Stolle (where I actually purchased a 78 of Big Walter Horton's "Hard Hearted Woman"), The Riverside Hotel (where Bessie Smith died, and where John Lee Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, and Muddy Waters stayed), and The Delta Blues Museum (complete with the actual cabin that Muddy once lived in). For a great review of the Clarksdale experience, including a photo section on the STLBlues.net web site, click here.

On Monday, it was back to Phoenix, where that night we went to the Rhythm Room to see my friend Duke Robillard and his amazing band.

The next day, we were back at Tempest Recording, combining Duke and his band with Big Pete Pearson to cut a few tracks to add a special spice to next Big Pete CD. Most of the tracks on this new CD will feature backing by The Rhythm Room All-Stars and our Chicago Blues based sound, but the Duke session will provide a jazzy, uptown foil to round out this forthcoming disc. Highlights of the session included "I'll Drink Your Bathwater Baby" (featuring Big Pete at his saucy best and a great Duke Robillard guitar solo), and a remake of Pete's late 60's record "Heartaches", a slow, passionate minor blues. Being in a studio situation with Duke was pure joy, as his musical knowledge is so vast that literally anything is possible.

Then that night, we all met at the Rhythm Room to see James Hunter perform a great set. Duke mentioned that he and James sat next to each other at the Grammies® last year, and both he and James had a nomination in the traditional blues category. That sums up an amazing and fulfilling week of blues activity.

-Bob Corritore

• Chief to Celebrate his 81st Birthday this Saturday at the Rhythm Room: On Saturday September 15, 2007, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame will be celebrating his 82nd birthday at the Rhythm Room, with the Big Pete Pearson Blues Band performing. Chief has recently been through great health ordeals, including a two-month hospital stay involving a heart condition, pneumonia, and kidney failure. Chief is feeling much better, but his performances must be limited. Chief  will be performing a short set at his birthday (health permitting), and will be joined by his friend Bob Corritore on harmonica. Doors open at 8pm; cover charge is $6. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event.
• Randy Chortkoff, Bobby Jones and Leon Blue Added to Lineup of Bob's Birthday Celebration on September 29, 2007: Please join Bob as he celebrates his 51st birthday on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at the Rhythm Room, with great entertainment provided by Delta Groove recording artist Phillip Walker and his fantastic band. Look for guest appearances during the night by Randy Chortkoff, Bobby Jones, Leon Blue, Big Pete Pearson, Chris James, Patrick Rynn (of The Rhythm Room All-Stars), and more. Of course, the birthday boy will making an appearance on harmonica in the second set of the night.
• Mayoral Proclamation of Bob Corritore Day: Thanks to Richard Kelleher for making this happen. What a surprise! Not much to say, except click here to see the proclamation. This day will coincide with Bob's birthday party at the Rhythm Room. To see GetOut Magazine's online article, click here.
• Blue Witch Records Releases Two New CDs this week! Blue Witch Records just released two CDs on September 11, 2007. One of them is House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’, a CD that celebrates 15 years of live blues at the Rhythm Room, including performances by Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robert Lockwood, Jr., The Mannish Boys featuring Finis Tasby, Long John Hunter, Floyd Dixon, Kid Ramos, Louisiana Red, Billy Boy Arnold, Paul Oscher, Big Pete Pearson & the Rhythm Room All-Stars (Bob Corritore's band), Sonny Rhodes, Chief Schabuttie Gilliame, Henry Gray, Johnny Dyer and more. The other new album is by Dave Riley & Bob Corritore, Travelin' The Dirt Road. Click here for House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’ reviews, and here for the Travelin' The Dirt Road reviews. More reviews and station play lists are coming in every day, again, a heartfelt thank you for this support. Special thanks to the many DJs around the world who are playing the two new Blue Witch Records releases.
• Eddie Berner Passes: Avid Chicago blues fan and fixture, Eddie Berner, also known as "Chicago Eddie" or "crazy Eddie" (said lovingly), passed away September 10, 2007 after a long illness. For over thirty years, he actively cheered on the blues of his hometown. Despite mental disabilities, he was always a regular at the many blues clubs and events around Chicago, and had an encyclopedic knowledge of the city's blues scene. There will be a memorial service held Sunday, September 16, 2007 from 6-9pm at the B.L.U.E.S. Club on Halsted. His sincere love of this music was a constant in the Chicago Blues scene, and he will be greatly missed by all of us that knew him. To sign his guestbook in the Chicago Tribune, click here.

August 30, 2007

• Down Home Blues Festival: This Sunday, September 2, 2007 (Labor Day weekend), the Rhythm Room proudly presents a Down Home Blues Festival featuring an amazing lineup of legendary and veteran artists. Appearing at the festival will be Honeyboy Edwards, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Tomcat Courtney, Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars, and Paris James; plus, there will be a blues photo show and sale by award winning blues photographer, David Horwitz. This show marks a rare Phoenix appearance by the legendary Honeyboy Edwards, now 92 years old. Honeyboy was friends with Robert Johnson, and performed throughout the South in the 1930s and 1940s before settling in Chicago, where he now resides. His music is a glimpse into the deep past of the blues. Joining the lineup will be Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, best known as the long time drummer in Muddy Waters’ band. Willie will be performing a set on vocals and harmonica, and backing Honeyboy Edwards on the drums. Also on the show will be the 78 year old Texas bluesman, Tomcat Courtney, who is an amazing singer and guitarist, somewhat reminiscent of Lightnin’ Hopkins. The host band for the evening will be The Rhythm Room All-Stars, and their featured vocalist, Big Pete Pearson, will contribute a set to the night’s proceedings. The show will open with a set by Phoenix’s own Paris James, who personifies the down-home blues tradition. Please come early and stay late, because the show will move quickly from act to act, and you wouldn’t want to miss any part of this. Doors open at 7pm for this show. Tickets are $15 (advance or day of show), with advance tickets available at the Rhythm Room, all Ticketmaster store locations, Charge by Phone: (800)745-3000, or Ticketmaster.com. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Delicious Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be patio smoking only, no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Bo Diddley Photo Page Added: Check out our new tribute page to the great Bo Diddley, a legend in both blues and Rock ‘N Roll. The page features both vintage and contemporary photos of Bo, including a beautiful shot of Bo and Chico Chism. To see this page, click here. Also check out new photos on the Magic Slim page, and a new page devoted to France’s Virus De Blues Big Pete Pearson cover.
• Great Airplay and Press on New Releases: Special thanks to the many DJs around the world who are beginning to play the two new Blue Witch Records releases, House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’, a various artists blues compilation celebrating the Rhythm Room 15 year anniversary, and the new album by Dave Riley & Bob Corritore, Travelin' The Dirt Road. Also thanks to recent press on both these releases, in Big City Blues, Blues Festival E-Guide, Supporting the Blues on MySpace, MusicForAmerica.org, and In A Blue Mood Blogspot. Click here for House Rockin' & Blues Shoutin'’ reviews, and here for the Travelin' The Dirt Road reviews. More reviews and station play lists are coming in every day, again, a heartfelt thank you for this support.
• September 11^th Blues: Louisiana Red’s impassioned "September 11^th Blues", from the No Turn On Red CD on HighTone Records, commemorates this unfortunate American tragedy. As we approach the sixth anniversary of September 11, 2001, we encourage our readership to take a listen to this song in this week of remembrance.
• Bob’s Friend Guitar Ray Appearing at the Rhythm Room Saturday: Bob’s friend, Guitar Ray from the Netherlands, will make his first Phoenix appearance on Saturday, September 1, 2007 at the Rhythm Room. Bob had the honor of sharing the lineup with Ray at the 2006 Marco Fiume Blues Passions Festival in Rossano, Italy. To see photos from this festival, click here. Ray is a fine guitar player with a modern blues touch, who works frequently in Europe fronting his own band, Guitar Ray and the Rhythm Dukes, and with The Backbones. Also appearing on the bill will be the Anna Warr and Bad News Blues Band, both from Tucson. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $7. Delicious Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be patio smoking only, no indoor smoking will be permitted.
• Fall Gigs: Check out the following list of Bob’s amazing 2007 Fall schedule:

Sunday, September 2, 2007 - (Labor Day weekend), Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, as a part of the Down-Home Blues Festival featuring a champion lineup of four legendary masters of traditional blues: Honeyboy Edwards, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Tomcat Courtney, and Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars (Bob Corritore, Chris James, Johnny Rapp, Patrick Rynn, and Brian Fahey). Tickets are $15 (advance or day of show), with advance tickets available at the Rhythm Room, all Ticketmaster store locations, Charge by Phone: (800)745-3000, or Ticketmaster.com. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. Doors open at 7pm for this show.

Saturday, September 8, 2007 - Bob Corritore will appear at Hopson's Commissary in Clarksdale, MS as part of The Paul Butterfield Fund and Society's second annual Conference & Gathering in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Bob Corritore will play with the Sam Lay Blues Band reunion, which will be part of a large lineup that includes Gabriel Butterfield, Rod Hicks (Former bassist with Paul Butterfield, as well as Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder), Marshall Drew, Vince Scardina, Roy Moore, Mark Hutchison, Eric Hughes, Zack Pomerleau, and more. Sam Lay will be reunited with Chris James, Patrick Rynn, and Bob Corritore, who all worked together in the Sam Lay Blues Band. For more information on becoming a member of the Paul Butterfield Fund and Society and attending this conference, click here for the general website, or here for the MySpace site. Thanks to Salli Squitieri and Gabriel Butterfield for organizing this wonderful event.

Saturday, September 15, 2007 - Bob Corritore will appear at Chief Schabuttie Gilliame's 82nd Birthday Party at the Rhythm Room, as a special guest with Big Pete Pearson backing Chief. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $6. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This night will be a patio smoking only event, no indoor smoking will be permitted.

Friday, September 21, and Saturday, September 22, 2007 - Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ with the Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson, with Chris James, Brian Fahey, Patrick Rynn, and Johnny Rapp. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $6. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. These nights will be patio smoking only events, no indoor smoking will be permitted.

Sunday, September 23, 2007 - The Scottsdale Music Festival will take place September 22-23, 2007 with the first day dedicated to jazz, and the second to blues. The September 23, 2007 blues lineup includes The Robert Cray Band, Blues Traveler, Taj Mahal, Koko Taylor, Eric Johnson, Candye Kane, and Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars. Gates open at 10 am, with music kicking off at 11am. The event website includes all details, and can be viewed by clicking here. Only 2500 tickets will be sold to this event. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 29, 2007; but subscribers to this newsletter can get discounted pre-sale tickets. There will be an email forthcoming with instructions on getting these first call discounted tickets. Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars are proud to be a part of this major event.

Friday, September 28, 2007 - Bob Corritore will appear at Patrick's II in San Diego with The Fremonts, filling in for the vacationing Troy Sandow (The Fremonts' great harmonica player).

Saturday, September 29, 2007 - Bob Corritore's Birthday Bash!! Bob Corritore will appear at Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ as a special guest with Phillip Walker. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $10. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. This show will be a patio smoking only event, no indoor smoking will be permitted.

Saturday, October 6, 2007 - To celebrate their new release on Blue Witch Records, Travelin' The Dirt Road, Dave Riley and Bob Corritore will host a CD release party in conjunction with the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival at the Delta Cultural Center Annex, 223 Cherry Street, Helena, AR, 72342, and admission is free! There will be a one-hour performance starting at 3pm, followed by a CD signing.

Saturday, October 6, 2007 - Bob Corritore will make a guest appearance on Mannish Boys set at Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival at 10:30pm on the main stage.  Bob will play harmonica behind Johnny Dyer on a Jimmy Rogers number. Thanks to Randy Chortkoff for including Bob. Rand and all The Mannish Boys have always treated Bob as one of their family.

Friday, October 12, and Saturday, October 13, 2007 - Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ with the Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson, with Chris James, Brian Fahey, Patrick Rynn, and Johnny Rapp. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $7. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. These nights will be patio smoking only events, no indoor smoking will be permitted.

Friday, November 2, and Saturday, November 3, 2007 - Bon Voyage party for the Rhythm Room All-Stars' Swiss appearance! Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ with the Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson, with Chris James, Brian Fahey, Patrick Rynn, and Johnny Rapp. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $7. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. These nights will be patio smoking only events, no indoor smoking will be permitted.

Tuesday-Thursday, November 6-8, 2007 - Big Pete Pearson and The Rhythm Room All-Stars will appear in Paris at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Club at the Le Meridien Hotel on November 6, 7, and 8, 2007. This will be right before their appearances at the Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland on November 9 and 10, 2007.

Friday and Saturday, November 9-10, 2007 - Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars will appear at the highly acclaimed Lucerne Blues Festival in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9, 2007 - Bob Corritore will appear at the Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ with the Rhythm Room All-Stars featuring Big Pete Pearson, with Chris James, Brian Fahey, Patrick Rynn, and Johnny Rapp. Doors open at 8pm, cover charge is $7. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event. These nights will be patio smoking only events, no indoor smoking will be permitted.

August 28, 2007

• Bo Diddley Suffers Heart Attack; Rock Pioneer is in Stable Condition: This just in from NME (Note that Bo Diddley recently suffered a stroke May 13, 2007):

"Bo Diddley suffered a heart attack during a medical check-up in a Florida hospital and is now in stable condition, his spokeswoman said today (August 28). The 78-year-old rock pioneer felt ill during his checkup at North Florida Regional Medical Center, and was transferred to the emergency room where the heart attack occurred. He then underwent a surgical procedure to help the blood flow to his heart, reports Reuters. Diddley, whose real name is Ellas Bates, has been ailing in recent months. He suffered a stroke in May that impaired his ability to speak, and has lost toes to diabetes. The rhythm guitar style he pioneered has influenced several major rock bands including The Rolling Stones and U2." -NME

Please check back soon to Bob Corritore's photo pages for a new tribute page to Bo Diddley.

August 22, 2007

• Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars Perform this Weekend in Phoenix: Please come see Big Pete Pearson & The Rhythm Room All-Stars as they perform Friday and Saturday, August 24 and 25, 2007 at their home base, the Rhythm Room. The band's all-star lineup includes Big Pete Pearson, Chris James, Bob Corritore, Brian Fahey, Patrick Rynn, and Johnny Rapp. Doors open at 8pm; cover charge is $6. The Rhythm Room is located at 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Rack Shack Barbeque will be available at this event.
• Bob Corritore to Make Guest Appearance With The Mannish Boys at the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival: Mannish Boys bandleader Randy Chortkoff has invited Bob Corritore to play harmonica on a number backing Johnny Dyer singing a Jimmy Rogers' number as part of The Mannish Boys' headlining set Saturday, October 6, 2007 on the main stage at the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival. To read more about this spectacular festival, check out their website by clicking here. The Mannish Boys are simply an amazing band, masterfully combining the very best West Coast players in a revue performance that is pure blues excitement. The Mannish Boys have always gone out of their way to make Bob feel like part of their family. The Mannish Boys' CD Big Plans on the Delta Groove record label, is a contemporary yet completely traditional blues masterpiece. Please check out Delta Groove's great website, featuring an amazing photo and film clip section. Thank you, Randy, for this invitation. Bob will also perform earlier that day (3pm) with Da