ORPHAN ANNIES CLOSING IT'S DOORS AFTER OVER 30 YEARS OF MUSIC LAST CALL IS APRIL 27TH 2008

Curtain call coming for Orphan Annie's

By CHRIS JORDAN
STAFF WRITER

LONG HILL — A part of the local live music scene is about to find itself orphaned.

Orphan Annie's, a haven for blues, jazz, rock and R&B for the last 30 years in the Stirling section of the township, is closing Monday, co-owner Rick Romano announced.

"It's time," said Romano, who operated the club and restaurant at 1255 Valley Road with his parents Frank and Ann Romano. "My parents are elderly and they wanted to get out. It's a united decision."

Orphan Annie regulars were told of the closing last week.

"The closing feels surreal," said Warren bluesman Bob Lanza, who performs at the club on Saturday. "You don't think a place affects you that much but I've spent a lot of time there, going back to my wilder younger days."

Orphan Annie's opened for business in 1977.

"When we close it'll be a piece of history to a lot of people," Romano said. "Music wasn't the main focus right at the beginning, but we had somebody play every Friday and Saturday night and that was it. If a band was doing very good, they'd play once a month and it developed into a blues and rock 'n' roll club."

Graced by some of the biggest names in music — James Cotten, Randy Jackson of Zebra, Pat DiNizio of the Smithereens, Hubert Sumlin and members of the Spin Doctors along with local Jersey legends such as Bernie Brausewetter, Billy Hector and Nasty Ned have all performed at Orphan Annie's. The music was often spiced up by theme parties, such as the mid-winter beach party.

Incidently, Orphan Annie's is named after Ann Romano, who is not an orphan.

The younger Romano will keep active in the music scene with his Blueskids Productions music promotion group and is looking for booking opportunities at area clubs. He'll be recording Saturday night's show for a later release on the Blueskids label.

In the fall, the venue itself will become Taverna Quattrini, featuring rustic down-home Italian fare, said new owner Ilir Bitici. Bitici's family owns several restaurants in the area, including Fiorino Ristorante in Summit.

"I've been there a few times and I definitely respect what they did," said Bitici of Orphan Annie's. "When people talk about it they always have an anecdote about the place."

Bitici said he has no plans for presenting live music at Quattrini, but it will be considered once the restaurant is set up.

The final weekend at Annie's includes The Billy Hector Band on Friday ($12 admission); the Lanza-led open jam and recording on Saturday ($5) and the American Roots Live open jam with Nasty Ned and Jr. Bradfield on Sunday (free admission) for the last night of live music at the club. The Romanos and long-time bartender Sandy McCoo will say good-bye from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday.

Orphan Annie's has meant a lot to me i met many great musicians and made friends over the years it will be sad to walk out the door tonight when the music stops.

I reposted this article from the courier news online

http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080424/NEWS/804240335#

Tonight American Roots Live With Nasty Ned

will be the last blast of music at a one of a kind venue

The show starts at 8 and runs until rick tells us it time to go !


A special thanks go out to Ann and Frank romano and Rick Romano proprietors of Orphan Annies for all the years of supporting live music !

Roots Review 39

The kids are alright!

Last Thursday's American Roots Live was the epitome of what our movement is all about... the kids. In a packed Bluetone Cafe full of musician's and fans of all ages American Roots music was the focus from blues to country to rock to free style jam.

Billy & K the Pocono Players laid down a solid set of roots based classic rock then backed Carl Van Camp who tore through some Elvis, Johnny Cash and George Jones (pic). Fans young and old soaked in the sweet sounds of yesterday.

Billy K was joined on stage by his 14 year old son Dolan Kutzman on Drums and 17 year old friend Tim Beery on Bass. Nick T on guitar and vocals played with nine year old Brent Meyers who took center stage this week playing his own strat in front of Ed Moore on drums and Chip Bush playing bass.

Nancy Colletti aired out her amazing voice while her children listened and 21 year old Michael Lopresti rocked electric with Matt Roman. Roman then free styled quite interestingly with Billy K - deep.

Other stand outs were Clay Reilly on trumpet. Kevin Tracy , keys, Jaimo Flynn on drums, Joe Matthews, bass Brian Becklin, guitar Sonny Young, guitar & vocals, some guy named Ned blowin' harp and with Arlene Schar in the house, many others.

Thanks to Elmore Magazine and publisher Suzanne Cadgene for their continued support of the effort, the Bluetone's Joe Karam, Doug, Aaron, Katelyn and Christine and thanks to all the parents for recognizing that American Roots Live Shows are a good place to bring the kids to grab a piece of history and expand a mind. For learning to play their instruments better on stage - which is an ultimate form of artistic expression - builds confidence in young people.

We all had fun. We're all proud.

Keeping it real,

Ned

Roots Review 37 & 38

Roots Review 37 & 38

The Bluetone Cafe in Easton, PA and the Rail in Bound Brook, NJ have had a lot of incredible musicians grace the two stages since we've started American Roots Live.Our taleneted and accomodating co-hosts John Powers in New Jersey and Billy K in Rennsylvania, make American Roots Live the place to be every Thursday and Sunday nights where the roots rock like no place else.Our celebration of 20th century American roots music continues to draw new musicians and fans alike.


Parents are learning that ARL is a great place to introduce their kids to the music and for this we are pleased.Last Thusday at the Bluetone we had nine year old Brent Myers on stage playing Billy K's stratocaster along side Nick T with Ed Moore on Drums and Chip Bush on bass. The kid was good and had us all satisfied that this is in fact what ARL is all about - bringing it to the kids.Both venues have become destination rooms for musicians of all ages and all talent levels from amature to pro. We've been fortunate enough to jam with Brian Becklin, Doc Z, Johanna, Michael Lopresti, Jim Ruffi, John Kasper, Bernie Brauswetter, Vern Mobley, Kieth McGonagal, Johnny Charles, Kim Bierny, Robert Zee, JR Bradfield, Len DePiano, Mimi Nowak, Bob Del Rosso, Jaimo Flynn, Bones Sanford, Lorrie Millheim, Alan G, WDIY's Stew Brodian, Keith Pagam Sr., and Keith Pagam Jr., Craig Thatcher and more.We thank all the musicians who participate - all fans who come out to support the cause and our venue owners and managaement.


We thank our volunteers and photographers and hope to see you all again soon.Keep in mind that Christmas Eve and New Years Eve have pre-empted the Sunday shows at the Rail but we will be back in full swing in Bound Brook starting again on January 7th. In the meantime the Bluetone has not missed a beat all Thursday shows have, and will go on through the holidays.Here's wishing everyone a joyous hoiliday season and we look forward to seeing you again soon.Keeping it real,Ned

JAMES COTTON SUPER HARP WITH THE BOB LANZA BLUES BAND SAT NOVEMBER 25TH 8.00PM !

<----------------- Bulletin Message ----------------- From: a pleasant symmetry
Date: Nov 25 2006 1:32 PM







11/25/2006 08:00 PM - ORPHAN ANNIES
JAMES COTTON IN CONCERT
1255 Valley Road
STIRLING, New Jersey 07980
US
Cost: $40.00
JAMES COTTON IN CONCERT WITH BOB LANZA - SNAKEMAN RUNYAN
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25th 8:00PM AT ORPHAN ANNIE'S STIRLING NJ. 908-647-0138 http://oannies.tripod.com/ Limited seating - Only 150 tickets for sale - First come first serve Once in a life time to see a blues legend in an intimate setting! Advance tickets on sale at club $40.00 Call club to charge tickets, all credit cards accepted, 908-647-0138

http://oannies.tripod.com/

http://www.boblanzabluesband.com/


http://www.myspace.com/boblanzabluesband


http://www.myspace.com/snakemansblues

http://www.jamescottonsuperharp.com/#inx

Roots Review 31

Do you know what Muddy Waters, Hank Williams, John Lennon, James Brown, Merle Haggard and Tony Bennett have in common?

Not sure?

These notables are all part of our root system and have everything to do with the shape and color of the leaves on our musical tree today.And it all comes from the roots.Unfortunately, the lack of mainstream exposure of American Roots music today is sad. With the exception of some current TV commercials, trying to appeal to baby boomers, you just don't hear it unless you know where to look. How about Count Basie, Ronnie Van Zant, Bill Monroe, Prince, Bob Wills or Elvis?

Still don't know?Wes Montgomery? DeFord Bailey? George Jones? Sugar Hill Gang? Ray Charles? Not sure?The answer is simple, but complex, because they have little in common yet, they have everything in common. American Roots music.

Do your kids know the origins of their music?

Robert Z (pic) knows

- as does Mike Dugan, that if not for a bunch of young British musicians in the sixties, many of us American urban/suburban boomers wouldn't know Muddy Waters or Howlin' Wolf.So, we are drawn to the significant cause of promoting American Roots Music in an attempt to preserve the musical art-form for future generations.WC Handy equals American IdolLike Chris Daughtrey - the kid on American Idol last year who sang an arrangement of Johnny Cash's "I walk the line" that had Simon calling him genius - all right, maybe he was too nervous to admit in front of 100 million TV viewers that it wasn't his own arrangement, but his performance, none the less, illustrates my point.Daughtrey listened to Lyve's version of "I walk the line" who heard Johnny Cash's, who listened to Muddy Waters, who heard Robert Johnson, who heard WC Handy.As a musician and singer, everything I do is influenced by everything I've heard before - just like Robert Z - so like it or not WC Handy equals American Idol.That's why we invite singers, songwriters, musicians and music fans of all styles of American Music; Blues, Jazz, Rock, Country, Bluegrass, Rock & Roll, Dixieland, Rock-a-Billy, R&B, Soul, Funk, Folk, Be-Bop or Zydeco, to come together with us to celebrate this significant indigenous, musical art form.The birthplace of today's music; WC Handy, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa, James Brown, et al, spawned Jay-Z, R Kelly, Trisha Yearwood, Black Eyed Peas and Kelly Clarkson - no doubt.Whether your house smells like cigarette smoke or roses influences your decision to open the window... or your nostrils... or your mind... or your calendar to mark American Roots Live into your schedule - in either of two 2 great locations - twice a week.Please join me - Nasty Ned and, Robert Z, John Powers, Billy K, Johnny Charles, Bernie Brauswetter and some of the most talented players on the tri-state circuit as we come together twice per week to celebrate our American Roots hertitage.Check it out. And bring a friend or two - or your kids - for a musical history lesson and some great entertainment.Music is life.Do you see life as art?

Amelia Lange does,

JR Bradfield does, so does Robert Z - and so do I.

Come see for yourself?

Keeping it real,Ned

AMERICAN ROOTS 30 by nasty ned

(That's Nasty Ned (Left) with Even Coniglio picture (Right) at top left - sound tech at the Rail and one of the hottest young bass players in New Jersey.)

I've spent time of late... with doctors and bureaucrats
I can't relate.

Days got hard so I got harder...
but even honost effort weighs a heavy load.

I ain't dyin', I'm still tryin'
people I been down much harder roads.

But the show goes on thanks to

John Powers, (BELOW)










Johnny Charles, (BELOW)









Billy K and
Duane Chez... (BELOW)








Arne Englund,



Robert Z, (BELOW)








Big Boy Kenny, JR Bradfield and

HoneyBoy Dupree. (BELOW)









The show is real cause the people make it. EJ Rice, Josh Gebhardt, Bassboard Blues, Kate Weber and Sugarfoot Dengler - they don't fake itYeah I blew a gasket, got spastic, tried to mask it, health insurance bombastic,
but I will deal...And because of
Win (BELOW)









and Jaimo Flynn, I'll say it again... it's the people who make it real.

...and, from my heart, it has been everything I ever wished it could be. Thank you.Before we wrap up this review, I want to acknowledge the rockin', roots-gone-mad, back to back performances of Tweed Schade & the Sugar Daddies at American Roots Live 28 at the Crossroads, and ARL 29 at Bluetone Cafe. Easton will never be the same.
Tweed and Cochise (BELOW)







are an act not to be missed!

They honest to goodness American Roots rockin' maddness. Tweed Schade (ah it's a cool name) is a smoothe showman. He is sly, funny, witty and ah man, he's a cool ride!

(Copyright, Nasty Ned, USA 2006)


Keeping it real,


Ned

American Roots Nooz

american roots nooz
Come join the fun TONIGHT!

American Roots Live with Nasty Ned
...now in 2 exciting locations

Tonight and every Wednesday night at 9 pm
at Crossroads
78 North Ave.
Garwood, NJ
908-232-5666 http://www.xxroads.com

Tonight's HEADLINERS: John Powers & Friends, Kelly Caruso & Friends
...plus a star studded cast of American Roots All Stars!

Come to Crossroads early for expertly prepared, mouth watering Cajun and American cuisine and get yourself a good seat for the show!

Tomorrow night and every Thursday night at 9 pm
at The Bluetone Cafe
683 Walnut St.
Easton, PA
(610) 258-5812
http://www.bluetonecafe.com

Thursday's HEADLINERS: Billy K & the Pocono Players w/ special guest, also Johnny Charles and a star studded cast of American Roots All Stars from both sides of the river!

... will you be among them?

Don't miss American Roots Live. There is no other show like it anywhere !

Come to the Bluetone Cafe early for the BEST southern fried chicken, cheese mac and sweet potato fries and get yourself a good seat for the show!


...enjoy reading the latest Roots Reviews at http://american-roots.blogspot.com
...view the entire American Roots Live photo gallery at http://www.nastyned.com and leave your email address to get your nooz.

There is never a cover charge at American Roots, but we do encourage donations of any amount... and your generosity will send you home with the current issue of Elmore Magazine "Saving American Music" and maybe an Elmore CD featuring great music by John Lee Hooker, John Mayall, Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, Hot Tuna and more!

We hope to see you there!

Attention: Acts wishing to showcase at American Roots Live can email Nasty Ned at nastyned@att.net

Roots Review 29 by NASTY NED

Alright. We are all having fun at the American Roots Live celebrations at Crossroads in Garwood, NJ and the Bluetone Cafe in Easton, PA.

We've had the honor and privilege of hearing and playing with some of the most incredible, veteran musicians anywhere, like Johnny Charles, BB Brauswetter, Mike Caruso, Lee Fink, Gene Downin, Jake Jar el, Mike Flynn, Spiros Soukis, Roger Prieto, Michael Krizan, Rob Fraser, Tweed Schade & the Sugar Daddies, Rob Paparozzi, Todd Lanka, HoneyBoy Dupree, The Congregation, Alan Rogoff, Jimmy Somma, Dean Shot, Big Boy Kenny Nerbak, Duane Chez and the list goes on and on...

We've also had the enviable opportunity of being able to showcase new, upcoming stars like John Powers, The Wiliamzboy, Kelly Caruso, Kate Weber and literally hundreds of (if not more) enthusiastic and talented players and singers, young and old, too numerous to mention here.

Today I want to recognize someone, who from the behind the scenes, as well as from on the stage, has been instrumental in keeping American Roots ticking.

I first knew Ed Pampani (pic) as a photographer, but soon learned he was a good drummer, too, AND a wonderful human being.














I think it was BB, who commented after jamming with Ed one night,"man, this guy's a time piece." And that's what Ed Pampani is - a time piece - and just as steady.

Ed Pampani has helped spread the American Roots Movement message with his myspace, blog and other internet presences and along with Win and his camera, Ed Pampani and his camera have been to all of the American Roots Live celebrations from 1 thru 29.

When you come to an American Roots Live show, say hello to Ed. He is indeed a pleasant symmetry and I am proud to call him my friend. We should all be thankful that he is a friend of American Roots. Thank you Ed Pampani.

We'll talk more about Ed and other "behind the scenes American Rooters" like Win and Robert Z and others in coming posts, but for now, we hope to see you soon.

Keeping it real,

Ned

JAMES COTTON IN CONCERT !

Blueskid Productions Presents














Blues Legend
JAMES COTTON
(PHOTO TAKEN BY ED PAMPANI AT ORHAN ANNIES IN STERLING NJ)

BOB LANZA - SNAKEMAN RUNYAN
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25th 8:00PM
AT ORPHAN ANNIE'S STIRLING NJ.
908-647-0138 http://oannies.tripod.com/
Limited seating - Only 150 tickets for sale - First come first serve
Once in a life time to see a blues legend in an intimate setting!
Advance tickets on sale at club $40.00
Call club to charge tickets, all credit cards accepted, 908-647-0138


http://www.boblanzabluesband.com/jamescotton.html

http://www.jamescottonsuperharp.com/#inx

Blues greats rock Central Jersey see the courier news for more info

By BOB MAKIN
Staff Writer

Three of living blues legends will perform through the end of the year in Central Jersey:
* Muddy Waters' pianist Pinetop Perkins on Nov. 10 at The Stanhope House, 45 Main St., Stanhope
* Harmonica great James Cotton, Nov. 25, Orphan Annie's, 1255 Valley Road, Stirling section of Long Hill
* Howlin' Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin, Dec. 29, also at Orphan Annie's.

One of Central Jersey's best guitarists, Billy Hector will share the stage with Sumlin,
while Orphan Annie's favorites Dave "Snakeman" Runyan and Bob Lanza will do the same with Cotton.

For ticket info, contact the Stanhope House at (973) 347-0458 or http://www.stanhopehouse.com and Orphan Annie's at (908) 647-0138 or http://www.oannies.com

SEE THE COURIER NEWS FOR MORE INFO THE COURIER NEWS

Roots Review 28 by Nasty Ned

How do you define "spirit"?
As a noun you could say spirit is someone's soul, but when you imply someone "has spirit," then defining spirit includes the measure of a person's positive energy, their will, strength, dedication, determination, humility, ability, motivation, inspiration, good sense, faith, humor, honor, decency, respect, respectability, and myriad other intangible character traits.

John Powers has spirit - and without which, American Roots Live would not be where it is today.

Wednesday night's American Roots Live 28 at Crossroads in Garwood, NJ, was like a cross between an Alan Freed's traveling all stars shows of the 50's and a music festival with 30 names on the bill and continuous music. ARL 28 didn't resemble an open mic, although, it was.

Quality act after quality act showed their spirit on our stage before an appreciative audience in an SRO house. And by the time individual musicians came together to play, they were all notable, accomplished performers that sounded like rehearsed bands.

There really is no other show like American Roots Live.

Getting us started and setting the tone for a great night of music was John Powers, EJ Rice and Josh Gebhardt, then The Wiliamzboy with his rhythmic, well crafted songs.(pic)




















Then Tweed Schade & the Sugar Daddies with Cochise, John, and Gar Francis had us rockin' down that Raritan Line.
Look out Easton, here comes Tweed Schade & the Sugar Daddies.

























Then it was Kelly Caruso's turn to take the stage with Daddy Mike on bass Johnny Charles, guitar, Walter Bordonaro, saxophone, Powers on drums and JR Bradfield, guitar.

Kelly (pic below) displayed strong, disciplined vocals as she performed like a star and looked even better than she does in this pic taken by Ed Pampani back in August.















Then came the ARL right hook, all the way from Athens, Greece via NYC, arriving by car with bassist Margery Peters, was Spiros Soukis - my friend from cyber roots. Spiros tore the house up with authentic, rockin' American blues guitar and Clapton-like vocals. Look out Easton, here comes Spiros.

















With BB in the house and OREO in the dim lit room, Dean Shot made his first visit to ARL and we were honored. Dean ripped it up with Jimmy Somma, Freddie Farrow and Walter Foot then invited Bones Sanford to play a little harp on one. We had the "Newark Hillbilly" Robert Z, Ed Pampani, Monsters of Mojo; Jorge, John & John, Bob Brienza, Brad Sicotte, Screamin' Mimi Nowak, Arlene Schar (pic), Soup Boy and more..."














I am so proud of our American Roots Movement and I'm so proud of you.

Then we Loaded the caravan on Thursday and moved American Roots Live 28 to the Bluetone Cafe in Easton, PA. We tore it up again AND with "more "back to back" awards in order - this time for John Powers, Johnny Charles, Bernie BB Brauswetter and Robert Z - Bluetone was smokin'.

Another good crowd on hand eating Aaron's burgers, southern fried chicken, cheese mac and sweet potato fires served up by Christine and kickin back to listen to the incredible music swirling through the room by John Powers, Keith McGonigle, Hot Pat, Billy K, Jaimo Flynn from Big Daddy and the Wild Cats, Bernie BB Brauswetter, Rob "Rock" Bianco, Vern Mobley from Fussion Jazz Trio, Johnny Charles, Sonny Young, Robert Z, Jeff Bennison, Randall Smith, Ken Barry, Arne Englund, Rob Fraser from Mike Dugan's Blues Mission, Andy McGregor, Nick T, Roman, Paul Berger from Can't Stop Now, Keith Jr... Keith Sr.. we even had WDIY's Stewart Brodian and Arlene Schar in the house.

Thanks to Joe Karam, Lee Frankel, our sponsors, supporters, friends and volunteers and ambassadors Powers, Duane Chez and HoneyBoy Dupree.

We'll look for you at American Roots Live 29 nearest you, or maybe even see you back to back - that's double the fun!

Keeping it real,

Ned

american roots nooz

american roots nooz
...enjoy reading the latest Roots Review at http://american-roots.blogspot.com
American Roots Live with Nasty Ned

Come join the fun!

Tonight!
...and every Wednesday night at 9 pm
with guest hosts John Powers & the Arturos

Crossroads
78 North Ave.
Garwood, NJ
908-232-5666
http://www.xxroads.com

...Wednesday night will also feature Tweed Schade & Cochise and the Sugar Daddies,(CHECK THIS LINK http://www.rockabilly.net/ ) plus blues from Greece with Spiros Soukis and a whole host of American Roots All Stars! Don't miss it.

CHECK THE LINKS SECTION FOR TWEED SCHADE !

Thursday night!
...and every Thursday night at 9 pm

The Bluetone Cafe
683 Walnut St.
Easton, PA
(610) 258-5812
http://www.bluetonecafe.com

This Thursday's guest hosts are John Powers & the Arturos - back to back - and a great cast of American Roots All Stars! There is no other show like it anywhere!

Read Roots Reviews at http://american-roots.blogspot.com...or view the photo gallery at http://www.nastyned.com/
=====================================================================================

NOTE: The American Roots Movement needs volunteers to perform the following tasks:

1. Personal assistant to Nasty Ned. You must be well organized, have an easy going personality, love for music, proficiency in MS Word and Excel and a home computer. Willingness to travel from time to time would be helpful. This could turn into a full time, salaried position for the right person. Please send resume in body of email to nastyned@att.net No attachments please.

2. Volunteers in both locations to help with the raffle process and to greet patrons at the door with a smile.

3. Volunteer familiar with securing government grants for the performing arts.

Please send all volunteer inquiries to nastyned@att.net.

And please continue to support everyone who works hard to keep the Roots alive.

Subscribe to Elmore Magazine "Saving American Music" http://www.elmoremagazine.com/

Listen to the LOW BUDGET BLUES SHOW with Richard Skelly, every Thursday night at 8 PM on 88.7 FM, WRSU, Rutgers State University - and online at http://www.nj.com/wrsu/ as Richard spins your favorite new and old blues records including some from Nasty Ned!

Get hip to what the Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Foundation is doing. Visit them at http://www.jsjbf.com

...also visit the United Jersey Blues Network,VISIT THEM AT http://www.ujbn.com

AND the NY/NJ Blues Society and the Buck's County Blues Society.VISIT THEM HERE http://www.bucksbluessociety.com/

See how they're making a difference ...and how you too can Help Keep the Blues Alive!

Contact Nasty Ned... nastyned@att.net

American Roots Ambassadors:
Duane Chez... http://360.yahoo.com/duanechez
HoneyBoy Dupree... http://www.honeyboydupree.com
John Powers... http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=67238


FOR MORE LIVE EVENTS AND OTHER NEWS.....PLEASE VISIT apleasantsymmetry.spaces.live.com

"MA RAINEY"

Gertrude Pridgett was born into a showbiz family that performed in minstrel shows. She first appeared onstage in 1900, singing and dancing in minstrel and vaudeville stage revues. In 1902 she married the song and dance man William "Pa" Rainey and from then on became known as Ma Rainey. The couple formed a song and dance act that included Blues and popular songs. They toured the country, but primarily the South and became a popular attraction as part of Tolliver's Circus, The Musical Extravaganza and The Rabbit Foot Minstrels, where Rainey befriended a young Bessie Smith. In the 1920s Rainey was a solo star of the T.O.B.A. vaudeville circuit. It was not until 1923 that Ma Rainey signed a recording contract with Paramount. She was billed as the "Mother of the Blues", which wasn't far off the mark. Few historians can point to any real Blues singers before Ma Rainey. She ended up recording 100 songs between 1923 and 1928 on Paramount Records. During that time she was accompanied by many noted jazz musicians such as, Louis Armstrong, Tommy Ladnier, Fletcher Henderson and Coleman Hawkins. She continued working until 1935 and retired to Columbus, Georgia. Ma had been smart with her money and managed to build and operate two theaters; she also owned her own home in Columbus. Ma Rainey died in 1939, of a heart attack.
POST IS FROM REDHOTJAZZ CHECK OUT THIER LINK A LOT OF GOOD INFO AND MUSIC
SEE THESE LINKS ONE IS IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE SORRY I DON'T HAVE AN ENGLISH TRANSLATION YET PEACE ED
condevolney.blogspot.com

Ma Rainey

REDHOTJAZZ

LISTEN TO PROVE IT ON ME BLUES

Roots Review 27 BY NASTY NED

Roots Review 27


Here's an example of the American Roots Music system.



Listen to the earliest sounds of Son House and Charlie Patton, then the distinctive blues guitar of Hubert Sumlin behind Howlin' Wolf, the electrified slide vibrato of Muddy Waters, then, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn then, come to American Roots Live at Crossroads in Garwood, New Jersey or the Bluetone Cafe in Easton, PA and hear Johnny Charles and Bernie BB Brauswetter whipping like two leaves on a tree in a hurricane - and you my friend have come full circle.

Two of them on stage together is an awesome experience indeed and one that you may have been fortunate enough to witness if you were at American Roots Live 27 Wednesday night down at the Crossroads. Yes, on stage together - shoulder to shoulder the two strat-masters rocked the house with JR Bradfield on bass and John Powers slappin' the skins.

Also, making their American Roots Live debut that night, and making their mark on our stage, was North Jersey's, The Congregation. We were mightily impressed by their musicianship, interesting material and arrangements and their professionalism. Playing witty, well crafted original songs, The Congregation's web site describes their music as a blending of blues, jazz, rock, soul and "cowboy themes" with a "distinctive flavor of pine trees and exhaust fumes"... they're right on - that's North Jersey, and that's The Congregation.

Thanks Evil Dick, Chuck, Sal and Rich. Hurry back!

Other inspired performances this night by Jukebox Jim Simino singing and playing his red Ovation double-necked guitar, Bones Sanford, Arlene Schar, Robert Z, Ed Pampani, Screamin' Mimi Nowak, Bob Del Rosso, Len De Piano, EJ Rice, Josh Gebhardt and John Powers who kicked off American Roots Live 27 with a crisp set of his original crowd pleasers including, Airplanes, Highway Lines and others.

On the Road

AR 27 saw three "back to back" performances this week. Bernie BB Brauswetter, JR Bradfield and Arlene Schar all made the drive to entertain audiences on back to back nights, Wednesday at Crossroads and Thursday at the Bluetone. They are the first to do so since John Powers did it for AR 24 and has committed to doing so again for AR 28.

Interesting things always happen when John Powers gets together with those musicians across the Delaware. Fan's should consider doing an ARLive "back to back" too.

Anyway, AR 27 at the Bluetone Cafe in Easton, PA was the place to be Thursday night if you dig dem live roots.

Joining us for the first time at American Roots Live Thursday was Dawn "Sugarfoot" Dengler playing drums and rounding out our guesthost band with AR All Stars JR Bradfield on guitars and vocals and Big Boy Kenny Nerbak thumpin' the bass.

JR Bradfield did the honors this night by beautifully playing the Star Spangled Banner on "stumpy", a guitar he hand crafted from an old tree in his backyard. Come see stumpy one night, JR will be happy to show you how his stumpavarious was made...

Outstanding performances at the Bluetone beyond those mentioned above were put in by American Roots favorites Billy K, Arlene Schar, Vern Mobely, Lori V, Sonny Young, Nick T, Leo, Danny B, Jason, Baja Zero, Eric and Chuck, Jeff, Jim, Jen and Niwana, Rob and of course the legendary Bernie BB Brauswetter.

Many thanks to our venues, ownership and staffs, all of the talented, dedicated musicians and singers who grace our stage week after week, our sponsors, supporters and friends, and the American Roots volunteers and ambassadors Powers and Chez and HoneyBoy Dupree who is gearing up for his show on October 14 at Alice Cooper Town with the Phoenix Blues Society, equipped with Elmore Magazines and the American Roots Movement message.

Please do your part. Come to the American Roots Live show nearest you and encourage your friends to do the same.

Keeping it real,

Ned


http://www.nastyned.com/

american-roots.blogspot.com

JAMES COTTON performans at orphan annies july 26th

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Blueskid Productions Presents
Blues Legend
JAMES COTTON
BOB LANZA - SNAKEMAN RUNYAN
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26th 8:00PM
AT ORPHAN ANNIE'S STIRLING NJ.
908-647-0138 www.OANNIES.com

Limited seating - Only 150 tickets for sale - First come first serve
Once in a life time to see a blues legend in an intimate setting!
Advance tickets on sale at club $25.00 ($35.00 Door)