Reunion Blues Backstage Banter

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Category Archives: RB Dealers

South of the (Canadian) Border Blues (and Country…)

At the recently concluded 2012 NAMM show in Anaheim a couple of my customers who I also like to think of as friends presented me with copies of their most recent CD’s. I’m sure you know how it often goes with free CD’s given to you. Most of them are lucky to get one listen if you can find the time and even rarer are those that receive a second listening. Well these two CD’s are of such outstanding quality and will take their rightful places in my “top shelf” cd rack for repeated listening that I had to write about them here and hopefully bring them to your attention.

The first is Every Kind of Blue by Tommy Bentz of Brickhouse Music in River Falls WI. More than ably backed by Bill Golden on drums, Clark Thaldorf on bass, the particularly impressive Seth Mulvihill on keyboards, the lovely Jen Burleigh Bentz on backing vocals and Kyle Bonderson on percussion, Tommy proves that he’s well versed in all forms of blues as these tunes are colored perfectly in various forms of funky, jazzy and rocky goodness. Settling into Tommy’s comfortable voice is like kicking back in your favorite old recliner and the angst of being on the road and away from family (a recurring theme) feels palpable. Tommy’s guitar tones range from soulfully sweet to razor ripping, the solos swagger and his slide playing especially stings! This is a sweet little slice of South of the (Canadian) border blues and I highly recommend it! You can visit www.tommybentz.com for more information.

Now on to my friend Jake Miller of Cascio Interstate Music in Milwaukee who presented me with his CD Genevieve by The Plainsmen. For some reason I assumed that Jake was in a jazz band so I popped in the CD and was surprised to discover that he tricked me into listening to an entire CD of both Country AND Western music! And I liked it!! A lot!!! It’s an outstanding release. (I later learned that Jake is in at least 5 bands one of which I’m sure is a jazz band!) This CD is chock full of sublimely beautiful country melodies and themes executed with exemplary musicianship. For more info please visit www.facebook.com/theplainsmen .

Who knew that Wisconsin was such a hotbed of Blues and Country? But these are two top notch releases from South of the (Canadian) Border that I can’t recommend strongly enough. Thanks and happy listening!

Alabama High School Band Tornado Recovery Help

Large areas of our country have recently been hit with some big natural disasters like the floods in Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana and tornadoes in Alabama and North Carolina (I’m sure I’ve missed some states and apologize for the omission). Many of us want to help but don’t know exactly what to do and where to do it. Big disaster agencies like The Red Cross certainly do a great job. However, I was looking for a way to help on a more local level. Sometimes I feel like we lose control over where the money goes and whether it actually gets to the people in need, versus going into a big general pot eaten up by administrative costs.

In speaking with James Counts of Counts Brothers Music in Muscle Shoals Alabama, I was moved by his sincere assessment of the damage in his state. I asked James what he thought was the most direct way to help the people in his area. Being in the musical accessories business, I wanted to try and help in this arena. We provide a lot of our products to students and we believe that school music programs are very important in shaping young lives for the positive.

James sent me this letter from Bobby Patrick, Band Director of The Phil Campbell High School in Phil Campbell Alabama. Click here to read it. Phil Campbell Letter (Please be patient. It takes a minute to download.)

They were hit hard in terms of lives lost, which can never be replaced. Their supply of instruments, accessories and equipment for their band program was wiped out. I read the letter and, bingo, I knew this is how I wanted to help. Attached is the letter. If anyone is looking for a way to help, here is good one. I chose the Phil Campbell High School in Alabama because it was presented to me by a good man and I know that my contributions will go directly to the band program.

We all wish we could do more, but as simple as it sounds, every little bit helps. I believe it’s not only the money but the moral and psychological support that will help them move forward from this tragedy. Let’s do it.