Blues Media in Chicago

As invitations go out to the blues community in Chicago for the 2010 Chicago Blues Beautillion on September 21st from 7pm to 9pm at Rosa's Lounge I am newly intriqued by the state of blues media in Chicago. I guess I'm wondering where it's at. Like where do blues fans go to when they want to see who's playing and what happening. I know there are some websites. And, for sure, you can check The Reader and see who's playing at main spots (Buddy Guy's, Kingston Mine, etc.). Yet as I have been discovering some of the lesser known great Chicago blues acts, like Doug McDonald, Marty Sammon and RJ Howson just to name a few, I'm thinking it would be a great idea if there were one site or magazine or paper that kept tabs on all the clubs in Chicago that are offering blues and who's playing at them. I'd like to see a smart write-up on the people who are keeping the industry alive. I'll definitely be looking into it over the coming weeks, but as always, would love to be pointed in the directions by you guys. So, tell me what sites and periodicals you turn to for updates.

Long Week of Blues

The week was full of blues discoveries, discussions and plans. I had a great discussion with RJ Howson, currently in Florida, about how politics and fragmentation within the Chicago blues scene has crippled the city's ability to break new artists and remain relevant. Say it ain't so RJ, say it ain't so! He counts Billy Branch among his mentors and you should check out him out at facebook.com/rjhowson. He says that although Chicago still has the name recognition as the world's blues epicenter it lacks the infrastructure to follow thru on the perception. His thoughts bummed me out a bit. Mostly because I fear he is on to something. Yet I was also motivated to prove his thoughts untrue.

Next I had a short conversation with Scott Madden, a blues jack-of-all-trades. From musician to promoter, he's done it all. Scott offered to meet with all the guys in this years' beautillion for some old school learnin' and I will be working to set that up next week. As I prepared for our radio workshop with Scott Hammer of WDCB 90.9 FM and Steven McKinney of WSSD 88.1 FM here in Chicago I asked Scott if he had any comments or questions I could ask on his behalf. He wanted to know - 'where are all the new up-and-comers on the Chicago scene?'. Great question and one I am certainly trying to address with the Blues Beautillion.

When the group met with Scott and Steven, what I concluded from the conversation was that there remains little incentive on the part of radio programmers to promote up and coming artists. Playlists are essentially guided by relationships with major labels and personal tastes. In addition, blues artists aren't supplying new material that draws listener interest. Covers rule the day and little of it is fresh and interesting. Until it is, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B.King and the other usual suspects will rule what little percentage of the airwaves blues owns. Fans bear a responsibility in all of this too. They don't call in or respond to what's happening on the radio. They don't ask for much from any of the gatekeepers of the music industry; radio, print media, television, retail or venues. Overall, there is a resignation that has set in about the commercial viability of blues.

Later in the week I had the good fortune to sit in with Dan Phelps at Benedicts La Strata's in Crystal Lake, IL. It was a completely accoustic set. As a blues singer it gave me the opportunity to reduce blues down to its simplest form and it was great. With just voice and guitar the listener can really get lyric and story in a way that gets lost when everything is electrified. We'll be appearing together again soon. The crowd was small but appreciative in Crystal Lake despite the tornado warnings and I can't wait to get back.

As I gear up for the workshop on booking/management for the beautillion my brain is simmering with ways to reach everyone who has a stake in the conversation. But mainly the fans. The listeners. The people who take the time to go to a show, to buy a magazine, download or purchase a recording or listen to a radio program. At the end of the day it will be mobilizing you that will cause the resurrection of an industry. Talk to you soon.

Weekly Blues Countdown

Over the weekend I heard from a number of local Chicago blues artists. It's exciting to get connected and I continue to invite all of you into the conversation. My mind is still on radio and it's role in resurrecting the popularity of blues. I had a great conversation with Blackjack whom many of you know from the Windy City Blues Society last week about blues radio. Do you know that if you pick up a copy of Billboard magazine that there wouldn't be a list of the top 10 blues songs for the last week. Why not? The list the top 10 bluegrass songs. Nothing against bluegrass, but, doesn't blues deserve the same courtesy? Most of us music fans have at some time watched or listened to one of the many programs that count down the weeks top selling songs. Each week you tune in to see if your favorite song or artist moved up or fell off the chart. You see if your favorite artist was making a special appearance on the program. You form opinions on what artists should be on the chart and which shouldn't. You pay some extra attention to an artist that you otherwise wouldn't have. You form a relationship with the program host, the artists, the advertisers. Well, where are the blues countdown programs and why aren't hosts or station managers or advertisers creating these types of shows. Why aren't artists and labels pushing for them? I want to know who sold the most last week or who got the most airplay. It really takes the pulse of what the country is listening to and buying. Is there a program out there that I'm not aware of? Am I the only one who thinks this?

Where They At?

I'm beginning to hear from al you blues fans and it's great. I'm calling you "new blues" fans. Not that you don't love all the rich history of the genre, but that you're also open to hearing about the new guys. The up and comers. The guys we don't hear about. I'm present to the perception that there is actually a hierarchy in the industry. There's the "A" list - your Buddy Guy's and B.B. Kings and Lonnie Brooks', there's a "B" list - your Billy Branch's and Lurrie Bell's and then there's the "D" list. Now this ranking (I just made it up and am certainly not claiming it's true) has more to do with celebrity and maybe years in the business than anything else. I wanna hear about the "D" list! Those guys and girls out there who are great that you know of but the rest of us don't. Blog in and tell all of us about the great group or artist that's been jamming at your favorite hole in the wall that deserves to be heard about. Let's demand to hear them on blues radio stations. Let's tell the bookers and owners of the main clubs and venues that there are folks we want to see on their stages along with the usual suspects. New blues fans I am asking you to speak up and make a stand for the next generation of the blues!

New Conversation

When was the last time you listened to a blues radio program? Who's on the blues top 10 for the last week in sales? Name a blues artist younger than 45 years old? These are the types of conversations we'll be having with Scott Hammer of WDCB 90.0 FM and Steven McKinney of WDDS 88.1 FM next Wednesday July 21st. If you have some hard questions you want addressed post 'em and I'll ask 'em.

Radio Workshop

The Beautillion is having a radio workshop on Wednesday July 21st with Scott Hammer of WDCB 90.9 FM and Steven McKinney of WSSD 88.1 FM. We're gonna talk about what's missing in blues radio. What do you think?