Live In Manchester: Video - November 30, 2007
Bob Long playing the Muddy Waters song “Standing Around Crying” at The Manchester Acoustic Blues Festival, 30 Nov 2007
Bob Long: News
Bob Long playing the Muddy Waters song “Standing Around Crying” at The Manchester Acoustic Blues Festival, 30 Nov 2007
October in The USA - October 28, 2007
I spent most of October in The USA, attending The Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival in Helena, The Cat Head Minifest in Clarksdale MS, staying with friends in The Delta, then travelling down to Jackson and Crystal Springs MS.
The Festival in Helena was as good as ever and I’ve put some photos on this website; not necessarily the “big names” but people whose performances I particularly enjoyed. And it was good to say hello to my friends at The Delta Cultural Center and see Sonny Payne still going strong with his King Biscuit Time Program on KFFA Radio.
In Clarksdale MS I attended The Cat Head Minifest which was as always, an excellent free event outside the store organised by Roger Stolle. I noticed Pinetop Perkins there, not to play, but sitting quietly in a shady spot on the sidewalk on Delta Ave., listening to T-Model Ford and others playing. No doubt he was saving his energy for his own performance later at The Pinetop Perkins Homecoming Party at Hopson’s! “Big Eyes” Willie Smith was playing at Hopsons and when Bob Margolin joined the band, the music was quite exceptionally good.
Three days later I was back in Clarksdale. Bill Abel had a lunchtime gig playing for some very glamorous ladies at The Country Club. I enjoyed being Bill’s roadie and sitting in for a few songs. Stan Street and his band were playing at The Ground Zero Blues Club that evening and Stan asked me to sing some old country blues while the band had a break. Stan joined me on harmonica and we both enjoyed it. Ground Zero was full of young Italian and Croatian visitors that night and later on, the dancing was lively. Stan’s band, comprising Marshall Drew on guitar, Laura Craig on keys, Lee Williams on drums and Daddy Rich on bass, was excellent. There are photos on this site under “Blues In Mississippi” and one of Stan Street with his portrait of Howlin’ Wolf which I took at Hambone’s Gallery.
The following day I made one of my visits to The Delta Blues Museum to see the Blues Education Program in action. I love to see these young people learning to play the blues and keeping it alive! I do what I can to support them.
In Jackson MS I played at Hal And Mal’s (the Monday evening session of The Central Mississippi Blues Society), at JT Watkins’ Blues Jam at Elk Lodge and at Schimmel’s while the resident musician, my friend Ben Payton, took his meal break. On Fri 19, The Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation held their annual Reception at the Medical Mall at which I presented a paper on The Crossroads Legend and met many members of the Tommy Johnson family. Photos of this are under “Tommy Johnson Reception”.
On Sat 20 October, the Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation held their annual Blues Festival in Crystal Springs. The weather was kind to us; warm and sunny all day. The show reached a rousing climax with JT Watkins and his band who put on a lively performance just before sunset. Photos of all the performers at the festival are on this site under “Tommy Johnson Blues Festival 2007″
Just before heading back home to England, I returned to The Delta where the farmers were busy with the harvest and I had great fun riding on a combine, cutting soy beans. I watched my last Delta sunset from the cab as the huge machine roared along the big field. I was sad to leave Mississippi, which now feels like my second home….
The Festival in Helena was as good as ever and I’ve put some photos on this website; not necessarily the “big names” but people whose performances I particularly enjoyed. And it was good to say hello to my friends at The Delta Cultural Center and see Sonny Payne still going strong with his King Biscuit Time Program on KFFA Radio.
In Clarksdale MS I attended The Cat Head Minifest which was as always, an excellent free event outside the store organised by Roger Stolle. I noticed Pinetop Perkins there, not to play, but sitting quietly in a shady spot on the sidewalk on Delta Ave., listening to T-Model Ford and others playing. No doubt he was saving his energy for his own performance later at The Pinetop Perkins Homecoming Party at Hopson’s! “Big Eyes” Willie Smith was playing at Hopsons and when Bob Margolin joined the band, the music was quite exceptionally good.
Three days later I was back in Clarksdale. Bill Abel had a lunchtime gig playing for some very glamorous ladies at The Country Club. I enjoyed being Bill’s roadie and sitting in for a few songs. Stan Street and his band were playing at The Ground Zero Blues Club that evening and Stan asked me to sing some old country blues while the band had a break. Stan joined me on harmonica and we both enjoyed it. Ground Zero was full of young Italian and Croatian visitors that night and later on, the dancing was lively. Stan’s band, comprising Marshall Drew on guitar, Laura Craig on keys, Lee Williams on drums and Daddy Rich on bass, was excellent. There are photos on this site under “Blues In Mississippi” and one of Stan Street with his portrait of Howlin’ Wolf which I took at Hambone’s Gallery.
The following day I made one of my visits to The Delta Blues Museum to see the Blues Education Program in action. I love to see these young people learning to play the blues and keeping it alive! I do what I can to support them.
In Jackson MS I played at Hal And Mal’s (the Monday evening session of The Central Mississippi Blues Society), at JT Watkins’ Blues Jam at Elk Lodge and at Schimmel’s while the resident musician, my friend Ben Payton, took his meal break. On Fri 19, The Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation held their annual Reception at the Medical Mall at which I presented a paper on The Crossroads Legend and met many members of the Tommy Johnson family. Photos of this are under “Tommy Johnson Reception”.
On Sat 20 October, the Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation held their annual Blues Festival in Crystal Springs. The weather was kind to us; warm and sunny all day. The show reached a rousing climax with JT Watkins and his band who put on a lively performance just before sunset. Photos of all the performers at the festival are on this site under “Tommy Johnson Blues Festival 2007″
Just before heading back home to England, I returned to The Delta where the farmers were busy with the harvest and I had great fun riding on a combine, cutting soy beans. I watched my last Delta sunset from the cab as the huge machine roared along the big field. I was sad to leave Mississippi, which now feels like my second home….
Tommy Johnson Blues Festival, Crystal Springs, MS, Oct 2007 - September 21, 2007
I’m delighted to have been asked to play at this festival again this year. Here’s the Press Release with details.
TOMMY JOHNSON MEMORIAL BLUES EVENTS COMING TO JACKSON AND CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MISS…
For Immediate Release! September 7, 2007
Contact: Vera Johnson-Collins, President, The Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation, P. O. Box 481, Crystal Springs, MS 39059, Phone: 601/665-4751, E-Mail: Vera3332@netscape.net, Web Site: www.tommyjohnsonblues.com
Crystal Springs, MS - The Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation is pleased to announce it's Second Annual Reception and Blues Festival. This year's Festival promises to be a fun-filled day for the entire family. Local vendors will be on hand to showcase their products. Our concert stage will be graced by some of the finest Blues and R&B Performers around and there will be activities to keep the children entertained. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from local vendors. The Festivities will take place on October 19th and October 20th in Jackson and Crystal Springs respectively. Tommy Johnson was a native of Crystal Springs and many of Johnson's family members reside in Crystal Springs. It is fitting and proper that we celebrate Tommy Johnson and his musical legacy in the place that he called home Crystal Springs. As we celebrate Tommy's life and his musical accomplishments, we must also acknowledge the foundation's primary goal. The primary goal of the Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation is to raise funds to meet the cost of reopening Warm Springs Cemetery. Tommy Johnson has lain in an unmarked grave in this cemetery for more than half a century. Blues lovers from around the world (along with Tommy's family) eagerly await the day when they will finally be able to visit the grave of the Legendary Bluesman.
THE RECEPTION
Friday, October 19, 2007 Meet & Greet Hour (immediately 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm following the Reception)
Jackson Medical Mall Edison Walthall Hotel
350 Woodrow Wilson Dr. 225 East Capitol Street
Jackson, MS 39213 Jackson, MS 39201 Phone: 601/948-6161
THE FESTIVAL and CONCERT
Saturday, October 20, 2007
10:30 am until 6:00 pm
The National Guard Armory
609 N. Jackson St. off Highway 27 East
Admission: Adults: $10.00 Children: $5.00
(Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase from local vendors).
ACOUSTIC 10:30 am to 12:00 noon
Bob Long, Bill Abel, Ben Payton, Charley Taylor, Jr.
RHYTHM & BLUES 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Louis Gearshifter Youngblood, Little Lee
THE BLUES 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Jesse Robinson, Willie King, J. T. Watkins
Vera adds that It is a real treat to have a Johnson family member, Charley Taylor, Jr. perform for us. Charley is the son of the late Charley Taylor, Sr. and Clanie Mae Ross Taylor. Charley 44 Taylor, Sr. was the first cousin of Tommy Johnson. Charley 44 and his brother, Willis often performed with Tommy. (For complete bios on all performers, please visit: http://www.tommyjohnsonblues.com)
TOMMY JOHNSON MEMORIAL BLUES EVENTS COMING TO JACKSON AND CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MISS…
For Immediate Release! September 7, 2007
Contact: Vera Johnson-Collins, President, The Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation, P. O. Box 481, Crystal Springs, MS 39059, Phone: 601/665-4751, E-Mail: Vera3332@netscape.net, Web Site: www.tommyjohnsonblues.com
Crystal Springs, MS - The Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation is pleased to announce it's Second Annual Reception and Blues Festival. This year's Festival promises to be a fun-filled day for the entire family. Local vendors will be on hand to showcase their products. Our concert stage will be graced by some of the finest Blues and R&B Performers around and there will be activities to keep the children entertained. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from local vendors. The Festivities will take place on October 19th and October 20th in Jackson and Crystal Springs respectively. Tommy Johnson was a native of Crystal Springs and many of Johnson's family members reside in Crystal Springs. It is fitting and proper that we celebrate Tommy Johnson and his musical legacy in the place that he called home Crystal Springs. As we celebrate Tommy's life and his musical accomplishments, we must also acknowledge the foundation's primary goal. The primary goal of the Tommy Johnson Blues Foundation is to raise funds to meet the cost of reopening Warm Springs Cemetery. Tommy Johnson has lain in an unmarked grave in this cemetery for more than half a century. Blues lovers from around the world (along with Tommy's family) eagerly await the day when they will finally be able to visit the grave of the Legendary Bluesman.
THE RECEPTION
Friday, October 19, 2007 Meet & Greet Hour (immediately 6:30 pm until 8:30 pm following the Reception)
Jackson Medical Mall Edison Walthall Hotel
350 Woodrow Wilson Dr. 225 East Capitol Street
Jackson, MS 39213 Jackson, MS 39201 Phone: 601/948-6161
THE FESTIVAL and CONCERT
Saturday, October 20, 2007
10:30 am until 6:00 pm
The National Guard Armory
609 N. Jackson St. off Highway 27 East
Admission: Adults: $10.00 Children: $5.00
(Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase from local vendors).
ACOUSTIC 10:30 am to 12:00 noon
Bob Long, Bill Abel, Ben Payton, Charley Taylor, Jr.
RHYTHM & BLUES 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Louis Gearshifter Youngblood, Little Lee
THE BLUES 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Jesse Robinson, Willie King, J. T. Watkins
Vera adds that It is a real treat to have a Johnson family member, Charley Taylor, Jr. perform for us. Charley is the son of the late Charley Taylor, Sr. and Clanie Mae Ross Taylor. Charley 44 Taylor, Sr. was the first cousin of Tommy Johnson. Charley 44 and his brother, Willis often performed with Tommy. (For complete bios on all performers, please visit: http://www.tommyjohnsonblues.com)