First, for any of our readers who've not heard, Mr. Rex Peoples is in the hospital with pneumonia and needs all of our good thoughts, prayers, and well wishes.  He isn't able to receive visitors at this time, and when he can, please let's try not to arrive by the dozen.  Hospital staff tend to frown upon that sort of thing.  In the meantime, let's all send him our telepathic best wishes (and maybe a few dirty jokes to help him cheer up).  We're thinking about you, Rex!

Our calendar for this month is smokin' hot, so get out yours and start marking the dates.  Tomorrow we have the Modern Rhythm Project from 7:30 - 10:00, and my understanding is that they know how to get a room dancing, so join us for the workout.  Friday night we have, at long last, guitar virtuoso, Chris Cain.  We've almost had him a few times in the past, but he kept having scheduling conflicts, but now we have him!  As a special treat, Al Chesis and Nick Cottonseed are opening as a duo, 6:45 - 7:15.  For those of you at the IBC Semis for the solo/duo category, you will know that this duo came in a very close second to Erica Brown and Bob Pelligrino, and given that Nick is only 13, that's pretty impressive.  He's a young harp wiz, and this will be his first time at Blues & Greens, but certainly not his last. 

Same with Chris.  Here's something from his site that really grabbed my attention: Cain was raised on stories of his father's childhood upbringing on Memphis' Historic Beale Street and attended his first B.B King concert at the tender age of three. Blues music played continuously on the home stereo and family outings were often trips to concerts. Cain recalls, "I remember when I was a kid, my Dad would be mowing the lawn with the stereo blasting Muddy Waters. When I look back, that was pretty cool! There was always music playing at our house, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Freddie King, Albert King, all the greats."

Oh, but there's more:  Cain's debut recording, Late Night City Blues (Blue Rock'it Records-1987) garnered four W.C. Handy Blues Award nominations, including Guitarist of the Year." Dan Forte of Guitar Player wrote, "An impressive debut album by a top notch guitarist." Cain's next two releases; "Cuttin Loose" (Blind Pig Records-1990) and "Can't Buy a Break" (Blind Pig Records-1992) collected a long list of awards and accolades. In August of 1995 Blind Pig released "Somewhere Along the Way" his 4th compilation of his unique brand of original music sophisticated blues, funk, jazz and gospel.

As you can deduce, we have Blues Royalty paying us a visit this Friday, so wear clean clothes! 

Saturday Blues & Greens is playing host to Operation Renewable Energy, a non-profit, and the featured band is The Broken Everlys.  They've played here before, but it's been a very long time, and although I've not heard them (aside from on MySpace), Dan assures me I'll love them.  There is a suggested $5 donation to the non-profit, but certainly a worthwhile endeavor.  Here's a little something on what they are all about: 

Operation Renewable Energy was started by Matt Jones and Freeman LaFleur, two ambitious entrepreneurs from Colorado who saw the urgent need for a change in the way that we as people produce and consume energy. This realization lead them to embark on starting something larger than life, a movement of energy for the people, by the people.

ORE is not a utility company and is unlike any energy organization or movement to date! Our goal is to educate people about renewable energy and encourage them to take part in something bigger than themselves, while creating renewable energy for eachother.

While ORE’s goals are ambitous, we must act quickly as time is of the essence, our global addiction of carbon based energy must come to an end. You can be a part of the biggest movement on earth! You have the power to end the addiction.

Please take the first step and join us at www.operationrenewableenergy.com

So, come out with your dancing shoes, and renew your own energy with the Broken Everlys!

Sunday is super special this week, as we are hosting the 2009 IBC Finals for both the band and solo/duo categories.  Kick off is 2:30 p.m., and if you want to sit, or even stand, near the front, you might want to get here REALLY early.  We were SRO for the semis, so this Sunday should be quite the party.  Here's the line-up: 

                       Band                                    Solo/Duo
2:30   Paul Soderman & Bluezhouse        5:30  Erica Brown & Bob Pellegrino
3:15   Mojambus                                     6:15  Big Jim  Adam & John Stilwagen
4:00  Clay Kirkland Band
4:45  Boa & the Constrictors

                           6:45  Winners Of BOTH the Band & Solo/Duo Announced

In my anything-but-humble opinion, I'd say this could go in any direction.  Regardless who prevails, we all win with such a tremendous line-up of talent.  We also all have the opportunity to help finance Colorado's entries for the 2010 International Blues Challenge.  A cover of $3 will be collected at the doors, as well as passing the bucket for those who might have a few more dollars to donate.  All of the money collected goes to sending the acts to Memphis, so we can do so with pride. 

Next Tuesday is the Delta Sonics' jam.  Remember, they switched this month with Gretchen Troop (who delivered another homerun last night).  We never know who Al's going to bring along with him.  He doesn't even give me a heads up, so come and be as surprised as I always am. 


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