Before I get into who's coming, how about I discuss who's been here recently.  More specifically, last night.  Wait; I have an idea; let's put this week's memo section right up front to address the news:

MEMO TO JILL

Dear Jill:

You know how someone once described me as a "Diva of Diplomacy?"   Well, in this case, even my skills at diplomatic efforts are falling short.  We have an International Blues Incident on our hands.  Let me explain:  Because of the Swarovski visit and your inability to weigh in on Alvin's nomination last night, he trashed the place!  Said he'd been waiting all this time, etc.  It wasn't pretty.  Dan's upset.  The dining room is a mess.  Nessa barely dodged a flying mic stand.  Do you have any suggestions as to what can be done? 
Cautiously yours,
Honeybee

Dearest Honey,

We have another I.B.I.?!?!?!  Oh No!  We really need to stop going out and stirring up so much trouble…hee hee…naaaaaaaaaah.

Please let Alvin's people know that I'm having paperwork notarized and filed today. And, that the appropriate announcements are being completed for publication.

Effective immediately, Alvin Youngblood Hart is now an official fiancé of Honey Bee Sepeda.

Yours in mischief,
Jill

So, there you have it.  That's the news.  I now have a grand total of 21 fiancés, and like a woman with many children, there are no favorites (to which I will admit), and they are all unique, having come into my life in their own special ways.  Alvin's the tallest. Just f.y.i.

As long as we're on the topic of my fabulous fiancés, tomorrow night Shawn Kellerman is back!  Here's a bit of what I wrote the last time he was in town, followed by Chick's expert assessment:  

Shawn Kellerman is the most mesmerizing guitarist I've ever watched, and I've had the privilege of watching many a mesmerizing guitarist.  He plays from the inside out, with his notes directing a very rhythmic body in some seriously sexy choreography.  And I mean SERIOUSLY SEXY.  As a matter of fact, I'm hosting a girls' night soon, just to show the 8:55 instrumental I filmed.  You're welcome in advance, girls.  8-13-08

WOW!!! What a jaw-dropping performance last Thursday night!!! Shawn Kellerman put on as electrifying a performance as I have ever seen at the Outlook, rarely stopping long enough to let us catch our breath.  Seriously, I could see Honey Bee gasping for breath and looking a little faint (I think from the guitar playing. Hoping to pass out and require some mouth-to-mouth from Shawn, Honey? Careful, did you know Shawn and Jason Ricci are buds?).

Suffice it to say, his playing was some totally amazing stuff; doing everything from killer slide, to lightening chicken-scratching, to deep wailing sorrowful blues licks with generous doses of wah-wah scattered throughout. All through the performance his body seemed to match his guitar chops as well. My own body started to hurt as I watched Shawn twisting his rubbery form so that it became part of his guitar, bending and dipping with each note. Whew! His frenzied blurred hands on "Rude Mood" had my buddy, Bob, describing him as "Tab Benoit on speed." "Holy Crap' was another description that was repeatedly tossed out throughout the night. I heard that uttered over and over throughout the crowd. It might have been started by Honey, but I screamed it more than a few times myself.

And Shawn is not just a guitar wizard; his voice is equally impressive. He amazed the audience as he went from singing to rapid fire skat/be-bop vocals that matched his guitar note for note. He played some classics, his own tunes, some gospel ('Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Savior'-sweeeeeet!) and even threw in a little Jimi guitar from the Band of Gypsies album.  By the end of the night I had a severe case of smiling and grinning too much, and Honey was about ready to try her smoothest Canadian pick-up lines on Shawn, "eh, how's about coming to my table for some beers, eh?" (Did I mention Shawn's van has Canadian tags?)

 Here is my favorite description of Shawn on a previous show from Tim Holek ("Blues on Stage" Internet Review), "Shawn hit the stage smoking with energy and left it dripping in sweat." Yep, that's what happened last Thursday as well.

Let me add kudos to band-mates Justin "No shoes-just socks" Headley on drums and Joe Veloz who bounces around looking like the happiest "genie in the lamp" while thumping his steady bass.  

Bottom line: Shawn Kellerman is a great young guitarist who is going to keep the blues alive as well as help define the future of the blues. He already belongs in that elite upper echelon of blues guitar players. I see this guy's career just taking off!

Dan, thank you for booking Shawn! Now, you have got to bring this guy back here, soon (for Honey's sake) and often!!! Those of us who saw him will all be back. Those of you who missed him, well, you missed a rare talent. Do yourself a favor and don't let that happen next time. Chick Cavallero 8-13-08