Last Wednesday night was the Showdown at the Outlook.  As we reported previously, the Outlook was chosen as a venue to host one of the competitions which will ultimately decide what band/acts from Colorado will be heading to Memphis for the 24^th annual International Blues Challenge in late January.  The blues was in the house, full and large, and all of us in the audience knew it was a night for the books.  The three bands, the Shuffle Tones, Rhythm All Stars, and Du4 Roux made it exceedingly difficult for the judges.  I have yet to render my own decision.  Fortunately, I don’t have to.  They’ll all be back!  Look for CD reviews on all three bands in the coming weeks.   Also make a mental note of these bands names; you’ll want to drop by when any of them are in the house again (don’t worry; we’ll let you know when that will be), starting with the Shuffle Tones who are booked for October 18^th. 

Winding up September blues is Blue Krewe on the 27^th.  These guys deposit the sultry bayou right here in the arid Front Range.  The founding member and guitarist, Tony Trahan, and drummer Trip Merklein originally hail from Louisiana and they bring all their Cajun roots to the stage.  Then there’s Chico DeMeira on bass who comes to us all the way from Rio.  Yes, that Rio.  De Janeiro.  Brazil.  Having joined the band in ’02, he has embraced the South Louisiana Sound with just that hint of the Latin American drumming that operates as a remote control on the audience’s hips and feet.  Steve Sheldon on harp has had quite the career, including recording with Taj Mahal.  However, he’s from Des Moines, Iowa, so I guess he brings the heartland to the stage.  Ok, not very exotic, but he kicks it nonetheless. http://www.bluekrewe.com/

October’s first Thursday (4^th) welcomes The Maynard Mills Band to the stage at 7:30 p.m..   Mills is old school blues with some wicked riffs and a band to match.  These guys will satisfy your blues needs, so be prepared to move. http://www.maynardmillsblues.com/

This past Saturday night THE DELTA SONICS dropped by for some great fun (as always). In all candor, the author is a HUGE fan of this extraordinary band and can wax poetical on them for hours.  I’ll spare you the idolatry this week and just enlighten the masses on they’re next visit.  At 8:00 p.m. on October 26^th and 27^th, Al Chesis, Willie Panker, and John Bulter (the band minus one, as guitarist Erik Boa will have those nights off), will take the stage at the Outlook with none other than blues legend Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin for his fourth Outlook visit.  And when these guys get together, it’s musical madness.  The good kind.  Chesis not only reminded the audience of the upcoming auspicious event, he even dedicated (wonderfully) Robert Johnson’s “I’m a Steady Rollin’ Man” to Margolin.  And he did the men proud.  So, alert the media and all your blues lovin’ friends.  When Bob hits Boulder, shit happens.  And musicians from seemingly all over the place drop by to sit in.  Magic happens when Bob comes to town.   Join us. I’ll be the one with the involuntary grin on my face unable to sit still, looking around trying to guess who will be the next musical luminary to be beckoned to the bandstand.

Please forward our blues news on to your friends.  The best way to insure the greats keep on coming is if we, the audience do the same.  We need them and they need us.  And PLEASE remember to tell your friends that Boulder once again has a blues club that is arguably booking the best of the blues from around the country.  The word is getting out, but we could sure use some help. 

Honey Sepeda