Joni, Joy and Gene December 31, 2008 — Image by kenne
On an August, 2008, Saturday evening, at the Corner Pub in Conroe, Texas, I was photographing and videoing Mean Gene Kelton and The Die Hards. I had several video clips, from which I put two in the first video I ever edited. After making one movie, my inexperience caused me to lose all the clips. On several occasions since then, I have tried to find the old clips. Meanwhile, I misfiled the movie. But as fate would have it, yesterday while looking for some other video files, I found this 2 1/2-year old video.
Since the passing of Gene in late December, this video is dedicated to the memory of Mean Gene Kelton, one of Houston’s great blues & rock singer/songwriters, and all the Die Hards everywhere. We miss you, Gene!
Buddy Brewer, Nancy McAfee, Joni Kelton & Mr. “V” (James Vaughn) at KPFT — Image by kenne
Mr. and Mrs. “V” dedicated most of their Sunday morning “Blues On The Move” program to the late Mean Gene Kelton. Many people, the real “Die Hards,” shared their stories and their thoughts of Houston’s Blues/Rock/Americana singer-songwriter, Mean Gene Kelton. I have additional photos and video I will be sharing in the next week.
In November of 2001, T-99 Nelson was the guest presenter in the Montgomery College Blues Series. As he did in the early days of the Series, Mean Gene Kelton played with Charlie Parker and Pee Wee Stevens in support of the guest presenter.
The Houston music community is in shock over the sudden lost of Mean Gene Kelton. Not only will talent be missed, but even more so will be his rare ability to give of himself and share his passion for life. This is way those of us who loved his music also loved the man — a combination rare among many artists.
Now it’s our turn to show our respect and love by demonstrating our ability to return the favor. Like so many musicians Gene didn’t have insurance to cover the expenses his family will incur.
This blog, as well as Gene’s friends on Facebook will pass on information on how you can help. For starters, the Die Hards will be playing the previously schedule New Years Eve afternoon party tomorrow at Rowdy Bucks.
Stay tuned!
kenne
P.S. FUNERAL SERVICE FOR MEAN GENE:VIEWING: Tues. Jan 4th @Crespo & Jirrels Funeral Home: 6123 Garth Rd., Baytown 12-7 family will be there from 4-7…..SERVICE: Wed. Jan. 5th 6:00 pm @ Houston Raceway Park, 2525 FM 565, Baytown Uncle Dave Lancon Presiding…In lieu of flowers; Donations can be made to one of the 4 Die Hard Charities:Harley’s Angels, St. Jude, BACA (Bikers against Child Abuse) or Texas Equusearch.
In the spirit of the Season, I’m again posting a video recorded at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project, October 2009. I have been fortunate to see Sonny Boy Terry and Rich DelGrosso play together on many a occassion. Together they create a natural down-home feel that is best exemplified by their rendition of Amazing Grace. This was the last tune they did before the next band. Darkness had settled in and the resulting video is a little dark, so I included some still photos along with the dark video footage to give the viewer a better feel. However, it’s the audio that really counts. This tune is always a request of Ken & Mary at their house concerts.
Brazilian music is a reflection of the people; full of passion, sentiment and joy – a mixture of Indigenous, European and African influences. All music lovers are also familiar with the very popular Brazilian influence on Jazz. Less know is their love of the Blues and let another Brazilian sound, Brazilian Blues. In a country with so many great guitarists and a love for Fender and Gibson guitars, why wouldn’t one find many of guitarists digging deep into American Blues as their genre of choice. Among them are Igor Prado and his band. Self-taught, Igor is a very skillful left-handed guitar player, so it’s not surprising that his choice of Blues sub-genre is “Jump or Swing Blues,” providing a very jazzy feel.
In his most recent CD (Brazilian Kicks), The Igor Prado Band has teamed up with Lynwood Slim, a widely respected and in-demand vocalist/harmonica player, having worked with many current Blues greats, such as “Mr. Blues Mandolin,” Rich DelGrosso. This new album is surprising Blues and Jazz lovers on both continents. This album is being played on Marty Kool’s Blues Review, Tucson’s community radio station, KXCI.
Tab Benoit at The Bisbee Blues Festival 2010 — Image by kenne
The Bisbee Blues Festival was a very fulfilling day under the clear blue southern Arizona sky. As the final act, Tab Benoit provided a fitting close to the festival by living up to the title of Louisiana’s #1 Roots Music entertainer.
kenne
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Here’s a little of what the Bisbee Blues Festival 2010 program had to say about Shemekia Copeland:
At a young age, Shemekia Copeland is already a force to be reckoned with in the Blues.
While still in her 20’s, she’s opened for the Rolling Stones, Headlined at The Chicago Blues Festival
and numerous festivals around the world, scored critics choice awards on both sides of the Atlantic
and share the stage with such luminaries as Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Taj Mahal and John Mayer.
Heir to the rich tradition of soul-drenched divas like Ruth Brown, Etta James and Koko Taylor,
Copeland’s shot at the eventual title of Queen of The Blues is pretty clear. By some standards,
she may already be there.
All be it a promotional statement, Shemekia’s goes a long way toward her eventually being
recognized among the great Blues singers.
She and her band put on a packed with talent show.
kenne
(Click on the errors in the lower right corner of the video for full screen.)
If you are looking for some great Chicago Blues, you might want to look by way of Phoenix and the Rhythm Room All Stars.
Founded by harmonica player, bandleader and owner of the Phoenix Blues Club, The Rhythm Room, A Chicago native, Bob Corritore was introduced to the blues at an early age and took up the harmonica after being inspired by legendary
blues harmonica player, Little Walter.
Since 2005, Chris James and bassist Patrick Rynn, known by Blues fans as longtime leaders of their own band, the Blue Four,
have been a part of the All Stars. I was pleased to photo them at the 2010 Bisbee Blues Festival. In the following clip the
All Stars are performing Chris James and Patrick Rynn’s original song “Mister Coffee”.
Kenne
(Click on errors in lower right corner to see full screen HD)
Saturday afternoon and early evening, Joy and I were entertained by some of the best blues musicians in the U.S. at the Bisbee Blues Festival. For the unaqunted, Bisbee is located 90 miles southeast of Tucson, 25 miles east of Sierra Vista, 22 miles south/southeast of Tombstone and approximately 4.0 miles north of the U.S./Mexico border.
This annual blues festival, located the old mining community of Bisbee, AZ, started six years ago as a small, grassroots effort. Its popularity has been driven by blues lovers all over the southwest. Two years ago the festival moved from the cozy confines of the Bisbee City Park in the very picturesque old downtown Bisbee to a ballpark south of the Lavender Open Mind Pit. Although much less picturesque, the ballpark allowed for a larger attendance, last year featuring The Tommy Castro Band and the legendary Pine Top Perkins.Too bad we can’t have the “best of both worlds!”
Joni, Joy and Gene December 31, 2008 — Image by kenne
