At a February of 2009 fundraiser
for Diunna Greenleaf, Mean Gene Kelton
was one of several musicians playing for the cause.
In addition to being a great musician,
Mean Gene is a master storyteller
in the oral tradition of what I refer to as
“Rural Mississippi Backporch” style — I love it!
In this video, Mean Gene shares a Dallas Texas gig experience
he and his band had traveled with Diunna, before going into
playing, “I Play the Blues for a Livin’.”
Jonn Richardson, Diunna Greenleaf, and Bob Corritore — Image by kenne
I didn’t realize how much I needed a “Diunna Fix” till I was out doing a morning walk listening to my iTunes music. I like to shuffle through the music, when “Growing Up and Growing Old” (On the CD, Trying To Hold On) started playing, which is one of my favorite Blues/Gospel tunes. I knew then, I would be listening to more Diunna today.
“I Aspire to Inspire Before I Expire” — Diunna Greenleaf
Video by kenne
Jonn Richardson and Diunna Greenleaf — Image by kenne
We are pleased to have known Diunna for about twenty years. Joy and I consider her a very close friend. And when it comes to singing the Blues, there’s none better. Here’s another video from the same show, in case you also need a “Diunna Fix.” Get a load of Jonn’s guitar playing need the end of this video, the Del Toro really comes out!
A Song of Silence — Mean Gene Kelton Computer Art by kenne
A Song of Silence
Music is
what enables you
in your work,
soothes you
when you rest
reminds you
of images past
of dreams yet fulfilled.
It is not the words,
nor the beat,
nor the instruments,
nor the relationships.
It is the rhythm
of the moments,
composed by
the silence between.
Member of Bryan Lee’s Band Taking A Break Outside the Corner Pub (June 2, 2007), Conroe, Texas — Image by kenne
Computer Art by kenne
“I always thought that one man, the lone balladeer with a guitar, could blow a whole army off the stage, if he knew what he was doing. I’ve seen it happen.”
When I think “Red Hot Blues,” I think Stevie Ray Vaughn. We were able to see him at The Woodlands Pavilion in the summer of 1990, less than a month before he died in a helicopter crash in southern Wisconsin in route to Chicago. Stevie was the “Prince of the Blues.”
Archie Bell, Ken and Mary Harris (May 20, 2017) Image by kenne
Video by kenne
Hi everybody I’m Archie Bell of the Drells, from Houston, Texas We don’t only sing But we dance just as good as we walk In Houston, we just started a new dance Called the Tighten Up This is the music we tighten up with
First tighten up on the drums Come on now, drummer I want you to tighten it up for me now, oh, yeah Tighten up on that bass now Tighten it up, ha, ha, yeah Now let that guitar fall in Oh, yeah . . . (click here for all the lyrics)
Archie Bell at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project — Computer Art by kenne
Houston, Texas has a lot of legionary musicians, not the lease is Archie Bell. You all timers, like myself will remember the 50’s & 60’s group, Archie Bell & the Drells. Remember “Tighten Up?” When it comes to great R&B, Archie Bell is among the best! His appearance at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project — The Last Waltz was a real blessing for those of us who have attended the Blues Project concerts over the years.
Ken & Mary’s Blues Project — The Last Waltz
Computer Art by kenne
Down the east Texas road, there is rain in the wind as the musicians’ setup for an evening of the blues with friends gathering the last time at Ken and Mary’s Blues Project,
the best house concert ever.
In recent years we’ve missed some of the concerts in
the woods having moved
to the desert southwest, then last February, we received word of the “Last Waltz” for the Blues Project — plans were made immediately.
With Coleman cooler,
yard chairs and
cameras in tow we walked over old
bottle caps toward the Blues Project stage, to be greeted with hugs and kisses — Welcome!
Mary announced the food
was ready, and Ken shared some
background on the beginning
of what became the Blues Project.
Not long after the music began, lighting lit up the darkening clouds with thunder adding to
the magical evening.
Other than an occasional drop or two, the music played on until, as if the plug was pulled, the dark sky began to fall. A rain delay was called as the tarps were brought out to covered the equipment.
Using our smartphones we could see radar showing the rain would be lasting for an hour or more. As has happened in the past, the musicians gathered inside to continue an evening of music.
Most of those who remained were inside or on outside porches, knowing the best of the evening was yet to come — jamming the night away on a hot, humid night in the piney woods of east Texas.
It may be the last waltz
for the Blues Project
but that doesn’t mean
the party is over,
the music still plays on
and on, and on — may
we stay forever young.
We’ve got to go, but our friends will stick around.
Lady Bikers at an Ice House in East Texas in a “Show Us Your Tits” Contest — Computer Art by kenne
The Perfect Trilogy
On a hot Sunday we ride a twisting two-lane highway to a Texas Ice House Near Cut & Shoot where the beer and blues music releases bikers inner desires listening to “My Baby Don’t Wear No Panties” fueled by women showing their tits — blues, beer, and tits, the perfect trilogy.
Jonn Del Toro Richardson and Diunna Greenleaf — Image by kenne
Tonight, two of our favorite blues musicians, Jonn Del Toro Richardson and Diunna Greenleaf, won awards at the 2017 Blues Music Awards in Memphis — Jonn for Best Emerging Artist Album and Diunna for the Koko Taylor Award (Traditional Blues Female Artist). Congratulations to Jonn and Diunna, we love you both!
— kenne
Do You Want Be To Stay — Diunna Greenleaf, Jonn DelToro Richardson and Bob Corritore Video by kenne
Montgomery County Friends of the Blues, 2002 Fund Raiser — Image by kenne
Jonn Richardson, Diunna Greenleaf, and Bob Corritore — Image by kenne
Jonn Richardson and Diunna Greenleaf — Image by kenne
Diunna & Joy, my Zen Women — Image by kenne
Music Explosion — Abstract Image of Diunna Greenleaf by kenne
Diunna Greenleaf (CD Party, December 2006)
A Song of Silence — Mean Gene Kelton Computer Art by kenne
Member of 
Computer Art by kenne
My Sky is Full of Passion — Image by kenne
Red Hot Blues — Computer Art by kenne
Archie Bell, Ken and Mary Harris (May 20, 2017) Image by kenne
Ken & Mary’s Blues Project — The Last Waltz
Lady Bikers at an Ice House in East Texas in a “Show Us Your Tits” Contest — Computer Art by kenne
Jonn Del Toro Richardson and Diunna Greenleaf — Image by kenne
“The Blues Is In the Air” — Computer Art by kenne
