Mean Gene Kelton at The Rhythm Room On Washington in Houston, June 14, 2003 — Image by kenne
gone
Smokin’ Joe’s Roadhouse, gone
The Rhythm Room, gone
Mean Gene Kelton, gone
gone, yes, but not forgotten —
the blues will never die.
— kenne
Archive for the ‘Mean Gene Kelton’ Tag
Gone, But Not Forgotten Leave a comment
The Blues Always Tells A Story! Leave a comment
The Blues Always Tells a Story!
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’.”
kenne
Video at the Big Easy in Houston, Texas
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A Song of Silence Leave a comment
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.
— kenne
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Capturing The Moment — gone, yes, but not forgotten 1 comment
Mean Gene Kelton at The Rhythm Room On Washington in Houston, June 14, 2003 — Image by kenne
gone
Smokin’ Joe’s Roadhouse, gone
The Rhythm Room, gone
Mean Gene Kelton, gone
gone, yes, but not forgotten —
the blues will never die.
— kenne
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Blues At The Blue Door Biker Bar — Seven Years Out Leave a comment
Blues at the Blue Door Biker Bar — Seven Years Out — Image by kenne
Biker Bar Blues
Sunday afternoon
at the crossroads,
two wheels
of chrome warriors
rallying
in the piney woods,
longnecks in hand
sweating ruggedness,
white men
sing the blues —
“What good amid these?”
— kenne
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Capturing The Moment — Memories of Mean Gene Kelton Leave a comment
Mean Gene Kelton (April 10,1953 – December 28 2010)– Images by kenne
Memories form pages
to the book of life.
Words shared in friendship
are gentle, but firm.
— kenne
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If This Guitar Could Talk 1 comment
The late Mean Gene Kelton — May 3, 2008 Image by kenne
“If this guitar could talk – don’t you think you might hear
How the road goes on forever, just follow the trail of tears”
— from “If This Guitar Could Talk” by Mean Gene Kelton
*****
Mean Gene Kelton was one hell of a rockin’ bluesman. He was also that down home Mississippi boy who loved sitting around picking, playing the harp and telling stories — never a moment to write about in “Gigs from Hell.”
I recall Gene telling me that he was getting tired of the “regular gig thing,” which is one of the reasons he started his weekly acoustic “Rooster Jam” at Rooster’s in Baytown.
In May of 2008, Ken & Mary’s Blues Project provided one of those perfect “under the stars” venues for the “unplugged” Gene.
And yes, we are still following “. . . the trail of tears.”
kenne
Related articles
- The Weeping Of The Guitar Begins (kenneturner.com)
- Gene Kelton at Ken and Marys Blues Project (kenneturner.com)
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Remembering Mean Gene Kelton — One Year Out 1 comment
Mean Gene Kelton — Image by kenne
One year ago today, our very good friend, Mean Gene Kelton died in an auto accident. I first met Gene at a Houston Blues Society (HBS) board meeting we were attending to explore how a group we were forming, Friends of the Blues — Montgomery County, might work with HBS. The focus of our group was an educational series on the Blues, which would be offered through the continuing education department at Montgomery College. Gene expressed an interest in being a part of our new project, and for the next year he and Joni would drive from Baytown to The Woodlands once a week — to say the least, we were impressed and appreciative of their involvement. That kind of support and commitment says more than words as to the kind of man Mean Gene Kelton was.
Over the past decade I had plenty of opportunity to photograph Gene, and in recent years to also video some of his gigs. (See links below.) As fate would have it, Joy and I were in Houston over the holidays last year and were planning on being at his New Years day matinée at Rowdy Bucks in Crosby, Texas, which we had also attended two-years earlier. The video on this post contains clips from the events that followed Gene’s tragic death.
Tragedy
Brings shock and uncertainty –
Shocked,
By sudden erratic change,
Evading control –
Uncertainty,
For the future.
In the end, it’s
How we act that
Serves to
Nurture new beginnings.
kenne
Blog Postings
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2008/05/07/gene-kelton-ken-marys-blues-project-may-5-2008/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/mean-gene-kelton-the-corner-pub/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/20-years-and-out-mean-gene-kelton-the-texas-saloon/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/mean-gene-kelton-westfield-by-the-railroad/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/capturing-the-moment-mean-gene-kelton-t-99-nelson/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/capturing-the-moment-memories-of-mean-gene/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2011/02/12/mean-gene-kelton-the-corner-pub-august-2008/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/mean-gene-you-gave-so-much-now-its-our-turn/
https://kenneturner.wordpress.com/2011/01/07/mr-mrs-v-kpft-remember-mean-gene-kelton/
Flickr Sets
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157612015323911/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157604902077550/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157604138948800/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157602416286003/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kennetu/sets/72157601104138219/
Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_r6fJhiRAE&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g86mC0Y5TV8&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuQRp-2g2fs&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WooiK2tMfuo&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIzt8CFM8CQ&
Related articles
- Rhythm Room, Smokin’ Joe’s Roadhouse and Mean Gene Kelton – Stardust of Yesterdays (kenneturner.wordpress.com)
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Rhythm Room, Smokin’ Joe’s Roadhouse and Mean Gene Kelton — Stardust of Yesterdays 2 comments
Joe Montes of “Smokin’ Joe’s Roadhouse” and Mean Gene Kelton at Houston’s Rhythm Room, 2003 — Image by kenne
Throughout a good part of the last decade, the Saturday KPFT programing included Smokin’ Joe’s Roadhouse, which appropriately Joe would take on the road to the Rhythm Room, later Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar, once a month. In June 2003 Mean Gene Kelton was live from the Rhythm Room on Joe’s show. Sadly, Smokin’ Joe’s Roadhouse, the Rhythm Room and Mean Gene Kelton are no longer with us.
Today the Rhythm Room has been replaced by condos, Smokin’ Joe’s Roadhouse replaced by the program, “Deadbeat” and Gene, well you can’t replace Mean Gene Kelton. However, he will always be in the hearts of the “Die Hards.”
Today while looking for some of my Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club, I ran across some of my 2003 Rhythm Room photos, each causing a trip back in time. I thought about writing a new poem, then recalled my 2005 “Stardust Memories” poem, which I share again.
Stardust Memories
The past,
is not for replay,
only for the stardust of yesterdays
Yesterdays,
in a time and place,
gently massaging forgotten dreams
Dreams,
giving clues to
our stardust memories
Memories,
fading for now,
only reborn to our imagination
Imagination,
directing the soul to
reconstruct old moments
Moments,
experiencing rapture
in the joy of our love
Love,
is the stardust of yesterday,
the music of the years to come
May these words and images gently sprinkle down on our collective stardust memories.
kenne
Related articles
- My Stardust Memories – Revisited (kenneturner.wordpress.com)
- Houston’s Blues Scene Busier Than Ever (kenneturner.wordpress.com)
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Capturing the Moment — Mean Gene Kelton & T-99 Nelson 1 comment
T-99 Nelson & Mean Gene Kelton — Image by kenne
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.
kenne
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Mean Gene, You Gave So Much, Now It’s Our Turn! 15 comments
Mean Gene Kelton & Joni — Image by kenne
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.
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20 Years and Out – Mean Gene Kelton @ The Texas Saloon 1 comment
Monica Marie & Mean Gene Kelton – image by kenne
If you were to use Gene Kelton as a “rule of thumb” to measure hard working musicians, few work harder than Gene. Not only does he work hard at the job he loves, but also if you are lucky enough to know Gene, he will always be there in your time of need.
Doing benefits for friends is not new for Gene, so it was not unusual a few years back when Gene organized a benefit for Tony Lee. Tony and his wife Monica Marie, along with their band The Blues Cruizers, were a driving force in the Houston music scene in the early 2000’s. During the time of Tony’s illness and since his death, Gene included Monica in many Die Hards shows. To quote Gene: “Monica Marie is a dynamic, little blues bombshell with a soulful voice that belies her petite frame. She is of the same star quality as Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi. When she does her versions of Tina Turner and Janis Joplin hits… people go wild! Standing ovations and screamin’ and cryin’ and all that. It is an honor for us to be able to work with her.”
This Sunday (October 25th), Mean Gene Kelton & The Die Hards will be at the Texas Saloon (7337 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, Texas), and guest what, their special guest will be Monica Marie. If you haven’t heard Monica Marie, when you do, she will blow you away.
kenne
Image by kenne
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Mean Gene Kelton Shares Story of Dallas Gig with Diunna Greenleaf 4 comments
The Blues Always Tells a Story!
At last Sunday’s 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 gig experience (This was not a “gig from hell,” but it should be in his about to be published, “Gigs from Hell.”) he and his band had traveled with Diunna, before going into “I Play the Blues for a Livin’.”
kenne
Video
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ROADDAWG 9 comments
Kelly “Roaddawg” Jones
As I understand the story, Kelly Jones was at a local club on evening having a conversation with a friend who had been having more than her share of drinks. Kelly expressed his concern about her driving home, at which she replied, “Oh, I have a “Roaddawg.” Not having heard the expression before, and being a singer/songwriter he decided to write a song about Roaddawg.
Being aware of Kelly’s new song, Mean Gene Kelton invited to Kelly to be at his Rockin’ New Years Eve Daytime Show at Rowdy Bucks.
Roaddawg, what a great substitute name for “Designated Driver.” So, when you are out drinking, make sure you have your Roaddawg!
kenne
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Mean Gene Kelton’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Daytime Show Leave a comment
“New Year’s Eve Matinee Show? You’re crazy Mean Gene!” Well, Mean Gene Kelton may be crazy, but having a daytime Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Show 
at Rowdy Bucks proved that it was one hell of a good idea. What we witnessed was a lot of partying people celebrating New Year’s Eve in the afternoon. Whoever said you couldn’t celebrate New Year’s Eve without counting down to midnight – we will leave that to the “Times Square” people.
So, here’s a recipe for real fun on New Year’s Eve:
• One large dance hall
• One super Blues/Rockin’ band
• A dash of snacks
• Lots of beer and other drinks
• Lots of fun luving people
• And “Road Dogs” for those having too much fun!
• Mix and bake till the music stops
Mean Gene has already committed to a “bigger & better” New Year’s Eve Matinee at the end of this year.
Thanks Gene, for helping some of us kick 2008 in the ass as it left the hall!
kenne
(Photo Set)
Becoming is Superior to Being 