Mike Durbin Talking To Blues Friends (Ken & Mary’s Blues Project, May 2017) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
The Blues Project
They called it a project, a Blues Project, but really, it was a party — a party for family and friends to share happy times, talk about living life, and a love for good old blues music.
Once this party began there would be no stopping it, even when forced undercover of rain, friends laugh and talk about déjà vu the evening had become.
Just sitting on the front porch doing that front porch thing telling stories now embellished by all the good times dancing and singing the night away in the woods off Old Houston Road.
The Blues Project may be over so listen, the night will lead you to the music, the stories told, and smile one more time for each house concert was just a rehearsal for what our tomorrow’s will bring.
— kenne
Kenneth Harris shares the story of how Ken & Mary’s Blues Project came about. (May 20, 2017)
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)
They called it a project, a Blues Project, but really,
it was a party — a party for
family and friends to share
happy times, talk about living life, and a love for good old blues music.
Once this party began there would be no stopping it, even when forced undercover
of rain, friends laugh and
talk about déjà vu the evening had become.
Just sitting on the front porch doing that front porch thing telling stories now embellished by all the good times dancing and singing the night away in the woods off Old Houston Road.
The Blues Project may be over so listen if the night will lead you to the music, the stories told and smile a smile one more time for each Project was just a rehearsal for what our tomorrows will bring.
— kenne
Kenneth Harris shares the story of how Ken & Mary’s Blues Project came about. (May 20, 2017)
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.
“A Blast From The Past” Ken & Mary’s Blues Project, December 2003 — Image by kenne
Sadly, several of those playing in this Ken & Mary’s Blues Project house concert are no longer with us — those were the days with some of the best blues ever coming out of east Texas.
Mary Bonk, Guthrie Kennard and George Bearishill on the stage at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project. — Images and video by kenne
People who love live music in a “house concert” format in the greater Houston area are aware of the work Mary and Kenneth Harris have done for the last 20 years. When it comes to house concerts it’s difficult to beat the live events they conduct in the piney woods of east Texas.
Julie Bonk
The headliner for this fall’s event was Guthrie Kennard with Julie Bonk.
Ken and Mary first heard Julie at Camp Stupid at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 2012.
At one point in the evening, Julie did a solo singing one of her songs, “Just Through Loving You.”
Guthrie Kennard and Julie Bonk at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project — Image and video by kenne
As a previous posting stated, Guthrie Kennard and Julie Bonk were the headliners in Ken & Mary’s 20th year of the Blues Project at their place in Porter, Texas — what a night!
I have additional images and video I will be posting “on down the road.”
A big thanks to Ken & Mary for continuing the tradition of providing great live music in east Texas.
In trying to explain what is obscene, Supreme Court Justice, Potter Stewart uttered the now famous phrase, “I know it when I see it.” Each one of us may have used similar phrases when shopping during this holiday season. “I’m not sure what I want to buy her, but I will know it when I see it.”
But, what exactly is “it”? Defining what we mean can be an abstract exercise. “It” is often use as a generic expression of “worth”, but can take on a different meaning for different people. Why is this?
How we define “it” is a reflection of context, values, experiences and expectations. “It” can be referring to quality of service, art, craftsmanship, functionality, all of which are intended to identify, codify and communicate our expectations. So, is “it” really an abstraction?
The test for “knowing it when you see it” is expressed in behavior. As a young man, I loved going to the Chicago Art Institute. I could spend hours staring at masterpieces, surrounded, in the silence of others, sharing art that has endured the test of time. Such silence, in the face of beauty, speaks volumes.
I may not be an art expert, but I know art when I see it, or hear it.
Last Saturday we were at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project in Porter, Texas. Setting in on the set was saxophonist, George Bearishill from Georgia (the country). This musician was something to hear — yes, I know it when I hear it!
Another case for intuitive thought. Define it, lose it!
Seek not to define
You know it when you hear it
I know you hear it
Fall Fest 2013 is fast approaching. We are looking forward to seeing you here on Oct 26, 2013.
This year for the first time we will have three acts. Henry Old School Jones will open for Guthrie Kennard and Julie Bonk.
After Guthrie, Marina Rocks will play. In 1993 for my birthday I wanted some live blues music here at our house
The Blues Broad Kathleen aka The Blues Broad (she had a blues program on KPFT) sent me to Big Roger Collins.
He played here and the Blues Project was born and we have been presenting live music here ever since.
20 years later we are doing a special night for my 70th birthday.
As usual we will BBQ some meats and will have ice tea ,water and coffee.
Bring a side dish you like to show off to share, a lawn chair, your cooler with your favorite beverage and $10 (donation 100% for the music ).
We plan on serving food around 6:30 Henry Jones with his old school blues will play after we eat.
We received rave reviews the last time he was here so we are bringing him back .
The feature act will be Guthrie Kennard with his raspy voice Americana, bluesy, roots music.
Accompanying Guthrie will be Julie Bonk on key board . We caught Guthrie’s show at the Dosie Doe Music cafe
and were so impressed that we asked him to play here at the project . We first heard Julie at Camp Stupid at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 2012 .
She was playing keyboards in a song circle, Stephanie was singing with her, Marina was also there and they were wowing everyone.
To close the night out Marina will do an intimate set and jam. She opened here last year and was an instant hit with everyone rocking the house.
Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments to jam afterwards.
We are attaching a you tube video Guthrie and Julie did. Enjoy. It’s gonna be a bluesy, jazzy, rockin’ night at the Blues Project….
Ken & Mary’s Blues Project with Ashton Savoy & The Moe Hansum Band (10/18/02) — Image by kenne
Ken & Mary’s Blues Project (11/16/09) — Photo-Artistry by kenne
Archie Bell, Ken and Mary Harris (May 20, 2017) Image by kenne
Computer Painting by kenne
Ken & Mary’s Blues Project — The Last Waltz
Ken & Mary’s Blues Project (On a humid east Texas night the rain forced everyone to move inside) —
Memories of East Texas keep drafting
Original Stage at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project (August 2005)
“A Blast From The Past” Ken & Mary’s Blues Project, December 2003 — Image by kenne
East Texas Blues (Ken & Mary’s Blues Project, August 20, 2005) — Image by kenne
George Bearishill, Guthrie Kennard and 
Mary Bonk, Guthrie Kennard and George Bearishill on the stage at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project. — Images and video by kenne
Julie Bonk
Guthrie Kennard and Julie Bonk at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project — Image and video by kenne
Ken Harris — Image by kenne
Becoming is Superior to Being 