The Nighthawks

This was Hubert Sumlin's back up band for the WC Handy Fest. They came out and played for about 45 minutes or so before Hubert came out and joined them. Dave really didn't like the singers voice that much, but what the hell? It's the blues right? Anyway, they were solid but nothing all that spectacular. I think the fact that we were so geeked up for Hubert might have had a lot to do with that...Set Highlights included: "Bring it on Home", Alabama 3's "Woke up this Morning" (also know as the Sopranos Theme song). This particular song has a history at the Handy festival, Tommy Castro played it as his introduction several years ago when he was headlining on Saturday night, and he did so again this year. This was the first time I can remember hearing an artist playing it live. Other set highlights included "Mystery Train" and Howlin Wolfs classic "Spoonfull" featuring Hubert Sumlin. Actually Hubert's whole set was awesome (set related post), but I thought these guys did a really admirable job on "Spoonful". Now playing: Elvis Presley - Mystery Train via FoxyTunes

Albert Cummins & Shemekia Copeland at the 2009 WC Handy Blues Fest

I decided to do both of these artist together as 1 Blog Post due to the fact they both had their sets cut short due to the thunderstorms that came in off of the river. I had heard of Albert Cummins a while back and I have a version of him doing "99 and a half", and I always really liked it and it seemed like he could really wail so I was looking forward to seeing him. We (me and dave) had seen Shemekia twice before, once at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival and once when she opened for Buddy Guy at the Kentucky Center for the Arts in Louisville so we knew what she brings to the table. Albert was inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughn, and SRV's back up band Double trouble thought enough of him to record a record together. Thats pretty high praise in my book. Rest of the band was a little bit lackluster, but hey it's free live music in the park the Saturday before fathers day so who's complainin? Somebody yelled out "Hendrix' and he said "do they let you play that down here?" He then launched into Voodoo Chile. A couple of minutes into it that storm kicked up the wind, and the black clouds came rollin in and Albert said "it's just Jimi passin through"...it was an awesome sight. Me an Dave always take cover in the caboose behind a building in the park, this was the second year we have had to do so, but we don't mind, we figure we're there for the duration anyway. Due to the rain Alberts set was cut short and Shemeika took the stage. She played some new songs off her new record and although I couldn't tell you the name of any of them I enjoyed them. She always bring a ton of energy to her shows, and seeing her do "ghetto child" acapella was very much worth waiting the rain out. Her Bass player makes the funkiest faces, and played a really skinny upright Bass that was crazy. The announcer said Shemekia's shoes (six inch spiked zebra stripped stilettos) were the best to ever grace the stage at the Handy Fest, but to me that honor goes to Ana Popovic's gold lame stilettos from last year. Something bout gold lame I guess... I tried and tried to get a good picture of Shemekias' shoes but the on stage monitors were always in the way. Now playing: Shemekia Copeland - Ghetto Child via FoxyTunes

Hubert Sumlin @ the WC Handy Blues Fest

From Hubert Sumlin

I went to a party with 300,000 of my closest friends and they decided to have a race...

Summer 08 Porch Bottle Cap Collection

From Summer 08 Porch Bottle Cap Collection

Paul's St. Patrick's Day Party

Four Roses Woodford Reserve Tour

Now playing: John Lee Hooker - One Bourbon, One Scotch And One Beer via FoxyTunes

You always said wait till you had left to start the frat party...

...remarked about how he doesn't want our office to resemble a ..."Frat Party"...So we decided to roll with it and have some fun. On Halloween me and my buddy Joe dressed in togas...He always said to not start the frat party till after he has left...It is so great to work with someone that when they say they are going to do something, they back it up! Thanks Joe, It's great working with you buddy, like we always say, not just co-workers, friends...

Now playing: Nirvana - About a Girl via FoxyTunes

My Most Incredible Summer for Concerts

The nights are getting cooler, the grass isn't growing as fast, the beer isn't going down near as easy as it was a few weeks ago, and yes, I can hardly believe I am saying this, but I am glad. Glad things have returned to some semblance of sanity, glad school has started, glad things have returned to a familiar routine....I made a promise to myself, that I wouldn't stay at home and stare at the four walls this summer if I had a chance to be somewhere else, (especially if it involved free music). I think I accomplished my goal, and did so rather inexpensively at that.... What follows is a list of every musical artist I saw this summer. It's pretty impressive if I do say so myself. 56 Days, 19 Artist, all within 100 miles from home, all free (with two notable exceptions: Willie and Dave), 8 National Recording Artist, 3 Grammy Award Winners, 1 Rock-N-Roll Hall of Famer, and 1 Country Music Hall of Famer... I need some rest... Happy Reading....Andrew

Yellow Banks Dulcimer Festival, June 6^th, English Park, Owensboro KY

Jeff Hames, 2006 National Dulcimer Champion

www.jeffhames.com

Bing Futch, Played Folsom Prison Blues, North American Flute, Seminole Indiana with dreadlocks.

http://www.darkstudios.com/

Kara Barnard (played 4 different instruments)

Peggy Carter

Atwater-Donnelly

Gary Sager

W.C. Handy Blues Festival, Wed. June 11^th, Henderson, KY

Ana Popovic (National Recording Artist, Delta Groove Productions)

http://www.anapopovic.com/

Ronnie Baker Brooks (National Recording Artist, Watchdog Records) http://www.ronniebakerbrooks.com

W.C. handy Blues Festival, Sat. June 14^th, Henderson, KY

Jimmy Duck Holmes

Booboo Davis Band

Organiks

The Alexis P. Sutter Band

Big James and the Chicago Playboys

Bernard Allison (National Recording Artist, Ruf Eecords)

http://www.bernardallison.com

Waterfront Park Independence Day Festival July 4^th Louisville KY

Los Lobos (National Recording Artist, Hollywood Records, Los Lobos Records, 3 time Grammy Winners)

http://www.loslobos.org/site

Mofro (Strong up and comers, National Recording Artist, Alligator Records)

http://www.mofro.net

George Clinton and the P- Funk All-Stars ((National Recording Artist, Rock-n-Roll Hall of Famer)

http://www.georgeclinton.com

Dave Mathews Band, Louisville Slugger Field, August 1^st, Louisville KY

Willie Nelson (National Recording Artist, Grammy Winner, Country Music Hall of Famer)

http://www.willienelson.com

Dave Mathews Band (National Recording Artist, RCA Records, Grammy Winners)

http://www.dmband.com

Now playing: Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart

Great things about the Dave Mathews Band Show at Slugger Field 080108

Just being there.

"Are you bitchin' already?"

"It's Dave Mathews, it's a bitch free zone."

Sledgehammer

Burning down the House

Ants Marching

"That's why you need a double bass."

"Watch what you're getting in my drink now." "Don't worry the whiskey will kill whatever it is." "I don't know, we're talking Ohio River Sand here."

"Shake it don't break it sister...that's what I'm talking about."

Gravedigger w/Willie

"Where's Andrew?"

"At least we could say we looked for him"

"Why aren't the men kilts as short as the women's?" "I think something might be exposed if the men's were as short as the women's."

Now playing: Dave Matthews - Ants Marching via FoxyTunes

July 4th 20O8, Waterfront Park Louisville KY: Los Lobos, Mofro, George Clinton and the P-Funk Allstars

Now playing: Parliment & Ohio Players - Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)

The Music from or inspired by the 2008 WC Handy Blues Festival Playlist

"Shake your Moneymaker" One of the last songs that Eddie Shaw and the Wolfgang did on Wednesday night. Hopefully things have gotten better for them since we saw them. Elmore James original version of the song is what kicks the play list off.

"Hungry" Listened to this one on the way down to Henderson. Told Joe, "You have got to hear this song". Went up to the stage to get some pictures of Ana Popovic and when I was about 10 feet from the rail, they launched into this song. Talk about perfect timing!

"How'd you learn to shake it like that" By now Ana has been rocking a good lil bit and she absolutely tore this one up on slide guitar. Ana and her band were obviously having a good time performing. A good looking, well endowed woman, in spike heels, playing a mean slide guitar? Do I have to say anymore? I was in love. This one also happens to be an old Elmore James tune.

"It takes a Smart man to Play Dumb" When Ronnie Baker Brooks slowed things down a lil he played this song, hence it's inclusion in the play list. Some Down Home Blues from Chicago's South Side, what more do you want on a beautiful night by the river in Henderson KY?... sounded great...

"Are you Free for Me?" Straight ahead rocker from RBB.

"Who stole the Booty?" The BooBoo Davis Band. Anybody who wears a powder blue leisure suit and Jerry Curl in their hair (Click on the picture posted above and look in the bottom right hand corner) is alright with me. I swear I didn't understand a word this guy said or sang, but this song had a good feel to it. Reminds me of Northern Mississippi "Trance Music", in the vein of RL Burnside or something....good song, great title.

"Rollin and Tumblin" The Organiks played a Bob Dylan song, but for the life of me I can't remember which one it was, so I decided to include this little ditty from Bob's Grammy Award Winning "Time out of Mind" CD. Another Elmore James song for those playing along at home...

"Shake your Hips" We have been to the Handy festival 4 years in a row now and it is always the Big Beautiful Black Woman in the 6:00 PM slot that is the first to get large numbers of people up out of their chairs and dancing. This year's honor for that feat goes to the Alexis P. Suter Band. A Slim Harpo song that Delta Moon had performed at the two previous Handy festivals.

"Turn on your Love Light" The Alexis P. Suter Band covering a "Bobby Blue Bland" song. By now people had been up and dancing for two songs and were ready for some more.....

"Playboy Party" This band has got to be seen to be believed. Saw them last year on Handy's Friday Night, expected good things from them this year and "Big James and the Chicago Playboys" did not disappoint.

"Smoke on the Water" This may seem a lil out of place here, but trust me, if you saw "Big James and the Chicago Playboys" Saturday Night June 14th 2008 in Henderson KY, you'll know why this one made the play list. This one started a medley that was smoking hot. The original Deep Purple version is included on our list.

"Trying to Live my Life Without You" Second song in the Big James medley that ended their set. Knew I had heard this before and thought it was an old Bob Seger song. Turns out it's an old Otis Clay song that Bob Segar covered on his live album "Nine tonight". Bob Seger's version makes it here.

"Soul Man" Last song in the Big James Medley. The old Sam and Dave tune makes the list. Big James is awesome, and the Chicago Playboys are incredible! Basically they are just a real fun band (the choreographed dance moves alone are entertaining enough). Big James and the Band kept saying..."...if you didn't know, now you know..." when they finished playing a song. We saw them last year, so I like to say...."We knew, now we know more"

"Voodoo Chile" By now it's pushing toward midnight and it has been a long day. I was glad to stick around and see Bernard Allison, but I think we were all simply exhausted by this point. I really liked his dad Luther and came to find out later that it was his dads guitar he was playing, that made it really cool, that and the fact that he opened his set with a rousing rendition of Jimi Hendrix "Voodoo Chile". A rare Jimi version of that song makes our list, and ends our journey.....

Until next year.....

Now playing: Boo Boo Davis - Who Stole The Booty via FoxyTunes

08 WC Handy Blues Festival Picture Slideshow

Once agian just click a picture to view the slide show...

Now playing: Ana Popovic - Between Our Worlds via FoxyTunes

The Electric Sheep Bonfire Web Album/Slideshow

Just click on a picture to view the slide show...

Now playing: Rage Against the Machine - Sleep Now in the Fire via FoxyTunes

Overheard at the Electric Sheep Bonfire Incident

If you heard more snippets of conversation you thought were funny and you think should be included here, click on the comment link below the post and e-mail them to me and I will do my best to get them posted...

"You ought to do this more often..."

"For a bottle cap to be included in the porch chair cup holder, a drink must have been..."

"Your stool is in a mole hole", "That doesn't just happen anywhere!"

"I told her congratulations, I didn't say I was happy for her!"

"I believe you have recreated your way to professionalism..."

"every moment with you is one less that I can stumble, listen to music, and work on my own projects..."

"..do you remember the day we met?...." "...I remember saying, hey Nicholas, come look at this idiot riding a horse bareback across the lake..."

"whats that?....that's not from around here..."

"I got my own private Electric Sheep going on in my head"

"...they don't know me like you do." "Yes they do." "No they don't." "Yes they do, I tell them..."

"...Those $%#$#@*#'s took CHEERS off yesterday morning for some model #@#$%^#&hit reality show????"

"...where are you going?" "mumblemumblemumble" "I got one beer left and there are 5 songs left on the playlist, meet me on the porch in a minute" "You know me I'm a cowboy." "Well cowboy up then."

"...so what does an IT guy get fired up about?" "Figuring out something in Dreamweaver..."

"...where did he go?" "To go get cigarettes." "He doesn't smoke" "He blew smoke in your face when he was leaving" "Oh"

Now playing: MoFro - Front Porch Funk via FoxyTunes

Great Things About The Electric Sheep Bonfire Incident

If you read the header to this Blog you will note that it says..."Random Ramblings"...So here goes with some misc. observations about "The Electric Sheep Bonfire"...again, if I missed something leave a comment and i will do my best

A certain young lady blowing off steam...

Various post midnight "Backyard Amendments" to the "Porch Rules"...

Nailing the Introductions!

"Only Trust Him" Done Ramones Style.

Everyone that was there, special props to Joe and Alicia, Janie and Jon, Al and mom, Katie and Paul, Christian, Dave, Suzanne, Alan Ray, Brother Joey and Caroline, Bobby and Scott, Chris....everyone!

Best unintended side effect of the party: A lot of mole holes got flattened.

The great variety of musical genres in the play list that somehow seemed to work.

The "Electric Sheep" visualizations...

The Bratwurst...

Getting Rid Of the Brush pile.

Paul, Katie, Christian and others staying until 2:30 AM.

Making it all the way through the 89 song play list.

Christian staying till the last 5 songs of the play list were done.

"Brother Alan" and "Musician Paul Murphy" playing live. Thanks guys,you worked hard, you did great, nobody believes me when I tell them you didn't have time to practice...

The Screen, The Screen!

Dave for having the idea to put the screen up in the first place.

Singing along with Brother Alan to "Blinded by the Light", the original Springsteen version no less. That, I can promise you, does not happen in Hancock County everyday...

Final Score: Mole Holes 2, Lawn Chairs 0

Now playing: Delta Moon - Money Changes Everything via FoxyTunes ---------------- Now playing: Ana Popovic - Hold On via FoxyTunes

PORCH FUNK PLAYLIST

Now playing: JJ Grey & Mofro - War via FoxyTunes

THE REAL DEAL PORCH FUNK!

The real deal "porch funk" is pictured to the left. This is what was the actual inspiration behind the "Porch Funk Voodoo" play list that has been a favorite of mine and some of my buddies for a few years now. Look close and you will see: a part of a humming bird feeder, pine needles, dirt, leaves from oak trees, acorns, hickory nuts, pieces of a fern, "helicopters" from a tree, a piece of weed eater line, a cigarette butt, misc pieces of paper, mulch, dirt, etc.... By itself, it's really not all that bad, but when it gets wet and is allowed to sit and stew and fester, well then it starts to get "so funky you can smell it" as Buddy Guy would say.....Anyway, I plan on posting the actual "Porch Funk Voodoo" play list at a later time...peace... Now playing: The Allman Brothers Band - Melissa

Rolling Stones Pancakes

Step 1) Get two ketchup bottles, cut one of them off to have a bigger hole in the end. Fill both bottles up with your favorite pancake batter. The bottle with the small hole will be used for the outline, the one with the bigger hole will be used to fill in the rest of the batter. Step 2) make your outline. Step 3) Fill in with the pancake batter from the ketchup bottle with the big hole. Step 4) Flip and cook the other side. Step 5) Repeat, until you have cooked as many pancakes as needed. Cover with butter and favorite syrup. Now playing: Back Door Slam - Outside Woman Blues

The Porch Is Open For Business!!

So it's eight thirty on a school night and all the sudden there is a knock on the door. "There's only one person that can be", I said, Nicholas responds, "Christian". Of course, he was correct. So I open the door and there stands Christian with a gleam in his eye, and a beer in his hand. "Dude, let's open the porch for the season" he says, and with that the 2008 Porch season was launched.

Memorable quotes from that evening:

"I think this is some sort of unofficial record for the earliest we have opened the porch", (03/12/08) "Dude, we have done that for three years in a row now..."

"we just collide like that" (in regards to "When I want to hang out and have a few beers and relax your too tired and want to go home, when you want to hang out and have a few, I'm to tired.")

"I'm giraffeassed..." Literally, not able to get up out of the chair...

"During the day I'm fluffy and at night I'm melty..."

Porch rules (no particular order):

1) "You got to keep it till the ass falls out." (In regards to the Green Adirondack Chair that cracked in the seat when Christian sat down).

2) "No intentional spilling of alcoholic beverages allowed!" "Dude, we have never done that", "That's because it's a rule!"

3) "Don't drop no fire on the porch".

4) "Don't knock over the coffee can ash tray that hasn't been emptied in 5 years".

More rules are sure to follow....

Now playing: Tab Benoit - I Got Loaded