Home

SF is beautiful-but it is nice to be home. Snow clouds rolling in over the Boise river and Barber bridge.

Former Fat John becomes Blind Pig

One of our own is about to break out big time. Blues harp hipster John Nemeth has signed with powerhouse blues label Blind Pig.

John now lives in San Francisco and I was lucky enough to catch him over tacos and and martinis.

John doesn' t look like a guy who has the blues. The contrast between his boyish charm and 50's cool that locals will remember is still there, but now the former "Fat" has a bit more swagger. He is living in the heart of downtown San Francisco and doing what he loves. "Although there is more competition here, there are also more places to play." He said. "I am working festivals, dinner clubs and playing all over the place."

All over the place meant a trip with Anson Funderberg to Europe this fall, another tour that includes Belgium, France and Germany is coming up in march!

Nemeth is looking forward to getting into the studio and cutting his new record. Blind Pig wants him to go in "right now" but John has a couple of gigs to do first. John expects to get in the studio after he plays a week in Mexico. Most likely around mid April.

John told us that he had numerous offers from the record companies. "They want acts that can sell CD's from the stage." John has sold "Jack of Hearts" all over the world. Trying to manage the sales from his SF apartment has been difficult and he is looking forward to the backing and distribution that an international recording deal will give him. When I ask John about material for his new CD he laughed, "Songs? I got a million of 'em." When I asked him who he will use as his back up band he smiled and said, "I'll use the Charlie Muselwhite band." Gotta' admit I thought he was being funny till he told me. . . "Charlie is almost retired. I use his guys for most of my gigs now." Wow! If you have any doubts about John's success just drop by his website John Nemeth Blues Here are a couple of quotes from his press kit.

I remember telling friends up North in '80 that they should go see Stevie Ray Vaughan, but they weren't impressed because he wasn't famous yet. It will give me great pleasure to say, "I told you so!" about John Nemeth. You'll see." Bob Margolin, Blues Revue Magazine, Dec/Jan 2005

"Boy! John Nemeth can really belt it out!" Charlie Musslewhite, 2004

Another talented Boisean may have said it best, and I quote . . .

"Here's a guy that does it all, sings his butt off, wails on the harp, writes great songs and knows how to entertain the people!" Ken Harris, Blues Bouquet

Thanks for dinner Mr. Nemeth and now how about that cover photo for your new CD?

Hipster alert II

Recontuer and frequent boisee commenter Paul Perterson should read (Peterson) is headed to Nashville for fame and fortune and we quote. . .I'm off to Nashville on Thursday to poke around, go see Webb Wilder (insert school-girl sqeal from Paul here), hang with Pinto and his producer, and Talk to NSD Records, and Gabriel Music Group. Not exactly Blind Pig or Alligator, but sure beats "Fast Forward Records", right? Actually just chatting about a publishing deal for my catalog. So, Am I a little bit Country? Hey, If the check has my name on it, I'm a little bit Polka....I'm a little bit Broadway. Actually, I Yam what I Yam, and I'm sure I'll learn alot while I'm there...and of course, there's the Webb Wilder Show (insert school-girl sqeal from Paul here), which in my book is worth the price of the whole trip. Whatever comes of the whole deal, it's a much needed vacation. Can't wait to fly out. Let's all wish Paul success.

Quick Event Update.

Thanks to every one for sending me their event info. Here is a update. Ladies first. Next Exit The Reef February 24th - $2 cover charge. Music starts at 9:30 pm till 1:00ish

Bitterbrush Blues Blues Band will be playing every second Saturday of the month from January 14 to and including May 13 at Harry's of Hyde Park.�Start Time is 9:00 p.m. each night.

Also this might be interesting. . . Jeff and Myrna Stahman are January's featured artists at the Garden City Library. Their works will be exhibited throughout the month, free to the public. A reception to meet the artists will be held on Saturday, January 21st from 2pm to 4pm.

Hipster alert-Fat John

OK all you hip cats and kitties. Remember you heard it here first!!! A www.boisee.com exclusive. Local guy done good Fat John Nemeth has signed with Blues powerhouse Blind Pig. A wise man once said that John is the "Barry Bonds of Blues, every time he steps to the mike he hits one out." Congrats John.

SSTTELA

Hello Boise- STELLA will be playing its first fully electrified, rock, funk extravaganza show of 2006 this Saturday. We need you to come support us, have dinner and a few drinks, or just come and shake your booty. FYI- the REEF is a non-smoking venue with great food and regular drink specials, it also has rootsy, island atmosphere, and excellent acoustics. Make attending STELLA shows one of your New Year's Resolutions. We'll see you there.

Peace, Vinnie

STELLA Dan Costello- acoustic and electric guitar and vocals

Scott Lindbloom- drums, acoustic guitar and vocals

Rob Hill- 5-string fretted and 6-string frettless basses

Vincent Miresse- congas, caj�n, percussion and didjeridu

Saturday, January 7th

The Reef

(6th and Main-upstairs)

9:30-1:00am

$2.00 cover

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

2005 was the best. Took me almost FIVE decades to learn. . . if you do what you love, you will love what you do.

Thanks to all the family and friends who have help the transition. Watch you 06!!!

Wan Chang-Korea House

New friend Diane Ronayne sent this.>>>>>Please help if you can. As you may know, Wan Chang, the owner of Korean House, had a severe stroke recently and is in St. Al's for the foreseeable future. He has no health insurance. His wife had to close their restaurant, which was their only source of income, but they still must pay rent on their lease. An ad hoc group has formed to plan a fundraiser on Jan. 12 at the Rose Room from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The cover charge will be $5 and there will be live entertainment, heavy hors d'oeuvres and a no-host bar. We're soliciting donations for a silent auction to raise money for Wan's hospital bills. If you would like to offer a silent auction item, please deliver it to the Boise City Arts Commission office at City Hall (1st floor, East Wing) from 8 a.m. to noon any day through Jan. 10. Regardless of whether you donate a silent-auction item, please plan to come to the event on Thursday, Jan. 12. In addition, if you happen to have a photo of Wan and Ohkee Chang at the restaurant or selling food at the Farmer's Market, please get it to Tamara Cameron at BCAC immediately. We need it to illustrate promotional material. Thanks, and may you have a happy, prosperous and HEALTHY New Year! Diane

Garzone Brother-Vince

Some entertainers are just amazing. They have that 'it' factor. It usually starts with talent. Often it is something more, that intangible quality of the best. Vince Garzone has 'it.' In town to see his big brother Dave, Garzone sat in with a whole host of players at the weekly Monday jam at Pengillys. In each case he made them sound better. When he played with Dave it was magnificent. Vinnie's fiddle soared and David sang with a pride only a brother can show. Hope "Austin Vinnie" will grace us again. Thanks Dave for inviting me, and thanks to brother Vinnie for the show.

Ana Popivic Blues

Nancy M. McIntosh writes. . . I'm so excited to tell you that after finding out that hot blues/jazz newcomer ANA POPOVIC was making a stop at Michele's City Lights in Pocatello, I called Molly King at The Big Easy and asked her if there was some way they might pick her up on the way through town. Sure glad I did. You can see Ana Popovic on Tuesday, January 24th at The Big Easy! Tickets will be $10 - a steal!

My band members and I are all going (no question about it) and I hope to see many more of you there. This will be an extraordinary show! Check out Ana's website and her music at Ananpopovic.com

Dick Cates

KEN HARRIS WROTELast week, local Boise RocK 'n Roll legend vocalist Dick Cates, 63, passed away. According to the Statesman's Tim Woodward(who was bandleader of the Mystics at the time), Dick Cates was considered the Roy Orbison of Boise and one of his career highlights was once playing on the same bill as Roy. He had a magnificent rich voice and "could sing any song in any key." Dick Cates and The Chessmen were perhaps second to Paul Revere and the Raiders in southern Idaho during the late 50's and early 60's. Dick influenced many musicians and bands along the way and he will be missed!

Kat's has nine lives.

Ken Harris of the Hoochie Koochie Men has corrected us about Kat's. Owner Larry Richardson, emphatically states the rumors are untrue. Kat's will soon announce a new line up including several out of town acts. Ken adds the Hoochies will play January 28th>>> Glad this Kat is not dead.

Paul Tillitson

Gotta tell ya Paul is his own man-but you can hear his mentor in his playing. Paul's style is all his own, but the power, tutelage and feel of the legendary Gene Harris shines in Paul. Not to say Paul Tillitson is a mimic, or a mime. Paul's playing is distinctive, and the tempo more boogie than Gene's. It is piano that is strong and playful in a way that will remind you Gene, but not.

Tillitson's music is an entertaining combination of classical and whimiscal. Concert hall meets whorehouse boogie. Paul raises above the music and plays with a verve and swagger that few can match.

Soon Mr. Tillitoson will be playing to the uffo's in Sun Valley at the Duchin Room. For now I'll close my eyes, think of Gene Harris and be glad Paul spent some time at the Idanha.