Yam what I Yam at Pair

Yammit, I can't believe I like Yam frys-but I do. Thanks to Pair's new happy hour. You will find a short but tasty menu of plates including yam frys, for just $3.00. Early evening from 3 to 5:30 and again late 11:00 till 1:30. Add a Stella (the beer not the band) for three bucks and this becomes a very upscale meal at a price even a lowly bartender can afford. Pair Downstairs 6th & Main. TIP! Try the Mac & Cheese!!!!!!

The Reef goes blue.

The Reef (upstairs 6th & Main) is getting better and better. Thanks to the strong organization of Jon Knox the BBS Jam will go to every other Sunday at 4pm, beginning in two weeks. Also manager Tobias told us that he is going to have at least one blues band every month. You already know about The Hoochies, and Next Exit. Stay tuned for more Reef/Blues info.

Who you calling a Hoochie?

From good friend Ken Harris. . .>>>Dear Music Lovers, This is to inform you that my band, The Hoochie Coochie Men, will be performing this Friday, Jan 27 at the Reef at 6th& main in downtown Boise. It is a nice place with good food and NO SMOKING! Then, for those of you in Canyon County, we will be at Kat's House Of Blues on 13th st in downtown Nampa on Sat Jan 28. COME ON DOWN! We will also be at the Piper Pub, 8th and Main in downtown Boise on March 18 and 25. You can check us out and download 3 original songs from our cd on two different websites:mp3idaho.idahostatesman.com and also mp3unsigned.com(we have charted on both sites). If you have trouble, call me @208.440-4590 and I will assist you. Our cd is for sale in the local music section of The Record Exchange at 11th and Idaho. We made our debut at Tamarack Resort at a soggy New Year's Eve Party and recently we have opened up for Blues Traveler AT The Western Idaho State Fair. We intend to increase our performing schedule in the future and see if we can get out of state a bit this summer during festival season. If anyone knows any good festivals we should pursue, let me know. We hope to see ALL of you this weekend for some bluesy rockin' good times. Sincerely, Ken Harris(keyboards)and The Hoochie Coochie Men

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.