Fat Tusday

Boise Blues Society Announces 2nd Annual Fundraiser for�Blues in the Schools' Program

The non-profit, Boise Blues Society is hosting a New Orleans-style pub-crawl in downtown Boise on Fat Tuesday, February 28, 2006. Local blues acts will play simultaneously at two venues within walking distance of one another: The Bouquet and the Terrapin Station in downtown Boise. The music will be from 5:00 to 11:00 PM and there will be six acts between the two clubs. The cost for Boise Blues Society members will be $3.00 for a pass, non-members $5.00. This allows you to get into both clubs. There will be door prize drawings at both venues.

At The Bouquet (1010 Main St., Boise, ID) 5:00 Smokin' Todd & The Real Deal 6:30 Lori B! and the Boys

At Terrapin Station (1519 Main St., Boise, ID) 7:00 Bitterbrush Blues Band 8:00 Deja Blues 9:00 Neighbor Dave 10:00 Next Exit

Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward funding the nationally recognized -Blues in the Schools' program in Boise and the Treasure Valley. The goal of the -Blues in the Schools' program is to provide blues presentations and performances to all schools that want them. This program was started by The Blues Foundation in an effort to educate children in grades 1 through 12 about the history of blues and therefore keep the tradition alive. The foundation has a roster of volunteers throughout the nation who offer their time and talents to educate children about the history of the blues

Phishing?

As a very frequent user of the internet you would think that I would be hard to fool. OK! Not that hard, but still I have spent years blogging, buying, selling and generally driving this ol' info highway. So what? Well a very clever e-mail almost snagged me yesterday. In one of my e-mail accounts I received an e-mail apparently from Pay Pal, stating that an address in California was added to my account. Since I had just updated my addresses, I FREAKED. Figuring someone was using my account and shipping to their house. I almost clicked the link to "Update" my account but got sidetracked. After a moment it occurred to me to look at my Pay Pal account directly. Yep, you guess it. No new address. The e-mail was an attempt to get me to enter all of my personal information. This trick Darn near worked. So my friends, be careful. The crooks are pretty smart.P>S> I sent the offending e-mail to Pay Pal for their investigation!

Bar watch Kona Cactus

Friend Donald Outram sent this dispatch from Hawaii:... Seems like everyplace has one but you might mention to the folks at the Cactus on Main (when they emerge from their 30 day "remodel") that there's a Cactus West in Kona on the Big Island and it's for sale!

Aloha mon ami Guess the bar biz is hard even in paradise!

This one hurts a bit!-Clumsy Lovers

If you know much about this blog, you know it stings to talk about the "old" times at the Blues Bouquet. When the 'Easy boys" forced the Clumsy Lovers to switch to their club so the CL's could play at the river fest. It was a sad day at 1010 Main.That said, I have seldom seen a group of musicians that work as hard as Trevor and his merry band of Lovers. They are amazing on stage and use to light up the Bouquet in a way not accomplished by many. Also it is great that they have broken the Bravo spell . . . So! The Clumsy Lovers will be at the (b)ouquet February 17th and 18th. Not sure if I can bring myself to go, but you all should. Tell them "Old" Blues staff misses 'em, will you.

Evil Gal News

From Ken Harris: HEAR YE HEAR YE! Michelle Willson is now a webcast Jazz DJ!! Her next show is : MOnday Feb 13 at 11:00AM Mountain Time showcasing Boston area jazz artists: Tune into wicn.org. Can you put this on your blog? Michelle says "Hi Dave!" Thanks, Ken and thanks for the encouragement in my new endeavor. It's so nice to be "into and happy about" something instead of: "Well, this sounds like a good opportunity BUT I DON'T WANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

This is who I'm calling a Hoochie!

As I walked down the alley behind Pengillys last weekend my step lightened and a smile came to me. A smile born from years behind the bar at the old Bouquet. Mike Trail's smooth powerful guitar solo bounced off brick walls and alleys ways. Yes those darn Hoochies were back in town. As I ran up the stairs I was hoping for a least a few friends and a decent crowd. The place was PACKED. The Hoochie Coochie Men were never better. They blended their traditional blues with some rock and roll from the likes of Steely Dan and lit the place up. My bet is the HC Men will become a mainstay at the Reef. I can't wait.

Your in good company!

A boisee milestone has been reached. Over 1000 different users(separate IP addresses in geek speak) went to this site in the last 30 days. That tallies to almost 30,000 hits. Amazing, thanks!Also-almost 100 of you have looked at the new photo gallery, but only two have commented. Every one else must be shy.

Bar Watch-Cactus

Call it venerable, classic, a dive.-whatever. The Cactus on Main has been a main stay for a long as even I can recall. The favorite of early drinkers and frat boys looking to get "primed" before they headed to more fancy bars. The Cactus is the best and the worst. Now? it says closed for remodel. What's to remodel? Move the pool table? OK, take up the "party" carpet from a couple of years ago. Rumor(you know we love rumors) has it the Cactus served one minor to many and will be "remodeling" for 30 days. Bummer, where can I get an Oly at 1:00 pm?

Bummer

From Nancy McIntosh. . . Greetings, Friends: I heard back from both Smokin' Todd & the duo of Roberson & Beese. Unfortunately, neither of our representatives made it to the finals but each was pleased to have represented the BBS and felt the trip was well worth it to be part of IBC history and to see Memphis and Beale street firsthand. The BBS Board is proud of all our guys and we look forward to seeing them back home.Cheers, Nancy

Smokin' Todd in Memphis

The Boise Blues Society is being represented by Smokin Todd & the Real Deal as well as the dou of Roberson & Beese at the Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis.

Todd reported to Nancy McIntosh that his band played their first night of the competition tonight (Thursday) at Beale Street's 152 Club and went on stage at 9:20 p.m. Memphis time. Todd said, "Beale Street is a trip." Out of all the performers this first evening, Todd & The Real Deal were the only band to play a more traditional style of blues. Todd said, "Most bands were trying to rock the place." But Todd said that they were the only band that actually got the three judges up out of their seats to take notice. That sounds pretty promising for Todd & The Real Deal men - Jason, Larry, and Wayne!

Todd also said he ran into Roberson & Beese and they were doing well and having a great time. The classy duo from St. Marie's Idaho said that they got the bad luck of the draw and went on first this evening. Tomorrow they go on second!

Todd & The Real Deal play their second set tomorrow (Friday) at 7:30 p.m. Memphis time - same club, 3 different judges. I'm sure well all be thinking of them. Good thoughts. Good wishes! Thanks Nancy for the update, kick A** Idaho Blues