Web Chick's Blog

I was thrilled last week to get word that Ronnie Baker Brooks is coming back to town!

It's been a year since we saw him and we've been ready for it!

So here's the scoop ... RBB is coming as part of the Labor Day Big Muddy Blues Festival ... woo hoo what a weekend it will be!

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Chicago's own " Torch of the Blues", Ronnie Baker Brooks returns to Saint Louis this Labor Day weekend / August 29, 30, 2008!!!

RONNIE BAKER BROOKS
August 29, 30, 2008
Shamrock Pub
1131 S Broadway
St Louis, MO 63104, United States

9:30pm

Saturday Aug 30 will be the first of the 2-day Big Muddy Blues Festival this year. Ronnie's show that night, right down the street, will be the Shamrock's AFTER FEST BASH. Expect a magical night celebrating the delivery of the Mississippi's creative lifeblood to the banks of the blues in Saint Louis and beyond. And don't be surprised if you see a very special guest or two joining us that night…

These will be Ronnie's ONLY appearances this summer in the 'Lou, so pick your night (or nights), mark your calendars and plan on a big party on the big muddy… Highly recommended festival appearances on Saturday include Marquis Knox, Big George Brock and the Houserockers, and Kenny Neal. For a complete festival lineup please visit www.bigmuddyblues.com.

Ronnie's had a hand in two releases this summer, both of which broke the top 10 on the Billboard and RMR blues charts. To hear his latest collaborations, pick up Eddie "The Chief" Clearwater's West Side Strut on Alligator Records, and The Legendary Rhythm and Blues Revue's Command Performance on Delta Groove Records, recorded live on tour with The Tommy Castro Band, Deanna Bogart and Magic Dick (the "Whammer Jammer' of J Geils Band fame).

Also, look for Elvin Bishop's new release The Blues Rolls On, also on Delta Groove, due to be released in September. Ronnie Baker Brooks joins a stellar list of participants including B.B. King, James Cotton, Derek Trucks, George Thorogood, Warren Haynes, Kim Wilson and Tommy Castro on what is destined to become an instant classic.

Thanks for helping to keep these blues alive. See you at the show!!

This guy is coming to town Friday night and we just listened to him online ... and wow!  You'd never guess a ukulele could sound that good!

http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/

No more "Tiptoe Through The Tulips" here folks!

He rocks!

He's performing at some of the Jimmy Buffett shows this tour ... and he's played at festivals over the last couple of years.

He'll be at Lucas School House Friday night.


-- Jill --

... so on the way in to work this morning, I heard the Violent Femmes "Add It Up" and now it's stuck in my head!

It's one of those songs that does that to me every time.

My mom always hated "Another One Bites The Dust" because she couldn't shake it for days.  I would torture her with it when I was a kid.

When someone starts humming a song that I know will get stuck in my head, my way of getting them back is with another song that can get stuck in your head ... "If You're Happy And You Know It Clap Your Hands!"

What songs get stuck in your head and stay there for days?


-- Jill --
The Web Chick

Have you ever been to the symphony?  In St. Louis or somewhere else?

I have always wanted to go, but never seemed to get the chance.  We've been to a lot of venues and seen a lot of music, but never the Saint Louis Symphony.  I really wanted to see Yo Yo Ma several years ago for my birthday, but hubby took my to a nice dinner instead (it was really good).

Do you dress up when you go?


-- Jill --
The Web Chick

Saint Louis Symphony Performs U.S. Premiere Of "Dr. Atomic"

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The Saint Louis Symphony will perform the U.S. premiere of John Adams' "Dr. Atomic" symphony next week in St. Louis, and in mid-February at New York's Carnegie Hall.

The symphony is adapted from Adams' opera of the same name, which premiered in October 2005 in San Francisco. It's a dramatic retelling of the story of Robert Oppenheimer, the guiding genius of the atomic project, and 1945's world-changing events in the New Mexico desert.

Adams dedicated the symphony to Saint Louis Symphony music director David Robertson.

The program will be performed Feb. 7-8 in St. Louis, following perspectives with Adams and Robertson one hour before each concert. The Saint Louis Symphony will perform it again Feb. 16 at Carnegie Hall.

Adams won a Grammy Award in 1989 in the Best Contemporary Composition category for "Nixon in China," and in 1998 in the same category for "El Dorado."

His "On the Transmigration of Souls," a choral work commemorating the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, won the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Music.

The Saint Louis Symphony performed it in Robertson's inaugural, 2005-2006 season with the symphony.

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Saint Louis Symphony: www.slso.org

John Adams: www.earbox.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

OK ... this is weird ... I've never heard about anyone (or any country) banning the Beatles!

... kind of a little late now, don't you think?


-- Jill --

Israel Says It Has Invited Beatles, But No Apologies For 1965 Snub

LONDON (AP) -- More than 40 years after it barred the iconic British band from playing there, Israel said it wants the surviving members of the Beatles to participate in a concert celebrating the country's 60th birthday.

But the Israeli embassy in London denied a report that the Jewish state had apologized for its original refusal to let the Beatles perform in the country. The band had been booked to appear in 1965, but the government refused to grant the necessary permits on the ground that its music might corrupt the country's morals.

"Israel missed a chance to learn from the most influential musicians of the decade, and the Beatles missed an opportunity to reach out to one of the most passionate audiences in the world," Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor said in a letter addressed to Sir Paul McCartney. "On our 60th anniversary, we would like to take the opportunity to offer you a second chance to play in Israel."

The embassy said a letter was presented by Prosor to Jerry Goldman, CEO of the Beatles Story in the north England city of Liverpool. It was also sent to Sir Paul McCartney and Richard Starkey, better known as Ringo Starr.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

I just read this and thought it was weird!

According to a story from the Associated Press, several musicians in New York have been connected with a steroid sting.

This seemed very confusing ... why on Earth would a musician need steroids?  Bulk up to sing better?  That makes no sense ...

... read down and they say steroids are rumored to have anti-aging benefits ...

... oh ... right ... the Fountain of Youth.

-- Jill --
The Web Chick

Here is the article ...

Newspaper Says Entertainers Named In New York Prosecutor's Steroid Report

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- A number of entertainers were named in connection with an Albany-based steroid investigation, but they are not part of an ongoing criminal probe, according to a published report.

The Times Union of Albany cited unidentified law enforcement officials in reporting Sunday that R&B music star Mary J. Blige, rap musicians 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean, and award-winning author and producer Tyler Perry may have received or used performance-enhancing drugs.

Law enforcement officials have said evidence does not indicate that the celebrities broke the law, but that investigators are focusing on doctors, pharmacists and clinics that provide the drugs.

Albany District Attorney P. David Soares launched the investigation into steroid trafficking last year.

Soares is "not confirming, denying or discussing any of the names" involved in the investigation, said spokeswoman Heather Streeter Orth.

A spokeswoman for Blige denied the singer had taken illegal steroids.

Ken Sunshine, a spokesman for Perry, declined to comment.

There was no response to calls Sunday and Monday seeking comment from representatives of other entertainers.

While athletes use steroids and human growth hormone to get bigger, faster and stronger, the drugs can also lure other people with their supposed anti-aging qualities.

Soares' multistate investigation has focused on Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Fla. So far, 10 defendants have pleaded guilty and news reports have linked some professional athletes to Soares' probe.

Soares has said Signature was at the center of a web of businesses and doctors that illegally wrote prescriptions for steroids. Authorities raided the company almost a year ago and its owners and operators are awaiting trial in Albany on related charges.

Records shared with the Times Union and information from several cooperating witnesses on Long Island allege the celebrities received prescribed human growth hormone or steroids, the newspaper said.

The newspaper said that Blige received the human growth hormone Jentropin and Oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid, in orders sent to her at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Her spokeswoman denounced the report. "Mary J. Blige has never taken any performance enhancing illegal steroids, or any anti-aging steroids," spokeswoman Karynne Tencer said.

Former Sen. George Mitchell released a report last month on performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. That report said former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski provided steroids and human growth hormone linked to several prominent players. Radomski pleaded guilty last year to charges that he dealt steroids to players for a decade.

Congressional hearings are to begin this month on the Mitchell report.

Saturday night we got a little taste of the summer festival season as Lucas School House hosted the Waka Winter Preview ... five bands competed to get to play for the Wakarusa festival, which will be held in June in Lawrence, Kansas.

It was nice to see some bands from out of town ... and two bands from here locally.  We also love the venue.  You can watch the band on the big screen downstairs, listen outside, or go upstairs to see them up close.  It's not a hug venue, so you always feel close to the action.  A big plus for us is the non-smoking atmosphere!  No more getting a sinus headache from all the chain smokers (our friends included ... although almost all have now quit) filling the room full of so much smoke you can't see across the small room!

Hubby and I watched three of the bands, and our friends stayed to watch more.

We got a little taste of the summer, cast our vote, and headed home thinking of warm weather and the friends we will see in a few months.  We hope our band won, becasue we'd really like to see more of them.

What music are you looking forward to experiencing this summer?  Will you be attending any festivals?  I'd love to make it down to Memphis in May again.  We had a great time at the Beale Street Music Festival years ago!


-- Jill --
The Web Chick

When do you stop playing Christmas music?

I finally got my Christmas tunes loaded into the iPod ... now it seems a little late to be listening to them.  I'll probably take them off the iPod this weekend and load up my new CDs.

It is a good time to find some deals on holiday CDs now, though.


-- Jill --
The Web Chick

I saw RBB for my birthday back in September ... it was not our first RBB show, and it was a fabulous performance!  We had such a great time!  There are a few photo in my albums.

Ronnie and the band are coming back and will be at BB's Jazz Blues & Soups just south of downtown Sunday night.

I know it's a Sunday, but he's so worth it!  Hubby and I and some of the gang will be there!

You can read more about Ronnie and the band HERE (RonnieBakerBrooks.com)

Hope you all can make it to see a blues great!


-- Jill --
The Web Chick

After Mizzou wins the game Saturday ... why not celebrate with a little music!

There will be a fundraiser for the ALS Association of St. Louis at Lucas School House in Soulard Saturday night.  Three bands will be playing ...

   Jake's Leg
   Madahoochi
   Lightnin' Bottle Band

LucasSchoolHouse.com

ALS Association of St. Louis

This should be a great night!


-- Jill --
The Web Chick

Wow!  What a weekend!

Ronnie Baker Brooks was in town and our friends took me to the show for my birthday.  It was really cool!

They brought a cake to the bar (The Shamrock Pub just south of Busch Stadium) and even made me wear a balloon all night! LOL!

Ronnie played a birthday song for me, then later played another song for me while we all danced.  We all had such a great time.  Thanks Ronnie! ... and thanks to all my friends!

If you don't know who Ronnie Baker Brooks is, well he hails from Chicago, son of Lonnie Brooks. He's a blues guitarist with a really great band.  If you liked Stevie Ray Vaughn, you'll love Ronnie!  Story goes his dad taught SRV how to play the blues!

Ronnie has been coming to STL every few months.  He won't be back here again until the first weekend of December, but you might be able to catch him at one of these places ...

Thrs Nov 29 - Springfield, MO - Cartoon's Oyster Bar
Fri Nov 30 - Topeka, KS - Uncle Bo's Sat
Dec 1 - Columbia, MO - Martini Bar Sun
Dec 2 - Saint Louis, MO - BBs Jazz Blues and Soups

The Shamrock was also a great venue.  I believe it's recently been redone inside.  It's one of those cool old St. Louis bars.  People are friendly, drinks are strong!

... can't wait to see what happens next year for the bday!

-- Jill --
The Web Chick

Since we ended up coming back to St. Louis after Hurricane Felix abruptly ended our Caribbean vacation, we took the time to enjoy a little Missouri music festival and see some of our friends.

Columbia, MO hosted their first Root 'n Blues 'n BBQ Festival last weekend.

The music was good, although ran a little too much bluegrass for my taste.  The outdoor venues were good, but the main stage on Broadway made viewing difficult when it came time for the headliner - Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal was good, but only played for an hour.  He went on a little early, but ended way before he had to for noise ordinance.  When he stopped playing, many people thought he was taking a set break.

We didn't see any of the shows by Flat Branch. We did see quite a few in Peace Park ... Carolina Chocolate Drops, Blind Boys of Alabama, Big Smith ...

Our only real pet peeve was the use of tickets to buy food at the official booths ... and the lines for the barbecue were two to three blocks long. 

It appeared they had more people there than they expected, but everyone took it in stride and had a good time.

Shakespeares was smart and had a tent set up in the parking lot with pizza, beer and soda.  They took cash and  was able to get my Shakespeares fix for the weekend.

Did anyone else go?  What did you think?

-- Jill --
The Web Chick

Hubby and I will be joining several other friends Wednesday night for the John Mayer concert.  One girl has already seen him perform a couple of times.  This will be our first.

Two weeks ago we spent four days taking in 30 bands at Wakarusa ... there were MANY bands we never even got to see ... it was great! (but *that* is another blog!)

Has anyone else seen John Mayer live?

Hubby plays guitar, so he is looking forward to seeing this great musician play.  I don't play guitar, but still enjoy the music!

-- Jill --
the Web Chick

 

I didn't make it to the show ... how was it?

Did anyone take pictures?  Put them in your albums ... I want to see!

-- Jill --


 

So our friends got tickets to John Mayer and we are going with them ... woo hoo!

My husband and I have wanted to see him for quite some time.  Who has seen him?  What did you think?

-- Jill --
The Web Chick