February 2012

Hard to believe we are almost through January already. Wow! Winter has been nearly as amazing as the weather last summer. As of this writing, folks were actually able to play golf the 2nd week of January in Wisconsin! Something I have never seen in all my years on this 3rd rock from the sun.

As I mentioned back in November, the year is kicking off for Chippewa Valley blues fans with a concert at the State theatre by Keb Mo’. The Blues Society will be holding it’s Annual Meeting Feb. 21 at Action City in The Metropolis Hotel & Resort’s Action City complex again this year. The meeting will be starting at 7 p.m. and the agenda will include:

Election of officers
Voting for changes to the bylaws
Volunteering to help with/at Lust For Blues 5 & Tuesday Night Blues 2012
The public is welcomed and encouraged to attend.

March 11 the Chippewa Valley Blues Society will be presenting a concert for your enjoyment at the annual fundraiser known as “Lust For Blues’. This will be the 5 of these events, which is sort of a milestone. Lust For Blues will again be at Action City on the south side of I-94 just west of the Hwy 93 exit in Eau Claire.

In the past we have had an admission fee with a discount for membership. This year we are admitting all current members free, or $10 for non-members. Memberships and admission can be purchased at the door. Single annual membership is $10 and $15 for a family. There will be food and beverages available, and all the action Action City provides for kids of all ages. So bring the family for a great afternoon of music and fun and chase away those wintertime blues!

I have posted a poll on the Tuesday Night Blues at Owen Park in Eau Claire Facebook page, asking you to tell us who you want to see at Tuesday Night Blues in 2012. Please give us your opinion at http://www.facebook.com/tnblues

Other musical happenings around the area.

Jan 29 (Sunday) at Shari’s Chippewa Club in Durand, Nothin’ But Cash 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. A musical tribute to Johnny Cash with renditions of his music performed by a variety of performers and bands.

Howard Luedtke is busy in February, playing at a variety of venues, starting on Friday the 3rd at My Place in Eau Claire & Saturday the 4 at The Snout in Chippewa Falls. Also with Jim Schuh at Poo’s On The Pond on the 12 & 19.

Mojo Lemon will be at The Black Bear in Minocqua on the 3 and then closer to home at the Snout on Feb. 25.

AcoustiHOO plays every 1 Saturday rom 2-4 p.m. at Obsessions Chocolate Lounge on Barstow in Eau Claire, so that will be Feb.4th.

Left Wing Bourbon is going to be performing at The Sunset Tavern in Black River Falls on Jan 28, then will be over in Proctor MN later in Feb..

The Steve Meyer Band will be at a couple places in Hammond, JJ’s on Jan 28 and The Hammond Hotel Feb. 4th, then back at VFW 305 on Starr Ave/, Eau Claire on Feb. 18th.

For more details and info go to ChippewaValleyBlues.com and check out the calendar on the home page. If you want us to list your band send us the info at “contact the webmaster. We will decide if it is appropriate for our site.

Some Tidbits:

The Grafton Blues Association (GBA) and State of Wisconsin will be represented at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee for the 4th consecutive year. The GBA will be sending a band (Tweed Funk) and solo/duo act (John Stano) this year. A Send-Off Party/Fundraiser will be held January 20th at the Black Swan Room in Grafton.

In case you forgot, remember to catch Snapshot’s blues show every Sunday morning from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. on WHYS local community radio 96.3. If you can’t dial it in, you can stream it on the web at www.whysradio.org

Well, that’s about it for now, thanks for lending me an ear! See ya around! Hopefully at the Annual Meeting.