tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50572755764161764862024-03-13T04:19:52.012-07:00Bman's Blues VenuesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057275576416176486.post-15295258545811848502012-02-08T21:46:00.000-08:002012-02-08T21:48:03.286-08:00Clarksdale Mississippi Blues Delta Blues Museum Crossroads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF0AFx9RyPyf6c0QjxiyX8ldM2lgBX8I9MQG-ISYAFHs8AmsZNfeLc6X1qJofBzWgcdrzpNYLJocaZPF8jrUYelZed58-R3c9GGSXoJMVsQufe8YT-DjVkIS5pDooglm1rIP0262aZ9k/s1600/delta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="161" width="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF0AFx9RyPyf6c0QjxiyX8ldM2lgBX8I9MQG-ISYAFHs8AmsZNfeLc6X1qJofBzWgcdrzpNYLJocaZPF8jrUYelZed58-R3c9GGSXoJMVsQufe8YT-DjVkIS5pDooglm1rIP0262aZ9k/s320/delta.jpg" /></a></div><br />Part 1 of the 15 min. Documentary featuring Clarksdale, Mississippi Delta Blues Museum, Daddy Rich, Razorblade, DBM Students, CV Veal, and more. By Raul Martinez courtesy BareFoot Workshops "Just A Feeling"<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);">“Like” Bman’s Facebook page (available in over 50 languages). I will not relay senseless nonsense. In this way I can get out the word on new talent, venues and blues happenings! </span> - click<a href="http://www.facebook.com/bluesreport"> Here</a><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6SPmEvZ6KpQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057275576416176486.post-83771367362915054692012-02-08T21:40:00.000-08:002012-02-08T21:43:41.062-08:00Hines Farm Blues Club<img alt="in-the-day_6" class="jg_photo jg_floatleft" src="http://www.hinesfarm.com/gallery/image?format=raw&type=img&id=259" />Frank "Sonny" Hines and his wife Sarah bought a house and a farm on 30 acres of land from the Hallet Realty Company in Swanton, Ohio and the Hine's Farm Blues Club was born.<br /><br />As was common in the area for the late 1940s the Hineses began holding house parties and suppers in their basement. These parties eventually grew to the outside and the Hineses built the still standing Juke Joint in a heavily wood section of their property. This helped to draw even larger crowds and more musicians like Big Jack Reynolds, B. B. King, Freddie King, Jimmy McCracklin, Bobby Blue Bland and John Lee Hooker. When the crowds grew even bigger a large pavilion was built as a joint venture with Mr. Luke onto the back of the main club. With it's large area and raised stage at the back it was more than capable of holding all of the fans who came for the shows. It also doubled as a skating rink during the warm months and became known as "Mr. Luke's Outdoor Pavilion." The pavilion's grand opening was August 12-13, 1961. Count Basie honored the opening with a performance from him and his Orchestra.<br /> Another wonderful aspect of Hines Farm were the shake dancers. These female dancers would perform erotic dancing as a band or deejay played accompanying music. Along with the female dancers were female impersonators who performed with the shake dancers. Dancers and impersonators from all around would come to Hines Farm to perform and many were just as popular as the musicians. <br /><div style="margin: 0pt auto; text-align: center; width: 100%;"></div><div style="margin: 0pt auto; text-align: center; width: 100%;"></div><div style="margin: 0pt auto; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><img alt="in-the-day_7" class="jg_photo" src="http://www.hinesfarm.com/gallery/image?format=raw&type=img&id=260" /></div>With 30 acres of property, the events held at Hines Farm were not restricted to music and dancing. Exhibition baseball games, carnival rides, hayrides, horse racing, miniature golf and motorcycle racing were common events held throughout the year. One of the most popular was the motorcycle racing, sponsored by local black motorcycle clubs. Henry Griffin, the current owner reminisces:<br /><br /><br /><blockquote><i>Oh man, I just loved those motorcycles out there. There would be hundreds of guys in a bunch of different motorcycles clubs from all over, not only the Toledo area but as far as Mississippi and Alabama. They'd have all their motorcycles out here in this field and it was just a sea of bikes. Hines would send out a flyer that he was having a motorcycle race and he would have people come from all over, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. They'd get on their motorcycles and ride right up here and there would be thousands of them.</i></blockquote><img alt="Henry Drinking Coffee" class="jg_photo jg_floatright" src="http://www.hinesfarm.com/gallery/image?format=raw&type=img&id=293" />What happened next can only be described as man's never satisfied need to grow. In the early 1960s the Toledo Express Airport extended it's runway cutting Route 295 in half. This forced everyone to seek an alternate route to Hines Farm and moved it from just off the beaten path to more of a backwoods country locale. People found it difficult to get to Hines Farm and many got lost either coming or going. Hines Farm was a victim to the Urban Renewal of the late 1960s as was the main music district in the heart of the black community. That area was Dorr Street and was demolished in the name of urban expansion. This spelled the end of Toledo's thriving blues music scene.<br /> <img alt="Blind Bobby" class="jg_photo jg_floatleft" src="http://www.hinesfarm.com/gallery/image?format=raw&type=img&id=295" />Fast forward to 1978, Frank and Sarah Hines were both in a rest home and their son had boarded up the entire farm. The buildings were in shambles; the club was all boarded up with major damage to the roof and interior. In walks Henry Griffin, who's history with Hines Farm goes back to his childhood when his parents would come up from their home in the south during the summer. Henry had so many fond memories of the place he decided to purchase and renovate the club. With lots of time and money Henry has reopened the old blues club, pavilion and juke joint.<br />Today, Griffin's Hines Farm Blues Club holds a blues show once a month showcasing blues talent from Toledo and beyond. In the tradition of Frank and Sarah Hines the club opens it's doors to everyone so all can have a good time. With great food, great music, and great atmosphere you are bound to have a great time at Griffin's Hines Farm Blues Club.<br /><br /><i>* Special thanks to Matthew A. Donahue, PhD.</i><br /><b style="color: #cc0000;">Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events!</b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span>- <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/bluesreport"> <b><span style="color: red;">Here</span></b></a></span><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ovx8OQ23S7c" width="420"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057275576416176486.post-65628060280480855862012-02-08T21:39:00.000-08:002012-02-08T21:40:15.787-08:00Rhythm Room 20th Anniversary Celebration announced! - Bob Corritore correspondent<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXtd-fsN1NUH65iweVyfkFOYcrTUkcA56EULNTH90ztw5O6OEPfuGCwGhf6SwDVIOG75ypfX3KQ18aalUBN6cbmc6vBpAzXiAJWckgIu7KS97p5d5Uw2tTJ7XaZfv4PcJ4W20v1KWvrlz/s1600/rr.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXtd-fsN1NUH65iweVyfkFOYcrTUkcA56EULNTH90ztw5O6OEPfuGCwGhf6SwDVIOG75ypfX3KQ18aalUBN6cbmc6vBpAzXiAJWckgIu7KS97p5d5Uw2tTJ7XaZfv4PcJ4W20v1KWvrlz/s320/rr.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640800298716672962" /></a><br /><br />It is quite a milestone for any music venue to make it for 20 years, and the Rhythm Room can boast that after all these years it remains a thriving and symbolic institution. The Rhythm Room opened on Sept 18th, 1991 and has since been Phoenix's standard bearer for presenting live music (with a special focus on the blues). To celebrate it's two decade anniversary, the Rhythm Room plans a weekend of blues parties with 3 full days of pure fun and music. Here is the lineup:<br /><br />Friday, Sept 16th (early) 5pm doors 6-8pm early show with Tommy Castro.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1IKi9zP3vDu_0yyDSK4xijdPahUkP-0K3VACmpqluVFyy4Nor9LWOfHHvRkShYOlYMk5LufUNuHqrEYpDxfxY2AxkKdo6bq8Vjz5j7ehkTjGl72cL-RQ46bE4LUkcMStxOp6TG7y3btQ/s1600/elvinbishop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1IKi9zP3vDu_0yyDSK4xijdPahUkP-0K3VACmpqluVFyy4Nor9LWOfHHvRkShYOlYMk5LufUNuHqrEYpDxfxY2AxkKdo6bq8Vjz5j7ehkTjGl72cL-RQ46bE4LUkcMStxOp6TG7y3btQ/s320/elvinbishop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5640801036779757586" /></a>Friday, Sept 16th (late show) starting at 9pm Soul Music Party with host band Cold Shott & The Hurricane Horns, plus featured artists Jerry Lawson (of Persuasions fame) Stan Devereaux, Gloria Bailey, George Bowman, Lucious Parr, Kenneth Williams, Rochelle Whitehead, Andy Gonzales, Paris James and more! Phoenix's rich soul music legacy will be on display this night!<br /><br />Saturday, Sept 17th Bob Corritore & His Blues Friends 7pm doors 8pm show with Mud Morganfield, Bob Margolin, Diunna Greenleaf, Dave Riley, Billy Flynn, Barrelhouse Chuck, Mookie Brill, Johnny Rapp, Brian Fahey and more! <br /><br />Sunday Sept 18th (the actual day of the 20th anniversary) All Day Blues and Rhythm Festival featuring 11 of the greatest Phoenix based blues and soul bands. Doors at 11am and music kicks at noon. Free Big Pete Pearson CDs will be given to the first 75 people. Acts in order of appearance include<br /><br />Hans Olson<br />Chico Chism Tribute with George Thomas & The Flamekeepers (Chico's last band) with guest appearance by Gypsy!<br /><br />Hoodoo Kings Tribute with Mario Moreno, Jim Dorholt, Paul Thomas and other alumni of this historic Phoenix band<br /><br />Rocket 88s with special guest Johnny Rapp<br /><br />Big Nick & The Gila Monsters<br /><br />Dave Riley / Bob Corritore Juke Joint Blues Band<br /><br />Bad News Blues Band with Long John Hunter<br /><br />Tommy Dukes Blues Band<br /><br />George Bowman & Badness featuring Lucious Parr<br /><br />Cold Shott & The Hurricane Horns<br /><br />Discount hotel room rates of $69.00 plus tax are available for out of town attendees from the Residence Inn Black Canyon. To make reservations call 602-864-1900 and ask for the Rhythm Room rate. The Rhythm Room thanks it's loyal clientele and looks forward to this forthcoming celebration.<br />Get Facebook support for your favorite band or venue - click<a href="http://www.facebook.com/bluesreport"> HERE</a><br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qCUJRlEux58" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057275576416176486.post-28316417486118677462012-02-08T21:34:00.000-08:002012-02-08T21:36:03.719-08:00BRIAN'S BACKYARD BBQ - Correspondent Mike Packer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe9qxWdKK5hGTrva9hN37mn8dOQwnNxLbjFGmfkU8pUppD4oUQwC3iMNe8h9XdS4md7Cr_uWS6ZEhmoAeayRcfQPd8vhrj8A-ms3qSEjrpRXHrjbgx8-7VDGlGiKFEqnvqCCYd-_peNR0/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe9qxWdKK5hGTrva9hN37mn8dOQwnNxLbjFGmfkU8pUppD4oUQwC3iMNe8h9XdS4md7Cr_uWS6ZEhmoAeayRcfQPd8vhrj8A-ms3qSEjrpRXHrjbgx8-7VDGlGiKFEqnvqCCYd-_peNR0/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639829437907143554" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes legends begin quietly. It all started in 1993 as a family reunion in the backyard on a summer's day at Brian and Robin Remaly's house in rural Cambell Hall in upstate New York. Brian & Robin decided it was time that they would have a down home backyard BBQ so everyone could have a chance to taste Brians famous BBQ ribs and enjoy some blues. The backyard BBQ was so successful that it has been running now for 17 years as an annual event and has gotten bigger and better. In 2004 Brian's nephew William passed away at a young age and the festival continued in his honor. William loved music. The list of performers grew Popa Chubby, Junior Mack, Michael Hill, SaRon Crenshaw. The late great Blind Pig recording artist Bill Perry was a mainstay at the festival.<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WfUjP7Auhmk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Brian and Robin started to believe that they weren't meeting these great musicians by chance and there must be a reason they were put in their path. They believed they were getting a little nudging from their late nephew William who was telling them to keep the blues alive. In 2010 Brian & Robin made the decision to open a restauraunt and blues club nearby in Middletown NY. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNu-l0TTigKYpf1PYSw33IZiYkJk3QjH_dwCy9J2dp-h3KMJi4ai8r4d2gCBMsRNsIurRj3u4OO16qNUu9KVktbUoyVUU1g4eGzQ7VZkZaPg2__lefA1dNr1CYZ5QNGu4g9DYprwDm2Fga/s1600/sept+25.jpg+300.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNu-l0TTigKYpf1PYSw33IZiYkJk3QjH_dwCy9J2dp-h3KMJi4ai8r4d2gCBMsRNsIurRj3u4OO16qNUu9KVktbUoyVUU1g4eGzQ7VZkZaPg2__lefA1dNr1CYZ5QNGu4g9DYprwDm2Fga/s320/sept+25.jpg+300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639829801950554130" /></a>Brian and Robin's new venture is keeping William Remaly's spirit alive and besides the artists I mentioned above Alligator Records Michael Burkes has graced their stage as well as Sugar Blue, Alexis Suter, Little Sammy Davis and many others. Brian's Backyard BBQ has been named a great blues venue by The Blues Hall Of Fame and will host a Blues Hall Of Fame Induction Day on Sunday September 25th, 2011 where tribute will be paid to a number of New York blues artists and of course to Brian and Robin who helped make it happen along with nephew William who I know is smiling in blues heaven<br /><br /><br /><br />Brian's BBQ is located at 1665 Route 211 Est, Middletown NY TEL- 845-692-3227 <br /><br /><iframe width="500" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DOBQmpI1PCA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057275576416176486.post-83082720248486712802012-02-08T21:29:00.000-08:002012-02-08T21:33:16.435-08:00THE BLUES LOVERS - New Correspondent Mike Packer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSr-iRmf3CgCT6YLbZlw8WIwktB5br-ENikC8p5iWfwVbOaoZyKI4kZiLDbVu7JDOuRwu0EfUzu97IY9Ttr6FfBAM8zyz5RQR3jJNGbvm-JD2vnlsuZOvWUCH6uVqWm5odsNCtqd7A1D92/s1600/room.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSr-iRmf3CgCT6YLbZlw8WIwktB5br-ENikC8p5iWfwVbOaoZyKI4kZiLDbVu7JDOuRwu0EfUzu97IY9Ttr6FfBAM8zyz5RQR3jJNGbvm-JD2vnlsuZOvWUCH6uVqWm5odsNCtqd7A1D92/s320/room.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633771221479828306" /></a><br /><br /><br />Woodstock, the little village located in upstate New York primarily known for the 1969 rock concert that tried to change the world and in some ways did. Nowadays there is still music there and good music at that but not like it was in it's heyday when you could walk around town and go from bar to bar and be able to listen and see artists like the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. In 1975 Muddy Waters recorded his last album @ Levon Helm's studio who was the drummer for Woodstock's own "The Band". Today Levon is still keeping the music alive with his Midnite Rambles that feature guests like Steve Earl and Emmy Lou Harris but in town not too far from Levon's barn there is a house built out of logs appropiately named "Logstock" and the blues is getting some well deserved recognition by it's owners Rob Ramirez and Joni Elenson. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_0vSqwHSp6zTPmirTq1w9bR4-LWmB-_S0ffIUJQiZ2qcRLpaplafdLNnOGox1UwwqD_i7NeXh7AMH82kwToAaeyc9Ol8tByy57I-Kcsoqzk4z043nPmOnw_cOwIV_YIow69JFfkSRagJ/s1600/Roni+Spector+with+crowd%2521%2521%2521.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_0vSqwHSp6zTPmirTq1w9bR4-LWmB-_S0ffIUJQiZ2qcRLpaplafdLNnOGox1UwwqD_i7NeXh7AMH82kwToAaeyc9Ol8tByy57I-Kcsoqzk4z043nPmOnw_cOwIV_YIow69JFfkSRagJ/s320/Roni+Spector+with+crowd%2521%2521%2521.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633768382777419042" /></a>Rob & Joni happen to be the one of biggest fans and supporters of blues music I know. They are constantly throwng parties for the community where practically the whole town shows up with food and drink and that Woodstock spirit. It is a real refreshing thing to see. They also put on events to help people in need like the local womans shelter or an individual who might be going through hard times. At these events you don't know who might show up like Michael Lang (original Woodstock producer) and musicians such as the electrifying Alexis P. Suter with her band doing her gospel-blues thing on Rob & Joni's living room stage or the legendary Commander Cody/aka George Frayne playing Logstock's baby grand piano with a 17 year old Woodstock guitar prodigy named Connor Kennedy. "Logstock" has also become home to the local musicians where they are free to perform giving them an outlet that is getting harder to find these days. The parties are out of this world, food, drink and great people. Rob & Joni are definitely keeping the Woodstock tradition alive. Peace, love, music and good fun!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazDQpG596saB6-ClBZ1aH4nPAFEC3ZIfgynSEJCNp5fLtAWyizmUA7CAvK-PnBQD1P5UTujkyEmdD3HtMhBbszeQ6rPx0_Lb4fuGiulFaB66HxnCy1oJFiu7dY1BBtJmdMIaWc6uebznr/s1600/IMG_0860.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazDQpG596saB6-ClBZ1aH4nPAFEC3ZIfgynSEJCNp5fLtAWyizmUA7CAvK-PnBQD1P5UTujkyEmdD3HtMhBbszeQ6rPx0_Lb4fuGiulFaB66HxnCy1oJFiu7dY1BBtJmdMIaWc6uebznr/s320/IMG_0860.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633769937685257746" /></a>When Rob & Joni are not @ Logstock they are out on the road traveling in their RV motor home like rock stars on tour. They hit every festival and club on the east coast. They also go on the Legendary Blues Cruise twice a year and have become good friends with artists like Kenny Neal, Cyril Neville, Tommy Castro, Deanna Bogart, Kim Wilson, David Maxwell ( who introduced me to Rob & Joni) and Elvin Bishop to name a few. The list goes on and on. Rob,Joni and Logstock have also had their pictures featured in the prestigious Big City Blues magazine owned and operated by another friend Robert Whitall Jr.. Rob & Joni are also big time supporters of the thriving New York blues scene especially giving assistance to a new blues club in Middletown NY called Brian' Backyard BBQ. The owner of the venue Brian Remaly has been booking national and local acts and I believe is destined to become a major blues venue. They also are frequent patrons of a sushi restaurant in Woodstock called "Harmony" which is owned by Albert Grossman's chef. Albert Grossman was the legendary manager to the stars Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Peter, Paul and Mary. Harmony is a venue where the local talent can perform and have their chance to shine.<br /><br />Without a doubt the hugest contribution by these folks is coming up at the end of August (26th thru 28th) "Bluestock" to be held @ Hunter Mountain, NY about 20 miles from Woodstock. "Bluestock" was Rob's idea. He desperately wants the music scene to be what it was like in Woodstock's heyday. He feels music is the answer to our growing economic problems. If there were more venues with live music it would create jobs not just for musicians but for everyone as well. That is why "Bluestock" is so important. The festival will create work. "Bluestock" is being produced by another one of their friends named Steve Simon who is known for his St. John Island Blues Festival in the Carribean. "Bluestock" is in in good hands and will feature Greg Allman, Buddy Guy and a cast of the best blues musicians in the world.<br /><br />Rob & Joni are living the dream and because of this dream they are keeping the dreams alive for blues musicians like myself and many, many others. The music can't live without the support of the fans. Thank you both Rob & Joni for being my friend and for keeping the blues alive. - Michael Packer - NYC blues musician<br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MxlF9Qjhcxs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5057275576416176486.post-25656433009520773722012-02-08T21:07:00.000-08:002012-02-08T21:11:22.716-08:00Levitt Shell - Memphis Tennessee<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4wSrUb_DT27tQ2o19GSPDGfDziidV2WYbB8thsAPSq3qWVux4E9XKKlQgi01JYkzzxhbDWeXsgKCSXDZuBKSgd5d-mktQG6ari5IMKADmS5k_NteI-Vv1y5IhLAGA4cioIBmuSekyY4/s1600/shell.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4wSrUb_DT27tQ2o19GSPDGfDziidV2WYbB8thsAPSq3qWVux4E9XKKlQgi01JYkzzxhbDWeXsgKCSXDZuBKSgd5d-mktQG6ari5IMKADmS5k_NteI-Vv1y5IhLAGA4cioIBmuSekyY4/s320/shell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706993788824987986" border="0" /></a><br />Sometimes as a part of seeing a concert or in this case watching a video I am just taken by the presence of the venue. I have noticed this venue a number of times and this time as a part of the Eden Brent posting that I just completed I have decided to write about it.<br /><br />History Of The Shell<br /><br />The Overton Park Shell was built in 1936 by the City of Memphis and depression-era WPA (Works Progress Administration) for $11,935. The Shell was designed by architect Max Furbringer, who modeled it after similar band shells in Chicago, New York and St. Louis. The WPA built 27 band shells - our Shell is one of only a handful that are still standing.<br />Music in the 1930s<br /><br />The Shell's history has special meaning for a town that takes its music seriously. During the 1930s and 1940s, the Shell was the site of the memorable Memphis Open Air Theater (MOAT) orchestra performances, light opera and musicals. In 1947 the Memphis Federation of Musicians launched its Music under the Stars series, free to the public.<br />First-ever rock and roll show<br /><br />On July 30, 1954 Elvis Presley took the stage before headliner Slim Whitman. Elvis stole the show in what music historians call the first-ever rock and roll show. And it happened at the Shell in Overton Park.<br />Staying alive<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9_tQpIXNm1hQJX7sX0nb2HP4sD9VgJ2rW2EnYsowLi8SzdxHNCgSC83-POXD3eH7QKhKq7nFmOBjSzgtmvwpxv0tlgqbAQXFkvUu21FNfAFf2hrzjTuE4SSkLSR15wV3624-9OJMf_M/s1600/pic-history.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 181px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9_tQpIXNm1hQJX7sX0nb2HP4sD9VgJ2rW2EnYsowLi8SzdxHNCgSC83-POXD3eH7QKhKq7nFmOBjSzgtmvwpxv0tlgqbAQXFkvUu21FNfAFf2hrzjTuE4SSkLSR15wV3624-9OJMf_M/s320/pic-history.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706994157334311202" border="0" /></a><br />Over the years, there have been numerous efforts, some to revitalize the Shell, and some to destroy it.<br /><br />In the 1960s, the City turned the Shell over to the Memphis Arts Center, Inc., which planned to raze the Shell and build $2 million theater. But Noel Gilbert, beloved long-time conductor of the Memphis Concert Orchestra, organized a petition, gathering 6,000 signatures to save the Shell.<br /><br />In 1972, the Shell was almost demolished to make room for a parking garage.<br />The Raoul Wallenberg Shell<br /><br />In 1982, the NCCJ (National Conference of Christians and Jews) proposed raising funds for restoration and were able to rename the Shell in honor of Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish humanitarian and diplomat who bravely and creatively saved the lives of more than 15,000 Jews by issuing them Swedish "protective passes" and building 30 "Swedish houses", on which he hung Swedish flags and declared Swedish territory to provide protection.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the NCCJ campaign never provided the requisite funds. By 1984, the parking lot plan began to move forward - until Mayor Dick Hacket pledged, following an Arts in the Park concert at the Shell, to fund the Shell's renovation if a private group would spearhead an arts program.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskqORZ-Yk4MPPNxv16tKC9gkRXoMY7eI97KlAixqFLc4XAtqwjk5XR_bZ7JOCiI7bgAK6U71Oq9mFofoYka78Szn88SjYrQbPrLhh1knK3X-tXBQH7ThZsxEqawv1Qk4klPRORjlyqUs/s1600/pic-history1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskqORZ-Yk4MPPNxv16tKC9gkRXoMY7eI97KlAixqFLc4XAtqwjk5XR_bZ7JOCiI7bgAK6U71Oq9mFofoYka78Szn88SjYrQbPrLhh1knK3X-tXBQH7ThZsxEqawv1Qk4klPRORjlyqUs/s320/pic-history1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706994351122679394" border="0" /></a><br />Despite the gallant efforts of John Hanrahan, a private citizen who almost single-handedly led the fight to keep the Shell alive, no progress was made. In the summer of 1985, the Shell lay dormant for the first time in its history. When Hanrahan died in 1986, his friends and family formed Save Our Shell, Inc. and the Shell enjoyed a rebirth. Over the past 20 years, Save Our Shell has presented hundreds of free programs in the Overton Park.<br /><br />In 2007, the Shell was renamed Levitt Shell at Overton Park and renovation was begun. It opened again with free music for all on September 4, 2008.<br /><b style="color: #cc0000;">Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events!</b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span>- <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/bluesreport"> <b><span style="color: red;">”LIKE”</span></b></a></span><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nMOPV2_0GWs" allowfullscreen="" width="420" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0