Blues Society of Western PA - Newsletter

We had success last year at the Clarion for the 6th IBC's in many ways. It was our largest crowd ever, we made enough money to pay for all the expenses and more. Mostly, we had the best group of competitors ever. We promptly decided to not mess with success and do it there in 2011. This year we had to cover more costs, though. We did not get the same amount of sponsorship that we did last year. We had to pay a sound man which we were happy to do after last year's fiasco. For those who didn't hear, we had a sound man who volunteered his services to get advertising and get in with the Blues Society. He got a call in the middle of the day and left! Poof! We were lucky he left the equipment and that Jim Hamel was knowledgeable enough to handle the sound for the rest of the night. Thanks to the blues fan, TJ who has since passed for assisting Jim. This year we had an excellent sound team, Big Cat Entertainment, who we paid for but at a much reduced rate. It was well worth it. Great job, Charlie and Jeff.

That was only one improvement over last year. The competition was even better than last year! There was not a weak spot in the line-up, as all the judges echoed. This is the thing that amazed me, though. Three years ago, we had to call bands from other areas to get enough bands for an interesting competition. Some people liked it, because there were new bands to hear. Others thought we should just do a half day with the few bands from the area who joined. We had 15 acts this year. Most thought it was the most talented that we have ever had ...AND every band was from Western Pennsylvania! This was the first time since I have been a member (5 years) that we have had all Western PA bands. More evidence of a growing pool of talent in the region. It was a good mix of bands we all know, like the band winners, Jill West and Blues Attack. This was their third win. Good luck to them. They had new stuff and they closed with their trademark "freeze." They ran away with first place this year (four 1st places and a 2nd on the score sheets). I thought that was unusual considering the level of competition, but way to go Blues Attack! The next three bands were separated by fractions of a point. Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle (last year's winners),Wayne and Wildroot and the Jimmy Adler Band. All of the bands got good comments. The judges had told me that this was the highest level of competition, top to bottom, that they had seen.


As far as the solo competition, the voting was tight. All three entries had solid marks. It was both tie-breakers that gave the victory to Chris Yakopcic. It was his solid guitar playing that gave him the victory. He plays old style blues guitar and switched up a guitar and dobro. The judges liked that.

The crowd was good again and we received many comments (most of them good) about the venue, the bands and mainly the atmosphere. The mix of tension ,excitement ,expectation and curiosity was everywhere. For those who have yet to come to an IBC competition, you don't know what you are missing. I remember my first. While the level of competition and few entries were nothing close to what we have today, it was still exciting. Make it next year!

So, thank you to the people who came to hear the bands. Thank you to the bands for giving their best 20 minutes. Thank you to the judges who have the toughest job. All I can say is "wait till next year!"

~ Article: Don Vecchio, Photos: Tom Martin

Bubs McKeg
Singer/composer/guitarist Bubs McKeg has recorded for Atlantic, Buddah, and Phantom Records. In 2007 he was a finalist at the Puisto Blues Festival’s International Blues songwriting competition in Jarvenpaa, Finland. Bubs is a two time winner of Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania's IBC's. Mckeg was a finalist in the 2009 Internations Blues Challenge in Memphis.







Chris Nacy
Chris Nacy is a killer, on the money, harp player. There are plenty of licks to learn from Chris. He never overplays, lays that great harp right in there, and obviously has done his homework listening to the greats. Not too loud, not a ton of reverb and octave stuff, just harp. Chris is an official endorser for Seydel Harmonicas (http://www.seydelusa.com/) His work as an integral part of the Izzy and Chris duo has won them trips to Memphis, recordings contracts and many nods for festivals around the country.





Midnight Express
Midnight Express Midnight Express was formed in 2009 when four like minded, seasoned musicians came together to create a unique Pittsburgh Blues sound. A fusion of styles ranging from East Coast Jazz, Funk to Chicago Blues makes up their unique sound. Midnight Express' members include: George Kalantzis, (guitar, vocals) originally from Chicago, immersed himself in the Pittsburgh music scene in 2001. His multiple influences reflect the many colors and textures that the Blues has to offer.  John DeCola (keyboards), a veteran of the Pittsburgh music scene, started playing professionally at age 13. John's playing reflects his years of ardent, dedicated playing and he brings a fire to Midnight Express. Jim Spears (bass) grew up with music always on the radio or "hi-fi." It was a snooping 16-year old Jimmie that found an abandoned Silvertone acoustic guitar in a closet. That discovery lit a spark that led Jim into a life-long love of making music. Mark Chemini (Drums) has been playing drums for over 35 years and is a self taught musician.


Rumpshakers
The Rumpshakers are a band of musicians from the Tri-State area. Each with over twenty-five years experience playing blues, jazz, and rock. With many influences from early blues players to modern jazz, and soul. So, if you’re looking for a foot stomping, rump shaking, good time, come out and listen to The Rumpshakers play Blues and Soul to make you shake rattle and roll. Members of the band are: Ron "Lucky" Vis on guitar/vocals, Keith "Fingers" Gamble on bass, Joe Romeo on sax, Greg Eggert on trumpet and Greg Stewart on drums.


Wayne and Wild Root
Mention great blues cities to most people and they likely think of Chicago, Memphis, St. Louis or New Orleans...maybe even Clarksdale, Mississippi. But for James Dougherty, that city is Pittsburgh.

“When I began putting this project together, I wanted to dive into the blues and jazz roots in the Pittsburgh area,” says Dougherty, who enlisted renowned engineer Buddy Hall to produce Wayne & Wildroot: One Hell of a Ride (Release date: Sept. 21). “Organizing the players for the Wayne and Wildroot project gave me an opportunity to once again familiarize myself with Pittsburgh’s deep pool of talent."

When the oldest continuously running blues society in the world says you’re the “real deal”, that has to mean something. When blues forums toss your name around with the likes of harmonica masters like Little Walter and Sonny Boy...that has to mean something. Of course, there will always be skeptics; but to the blues fans of the northeast United States, there is no doubt that at just 26 years old, Mikey Jr. is chasing the masters at a pace that’s frightening. 
 

...The first and second place winners of the 6th Annual 2010 BSWPA Blues Challenge

Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle
The 1st place Band Winner

The members of this Erie based band are: Ron Yarosz on keyboards, organ, harp and vocals; Ron Sutton on drums; Jason Lewis on bass and Eric Brewer on guitar. Ron splits his time between the Hammond B3 and fronting the stage playing High Energy electric harmonica. Ron and his band specializes in doing modern versions of blues standards...always putting their own spin on the song. Ron has independently released two albums: "The Vehicle" in 2003 and "What It Is." Ron Yarosz and the Vehicle won the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania's Blues Challenge in 2006 and again in 2010 in Pittsburgh. They will be representing the BSWPA at the 2011 International Blues Challenge that will be held February 1-5, 2011 on historic Beale St. in Memphis, Tennessee. Ron's thoughts on being a musician, "although we are broke we are among the richest people in the world."

Jill West and Blues Attack
The 2nd place Band Winner

Jill West and Blues Attack were third place winners at the 2006 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. This Pittsburgh based blues band plays their own style of hard edged blues with a guitar blast, in the tradition of the Vaughn brothers, B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Lead by the dynamic vocals of Jill West, Blues Attack has been igniting audiences all over the tri-state area for over ten years. They have gotten their blues education from playing the steel city's smoky bars, road travels and sharing the stage with greats like Koko Taylor, Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley and B.B. King. The members that back Jill West are: Gregg Kruppa on lead guitar, Hank "the Hammer" Raffetto on bass, Nicky "No Shoes" Crano and keyboard master, Steve Binsberger. Theirs discography include: Faceful of Blues, Code Blue and Headline Blues.

Gary Prisby
The 1st place Band Winner

When asked about his music, Gary stated, "I am a self-taught musician from Pittsburgh, PA. I have been playing the music scene here for over 25 years. While primarily playing solo acoustic gigs, I also enjoy singing and playing electric lead/slide guitar with my band, KPG. I love writing and performing as well as recording my own music. My most recent compositions are blue-influenced pieces. The live audiences seem to connect with them the most. I hope to have an acoustic Blues CD out in the next year entitled, "Bare Bones." Gary draws his music from the likes of: Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton, Cory Stevens and Santana.


 Chris Yakopcic
2nd Place Solo/Duo Winner

This solo performer specializes in the finger picking Delta and Piedmont styles of the pre-war blues musicians. He first became interested in this music many years ago when he stumbled upon Fruteland Jackson playing an afternoon set at Buddy Guy’s Legends. Since this introduction, Chris has been inspired by the music of Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, Bill Broonzy, and many others. As a guitarist, harmonica player, and vocalist, he can be heard covering many seminal acoustic blues tunes as well as writing his own material.

The Eldorado Kings
For a solid, dependable hip shakin’, string bendin’, gear jamming’ ride of high octane blues, The Eldorado Kings are the masters of the road. They were formed in the 2004 with former personnel from some of Pittsburgh's finest blues and rock bands. The Eldorado Kings offer an exciting blend of Texas Boogie, West Coast Swing, Gritty Chicago Blues and good old fashioned Roots Rock. This band consists: Johnny Rooster as front man on vocals and harp player, Randall Troy on lead guitar and vocals, Jack Russell on bass and Mark Keel on drums. The Eldorado Kings play high energy sets with songs by the likes of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, The Nighthawks, James Harman, Slim Harpo, and Stevie Ray Vaughan.


Gary Belloma & the Blues Bombers 
Gary Belloma & The Blue Bombers are a Pittsburgh tradition--the incline without the willies, Primanti's without the goo. Since their cracking debut at the legendary Gene's, right on through their latest CD release, "Pack Your 'Chute," the Blue Bombers have been laying down their unique blend of blues and R&B for over fifteen years.  Gary's soulful voice and frenetic dancing, Chris's bar and table top sax shenanigans and the band's tremendous musicianship has been legendary in the Pittsburgh area. The band members are: Gary Belloma on vocals, Kurt "Jr. Smoke" Steinke on drums, Don Czaplicki on bass and vocals, Frank Giove on guitar and vocals and Chris Patarini on sax and vocals.





Wil E. Tri and the Bluescasters
Wil E. Tri is a local Pittsburgh blues legend known mostly for his phenomenal harp playing, but his gravelly voice and dirty guitar sound are just as noteworthy.  Wil E. Tri is backed by a fantastic group that call themselves the Bluescasters. The Bluescasters include: Dan Staggerwald on guitar, Harry McCorkle on bass and Freddie Sykes on drums. Appearing weekly at Sloppy Joe's, the unfaltering energy that they provide every Thursday is reminiscent of a 1920's speakeasy.