Blues Society of Western PA - Newsletter

…Memphis Bound….
It was a Thursday night in Memphis. The clock was striking twelve. We had just stepped out of BB King’s club. I gazed down that lonely stretch known to many as Beale Street. Snowflakes were slowly trickling down and dancing among the many neon lights that dotted that infamous roadway. The street was virtually empty. Its unexpected beauty and pristine calm were fascinating and so very, very deceiving. The streets were empty but the clubs were still packed. It was the first night of the 2006 IBCs (the International Blues Competition). The action and the warmth of the music were blazing away inside each and every club. It had proved to be an intoxicating experience for those who loved the blues. Memories of our first IBC in Memphis were slowly ebbing back.

Those memories danced as softly as the snowflakes that were drifting down onto my face. It was January 2006. The Steelers were on their way to the Super Bowl and the Webers were on their way to Memphis. It was early on a Wednesday morning as Jim and I sleepily trudged into the airport. As we approached the gate area, we started running into many other Pittsburgh Blues fans that were one their way to Memphis also. The lure was the Jill West fan base and the curiosity of experiencing the International Blues Challenge. We soon stumbled over Dusty the photographer, Jan and Dave Hasch, Nancy and Mike Longo, Trish, and many other Blues fans that we have seen at various events. The buzz and the hum of the excitement charged the air. The delight of sharing our journey with familiar faces proved immeasurable. As we all became fast friends, we all shared the mission---being groupies for the weekend. We boarded the baby jet that was to whisk us away to Memphis. The flight crew announced that our band and their entourage were on their way to a music adventure. Our fellow passengers cheered and clapped. The excitement continued to build. After we landed, we kept running into more and more people from Pittsburgh. They walked, drove, bussed, and flew into Memphis from many parts of the country to unite to follow Jill West and the Blues Attack (The Weisingers definitely made up the largest and friendliest group that attended.) We chattered about where to meet for dinner, shared comments about the itinerary, and enjoyed the sights and the museums. Foremost, we shared the music. We raced to Pat O’Brien’s that night to stake out spots so that the “whole gang” could watch “our band” in their moment of glory. Pittsburgh, undoubtedly, had the largest fan base. We cheered, yelled, and exhausted ourselves in “our” quest to support and encourage “our band.” Other bands and their fans noticed and commented on how the crowd from the “burg” made the event even more exciting and fun filled. People leaned in the open windows of O’Brien’s wondering who that kid was that was “tearing” up the stage with his wild guitar. It was Zack Weisinger, now known as Guitar Zack. Our spirits soured even higher as the band played on. We were part of the experience.

Later, that evening we saw a rockabilly group, The Dempsies. Everyone raved about their high-energy antics and their knack for entertaining. We met at the Rum Boogie later that evening to hear the Bob Margolin Jam session. The next day, we took in more sights. We stopped in at Silky’s on Beale Street to see Barbara Blue, a Pittsburgh girl. We stopped and chatted with Joe Bonamassa on Beale Street. I told him I would see him in Pittsburgh in a few weeks. He looked at me and said, “Oh yeah, I will be at the Rex, Cool!” We even ran into a Weber cousin. He was there for a rendezvous with his bride and had no interest in the blues. It was hard to believe that anyone would be in Memphis for the “big” weekend and not be a fan. We kept running into each other and rehashing the “scene” from the night before. The Rendezvous was the restaurant of choice for their southern barbecue.

On the second of the competition, we were in our places and assuming our “roles” as devoted groupies. Our role included encouraging “our” band and urging them on in their role as competitors. After “our” band had played, we all ran up and down Beale Street. We were in and out of clubs seeing the best twenty minutes that every band had to offer. The streets were abuzz with commentaries on the various bands and their offerings. Again, we met at the Rum Boogie later that night. The place was packed with expectant fans. Blues celebrities popped in and out of that famous music landmark. Janiva Magness was one such Blues’ star that showed up. She swept into the room with her vivacious, magnetic style. She tossed her wrap to the side and strode up to the stage. This was the way that I had always envisioned my trip to Memphis…the music, the personalities, the feeling, the aura. Our group slowly trickled in. We chattered and cheered. Zak went up on stage to assist Bob Margolin. Collectively, we rehashed the performances of our band but with greater gusto…. and for good reason. Jill West and the Blues Attack were finalists in the International Blues competition.

Being ill prepared for the finals and not having the correct tickets, we as a group scoured the entire area for extra tickets. (We have since learned to buy the correct tickets in advance.) “Our band” was in the finals; we just had to get there! The Pittsburgh network became scavengers to make it possible for each and every member in the group to see the finale. Hmmm, there is more to that story. Seeing Jim Weber running through the pouring rain with his blues hat on backward, carrying a guitar case, grabbing my hand, and running me, the last person, into the historic, Old Daisy Theater, yes, …there is more to that story and only the insiders know for sure. Finally, the entire group had made it into the finals arena. The unbridled anticipation of what was to come in the finals that night charged the air. The Old Daisy was a very old, tired building. It came to life that evening with the music and the people. The Blues were alive like I had never imagined. Whew, I felt like all the breath was being squeezed out of me. It was nerve wracking to wonder when, how, and why. …Would we be in the winners’ circle? The air crackled with the enthusiasm. As the evening drew to a close and the winners were announced……….
Jill West and the Blues Attack placed third in a field of one hundred and sixty two international bands. …. The fans placed first.