David Coppa and Scrapple, who were the object of an August 7, 2010 post on this blog, will play the Paoli Blues Festival in Paoli, Pennsylvania at noon on October 1. the group just recently opened for the Fabulous Thunderbirds. For more information on the Paoli Blues Festival, check out this link.
http://paolibluesfest.com/performers.html
And on OCT 2ND, singer/guitarist Lonnie Shields will play the blues from 1:30-4 p.m. at the Media Food Festival. Known as the "Keeper of the Blues," Shields is traveling to Helena, Arkansas where he will perform at the annual King Biscuit Blues Festival on October 8. He is a regular performer at the King Biscuit festival. For more information on the Media Food Festival, look at this website:
http://mediabusinessauthority.com/banner/food_festival_2011_poster_7x11.jpg
For more information on the King Biscuit Festival, look at this website:
http://www.kingbiscuitfestival.com
On another note:
Last week I went to the Blast Furnace Blues Festival in Bethlehem, PA. I will have plenty more to report about that festival in an upcoming post (I've already put all kinds of interviews and videos from it on Youtube, but the reason I bring it up now is that the highlight of the event was to be a performance by the Chicago All-Stars: Guitarist Hubert Sumlin, Bassist Bob Stroger, guitarist Bob Margolin and drummer Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Unfortunately, just two days before he was supposed to perform there, Smith died of a stroke in his Chicago home. For more on his passing, I again turn to Bob Corritore:
RIP Willie "Big Eyes" Smith - January 19, 1936 to Sept 16th, 2011. It is with great sadness that we report the unexpected passing of one the true greats of the blues. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith. Willie passed away this morning of a stroke. He was 75 and was musically active until the very end. A brilliant drummer, harmonica player and vocalist, he represented the true essence of Chicago Blues, and was highly regarded by all as an undisputed master. He was an alumni of the Muddy Waters band and wore those stripes with honor. Willie "Big Eyes" Smith was born in Helena, Arkansas in 1936, and started playing harmonica at age 17, shortly after moving to Chicago. His harmonica first appeared on record in the 1950s gracing recordings by Arthur "Big Boy" Spires, and Bo Diddley (Willie played the harmonica on the Diddley classic "Diddy Wah Diddy"). At some point in the mid to late 1950s he started playing drums and in 1959 began his long association with Muddy Waters. Smith's drumming first appeared on record on Muddy Waters' 1960 album release of Sings Big Bill Broonzy. Smith had a real gift for drumming and his playing would help to define the later Muddy Waters Band sound. Many of us remember the classic Muddy Waters lineup of Muddy, Willie, Pinetop Perkins, Bob Margolin, Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, and Calvin "Fuzz" Jones. In June of 1980 members of Muddy's band struck out on there own, and formed the Legendary Blues Band which eventually found Willie as the lead vocalist, showcasing his stellar, down-home vocals. Willie released his first solo album, Bag Full of Blues in 1995, which firmly established him as an artist in his own right. Willie would revive his first instrument in later years, and in 1996 he would release Way Back, which debuted his new direction, and showed him to be a solid harmonicist. His final recording, Joined At The Hip was a collaboration with the now deceased Pinetop Perkins, and it it earned the two a Grammy in the Traditional Blues category. We have just touched upon a few of the many recordings of Willie "Big Eyes" Smith who's discography as both a frontman, and a sideman represents the highest of heights in the blues. Willie had a strong work ethic and was a consummate professional, and as a result he worked relentlessly. He won numerous BMAs (Blues Music Awards) as "Best Blues Drummer", and he always carried great bands with him. Of note is the wonderful management of Patricia Morgan, who helped guide the later part of Willie's amazing career, and the impressive booking of Blue Mountain Artists. Also thanks to Willie for bringing out the wonderful talent in his band with Jimmy Mayes, Bob Stroger, "Little" Frank Krakowski, and for his wonderful collaborations with other Muddy alums. Willie leaves his greatest legacy with his son Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith, who has become one of the world's greatest blues drummers and carries on his father's sound and tradition. Prayers for all of Willie's family, friends, fellow musicians, and fans as we say goodbye to one of the greatest blessings of the blues. We love you "Big Eyes".
Bob also had the following information on funeral arrangements:
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Visitation 10 AM to 10 PM
Leaks & Sons Funeral Home
http://www.leadandsonsfuneralhomes.com/
7838 South Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60619 Ph:773-846-6567
Monday, Sept 26, 2011
Wake 10am until 11am
Funeral services 11am until noon
South Park Baptist Church
http://southparkbaptistchurch.com/
3720 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL 60653 Ph. 773) 548-6566
For Willie's website, check out:
http://www.williebigeyessmith.com/
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