Candye Kane to play first...

                                                        

On Saturday March 30th, 2013 the Magic City Blues Society will hold the first of 2013’s three Junkyard Jukes. This Blues music series which started in 2007 has become a popular neighborhood event. Today it’s necessary to bring your chair and arrive early if you are going to secure a good seat for the afternoon’s music. This rain or shine event will be held outside on the patio or inside as the weather may dictate.

The Daniel Day Gallery host for the event will have a wide variety of painting, photographs and gift items by local artisans on display. The Gallery doesn’t have a liquor license; however coolers are welcome at this event.  The headliner will be Blues diva Candye Kane. Opening will be local band Bourbon and Bleach.

Candye Kane

 

A colorful mixture of the traditional and the eclectic, Kane cut her musical teeth in the early 80′s onstage with Hollywood musicians and friends, Social Distortion, Dwight Yoakum, Dave Alvin, The Blasters, X, Fear and Los Lobos, to name just a few. While raising two sons, this role model for the disenfranchised, championed large sized women, fought for the equal rights of sex workers and the GLBT community and inspired music lovers everywhere. Her fans are a mixture of true outsiders: bikers, blues fans, punk rockers, drag queens, fat girls, queers, burlesque dancers, porn fans, sex workers, rockabilly and swing dancers, grey haired hippies, sex positive feminists and everyday folk of all ages, flock to see Candye and hear her musical messages of love, hope and empowerment. 

Kanes’ live shows are the stuff of legend. She honors the bold blues women of the past with both feet firmly planted in the present. She belts – growls – shouts – croons and moans from a lifetime of suffering and overcoming obstacles. She uses music as therapy and often writes and chooses material with positive affirmations that leave the audience feeling healed and exhilarated. A show that is part humor, revival meeting and sexuality celebration, she’ll deliver a barrelhouse-tongue in-cheek blues tune or a gospel ballad like Jesus and Mohammed, encouraging audiences to leave behind religious intolerance. She’ll slay the crowd with her balls out rendition of Whole Lotta Love or glorify the virtues of zaftig women with 200 pounds of fun. She often says she is a “fat black drag queen trapped in a white woman’s body” and she dresses the part. Bedecked in bright colored feathers, sequins and rhinestones, Kane’s performance is Mississippi by way of Las Vegas with a quick stopover in San Francisco. 

A Blues Diva of the 20th century who can liven up any party without shedding a stitch – People Magazine

A true celebrity diva- New Yorker Magazine 

This tough cookie wails with a rousing confidence and affirmation of identity and the courage of her convictions – Downbeat Magazine 

A serious and seriously powerful singer who lays it all on the line – The Philadelphia Inquirer 

A voice that is a natural wonder – like the Grand Canyon. – The Washington Post 

Candye Kane has that big, brassy voice that has authority and sass; the kind of thing men like because it’s seductive and women like because it’s powerful - BB King to the San Diego Reader 

Russell Allen

Russell Allen performing during Open Mic Night at Hart & Soul Coffee Company in Homewood, AL.

International Day for...

2012 Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues...

Bessemer, Alabama International blues award winner Grady Champion will be one of the headliners for the 3rd Annual Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival which will be held on Saturday, June 2nd at DeBardeleben Park in downtown historic Bessemer. In 2011 and 2012 Grady was awarded the Soul Blues Album of the year and “Make that Monkey Jump” was number 1 for over 6 weeks on Sirius XM Radio’s BB King’s Bluesville and “Dreamin” was the Top Album Charts in August 2011. Grady will take the stage at 6:00pm.

Mikey Jr burst into the blues scene less than a dozen years ago and since that time has released an impressive four CDs and praises from both blues fans and industry insiders. Mikey Jr plays all across the United States and each member of the band compliments the other with their talents. Mikey will perform at 7:30pm and at the end of the night all you can say is

WOW!
“The blues musicians scheduled are all family friendly so everyone can come out and enjoy the event,” said Lenny Madden and Roger Stephenson of the Magic City Blues Society and the music organizers. Also performing on the main stage will be Earl “Guitar” Williams, Robert Harris, and B.J. Miller all from Alabama. Th ey are no strangers to blues lovers.  The opening act for the festival will soon be announced.
Elaine Lyda, the festival organizer, said “the festival will include a Children’s Corner that will feature inlfatable games, face painting, and an assortment of i eld day games. The event is
sponsored and supported by numerous blues supporters. We couldn’t do the event without the wonderful sponsors. They will be demoing and giving away promotional items during the festival.”

“We want to make it bigger and better every year,” Van Sykes the owner of Bob Sykes Bar B Q and the festival organizer said. “We hope everyone comes out and celebrates the great love
of bbq and blues from 1-9pm.” Gates open at noon and the tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the gate. Kids 12 and under are free. Tickets can either be purchased at Bobsykesblues.
com or at Bob Sykes Bbq Restaurant. Bob Sykes Bar B Q, snacks, beer and wine will be for sale at the festival. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hands On Birmingham and the
Bessemer Education Enhancement Foundation.