West Michigan Blues Society

Congrats to new Grandpa Don Mize on the birth of his grandson Kaiden. Daughter Meaghan is a former board member who still handles the newsletter preparation and distribution.

RIP
Bob Brozman
3-8-1954  - 4-24-2013

Ethnomusicologist and guitarist Bob Brozman, famous for his vast folk knowledge and guitar prowess, has passed away, the Santa Cruz Weekly is reporting. He was 59.

Brozman was a student of culture; working with a wide array of musicians from a number of cultures, including India, Asia, remote islands, and more. Brozman was famous for his knowledge of historic National resonator guitars. His website lists him as having been the world’s leading authority on the instrument.

RIP
Artie "Blues Boy" White
4-16-1937 - 4-20-2013

Artie “Blues Boy” White was one of the last colorful purveyors of Southern Soul. The longtime Chicago resident had engaging storytelling hits including “Leaning Tree,” “Don’t Pet My Dog” and “My Dessert.” Mr. White died Saturday April 20, 2013  in a Harvey hospice after battling Parkinson’s Disease for years.

10-24-1936   4-10-2013
RIP Jimmy "Fast Fingers" Dawkins

photo: Joceyln Richez

4-2-2013

Congraulations to WYCE station manager Kevin Murphy and his wife Amy on the birth of daughter Maria
Born this morning at 8:14 and weighing in at 7 lbs. 13 ozs.

Alvin Lee 1944-2013

Guitar wizard and co-founder of British blues legends, Ten Years After, has passed away at the age of 68.

A message posted on his official site earlier today (3/6/2013) reads: "With great sadness we have to announce that Alvin unexpectedly passed away early this morning after unforseen complications following a routine surgical procedure."

Lee was born in Nottingham in 1944 and founded Ten Years After in the mid-'60s with bassist Leo Lyons. Their 1967 debut album was followed by a string of LPs including Undead (1968), Stonedhenge (1969) and Ssssh (1969), but it wasn't until Lee's trepanning, virtuoso performance of I'm Going Home at the Woodstock Festival in 1969 that the band rocketed to fame and success on both sides of the Atlantic.

Deciding to shun the rock superstar status and pursue other projects, Lee left the band in 1973. Since that time he has recorded over 10 studio albums. His final LP, Still on the Road to Freedom, was released in 2012

New Open Mic Blues Night
Jimmie Stagger and the Usual Suspex (Jim Shaneberger, Tim Cowert and Andy Ogrodzinski) will host an weekly open Mic Blues Night at Hopcat located at 25 Ionia St. SW starting Sunday February 24. Bring your instruments and join the fun from 7:00 - 10:00 PM

Hopcat will give all members who show their WMBS membership card a 20% discount on their tab!

Members:
Isabel Aguliar
Tim Carmody
Mike Coon
Diane Hunter
John "Sal" manilla
John Ott
Mike Skory
Jimmie Stagger
Donald Thompson
Pam Troyer
Rick VandeKerkhoff

Artists:
Little Walter, 1930
Joe Bonamassa, 1977
Muddy Waters, 1913
Ana Popovic, 1976
Monette Moore, 1902
Dave Spector, 1963
J.B. Lenoir, 1929
Jimmy Thackery, 1953
Blind Willie McTell, 1901
Grady Gaines, 1949
Eddie C. Campbell, 1939
Ann Rabson, 1945
Donald Kinsey, 1953
Taj Mahall, 1942
Joe Cocker, 1944
Jack Bruce, 1943
Guy Davis, 1952
Eric Burdon, 1941
Bob Margolin, 1949
A.C. Reed, 1926

 

Board Meetings

Board meetings are held the second Monday of the month at Kentwood Public Library
4950 Breton Rd.SE
Meeting starts at 6:30 PM
in the 2nd floor conference room

All members welcome!

If you have any questions or concerns about our website, please send your email to: wmbseditor@aol.com

Please send all
snail mail to:

West Michigan Blues Society

P.O. Box 6985
Grand Rapids, MI.
49516-6985