First. February
is Black History Month. Hard to imagine what a deprived, sorry state
my heart and soul would be in having never heard Ray Charles,
Leadbelly, Lighting Hopkins (pictured), Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, Jimmy Smith,
B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Sam Cooke, Big Joe Turner, Monk, Miles,
Coltrane, Willie Dixon, Muddy, Wolf, Ellington, Ella, Etta, Sarah
Vaughn, Nina Simone, Basie, Donny Hathaway, Ray Brown, Ron Carter,
Chuck Rainey, George Porter Jr., James Jamerson!… the list goes on
and on and it keeps on growing. Year-round love, respect, and thanks
to these and so many other great musical artists who stir my spirit
and make me proud to stand with them as Americans.
Second.
Everybody
wants to know, “where’s BIG WES?” And the answer is always the
same: traveling.
After
decades of performing up and down the highways and byways of the
Midwest, Big Wes Turner turned his sights toward farther horizons. He
hasn’t been everywhere, Man, but he’s getting there, even though
the evidence provided by his infrequent cards, letters, and phone
calls indicates that his path is that of a freewheeling wanderer.
Wes
has always had a nose for new sounds and lately he’s been following
that nose wherever it leads him. Slack-key guitar sounds were in the
background when he called from Hawaii, but then the lava started
rolling down and he left town. Was he headed to Mongolia to refine
his Tuvan throat-singing technique, or to Australia to see some guy
about a didgeridoo. We don’t know, do you?
Luckily,
BIG WES Turner’s Trio is easier to track down. The surest
way is to invite them to play at your establishment or residence for
any event that calls for their eclectic selections of American
musical classics.
Mark
your calendars for May 1, 2020 when Tom, Rick, and Gary play at
Mazomanie Music Conservancy (in Mazomanie), and check this space
often for updates on the downbeats.
The
McMusical Calendar
Thursday,
February 13
The
Sparks Band plays vintage 60s rock AND roll at The VintageBrewery in Sauk City. 7 to 9
Friday,
February 14
The
Sparks Band rinses and repeats their rock-tacular 60s stuff, this
time at Chief’s Tavern on Cottage Grove Road (Yes! Right
across from Buck’s Pizza, and, Yes!, they deliver.) 6:30 to to
9:30.
Saturday,
February 22
The
Cashbox Kings lay down Chess-era Blues at Tyranena Brewing in
Lake Mills. Wisconsin’s premier beer and world-class Blues. 7 to 10
pm.
Sunday,
February 23
The
Birddog Blues Band entertains starting at 2pm, right after the
last pin falls at the Madison Blues Society’s Bowling for Blues
event at Schwoegler’s Park Towne Lanes.
Saturday,
February 25
The
Cashbox Kings set it up and lay down surrounded by delicious hors
d-ouevres for the annual Porchlight fundraiser held at UW Madison’s
Discovery Center. Chow down with Chess-era Blues in the background.
Check back for March dates.
