SMBS Membership Drive with Brandon Santini
There are many different opinions as to what the future of the blues harmonica will be. Memphis vocalist and harmonica player Brandon Santini is undeniably a worthy player to keep an eye on as the latest surge of young blues artists leave their footprint in blues history. His name is worthy of conversations that include James Cotton, Kim Wilson, Dennis Gruenling, Charlie Musselwhite and other frontline harmonica players by combining his love and respect for traditional blues with a present, colorful style of playing that is often compared to James Cotton or Paul Butterfield. Raised in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Brandon purchased his first harmonica in 1997 at the age of fifteen when his mother took him to the local music store upon his request. He founded the Blues Music Award nominated band Delta Highway in 2003 and relocated to Memphis where he absorbed the sounds and culture of the Delta and North Mississippi Hill Country, honing his craft night after night, sweating it out in local Beale Street clubs just like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King did decades before him.
Sunday, March 24, 2019 – doors open at 6 pm, music starts at 7 pm
Barley’s in Maryville
Coco Montoya & Tinsley Ellis
Blues Rock Titans Coco Montoya and Tinsley Ellis appearing at the Open Chord The old Willie Dixon adage, "blues is truth," perfectly describes the searing, contemporary blues-rock of world-renowned guitarist and vocalist Coco Montoya. Taught by the "Master of...
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Blues In The Schools News
Blue Barry here. I’ve been pretty busy with the BITS (Blues in the Schools) program since September and schools got cranked up again. It has been a great pleasure to play with a harmonica student of mine as well. Fifteen year-old Ben Kreider has been helping...
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Knoxville Area Blues Jams
Knoxville and its surrounding counties has a number of venues to visit if you love blues jams. These events feature a cornucopia of skilled musicians, singers and a throng of fans. The blues is a fantastic genre for artists to form impromptu sessions that alwa...
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Barry’s Corner Blues CD Review
Blue Barry Faust is a charter member of the Smoky Mountain Blues Society. He has been performing in Knoxville for more than 20 years. A former member of The Bluesblasters, and The Delta Souls, and currently playing with Terraplane Blues, Barry is a blues sch...
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Grand Prize Winner of the Smoky Mountain Blues Society’s Custom-built Autographed Guitar Is the Ideal Recipient
Veteran Deejay Johnny Mack Announced as Raffle Winner The look of surprise and astonishment on Johnny Mack’s face said it all. With his mouth agape, the look of astonishment was clear to all who watched as his name was announced. Then again, what could be m...
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2018 International Blues Challenge
Congratulations to the winners of the SMBS International Blues Challenge Competition! Filibilly Duo and Jonny Monster Band win IBC Competition! Many thanks to all of the musicians who competed in the SMBS IBC competition. It was a great turnout and an awes...
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Peter V Blues Train – Shaken But Not Deterred
November 2018 While you’re reading this review why not go to www.petervbluestrain and see what you can listen to. Talk about some great blues, here you are! Peter V Blues Train – Shaken but Not Deterred is out and kicking it up a notch! Peter V is Peter Ve...
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Entertaining at veterans home rewarding to harmonica player
Last week, my friend and bandmate, Rey Pineda, called and asked if I would join him in entertaining the patients at the Ben Atchley State Veterans Home. I readily accepted the invitation and was really excited about going. Rey decided that we would treat t...
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