WC Handy Awards

I've given my camera a break from the grind of the last 7 weeks...okay, maybe I've given myself a break too.  Tonite I'm in Nebraska reviewing the events of the WC Handy Awards (International Blues Awards) in Tunica, MS on May 8, 2008.  One thing is for sure...awards shows are reeeeaaaalllllllyyyyyyy boring and this was no exception.  

The lineup was amazing but after 4 hours and only a third way through I let go of my need to stay to the end.  Instead I waited until the performers I really wanted to see where completed.  Here are my top 10 best loved things about the WC Handy's:

10.  Having a scotch with Gaye Adegbalola (Saffire:  The Uppity Blues Women) in the hotel lounge after sharing our admiration for the music of Ma Rainey.

9.  Joking around with a great guy in the shuttle en route to the award show and finding out that it was nominee Jackie Payne.  We were quite impressed that we've both played the stage at the Yardbird Suite in Edmonton.

8.  Patio coincidental meeting with Edmonton Labatt's Blues Festival captains Cam Hayden and his lovely partner.  Great way to ground my blues community in Edmonton!

7.  Writing and recording three new songs in the hotel room waiting for it all to get underway.

6.  Great food!

5.  Watching the show of my new buddy, Jimmy 'Duck' Holmes.

4.  The lap slide prowess of Mary Flower.  (Holy shit can that woman play!)

3.  Shakin', rollin', heavin' bosom of killer blues woman, Diunna Greenleaf.

2.  Queen of the Blues - Koko Taylor won big.

1.  Being there as the crowd saw Ruthie Foster for the first time (they didn't seems to know her music) and standing with the crowd in standing ovation after she finished Son House's 'Grinnin' In Your Face' a capella!  Her destiny is written to be one of the greatest... of that there is NO doubt.

Freezin' in Nebraska (it's Oc right now, storming and my southern tan is fading fast),

KD xoxo

Bubba & Robert Plant @ the Blues Corner

Immersion is a strange experience.  It's not like I knew when exactly I was immersed in the Mississippi culture but that didn't change the fact that I did allow myself to immerse.  It was a feeling of belonging and understanding...an energy rather than a moment I guess.  At some point I felt myself let go of concerns and agendas.  

So, on May 7, 2008, when I met, sat with and talked with owner of Bubba's Blues Corner in Helena, Arkansas and Robert Plant (yes, Led Zepplin Robert Plant) it really wasn't a big deal.  The three of us sat around debating the age old issue of who owns blues music and how do royalties for the early music get paid.  I was surprised at the opinions and knowledge I held about these issues and the historical aspects of the blues.  Integration had occurred without me even really knowing it.  And, when my sweetie asked if I took a photo of Bubba, Robert Plant and me, I could only say that "it never even crossed my mind" because it didn't.  We exchanged information and carried on with blues discussions.  When that was over I moved on to the next Delta experience.  Funny thing...I don't even wish I had the photo.  It's held in my heart and in my mind for me to enjoy and share with blues lovers back home.

Heck, I didn't even ask Robert why he's the hold out for the Led Zepplin reunion tour - ha ha.  I already know the answer to that question anyway...

Kat

KFFA Radio-- Show 15, 643

I am so happy I went to Helena, Arkansas on May 7, 2008!  Stumbled upon many interesting people and made it my mission to do as Honeyboy said "listen more than you talk".  Good advice.  I did just that in Helena and met Sonny Payne (announcer pictured above) who has been host of KFFA "King Biscuit Time" , a blues program, for much of his 80+ years.  In fact, he was doing a live show when I wandered in off the street and there he was interviewing Rhonda Rogers who was an absolutely fantastic blues woman from North Carolina.  Pipes on that chick or what?  Anyhow, it was Sonny's 15,643rd show and he has seen more than a book full of blues events.  KFFA is an historic radio program that broadcast 'black' blues music in the 1930's when that was completely unheard of.  King Biscuit Flour sponsored the program and their musical hosts were Sonny Boy Williamson II and Robert Lockwood Jr. (stepson of Robert Johnson).  I even signed the walls where all the blues musicians that have passed through the studio in its current location have signed.  It was such a blast!  

15,700th show maybe an on air interview with Kat Danser??  Never know...;-)

Kat