Monday, April 21, 2003

General Update - Patrick Vining, Jerome Jackson, Hotlanta Horns, Platters & Coasters

Hi friends, I've been getting reminders that I've been too quiet out here lately, so here's the news.

I've been working with a new project, the Patrick Vining Band. Our fearless leader is an established blues artist with two CDs out so far, and more to come. We're currently working 2 nights a week at Crawdaddy's Cajun Station, a great new venue in Austell (see links below). I really like that place, it's a good big room, practically smokeless, with a nice stage and an award-winning chef. I hope you'll come out and help us get the place rolling. We're there on Saturdays and Wednesdays (Open Jam Night!) starting at 8PM. All my musician friends are URGED to come out ASAP so we can get the ball rollin' for this great new venue. We also will be playing at Blue Note West in Douglasville on Friday April 25th, and at the Big Damn Jam
(a backporch party with 8 bands) on May 17th, an event I believe is in support of WRFG Radio. Let me know if you're interested in attending that one, I'll get you details - it's near South Cobb High School.
http://www.patrickvining.com

Crawdaddy's Cajun Station
5000 Austell Powder Springs Rd. Austell, GA 30106 678-574-2377

Blue Note West
3931 Longview Dr. Douglasville, GA 30135 770-949-0038 http://www.westgabowling.com/html/kids.html

I recently did a charity extravaganza with Jerome Jackson, lead singer of The Drifters, one of the most popular vocal groups of all time. My job was to build a team of great players, and get them coordinated and rehearsed for the show. I couldn't have chosen much better - Steve Mays on bass, Art Thompson on drums (Jeff Macko was originally chosen but got jury duty - urg!) Rod Kelley and Darryl Rouse on dueling keys, Seanna Turner and Taj En'phiniti on backup vocals, and Jerome up front. It was a special show.

I had a great time hearing and sitting in with the Hotlanta Horns at Diamond Dave's in Kennesaw. They're a new fun act just getting started, I suggest you go see them some time soon. I'm told they're at Diamond Dave's on Thursdays and at The Frontier Room (not sure, I think at I-75 and Hwy 92?) on Sundays.

I did an impromptu jazz trio gig with Larry Griffith and Mike LeVasseur at Fee-lay Gumbo on Easter morning brunch. The food was great, the audience was very receptive, and we all loved playing as a trio, a refreshing change from all our other various gigs. I hope to do that again soon!

Rocky Buldo, board member of the Atlanta Blues Society, has asked to release my recording of "Tech Support Blues" on their 24-hour Internet bluescast. That's in the works, so you should be hearing me there sometime soon. I'll be in great company, there's a lot of good music there. Go to http://www.atlantabluessociety.com and click the flaming words "ABS BLUESCAST" to listen.

And finally, I'll be playing a double-header with both The Platters and The Coasters on May 3rd in Albany, GA. I was really excited to work with The Platters for the first time last year, but it's even better to be called back again. Many thanks to my bass-bro (and that's both bass playin' and bass fishin') Andy Martin for introducing me to the Oldies market and helping me prepare to play with the big boys.

Best wishes and hope to see you SOON,
George

PS, my stunningly beautiful and intelligent granddaughter Lauren Schnakenberg turned 18 recently, and will soon graduate from high school and move on to college. Her parents Todd & Tina are becoming fans of the blues. Coincidence? Hmmm...