Friday, October 28, 2005

Music Report for Oct. 28, 2005

Hello Friends, this one will be quick. Here we go!

First, the headlines:
My duo show with Marlyn Campbell was quite successful, and the management at Birdi's has asked for more dates. The exact dates are still being negotiated, I'll keep you informed. Big thanks to our old and new friends there!

Larry Griffith has been sponsored to compete in the International Blues Challenge. The local round will be Sunday, November 13th at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Buford Hwy. He says he intends to win; if so, we go to Memphis to compete for the top honors.
See http://www.atlantabluessociety.com for details. While you're there, be sure to try clicking on the "ABS Bluescast" logo (in flaming letters at the top of the page) to hear an excellent 24-hour stream of blues. (big props to Mark Alestra for his work on this project)

Speaking of the Atlanta Blues Society, this just might be the week that they finally add The North End's weekly blues jam to their calendar. We will be celebrating my one year anniversary as host of that fine jam on this Tuesday night, November 2nd. I expect a lot of fine talent out to help us celebrate, so be sure to catch an early evening nap so you don't have to leave before the grand finale. The North End earned several mentions in the Atlanta Journal Constitution's Top 10 list in several categories, including best burgers and best live music. Make sure you and your friends don't miss it! Wanna hear some of what goes on there? Hear us here:
http://www.ourmedia.org/user/40460

Upcoming shows:

Friday, Oct. 29
Smokejack
w/ Larry Griffith Band
29 South Main St
Alpharetta, GA 770.410.7611
web: http://www.smokejackbbq.com
map: http://tinyurl.com/8vybu

Saturday, Oct. 30
private party

Tuesdays: (ANNIVERSARY PARTY Nov. 2nd)
The North End Pub & Grill
w/ George Price Band
5970 Atlanta Hwy (Hwy 9 at McFarland Rd.)
Alpharetta, GA 30004 678-867-6750
8:30-1:00 (but sometimes jams on until closing)
GOOD food, kitchen open until 2AM!
web: http://www.thenorthendga.com
map: http://tinyurl.com/555vg

Wednesdays:
Tavern On The Bridge
w/ Andrew Black & The Believers
9775 Medlock Bridge Rd., Suite A.
Duluth, 30097 770-232-1210
Nice room, big floor & stage, pro sound, good food.
Southeast corner of State Bridge Rd. and Medlock Bridge (Hwy 141)
One door south of Stony River.
web: http://www.tavernonthebridge.com
map: http://tinyurl.com/8lp8g


That's it for now. If you have any questions, please feel free to call or write me.

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Music Report for Oct. 16, 2005

Hi Friends,
A few of you who are new to the list this week missed the sad news about the passing of Tim "Kokomo" Gunther. You can catch up on that here:
http://www.breezekings.com

It's been a pretty nice week since my last letter to you. My weekend at The Cellar with Larry Griffith Band worked out well, we had a good Tuesday night with George Price Band at The North End, Wednesday with Andrew Black & The Believers at Tavern On The Bridge continues to kick butt and keeps getting better (special event there next week!), and this weekend at Doc's with Larry Griffith Band was rockin' (big thanks to Shakin' Sheri for bringing out her fellow Fried Flamingo Queens - what a party crowd!)

Bill Hussey has completed a DVD of highlights from Ms. Michael Broderick's jazz show at Nick's (including myself, Mike LeVasseur on keys & key-bass, and New Orleans evacuee Louis Romanos on drums). I just got the DVD and haven't had time to view it yet, but I'll let you know. I've already seen and enjoyed a four-song demo he made from this show. Bill has done good work on previous projects and I expect this to be no exception. I think it's great that he's documenting local performances, and I wish more people would. Atlanta has a wonderful music scene, and with video technology so cheap and easy now we have a golden opportunity to catch these players before they slip away (like Kokomo, Mr. Frank, and too many others).

Coming up:
Sunday, 10/16: 5PM-7PM
Birdi's On The Square with Marlyn Campbell
Many of you have seen Marlyn with South River Band, or at one of her apperances at the North End Pub jams. Imagine Julia Roberts, but with a better smile, a good voice and a great stage presence.
115 Sycamore St. Decatur 30030 404-371-9906
web: http://www.birdisonthesquare.com
map: http://tinyurl.com/dvcg6

Tuesday, 10/18: 9PM-1AM
Open Jam at The North End Pub with George Price Band
We've gotten even better! GPB announces the addition of Jon Schwenke as our regular bassist. Gates Nichols is moving from bass over to keyboard, so we'll have plenty of fine piano, organ, and horn section to make everything sound amazing. Theron Peterson continues to make it all move with his fine drums, vocals and harmonica. All of us sing. C'mon out, the food & drinks are good, the jams are fine, and if you can stay for the Midnight Madness set you'll be glad you did.
The North End Pub & Grill
5970 Atlanta Hwy (Hwy 9 at McFarland Rd.)
Alpharetta, GA 30004 678-867-6750
9PM-1AM (but sometimes jams on until closing)
GOOD food, kitchen stays open until 2AM!
web: http://www.thenorthendga.com
map: http://tinyurl.com/555vg

Wednesday, 10/19: 9PM-1AM
Tavern On The Bridge with Andrew Black & The Believers
CUSTOMER APPRECIATION PARTY! This is normally a great room with pro-run sound and good food, but this week will be extra special. Come out and have a really great time.
Tavern On The Bridge
9775 Medlock Bridge Rd., Suite A.
Duluth, 30097 770-232-1210
Southeast corner of State Bridge Rd. and Medlock Bridge (Hwy 141)
One door south of Stony River.
web: http://www.tavernonthebridge.com
map: http://tinyurl.com/8lp8g

Friday, 10/21: 8PM-12PM
Freeland's Pizza with Larry Griffith Band
Good food, good brews, and a nice early show so you can come for dinner.
Freeland's Pizza & Pub
1090 Alpharetta St.
Roswell, GA 770-594-8765
map: http://tinyurl.com/ddpcv

Saturday, 10/22: Cancelled
Apologies to my Dahlonega friends, the show at Buisson Arts Center has been postponed. I'll inform you when it's back on again.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or write me.

Friday, October 07, 2005

Farewell Kokomo

Tim "Kokomo" Gunther, the drummer well-known in Atlanta as The Shuffle King, passed away in a van accident the morning of Sunday, October 2nd 2005. He was riding with The Breeze Kings, returning from a show in Florida. Below is a snare drum that I passed around the gathering at Northside Tavern on Oct. 6th. It was signed by many of Atlanta's blues elite. The drum will be presented to Carlos Capote of The Breeze Kings. I spent a few hours at his viewing today. There was no service, he will be cremated. Tim was laying in an open casket with his famous beret hat, a pair of drum sticks in his hands. Attendees included many friends and fans from the Atlanta Blues Society. Big Bill Morganfield hurried back from a show in Mississippi to be here for the viewing. Sean Costello, Chicago Joe Jones, Larry Griffith, Ab the Flagman, Frank Lombardo, Theron Peterson, and many more notables had arrived by the time I left. Tim was a great player, and a great guy. You can tell by the turnout and respect he got from the musical family that he was respected and loved and will be missed greatly.

Thursday, October 06, 2005

Music Report for Oct. 6, 2005

First, my apologies to those of you who haven't heard from me for a while - I just realized my email list was missing about a hundred names, and probably has been for some time. Doh! So I typed them all back in, the best I could, and now the first thing you get from me is bad news.

First, this from the BreezeKings.com website:

Charles Timothy Gunther August 29, 1958 - October 2, 2005.

As many of you have heard, a terrible tragedy has befallen not only the Breeze Kings, but the entire Atlanta blues community. On the morning of Sunday October 2 at approximately 9:30am, the Breeze Kings were involved in an auto accident in Lake City FL. Three of us – myself, Jim Ransone, and Matt Sickles, walked away bruised, scraped, and broken hearted. Our friend and drummer, Tim Gunther, was not so lucky and passed away at the scene. We hope that memories of the great gig we played the night before were in Tim’s dreams as he was sleeping in the van at the time the accident occurred. The rest of us: band members, musicians, fans, and friends, will have our memories of Tim to get us through this very difficult time.

All are invited to an informal gathering of friends at the Northside Tavern on Thursday October 6 at 8:00pm. There will be no pre-arranged live music or jamming, however, friends are encouraged to speak their thoughts, share their stories, and sing their songs - no drums or amps please. There will be food, drinks, love, memories, and a celebration of Tim’s life and the impact he had on all of us who knew him.

The formal visitation/viewing services are scheduled for Sunday October 9 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta. They are located near the Marietta Square at 180 Church Street, N.E. Marietta GA 30061 (770)428-1511
Take I-75 north to exit 265 (North Marietta Pkwy). Turn left off the exit and go 6 lights to Church Street. Turn left on Church Street and it is three blocks ahead on the left.

Donations to help cover Tim's final expenses, which are being handled by Tim's fiance, Rene Reno, and the Breeze Kings, will be accepted at the Northside Tavern on Thursday night, as well as many area blues clubs. We are trying to set up a special bank fund, but in the meantime, please make checks out to CARLOS CAPOTE and memo mark them 'Tim Gunther Memorial'. You may also mail checks to us at 1220 Worthington Hills Drive Roswell, GA 30076-1753

You may also make an online credit card donation using PayPal by clicking below (sorry, this button wouldn't paste into my newsletter, you need to go to http://www.BreezeKings.com to click the button there - GP)

There is no way for one person to reach all of Tim’s friends by phone or email. Please forward this information to all who may be interested.

Our most sincere thanks goes out to all of those who have contacted us with love and compassion. Please continue to keep Tim and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

- Carlos
--------------------------------------

I will be at The Northside Tavern tonight to deliver $120 donated by The George Price Band and the patrons of The North End Pub, collected at our weekly gig Tuesday.

In better news, last night I started playing Wednesdays with Andrew Black & The Believers (Andrew, Jimmy Mouton and Jon Schwenke). The venue is Tavern On The Bridge, near the corner of State Bridge and Medlock Bridge. It's a great room, with a big dance floor, decent stage, and a nice sound system (with soundman!). This is gonna be a sweet gig, and you know the band rocks with players like that.

Upcoming shows
Tuesdays - Open Jam at The North End Pub (see below)
Wednesdays - w/ Andrew Black at Tavern On The Bridge (see below)

Fri-Sat Oct. 7-8, The Cellar in Alpharetta
w/ Larry Griffith Band

Fri-Sat Oct. 14-15, Doc's 10PM to 3AM (really!)
w/ Larry Griffith Band
2750 Cobb Pkwy SE, Smyrna 30080 (770) 953-9354
web: http://www.docsatlanta.com
map: http://tinyurl.com/ey24n

Sun Oct. 16, Birdi's On The Square, 5PM - 7PM
w/ Marlyn Campbell
115 Sycamore St. Decatur 30030 404-371-9906
web: http://www.birdisonthesquare.com
map: http://tinyurl.com/dvcg6