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The “Midnight Blues Society” began on a Sunday afternoon in January of 1992 at the now defunct “Steven’s Hofbrau” . There were a number of people around who wanted more of a blues scene. Instigated by Papa John Miles, well known father of the MBS, he organized a meeting and jam session. Out of those meetings we started having weekly sessions on Sunday afternoons. Tim Mckee and the “Cryin Out Loud” band were instrumental in getting these sessions started. Each Sunday, either Tim or Cryin Out Loud would host the sessions. They would also donate the use of their PA system. All of a sudden musicians from all over, left their WOOD SHED'S to come play on Sunday afternoons. There were some incredible moments. Within months a number of bands formed from the musicians just coming to these sessions. The Bill Zongker Blues Band, Streetlights, Crystal and Bittersweet, Blue Stew, Second Hand Smoke, are just a few of the bands formed directly from these sessions. After a month of these sessions, the name Midnight Blues Society was chosen as a result of a contest as was the first logo of the Coyote and the moon. A board was also selected. Papa John Miles was the first president. Steve Rubenstein was the first VP. We were off and running. In May of that year, the First “Blues at the Bridge” was held at the Honey Run covered bridge. Attendance was over the top. There were over a 1000 blues starved fans. There were quite a number of bands that donated their time. Several of the above mentioned bands performed. The proceeds really got the Society started. We were able to buy a PA system and start putting on shows. In the fall, Steven’s Hofbrau ran into problems and went out of business. The weekly jams then moved to The Sports Club near downtown in Chico. First shows sarted the "Blues Night Out" series at “The Main Event”, now defunct, and quickly moved to the “Brickworks” Many major acts graced those stages. Ron Thompson, Smokin Joe Kubeck, Coco Montoya, Little Charlie, Mark Hummel, Terry Hanck, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers are some of the great Blues Legends to appear at these shows. In the meantime the Sports Club burnt down and we had to find a new home. And we did. First the management of Rico’s Pizza on Mangrove Ave. was nice enough to allow us to continue the weekly jam sessions. While at Rico’s, A panel of local DJ’s picked a group of MBS members to represent the Midnight Blues Society as a contestant for the Annie Awards in the Blues category. The showcase for selection was held at the Brickworks. The band made up of Randy Ahlswede, guitar, Chuck Oaks, guitar and vocals, Lenny Blue on bass, Steve Rubenstein harmonica, and Leonard Adame on drums ended up winning that year. Unforunately but fortunately we had to move the jams from Rico’s and ended up at Park Avenue Joe’s, a restaurant/bar on S. Park Avenue. This lasted several years until major construction drove Joe’s out of business. Then we spent about a year at the “Wild Hare” (now Off Limits) also on Park but out of the construction zone. Our final and current home of the jams finds us at the Holiday Inn. During this time each year we put on a “blues marathon”. This is our annual fundraiser. Monies raised at these events are used to keep our equipment in tip top shape. Each year a number of bands have donated their time to perform so we could keep the society running. In addition many of our musicians have donated their services to many community events and charities. In the past several years we have lost a number of our great musicians. Sam Johnson of Blue Paradise, Bill Zongker of Fly by Nite, Barry Heryl, are several to come to mind. A memorial fund was established in Bill Zongkers memory to provide scholarships for music students. For many years our bands would perform in the big Cancer “Relay for Life” walkathon. Many of our members and musicians even met their spouses through the jam sessions and gigs. The Midnight Blues Society is not only a way to provide a blues outlet, it seems to be almost a way of life. At least it seems that way to me. I met my wife at a blues society jam session,Co-chairman Lenny Blue met his wife at the Jam Sessions and Blues Shows,Beverly Ford, who was a Past President of the Midnight Blues Society in the early 90"s.. We are not the only ones. I have met friends who are now like family,as a matter of fact the Midnight Blues Society is like a large extended family. We get together once a month for our sessions. We have our little arguments and such. But we always come together to help each other in time of need. And there is some great blues played at our events. Hope to see you there. Long time member. Steven “Rube” Rubenstein |
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