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2007 MBS Blues Marathon Review By Lenny Blue


We had Six Live Blues Bands playing with their heart and soul and 200-plus blues fans dancin’ talkin’ visitin’ networkin’ and makin’ the scene in good ole North-State Chico-Town and ohh what a 15th Year Anniversary Party we had for the Chico Midnight Blues Society. Held in the Conference Center of the local Holiday Inn the live music went from Noon-thirty to way past 9:00pm and that’s why we call it a Marathon folks as it is non-stop tunes for 8 to 9 hours.

With little time between bands for the non-stop live music and a Sunday Buffet down the hallway, CD sales and Meet & Greet Tables set up for the bands, a hot-dog stand and a beverage bar for those so inclined and all the MBS merchandise and raffle items “whew” this year’s all ages show had just a little bit of everything for the blues lovers in the crowd.

I had the honor of being the MC and Stage Manager for the show with help from Paul King from the blacktopblues Society. We had an excellent crew of MBS Volunteers taking tickets and running the merchandise tables and an expert and heads-up stage crew keeping all the gear on and off the stage in a timely and organized manner. I gladly give praise and many thanks to our stage crew, George DeGrace, Ric Brown, Rich Brailey, Jeff Engleman and Rick D. Dan, of Small Town Sound did all the PA Sound support for the day, with Scott (Mister Bass-Man from Rube & the Rhythm Rockers and the Karma Kings) doing stage lighting for the event. The room was all decorated up by Kimmie and Cynthia and audio and video support and recording was run by Travis Price. Soon we hope to have some video-clips of the event streamed here on our web-site so stay tuned.

First Band of the day was from the Tehama County blacktopblues Society, One Nite Only Band. They immediately got the crowd up out of their chairs with their real fine blend of blues and blues-rock. bilcrook, Prez/Manager of the blacktopblues Society is one of the guitar players in this line-up and was spinning some very cool lead solos through-out their set while Paul King sang his bootie off and really sold the tunes. Everyone who hadn’t heard them before were really impressed with their stage presence and tight arrangements. We hope to get them over in Chico lots more in the near future. Watch for their up-coming CD that is in the works. You can find them by going to the blacktopblues Society Web-Site.
www.blacktopblues.org

Next up was the newly formed Sapphire Soul Band fronted by Mister Jonathon Arthur on Sax, Flute & Harmonica and Lead Vocals. They are based out of the Chico-Paradise Area so be sure and go out and support them when you’re out and about as they have a superb repertoire and stage show. When Jonathon started singing people really dialed him in as he is one of the premiere vocalists in our area and along with Bobby D on Guitar, the two of them really can throw done some great arrangements. The Dance-Floor was hoppin’ and boppin’ their whole set. Yep Folks, even I got up and danced with four women (to get the guys motivated) cuz that’s what we do…we have a natural ball at these blues marathons.

Next to the stage were Rube and the Rhythm Rockets based out of the Paradise-Chico Area with Steve Rubenstein, Son Rey Garcia, and Scott on Bass and Sparky on the Drums. This band is really makin’ a stir around the North-State. They just did a show out at Feather Falls Casino in Oroville CA opening up for Curtis Salgado and won over the crowd that night with ease. Their new CD is out and the Marathon crowd could not get enough of their traditional and original style blues music. It was hard having them end their set as people were really diggin’ their stuff.

Miss Amy sat in with them and belted out three tunes that evening and proved that she is a BLUES DIVA on the rise. Watch for her around our area with her band the Karma Kings featuring Miss Amy Celeste. She has a very cool MySpace Account, so make sure to go visit her on-line and be sure to attend some of her upcoming shows. One I know of is Friday, June 22nd at Abbotswood on the Skyway in Paradise CA. That is a great little club with a fantastic restaurant too.

Next to grace the stage was my Cousin’s Band from Eureka CA representing the Humboldt Blues Association, The Clint Warner Band. This band gets the best-dressed award for the day with all members dressed in Jet-Black as they played a combination of old and new school blues with some excellent originals spicing up the set as well. Clint on lead vocals and lead guitar just blew the crowd away. Dancers young and old filled up the floor and I even spotted my wife and Son Rey dancin’ up a storm on this set. Seems everyone was loving every minute of it. Clint has a few CD’s out along with an Acoustic CD and a brand new full electric blues CD too. Many of the songs on his CD’s are written by Clint and each new release is getting better and better as he hones in on his craft. Be sure to check him out at www.clintwarnerband.com. Clint is relocating to the Seattle Washington area this summer and we wish him all the best.

Next to the Stage was a fine local blues band based out of the Sacramento-Chico area, The Fabulous Hofnor Brothers. Now these Boyz play the blues and nothin’ but the blues. Ska T on lead guitar is a local legend and Lead vocals were handled by Bruce and Kirby this fine evening. Bruce Rowen was in great form that evening on all of his harmonica playing. He is THE MAN, in my humble opinion, when it comes to harmonic players in our area. Last year he was a featured performer opening up for the Legendary Norton Buffalo at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico and when the Harp is done up right it is such good-thang.. For the Hofnor Brothers Marathon Set, they had the dance floor filled up on every song and the room was rockin’. In the middle of their set, I was called up to sing lead vocals on “The Thrill is Gone”. They are on a tour promoting their new CD so please go find them on their MySpace account and be sure to get their new LIVE CD for your collection and be watching for them around the North-State playing CD release parties.

Next up to the stage was the Award winning blues combo, Big Mo and the Full Moon Band. All locals from the Paradise-Chico area, this band had the crowd mesmerized from the get-go. With Pat and Eric on horns, Big Mo, Denny and Norm rounding out the line-up, their mix of standards and originals had people be-boppin and shakin’ their tail-feathers to the great music they where puttin’ down. Eric on saxophone is a star on the rise and he has a great future ahead of him in the blues. With a few self-produced CD’s out Big Mo is really honing his craft and playing all over the North-State and Bay Area. This band is a great example of what hard work and networking can bring to a talented group. They are always there for local benefits when needed and they have a loyal following. They played late into the evening and really held the crowd to the very end and even Jonathon Arthur was called up on stage for a few tunes.

Please make sure to go to Big Mo’s MySpace account and web-site for more info on their touring schedule and to purchase a Big Mo CD.

Thanks to our Local FM Radio Blues DJ’s who really promoted our 15th Anniversary Blues Marathon on the air-waves. Thanks to the Holiday Inn Staff and to all the local business owners who donated raffle items for the event and much praise and love to all the bands and volunteers who helped make this a great day and evening for all.

Take Good Care Y’all,

Lenny Blue
MC & Co-Chair,
2007 MBS Steering Committee





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