kudzurunner
236 posts
Jan 12, 2009
12:02 PM
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Okay, I've finally figured out how this is going to work.
The "official" Modern Blues Harmonica get-together at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis will take place on Thursday, Feb. 5 from 4-6 PM in my room at the Best Western Benchmark Hotel, 164 Union Avenue, across the street from the Peabody. My room number won't be assigned until the day I arrive. All you need to do--and I've just checked this with the front desk guy--is ask for Adam Gussow's room and they'll send you up.
This is an open house. Nothing fancy. Meet and greet. Possibly some very informal jamming action. My plan is to have some drinkables on hand, and some munchables, but BYOB would also be a good idea. I'm checking in at 3, so don't expect goodie bags and streamers on the walls.
The semifinals of the IBC start at 5/6PM that evening, so I'm sure we'll end up relocating after a while onto Beale Street.
ANCILLARY EVENTS: On Friday from 1-4, there's a youth blues showcase at several clubs on Beale. Brandon Bailey will be performing a 20-minute set at 2:30 at a club called Pig on Beale. I will certainly be there, and I hope others will join me. There's also a jam session at Mr. Handy's Blues Hall, also on Beale Street, from 1-5 PM. My plan is to watch Brandon do his thing from 2:30 to 3 or so, then head over to the jam session. Please look for me there.
If you are planning on coming to Memphis that weekend, please email me to touch base. I know that several folks have already done this, but several others who've done this have then emailed at a later date so say Can't make it. I can't keep track. So let's start fresh.
After the Friday jam session, there's another round of semifinals. Lots of chance to hang out. At some point, my buddy Jimi Lee will be performing and I hope we'll have a chance to cheer him on.
The finals of the band part of the IBC is Saturday from 2-7 PM. Jason Ricci is one of the hosts. I'll probably be there.
That's all for now. See you there!
Last Edited by on Jan 12, 2009 12:03 PM
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Bb
33 posts
Jan 13, 2009
9:01 AM
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Adam, I'd think that a man of your station would be staying at The Peabody ...
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kudzurunner
238 posts
Jan 13, 2009
11:26 AM
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It was sold out. But it's also twice as expensive, maybe three times. I'm staying two nights in Memphis and couldn't afford it.
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Bb
34 posts
Jan 13, 2009
12:09 PM
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Ah, so you checked ...
Just kidding.
Hey, if by chance I made the drive from Birmingham do you have any open time for a lesson on that Friday?
-Bob
bharrison@luckie.net
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eharp
193 posts
Jan 13, 2009
4:40 PM
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adam, did you say, "cant afford it"?!?!
you are a professor at a major university! you have written, and sold, several books. on of which i hear hollywood is thinking of turning into a movie with hugh jackman as the lead!! you are a performing musician!!! you are the leader of at least 50, maybe even more, wannabe harp players!!!!
what do you mean, "cant afford it"?
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oldwailer
444 posts
Jan 14, 2009
5:50 AM
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Oh, please, Eharp!
Adam is a harp player! He has harps to buy!
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kudzurunner
242 posts
Jan 14, 2009
8:08 AM
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The Peabody charges $240 a night on Thursdays and Fridays (I just checked), and there's a 13.25% room tax on top of that. Two nights at the Peabody would have set me back $543. Lucky for me, no rooms were available during the IBCs.
I'm a college professor on sabbatical, which means between August 15, 2008 and August 15, 2009, my usual pay--which is not huge--has been cut in half. My first two books have earned no royalties. My third book, on a university press, has made me a tiny bit of money. There's no movie starring anybody.
I've got a mortagage and a three-year-old son.
I don't know about you--perhaps you like to throw money away when you haven't got any--but as far as I'm concerned, my choice of hotel (which will still set me back $285 for the two nights) was a no-brainer.
Last Edited by on Jan 14, 2009 8:13 AM
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GGiles
14 posts
Jan 14, 2009
11:13 AM
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Amen to that!
Things just get more expensive ... but I don't recall salaries rising to match the costs of living at the same rate.
Wish I could make the get-to-gether ... Hey Adam ... will we see some U-Tube video of this grand meet and greet??
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Bb
35 posts
Jan 14, 2009
11:20 AM
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Yeah, I was sort of joking about staying at the Peabody. I certainly am no stranger to having to watch my money.
-Bob
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Miles Dewar
150 posts
Jan 16, 2009
7:17 PM
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Hey Bharrison... What a small world! or... internet. I just recognized your name. you just sent me 5 used harps i bought from ebay. Thanks by the way. they are great and i've been jammin' all day on them.
That's some funny stuff. saw your name by accident. LOL Well happy harpin, and hope to see you all in Memphis.
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---Be Positive---
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HarpMan Freeman
46 posts
Jan 18, 2009
12:41 AM
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I just got back from Jimi Lee's performance in downtown Austin Texas. Jimi performed his "Pocket Full of Soul" song which, from what I understand, is the song he'll be playing in Memphis. Listening and watching it done live was a thrill. As kids today say... "It was off the hook". The song has a lot of movements in it that just grabs you.
As you already know, the song tells the blues harp players story as well as being just a great blues song.
Jimi is an amazing harmonica musician in every aspect. He plays like a Harp should be played.
Thanks Jimi for a throughly awesome time and for putting on such a great show. I would say you got a real good chance of winning!
Shawn "HarpMan" Freeman
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KC69
55 posts
Jan 18, 2009
8:35 AM
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Shawn: I also enjoyed Jimi playing that song live. I also listen to it quite often on the cd. Another great song on that cd is Laundromat ( I believe he has won other competitions in Austin with this song ). Jimi is not only an amazing blues harmonica player,( all while playing out the rack ) but also can Beller out some tunes with his unique voice.
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kudzurunner
267 posts
Feb 01, 2009
6:43 PM
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Things are shaping up for a nice time at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. My open house has now been featured on the "news" page of the Blues Foundation: "free booze, as long as it lasts." I've got one small hotel room and was planning to bring 3 of those Heineken kegs--the small ones, not full sized frat-house ones--and a couple of jugs of Dewars. May have to increase that. This could become crazy--which would be good, actually.
Teeny Tucker, daughter of Tommy Tucker (High Heeled Sneakers) said she'd come, and Jimi, Brandon, and Billy have all confirmed. Anarchy, with multiple harps, will reign. That's a good thing.
Brandon is playing at the Youth Showcase on Friday at2:30, and Billy is playing at the Blind Raccoon showcase just across Beale Street at 3:30. I won't be hard to find.
Billy is part of Dave Fields's house band at Ground Zero on Saturday night and he's asked me to sit in. I wasn't planning to hang out through Saturday night, but I may be forced to.
If you haven't yet booked your ticket to attend this three days of madness, this would be an appropriate moment to do that.
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Johnster
2 posts
Feb 02, 2009
6:56 AM
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wow what an opportunity, wish I could make it!
Hopefully next year ;)
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oldwailer
484 posts
Feb 02, 2009
11:35 AM
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Man, I can't afford it! I hope you all have a wonderful time though--I'll just stay here and keep throwing big green jealous logs on the damn fire!
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kudzurunner
270 posts
Feb 04, 2009
6:50 PM
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I'm bringing the following:
--two mini-kegs of Heineken
--big jug-bottle of Jim Beam
--bottle of Bulleit brand bourbon
--bottle of Smirnoff vodka
--big bottle of red wine
--lots of cups
--lots of ice
--lots of munchies
I've probably got enough ammo on hand to get 20-25 harp players happy. I'm counting on a certain amount of BYOB action.
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Zhin
105 posts
Feb 04, 2009
7:26 PM
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It REALLY breaks my heart that I can't be there.
I'll be drinkin' while you all have fun.
Have a great time guys!
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kudzurunner
271 posts
Feb 05, 2009
1:03 PM
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UPDATE:
The party is in Room 203 at the Benchmark.
--Adam
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tookatooka
112 posts
Feb 05, 2009
1:26 PM
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Have a great time everyone. Expecting full reports when you get back. I'm so jealous! You lucky people.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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Johnster
10 posts
Feb 06, 2009
7:31 AM
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--two mini-kegs of Heineken
--big jug-bottle of Jim Beam
--bottle of Bulleit brand bourbon
--bottle of Smirnoff vodka
--big bottle of red wine
--lots of cups
--lots of ice
--lots of munchies
I like your style Adam, had I seen this earlier i would have been there for sure! going to be a hell of an opportunity for anyone that does make it!
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