JANIVA MAGNESS ARTICLE IN REDBOOK

Those of you who listen to my radio show have heard Janiva Magness. Lately I've played cuts off her most recent CD "Do I Move You", and most often it's her awesome version of "You Were Never Mine". (I reviewed the CD for Southwest Blues Magazine in May 0f 2006 you can read it by going to the Reviews Archive link at http://www.southwestblues.com/ and clicking on Janiva Magness.) I was also thrilled to interview her on air last year the morning after she won "Best Contemporary Female Vocalist" at the 2006 Blues Music Awards, which she won again in 2007.

I was lucky enough to meet her in person in Grapevine a few days later, and luckier still to get to see her perform. She's a dynamic, beautiful (I mean really beautiful - I'm in envy of that gorgeous head of hair!), fun, sassy full-of-live DIVA in the best sense of the word. But you would never know from what you see and hear now the obstacles this woman has overcome. She shares her story in the latest edition of Redbook magazine, and you can read it yourself from this link http://www.redbookmag.com/parents-suicide-yl

Why am I sharing this with you? Because it's so easy to get caught up in the trials and tribulations of everyday life and think you should have a little pity party for yourself. I know - I've been doing it myself way too much lately.

I hope reading Janiva's story reminds you as it did me that there are far worse situations out there, and that you can not only triumph over your own personal battles, but that you can come out on top.

Oh, and check out Janiva's web site at http://www.janivamagness.com/ for much more on this amazing woman.

70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ROBERT JOHNSON RECORDING IN DALLAS

Those of you listening to my show this week heard me play all of the songs and alternate takes Robert Johnson recorded in Dallas on June 19 & 20, 1937. This is a huge event in blues history. It was the second of only two recording sessions Johnson ever did. (The first was held in San Antonio in November of 1936).

I have a gig of my own on Wednesday, but there is a celebration of the Johnson recordings going on that I really want to tell you about. Local guitarist Joel Foy has partnered with Pearl in downtown Dallas to present an evening celebrating the recordings. Read this from Joel's weekly e-mail:

Wednesday, June 20, Robert Johnson Dallas Sessions 70th Anniversary party. 8:00 - 11:00pm. Pearl at Commerce www.pearlatcommerce.com 2038 Commerce St, 214.655.8824 Dallas, TX 75201

I'm still getting a lot of calls about the Robert Johnson Anniversary show at Pearl at Commerce on June 20, 8-11pm. Because appearances are voluntary I can't make promises about who may or may not perform, and/or compete, but it's shaping up to look like nearly every guitar player who's not already gigging or out on tour will try to make a showing for this event. There's no cover, no entry fee for the song contest, and you don't even have to be a contestant to win a prize. Besides the song contest, there'll be a Robert Johnson trivia contest, and random door prizes handed out throughout the evening. There'll be a great cross-section of some of Dallas's finest traditional blues, so how can you lose? More info at www.pearlatcommerce.com Please pass the word.

As always, thanks for your support, and thanks to all who've helped me in various ways, large and small, to get my feet on the ground here in Dallas.


Best,

Joel

Unfortuantely for me, I'll miss the whole thing because my gig is scheduled 7 pm to 11 pm that same night, but there is nothing from stopping you from coming by my gig early to jam and have a delicious Purdy's burger, and then head downtown for this historical event.