OMAR KENT DYKES AND JIMMIE VAUGHAN TAKE THE JIMMY REED HIGHWAY TO “AUSTIN CITY LIMITS” ON OCTOBER 27

This just in my mailbox this morning. Get those VCR's programmed kiddies - looks like a keeper to me!

OMAR KENT DYKES AND JIMMIE VAUGHAN TAKE THE JIMMY REED HIGHWAY TO “AUSTIN CITY LIMITS” ON OCTOBER 27

ONE-HOUR SPECIAL INCLUDES GUESTS KIM WILSON, LOU ANN BARTON, DELBERT MCCLINTON, JAMES COTTON & GARY CLARK, JR.

AUSTIN, TX – Omar Kent Dykes and Jimmie Vaughan, whose new CD, On the Jimmy Reed Highway, is in the Top 5 on the Billboard magazine blues chart, are bringing their all-star salute to the blues master to national television with a one-hour special on the critically-acclaimed PBS concert series, “Austin City Limits,” airing October 27. Joining the two for this stellar concert are special guests Kim Wilson, Lou Ann Barton, Delbert McClinton, James Cotton and Gary Clark, Jr., all of whom appear on the new CD. The backing band for the show includes Derek O’Brien on guitar, Ronnie James on bass and Wes Starr on drums.

The high energy show, fueled by the howling vocals of Omar Kent Dykes and the sinewy lead guitar work of Jimmie Vaughan, features performances of most of the songs from the new CD, including such Jimmy Reed favorites as “Baby What You Want Me to Do,” “Bright Lights Big City,” “Big Boss Man,” “Good Lover,” “Caress Me Baby,” and “Hush Hush,” as well a dynamic version of “Bad Boy,” a tune made famous by legendary Reed guitarist Eddie Taylor (whose original version featured Reed on harmonica).

In addition, Dykes, Vaughan and friends perform two songs not included on the new CD: “High and Lonesome,” one the first songs Reed recorded for Vee-Jay Records in 1953 (the label for which he would record for its entire 13-year run); and a rousing version of “Ain’t That Loving You Baby” featuring a twin vocal/harmonica attack by Delbert McClinton and Kim Wilson. The grand finale performance of “Jimmy Reed Highway” features the entire cast onstage performing a mighty blues jam powered by the triple-harmonica threat of McClinton, Wilson and blues legend James Cotton.

Released in August by Ruf Records, On the Jimmy Reed Highway, has generated considerable radio airplay, rave reviews from the media and substantial sales of the CD.
“The House of Blues Radio Hour” nationally-syndicated program has a major feature interview planned with the Dykes and Vaughan to air the weekend of October 13/14
(http://www.thebluesmobile.com/).

In its review, Blues Revue said, “The album succeeds marvelously ... Vaughan and Dykes get it right, honoring Reed as well as contributing a sparkling gem to their own impressive catalogs.” No Depression echoed that sentiment in its review: “The final result is more than just a very cool tribute album; it's one of the most satisfying blues sets this year.”

For more information on Omar Kent Dykes and Jimmie Vaughan, visit http://www.rufrecords.de/, http://www.omarandthehowlers.com/ and http://www.jimmievaughan.com/.

The 33rd season of “Austin City Limits” begins airing October 6 on PBS (consult local listings for time and station). Over its glorious history, the series has become the standard of excellence for live recorded performances, with the most diverse array of music talent on television, presented before a live audience with stellar production and sound. For more information on the show, visit http://www.austincitylimits.org/.

Nathan Peck From Nate's and Keith Hicks from Ovation at The State Fair of Texas Saturday, October 6th!

Just a heads up that Chef Nathan Peck, known to blues fans and lovers of fabulous cajun food worldwide as Nate, will return again this year to present a cooking demonstration as a Celebrity Chef Saturday October 6th at 4:30 pm in the Creative Arts Building at the Great State Fair of Texas!

Nate's seafood gumbo is my favorite in the whole world. Matter of fact, it was the one thing I craved most while I was away in Scotland last year, and made sure to go get some the moment I came back.

Nate is a tireless supporter of my KNON BIG TEXAS BLUES radio show, my band Blue Lisa & the The Big D Playboys (we'll be performing at Nate's that week on Thursday, October 4th) , and all the blues musicians in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. And you just haven't lived until you've seen him doing the "Nate Boogie." So take advantage of this rare opportunity to see the master at work.

As a matter of coincidence, following Nate in the Celebrity Kitchen will be Keith Hicks, Chef at Ovation Restaurant in Fort Worth. At Ovation, Keith adds his unique flair to some of my favorite southern soul food dishes. Fried green tomatoes with a fried egg on top covered in Bearnaise sauce? Mmmmmm! Keith will be doing his thing in the State Fair Celebrity Kitchen at 6:00 p.m.
Owners Mike & Carrie Musgrove book the finest live Blues and Jazz the area has to offer. For example, when he's not out on the road with John Mayall, Buddy Whittington holds court on stage at Ovation every Monday night.

The cooking demos are free with your paid admission to the State Fair. For more info about the State Fair of Texas, visit http://www.bigtex.com/.

One word of warning - Saturday, October 6th is also the day of the Texas/OU Red River Rivalry Football Game is the same day, which means the Fair will be extra crowded. Don't say I didn't warn you!

DENNY FREEMAN ARTICLE

Regular readers of this blog and listeners to my radio show know what a HUGE Denny Freeman fan I am.

So I hope you will follow this link and check out this story about Denny

http://www.austin360.com/music/content/music/stories/2007/09/0910freeman.html

Thanks to Chuck Nevitt for bringing this story to my attention. Chuck certainly appreciates Denny, having released my favorite Freeman CD "A Tone For My Sins" on his Dallas Blues Society label.

Denny has laughingly told me before that he and Derek O'Brien manage to fly pretty low beneath the radar, but that I am constantly trying to rouse them out. And I'm only too happy to be able to shine the light on both of these excellent guitarists. EVERYONE who loves great music should know both their names.