Blues View
by Earl Matthews
Hello friends, it’s been a few months since I have written a column. Life has been busy, and I have been holding on tight to the rails. I am happy to be writing again, and I hope you find time to attend some of the great events happening all around you this summer.
Let’s get things started with one of my heroes coming through California: Mr. John Mayall is going to be playing at Moe’s Ally in Santa Cruz on July 8th, and on the 9th he will be at the Ace of Spades in Sacramento. He is a legend in the history of British Blues. He has played with Eric Claption and Jimmy Page just to name a couple.
On July 22nd we will be celebrating the Return of Melissa Ruth and the Likely Stories to Modesto with a show at Deva Cafe. This will be Melissa’s 3rd time coming to play Modesto and this time she will have her entire band, including her husband Johnny, who was the bandleader of my first band from 2001 to 2006. Melissa is honestly one of the most talented people I know. She plays a gaggle of different instruments, she writes beautiful songs, and can sing like an angel with one broken wing, tugging at your heart strings like no other I have heard. I will be there too with the Cryin’ Shame, as will our friend Patty Davis.This will be a special night of friends sharing the stage and making sweet music.
On July 24-25th it is time again for the Blues and Bones festival at the Calaveras County fairgrounds. This year’s line up is a real “who’s who” of up and coming California blues acts. I can tell you from personal experience that each of these bands are legit as I have at one time or another shared the stage with each of them. From Merced, Mike Hammer and the Nails. From Sacramento, Val Star and the Blues Rockets and Kyle Rowland Blues Band. From Huntington Beach Harlis Sweetwater Band. From Stockton, Jeramy Norris and the Dangerous Mood. From SF Daniel Castro Band. As well as from Modesto Big Earl and the Cryin’ Shame. Blues and bones is a Blues Fest as well and a BBQ competition, a real marriage made in heaven. Come on out and see why this 5th anniversary will be the best yet.
Big Earl and the Cryin’ Shame will be playing a couple of local shows in July:
July 9th John Mayall Ace of Spades Sacramento
July 10th Big Earl and the Cryin’ Shame Waterford concert in the park
July 11th Big Earl and the Cryin’ Shame Cow Track Lounge Oakdale
July 22nd Big Earl and the Cryin’ Shame and Melissa Ruth and the Likely Stories at Deva Cafe
July 25th Blues and Bones Festival, Mike Hammar & The Nails, Val Starr & The Blues Rocket,Daniel Castro Band, Harlis Sweetwater, Jeramy Norris & Dangerous Mood, Big Earl & The Cryin’ Shame, Kyle Rowland Blues Band – Fairgrounds, Angels Camp.
