Hope you all weathered the winter okay. Since our last newsletter, we’ve gotten through hurricane season here with NO HURRICANES! A major relief.
It’s now May, a typically busy month of gigs for us, with several noteworthy shows. On Saturday, May 12th, Liz & I will be performing at the COTEE RIVER BLUES FESTIVAL in New Port Richey, along with such notable bands as Lazy Boy & The Rockers, Angel For Blues, Corey Harris, and the Back Alley Blues Band. Also, we’ll be playing at the venerable FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL in Live Oak, Florida on May 25th-27th, our ninth year at this 55-year-old event. And last but not least, we’ll be celebrating Liz’s 50th Birthday at DAVE’S AQUALOUNGE in St. Pete on May 29th! So, if you can, come on out to Dave’s to celebrate Liz’s big day.
My son DREW SHAMBARGER weathered a major three-month health battle this winter when it was found that he had four brain lesions (due to an infection) which seriously impaired his vision. I’m thrilled to report that after three brain surgeries within a month and major I.V. antibiotics, Drew’s vision is back and he returned to work in mid-March.
Liz & I were very pleased with the half-page color feature in the November/December issue of TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE. Also, thanks to PETE GALLAGHER & KELLY GREEN for having us as their featured artists on their “Florida Folk” radio show on WMNF 88.5FM (Tampa) on November 9th.
Liz and I had several good visits with our friend ROY BOOK BINDER and his wife NANCY during his winter months off the road in St. Pete, and we thoroughly enjoyed Roy’s show at FOGARTYVILLE CAFE (Bradenton, FL) with PAUL GEREMIA in March. We also got to see two living legends this Spring, who happen to be two of our piano favorites: LITTLE RICHARD did a fantastic show at the Strawberry Festival (Plant City, FL) in March, and JERRY LEE LEWIS was in fine form at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival (St. Pete) on May 6th. “Lest we never forget our roots….”
On a sadder note, we were so sorry to hear that piano bluesman BIG JOE DUSKIN passed away last weekend. Big Joe was legendary on the Cincinnati blues scene and around the world, and we’ll really miss him.
Liz & I are gearing up for our next CD release, with plans to record it within the next year. We’ve been searching for a good studio with a good acoustic piano. The roster of songs (mostly original) for this studio album is pretty much together, and I’ve recently finished a new gospel song, “Throw Me A Line”, to add to the lineup. Liz & I are excited about it and anxious to get back into the studio.
Well, our stash of hotel soap is almost gone, which means we’re getting ready for our 2007 SUMMER TOUR. This year’s tour, beginning in early August, will take us to Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia, and will include, among others, the CINCY BLUES FESTIVAL (Cincinnati, OH), SAVANNAH BAR & GRILL (Cleveland, OH), and THE SLIPPERY NOODLE (Indianapolis, IN). We’re still adding dates to the tour, but you can check out the schedule on our DATES page for venues in your area. Also, if you know of any gigs which we should check out, please let us know by Email. I recently purchased a DEAN “PALOMINO” guitar, which I love and will be taking on the road with me this tour.
Well, that’s all for now. Liz & I hope to see you at a gig near you soon. Please keep supporting LIVE MUSIC whenever and wherever you can!
