The Beach House in Metairie, LA was the site of the Voodoo Blues Krewe New Orleans Blues Society’s first event of 2011. Held Saturday, June 11th, the occasion honored the selfless volunteers that helped VBK at their 2010 events. Many also represented VBK as volunteers at other events such as the French Quarter Fest and the New Orleans Blues & BBQ Fest and at WWOZ radio station. At these events, volunteers manned our booth selling memberships, hats, T-shirts, koozies and spreading news of the blues! Some worked behind the scenes at VBK events, helping set up venues, aiding the competition judges, keeping time and scoring, helping the musicians, coordinating venues and electronics, developing and selling merchandise, tickets, distributing flyers, and writing for the newsletter and website, and other countless minutiae.
Those honored included two out going Board Members: 2010 President, Jack Lyles and 2010 Director, Mark Jaynes. The current VBK Board extends our sincere appreciation to: Bernadette Hines, Mary Anne Poche, Donna Nye, David Nye, Liz Patrick, Cherie Eues, Eloise Davis, Dana Campbell, Sue Gros, Mari Hughes Deborah Gautreaux, Vanessa Hippolyte,
The VBK Board contracted with local designer, Georgette Fortino, to create an appreciation gift of pendants for the ladies & lapel pins for the men. Collaborating the design with current VBK Vice President, Carol d’Aquin, Ms. Fortino crafted a silver scroll, with a mini harmonica hanging from it, inscribed with each volunteer’s name. The piece is a unique expression that incorporates the spirit of fun, dedication and love of the blues. For more information about Ms. Fortino and her inimitable designs: www.designsbygeorgette.com
A VBK event would not be complete without The Blues! Five bands volunteered their time to play that night. Opening the show was Nomads from the Northshore. This is a young band, full of old souls of bluesmen past. Keep an eye out for their name; they are going places. Next up was 30 X 90, all women (except for Harvey Berman) blues band. With Sticky T wailing and drumming, Yvette and Jeanine harmonizing like angels, Harvey blowing his usual incomparable harp, the place was rockin and the dance floor full.
Following was Mark Pentone who quickly assembled a band from musicians in the house. Mark sang and played guitar in his growling style, and everyone felt the joy from true blues.
Oscar & the Blues Cats followed, sounding the same as always…Terrific! Hot! Vibrant! Bluesy!
And last but never least, Lil Red & Big Bad closed the show. Bringing their A-game as always, the house was truly grooving to the sounds. As winner of the 2010 VBK blues challenge LR&BB continues to represent different aspects of the blues which includes old, contemporary, original & blues covers. They are a treat to see & hear.
A special mention should be made of guitarist, Jeff “Big Daddy” Ruello. Jeff tirelessly and artfully played with four of the bands that night. Big Daddy is a talented, self taught, and modest, genius on the guitar; his nickname should be “Big Heart.”
Nothing could top the extraordinary music that night, but a highlight was the presentation of original works of art by Benjamin Bullins, of The Benjamin Collection, www.benjamin-bullins.artistwebsites.com The members of LR&BB were each given a unique statue created by Ben in acknowledgment of their win of the 2010 New