tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27021901115028305102024-02-20T21:06:56.226-08:00Blues... MostlyThis blog is being created as a way for Greg Hoover and I to keep our friends and family updated about our road trip from New Orleans to Chicago. We're excited about all the wonderful music we're going to hear along the way, but it's all about the blues... Well, mostly.Dan Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05558479772793421993noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-44869051068192031982016-04-28T13:44:00.001-07:002016-04-28T13:51:41.748-07:00Blues on the Ohio<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thompson S. Hunter here -- the extremely unauthorized biographer of the Beaver Dam Blues Band. Most of what I know about these blues legends I learned by hacking Ron Newlin's email, which is how I'm able to write on this blog, by logging in as him. I would think he would have figured out how to stop me by now, but apparently he kind of likes it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, I understand that 3/5 of BDBB is going to be together this weekend in Louisville, and I plan on surreptitiously documenting the proceedings. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Louisville is long over-due for a blues event of the magnitude of Woodstock, Altamont, or the Battle of Agincourt. It's actually got the ideal natural and man-made environment for the blues -- lots of old brick buildings, a muggy riverfront, and even an ominous floodwall running through it, that you can't cross without thinking, holy hell, they're going to drop a slab of concrete into that opening and leave me to die with the poor people on this side of the wall!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, Louisville has one of the great cultural events in America in the Kentucky Derby, but that is not a bluesy sport, unless you're a race-horse getting a shot of succhinycholine behind a hastily-assembled curtain in the fourth turn. That's the blues. But otherwise horse-racing is still the sport of kings; even though the debauchery in the infield rivals anything that happens at a NASCAR event.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But in addition to the Derby, Louisville is also famous for baseball bats. It's less famous (in fact, not famous at all) for military armor, although for some reason it has a pretty impressive museum on the subject.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So anyway, I'll be in Louisville this weekend to report on the mournful, haunted blues tracks being laid down. Although I suspect its equally likely that a game of Calvinball, played on horseback in medieval suits of armor while swinging baseball bats, may also break out.</span><br />
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J. Ronald Newlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230263507068250893noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-13451742194507487092012-05-02T06:59:00.004-07:002012-05-02T07:50:34.903-07:00The Blues--52 Weeks Later<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As Cooper supervises the packing for he and Missy’s move from Baltimore to St. Louis, we’ve been reminiscing via text this week about our Blues Road Trip—which took place exactly one year ago. It's been all over my mind these past few days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First off, I’m blown away that it’s been a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Granted, I’ve changed jobs, moved from Chicago to Evansville to Louisville, had one child graduate from college and another enroll…it’s not exactly been a quiet year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all of that said it still amazes me that it’s been a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told Coop this morning that I can remember touring Stax records in Memphis like it was last week, not one year ago tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reading back through our blog</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> it was not only a great trip and great time, but both Coop and I did a pretty good job of capturing it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll also say this: we’ve gotten better over the past three years (ever since Bazoo’s death) at doing these guys weekends and trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coop, Newly, Campbell, Ettinger…we’ve even got Hack and Scott in from long distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andy Knoop and I started doing this nearly ten years ago and those trips are a lifeline to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s great getting reconnected with all of these guys too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do it now. Life’s too short, and we’ve had far too many reminders of that lately in our little circle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It's a very cool thing re-establishing your childhood connections as adults. There's a commonality that you either forget or take for granted...a shared memory. Until Dan and I started connecting like this again, I forgot that our Moms had been friends, and that Cooper and I started hanging out together when I was about 3 and he was 5. We rode the bus together, played HS golf together, fooled around on the guitar together, and as it turned out from this trip--it was no accident, we like hanging out together. LoL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, this trip with him was just one of these myriad reconnections that have kind of sustained me through some challenging times over the past few years. Andy and I never really lost touch. Scott and I have also done a pretty good job at staying close. Newly and I got reconnected when I moved to Evansville in 2000. But Coop and Campbell has really just been over the past three years, and Hack within the past two. And it's very cool. Like finding money in your pocket you didn't know was there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">No real point to all of this rambling here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just thinking back on one of the great trips ever, and alot of great friendships over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coop…NOLA is calling again, and Austin is still begging to be hit…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>Greg Hooverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268286257051964998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-15801199209307852412011-05-17T10:26:00.000-07:002011-05-17T10:26:47.625-07:00Blues Road Trip 2011 Wrap-UpThere are many thoughts, photos and stories from our trip that didn't make it into any of our posts during the trip so I thought I would share some of them now. Well... those that Hoov will let me share anyway!<br />
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<strong><u>New Orleans</u></strong><br />
We had only been in New Orleans a couple hours when we hailed a cab and headed to <a href="http://frenchmenst.com/">Frenchmen Street</a>. I scraped my knee getting out of the cab but thought nothing of it until we got inside the very tiny, very cool Apple Barrel. When I sat down at one of the two tables (this place is <em>really</em> tiny) I realized that my knee was bleeding. I got some napkins to wipe up the blood and a woman at the other table looked at me and said "Honey, this is New Orleans!" as she handed me a small bottle of disinfectant. I guess they take infections seriously in New Orleans!<br />
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Upstairs from the Apple Barrel is Adolfo's. The waitress was spot on with her recommendations and the Creole-Italian dinner was great. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the exception of Bourbon Street I loved the French Quarter. The architecture in the French Quarter reminded me a lot of Paris. I loved roaming the streets and stopping to listening to the street musicians.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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Bourbon Street was a big disappointment. Crowded with people, which I don't like but expected, and inundated with loud, thumping dance music. Ugh.<br />
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<strong><u>Memphis</u></strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our timing and the weather were bad for Memphis. Beale Street was a big downer after the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street in NOLA. Complementary Gibson guitars during our stay helped. The tour of the Gibson Guitar factory and the Stax museum were pretty cool and there was some fun street music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The highlight however was the band we discovered at Club 152: Big Mack Johnson. We simply could not get enough of these guys. We heard them three nights straight and I'm still jonesing for more!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u>Nashville</u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nashville was the big surprise of the trip for me. We weren't there long but I loved it. Gruhn's Guitars baby! We heard a Scottish guitar player playing country music! We stopped by the Ryman Auditorium, both of us wishing we had seen our friend Jim Bazini play there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the best part was that half a block from our hotel was the Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar! We did indeed find blues music in Nashville. Great place, great music and great bartenders!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Good food, fantastic music and great friendship. What a trip! Hey Hoov, when can we do it again?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>Dan Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05558479772793421993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-83653273375598052342011-05-09T11:46:00.001-07:002011-05-09T11:46:22.478-07:00Postscript: Damn Right We Got the Blues!Well, the long anticipated Blues Trip of 2011 is over, and right behind it come the typical feelings that follow a trip you’ve been talking about and planning and looking forward to for two-plus years: sadness, great memories, and the hope that you might ever have another trip half as good.<br /> <br />As my own form of therapy, I’d like to review the trip and highlights here.<br /> <br />First off, it was great traveling with Coop. Any time you undertake something like this, you’re a little hesitant about spending that much time with someone; but I thought we were very compatible as travel partners, and it was awesome catching up on 25 years of stuff that we had gotten behind on. Terrific times, too many laughs to recount, and some great guitar lessons. Thanks Dan for a really good week!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/09/1859.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/09/s_1859.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br />Now to the highlights.<br /> <br />Best City: New Orleans. I’m not much of a live in the past guy, but if I could change one thing about the trip it would be to spend another day there. I feel like we barely scratched the surface.<br /> <br />Biggest Disappointment: Memphis. For being the blues capitol of the world, there is very little blues there! Granted we were there early in the week, but I still thought the music and lack of anything going on was surprising. That said, Memphis did produce our…<br /> <br />Best Band: Big Mack Johnson. I’ve covered these guys in detail previously, but amazing guitars, vocals, arrangements, musical imagination, et al. We saw these guys three nights in a row and for a cover band two things immediately jumped out: there were very few repeats in there repertoire, and the repeats that there were had a completely different sound, feel and musical personality. Try playing The Weight on back to back nights and feeling like it’s a completely different song. Loved ‘em.<br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/09/1861.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/09/s_1861.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Best Surprise: finding the blues for the first time on the trip, in Nashville of all places. Kudos to the Stacy Mitchert (sp?) band for their big horns, six string bass, and brassy guitar playing by the namesake. These guys were terrific, and ironically enough, they play the riverboat in Evansville about once a quarter. I’ll be seeing them again.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/09/1863.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/09/s_1863.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Best Music Scene: Frenchman Street in New Orleans. Broadest range of music, best acts, most fun and laid back atmosphere…this was a terrific find. From Washboard Chaz and his old timey three piece band (and my personal favorite lyric of the week: “Oh yeah buddy I gots to go, yeaah I know…”), to a full blown nine piece brass band, to a rockabilly group that was clearly but proficiently making their first appearance together, this was an awesome two nights of New Orleans music. If you go, don’t miss Checkpoint Charlie’s or The Spotted Cat, my two favorite spots.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/09/1865.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/09/s_1865.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Best Food: Ironically enough on our first night out—the “Cajun Italian” meal on the second floor of the Apple Barrel. I have no idea of the restaurant’s name, but this was good hard core Italian fare, and the place smelled wonderful.<br /> <br />Best Hotel: As if this is even close. The Westin in Memphis not only gave us the best rate of any of our three “city” stops, it was far and away the best property…and of course there was the ultimate perk of the complimentary Gibson guitars at check in. BIG fan of Westin.<br /> <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/09/1866.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/09/s_1866.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Best Non-Trip Related Event: Yeah, I just had to throw this in: Alex’s graduation from Indiana University. :-) Very proud of my little girl and her achievements…it doesn’t seem like almost 17 years since that pic of her sitting in my lap at the Kindergarten Dad’s night…love you Alex!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/09/1867.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/09/s_1867.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Well, I guess that wraps it up. Thanks to everyone who followed us, and thanks to Coop for making it a blast. Next stop Austin!<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Chicago&z=10'>Chicago</a></p>Greg Hooverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268286257051964998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-89267163639838414072011-05-06T08:35:00.001-07:002011-05-06T08:35:18.544-07:00Winding DownWell, Blues Road Trip 2011 is winding down. And that's a good thing. Hoov and I are both getting tired. But boy are we loving it!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/06/1558.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/06/s_1558.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Nashville was fun. I had never been there before. I liked it. And not JUST because we finally found some hot blues music there (go figure.) We also saw a country guitar player from Scotland, and believe it or not some OK country karaoke. We visited the legendary Gruhn's guitar store where I found a sweet old Fender Esquire for $22,000 - just a smidge out of my price range.<br /><br />Today we're in Bloomington. While Hoov is at his daughter's graduation I'm just hanging out on campus. Excellent!<br /><br />Tonight Indy and tomorrow Chicago to wrap things up. Sigh. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Dan Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05558479772793421993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-78630695937477853982011-05-04T08:51:00.001-07:002011-05-04T08:51:53.687-07:00Search For The BluesSo far, on our "Blues Road Trip", the only blues we've found has been in our souls.<br /><br />New Orleans, our first stop, is famous for many music styles, including blues. But the fact that we didn't stumble onto a blues band there during our two nights isn't really surprising. <br /><br />We headed to Memphis thinking we'd find some blues there. Not so much there either. In fact, the bartender at B.B. King's told us we wouldn't find any blues on Beale Street and that we WOULD hear Michael Jackson and Prince. And he was right. <br /><br />So I've got to wonder, is blues music in a big lull or is it just bad timing on our part? Maybe. For various reasons we skipped Clarksdale, MS; Ground Zero for the blues. Surely we would have found some blues there... I'd hope!<br /><br />Having said all that, we have indeed been bummed that we haven't found the blues we were hoping for and expecting. That is, until we step foot into a club and hear the fantastic music we've heard every day on this trip!<br /><br />Next up, Nashville. Will we hear some blues? Maybe, but I'm not counting on it. Will we hear great music? I'm counting on it!<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=The%20road...&z=10'>The road...</a></p>Dan Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05558479772793421993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-251671319116339692011-05-03T07:15:00.001-07:002011-05-03T07:15:47.219-07:00The Band That Saved MemphisMonday sucked. It just did. Oh sure, we had a great tour of Gibson Guitars. But other than that, it rained ALL day long, there was no music on Beale, and we actually had the bartender at BB King's tell us "If you want the blues in this town, it ain't on Beale...it's in the 'hood at Wild Bills. Take a cab and get his number."<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/03/936.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/03/s_936.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Hope was lost. Faith was shaken. We went back to the room, sipped a beer, jammed a little, and took a nap. Cooper was contemplating a Memphis-blasting on his next post.<br /><br />When we awakened, we got ready to go out; the home of the blues was about to lose us.<br /><br />Enter the little band that could. <br /><br />We saw them Sunday night, but only for the last 15 minutes of their early set. We loved them. But we didn't get their name, didn't know where they played next, and thought it was one of those "coulda been" moments.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/03/937.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/03/s_937.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Well, before cabbing to Wild Bill's, we decided to give the Street one last shot. Rain poured down, no one was out, and we dejectedly headed to Club 152, wondering where we'd catch our cab. If there were collectively 100 people on Beale Street, 75 of them were waitresses and bartenders.<br /><br />Then we heard a distant chord, like a beacon in the rain...could it be?<br /><br />When your faith is most shaken, THAT'S when the miracle occurs. Out of the mist they came: the Mack Johnson band...Chris Johnson and Zach Mack. Two amazing early twenties guitarists, great vocalists, incredible musicians. The drummer is the great bluesman Bobby Bland's nephew. The bassman doesn't move, except for laying down a line you could hang a building on from behind his Metallica beard and hairstyle.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/03/938.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/03/s_938.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Just when we were ready to quit on Memphis these kids grabbed us by the collar and pulled us back. Clapton, the Stones, Stone Temple Pilots. Led Zep. Lots of southern rock: ZZ Top, the Allman Brothers. One trick pony? How bout the Beatles and Dylan. Kings of Leon. When's the last time you heard a rock cover band play Johnny Cash and Rod Stewart? In the same set, back to back?<br /><br />Seriously.<br /><br />These youngsters are playing New Orleans next weekend at Jazzfest, and believe you me they'll hold up fine. I mean, after carrying the city of Memphis on their shoulders, how tough could it be?<br /><br />At the end of the day, I'll leave you with this: not only did they save Memphis, they stole a day from Nashville. You see, we've changed our itin to watch them again tonight... ;-)<br /><br /><p align='center'><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/S0z6_M5mKUA" width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S0z6_M5mKUA" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><!-- Fallback content --><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0z6_M5mKUA"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/S0z6_M5mKUA/0.jpg" width="400" height="300" />YouTube Video</a></object></p><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Club%20152%4035.140698%2C-90.054055&z=10'>Club 152</a></p>Greg Hooverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268286257051964998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-70225024007915743462011-05-02T17:12:00.001-07:002011-05-02T17:29:44.026-07:00Jesus Left Chicago, but Bazoo's in Memphis<div><br /><div>As we rolled into Memphis late yesterday afternoon, the sky was an ominous and angry black. Memphis is at catastrophic flood stage after nearly a foot of rain in the last week added to an already soaked spring, and yesterday we arrived right behind tornadoes amidst gale force winds and driving rain. Coming into the town that's the centerpiece of our blues trip under those conditions is somehow appropriate. Let me explain.<br /><br />Coop and I first started cooking this trip up nearly three years ago, as a way to honor Stevie Ray Vaughan on the 20th anniversary of his death. We were going to start in Austin and work our way to Chicago. </div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/02/3079.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 5px" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/02/s_3079.jpg" width="210" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /><p align="left">But shortly thereafter our guitar mentor Jim "Bazoo" Bazini passed away after nearly fifteen years battling kidney disease. Jim had been--along with John Ettinger--my first best friend at about the age of four; and he'd been a guitar mentor to both Coop and I.<br /></p><br /><p align="left">In that latter regard, he had far more success with Coop than me. Jim always encouraged me to play more, it just never stuck. But Dan has become a really excellent blues player. Even listening to him in the room this morning I'm reminded of Jim and his technique.<br /><br />Dan and I both struggled with Jim's death--for personally different reasons--and we quickly started talking about memorializing Jim and dealing with his loss. We had a little service last fall when we were with some friends at KC's; but this trip was going to be our own personal expression. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5602278399213349090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQjoKlCSk31DMj1QNHt9m6zE4Ce7V8ScVro50AnnMRklytdVOc2Flxm2tdBZwY9Z0LqEqJrpXXyCqeaDUg9gNdn2INv4lIlBHSYjwlA8J4iylrGL7G04XFnOV23rrNJau5dqtcpk2DjI/s320/Bazini+Band.jpg" border="0" /><br />For me, I took a big step this spring. Jim's wife and the love of his life, Sandy, had saved Jim's guitars so that Dan and I could each have one. I went to their home near South Bend in March to look at them, pick one each out for Coop and I, and write her the check. It was the first time I'd seen Sandy since Jim's death (I'd been traveling and unable to make his memorial service), and it was an awesome way for me finally reach closure. We had lunch, great conversation, shared memories of Jim, and just generally shared in each other's grief. In addition to Jim's guitars (Dan and I each got one, and I also bought a great Washburn acoustic for Dane), Sandy also gave me the two pictures I've posted here.<br /><br />Ironically, getting Jim's Telecaster finally sparked me too. I've been playing like crazy and am finally getting what Jim told me all those years.<br /><br />So that stormy weather as we drove into Memphis was perfect for the blues, our trip, and our sense of loss with Bazoo; and I'm sure Jim would have loved it. Just as he would have these lovely Gibson's they comped us for our use when we checked into the Westin. Of course, Jim had his own Les Paul Deluxe, so he might have been less impressed...but he'd have loved the thought.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/02/3080.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 5px" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/02/s_3080.jpg" width="210" border="0" /></a></center><br /><br /><div>- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="blogpress_location">Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=S%204th%20St,Memphis,United%20States%4035.138778%2C-90.049222&z=10">S 4th St,Memphis,United States</a></p></div>Greg Hooverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268286257051964998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-60981251272798082402011-05-02T09:32:00.001-07:002011-05-02T09:32:07.347-07:00MemphisMother Nature intervenes. We rolled into a city covered with scary black clouds and pulled into the Westin as the rain let up. The hotel is just a block from Beale Street, so it took us all of five minutes after check-in to be there. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/02/1452.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/02/s_1452.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />We might have been a little burned out after NOLA and the trip up. We ate and then settled into Club 152 to hear the last half hour of a tasty set of blues-rock. Hoov wasn't feeling well and I was definitely tired so we headed back to our room. <br /><br />Our hotel has a deal with Gibson. Free guitars for guest to use during their stay. Sweet! We played for a while, watched Tremé then crashed. <br /><br />Hoov survived the night... But barely after having an allergic reaction to something he ate. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/02/1453.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/02/s_1453.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Looks like today will be an indoor day due to the rain. Museums and blues clubs here we come!<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Dan Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05558479772793421993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-75102389464614142772011-05-01T16:07:00.001-07:002011-05-01T16:07:49.473-07:00On The RoadOur last day and night in New Orleans was excellent. Very laid back. Then again, it is me 'n' Hoov. <br /><br />The French Quarter, away from Bourbon Street, is very... French. And very cool.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/2956.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_2956.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Bourbon Street is crowded and loud - definitely NOT my thing. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/2957.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_2957.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Frenchmen Street, just outside the French Quarter is perfect! Nasty, grungy, smokin' hot jazz & blues clubs. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/2958.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_2958.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Dan Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05558479772793421993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-74144803231875104882011-05-01T06:00:00.001-07:002011-05-01T06:00:30.699-07:00The Big EasyI've only ever been to New Orleans for business; conventions, meetings, etc. And my general opinion was that it was a loud, smelly, drunken party town. I'd never been far from Bourbon Street or the convention center, and had really never been the least bit impressed. Of course I'd done all the great restaurants, but hadn't reached much beyond that.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/1027.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_1027.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />This weekend changed that, and unexpectedly. Coop and I planned on spending the day at the Jazz and Heritage Festival, but when we woke up and had breakfast it just evolved differently. We saw the huge lines waiting on buses to the festival early in the morning, weren't up for the expensive tickets and big crowds, and decided to just go local. And the result was the laziest, most comfortable and relaxed Saturday I've had in ages. No cares, no schedule, no commitments. Just a Saturday. Great music, friendly locals, and good food as we wandered around. If we saw some place we wanted to stop, we did. Street bands. Little dark bars. We never did find Coop's pawn shop guitar, but it was still an incredibly cool day.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/1028.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_1028.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />A lot of it is Cooper. We're good travel partners. There are people that it's easy to travel with--Shaffer and Andy have always been that way for me. Andy and I do a long guys weekend every fall that totally rocks. And of course Shaf and i have probably ridden something over 50,000 miles on bike trips as roommates. Cooper has joined that list. Already--barely 36 hours in--this is a GREAT trip.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/1029.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_1029.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />But this city gets credit too. We've consciously gotten off the tourist track and just hung out, and man was it cool! The spirit in this city, of survival, of culture, of community....it's incredible. To say nothing of the music; which is of course what the trip's all about. Well, that and Bazini. More on him later in the week.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/1031.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_1031.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Back to New Orleans. I could write a ton, and maybe someday I will on my blog. But for now, I've come to view this city differently, and I love it. Before, I never would have considered this a destination for anything other than business; now I'd tell you I'll be back in a year, I have a long list of things I want to see and do, and I can't wait for that trip. I've become a fan.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/05/01/1032.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/05/01/s_1032.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Next up: Memphis, but she's got big shoes to fill. The Big Easy is right--easy to love.<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Royal%20St,New%20Orleans,United%20States%4029.962421%2C-90.060793&z=10'>Royal St,New Orleans,United States</a></p>Greg Hooverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268286257051964998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-86029962641173369082011-04-30T07:35:00.001-07:002011-04-30T07:35:44.557-07:00Whew - I SurvivedLast night was a whirlwind of people, clubs and music. It's all kind of a jumble in my head. But maybe that IS New Orleans. <br /><br />While watching the Season 2 premiere of Tremé Sunday I noticed several characters were in a club called The Spotted Cat. So of course that's where we had to go. Awesome little place. So awesome that we had to get the T Shirt. Trouble was that they had two T Shirts: one with white writing and one with yellow. So Hoov asks the older guy sitting next to him which shirt he would recommend. <br /><br />Older Guy: The yellow one. <br />Hoov: Why?<br />Older Guy: Because it's more yellow. <br /><br />Alrighty then. How can you argue with that logic. But again, maybe that's New Orleans. <br /><br />Frenchmen St., in a neighborhood outside the French Quarter, where the Spotted Cat is located is fantastic. Not nearly as crazy and loud as Bourbon St. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/04/30/1255.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/04/30/s_1255.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Bourbon Street. Eh. Been there and done that. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Dan Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05558479772793421993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-62147397633808717622011-04-30T07:12:00.001-07:002011-04-30T07:12:18.680-07:00First NightA great first night to the trip! After finding Cooper in the mayhem that is NOLA airport traffic, we fought our way downtown to the hotel and checked in. We had no real plan, guided only by Coop's recommendations from watching Treme, and the hotel lobby bartender, "Big Daddy Chuck", who pointed us that way as well--the Faubourg Marigny, on Frenchmen Street--and added a couple of referrals of his own.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/04/30/1191.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/04/30/s_1191.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And they served us very well. Our first stop was the Apple Barrell, an extremely tiny bar that's cash only. When we walked in there was a guitar player accompanied by a drummer playing--nothing special...Cooper would've been far better. And that's not a knock on Cooper! He's gotten very good!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/04/30/1192.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/04/30/s_1192.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />But it got much better from there. After a tasty "Italian-Cajun" (I know, don't ask; it's mostly about the seafood and sauces) meal upstairs from the Apple, we walked next door to the infamous Spotted Cat. Bang--first win of the night! Washboard Chaz was commanding the stage with his three piece band. Playing a great mix of "old-timey" blues and Oh Brother Where Art Thou bluegrass, they were the highlight of the evening.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/04/30/1193.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/04/30/s_1193.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />There were several street bands out as we checked into a couple of other places--Snug Harbor, the famous jazz bar, among them. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/04/30/1194.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/04/30/s_1194.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Coop's never been to New Orleans before, so we made one pass down Bourbon Street so he could witness that lunacy. But at the end of night we both agreed with Big Daddy Chuck: "If y'all wanna fine' where WE go fo' du' good stuff, y'all needs to get to da Frenchmen..." <br /><br />I think we'll be back there today...but first stop: a pawn shop for Coop to pick up a guitar. <br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Chartres%20St,New%20Orleans,United%20States%4029.953219%2C-90.067730&z=10'>Chartres St,New Orleans,United States</a></p>Greg Hooverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268286257051964998noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-47884892142064471522011-04-28T08:54:00.001-07:002011-04-28T08:54:26.156-07:00Getting Ready24 hours until I get on a plane bound for New Orleans and the start of our road trip. I gotta say, flying to a road trip feels a little odd. <br /><br />The sore throat I've had the past couple days seems better. Yay! <br /><br />Even though I've been working on my pre-flight to-do list all week it still seems like there's 1,001 things left to do. Ugh. <br /><br />I thought I better try out this iPhone blogging app before the trip. OK, cross that off the list. Just 1,000 more...<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Dan Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05558479772793421993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-73881726654706050502011-04-26T12:21:00.000-07:002011-04-26T12:25:50.396-07:00Road Trip!I always look forward to a great road trip...it's like it's in my DNA. Even these godforsaken five hour drives from Evansville to Chicago or vice versa (and actually, I should point out that my record, established just this past Sunday, is 4 hours and 42 minutes...but I digress) are a little slice of heaven to me, especially since I got satellite radio.<br /><br />But seven days with Cooper and great music, memorializing our pal Bazoo, and having guitars with us too?! Exactly...<br /><br />At this particular time in my life and career, things are very challenging. The stresses of life and job, one child graduating from college, another from high school, the first year after I turn 50...I guess what I'm saying is that I may be primed for one of the best trips of my life. So the guitar is tuned, I'm packing tomorrow night, and I can't wait to see Coop at the airport on Friday.<br /><br />Let the good times roll! :-)Greg Hooverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00268286257051964998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702190111502830510.post-2150873320744159892011-04-25T12:04:00.000-07:002011-04-25T13:07:47.577-07:00The Road TripWoohoo, it's almost here! Hoov and I meet in NOLA Friday to begin our blues road trip. Hot damn!<br />
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Discussions for this trip began a couple years ago and the trip has evolved and mutated several times. Originally planned to be a Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial road trip starting on the 20th anniversary of his death, at the site of his death in WI, and ending in Dallas or maybe Austin. Then it was a SRV/Jim Bazini Memorial road trip. Well, the anniversary of SRV's death came and went with no firm plans. Greg and I decided that since we seemed to be the only two showing real interest that we would just plan a blues road trip - and while the SRV Memorial aspect of the trip has fallen by the wayside I'm sure, without really discussing it with Greg, that the Bazini Memorial aspect of the trip is still vital. Anyway, the current plan is to start in NOLA at the Jazz and Heritage Festival (I've never been to NOLA), then Memphis, Nashville, Bloomington and Indy, and finally Chicago. And while we're still calling this our blues road trip I hope and plan to hear jazz, zydeco, country...<br />
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Come along for the ride!Dan Cooperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05558479772793421993noreply@blogger.com2