Longest bar in town??
I get around town a lot and thought that
The Roost in West Ashley had the longest bar.
That is, until Saturday March 5, when I went to see "Big Bill" Morganfield inaugurate the brand new Downtown Fiery Ron's Home Team BBQ.
It's just off North Morrison Drive at 126 Williman Street. Actually, right behind Edmund's Oast. Look for the bright blue sign.
Sat on a stool at the new
56 foot-long bar, staffed by friendly, fast-working bartenders.
And the music started right at 10:00 pm featuring Morganfield, the son of Muddy Waters, continuing a long Blues tradition.
Was glad to see the construction was completed and the opening happened just before Spring arrived.
Was afraid that lots of valuable planning details had been lost in a
missing Notebook.
Don't know if the $1,000 reward for its return was paid by an appreciative Aaron "Fiery Ron" Siegel.
He took the mic and welcomed the crowd to the "soft opening" of his third local operation.
I've enjoyed many hours of music, beer and BBQ in West Ashley and on Sullivan's Island at what used to be
Bert's, a decades-long dive bar at Station 22.
At exactly 10 pm, the band started playing and we settled in for an evening of Blues.
I was told the harpist was the only member of Morganfield's band to come with him from Atlanta.
The place was packed, as people who had bought $60 tickets to attend the 6 pm to 9 pm
Slow Meat Pitmaster Roast competition, moved inside to hear the music.
There was a barbecue team from Atlanta, two from Nashville and one from New York.
This competition was held last year and was a charity fund raiser event to open the new store.
I understand this one was NOT converted from a previous business but was built new from the ground up. I suspect the plans that had been done for Sullivan's Island were consulted because I noticed there are many similarities in the basic layout.
But with - I believe - a much longer 40-stool bar on the left side of the main room.
(Click on the photos and links for more details.) Thanks for hanging out with me. Keep supporting live music!
Labels: Aaron "Fiery Ron" Siegel, Bert's Dive Bar, Big Bill Morganfield, Downtown Home Team, Edmund;s Oast, North Morrison Drive, Slow Meat Pitmaster Roast, son of Muddy Waters, Tattooed Moose
48-Hours...Just 2 days...
My Photo Group just finished a
48-Hour Challenge.
A list of 20 specific song tittles, ranging from the 1920s to 2010, was posted at 7:00 am Saturday.
We had to take pictures that interpreted each title before the contest ended at 7:00 am this morning.
A distinct call for creativity.
And good camera work.
I checked and the rules allowed for manipulating the images with Photoshop or other tools.
That last comment allowed me to use a
shot of a bloodhound (the song was 1956
"Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley) and add some of my features to it.
Those who know me should recognize my glasses, and bushy eyebrows that have been added to the dog's face.
The shot at the top was for the song
"I Want Candy" a one-hit wonder in 1982 by the band
Bow Wow Wow.
My last chance at getting a listed song title in under the wire happened at a Blues show last night at Home Team BBQ on Sullivan's Island.
Big Bill Morganfield (talented son the Blues legend Muddy Waters) was channeling his daddy's sound and I mixed in a shift in color.
This gave me
"Purple Haze" though it was not related to the 1967 Jimi Hendrix Experience classic.
Hey RULES are mainly just suggestions..right?
Saw a few fellow members of the Photo Group Sunday night at Home Team and noted they had cameras with them.
Saturday morning, the first day, I was up early to get started with the Challenge.
Had my camera with me when I stepped out on the front porch to pick up the paper.
Even Mr. Rogers would agree it was a
"Beautiful Day" in my neighborhood.
That was the name of the 2000 album by
U-2.
The link takes you to the title track that runs just under 5 minutes.
The song entitled
"God Bless America" was introduced and forever linked to her in 1939 by Kate Smith. People felt we were about to be part of WWII.
The link shows scenes of Ms. Smith on her popular national radio show as she sings the musical prayer for the first time.
It's a scene from a movie that depicts average Americans in their daily life - usually standing near a radio.
The internet, iPads and Wi-Fi were decades away and a prisoner in Sing Sing prison would have needed a lot of clout to have had a cell phone. (See what I did there? Used "cell" + phone to make a reference to now.)
"Yes Sir, That's My Baby" was written back in 1925.
The link shows how that 88-year old song was used at a beauty pageant.
My photo interpretation goes back to the actual baby "baby."
I'm sure my Great-Great-Grandparents would probably have agreed with my visual version.
Even while listening to Eddie Cantor's dulcet-toned rendering.
Did not get a chance to go snap a CARTA bench but saw I had a miniature British double-decker souvenir.
It would help me illustrate
"Bus Stop", the 1966 hit by the British Invasion group The Hollies.
As I explained to the photo group, I placed the 5" long metal metal replica on a fluffy white towel and had the snow
"coming down like talcum powder."
Quite literally.
The cat was very impressed.
Take a moment and click on the link to the
Photography Group to see hundreds of pictures covering this list of 20 songs. That total will increase because the deadline to upload is later this evening.
It was a fun, creative venture and, because nobody had to travel to a certain or particular place as a group, all 315 members could participate.
The variety I've seen so far is fantastic. How would YOU have pictured some of the song prompts?
Email me your version.
At this point, hits on this blog from around the world, just turned 98,957. I expect to pass 100,000 very soon. Thanks for stopping by.
Labels: Beautiful Day, Big Bill Morganfield, Bow Wow Wow one-hit wonder, Eddie Cantor, Elvis Presley, Hound Dog, I Want Candy, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Kate Smith, Muddy Waters, Purple Haze, The Hollies, U-2
Low Light Delight...
Big Bill Morganfield comes over from Atlanta about once a year to play the Blues for his many fans.
He was at Home Team on Highway 61 for the
20th annual Blues Bash.
My new camera encourages me to shoot in dim settings without using a flash so I had a good opportunity under stage lighting.
Big Bill, son of the legendary
Muddy Waters, channeled his Dad on a few songs. Obviously he has that sound in his genes.
The place was packed and the music was strong.
My Canon S90 also lets me do some "editing" in the camera so I shot a few in black & white.
I think using the theatrical light is better than popping a harsh flash.
Muddy's son sounded great either way.
Labels: Big Bill Morganfield, Canon S90, Muddy Waters' son, stage lighting
"Champagne When I'm Thirsty ...."
"Big Bill" Morganfied. A two-night stand.
Home Team BBQ, the newest music venue on Sullivan's Island, proved
"if you build it, they will come." Friday night and again Saturday night.
Morganfield brought a top notch band: Clark Stern on keys, Brian Besesi, guitar, bassist Tom "Mookie" Brill and Shelby "Winston" Salem on drums.
They played a long uninterrupted set that had the crowd up and dancing right from the start.
It appears the
"Island Home Team" accommodates many more people than the West Ashley site and tables were stored out in the alley so more fans could crowd closer to the raised bandstand.
A fun evening.
Who would've thought BBQ would be so popular at the beach.
Labels: Big Bill Morganfield, Brian Besesi, Clark Stern, Island Home Team, Shelby "Winston" Salem, Tom "Mookie" Brill
MORE than a cup of coffee ....
A good musical experience is one you can share.
A band passing through town on tour MIGHT be back again but you can depend on a good show at 7:30 every other Thursday at
Muddy Waters Coffee Bar.
Judging from the crowd, I must be the only person not familiar with the
Palmetto Acoustic Thursday celebration on Highway 61 in West Ashley. I found the last empty chair.
Big Bill Morganfield, son of
THE Muddy Waters, has played a few times during Blues Festivals right down the street at Home Team BBQ but THIS venue was nodding along with opener Singer/Songwriter Kev Rowe on acoustic guitar.
He was followed by The
Barnard Sisters. That's Kara on the left and Pam Barnard Hays smiling on the right.
These talented folk/pop sibling singers have a new CD out all about Charleston called
"Flying Down King Street." I didn't even know that some coffee shops serve cold beer. This one does.
Labels: Ashley River Road, Barnard Sisters, Big Bill Morganfield, Flying Down King Street, Home Team BBQ, Hwy 61, Kard, Kev Rowe, Muddy Waters Coffee Bar, Palmetto Acoustic, Pam Hays, West Ashley
Honor Thy Father....
The 17th Annual Charleston
Blues Bash is winding down and, as I look back, I see I kept active: my printed programs shows I enjoyed 17 of the 43 performers offered.
The son of
Muddy Waters -
Big Bill Morganfield - qualifies as the person with the
most colorful message added to a stringed musical instrument.
It was a show of fatherly pride as he channeled his daddy keeping the Robert Johnson blues tradition message alive.
My enjoyment of the Bash was briefly interrupted with a trip up to Columbia midweek to catch
Billy Joel who's a legend in his own musical field. The hall was packed yet included a few "young" people ... probably grandchildren. And, Yes, he finished the 2 1/2 hour concert with
Piano Man.
Back in Charleston, another sold out crowd pleaser was
Leon Russell at the Pour House on Maybank Highway.
Last seen here at the "old" Cumberlands, his long white hair and beard looked the same and that gravely, twangy Okie sound was still strong. And we all still needed subtitles.
By spreading the Blues Bash around to 17 venues, many people were introduced to new places as well as old favorites. Home Team BBQ is a newcomer and enjoyed some good crowds as did Sesame in North Charleston.
The Med deli - Med Bistro had steady business when I stopped by several times and Mimi's on James Island charmed a lot of people with its creekside setting.
The 3 Lions Pub at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island paired local favorite
Smoky Weiner and The Hot Links with a Blues Doctor from Paris, France. In an upscale British Pub.
I'll relax tonight by going to the Music Farm for
Robert Randolph and the Family Band. This is one of my favorite groups. Maybe I'll see you there?
Labels: Big Bill Morganfield, Blues Bash, Leon Russell, Muddy Waters, Music Farm, pot, Robert Randolph, Smoky Weiner. Music Farm
Oops... Dress Code Violation
So the first 3 days of the annual
BLUES BASH, I managed to go to 6 venues and listen to 10 different performers. Not a bad start.
I doubt I can keep up that pace but we'll see.
Picking the right clothes (t-shirt or real shirt?) didn't seem that important. Just wear any shirt that mentions a band and you're ok.
The
Chicago Blues Festival shirt drew some comments and questions as did the
Eric Clapton '06-'07 tour one.
BUT, if you are going to wear a radio station shirt, then be careful NOT to attend a show sponsored by a competing station. I kept my jacket on at Home Team Bar-B-Que and asked if they were offering any
"Bridge" t-shirts but they weren't.
Big Bill Morganfield packed the barbecue place and he had to really squeeze it all together to get his 5-piece band on that tiny, tiny stage.
In fact, the slide trombone player gave a new meaning to
"in your face" music as people would dodge and weave in the front row.
On Sunday, at the Isle of Palms Recreation Center,
Chick Willis commented that he had done a gig at the library. "It was strange man, no drinking, no cussing, no smoking, but we did have a few dancers."
The 17th Annual Lowcountry Blues Bash continues through Sunday so get out there and enjoy yourself. Just watch what t-shirt you wear!
Labels: Big Bill Morganfield, Chicago Blues Festival, Chick Willis, Muddy Waters' son, t-shirts
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