Newly-Formed Blues Society presents first concert July 12

A group of  West Tennessee blues enthusiasts are making an effort to preserve the "West Tennessee Blues" with the recently formed West Tennessee Blues Society (WTBS). The group will present its first concert, July 12, at Twin Oaks Estate in Humboldt. The outdoor event, which begins at 7:30 p.m.,  will include a core group of member musicians performing as the West Tennessee Blues Jam Band followed by headliner Little Boys Blue.

"There are Blues societies in Memphis and Nashville," says WTBS president Elam McKnight, of Trenton, "but in between is a bit overlooked. We hope to bring awareness of the rich historical significance of blues in this area, as well as promote the bands and performers who are keeping the heritage alive."

The new group says this is an opportunity to pull together like-minded people from across the region and form a closer-knit community of supporters who love the music and want to help preserve its history. McKnight also stated that as the society grows, it plans to incorporate music history programs in the schools.

The society plans to reach out to each county, looking for meet and greet locations to host a jam session and other ways to help promote the Blues in that community. "We'll also be partnering with local folks to present concerts on occasion, such as what we'll be doing at Twin Oaks in Humboldt."

Well-known Jackson group, Little Boys Blue, will perform during this inaugural concert. The band just released a new CD that includes nine original songs. The event will also serve as a release party for the group in the Humboldt area. The band members are Jimmy D. Taylor (lead vocals and harmonica), Steve Patterson (lead and slide guitar), Dave Mallard (bass guitar), Alex Taylor (rhythm and lead guitar), Dave Thomas (keyboards) and Mark Brooks (drums).

Twin Oaks is an antebellum home built circa 1853 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's name comes from the 300+ year old White Oak trees on the property. Located at 2227 East Main Street in Humboldt, the large trees will serve as shade for the evening concert. Ticket cost is $10 per person. Concessions will be on site provided by Silla's Spoon Cafe. Concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

For more information about the concert or the WTBS, contact McKnight at 731-487-8623. Tickets are available at Silla's Spoon Cafe in Humboldt, Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville or any WTBS member.

Little Boys Blue releases newest CD "Bad Love"

Little Boys Blue will release their newest CD "Bad Love" at a special Release Party Saturday, June 28, at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. Members of the band include (from left) Alex Taylor, Jimmy Taylor, Mark Brooks. Steve Patterson, Dave Thomas and Dave Mallard.

The Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn., will host a special CD Release Party in honor of West Tennessee Blues band Little Boys Blue and their latest CD entitled "Bad Love" Saturday, June 28, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Brownsville native Jimmy D. Taylor is the lead vocal and harmonica player for the band. The CD was recorded in Jackson at Jaxon Records.

The community is invited to attend, meet the members of the band and hear them perform an acoustic set of featured songs on the CD, including nine original songs. Band members include Taylor,  his son, Alex (rhythm and lead guitar), Steve Patterson (lead and slide guitar), Mark Brooks (drums), Dave Mallard (bass guitar) and Dave Thomas (keyboards).

Little Boys Blue was formed in 1993 by Taylor and Patterson. They have two previous CD releases on the SleepyVille Blues label. The group has entrenched themselves in a mixture of eclectic, acoustic country blues and Americana roots music; citing influences from Sleepy John Estes and R.L. Burnside to Muddy Waters and The Allman Brothers.

Little Boys Blue has toured the country over the years playing major blues festivals like King Biscuit in Helena, Ark., and  Sunflower Blues Festival in Clarksdale, Miss. Most recently they headlined the Exit 56 Blues Fest in Brownsville.

CDs will be available for purchase and signing.

Exit 56 Blues Fest announces music line-up

Little Boys Blue will headline this year's Exit 56 Blues Fest May 24. The festival is free and held annually on the grounds of the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Blues fans will gather May 24 at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville for the 4th Annual Exit 56 Blues Fest. The music festival continues to attract Blues enthusiasts from all over the region and is West Tennessee's only dedicated Blues festival outside of Memphis. The event is Saturday, May 24 and begins at noon. It will feature arts and crafts, car and motorcycle cruise in, a deep-fried barbecue eating competition and an eclectic gathering of West Tennessee Blues men and women.

This year's music line-up opens with Memphis Jones, a regular a B.B. Kings in Memphis and music historian who entertains the audiences with stories about the songs he sings. Also performing throughout the afternoon is West Tennesseans Lorina McMinn and The Myxx and  Dorothy Guinn and Savannah Shoals; along with Mississippi's Sean Apple and his All Night Long Blues Band.

Beginning at 5 p.m., the Elam McKnight Band will take the stage with a set of their own before backing up West Tennessee Bluesman Dudley Harris. Also making a first time appearance at the festival  is Tennessee Sax and the Blues Gentlemen. Many will know Tennessee Sax as Linzie Butler, a Jackson native who has performed all over the world.

The Eric Hughes Band takes the stage at 7 p.m. Hughes has played the festival since its inception in 2011 and this year brings his complete band to entertain with his special blend of Delta and urban blues. He recently released his fourth CD entitled "Drink Up."

Headlining this year's festival is Little Boys Blue, a band formed in 1993 by the award-winning team of Jimmy D. Taylor, of Brownsville, and Jackson's Steve Patterson. Accompanied by Mark Brooks, Dave Mallard, Dave Thomas and Alex Taylor, this band does "boogie blues with an attitude," encompassing a mixture of electric, acoustic country blues, rhythm and blues and Americana roots music. The group has just finished working in the studio and will soon release their newest CD, "Bad Love," on the Jaxon Record label.

Admission is free. A complete schedule can be found at www.Exit56Blues.com.