Blues & Arts Photos by Rachel Pack

Images taken at the San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta held March 24, 2012 in San Felipe Baja California. 

http://bajagoodlife.com/connect/image-gallery/?album=2012BluesAndArtsByRachelPack

2012 Blues & Arts Photos by Terry Van Arsdale

Images taken at the San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta held March 24, 2012 in San Felipe Baja California.
http://bajagoodlife.com/connect/image-gallery/?album=2012BluesAndArtsByTerryVanArsdale

San Diego Reader: Blues to the Rescue

John Pack Skypes early this morning from Baja California. He lives there year round. "After this call, I have to go up and chaperone about six bands through Mexicali and make sure they have a good experience." Pack checks his time. As we speak, a convoy of blues acts from San Diego is headed east through the morning desert. Pack will intercept them at the Calexico border crossing.

"Some of them have never been down here before."

Saturday, March 24, the San Felipe Lions Club will host their annual International Blues and Arts Festival, a fundraiser featuring local blues artists Chet Cannon and his band The Committee, Billy Watson, Nathan James, the Bayou Brothers, Mercedes Moore, North County's Inspired and the Sleep, Tom Stewart and the Backwater Blues Band, and Coyote Mike and the Wetbacks from Ensenada.

Now in their sixth season, Pack says the Lions had to move the event to the beach front at the Hotel El Cortez in order to accommodate the 2,000-plus who will attend. "It's all sold out around here," Pack says, "the El Cortez and the other hotels." He says this is becoming one of the Lions Club's [San Felipe's] biggest events. He says blame it on the music: "There's a lot of incredible blues talent in San Diego."

The San Felipe Lions Club is the second largest such service club in Baja. They are a relatively new club. Their web site says they received their charter in 2007. Proceeds from their various fundraisers help foot the bill for medical supplies, eye care, orphanages, and the Flying Samaritans. Pack says their blues fest is on track to bring in at least $20,000 this year.

Pack says he gets the word out through his Baja Good Life Club. "We're [like] the AARP of Baja." The membership of the Good Life Club includes a large percentage of roaming snowbirds that drive cross-country to bask in the banana belt tropics of San Felipe during the spring and summer months on the Gulf of Mexico [California].

It's taken six years, Pack says, for the blues and arts fest to mature into a consistent money maker. "All the hotels know we're an attraction now. And we get a lot of support from the State of Baja and from the Secretary of Tourism. They have really stepped up," he says. No wonder. In recent years Baja has fallen off the tourism charts due to media coverage of the drug trade and of cartel violence. I ask about that. I tell him I stopped spending Christmas in Ensenada for that very reason.

"The only thing dangerous about coming to Baja," he says, "is you have to drive through Southern California to get here." 

6th Annual International Blues and Arts Festival, Saturday March 24, San Felipe, $25dos. Info atwww.bluesandarts.com

http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/jam-session/2012/mar/23/blues-to-the-rescue/

Blues Bands of 2012

Coyote Mike and the Wetbacks - 11:30
The Wetbacks are a group of international musicians that got together in Ensenada in the spring of 2010 with most of the members having had previous experience with different groups over the years with varying degrees of success. We came together to create a blend of sounds ranging from blues and rock to funk, jazz and reggae. We do original material as well as covers always with that ¨Wetback twist . The musicians range in age from 17 to 61 years old and having this wide age range allows us to accept the new and see the old with fresh eyes and ears. We look forward to performing for all of you.

Inspired & the Sleep - 12:30
Inspired and the Sleep is an Blues-Motown-R&B band from North County San Diego. This three piece, composed of beach lifeguard coworkers, plays shows all around San Diego, LA and everything in between. Hayden Stewart (drummer), Max Greenhalgh (bassist/vocal), and Bryce Outcault (guitarist) have been playing the SoCal scene for the past 2 years. The group’s inspiration comes from artists such as Al Green, Otis Redding, and even The Backwater Blues Band. Tom Stewart, drummer and head of The Backwater Blues Band, and Hayden Stewart’s father, has provided a noticeable amount input and advice to Inspired and the Sleep set. They have even sat in on BWBB gigs.

Chet Cannon & the Committee - 1:30
Chet & the Committee front man Chet Cannon is a self-described “terminal blues fan” who once attended 26 blues concerts in 29 days. “We pour our heart into every performance. Our main objective is to make sure it’s a good time.” The band’s Don’t Get Me Started! CD was SDMA-nominated in 2006 for Best Blues Album. Source: San Diego Reader online. Contact BluShouter@aol.com

Mercedes Moore Band - 2:30
Nothing can describe the Mercedes Moore Band better than the laudatory remark of the San Diego Reader: “This is one hot singer! Blues Diva Mercedes Moore is burning down the blues clubs is Southern California!” Indeed, the popularity of the band made up of Scot Smart (guitar) John Simons (bass) Kurt Kalker (drums) and Mercedes Moore (vocals) will easily cross the border from San Diego to Baja California. The music of the Mercedes Moore Band is reminiscent of the 50s and the 60s, and it is based on a harmonious combination of soul, blues and R ‘n’ B. A large share of the band’s popularity can be put down to the sultry and strong voice of the lead singer. The music of the Mercedes Moore Band is like a breath of air for the true music lover.

Backwater Blues Band All Stars - 3:30
The Backwater Blues Band is one of San Diego’s premiere Blues Bands in the styles of Swing, Funk, R&B, “Jazz-Blues”, and even plays their own original music. The Backwater Blues Band was founded in 1995 by Tom Stewart as an outlet to play music that is revered among the many friends and family that would come to Tom’s house parties. Over time the band “broke out” of the garage and started playing San Diego’s finest establishments. Come hear for yourself the great Blues tones that Backwater Blues Band creates!

Billy Watson - 4:30
Billy is an entertainer extraordinaire, capable of throwing down a blues show that can be infectiously hilarious and convincingly nasty. His energy as a frontman is relentless, his vocals inspiring, and his harp work musically outstanding. Billy’s repertoire ranges from creepy grooves, grinding shuffles, to fast boogies and swings. Yet audiences do not flock to his shows simply for his mastery of the harmonica... they are drawn by his magnetic stage personality and the idea of never knowing what antic may be next!

Bayou Brothers with Charles Burton - 5:30
San Diego’s favorite Zydeco band, with a sound straight out of Louisiana’s dance clubs, bayou festivals and backyard crawfish boils, the BAYOU BROTHERS will rock you right on into “Fat Tuesday” with their extensive experience and endless enthusiasm to deliver a rousing, rollicking, heart thumpin’, foot stompin’ musical gumbo y’all won’t soon forget!!!

Nathan James Band - 6:30
Currently Nathan’s three piece band is forging a cumulative sound that combines elements of 1920’s acoustic blues, amplified juke joint hill country, and 1950’s uptown blues mixed with 1960’s soulful R&B! Influences range from Tampa Red, to B.B. King, to James Brown and the Famous Flames. This is not your average blues power trio that leans towards the much abused “blues rock” formula. Instead each member in the band knows all the nuances of the different feels and tones. Knowing how to get people’s attention, Nathan will often go out solo from the bandstand and burst into a frenzied ragtime breakdown that can lead to a washboard solo on his custom LED lit ‘Washtar Gitboard’!

GRAND FINALLY ALL STAR JAM - 7:30

Chet Cannon Returns!

Chet Cannon and his band will have set of my own at San Felipe Blues and Arts Fest so there has been a change of plans.

Chet Cannon will return to San Felipe Blues and Arts Fiesta this year with a set of them Good Time Swinging Blues and Rocking Boogie by "Chet's All Star Committee" featuring Nathan James, Scoty Williams, Chuck Arcilla, Mr. John Chambers and Tom Stewart.

Remember this is going to be another real good time so be sure to get your tickets early. You won't want to miss a minute of it! www.bluesandarts.com  

peace and grease,

Chet from San Diego

Billy Watson

HE PLAYS THE HARMONICA!

Billy is an entertainer extraordinaire, capable of throwing down a blues show that can be infectiously hilarious and convincingly nasty. His energy as a frontman is relentless, his vocals inspiring, and his harp work musically outstanding. Billy's repertoire ranges from creepy grooves, grinding shuffles, to fast boogies and swings. Yet audiences do not flock to his shows simply for his mastery of the harmonica... they are drawn by his magnetic stage personality and the idea of never knowing what antic may be next!

Blues music was created by people looking for a way to forget their "blues" by telling their stories through song. Billy's show reminds modern audiences that blues music can be lowdown, but that in the end it's all about having some fun, dancing, and forgetting about your worries. www.billywatson.com

The Bayou Brothers!

The Bayou Brothers!
San Diego's favorite Zydeco band, with a sound straight out of Louisiana's dance clubs, bayou festivals and backyard crawfish boils, the BAYOU BROTHERS will rock you right on into "Fat Tuesday" with their extensive experience and endless enthusiasm to deliver a rousing, rollicking, heart thumpin', foot stompin' musical gumbo y'all won't soon forget!!!

Start with a blend of accordion, keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and rubboard, add three-part harmonies, mix it up with a lot of rockin' Zydeco, blues, R&B and that great Mardi Gras sound, toss in dazzling showmanship and a big old dance floor and you get the hot, spicy musical jambalaya that IS the BAYOU BROTHERS!!! For Bookings, Special Events, Schedule Information and Merchandise sales, please call: Ric Lee (619) 691-1609.

Chet Cannon is back in town

Chet Cannon is back in town. . .

You know and love him, in the past have enjoyed his band The Committee at San Felipe. Chet will be returning again this year as a Special Guest with The Backwater Blues Band. Remember this is going to be another real good time so be sure to get your tickets early. San Felipe Blues and Arts Festival - Don't miss a minute! www.bluesandarts.com

Inspired and the Sleep

Inspired and the Sleep is an Blues-Motown-R&B band from North County San Diego. This three piece, composed of beach lifeguard coworkers, plays shows all around San Diego, LA and everything in between. Hayden Stewart (drummer), Max Greenhalgh (bassist/vocal), and Bryce Outcault (guitarist) have been playing the SoCal scene for the past 2 years. The group's inspiration comes from artists such as Al Green, Otis Redding, and even The Backwater Blues Band. Tom Stewart, drummer and head of The Backwater Blues Band, and Hayden Stewart's father, has provided a noticeable amount input and advice to Inspired and the Sleep set. They have even sat in on BWBB gigs.


 All the members are full-time students; however, they find time to perform a variety of shows like open mics, festivals, bars, houses, grand openings, college shows, and so on... The variety in gigs reflects on the member's variety in personalities. If one was to ever spot the them during rehearsal, you would notice the relationship between one another is almost strictly satirical and sarcastic. Nevertheless, they are good friends who use this mix of disposition to season their Blues/Rock/R&B sound with a hint of "alternative".

Nathan James

Currently Nathan’s three piece band is forging a cumulative sound that combines elements of 1920's acoustic blues, amplified juke joint hill country, and 1950's uptown blues mixed with 1960's soulful R&B! Influences range from Tampa Red, to B.B. King, to James Brown and the Famous Flames. This is not your average blues power trio that leans towards the much abused "blues rock" formula. Instead each member in the band knows all the nuances of the different feels and tones. Knowing how to get people's attention, Nathan will often go out solo from the bandstand and burst into a frenzied ragtime breakdown that can lead to a washboard solo on his custom LED lit 'Washtar Gitboard'! Another unique aspect of a live show is band mate Troy Sandow. He may start off the set on upright bass while Nathan will play an uptown lead guitar style in the vein of B.B. or T-bone Walker. Then he will switch over to amplified harmonica and Nathan will fingerpick a driving groove on his baritone guitar in the style of R.L. Burnside or Lightnin' Hopkins. Although Nathan's band pays homage to these traditions and has the same quality of musicianship, there is an original and fresh new energy coming from musicians of a much younger generation.


Band members consist of:

Marty Dodson (drums, vocals) was raised in a Southern Baptist church, listening to his grandfather's sermons and his mother's piano playing. "I loved the music at church and when we got home, would beg her to play the boogie woogie." Records at home consisted of gospel, country, bluegrass and early rock-n-roll (Little Richard & Jerry Lee Lewis, of course.) "My family bought me a drum set when I was ten and I haven't stopped playing." During his career, as a long time member of Mark Hummel's Blues Survivors, he has toured with virtually every well known blues harmonic player in the world including: James Cotton, Lazy Lester, Snooky Pryor, Kim Wilson, Lee Oskar, James Harman, Charlie Musslewhite, John Mayall, Rod Piazza, and even Huey Lewis!  Marty has studied all the nuances of blues and soul drummers including: Fred Below, S.P. Leary, Francis Clay, and Al Jackson. He has been a veteran touring musician for most of his adult life.

Troy Sandow (upright and Fender bass, harmonica, vocals) started playing music after he heard the Muddy Waters "Can't Get No Grindin" LP. harmonica influences are George "Harmonica" Smith, Big Walter Horton, James Cotton, Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Whispering Smith and Sylvester Buckley, and James Harman.  He later took up the bass and spent many hours listening to Stax, Motown and Muscle Shoals rhythm sections, along with blues upright bassists Big Crawford, Ransom Knowling, and Willie Dixon. Troy joined the James Harman band in 2009, and also works with many other well know bands including a traditional country band he co-founded called "Hello Trouble".

Coyote Mike and the Wetbacks are coming to San Felipe

 The Wetbacks are a group of international musicians that got together in Ensenada in the spring of 2010 with most of the members having had previous experience with different groups over the years with varying degrees of success.  We came together to create a blend of sounds ranging from blues and rock to funk, jazz and reggae. We do original material as well as covers always with that ¨Wetback twist .

The reason for the name of the band was a tongue in cheek social statement rather than a racial slur or derogatory statement. We as a group have never seen an alien, let alone an illegal one,  and knowing that we are all citizens of this one small speck of dust flying through the cosmos we feel that if one person is called a wetback then we are all wetbacks. Borders we believe are false constructs that separate rather that unite people.

The musicians range in age from 17 to 61 years old  and having this wide age range allows us to accept the new and see the old with fresh eyes and ears. We look forward to performing for all of you.

As always we wish you happiness, love and great tunes.

Mike

Southern California Blues on the Beaches of San Felipe Baja California

Submitted by Tom Stewart

This is the 6th year of this great San Felipe, Baja, music, and art festival and in the past two years, the event broke away from the true blues style of music, but this year its back! This year features a great San Diego lineup to performing on the beach of the beautiful Sea of Cortez, at the El Cortez Hotel and artists from around Mexico and the U.S. with a huge variety of fine art.

This is the most anticipated year for the Blues & Arts, with all these great San Diego artists performing from the young soul and blues artist, Inspired and The Sleep covering classic soul, blues and R&B with a Indi-rock twist to the true veterans of world class blues, Billy Watson, Natham James, Chet Cannon, Ric Lee, Tom Stewart, Tony Matoian, Charles Burton, and Mercedes Moore, in addition to Backwater Blues Band with special guest, plus Baja locals Coyote Mike and The Wetbacks will also be tearing up the beach stage, and all the great supporting band musicians. But, the blues don’t stop there. There will be an all-star jam at the end of the show, in addition to a pre-party on Friday and a post party on Sunday.

This festival is all about good times; the show, the music, the art, food and drink, with all the love that this great Baja community of San Felipe. They welcome all to attend this festival; they roll out the red carpet for the artists, musicians, and guests. The weather is perfect this time of year and guaranteed to be sunny and warm.

Helping to put this event together is Gary Dilley and the San Felipe Lions Club, El Cortez Hotel, John & Rachel Pack of Baja Good Life Club, Tom Stewart of Backwater Blues Band, the community of San Felipe. All proceeds go to local charities.

The sound this year is being produced and engineered by a great pro sound system and sound engineer Justin Barton of JB Soundscapes, sound engineer and technician for Dwight Yoakum; they are also the sound for the Legendary Rhythm Blues Cruise.

San Felipe is a safe, friendly, and beautiful place to visit only and is only 4-hour drive from San Diego. Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the door. VIP packages and hotels packages are also available. More info visit www.bluesandarts.com or the Baja Good Life Club at www.bajagoodlife.com.

Thanks Tom Stewart

2012 Blues & Arts Band Lineup

• Bayou Brothers w/ Charles Burton
• Billy Watson and the International Silver Sting Submarine Band
• Nathan James Band
• Mercedes Moore Band
• Chet Cannon and the Committee
• Backwater Blues Band All Stars featuring  Jeannette Turner 
• Inspired and the Sleep
• Coyote Mike and the Wetbacks

Band Spotlight - Mercedes Moore Band

6th Annual San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta

On this March 24, keep your agenda free for the 6th Annual San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta. The festival combines the best in today’s blues, rock ‘n’ roll and rock, and fine arts. “Changing Lives Through Music and Art” is not a mere slogan because the event will make a difference for both event attendees of this musical event and locals long after the event has ended.

The concert will take place right on the beach, at the El Cortez Hotel. If you want to see a show featuring 9 bands and as many as 40 artists, purchase the ticket in advance for $20, or at the door for $25. Go to http://blues2012.eventbrite.com/ for an online purchase. In addition to the music concert, the public will have access to around 40 booths presenting excellent pieces of fine art craftsmanship.

The San Felipe BC Lions Club (www.sanfelipebclionsclub.org) and the Baja Good Life Club (www.baja4life.com) worked together with around 150 volunteers to make this festival possible. Their effort and dedication will allow blues lovers to see the incredible Mercedes Moore Band.

Nothing can describe the Mercedes Moore Band better than the laudatory remark of the San Diego Reader: "This is one hot singer! Blues Diva Mercedes Moore is burning down the blues clubs is Southern California!" Indeed, the popularity of the band made up of Scot Smart (guitar) John Simons (bass) Kurt Kalker (drums) and Mercedes Moore (vocals) will easily cross the border from San Diego to Baja California.

The music of the Mercedes Moore Band is reminiscent of the 50s and the 60s, and it is based on a harmonious combination of soul, blues and R ‘n’ B. A large share of the band’s popularity can be put down to the sultry and strong voice of the lead singer. The music of the Mercedes Moore Band is like a breath of air for the true music lover.

In case you were not able to see the band performing live during the San Diego Blues Festival, the 6th Annual San Felipe Blues & Arts Fiesta is a chance that should not be missed. Come to San Felipe on March 24 to get into the rhythm of blues music on a beautiful Baja beach, on the Sea of Cortez.

2012 Blues & Arts Fiesta Promotional Video

 San Felipe 6th Annual Blues & Arts Fiesta in San Felipe Baja California on Saturday March 24, at the El Cortez Hotel on the beautiful Sea of Cortez. Please join us for our sixth year of raising money for those in need. An incredible weekend of world class blues bands, the regions top artists and good times of the beach of Baja.  www.bluesandarts.com

Musician Spotlight - The Backwater Blues Band

The Backwater Blues Band is one of San Diego's premiere Blues Bands in the styles of Swing, Funk, R&B, "Jazz-Blues", and even plays their own original music.

The Backwater Blues Band was founded in 1995 by Tom Stewart as an outlet to play music that is revered among the many friends and family that would come to Tom's house parties. Over time the band "broke out" of the garage and started playing San Diego's finest establishments. Come hear for yourself the great Blues tones that Backwater Blues Band creates!

Sometimes the Backwater Blues Band has special guests "sit in" and join the blues conversation. Whoever is on the stage, you can be guaranteed that your listening experience will be a very positive and groovy thing!
Comprised of members with a rich history in the San Diego music scene, the Backwater Blues Band will bring an ambiance and sound to your event second to none.

Backwater Blues has opened shows for many top artists such as John Lee Hooker, Delbert McClinton, Fabulous T-Birds, Coco Montoya, are regulars on the KPRI events circuit, and play at many of San Diego's top music festivals. Feel free to explore their website and check back often; their calendar is always fresh and includes some of San Diego's finest spots for musicians to perform.