HIGHWAY 99 BLUES CLUB PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 13, 2009

CONTACT : ED or STEVE @ Highway 99 Blues Club (206) 382-2171

EMAIL : This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

“If it ain’t one thing; well then it’s two…when the only luck you got is bad,

what in the world can you do..?”

SEATTLE , WA – Okay, so we jumped the gun about this Spring thing….We really thought it was on its way and we got fooled. But that doesn’t stop us…no way…we are bringing the music again in May, just like we always do. So get your yard work done and get to steppin’ to the best blues club in Washington…!

We have got a great month of music coming and we get to see some new artists for the first time. Along with many of our favorites, we even have a couple of special shows for you as well.

May get’s busy right away with the first weekend. LADY A AND THE BABY BLUES FUNK BAND throw-down on May 1. Lady A and the boys party like crazy and make sure that everyone gets their groove on. The next night on Saturday, May 2 will be the ROBBIE LAWS BIGGER BLUES BAND. Fronted by Portland guitarist and singer Laws, this 7 piece group has been a regular fixture at Highway 99. Their brand of vintage R & B and swingin’ blues features three horns, B-3 and snapped down tight rhythm section.

The Highway 99 Blues Club premiere of MAGIC SLIM AND THE TEAR DROPS will be a rare Northwest treat by “the last real Chicago blues band”. As a WC Handy and BMA award winner, Slim’s raw intense version of the blues has been witnessed throughout the world. His Mississippi to Chicago style of the blues, along with his slash and burn guitar style make his live performances legendary.  Longtime Blind Pig recording artists, Slim and the band having been preaching the blues for years - from festivals to juke joints and now at Highway 99. There will be a Special Opening Act - SON JACK JR and MICHAEL “el Diablo” WILDE, beginning at 8 pm.

May 8 marks the return of MORELAND AND ARBUCKLE. Nominated for blues artist of the year, this band brings the blues from the heartland. Their take on the roots of Delta and low country Mississippi blues is powerful - with opening act, GRAVELROAD. May 9 brings the “ I-5 Harmonica House Party”…it’s Portland vs. Seattle…featuring Bill Rhoades, Jim Wallace, Steve Bailey and Mark Dufresne..” All of these harp studs will be backed by THE CROSSROADS BAND, former winners of the Best Blues Band in Washington.

Mississippi bluesman LIL’ DAVE THOMPSON gets his 2 nd visit to the club on May 15. With guitar skills along the lines of Albert King and Little Milton, Thompson brings the “dirt of the Mississippi and the soul of the juke joints” to his music.

Another blockbuster double bill hits the highway on May 16. Seattle’s BECKI SUE AND HER BIG ROCKIN’ DADDIES and Portland’s THE STRANGETONES gang up to battle it out. These kids really like each other and wanted to do a show together…who were we to say no..? So; it’s a nothing held back blues fest featuring two of the Northwest’s top bands.

Making his debut at Highway 99 will be SETH WALKER. Arguably one of the fastest rising stars on the blues scene today, Austin based Walker has a knack for fusing blues and soul and injecting his southern influences into his modern take on the blues. A special Sunday Blues Showcase on May 17 with a show time of 7pm.

Other shows worth checking on this month; bringing the old school Louisiana Zydeco will be MARK ST. MARY on May 24. LITTLE BILL AND THE BLUENOTES on May 22 and THE RED HOT BLUES SISTERS, with Special Guest,WES MACKEY on May 23. JAMES HOWARD, PURTY MOUTH, SONIC FUNK ORCHESTRA, SOURMASH STEVEDORES, JOHN”SCOOCH” CUGNO’S DELTA 88 REVIVAL, HOT ROD’S RHYTHM AND SOUL REVUE all take the stage this month.

We close out May with two great shows. May 29 is the monthly residency of LEE OSKAR AND FRIENDS. Legendary harp player has his monthly show. One of the original members of WAR and the Low Rider Band. The next night on May 30 marks the return of KOLVANE aka The Rose City Kings. Two time Muddy Award winners, from Portland, their fresh approach to Delta and Chicago blues has put their most recent CD onto Cash Box Top 5 list. Great performers, tightly knit band.

As always there is lots more information and gossip about highway 99 blues club at the following locations: http://highway99blues.blogspot.com/

www.highwayninetynine.comand

http://myspace.com/hitthehighway

Music usually starts at 8:30 weeknights and 9pm weekends.

Reservations are gladly accepted for all shows and highly recommended on the weekends.

Music in May, 2009

5/1Fri LADY A AND THE BABY BLUES FUNK BAND – can you dig this? Sure you can…Lady A and the

boys get to grinding with sweet soul and funk…be nice and they will play the blues fo’ ya...$12

5/2 Sat ROBBIE LAWS BIGGER BLUES BAND - led by Portland hall of famer Laws on guitar…this is a

smokin’ hot 7 piece band with horns and B-3…vintage R & B, swingin and jumpin’ blues – the

band has been featured at Portland’s Waterfront Blues, Bumbershoot, Sunbanks and more…$15

5/3 Sun Closed

5/4 Mon Closed for private event

5/5 Tues Closed

5/6 Wed SOURMASH STEVEDORES W/ Special Guest DAN TYACK and THE GOSPEL REVIVAL

QUARTET -low country blues and Americana, plus one of the best pedal steel pickers around – Dan Tyack - doing gospel like you have never heard….$7

5/7 Thurs The Highway 99 Blues Club premiere of MAGIC SLIM AND THE TEAR DROPS ….a rare

Northwest club show by “the last real Chicago blues band”…WC Handy and BMA award

winner…Slim’s raw intense version of the blues has been witnessed throughout the world…his

Mississippi to Chicago style of the blues, along with his slash and burn guitar style makes his

live performances legendary.  Longtime Blind Pig recording artist, Slim and the band having

been preaching the blues for years….from festivals to juke joints and now at Highway 99 –

Special Opening Act…SON JACK JR and MICHAEL “el Diablo” WILDE… 8pm…$18

5/8FriMORELAND AND ARBUCKLE ..from Kansas City…up for artist of the year...from the heartland... - roots , delta and hill country Mississippi blues…a powerful devil’s potion of the blues..

Opening Act – GRAVELROAD…at 8 pm…$12

5/9 Sat THE I-5 HARMONICA HOUSE PARTYFeaturing: STEVE BAILEY, MARK DUFRESNE from

Seattle and Portland’s BILL RHOADES and JIM WALLACE…backed by

THE CROSSROADS BAND…Voted Best Blues Band in Washington…$14

5/10 Sun Closed - BRING MOM SOME FLOWERS….!!

5/11 Mon STORMY MONDAY – live blues music dancing show….featuring Kevin and Lizzy and the band

BLUE SKIES…great blues music from the 20’s through the 40’s…$7

5/12 Tues Closed

5/13 Wed JOHN “SCOOCH” CUGNO’S DELTA 88 REVIVAL – classic blues…with harp, slide guitar and

the feel of the Delta with Scooch…$5

5/14 Thurs SONIC FUNK ORCHESTRA – 12 piece 70’s & 80’s dance band…smoking hot vocals and horns

ignite this band’s show…get your freaky groove on and hit the dance floor….$7

5/15 FriLIL’ DAVE THOMPSON from Mississippi; 2 time WC Handy nominee...plays the guitar like

Albert King and Little Milton…modern original soul blues with the dirt of the Mississippi

and the liquor of a juke joint…$13

5/16 Sat BIG ROC-EM SOC-EM DOUBLE HEADER….BECKI SUE AND HER BIG ROCKIN’ DADDIES

and from Portland, THE STRANGETONES – two of the region’s best bands…multi-award

winners from Washington and Oregon…they dared us to put em’ together..!! good dose of

jumpin’ blues and crime-a-billy rockin’ blues….this will be a sweaty, shuffling, good-timing

night of music…$15

5/17 Sun SPECIAL SUNDAY BLUES SHOWCASE…CATCH A RISING STAR….

THE SETH WALKER BAND…7PM SHOWTIME...from Austin, Texas…a rising star on the blues

circuit…has a knack for fusing blues and soul with his southern influences…a big hit on the R & B

cruise…a throwback sound that is original and fresh…$12

5/18 Mon STORMY MONDAY – come dance the night away to vintage blues music from the 1920’s to the 40’s

...local dance instructors Kevin and Lizzy host this new regular feature at highway 99…$7

5/19 Tues Closed

5/20 Wed PURTY MOUTH’S MONTHLY VARIETY SHOW…Featuring….Special Guest MIGUEL SALAS

– smooth hispano-americana roots music from Nashville singer song-writer…and of course the

camped-up, country-world spin of your hosts Purty Mouth…..$7

5/21 Thurs HOT LOUISIANA ZYDECO SHOW with MARK ST. MARY – playing a mix of Zydeco and Cajun,

for over 30 years, St. Mary has preserved the traditions of French Creole music….his blend of

old school Louisiana, swamp pop and New Orleans R & B makes for a high energy danceable

night of music…$15

5/22 Fri LITTLE BILL AND THE BLUENOTES – longtime legendary performer…former teen idol…master

of the blues, with jazzy hints and leanings towards R & B…just honored with a tribute album

and two sold out shows for his lengthy career…a classy guy & consummate entertainer…$11

5/23 SatRED HOT BLUES SISTERS – represented Washington at the IBC in Memphis…

best blues band winner…the sisters know about the blues and throwing a party...

with special guest WES MACKEY…purveyor of southern blues…unique style, great

showman – international tours…$13

5/24 Sun BAKED BEANS AND BEAUTY QUEENS – Rat City Roller Girls Fundraiser

Featuring…PURTY MOUTH…THE MEMPHIS RADIO KINGS…and

THE SOCKIT WENCHES….a crazy party, great music…some smokin’

BBQ delights and more…..$10

5/25 Mon Closed - MEMORIAL DAY

5/26 Tues Closed

5/27Wed HOT ROD’S RHYTHM AND SOUL REVIEW –Featuring RICHARD ARNOLD…brand new

band...fronted by veteran Portland soul/blues singer Arnold, along with CD Woodbury,

Joey the Saint, Bill Jones, Patrick McDanel, Joe Blue and Hot Rod riding on the mighty

B-3…mixing up the blues, new Orleans, jump and vintage R & B...$7

5/28 Thurs JAMES HOWARD BAND – longtime California resident...now residing in Seattle…compelling

guitarist and vocalist….blues, jazz and rock influenced latin….a rare talent….building a very

loyal following for these shows…$7

5/29 Fri LEE OSKAR AND FRIENDS – the originator of the Latin soul sound….founding member of WAR

and the Low Rider band…backed Eric Burdon….monthly showcase when he is in town…

recently featured on Evening magazine…backed by some great local players and always a

special guest or two….fantastic night of music…$15

5/30 Sat KOLVANE(aka Rose City Kings) – from Portland….one of our favorites….led by Kolvane…gutsy,

energetic roots blues music….taking audience’s on a wild ride….2x muddy award winner ,

driving rhythms, soulful vocals and a fresh approach to delta and Chicago blues…currently has

top 5 CD on CASHBOX for blues singles….$13

5/31 Sun Closed