Recovering "For Music Rising"

How interesting that just a handful of days before the 4th Anniversary of New Orleans' levee failure I find myself surrounded by reasons to resurface NOLA connections. This wasn't intentional at all, but a matter of life timing and placement or reminders.

Late last night I finally returned to my yahoo email account to find out that my blogs rooted in yahoo 360 were gone. Announcements had been posted to save posts before the final shutdown on 8/19 but unfortunately I was unaware. I was left feeling a great loss of not only my reflections of my personal life, but more so of the posts about "For Music Rising" and Alabama Slim. When looking in here for what I recalled was a transfer of Alabama posts some time ago, they weren't to be found despite multiple checks. I returned tonight only to reply to a comment made to my Reach Out blog. Amazingly enough, that comment was made by someone looking for Alabama Slim. On my way to that blog I inadvertently found those transferred Alabama posts in draft format, and now they appear in this blog content. I couldn't be happier to keep them alive for Alabama Slim. The most important delivery of guitar post is not included, however, but I will make a copy of it as it appears in Reach Out. They are listed from most recent to oldest.








Alabama Slim visits Baton Rouge
Sunday May 11, 2008 - 01:27am (CDT)

















It had been a month or so since I had called Alabama, so it was nice to receive a message from him this past Thursday night. This was the first time he had ever called, so I knew that something must have been important.



He let me know that he was going to be in town the next day playing at LSU somewhere with Slewfoot and Cary B's Blues Band. I was thrilled with the news since I hadn't seen him play live since the visit to his home last year to present him with the guitar. My husband, 5 year old daughter Grace and I got excited about his visit and having the chance to hear him perform. I was also looking forward to his meeting our 5 month old daughter Eve for the first time too.



Friday afternoon we talked again and he shared more details about his night. He would be at the Parker Coliseum at 6:30 PM performing at a benefit. This is where rodeos are held, and an organization was raising money for Family Services of Baton Rouge. Tickets went for $50 a person so I thought that we wouldn't be able to go at such short notice. Following our reunion, Alabama Slim escorted us into the building as his guests, and me as the photographer :). The kind ladies let us in without a problem. We felt so happy and fortunate to say the least.



We chuckled when strolling with him to the center area where their platform was set up because of this unique setting for a gig. It was hot and humid, and the dirt from the floor kept getting inside my open shoes. Ponies circled behind the stage for the kids, and a mechanical bull was being set up for entertainment. Those attending were geared up in cowboy boots and gear as well. A blue vodka punch flowed from a fountain and cold beer was ready on tap. During the night when I asked him about how it felt playing there he said, "I'm just so happy to be playing."



Meeting Slewfoot, Cary B, Matt, and Tony felt like an honor. They were so humble and appreciative of support given to them from near and far to keep their music going following Katrina. Slewfoot asked for the guitar story, and shared how moving it is to receive such a gift because he had been given a guitar from someone too. Cary B expressed more about her recovery and how important the support from organizations like Music Rising is. They've been helped by a number of groups, and if she's remembering correctly Music Rising had given her a grant to replace her instruments after the storm. She says that she is one of many musicians out there, and if it wasn't for organizations like Music Rising, Music Cares, Music Maker, and others, that New Orleans music culture would be history only. It was an important connection spending time with her and the band, and giving back some of the positive energy that they were sharing.





Their blues and folky music was perfect for the night, and the sounds permeated the humid air with deep soulfoul sounds. Alabama Slim entered the set following a handful of Slewfoot and Cary B's songs, and when he stepped on that stage, picked up the Music Rising guitar and began to play, that guitar came alive. Mmmm, I've used the word before when describing Alabama's playing, it was so sweeeeeeeeeeet. Knowing too more of their story of recovery, commitment, and joy of performing, made them even more wonderful to enjoy.





I felt so proud too when people came up to me to ask more about Slewfoot and Cary B's. They must have thought I was with the band, and I loved listening to them say, "Hey, they're really good." People danced now and then too, and loved stopping just to check them out. There was a point in the night though when mostly everyone surrounded the mechanical bull, and the band smiled at each other checking out the scene while they played.





They ended the night with a song called "Alabama Stomp", and we said our thank you's 'see you in New Orleans' before heading out. They were so generous and asked Grace to pick out one of their CDs as a gift too, that she insisted on playing later that night when we got home. I gave Alabama Slim a big kiss and hug good night, and really felt so much appreciation for his kind heart and joy.



How lucky we were, and are, to see Alabama Slim continue to play and do so well. It's incredibly cool to know just a few of the musicians that are keeping the New Orleans music scene alive.




















Alabama update
Tuesday September 11, 2007 - 11:21am (CDT)

I just had a nice conversation with Alabama, and have a promising update about what's been happening for him lately.


Music Makers contacted him to get back into the studio, so last month he returned to recording in Huntsville, AL with a few musicians from New Orleans. The Music Rising guitar was with him too, and he said that is sounded so, so good in the studio. :) The experience went well and his production manager says that work is progressing, so I'll keep you posted about it all.


Since he's been on the road and just settling back in, he doesn't have anything lined up in terms of gigs, yet. He's mentioned the upcoming Voodoo Festival a few times, so maybe there will be something lined up around that big weekend. :)


Go Alabama!!




Alabama Slim radio performance
Tuesday June 26, 2007 - 09:17am (CDT)

Alabama Slim appeared with Slewfoot and Cary B during the last 22 minutes of the WWOZ show yesterday. He sang the first two songs of three performed. :)



Way Down in the Bottom from the Mighty Flood release

"Boogie"

Third sung by Slewfoot and Cary B



Download the file here.

Enjoy!!!



http://www.yousendit.com/download/bWJxRm95Z2drUmswTVE9PQ











GRACIAS Max! :)













Triple benefits through Music Rising guitar gift

Please help buy this Music Rising guitar and give it to a New Orleans musician in need.



This action will have triple benefits. 100% of the sale proceeds goes to Music Rising, the guitar is in the hands of someone keeping the NOLA music scene alive, and Music Rising work continues to get publicity.



The Music Rising team will help us connect with a recipient once the guitar is purchased.



For more information about the guitar visithttp://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-?sku=516091











Please visit http://www.musicrising.org for more information about the work being done through Music Rising.





Donations to PayPal can be made to formusicrising@yahoo.com. If you prefer using a different method, please contact me through this message board.





Please feel free to spread the word about this intiative to your friends as well.



Thank you VERY much for all of your continued support.

Irene





You'll see in these two older videos the presenting of other Music Rising guitars to musicians. I'd love for this to happen with all of our efforts.









Promo Music Rising video









Music Rising interview with the Edge and a musician