Memphis singer/songwriter Keith Sykes is playing a free concert at the Levitt Shell on 10/03/10.

Susanne Jerome-Taylor and Pat Taylor

Jimi Jamison just returned from Kuwait and Iraq after performing before our troops with the Rock and Pop Masters. Check out this slideshow...

Susanne Jerome-Taylor and husband Pat Taylor were fantastic at the Levitt Shell. They were backed by Paul Taylor on drums, keyboardist Tony Black and guitarist Jack Rowell. Pat said they will be "playing more and more 'cause we’re having an absolute blast!"

It has been confirmed: a brass note will be placed on Beale Street in honour of the musical legacy of the Steinberg family after some musical heavyweights (e.g., David Porter submitted this statement in acknowledgement of his support) got behind the project. WDIA radio pioneer Martha Jean Steinberg will be remembered at the Handy Heritage Award event on 11/14/10.

Work Release

Work Release is a great new band playing their brand of "roadhouse" blues. Members include guitarist Bill Parsley (formerly of the Memphis Hurricanes, he use to write for CREEM magazine), former Target member Paul Cannon (he was the session guitarist at Steve Cropper's TMI studios), vocalist Gary Hager (from 70's Memphis band Silver Streak), bassist Bob Tait and drummer Chuck Bratton (both were in Wyzard in the late 1970's). Buddy Davis, Bill Marshall and Eddie Harrison jammed with the band at Huey's in East Memphis.

Sonny Charles and Kenny Lee Lewis

The Steve Miller Band roared through a set of their classic songs mixed some amazing new material at Harrah's in Robinsonville, Mississippi. Sonny Charles has the most soulful voice around and dance moves that had the audience in the isles. That afternoon, musician extraordinaire Kenny Lee Lewis (he's switching between guitar and bass duities for this tour) showed me around the new stage and told me about recording "a lot of cool Chicago-type blues" guitar sounds with producer Andy Johns for the new album. Despite the excitement about the new music, it's apparent that everyone in the band misses Norton Buffalo. Lewis told me that the benefit show was a big success and "Steve's playing some harp onstage" because there is "no one to replace Norton." Get a copy of the new "Bingo!" album from the SMB, it is brilliant.

Hagen and Joe @ the Gold Strike

Joe Perry extended a gracious endorsement of the Rendezvous (it's founder, Charlie Vergos had passed away that morning) during his show at the Gold Strike Casino. I had the chance to speak with Hagen Grohe before the show, I'm betting the world will hear more from this young man now that Aerosmith has regrouped.

"Miss O'Dell: My Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and the Women They Loved" is the new book from Chris O'Dell. She explains that "I came to Memphis on many tours, as well as lived there for a few months. That was in the 70's. But my best time was in 2000 when I came with my son and a friend and her son. We went to the MLK museum and Graceland and it just felt like really being there. I loved the feeling of the downtown and that really old hotel, what's it called? It just is a very special city."

German photographer Hannah Lipowsky is doing research for a project involving Stax-era musicians.

You may remember Deborah "JoJo" Billingsley from Senatobia, who became a background vocalist in the original Lynyrd Skynyrd. She passed away after a battle with cancer on 6/24/10.

Don Nix, Bonnie Bramlett and Klaus Voormann

Klaus Voormann was in Memphis to work on his upcoming album with his old friend Don Nix at Ardent Studios. Bonnie Bramlett flew into town to sing on covers of "Mockingbird" and "My Sweet Lord" backed by Muscle Shoals bassist David Hood, Memphis studio session drummer Joel Williams, keyboardist Rick Steff, guitarists Kelvin Holley and John Fohl. Voormann had a camera crew from Germany film the session as mixing engineer Jason Lattner worked the board. Paul McCartney, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, Dr. John, Don Preston and others contributed on tracks for the project.

Diane Steinberg-Lewis

Diane Steinberg-Lewis (remember her from the Sgt. Pepper's movie?) is "putting things in order" to start performing/recording again. It seems that her guitarist husband Kenny Lee Lewis and the other members of the Steve Miller band are going through some tough times. She said that "Norton Buffalo, the harmonica player, 58, passed on October 30th from 4th stage lung cancer. He was JUST diagnosed 2 months ago. The bass player in Steve's band, Billy Peterson, fell OUT OF A TREE and broke his ankle in five places. So Kenny moved to bass and Billy's brother who used to be in the band is on guitar. Kenny was the bass player in my band and it's kind of nice to hear his funky and GROOVING playing again. It's temporary until Billy heals."

Phillip Petty, the bassist in Point Blank, passed away on 6/7/2010. He was laid to rest in Pritchett, Texas.

Rusty Burns told me about his days in Memphis and the new Point Blank album. "This is the first studio record that we have put out in 27 years so we are really stoked to get to lay another bit of musical strata in our discography. It is also the first studio record that we didn't record in Memphis...bummer! I own a recording studio these days and record a lot of artists ranging from gospel to metal to country. The band likes the sound and vibe of the room, so we decided to do it here. There is an instrumental song that I wrote for my father two days after I buried him titled "My Soul Cries Out" which adds another element to the direction and depth of the band." He explained "I do have some very fond memories of Solomon Alfred's, The Breaks (great band!), Earl's Hot Biscuits and some vey good music/musicians. Strings and Things built the guitar that I still play today. I love Memphis and really miss it! We are working on doing some dates in the USA soon after our return from the European/Scandinavian tour."

Larry Raspberry was at the Memphis Italian Festival on 6/05/10.

The man they called the "Frayser flash" in the 1970's, Robert Johnson, played the Verteuilen Musique Festival in France on July 17th and 18th. You may remember him playing with John Entwistle's band Ox or his "Close Personal Friend" album he recorded with Blair Cunningham in 1979.

Edgewood

The members of the legendary early 1970's Memphis band Edgewood reunited for a "one time only" show as the special guests opening the "Jimi Jamison and friends" concert at Minglewood Hall. Pictured (left to right): David Beaver, Steve Spear, Jimmy Tarbutton, Joel Williams, Josh Haynes, Pat Taylor, (kneeling) Gary Hager and Donna Wolf. Despite not having played together in years, they sounded great tackeling some intricate material. David Beaver said that "We selected six original songs from two unreleased albums Edgewood recorded. One song we recorded at Dan Penn's Beautiful Sounds Studio on Highland in 1969 and the other five were recorded at Ardent studios when it was located on National about 1970. I would put them in a progressive hard rock category. We hope to take the audience back to the days of free concerts at the Overton Park Shell." It would be interesting to have them get back together for more music, they would be perfect for a late summer/early fall date at Levitt Shell concert series. Later in the evening, Hal Butler (the keyboardist from Creed) played in Jimi Jamison's band and Jamison had his old Target bandmate Buddy Davis join him onstage for a few songs.

Donna Radle Holland told me about Carl Radle.com, a great site dedicated to her late brother. He was the fantastic bass player behind Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Yvonne Elliman, Rita Coolidge and many others.

They managed to keep it a secret, but you can check out this great video of Robert Plant in Tutwiler, Mississippi at the W.C. Handy Blues Trail Marker dedication.

It was sad to hear that Dale Hawkins (he wrote the song "Suzy Q") passed away. I remember him telling me a couple of road stories at Cousin's Exxon in Holly Springs a few years back.

Chris Pickering

Australian singer/songwriter Chris Pickering has just finished recording new music in Memphis with producer Don Nix at Ardent studios. His manager Leonie told me they are "back in Australia now with a brilliant new record. The recording process was a lot of fun and Chris loved working with Don and the guys at Ardent. We can't wait to get it 'out there'!"

Elizabeth Derringer is busy with her public relations firm but she was kind enough to email a scan. Thanks! If anyone needs a PR rep, she is the best.

Bobby Lawson played with the Memphis Blues Society for the Blues Jam Thursday night at Neil's. He is in the process of cutting a "mostly blues" disc with Steve Wright at his Three Flights Up studio.

Ninuszka Pietruszka

Ninuszka Pietruszka is a 21 year old singer from Berlin, Germany. She has a cover of "Circles" (my favorite Alvin Lee song) on her youtube site that is just priceless.

The fabulous Down2 Five played during the half time of the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphis 76ers game. You can catch them most weekends at Wrangler's or the Bel Air club. Come out, eat, have a beverage, and see some old guys continue to fight off the effects of aging.

Bill Marshall (he was the drummer in Target before spending 23 years with Hank Williams Jr.'s band) has a "great classic rock band" with Tommy Cathey (his old bandmate in Target). Check out Almost Famous around town and at the casinos.

Andy Tanas has finished writing his book entitled Thoughts From the Indie Frontlines. He tells me that "It's about my life as an indie since I left Krokus in 1985. I went from big time rock star to nobody overnight. It also covers the indie scene today, good guys and bad guys, the oncoming fall of the major labels, what the future holds, growing up in Memphis in the 60's and the slumping local music scene of the early 70's, my time with Skynyrd in 75 and my dysfunctional life in Frayser with my paranoid shizo alcoholic step father. Fun stuff, huh?"

Derrick King, Gene Simmons and Dustin Starr

Dustin Starr told me about meeting Gene Simmons on Beale Street. "I was hanging with my buddy Derrick King. We are friends with Kevin and Bethany Paige. We were watching them at Alfred's. Kevin and Bethany know Gene from way back and wanted to go say hello. So, they were taking a break from the stage and we went out of the back door of Alfred's and down the street to meet him. There he was. We talked for a few moments and I remember that he was one of the most famous rock stars of all time. So, I reached out as he was walking away and grabbed him by the arm and asked for a quick picture. Boom. There ya have it. It was a brush with greatness, I guess you could say."

Scott Sudbury is "buliding a home studio and getting to work on a new album."

Punk blues masetro John "Loewbow" Lowe played with Pat McDonald (of Timbuk 3) and other cigar box guitar players in a showcase at the New Daisy theatre.

Phillip and Midori Rauls

Former Memphis record biz guy Phillip Rauls was noted recently in the Memphis newspaper as the "STAX MAN" when his anniversary photo was posted in the Commercial Appeal.

For a limited time, Roger Fisher (the original guitarist in Heart) is offering helpful direction with guitar playing, live performance presence, singing; songwriting, recording and personal evolution. The styles he can focus on are rock and blues. The charge is $70/hour and he teaches out of his studio just north of Lynnwood, Washington. If interested, call him at 425.802.8172.

Check out the new Voice of Golden Eagle website...

Ron Williams, Willie Mitchell and Carl "Blue" Wise

Memphis producer/songwriter Carl "Blue" Wise of Highway 51 has released a new album of songs co-written with Bobby Maxwell and recorded at Royal Recording. Willie Mitchell mixed and produced a track for the project. Wise was recently profiled at Soul-Treasures.com.

My favorite new find is the Plunk Chronicles. Quite a bit of music in the family bloodline. Mike Plunk toured Europe with James Burton last June. His singer/songwriter cousin Carol Plunk played at Dru's Place in midtown on Valentine's Day and Stacy Michelle Plunk is a background singer with Kid Rock.

Did you know that Joyce Cobb's guitarist Jimmy Arnold recorded an album with Jonathan Cain (the keyboardist/songwriter for Journey) a few years back?

Jeff Beck, Jennifer Batten, and Buddy Davis

The Memphis Rejects are Robert Kent Haines, Kim Lemser, Joey Skelton, Buddy Davis (check out his story of Jeff Beck's oxblood Les Paul customized at Strings and Things) and Frank Monteleone. Look for them to play this spring at Neils's, J.R.'s, The Crossing, Wrangler's and the Bel Air Club.

Sad to hear from a mutal friend that Chips Moman has suffered a stroke, but he is recovering at home in Georgia.

Bill E. Burk (a/k/a "007"), the music columnist for the Memphis Press-Scimitar, has passed away. I'll never forget "007" telling me about blackmailing the Scorpions at the Peabody.

Jo Jo Jefferies

Jo Jo Jefferies is on guitarist Randy McFarland's new album Age of Zero. She co-wrote "We Dream" and added vocals on others tunes. Jefferies has started singing with the Memphis Jazz Orchestra (at Alfred's every Sunday) and is still with the Monday Night Sirens (an acoustic singer/songwriter project with three other female artists) every Monday at Neil's.

Mike Simpson lived in Memphis in the 80's playing drums with Roy Howell in a band called The Actors. Later, he worked in the group Avenue with Jerry Dean, Freddie Kirksey and Chuck Jones. Simpson tells me that he is "living in Ohio now, having just celebrated 22 years with FedEx. I flew down to Memphis last year, to play a gig with Freddie, Chuck, and Jerry, and have to say it was probably the most fun I've had since I left!"

John Long was the program director at WHBQ-AM during it's late 1970's heyday. He has started Paper Sound, LLC, a company which provides audio content to newspaper web sites.

Terry Manning

During his return visit to Memphis, producer/recording engineer Terry Manning played a brilliant set of music at the Hi-Tone on Poplar. Featuring songs from his recently re-released Home Sweet Home album from 1970, it was his first public performance in years. Don Perry has posted photos from the show.

It's an honor to have Debra DeJean visiting jungleroom.com. She said that while living in New York, 9/11 was "up close and personal" for her and she is presently "spending some time with my family in Louisiania after the hurricanes" adding that she "would love to arrange a performance in Memphis" and for me to "tell Ward Archer, "Je t'aime", and Ward, I still wear leather & ride motorcycles."

I asked Bob Tait if he remembered playing at Peaches Records with a group named Wyzard. "You are the you the first person I've heard mention that band in years," he said. "Wyzard was Debra Preston (who later became Debra Dejean) on vocals, Delmar Preston on guitar, myself on bass and Chuck Bratton on drums.We opened for Meatloaf at the Ritz on Madison avenue the first time he appeared in Memphis on the "Bat out of Hell" tour. We opened for a lot of bands coming thru memphis and bigger bands from here. Today, Bob plays bass with the Memphis Hurricanes, and on and off with Chuck Bratton in the Killer Minks.

Delmar Preston told me "the Peaches show was a great time! I played on after Wyzard with Meatloaf for three years and then I played a while with Babara Mandrell and Roy Orbison for a few shows, until he died. I got out of the music business, I've owned a couple of companies and am now 'retired' living in St. Petersburg, Florida with my third wife, hah!"

Helmut Ploderer

Helmut Ploderer has moved back to Europe. He has a fantastic radio show entitled "Helmut's World Of Jazz" on bounceradio.net every Sunday from 10am until 1pm central.

It was great to hear from guitarist Bobby Bell. He told me about his former band Prodigy, who played around Memphis from 1979 until the early ‘80s. "The original band lineup was myself and John McGrory (guitars), Robbie Schupe (bass), Richard Butler (drums) and Steve Gaines on vocals. John McGrory left the band early and the spot was filled by Phil Crittendon, a great left-handed guitarist (and Michael Schenker look-a-like) and eventually Steve Gaines was replaced by Jerry Browning. We were basically a ‘70s British influenced hard rock band covering tunes by bands such as UFO, Rush, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest, The Babys, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Eddie Money, etc. We played various rock clubs around town and all of Bobby Kizer’s places on the Highland strip (New Horizon and it’s earlier name, but I can’t think of it), Poets, and others, opening frequently for Target, Handmade, Thumbs, and others, as well as occasionally headlining (with opening acts such as The US Kids from NYC). I remember opening for Creed when they had their big coming out party after cutting their first album for A&M. It was at Poets and the place was packed and rocking with a fair number of local music celebrities and few A&M executives in attendance. Richard Butler was a good friend of Chip Thomas (the drummer for Creed) at the time which helped getting us in with Bobby Kizer (famous or should I say infamous local promoter) and getting our start. I left the band around ’81 to concentrate on school (at Memphis State) and was replaced by a great guitar player who played in a mid 70’s Memphis band called Nova." Bell added that he "still actively plays Christian contemporary and worship here in town and am enjoying every minute of it. Those were some great rocking days with some great memories of seeing some fantastic musicians and bands."

Memphis T is a fantastic rockabilly/blues band from Toulouse, France.

It was great to hear from guitarist Ric Moore last week.

Kyle Aylor has opened River Walk Multimedia, a new audio mastering studio in Memphis. Contact him at 901-531-8238 or rwalk@midsouth.rr.com.

Is there a Target reunion show in the works? They "almost did Italian fest but it didn't work out." Look for "some type of indie release" of a live Target album that Steve Cox and Bobby Davis recorded of the band at the High Cotton club in the 70's.