A great blogger once wrote: "The blues has a language all of its own. It has such a slinky, sexy, sensual vibe that it speaks to your soul like no other music can." The Blues is music about LIFE. It can give you solace in times of sadness and can fill your heart when life brings joy and happiness. It speaks to you like no other music can and I have loved the Blues since the first time I heard it, in a British Interpretation, circa 1969.
Time marches on and things change as that happens. Recently there were some big changes in my personal life that made me reconsider where I was and what I was doing. This blog is part of the end result of those changes.
I do not do this to compete with anyone, nor do I expect to make any kind of living off this blog. It's prime purpose is to inform and make people in Second Life aware of the wealth of talent that exists here and the venues that promote and support live music, and Blues Music in particular. It's secondary purpose is for me to continue to meet and have fun with all the wonderful people that give so much of themselves to entertain us and who provide us with these great places where we can hang out with our friends.
Many people deserve my gratitude for their friendship and guidance over all the time that I have been involved in blogging in SL, and I want to take this opportunity to thank a few that have been very special to me:
First and foremost, I have to thank just some of the many musicians that have given me the extreme pleasure of listening and feeling their music and their enthusiasm for what they do and given me such joy in writing of my blogs. In chronological order of meeting these wonderful people:
Sully VonSwag, for being my first blog, and for inspiring me to want to write more. Nobody does Purple Rain like Sully.
Kendall Jigsaw, for being the most exciting-wildman-crazy-fast-neck jockey that really made me think all this is worth it, and who impresses me more every time I catch a set from him.
Virgil Flowers, who was so appreciative of my attention it humbled me. Stuff happens and life changes, and I wish you all the best in whatever you do.
JustinElias Anatra, just a wonderful man, great artist, and consummate professional in his own right. His voice is amazing, and his musical knowledge and talent are a rare commodity that is precious and well received by his fans, including me.
Tone Uriza, who was a hard fellow to track down in the beginning, but who made me so glad I persisted when I heard him play. He has become one of my best friends in both lives and who continues to teach and make me aware of what the Blues is, where it comes from, and where it can lead. He is a most amazing individual and truly inspires me to want to "spread the word of the Blues".
JimmyT49 Dukes, who, from his first notes upon his return, grabbed my attention with "hard-and-heavy-smack-ya-upside-of-the-head-stuff that takes you by the scruff of the neck and gives you a good shake!" Jimmy has since shown me what a genuinely sincere and lovely individual he is, how passionate he is about what he does, and shown me that it doesn't matter what life throws at you or takes from you, its how you react, within yourself and how you deal with consequences that really matters. This man LIVES the Blues every day and he has become another great friend that I value without measure.
The next series of people that deserve huge thank you's and deep respect are the venue owners and their hosts and other staff that allow them to bring all of this to us and do so with regularity and committment to the music and the artists. Make sure you support the venues that you frequent. This list is by no means complete:
Mina Weissbrod and QueenPhyra from SwampWater Blues
browneyes Magic and Gib Dix from Temptation Fall"s
Louisa Camino, Juve Wheelwright-Wobbit and Hobbit Zenfold Staheli, from JuVa Entertainment & Music Management and the Junity Venues
Doc Savage from Savage Blues
Virgil Flowers and RoxyMusic
Coral Byron, my dear SL sister, from MaddelineMaye's English Pub, who I have known since my very early days in SL.
I want to acknowledge and thank my very good friend, Vincent Corleone, for his confidence in me, his tolerance, his wisdom, his humour and his kind words when they were needed most.
Last, but far from least, I have to thank my significant other, Roxie Rivers, who has become so close to me and given me much joy and happiness and love in the short time we have known each other. She has encouraged me and given me the will to persist when the technical aspects got me down. She is a delight and my days are not complete until I see her and feel her close. I Love You Baby.
*And another Very Special Thank You to Tone Uriza for his help and technical savvy in helping me put together this website. A friend in need is a friend indeed! CHEERS!*
