It's Music for Moolah at WUSC this week: Tuesday, March 28, 2017

WUSC fundraisers used to be called Moolah for Music, because we'd play songs you requested if you pledged. Well, this week we will have a twist on the old school pledge drive with Music about Moolah - and we hope you will give to our station because we are an educational station that has a shoestring budget, volunteer djs and we serve up the best music you never knew you loves... obscure, rare, and either so old or so new it squeaks (really - isn't that funny? Same outcome on both sides of the spectrum - just proves life is really a 360 deal, eh?).

So please mail your checks to:
WUSC-FM Fundraiser (notation: bc Blues Moon w/Clair DeLune)
 RHUU Rm 343
1400 Greene St.
Columbia, SC 29208

And if you want to include a note that you gave because you love Blues Moon with Clair DeLune (or insert your even more favorite show and dj so they'll get the pat on the back and keep their show slot for another term) it helps management get the idea of whom to bring back and feature in the prime time slots.

We love that you listen, we want to spend time on the music and info about the artists, so we won't stop out to take requests... we'll show our love for you showing your love by staying on the air another term. How's that for fair?

Thanks so much!

Here is Tuesday's playlist (with some surprises from an old moolah playlist from 2009 - I might trot some of those out).

Playlist:

Keep me aboard for Year 28 with your contributions... we're not doing the online fundraiser this time, so if you can send a check, or call the Student Media business office to donate by credit card, I guess that's how we'll win this horse race. We cannot do it without you and my fans are the best... you always keep the grooves going around and the jook joint swingin'!

Rocky and I luvs ya lots!
Clair and RockyDawg

Tribute to two music pioneers: James Cotton and Chuck Berry on Blues Moon Radio 3/21/2017

Tonight we will break into our Women's History Month programming to pay tribute to two music pioneers who passed away this week: James Cotton and Chuck Berry on this edition of Blues Moon Radio, with your host, Clair DeLune on WUSC-FM.
 6-8 p.m. ET/USA (usually -5 GMT) on 3/21/2017

James Cotton, Superharp:
Chicago Tribune's memorial column by the award winning writer Howard Reich began, "Admirers called him 'Superharp,' which was a bit of an understatement. The sheer lung power and technical virtuosity that Cotton brought to bear sometimes made you wonder if his tiny, hand-held instrument could withstand such force."



James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite
& John Hammond; Durham NC 10/2014
Clair DeLune, photographer
 

Musicians and music fans alike mourn this powerful icon of the Blues who fought throat cancer and won, only to fall decades later at the age of 81. Cotton played long and hard, and rode with the greats, having traded places with Little Walter by leaving his own band, the Aces to play harp for Muddy Waters when the relationship between Walter and Waters got rocky.

He was warm and sweet offstage and as interested in knowing about you as you were about him. He shared hugs and kisses and CDs with me every time I saw him and even though he was unable to stand for long, he arose to greet me with a kiss the last time I saw him in 2015, during a memorable appearance in Durham NC with Charlie Musselwhite and John Hammond.

From Hawkeye Herman: musician, author, folklorist, educator and recipient of the Blues Foundation's Keeping the Blues Alive award:

"I first saw James Cotton perform in the 1970s when he was with Muddy Waters. I saw him perform with his own band numerous times over the years after he formed his own band. I was honored to have presented James Cotton with the Mississippi Valley Blues Society's RiverRoad Lifetime Achievement Award at their Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, Iowa in July of 2006. At that blues festival ceremony The Mayor of the City of Davenport also presented James Cotton with the Key to the City of Davenport. James Cotton was most appreciative in receiving these honors, and he expressed his deep gratitude to the Mayor and the thousands of fans gathered for the blues festival ... and to the joy of the crowd, he then proceeded to perform a superb set of his signature 'high compression' blues ...  in spite of the 100+ degree weather. I'll never forget the great James Cotton."

 

He touched so many lives. He will be dearly missed. Thank you, James Cotton for the indelible mark you left on Blues and in our blue, blue hearts.

 

Chuck Berry 1958
By Pickwick -
Billboard, page 59,
25 November 1972
Public Domain

Shortly afterwards, a Blues and Rock icon, Chuck Berry, left us [NBC News video obituary]. Berry laid one of the cornerstones of Rock 'n' Roll, along with musical architects like Little Richard. Chuck wrapped R&B around some country licks, sped it up and a particular style of music was born. Musicians who have played around the country with him are legion because Chuck knew how to make a dollar work. Instead of hiring and paying for travel for a touring band, he would often call in advance of a gig and ask for local musicians to learn his songs and back him. His music was familiar to most aspiring young musicians and he had little trouble filling the bandstand. He was the attraction and few, if any, were able to discern that the band was not his professional backing band, but a pickup group from their own home towns.

Berry was savvy in a number of ways and thankful for the "gift God gave" him to make music, starting out at a whopping $50 a night, which was more than a month's rent. He worked with myriads of well-known musicians and is remembered for his musicianship, his characteristic riffs and his trademark "duck walk," which he laughingly admitted he got by recovering from a fall onstage.

Last October, shortly after his 90th birthday, he said he was ready to release his first album in more than 35 years, simply entitled "Chuck." It is due later this year.

Hawkeye Herman also shared his impressions of Chuck Berry with us today:
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry, age 90 - b. 10/18/26, St. Louis, MO - d. 3/18/17, St. Charles, MO - A true pioneer & "founding father" of rock and roll. His music & memory will live on forever ... including eternally on tour extraterrestrially; as his song “Johnny B. Goode” is the only rock and roll song selected amongst the music that was placed on a golden record aboard the Voyager I spacecraft/space probe, launched in 1977, and forever awaiting discovery by 'civilizations' in deep space ... who it is surmised, upon hearing the music on that golden record, will contact Earth from deep space with the singular message; "Send more Chuck Berry!"

 

Personally, I give thanks for these music pioneers and am happy to have owned their records, seen them play and in the case of James Cotton, had the honor of being kissed on the cheek on numerous occasions by him.

We send each of these wonders to Blues Heaven with our love and thanks... let our musical tribute begin:

 

 

 

We'll finish out the show with our previously planned tribute to women in music.

Be well out there - sending love and comfort to everyone who knew these men - they are missed. We also - from another personal standpoint - dedicate the chicken songs to the charming and delightful Miss Pauline, who is ever in our hearts, on this anniversary week of her passing.

 

 

Clair DeLune and RockyDawg, Blues Defender,

reporting on a sad week in music history.



 

Blues Moon Radio playlist March 15, 2016

Good evening and welcome to Blues Moon Radio


Tonight we will combine some music with some commemorations...

Yesterday was international Pi Day, so we'll combine that with Blues Moon and have some Moon Pi music.

Then we'll segue into some Women's history month songs - with the date being the Ides of March, we'll call it Ides of Ida Cox and friends...

Enjoy!

Tonight we thank our longtime underwriter and supporter of great music in the Midlands, Papa Jazz Record Shoppe while we also welcome two new underwriters, the UU Coffeehouse and California Republic Stand Up Paddleboards in Leesville near Lake Murray. You can link to these orgs by clicking on the visuals...

 

 

Blues Moon Radio playlist March 15, 2016

At last! Long-awaited first history of South Carolina Blues is published!

Announcing the release of "South Carolina Blues," by Clair DeLune from Arcadia Publishing.

https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/9781467114721/South-Carolina-Blues

The history of South Carolina blues is a long, deep—and sometimes painful—story. However, it is a narrative with aspects as compelling as the music itself. Geographical differences in America led to variations in the styles of music that developed from African rhythms. The wet, marshy landscape and hot, muggy weather of the Carolina Lowcountry combined to cultivate not only rice, but a Gullah-based style of South Carolina blues. In drier climates, toward the Midlands and the Upstate, the combination of European influences led to the emergence of Piedmont blues, which in turn spawned country music as well as bluegrass. Those same Gullah roots resulted in four major dance crazes, starting with the Charleston.

In this book, music history professor and blues radio host Clair DeLune dusts off neglected nuggets of history, drawing on archival photographs and rarely seen memorabilia from a generation of musicians’ personal collections. Readers will learn not only new information about some famous players who left their musical mark on history, but even more about the not-so-famous ones, as well as modern masters who carry on the rhythms of their predecessors and are truly keeping South Carolina blues alive.

Blues Moon Radio playlist: Titanic and Reptiles -- Tuesday, April 15, 2014

On last week's Blues Moon Radio show we featured a couple of songs that mentioned the Titanic Disaster; and this week, April 15th, 2014, we will bookend the tribute to those who lost their lives when that great ship went down with several more songs dedicated to the tragic event, which remains in our hearts and minds over a century later.

Snake Oil: proven NOT to cure what
ails you, but some good music might
make you feel fine. No snakes were
harmed in the posting of this photo,
which is available royalty-free, per
BING, at:  http://farm4.static.flickr.com/
3386/5752865198_a5dea07992.jpg

To take our minds off a certain taxing situation and to denote the onset of the slithery season, with your host having already uncovered her first frog and snake of the season in her garden (THAT will get one's blood going!), we will play songs with a reptilian/amphibian theme... and as a special bonus, we'll focus on alligators, too. Sorry turtles. Perhaps next time you will make the cut... you were a little slow on the uptake. Yes, I know... not your fault at all, dears. I completely understand. Let's hope I can avoid a "tort"oise lawsuit ... ahem. 

Not trying to act like a snake oil salesman, but Blues Moon Radio has the music that could just cure (Disclaimer: or mitigate... or do nothing at ALL for) your ailments... just tune in to WUSC-FM via the stream at www.wusc.sc.edu between 6-8 p.m. ET/USA each Tuesday (look for the playlist and "listen" button) and wait for the good feelings to pour all over you. Might help if you exercised regularly, ate better and dang it... when ARE you going to make that doctor's appointment you've been whining about, eh? I cannot do it all, you know. LOL!

In addition to our customary tribute to Drink Small (this week's cut will be announced on air), here is a list of  some of the music we'll feature:

, 

Our birthday tributes will include the legendary Bessie Smith and one of the Jelly Roll Kings, Frank Frost: 

Thanks as always for tuning in... your hosts, RockyDawg-BluesDefender and I, welcome you to LIKE us on Facebook at @Blues Moon Radio and follow us on Twitter at BluesMoonRadio - don't forget to LIKE "Drink Small, the Blues Doctor" on his official page on Facebook, as well.

We hope you enjoy the show... and don't get snakebit on April 15th! Remember to sign and send those tax forms!

Clair DeLune

Blues Moon Radio Interview, Tix giveaway and playlist Sept. 24, 2013

Jim Kweskin Jug Band (early 60s) just "juggin' around."

 

We have a great show lined up for you tonight - we are featuring a great interview with Jim Kweskin, of Jim Kweskin Jug Band during the 50th anniversary year of the band's founding.


Kweskin in 2013; appearing in duo with Geoff Muldaur

We will hear some of the band's old songs to get ready for Kweskin & Muldaur's appearance at the 17th Annual Carolina Downhome Blues Festival brought to us by the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County (click for information and roster of artists).

You will have a chance to win a set of passes to the event ... so listen to the interview and be ready to call in and answer a quiz question about Jim Kweskin after the interview. The station number is 803-576-9872 (WUSC). We'll announce when lines are open!

Later in the show:

We'll also tie in some popular culture of years gone by with today's date. Hint: Fan mail from a flounder!

It's going to be a rip-snorter of a show - not to be missed!

Hope you can tune in or stream - we'll miss you if you are gone!

Best Blues from your Blues buddies,
Clair DeLune and RockyDawg, Blues Defender.

Blues Moon Radio playlist - Tuesday Aug. 27, 2013

Tonight's show:

Drink Small - Drink Small Boogie (appearing at Bowen's Island with Smoky Weiner Saturday)

Adelaide Hall - Creole Love Call
Cab Calloway - Minnie the Moocher's Wedding Day
Sam Carr - You Need Love
Hop Wilson - Love's Got Me All Fancied Up

Mac Arnold - Play the Blues for You b/w I Don't Know

Interview with Shelly Waters - appearing at Bill's Pickin' Parlor this Saturday
Ray Sawyer - Bells in My Heart

Corey Harris - High Fever Blues b/w Let 'em Roll (w/ Henry Butler)

Harper - The Comfort Zone
Harlem Song - Dream Deferred
Paul Butterfield - Shake Your Moneymaker
Professor Longhair - Every Day, Every Night
Joe Jones - You Talk Too Much

Dick Dale - Esperanto
Chris Smither - Dust My Broom
Otis Rush - Natural Ball

Shirley Ceasar - You Gotta Serve Somebody
Sounds of Blackness - Solid Rock
Big Joe and his Washboard Band - When You Said Goodbye

Illinois Jacquet - Bottoms Up
Cab Calloway - Shotgun Boogie

Good night! Thanks for tuning in... and we hope you enjoyed the show! Glad to be back - see me again next Tuesday at 6 ET

Clair DeLune

Big Daddy Stallings interviewed by Blues Moon Radio - appearance Weds June 26 Kiawah Island

Big Daddy Stallings is originally from the Carolinas... and a few places in particular that might ring familiar with some of Blues Moon Radio listeners.

I had a great time hearing his stories and his joy for life.

Tune in to the interview here, instead of on the radio, while Blues Moon Radio is on summer hiatus:
Audio interview with Big Daddy Stallings on YouTube

Hope you can attend the gig... Weds June 26 Kiawah Island

Info is on the Town of Kiawah Arts Council page:
http://www.kiawahisland.org/artscouncil/

Enjoy! Clair DeLune

Blues Moon Radio Playlist for Mardi Gras Feb. 12, 2013

Oh, we are Krewe-zin now...

Milllbilly Blues / Your mouth wrote a check your butt can't cover by , Feb 12, 2013, 7:50:11 pm

Buddy Guy / Country Boy / live at Legends by , Feb 12, 2013, 7:41:49 pm

Buddy Guy / Polka Dot Love / Live at Legends by , Feb 12, 2013, 7:37:33 pm

Davell Crawford / Gather By the River by , Feb 12, 2013, 7:29:39 pm

Allen Toussaint / Yes We Can Can by , Feb 12, 2013, 7:27:13 pm

Gene the Mighty Flea Connors et al / Let the Good Times Roll by , Feb 12, 2013, 7:22:11 pm

Roosevelt Sykes / New Orleans Jump by , Feb 12, 2013, 7:14:03 pm

Clifton Chenier / The Big Wheel (Squeeze Box Shuffle) by , Feb 12, 2013, 7:11:09 pm

Roy Carrier / The Zydeco Beat by , Feb 12, 2013, 7:07:50 pm

Hawketts / Mardi Gras Mambo by , Feb 12, 2013, 7:07:29 pm

Beau Jocque and the Zydeco Hi Rollers / Alle Parti Pout Voi Beau Jocque by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:58:29 pm

Amede Breaux / Vas y Carrement by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:53:46 pm

Papa Lightfoot and Edgar Blanchard / Creole Gal Blues by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:44:04 pm

Creole Serenaders / Gut Bucket Blues

Elgar's Creole Orchestra / Nightmare by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:41:58 pm

White Cloud Hunters Mardi Gras Indians / Sew Sew Sew by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:34:06 pm

The Wild Magnolias / Brother John is Gone Herc Jolly John by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:27:07 pm

Professor Longhair / Go To The Mardi Gras by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:23:39 pm

Memphis Slim / Let the Good Times Roll Creole by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:19:02 pm

Allen Toussaint / Tipitina and Me by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:16:24 pm

Eddie Bo / When the Saints Go Marching In by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:14:04 pm

Charlie Miller / Prayer for New Orleans by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:03:50 pm

Preservation Jazz Band / Do You Know ... New Orleans by , Feb 12, 2013, 6:03:11 pm

Beausoleil / L Ouragon by , Feb 12, 2013, 5:58:07 pm

Blues Moon with Clair DeLune by , Feb 12, 2013, 5:57:40 pm

Blues Moon Radio - fight between Valentine's and Mardi Gras




Valentine's Day can turn the truest heart Blue(s)

The calendar poses a bit of a quandary on the night of the 12th... it is Mardi Gras, and the closest Tuesday to Valentine's Day... but since Mardi Gras falls on the actual Tuesday (ahem, how odd, eh? LOL, since it is Fat Tuesday, it always will) I'm pushing Valentine's Day celebration (or lament, since it is a Blues show, after all - not everyone is happy on that day) ahead by a week.

Also want to pay tribute to Black History Month - but we do that all year long on Blues Moon Radio... the tributes and appreciation of the contributions of the Afrocentric/American music that is Blues is ongoing and deeply embedded in our hearts.

This Tuesday evening's Blues Moon Radio (Feb. 5) has lots of heart... next week we'll have a confunction junction of Mardi Gras and Valentine's Day on the same Tuesday, so I'm getting the jump on love and loss this week... tune in for "Have a Heart - The Blues and You for Valentine's Day - a bit early" - believe me, you will be glad you did. Great songs! Some longing, some lust, some hearts breaking and biting the dust. 6-8 p.m. on WUSC-FM - more details soon in the way of a  playlist.

 Stay true Blues!

Happy New Year 2013 from Blues Moon Radio_Playlist for 1/1/2013

Happy New Year, Y'all!

We want to thank you for a wonderful year of listenership and fellowship in 2012... and tell you "don't be scairt of a little thing like triskedekaphilia... fear of the number 13... because 2013 is going to be fantastic! We hope you get lots of black-eyed peas and collard greens for luck and good fortune!"



Best wishes from Clair DeLune and RockyDawg, Blues Defender.



“The chief beauty about time is that you cannot waste it in advance.
The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you,
as perfect, as unspoiled, as if you had never wasted or misapplied
a single moment in all your life.

You can turn over a new leaf every hour if you choose.”
Arnold Bennett

Tonight's theme is NEWs... all songs with "new" in the title. Here's the show lineup to get you in the mood for some good leaf-turning... some surprises might sneak in, but below is what is "in the bag:

Lightnin' Hopkins - Happy New Year
Charles Brown - Bringing in a Brand New Year
Joe Hill Louis - Got Me a New Woman
Sonny Boy Williamson - New Early in the Morning
Willie Dixon - New Way of Lovin'
Jimmy Nelson - New Shack Lover
B.B. King - A New Way of Driving
Tommy McClennan - New Highway 51
Sue Foley - New Used Car
The Paladins - Brand New Heart
J Edwards - New Shoes
Kenny Neal - New Lease on Life
Robert Wilkins - New Stock Yard Blues
Michael "Hawkeye" Herman - New Crossroads
Bernie Pearl - New Hollow Log Blues
Jon Shain - Something New
Jason Ricci - I'm a New Man
Eddie Turner - New Day
Geoff Achison - News

Blues Moon Radio Playlist for Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012

Leftovers...

...a term that often evokes turned-up noses... except right after Thanksgiving when they are embraced, and sometimes fought over.

So, to honor the beloved apres-Thanksgiving leftover meals, with their mix of mild gluttony and joy, Blues Moon Radio presents the Blues Leftovers... songs about food and the appliances that help us prepare our fabulous revelatory repasts.


Sit back, savor that last turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce, put your feet up, rub your rounded belly, make a wish on the wishbone and enjoy some tasty Blues licks. But first... go wash those hands... didn't your mama teach you anything?

About tonight's music
We'll begin with one of South Carolina's treasures, J. Edwards, growling lovingly about the food at Lulu's House... and finish our tribute to food prep with a song about something one never wants to experience during a holiday food prep: Frigidaire Blues by Sonny Boy Williamson in his slurry, relaxed style.

In between, we'll remind our listeners that not everyone has enough to eat - especially in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy - and encourage them to donate to a legitimate charity that relieves suffering for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Ways you can help:
Harvest Hope Food Bank dedicates 98¢ out of every dollar donated to feeding the hungry in our S.C. communities. DONATE. Pennies from you makes a difference for others.

American Red Cross - You can help people affected by disasters — big or small — by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.


Finally, we'll tie things up with the inexplicable inclusion of "Don't Worry about the Bear." We hope you will forgive this insider greeting to a long-time Blues Moon Radio supporter who has a birthday coming up soon. We think you will enjoy it, as well as the recipient, but whatever you do... "don't feed the bears." Nothing good ever comes of that.

Don't forget... there is another fine Utopia Blues Jam coming up on Dec. 11th.

Blues Moon Radio Playlist for Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012

J. Edwards - Lulu's House
Peg Leg Howell - Broke and Hungry Blues
Clara Smith - Jelly Jelly, Look What You Done Done
Buster Benton  - Spider in My Stew
B. Brown - Candied Yams
Robert Ward - Potato Soup
Hal Paige and the Wailers - Pour the Corn
Memphis Minnie - Selling My Pork Chops
St. Louis Bessie - Meat Cutter Blues

Featured artist of the week:

Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson bio: http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/musician.php?id=7946








Willis "Gator" Jackson - Good to the Bone

Blind Blake - Dry Bone Shuffle
Johnnie Taylor - That Bone
Bobby Radcliff/Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters - Bonehead
Eddy Clearwater - Neckbones Everyday
Bobby Charles - Take It Easy Greasy
Blue Lu Barker - Buy Me Some Juice
Tutu Jones - Good Juice
Robert Plunkett - Sweet Tooth
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown - Pressure Cooker
Bill Perry - Pressure
Little Charlie and the Nightcats - Percolatin'
Sonny Boy Williamson - Frigidaire Blues
Doctor Ross - Don't Worry 'Bout the Bear

Thanks for tuning to Blues Moon Radio on WUSC-FM Tuesdays 6 p.m. ET (-5 GMT)  http://wusc.sc.edu

Clair DeLune and RockyDawg, Blues Defender

First-ever Blues show at Bill's Pickin' Parlor tonight

Luke Winslow-King, Walter Liniger at Bill's Pickin' Parlor

Bill's Pickin' Parlor at 710 Meeting Street in West Columbia, S.C., has long been a haven for true Bluegrass picker and fans.

A year or so after the community suffered the passing of Mr. Bill, his son Willie Wells is keeping the Bluegrass tradition alive, albeit with a tweak or two.

One venture the venerable venue is testing includes a Blues showcase on Saturdays.

The first such event is this evening at 7 p.m. (Nov. 10, 2012) and features New Orleans' Luke Winslow-King, a guitarist who favors traditional pre-WWII music and Walter Liniger.


Luke Winslow-King (from his Web bio): "Luke Winslow-King (born March 12th 1983) is a guitarist, singer, composer, and lyricist known for his slide guitar work, and interest in pre-war blues and traditional jazz. Winslow-King’s work consists of an eclectic mix, taking in delta-folk music, classical composition, ragtime, and rock and roll; juxtaposing original songs with those from a bygone era.

Whether solo, or with a band, Winslow-King is known for an original sound that is both rustic and elegant. He delivers energetic and dynamic performances, with his burgundy voice and versatile guitar playing.

Winslow-King, originally from Cadillac, Michigan, moved to New Orleans by chance in 2001. During a decade in New Orleans, he has collaborated with a revered list of local musicians, including: John Boutte, “Washboard” Chaz Leary, George Porter Jr., and Paul Sanchez.
Performing years of weekly gigs on Frenchmen Street, Winslow-King has honed his sound and earned respect as leader among the young traditionalists. His music appeals to countless vacationers making musical pilgrimages to New Orleans, selling thousands of records from the stage. Winslow-King has performed live on CNN and the Discovery Channel in recent years and was named ‘Writer of the Week’ by American Songwriter Magazine in January 2011.

Winslow-King’s album, Old, New Baby (Fox On A Hill Record) received acclaim locally and nationally, and helped him gather followers in all generations. Recorded in 2009 at Preservation Hall, Old/New Baby was distributed by eMusic and named within American Songwriter’s Top Ten Albums of 2009."

Walter Liniger:

Opening the show will be Walter Liniger,* who plays a powerful harmonica that makes one envision the train coming down the tracks. Liniger, who hails from Switzerland, but has made Columbia his home for a portion of each year was mentored by Son House and spent time honing his Blues craft from North Carolina's picking legend, Etta Baker. He teaches Blues for the Honors College at the University of South Carolina.

From his Web bio:
"From 1984 until 1992 Liniger worked as a Research Associate at the University of Mississippi's Blues Archive, directing the archive's oral history project, "The Original Down Home Blues Show."

In 1984, a Folk Art grant by the Mississippi Arts Commission allowed Liniger to start his apprenticeship with James Son Thomas (1926-1993), one of the Delta's great bluesmen. During the following seven years the duo appeared at most major Blues festivals throughout America and participated extensively in the statewide Arts in Education program. This valuable experience, mentioned in the Gerard Herzhaft's Encyclopedia of the Blues, was sobering and necessary: it allowed Liniger to re-evaluate his rather intellectual notion of the Blues. In addition, Liniger continued his studies under Sonny Boy Nelson (Eugene Powell), Jack Owens, Johnny Woods and Wilburt Lee Reliford, exponents of traditional Mississippi Blues.

In 1993 Liniger became a Distinguished Lecturer with the Institute for Southern Studies, University of South Carolina. In addition to teaching his successful course ECHOES IN BLUES at the South Carolina Honors College, he continues to perform on a regular basis. In recent years he often joins guitarist and National Folk Heritage Award winner Etta Baker (b.1913) on stage.

In 2001 Wale Liniger became the first recipient of a stipend at the International Jazz Archive in Eisenach, Germany. This residency was sponsored by the U.S. Consulate General in Leipzig, Germany. It not only led to a number of performances and workshops at a variety of educational institutions throughout Thuringia and Saxony, but also to an extensive article about the Guenter Boas Collection, the core collection of the archive.

Maybe it is because of his own multi-cultural background that Liniger seeks to highlight the healing endeavors of artistic voices, maybe it is because he believes in the creativity of the human mind when the heart is in trouble. In his performances Wale Liniger not only examines some of the cultural roots and tonal lures of the Blues through musical interpretations on harmonica, guitar and voice, but he also explores the underlying issues of translation and exile."

*Liniger, a long-time friend of Blues Moon Radio, was one of the first musicians Clair DeLune interviewed on her radio show when it began in 1990. He plays rarely in the area, so it is a special treat to have him on the bill.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: music fans of all sorts will enjoy this fine show in this great music hall.

Music video links:
Liniger: As promised... the Blues train is a-coming... Walter Liniger takes you there with an instrument that can fit in the palm of his hand... but there is an entire train in there, you'll swear!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7dGxKeRh98

Winslow-King: Old-time music, performed beautifully - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z31pH8pycI0

Photo credits: Winslow-King (from Web bio); Liniger (Linda Van Hart, 2011, from Web bio).

See you there! clair delune

Blues Moon Radio Playlist for Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012

The Blues Moon Radio playlist for Tuesday Sept. 25 (6-8 p.m. ET) features our Artist of the Week, Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes. BIO: Booba.

We will also feature many of the contemporary (or recently deceased) Mississippi Hill Country artists to round out our selections. Too late for this year's festival, but put the NMHCBF on your bucket list.

Artists who will be at the Carolina Downhome Blues Festival (Oct 4-6, 2012) will round us out.

Roosevelt "Booba" Barnes -
  Love Like I Wanna
  Rocking Daddy
  Ain't Gonna Worry about Tomorrow
  Hearbroken Man

Paul "Wine" Jones - I'm Gonna Leave 
LINK to obituary in UK Guardian (caution: language alert)
Junior Kimbrough - I Gotta Try You Girl
Big Jack Johnson - You Can Have My Woman

R.L. Burnside -
  Got a Date at Half Past Eight
  Rollin' and Tumblin'
  Goin' Down South (recorded at the Rhythm Room with Bob Corritore)

Jessie Mae Hemphill - Feelin' Good b/w Streamline Train
Lonnie Pitchford - Boogie Chillen

Jack Owens and Bud Spires - Devil Blues
Frank Frost - Just Come On Home b/w My Back Scratcher

Napoleon Strickland - That's the Boogie
Othar Turner and the Afrossippi Allstars - Shimmy She Wobble II b/w Sunu

More surprises to come!  Refresh your screen during the show...

Thank you for tuning in to the Blues Moon, with Clair DeLune, radio show.
Tuesday is Bluesday from 6-8 p.m. ET (-5 GMT) on WUSC-FM (90.5 FM or HD-1 Columbia SC); Itunes (college radio, then WUSC); or at www.wusc.sc.edu then click LISTEN atop the playlist on the right side of the web page. LIKE us on Facebook at Blues Moon Radio and follow us (when we intermittently show up as time allows) on Twitter at BluesMoonRadio.

Blues Moon Radio Playlist for Oct. 25, 2011 - HOWLoween Show!

Blues Moon Radio's annual Howl-O-Ween songfest!

Tonight we will start out with some scary sets that put us in mind of All Hallow's Eve coming up next Monday... in that vein (evil laugh here) we begin with a 13-minute song...


Chris Duarte - Something Wicked

Joanne Shaw Taylor - Bones
JJ Grey and Mofro - The Hottest Spot in Hell
Jay Gaunt - Devil Dealt the Blues
Coco Montoya - Fear No Evil

Skip James - Devil Got My Woman
Lightnin' Hopkins - Mojo Hand
Muddy Waters - (I'm Your) Hootchie Cootchie Man

Lee Pons - The Voodoo Boogie
Jumpin' Joe Williams - Voodoo Blues
Demetria Taylor - Voodoo Woman

Tom Principato - Return of the Voodoo Thing
Michael Ingmire - Voodoo Soul
Kenny Neal - Voodoo Mama

Seth Walker - In the Dark
R.L. Burnside - Nightmare Blues
John D. Fox - The Moanin' Blues
Ada Brown - Evil Mama Blues

We will also finish up our October birthday celebration with those who got bumped from last week's show because of the great live interview about the amazing Columbia Blues Festival. I am working on pictures from the event for my Facebook page... will let you know when they are up.

Birthday playlist:
Sonny Terry - Rock Me Mama
Willie Mabon - Seventh Son
Jimmy Dawkins - Chitlins Con Carne
Tom Ball (and Kenny Sultan) - Who Drank My Beer
Sam "The Man" Taylor - Oo-Wee
Detroit Junior - Too Poor
Henry Townsend - INTV b/w Poor Man Blues
Ethel Waters - Bring your Greenbacks

Don't eat too much candy, don't ring the creepy guy's doorbell (that's not a Halloween warning - that one is good alllllll year long!) and don't be shakin' any Mojo Hands!

Your Blues Moon Radio hosts,

Clair DeLune and RockyDawg (who is "dressing up" this year as Rin Tin Tin!).

Blues Moon Radio playlist for Sept. 20, 2011 - RIP Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

 We welcome Blues music fans to tune in from 6-8 p.m. Eastern Time (USA; -5GMT elsewhere) at http://wusc.sc.edu (best to catch the stream and get set up just prior to show time - although we have increased our streams, they are still limited). 

Clair DeLune has hosted the Blues Moon Radio show since 1990. She is a writer, editor and public relations professional who is also a professor of music history and has taught courses in Blues History, History of Rock and Roll; Jump, Swing and Boogie-Woogie; and Women in Popular Music of the 20th Century at the University of South Carolina. Her articles on music, public relations and the media, health and lifestyle issues have appeared in books and magazines. 

Blues Moon Radio playlist

Sept. 20, 2011

RIP Willie "Big Eyes" Smith

Note: there will be a tribute to the Muddy Waters' Band in tonight's show in honor of Willie "Big Eyes" Smith who passed away this week of a stroke.

Our hearts go out to his family, friends and many devoted fans. We are awed by his contribution to music and for being in the most influential Chicago Blues Band of all time.

Starting out tonight's show is some new music:

Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo - Boom Boom

Whiteboy James and the Blues Express - Night Train Wine

And now for some songs that tie in to the Chicago Blues sound, specifically the seminal sound that Muddy Waters originated.  Coming up next are some numbers by others that influenced, or pay direct homage or owe a debt to McKinley Morganfield and his band.

Willie Dixon - Jungle Swing

Maxwell Street Jimmy - Someday Baby

Big Bill Broonzy - Baby Please Don't Go

Paul "Wine" Jones - Goin' Back Home

Electric Mud Band - Mannish Boy

Carey Bell and Lurrie Bell - Rollin' and Tumblin'

Muddy Waters' Tribute Band with Jerry Portnoy - Muddy's Shuffle

And now for the man and his band, with an ear tuned to heaven because he's just had another long-time member join him up yonder:

Muddy Waters - Trouble No More

Muddy Waters - You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone

Muddy Waters - Hard Day Blues

The rest of the show is a mix of material that just sounded good to me in the early part of this week, so I thought I'd share these songs with you all.

Jimmy Johnson Blues Band - Ain't That Just Like a Woman

Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets - Backstroke

Time for some Boogie-Woogie instruction, all you Blues-chirren!

Sir Charles Thompson - Mister Boogie

Clarence Moore and Curley Weaver - Baby Boogie Woogie

Billy Branch and James Cotton - T.D.'s Boogie Woogie

And now the women-folk are going to make pretty music for you...

I had the oldies tuned in on a trip this weekend and heard Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe," which - as sappy as I am - still makes me tear up a bit, so we are featuring a Blues song about the famous Tallahatchie River - where the preacher saw a girl who "looks a lot like you and Billie Joe McAllister were throwing something off the Tallahatchie Bridge."

Ruthie Foster - Woke Up This Mornin'

Rory Block - Fixin' To Die

Mattie Delaney - Tallahatchie River Blues

Next week we will feature Jon Shain in an interview -

To keep with the river theme, we might have time for the following song from his new CD to get you in the frame of mind for that interview:

Jon Shain Trio - Yadkin River Blues - The Kress Sessions

Finally, if we have time, we will feature songs that I'd hoped to have time for in earlier shows - there just never seems to be enough time to fit it all in!

Thank you all for tuning in... you can reach me at:

FACEBOOK - Blues Moon Radio (page) and Clair DeLune (personal)

Twitter - @BluesMoonRadio

Blog - bluesmoonradio@blogspot.com

WUSC - http://wusc.sc.edu

E-mail - bluesgoddess AT gmail dot com

Blues Moon Playlist for Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011

Blues Moon Radio playlist (proposed) for Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011 (6-8 p.m. ET/USA)

Hi, Blues fans! Please tune in a little before 6 p.m. so you can get the stream settled in on your computer... or - if you are in Columbia SC - tune in at 90.5 FM or HD1 Columbia. Streaming is at: www.wusc.sc.edu (click on the link to stream/listen at top left of the site).

Newly released music will feature the name of the CD following the artist/song:

Whiteboy James and the Blues Express / Trouble / Extreme Makeover
J.T. Coldfire / Lee Malone / Crazy Sun
Susan Wylde / In the Light / In the Light
Sena Ehrhardt / Leave the Light On / Leave the Light On
Toni Spearman / Good Love Gone Bad *
Joanne Shaw Taylor / White Sugar
Marshall Lawrence / Going Down to Louisiana
Freddie Vanderford / Trouble Come Knockin' **
J Edwards / Turn Me On **
Yank Rachell / Cigarette Blues / Blues Mandolin Man
Lizzie Miles / Electrician Blues
William Moore / Ragtime Millionaire
Ben Prestage / Amsterdam Rag / One Crow Murder
The Delta Flyers / Sunflower River Rag / Sixteen Bars
Matt Walsh / Woody's Rag**
Ben Curry / The Laffing Rag
Tommy McClennan / I'm a Guitar King
Sylvester Weaver / Guitar Rag

(All of the above songs - new or old - are premiering on the Blues Moon... their debut on BMR)

We also featured a tribute to Floyd Council for his 100th birthday, with Runaway Man Blues and his friend Pink Anderson with "She Knows How to Stretch It"... (a dollah bill, zat iz). LOL!

The second half of Blues Moon's radio show tonight will feature music that is about music! :)We'll fit in all we can from this list...

Nat King Cole / Old Piano Plays the Blues
Ron Levy's Wild Kingdom / Organ Colossus
Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers / An Organ, a Guitar and a Chickenfoot / Translucent Blues
Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King / My Guitar
Earl Hooker / Blue Guitar
James Cotton / Superharp
King Curtis / Harmonica Twist
Sonny Terry / Harmonica Hop
The Carver Boys / Sisco Harmonica Blues
Coy "Hot Shot" Love / Harmonica Jam
Harmonica George (Robinson) / Sputnik Music
Anthony Gomes / Music Is the Medicine
Hollywood Blue Flames / Music Man
Jon Shain / Ooncha Ooncha Music / Times Right Now ***

Notes:
* Toni Spearman will be coming back to South Carolina from her home in Europe in mid-September for several weeks... catch her while she is here!
** Freddie Vanderford, Matt Walsh and J Edwards are appearing at the "Last Blast of Summer Festival" brought to the Upstate of SC on Sept. 17 by Treeline Entertainment - more info at their FB page or via She D'Ambrosio.
*** Jon Shain's new CD gives the flavor of old-time Blues, while remaining au courant. Look for a Blues Moon interview with him soon!

Special guest tonight on Blues Moon Radio

Tuesday is Blues-day and we have another great show lined up for you this week.

I am excited to present Laurence "Luckyman" Beall live in the studio tonight ... the show will run from 6-9 p.m. (EDT/USA) and in his honor we will also feature some roots music from the Rockabilly realm... LLBeall is that rare mix of Blues, Country, Rockabilly, Roots and Rock done in a way that hits the rusty nail on the head as it bangs in that ornery plank on the old barn. He plays it, lives it, dresses it and talks it. Thanks to Fred Ingram for turning me on to another musical gem who has found a home in South Carolina!

Check out his page:

Laurence Luckyman Beall

http://laurencebeall.com/ will take you to his Web site. His FB page is under his full name... while you are on FB, be sure to LIKE the Blues Moon Radio page... that's where many of my music updates will appear.

See you tonight on Blues Moon Radio at www.wusc.sc.edu (check in early so you are assured of an open stream link!). Space is limited...

Don't forget the Blues Jam afterwards at Utopia at 3830 Rosewood Drive Columbia, S.C. USA. from 8:30-11:30... you can jam and still get up to do your biz tomorrow!

Blues Moon Radio Playlist for April 12, 2011

Tonight's show features April birthdays for the week of April 12-18, also rain showers and flowers.

Birthday Blues:
Hound Dog Taylor - Walking the Ceiling
Shakey Jake Harris - It Won't Happen Again
Roy Dunn - Further on Down the Line
William Harris - Leavin' Here Blues
Frank Frost - Jelly Roll King
Piano Red - Jump Man Jump
Johnny Littlejohn - Dream
Little Brother Montgomery - Cry , Cry Baby
Clarence Gatemouth Brown - Ain't That Dandy
Bessie Smith - Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out

Rain and Fleurs
Bessie Smith - Keeps On a-Rainin' - Papa He Cain't Make No Time
Damon Fowler - After the Rain
David Honeyboy Edwards - Spread My Raincoat Down
Big Joe Turner - Rainy Day Blues
Gitfiddle Jim - Rainy Night Blues
Big Maybelle - Rain Down Rain
Bobby Jones - Come in Out of the Rain
Jimmy Reed - Little Rain
The Famous Blue Jay Singers - Oh My Lord Didn't It Rain
Willie "61" Blackwell - Four O'Clock Flower Blues
Jon Shain - Little Flower

Lonnie Shields - Fistful of Dollars
Bob Corritore and Little Milton - 6 Bits in Your Dollar
Jimmy Spruill - Scratchin'
Little Milton - Beggin' My Baby
Albert Castiglia - Could Not Ask For More

Scott Holt - Living in Fear

Blues Moon Radio Fundraiser Playlist April 5, 2011

Tonight's Blues Moon Radio Show surrounds our semi-annual fundraising efforts...

WUSC-FM has won many awards and honors for its alternative format and, although it receives support from the University of South Carolina as an educational station with a format that educates about music that is not in the mainstream, we rely on listener support to remain vibrant and active.

Donations may be made at http://www.wusc.sc.edu/ securely; and we thank you. Or, you may call during your favorite show (or anytime, but please mention the shows you love best) to donate: 803-576-9872. You will be prompted to provide your information.

Tonight's show has a money-based theme (please read the other post for today for concert information for the week and updates on Blues News):

J.B. Hutto - Please Help
Sonny Boy Williamson - Help Me
Tom Principato - Helping Hand
Little Jimmy Reed - Help Me to Spend This Dough
Chicago Rhythm and Blues - Help Wanted
Tucker and Thomas - Help Now
Magic Slim - Help Me
R.J. Mischo - Please Help
Jeff Norwood -- Money Blessing
Jazz Gillum - My Big Money
Lonnie Pitchford - Shake Your Moneymaker
Kenny Sultan and Tom Ball - No Money, No Honey
Micheal "Hawkeye" Herman - No Money Down
The Radio Kings - Money in Her Pocket
Monster Mike Welch - Money (That's What I Want)
Steve Freund - I Love Money
Tom Principato - They Took My Money
Garfield Akers - Dough Roller Blues
Mark and Robben Ford - Ain't Got Dough
Howard and the White Boys - I Need Some Cash
Little Walter - Dead Presidents

Promo for this weekends Freshfield Concert at Edisto
James Cotton - Hold Me in Your Arms