Jeff Norwood, SC Bluesman, has died BLUES NEWS April 23, 2012

Blues Moon Radio learned the sad news yesterday afternoon that South Carolina native Bluesman, Jeff Norwood, has passed away.

Jeff Norwood's Web page

Jeff was a long-time friend of the Blues Moon with Clair DeLune radio show and has appeared live in the WUSC studio many times. Everyone was looking forward to his next visit, but we knew we had to compete with the lure of the Delta for the talented musician's time.

His family roots were Deep Delta. I heard the sad news just before five p.m. from his cousin, the talented artist Norwood Creech, from Lepanto, Alabama, who had learned of it from Jennifer Mathus, who is married to Jimbo Mathus, who collaborated on Jeff's last CD, Push Pilin'.

Jeff called me about 18 months ago, when he was ready to name the CD and asked my thoughts on his suggested names. I thought Push Pilin' was a great name, and feel honored he eventually chose the one I thought was the best - although they were all good choices - some were less suitable for airplay. Something tells me some of the more audacious ones he tossed out for my consideration were designed solely to elicit a reaction. Jeff was always controversial and pushed people to think hard, pay attention and get their voices heard on issues that were important to society.

Jeff was proud of his work and his collaboration with Jimbo Mathus on the Push Pilin' CD, which he recorded down in the Hill Country of Mississippi. He debuted it live on Blues Moon Radio prior to its release. There was no hint that would be his last visit to the studio to sing, laugh and rant a bit about the vagaries of life and politicians.

Jeff was volatile, talented, opinionated, vibrant, deeply touched by life and, in return, always left a big imprint on whomever he came into contact with. He lived life "large" as they say... and he truly left this world too soon.

He is missed, personally and professionally. Our hearts go out to his family, which includes a wife and beautiful young daughter, and a grown son from a former marriage as well as many cousins and other family members who are as shocked as I am to learn of his passing at such a young age. Jeff Norwood leaves a big hole in the Carolina music world, and in the world of Blues.

So long, my friend...
Clair DeLune

Alright, Blues lovers, tonight is the show we have waited all year for - the Clair DeLune Blues Moon Radio Christmas and Holiday special. Christmas Blues is one of my favorite niche categories and tonight I will be extending the normal showtime by an hour to fit in an amazing mix of Blues, Swing and Jazzy tunes to make your holiday bright.


WUSC-FM is an educational station sponsored by the University of South Carolina, where I taught music history and have done a Blues radio show for twenty years. Tune in from 6-9 p.m. (U.S./ET; which is -5 GMT for you Cool Yule International cats and kittens).

We Webstream at http://wusc.sc.edu/, so click that link, then follow the listening links. It's a good idea to test the signal in advance just in case you might have to download some software to listen because you don't want to miss a minute of the music - only one song has been played before on the show - the rest are new to me (and possibly to you!). Yes, kids, "Christmas in Jail," by the Youngsters, is the perennial fave that MUST be a part of every holiday show. I wouldn't dream of depriving you of the quintessential Blues Christmas song - the most requested song each year.


Blues Concert Calendar
I enjoyed the Jam Room's Christmas Party at Hunter Gatherer last night (love the Capitol City Playboys and Drink Small) and got to see so many friends I had not seen in ages - especially Portland's newest Cola-Town expatriates, Amy and Carl Singmaster, who are sorely missed here.

I also recommend that those of you who are in S.C. head out to see some great acts:
Friday - Toni Spearman doing a rare stateside concert to raise money for homeless children - Greenwood, SC
Friday - Flat Out Strangers and Hick'ry Hawkins pairing up to dazzle at the White Mule (Main St. Columbia)
Saturday - The amazing Drink Small - a S.C. legend - appears at Utopia, which is catty-corner behind the Rite Aid on Rosewood Drive in Columbia.

e-mail me at bluesgoddess@gmail.com if I'm missing something!

Sad Blues News
Sending special prayers of love and strength to our dear friend, Nicole Hart, who lost her beloved husband, Lance Ong, a week ago. There is a memorial to raise money to offset their huge medical bills tonight in New Jersey. Please go if you can, but you can donate regardless if you wish: Lance Ong Benefit http://www.prlog.org/10430770-lance-ong-benefit-december-15th-2009-at-mexicali-blues-1409-queen-anne-road-teaneck-nj.html.

Her CD, Treasure, is a treasure, so if you'd like to help her and get a great CD, I highly recommend it (I'm not affiliated in any way - totally independent recommendation).

I was unable to do my show, or provide any warning about its cancellation last week, because of the sudden death of my Aunt Patsy, who was as beautiful a soul as any I have known, much like my own Mother. I apologize to those who tried to tune in or check for updates. I was "off the Wi-Fi grid" during my trip with no access to modern contrivances.

I'll be hoping you are tuned in tonight. That's my Christmas wish... that and for you and yours to have a safe, happy and prosperous holiday and 2010!

Clair DeLune, Blues Moon Radio and RockyDawg, Blues Defender!

"Izzit snowin', Mama?"

Follow me on Twitter (BluesMoonRadio)

Friend me on Facebook - Clair DeLune (the one with the picture of me and the DAWG).

Blues News

Lickin' my lips for the Columbia Blues Festival this Saturday... check it out at http://www.wordofmouthproductions.org - see you there!

Want to also take notice that tonight would have been Nappy Brown's birthday... he was a dear friend and an amazing musician. My heart goes out to those who knew and loved him and his music.

UPDATED: There will be a tribute to Nappy in Charlotte on Sunday -

DETAILS:

Nappy Brown Memorial Fundraiser

Sunday, Oct 18 6:00p

at Double Door Inn, Charlotte, NC

Age Suitability: None Specified

Tags: There are no tags.

Please join the Charlotte music community and the Charlotte Blues Society in celebrating the great man's life with a concert to help raise money for a headstone. Musicians and friends from the early days of Nappy's Charlotte-based career to younger artists that appreciated and loved him are coming together for a special night. Maurice Williams, Robin Rogers, Mookie Brill, Scott Cable, Bob Margolin, Sandra Hall, Audrey Madison Turner, Mack Arnold, Betty Pride, Sandra Hall, Michael Wolfe and the Voodoo Brothers are scheduled to appear, with more to be added!

We also lost Freddie Robinson on Oct. 10. Sad, sad, sad.

Please tune in (via streaming Internet at http://wusc.sc.edu) tomorrow for the Blues Moon radio show 6 p.m. ET/USA. I'm still adjusting from Nashville time.

Nashville was wonderful - hilly, chilly and very Nash-villy!

The Blues Moon Radio Show Tuesday, July 7, 2009

This edition of the Blues Moon with Clair DeLune is dedicated, with love, to my niece - Flair DeLune (better known to her family and friends as Annie) - who passed away July 5 after a brave fight against cancer.

I hope you hear the show, Annie... you are loved and missed, angel.

Tonight's show opens with a surprise guest, the Reverend Marv Ward. His new CD has debuted, Love Like You Never Been Burned, and is available on www.cdbaby.com. He'll be appearing this Friday at the Greenwood Blues Cruise (in Greenwood, S.C. USA). It's a weekend of Blues, BBQ and fun! Hope you can go. Here is what Shrimp City Slim has to say about it:

"9th annual GREENWOOD BLUES CRUISE
Thurs-Sat, July 9-11 Greenwood, SC
Part of the South Carolina Festival of Discovery
http://www.greenwoodbluescruise.com
Info: 864-942-8448
Blues club crawl, featuring great national and regional talent:
JOHNNY RAWLS, RANDY MCALLISTER, THE NOUVEAUX HONKIES, DRINK SMALL, LIGHTNIN' WELLS, ELLIOTT & THE UNTOUCHABLES, HITMAN, TAD WALTERS, WANDA JOHNSON & SHRIMP CITY SLIM, REV. MARV WARD, DAVIS COEN.
Also: BBQ cook-off, folk arts & crafts, kids' zone, and nearby attractions (Revolutionary War battlefields, hiking, fishing, historic district).
MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT! Real-deal blues & boogie in a small-town Southern atmosphere. Greenwood is approx one hour from Columbia, SC, two hours from Charlotte, two hours from Atlanta, three hours from Charleston."

Tonight's playlist is organic, so keep clicking your refresh button to see the updated song listings appear.

And, hey, if you love someone - let them know.
clair delune

Marv Ward Interview; then played Old Mule & Railroad Call (from new CD)

Eddie Turner - Cost of Freedom
Janiva Magness - Freedom is Just Beyond the Door
Mildred Anderson - I'm Free
Electric Flag - Killing Floor
Tommy Johnson - Canned Heat Blues
Billie Holiday - Summertime

Blind Lemon Jefferson - Dry Summertime Blues
Roosevelt Sykes - Third Degree Blues
Charles Brown - Let the Sunshine in my Life

J.D. Short - Slidin' Delta
Johnson's Jazzers - Down in the Delta
New Legacy Duo - Delta

Steve Freund - Jumping at Shadows
James Harman Band - Jump My Baby
Mumbles - Jumpin' Blues

Hound Dog Taylor - Sitting Here Alone
Howlin' Wolf - Sittin' On Top of the World
Matt Walsh - Sit and Wonder

Delbert McClinton - Standing on Shaky Ground
Little Joe Blue - Standing on the Threshold
Bessie Smith - Standin' in the Rain

Drink Small - I Stand Accused
Tinsley Ellis - Can't You Lie
Elvin Bishop - Can't Lie to Me
Nappy Brown - Every Shut Eye Ain't Sleepin'
Johnny Rawls - Can't Sleep at Night
Lonnie Johnson - I Can't Sleep Anymore
Lowell Fulson - Sleeper
The Paladins - Who's Been Sleepin'

Guitar Reed - Don't Say a Mumblin' Word
Ella Johnson - If You Would Only Say You're Sorry
Angela Strehli - Say It's Not So
Lightnin' Hopkins - What Did I Say

Thanks for listening to the Blues Moon with Clair DeLune, dedicated this week to little Flair DeLune. Annie, although I'll always remember you as a 12-year-old girl doing a fine job of announcing on the Blues Moon as Flair, you get on up to heaven and start talking me up... it might take a while to persuade the gatekeeps to let me slide on through, angel, and I'm looking forward to dj'ing with you again - sorry we missed our beach trip.

Lots of love,
Aunt Clair

Playlist for tribute to Koko Taylor

Playlist for tribute to Koko Taylor

Keep It Tuned_Koko Taylor

Koko Taylor_Wang Dang Doodle_Great Tomato Blues Package Disc 2
Koko Taylor_Honkey Tonkey_I Got What It Takes
Koko Taylor_Big Boss Man_Evidence Blues Sampler
Koko Taylor_Don’t Mess With the Messer_Koko Taylor [Bonus Tracks]
Koko Taylor_Insane Asylum_Koko Taylor [Bonus Tracks]
Koko Taylor_Bring Me Some Water_The Alligator Records 30th Anniversary Collection Disc 1
Koko Taylor_Fire_Koko Taylor [Bonus Tracks]
Koko Taylor_If the Price Is Right_Double Crossing Blues
Koko Taylor_Twenty-Nine Ways (to my Baby’s Door)_Koko Taylor [Bonus Tracks]
Koko Taylor_Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean_I Got What It Takes
Koko Taylor_What Kind of Man Is That?_Chess Blues Disc 4
Koko Taylor_Love You Like a Woman_Koko Taylor [Bonus Tracks]
Koko Taylor_I’m a Woman_Blues Masters, Vol. 9- Postmodern Blues
Koko Taylor_Trying To Make A Living_I Got What It Takes
Koko Taylor_He Always Knocks Me Out [-]_Koko Taylor [Bonus Tracks]
Koko Taylor_I’m a Little Mixed Up_Koko Taylor [Bonus Tracks]
Koko Taylor_I Got What It Takes_Alligator Records 35X35 Disc 1
Koko Taylor_Love Sick Tears [-]_Koko Taylor [Bonus Tracks]
Koko Taylor_That’s Why I’m Crying_I Got What It Takes
Koko Taylor_Wang Dang Doodle_Atlantic Blues- Chicago

Condolences to Koko Taylor's loved ones and fans

Condolences to Koko Taylor's loved ones and fans:

I was privileged to hear Koko live many, many times and tried never to miss an opportunity to see her; I was honored to interview her for my Blues radio show, The Blues Moon with Clair DeLune, and found her to be wise, warm and wonderful in person, and just as vibrant as she was onstage.

How much she will be missed can only be measured in her family, friends' and fans' hearts, but I can tell you that mine has broken and I know her dear family and friends must be heartbroken, too. But what a wonderful life she had - with such accomplishments - and that is something to hold onto.

I will be doing a tribute show to her this Tuesday and thinking of you all on Thursday, sending you prayers. May God comfort you in your loss.

Deepest sympathy,

Clair DeLune
The Blues Moon radio show
WUSC-FM

Koko Taylor tribute

Koko Taylor tribute 20090609

Since the days the Classic Blues women of the 1920s dominated the Blues scene, few women have opted to sing the Blues, but Koko Taylor sang with most of the important Blues artists over her career and she was the envy of many a Bluesman because of her gritty, growling vocals that many aspired to emulate, but only she perfected.

Her female contemporaries in the late 1950s were the incomparable legends Big Mama Thornton and Big Maybelle, but Taylor’s career outlasted both – ranging six decades… but sadly ending June 3, 2009, with her death from complications following surgery to correct gastrointestinal bleeding.

Taylor’s signature tune, a 1966 cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Wang Dang Doodle,” penned by Chess A&R man and perennial bassist, Willie Dixon, was instantly recognizable at her concerts – and always received with bursts of wild enthusiasm.

Taylor was featured in several films and soundtracks from David Lynch’s outlandish “Wild at Heart” to the mainstream family movie, “Adventures in Babysitting.” Set in Chicago, the movie features Koko covering Howlin’ Wolf’s “Evil” just as the young heroes begin to realize they are in deep trouble with a very bad group of wrong-doers. It sets the entire tone for what is to come and weaves Chicago Blues through the movie. Both movies are highly recommended, for totally different reasons.

She also appeared in “The Blues is Alive and Well in Chicago” in 1970.

She broke ground in bringing Blues to modern TV sitcoms, as well. Her powerful voice on “I’m a Woman” is lip-synched by Rudy – the four-year-old daughter of Dr. Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.” One can only hope the spirit Koko Taylor put into that rendition had a lifetime effect on that tiny Blues Queen aspirant.

Koko Taylor is undeniably a force of nature, as one of her CDs attests, with many awards bestowed upon her.

From her Biography site (:
She’s received Grammy nominations for seven of her last eight Alligator albums, and she won a Grammy in 1984 for the live multi-artist album Blues Explosion on Atlantic Records. In 2004 she was presented with the coveted National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment For The Arts. She holds 25 Blues Music Awards (more than any other blues artist, male or female). A major feather in her cap came on March 3, 1993, when Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley honored Taylor with a Legend Of The Year Award, and declared “Koko Taylor Day” throughout Chicago. In 1998, Chicago Magazine named her “Chicagoan Of The Year,” and in 1999, Taylor was inducted into the Blues Foundation’s Hall Of Fame. “There are many kings of the blues,” said The Boston Globe, “but only one queen. Koko’s voice is still capable of pinning a listener to the back wall.”

Yes, another of Blues’ third generation of elder statesmen – or woman in this case – has gone on to that Jook Joint in heaven. Following Junior Wells, Johnny Copeland and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Blues fans mourn the loss of another of the vanguard of the genre.

On a personal note, I learned about this in the wee wee hours of June 4. But the day before, I had sat down – I just happened to be facing West and a little North – and for some reason I envisioned the time I first interviewed Koko Taylor. It was the mid-’90s and I’d seen Koko many times, but had only been doing the Blues Moon radio show for a few years and finally got up my nerve to request an interview with her. When I arrived at Rockafella’s (a club formerly in the Five Points section of Columbia, S.C.) her manager said she would not be doing interviews because Miss Taylor was “upset.” I acceded, but inquired if I could just meet her, shake her hand and thank her for her contribution to the Blues. He was gracious and took me in the dark dressing room. She could not have been more warm and lovely. She would not hear of me leaving and we talked for nearly an hour, and as I left so she could get onstage, she insisted upon exchanging home phone numbers so we could stay in touch. I recall us talking about the loss of her long-time husband, “Pops” Taylor, and how sorely he was missed by her. That day – before I knew she had died, and now wondering what time that was – I sat thinking about how eventually the two of them would be together again in heaven.

It breaks my heart that she is gone – it is almost surreal to consider that fact – because she underpinned so many of the Blues experiences I’ve had. I’ve probably seen her live more times than anyone else by triple.

But it warms my heart to know that she sang until the end, received Traditional Female Performer of the Year at the Blues Awards (formerly the W.C. Handy Awards) this May in Memphis, her hometown. The daughter of a sharecropper ended up “owning” the capital of the Blues. Very fitting.

Koko – it goes without saying that you will be dearly missed by so many who loved you and your music.



Funeral Details (from her MySpace page): About Koko Taylor
WAKE/VISITATION AND FUNERAL SERVICESWake/Visitation (Lie in State)Thursday, June 11, 20094:00 pm - 9:00 pmRainbow Push Coalition National Headquarters930 East 50th Street at Drexel Blvd. Chicago, IL 60615Funeral ServicesFriday, June 12, 20096:00 pm(4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Visitation)Rainbow Push Coalition National Headquarters930 East 50th Street at Drexel Blvd. Chicago, IL 60615

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be directed to
The Koko Taylor Celebrity Aid Foundation

More awards (from her bio site):
2009 - Blues Music Awards: Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year.
2008 - Blues Music Awards: Traditional Blues Album of the Year - Old School, Song of the Year - Gonna Buy Me A Mule, Traditional Blues Female Artist of the Year. 15th Annual Living Blues Awards Reader's Poll: Blues Artist Of The Year (Female), Blues Artist Of The Year (Female). Blues Blast: Best Female Artist
2004 - The National Endowment For The Arts (NEA) - National Heritage Fellowship, the nation's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts
2003 - Year of the Blues - Kennedy Center, Washington, DC
2003 - Pioneer's Award
2001 - Vision Quest - Theta Phi Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
2001 - Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation
2001 - River Roads Lifetime Achievement - Mississippi Valley
2001 - Martin's International Culture Annual Music Awards
1999 - Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
1999 - Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award - Etta James, Ruth Brown and Koko Taylor
1998 - Martin's International Culture Annual Music Awards
1998 - Chicagoan of the Year Award - Koko Taylor and Sammy Sosa
1997 - The National Academy of Blues - Mississippi First Reunion
1997 - Children's Brittle Bone Foundation, Outstanding Generosity
1997 - Blues Hall of Fame - Individual Inductee
1996 - Howlin' Wolf Award - exemplifies the Memphis and Chicago Blues Connection
1996 - Chicago Coalition for the Homeless
1995, 1996 - Jammin' for the Homeless
1995 - Blues Hall of Fame - Classic of Blues Recordings, MCA/Chess Records
1995 - Proclamation - Gary, IN Mayor Thomas Barnes
1994 - WSSD Jimmy Reed Blues Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding commitment to the Blues
1994 - Santa Cruz Award
1994 - Diamond Award for Excellence - Koko Taylor, Stevie Wonder, and Billy Taylor
1993 - Legend of the Year, presented by Clearly Canadian (2 Awards)
March 3, 1993 - "Koko Taylor Day" Declaration in Chicago by Mayor Richard Daley
1993 - Award for 30 years as Queen of the Blues by KCM Productions
IAAM Award (date forthcoming)
Proclamations - Buffalo, NY; Atlanta, GA (dates forthcoming)
New Music Award - New York (date forthcoming)
Discography (from http://www.myspace.com/kokotaylor):
RECORDINGS on Alligator Records

OLD SCHOOL 2007
DELUXE EDITION 2002
ROYAL BLUE 2000
FORCE OF NATURE 1993
JUMP FOR JOY 1990
LIVE FROM CHICAGO: AN AUDIENCE WITH THE QUEEN 1987
QUEEN OF THE BLUES 1985
FROM THE HEART OF A WOMAN 1981
THE EARTHSHAKER 1978
I GOT WHAT IT TAKES 1975

SOLO RECORDINGS

KOKO TAYLOR (Chess)
BASIC SOUL (Chess)
SOUTH SIDE BABY
(originally Black & Blue; reissued on Evidence)

GUEST APPEARANCES

BLUES DELUXE (XRT)
THE ALLIGATOR RECORDS
20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR (Alligator)
THE ALLIGATOR RECORDS
CHRISTMAS COLLECTION (Alligator)
BLUES EXPLOSION (Atlantic
COAST TO COAST (Paul Shaffer – Capitol)
BLUES SUMMIT (B.B. King – MCA)
BLUES DOWN DEEP: SONGS
OF JANIS JOPLIN (House Of Blues)
BLUES POWER: SONGS OF ERIC CLAPTON (House Of Blues)
Record LabelAlligator Records

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090604/ap_on_en_mu/us_obit_taylor

Birth name Cora Walton Also known as KoKo
Born September 28, 1928
Shelby County, Tennessee Origin Memphis, Tennessee
Died June 3, 2009 (aged 80)
Chicago, Illinois
Genre(s) blues
R&B Occupation(s) Musician Instrument(s) Vocalist Years active 1960s—2009
Label(s) Alligator Records, MCA, Chess, Charly Records, Landscape Records
Website Koko Taylor.com

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Koko Taylor
Taylor at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, 2006
Background information
Birth name Cora Walton
Also known as KoKo
Born September 28, 1928Shelby County, Tennessee
Origin Memphis, Tennessee
Died June 3, 2009 (aged 80)Chicago, Illinois
Genre(s) bluesR&B
Occupation(s) Musician
Instrument(s) Vocalist
Years active 1960s—2009
Label(s) Alligator Records, MCA, Chess, Charly Records, Landscape Records
Website Koko Taylor.com
Koko Taylor sometimes spelled KoKo Taylor (September 28, 1928 – June 3, 2009)[1] was an American blues musician, popularly known as the "Queen of the Blues." She was known primarily for her rough powerful vocals and traditional blues stylings. In a May 2003 issue of Rolling Stone Magazine, she was quoted as saying, "My life is like a train ride in fields of blue."
Life and career
Born Cora Walton in Shelby County, Tennessee, Taylor was the daughter of a sharecropper.[2] She left Memphis for Chicago, Illinois in 1952 with her husband, truck driver Robert "Pops" Taylor.[1] In the late 1950s she began singing in Chicago blues clubs. She was spotted by Willie Dixon in 1962, and this led to wider performances and her first recording contract. In 1965, Taylor was signed by Chess Records, for which her single "Wang Dang Doodle" (written by Dixon, and a hit for Howlin' Wolf five years earlier), featuring guitarist Little Walter,[3] became a major hit, reaching number four on the R&B charts in 1966, and selling a million copies.[1] Taylor recorded many versions of this Dixon-penned song over the past few decades and has added more material, both original and covers, but never repeated that initial chart success.
National touring in the late 1960s and early 1970s improved her fan base, and she became accessible to a wider record-buying public when she signed with Alligator Records in 1975. She recorded nine albums for Alligator, 8 of which were Grammy-nominated), and come to dominate the female blues singer ranks, winning twenty five W. C. Handy Awards (more than any other artist). After her recovery from a near-fatal car crash in 1989, the 1990s found Taylor in films such as Blues Brothers 2000, and she opened a blues club on Division Street in Chicago in 1994, but it closed in 1999.
Taylor influenced musicians such as Bonnie Raitt, Shemekia Copeland, Janis Joplin, Shannon Curfman, and Susan Tedeschi. In the years prior to her death, she performed over 70 concerts a year and resided just south of Chicago in Country Club Hills, Illinois.
In 2008, the Internal Revenue Service said that Taylor owed $400,000 in back taxes, penalties and interest. Her tax problems concerned 1998, 2000 and 2001; for those years combined, her adjusted gross income was $949,000.[4]
Taylor died on June 3, 2009, after complications from surgery for gastrointestinal bleeding on May 19, 2009.[5] Her final performance was at the Blues Music Awards, on May 7, 2009.
Awards
· Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album - 1985
· Howlin' Wolf Award - 1996
· Blues Hall of Fame - Inducted 1997
· Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award - 1999
· NEA National Heritage Fellowship - 2004
· Blues Music Award (formerly the W. C. Handy Award) - 24 times, including the following categories:
o Contemporary Blues Female Artist
o Entertainer of the Year
o Female Artist
o Traditional Blues Female Artist
o Vocalist of the Year
· At age 76 in 2004, she appeared as a special guest with Taj Mahal on an episode of Arthur.
· At age 80 in 2008, she appeared as a special guest with Umphrey's McGee at their New Year's Eve performance at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago.
· Taylor won for best blues album in the 7th annual Independent Music Awards [6]
Discography
· Love You Like a Woman (Charly Records) - November 30, 1968
· Koko Taylor (MCA/Chess) - 1969
· Basic Soul (Chess Records) - 1972
· South Side Lady (Evidence Records) - 1973
· I Got What It Takes (Alligator)
· Southside Baby (Black and Blue Records - 1975
· The Earthshaker (Alligator) - 1978
· From The Heart Of A Woman (Alligator) - 1981
· Queen of the Blues (Alligator) - 1985
· An Audience with Koko Taylor (Alligator) - 1987
· Live from Chicago (Alligator) - 1987
· "Wang Dang Doodle" (Huub Records) - 1991
· Jump for Joy (Alligator) - 1992
· Force of Nature (Alligator) - 1993
· Royal Blue (Alligator) - 2000
· Deluxe Edition (Alligator) - 2002
· Old School (Alligator) - 2007
See also
· Chicago Blues Festival
References
1. ^ a b c Kot, Greg. "Koko Taylor 1928–2009: Chicago's legendary 'Queen of the blues'," Chicago Tribune, Thursday, June 4, 2009.
2. ^ Associated Press: Blues queen Koko Taylor dies at 80 June 3, 2009
3. ^ Lastingtribute.co.uk
4. ^ Janet Novack and William P. Barrett (June 2, 2008). "Singing Tax Blues". Forbes Magazine. http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2008/0602/036.html.
5. ^ Thedeadrockstarsclub.com - accessed June 2009
6. ^ 7th annual IMA winners
External links
· Official website
· Hoekstra, Dave. "Chicago legend and 'Queen of the Blues' Koko Taylor dead at 80," Chicago Sun-Times, Wednesday, June 3, 2009.
· Co-host of "Blues you can use", FM radio station WGVE 88.7, Gary, Indiana
· Interview with Koko Taylor on Centerstage Chicago (June 2007)
· Koko Taylor at the Internet Movie Database
· Koko Taylor at TV.com
· "Queen of the Blues: Koko Taylor Talks About Her Subjects", interview by James Plath, 1994
· Koko Taylor at Allmusic
· Wild Women Don't Have the Blues features interviews with Koko Taylor
· Koko Taylor - Daily Telegraph obituary

Blues Moon Radio playlist - It's Mardi Gras!

Welcome to the Mardi Gras edition of the Blues Moon radio show... and laissez bon temps roulez!

We'll start the show with some Louisiana music, then some authentic Mardi Gras music - and we'll be paying tribute to Blind Snooks (Fird) Eaglin, who passed away this week. He'll be missed.

Illinois Jacquet - Bottoms Up
Slim Harpo - Baby Scratch My Back
Lightnin' Slim - I'm Tired of Waitin' Baby
Charles Sheffield - It's Your Voodoo Working
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let's keep that voodoo spell spun.... here's
Tabby Thomas - Hoodoo Party
Clarence "Frogman" Henry - I don't know why (but I do)
Clarence "Frogman" Henry - Little Suzy
Lazy Lester - I hear you knockin'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guitar Gable - This Should Go On Forever
Guitar Gable - Congo Mambo (for Mickey the Dawg)
Slim Harpo - Rainin' in my Heart (also for Mickey, the Harmonica-Harmonizin' Dawg)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Paul Gayten - Nervous Boogie
Jimmy Anderson - Naggin'
Silas Hogan - Trouble at Home Blues
Joe Hudson and his Rockin' Dukes - Baby Give Me a Chance
Baby Boy Warren - Not Welcome Any More
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eddie Bo - Oh Oh
Jay Nelson - Don't You Want a Man Like Me
Sugar Boy Crawford - Jock-A-Mo
The Hawketts - Mardi Gras Mambo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beausoleil - Bon Temps Rouler
Mardi Gras Indians - Showdown...
Beau Jocque - Alle Parti Pour Voi Beau Jocque
The Meters - Look-Ka Py Py
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good night and have a great Ash Wednesday...

Tune in again next Tuesday - 6-8 p.m. on http://wusc.sc.edu or 90.5 FM and HD1 Columbia...
clair

Special Edition of the Blues Moon for Daddy

I try to make every edition of the Blues Moon personal because the Blues is personal music and there is always someone I'm thinking of, or some event, when I plan my show each week.

But this edition of the Blues Moon is very personal - and sad - because it is the tribute to my father that I tried to make last week, right after he died, but just couldn't. And this week I have jammed enough songs in to last the entire show, except for required station IDs, because I don't think I'll be able to announce the songs.

So, instead of waiting until after the show to post the songs, as I usually do, I'll post them a day ahead and you all can follow along as the songs are played.

This week the songs will be from top to bottom (usually they list from the bottom to the top). Since I'm not grabbing them from the Internet log, they'll read in order from the top to the bottom. Confused yet? Welcome to my neighborhood.

My Dad was amazing. Brave, stalwart, honest, brilliant and accomplished. Not always the sweetest person, but he had a real soft spot for a lot of things (his granddaughter, dogs and sometimes -- when I didn't drive him crazy -- even me!) and the last couple of decades we spent getting real close; ending with a period of time where I took care of him a great deal of the time and that brought us even closer.

I thank God that my brother and I were able to be there on his last day on this earth. I miss him so much and will live my life in tribute to him and my beloved Mother, who was so sweet and dear.

Dad did so much that I'll never expect to measure up to his accomplishments, but I'll work hard to try to as a tribute to him. I promised him I would not be sad always.

Thanks for listening. Tell the ones you love how you feel. You will never regret it.

Dad's Tribute Show, Part 1


















Dad's Tribute Show, Part 2



















Dad's Tribute Show, Part 3

Sean Costello, RIP

Another blow to the Blues community Tuesday when firebrand guitarist and gritty singer Sean Costello passed away April 15, 2008 -- just one day before his 29th birthday.


His record label, Delta Groove, issued the following statement:
"Sean was not only a member of the Delta Groove musical family, he was also a friend, and words cannot express the sorrow we feel at having to say goodbye so soon. As blues music fans, we unfortunately grow somewhat accustomed to the sadness of the inevitable passing of musical elders after long and fruitful careers.

"Losing someone as young, vibrant, and talented as Sean, who had accomplished so much in just a few short years and still had so much potential, is a terribly difficult blow, not only to those who knew him personally, but for the music community as a whole.

"He had been unanimously praised as one of the main torch-bearers of the blues flame for the coming generations, and now that potential will go sadly unfulfilled."

Our hearts go out to his loved ones.