tag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:/blogs/news?p=2News2023-05-22T14:43:55-05:00Barrelhouse Bonnifalsetag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/72135452023-05-22T14:43:55-05:002023-10-16T09:56:34-05:00Bonni Co-Produces Taylor Family "Generations of Blues" CD for release June 16 2023<p><span style="color:#111111;">In the tradition of great musical families like the Jacksons or the Staples Singers, Chicago blues band leader </span><span style="color:#444444;">Larry Taylor will unveil an album featuring his siblings and son: <i>Generations of Blues: West Side Legacy.</i> On the CD from </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.prlog.org/12952167-nola-blue-records-signs-larry-taylor.html" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:hsl(0, 75%, 60%);">Nola-Blue Records</span><span style="color:#444444;">,</span></a><span style="color:#444444;"> </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.prlog.org/12952167-nola-blue-records-signs-larry-taylor.html"><span style="color:#444444;">https://www.prlog.org/12952167-nola-blue-records-signs-larry-taylor.html</span></a><o:p></o:p><span style="color:#444444;"><span> </span>the family will honor the 100<sup>th</sup> birthday of their father, Chicago blues pioneer Eddie Taylor, and their mother, blues singer-songwriter Vera Taylor.<span> </span></span></p><p><span style="color:#444444;"><span>Barrelhouse Bonni co-produced the CD at Joyride Studio on the West Side, with Brian Leach as engineer. </span></span></p><p><span style="color:#444444;"><span>The Taylor family will be performing in the Chicago Blues Festival June 9 and at a CD release party at Fitzgeralds on June 18. More info on </span></span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://larrytaylorchicagoblues.com/home" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:hsl(0, 75%, 60%);"><span>Larry Taylor's website</span></span></a><span style="color:#444444;"><span>.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/72135302023-05-22T14:22:52-05:002023-05-22T14:27:48-05:00Chi Blues Past and Future: Black Music Month Library Discussion June 7<p><span>Older West and South Side residents recall a time when tiny Black-owned lounges filled the main streets with live blues, jazz, soul, R &B. Bass player Carl Norington and guitarist Elmore James Jr. remember well.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Come hear about their experiences in a Black Music Month discussion Wed. June 7, 6 p.m at Austin Public Library, </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.chipublib.org/locations/6/" data-link-type="url"><span>5615 W. Race St. </span></a><span>The program is free, open to all ages.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Blues writer, piano player and promoter “Barrelhouse Bonni” McKeown will ask the musicians and the audience: How we can revive this music today for everyone to enjoy and for Black heritage to be recognized? How will the musical skills and expression be passed to upcoming generations? </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>With a new mayor who promotes arts and culture for a peaceful and thriving city, how do we direct the economic benefit of Chicago’s world-known Black music to the neighborhoods that originated it? Come share your best ideas. </span><o:p></o:p></p>Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/65035562020-12-19T12:27:59-06:002021-06-19T17:08:36-05:00Donate to support our blues music and writing<p>Barrelhouse Bonni and Larry Taylor are asking for help to support their blue music, history and ltierature efforts. Read and <a contents="DONATE HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://barrelhousebonni.com/campaigns/657193" target="_blank">DONATE HERE</a>: https://barrelhousebonni.com/campaigns/657193</p>
<p> </p>Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417732019-11-23T18:00:00-06:002021-06-19T17:07:57-05:00Generations Learn Blues: Videos
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/79fb0314c492b81e55e6b75d024538aff8f1146c/original/hermtg-gardenethanlaythancandacecordiamarydebanneliz-lila-smallest.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Hermtg_GardenEthanLaythanCandaceCordiaMaryDebAnnEliz_Lila_SMALLest.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></p>
<p>During 2018-19 Barrelhouse Bonni brought blues education to several SouthSide community groups. Teens, youth and elders created a theme at the Peace House, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChiSchoolBlues/videos/272239496794099/" data-imported="1">I Grow</a> in Bonni'sblues class. sponsored by Old Town School of Folk Music They also imagined<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChiSchoolBlues/videos/187305082174405/" data-imported="1"> backyard alligators.</a></p>
<p>Bonni played in the band as Larry Taylor entertained in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ChiSchoolBlues/videos/1844164272335931/" data-imported="1">Hubbard Park</a> on the West Side during summer 2018, sponsored by the neighborhood organization BUILD, bringing out all generations fora series peaceful and fun evenings.</p>
<p>In 2019 Bonni led intergenerational worskhops on blues and neighborhood history at Hermitage Community Garden on the Southside. Here she lines up with the kids to act out an early 20th century work song <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hermitagecommunitygardens/videos/452117888851151/" data-imported="1">"Take This Hammer." </a></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417722019-07-20T19:00:00-05:002021-06-19T17:07:33-05:00Larry Taylor, Bonni on CAN-TV
<p>Chicago bluesman Larry Taylor goes on Chicago public access channel <a title="Larry Taylor CAN TV interview" href="https://youtu.be/7CLBaad0FpI" data-imported="1">CAN-TV 27</a> with Bonni to talk about his blues history and music. Directed by cameraman Chris Wilkins, first aired July 26, 2019.</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417712019-04-12T19:00:00-05:002022-04-14T16:01:23-05:00Blues for a New Mayor<p>AustinTalks, the internet newsletter sponsored by Columbia College, printed Bonni's <a data-imported="1" href="http://austintalks.org/2019/04/blues-can-help-black-chicago-revive-relate/">blues recommendations</a> for incoming Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot.</p>Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417702019-03-11T19:00:00-05:002021-01-19T09:08:54-06:00Larry Taylor series at Water Hole<p>During the Feb/March 2019 Black History series at the Water Hole - Chicago's Juke Joint at 1400 S. Western, Bonni shared the stage with Blues Legend Larry Taylor. Guests West and South Side blues singers Mzz Reese and Merv Murphy; blues masters and visiting local Blues Legends/sons of blues including such as Elmore James Jr., Eddie C. Campbell Jr., Bobby Slim James. in this<a data-imported="1" href="https://www.facebook.com/dan.kugler2/videos/10156927092241768/UzpfSTEwMDAwMTA0MzUxNjA2NjoyNDkzMzc1MjU3MzczOTAw/"> VIDEO, </a> Larry sings/howls "Tell Me Baby", in Howlin Wolf's "Smokestack Lightning / Commit a Crime" groove, March 11 with Odie Payne III and Freddie Dixon (sons of Odie II and Willie Dixon) as guests on drums and bass. Joe B led the band on guitar for the series.</p>
<p>Local Black Business women gave five-minute talks about their businesses during February: Crystal Dyer, travel agency, Gone Again Travel and Tours; and Valerie Leonard, consultant, Nonprofit Utopia.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/334faf1182b097c0f4f20c432f9c28e73807a242/original/waterholecrystlbonvalerie-band-2019-2-4-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDMwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="WaterHoleCrystlBonValerie_BAND_2019_2_4_resized.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></p>Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417692019-01-29T18:00:00-06:002021-01-09T17:23:35-06:00Nonprofit Blues with Valerie Leonard
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/ea6887c4a09e82b526d8dfc012ef271798f12589/original/valeriebonni-piano2-2019-1-24-closeup-small-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjIweDIxMiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="ValerieBonni_piano2_2019_1_24_closeup_small_resized.jpg" height="212" width="220" /></p>
<p>On a cold day in January 2019 nonprofit and neighborhood development consultant Valerie Leonard of <a href="https://nonprofitutopia.mn.co/posts/2504557" data-imported="1">Nonprofit Utopia</a> interviewed each other at Chicago Hope Cafe about how they can help make things better. </p>
<p>Bonni on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlCSzH4vAs0" data-imported="1">Blues education</a></p>
<p>Valerie and Bonni on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bonni.mckeown/videos/2420699661308127/" data-imported="1">James Crow!</a></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417682018-08-27T19:00:00-05:002020-12-18T15:01:32-06:00Blues for good in the Hood<p> </p>
<p>Can live blues music make a park safer? It sure helps! Check out Bonni's <a data-imported="1" href="http://www.austinweeklynews.com/Community/Blogs/8-2-2018/%22Light-in-the-Night%22-:-Live-Music,-Safety/">Austin Weekly News Blog</a> and watch s <a data-imported="1" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP3G13kbnTI">VIDEO</a> of her playing with Larry Taylor's band in Hubbard Park with the BUILD nonprofit program "Light in the Night."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/833059c9cfa752ec243717ae8efe076171e751a4/original/larrysingband7978-small-resized.jpeg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAwIHgzMjUiXQ%3D%3D.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="LarrySingBAND7978_SMALL_resized.jpeg" height="325" width="400 " /></p>Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417672018-07-04T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:18-06:00Bonni gives annual IL Quaker lecture
<p> </p>
<p>Each year one of the members of meetings gathered in the regional Illinois Yearly Meeting of Friends gives a talk about their life's spiritual journey. In her Plummer Lecture June 24, 2018 at ILYM, Bonni talked about how we can choose , every minute, to follow our ego or the Divine. <a href="https://www.fgcquaker.org/cloud/oak-park-friends-meeting/announcements/bonni-mckeown-delivers-plummer-lecture-illinois-yearly" data-imported="1">Text of the whole thing</a> posted by Oak Park Friends Meeting, where Bonni is a member.</p>
<p>She also led blues workshops and singalongs during the annual meeting at McNabb, IL. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/b61aa11886e674e8656737ecb34574a5421091fd/original/bonpiano-ilym-2018.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTc1eDE4MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="BonPiano_ILYM_2018.jpg" height="181" width="175" /></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417662018-01-07T18:00:00-06:002021-06-19T17:08:56-05:00Bonni writes about cool people on West Side
<p> </p>
<p>In the fall of 2017, Bonni added freelance stories to her <em>Austin Weekly News</em> writings. She had a chance to interview the iconic couple Charlie Joe and Marie Henderson and their <a href="http://www.austinweeklynews.com/News/Articles/10-31-2017/The-ballad-of-Charlie--and-Marie/" data-imported="1">Out of the Past Records</a> shop on Madison Street; Rosemarie Rodriguez at her <a href="http://www.austinweeklynews.com/News/Articles/12-5-2017/Rosemarie-Rodriguez,-owner-of-Tee's-(where-everybody-knows-your-name)/" data-imported="1">Tee Snack Shop</a>; and Dr. <a href="http://www.austinweeklynews.com/News/Articles/1-5-2018/Dr.-Rashad-Saafir,-on-tackling-mental-health-/" data-imported="1">Rashad Saafir</a> who talked about the effect of hardships in the hood on people's mental health.</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417652017-06-29T19:00:00-05:002022-11-30T13:45:48-06:00Blues for West Side Tourism
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<p>In summer 2017 Bonni helped organize a series of <a href="http://austintalks.org/2017/06/west-siders-look-to-turn-blues-heritage-into-tourist-attraction/" data-imported="1">public discussions</a> about blues, arts and culture for neighborhood development and tourism. Guest speakers have included Dr. Janice Monti, professor at Dominican who has led blues tours and symposia; State Reps. LaShawn K Ford and Camille Lilly; community and nonprofit guru Valerie Leonard; and bluesman Larry Taylor. Hosted by Crystal Dyer at <a href="https://www.goneagaintravel.com/" data-imported="1">Gone Again Travel and Tours.</a> Bonni and Larry also appeared on Valerie Leonard's "Nonprofit U" <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nonprofit_u/2017/06/19/monday-june-19-2017-200-pm-300-pm-cst-episode-67-can-west-side-tourism-ben" data-imported="1">podcast</a> . of June 19, 2017: Read about the continuing efforts on blues for community economic development in Bonni's <a href="http://www.austinweeklynews.com/Community/Blogs/6-30-2017/Valerie-Leonard-to-speak-at-July-12-Austin-arts-forum/" data-imported="1">West Side Blues blog</a></p>
<p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/0b101a567ea968149b31c85da43c00fe3f63fb3a/original/tourismpanel-june-7-boncrystalcamille-lashawnlarryaustintalks-copy-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDIyNSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_right border_" alt="TourismPanel_june_7_BonCrystalCamille_LashawnLarryAustinTalks_copy_resized.jpg" height="225" width="300" /></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417642017-05-03T19:00:00-05:002023-01-04T15:04:05-06:00Good old music for today: Bonni at Chi Music Awards<p> </p>
<p>Blues music for the benefit of Blues Communities! Bonni talks about her current projects including Larry Taylor's CD <a data-imported="1" href="https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/larrytaylor1">"New Chicago Sounds"</a> and how the good old stuff never goes away. <a data-imported="1" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LWrAn5vJw0">VIDEO</a></p>Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417632017-01-12T18:00:00-06:002021-01-19T09:09:21-06:00Spreading the story of blues<p> </p>
<p>Southwest Side <a data-imported="1" href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-stn-ahern-column-st-0112-20170110-story.html">newspaper</a> gives a progress report on Barrelhouse Bonni... music, film, blues education and how blues brings people together!</p>
<p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/25c853db9c85f7ce4afb3bc6e933add9bdbf5768/original/bon-107th-bev-rr-station-2016-12-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjUweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_right border_" alt="Bon_107th_Bev_RR_Station_2016_12_resized.jpg" height="333" width="250" /></p>Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417622016-12-20T18:00:00-06:002022-08-07T12:19:47-05:00The Rolling Stones got it HERE!
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<p>The new Rolling Stones new album "Blue and Lonesome" is all Chicago blues--including a song by the late Eddie Taylor Sr., stepfather of Larry Taylor, the bluesman Bonni works with. We're raising money to complete <a href="http://www.austinweeklynews.com/Community/Blogs/12-20-2016/Larry-Taylor-album-on-the-way:-New-generations-of-Chicago-Blues/" data-imported="1">Larry's second album</a>. You can help bring this great old/new music forward in 2017!</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417612016-07-23T19:00:00-05:002021-01-09T17:24:05-06:00Unity in Diversity Picnic
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/4fcef31c898ed29cbfb41c43ea2e7d811d240937/original/unity-picnic-castle-2016-a-small.jpeg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzUweDI0NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Unity_picnic_Castle_2016_a_SMALL.jpeg" height="244" width="350" /></p>
<p>Barrelhouse Bonni and Larry Taylor's acoustic duo performed at the annual Beverly Unity in Diversity Picnic on the grounds of Unitarian Castle, 103 and Longwood. Thanks to all who helped make the picnic a success. Glad to be part of it!</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417602016-05-31T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:17-06:00West Side revives blues!
<p>From Bonni's "West Side Blues" <a href="http://www.austinweeklynews.com/Community/Blogs/5-10-2016/Blues-Clubs-are-Back-on-the-West-Side!/" data-imported="1">blog</a> with Austin Weekly News. Austin is the farthest west neighborhood on the West Side. Can blues lead to an economic and social revival in the neighborhood?</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417592016-03-25T19:00:00-05:002021-05-20T15:14:22-05:00Congressman Davis hosting movie fundraiser!
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-kerning:none"><strong>Chicago, IL, March 26, 2016—</strong> Congressman Danny K. Davis, Illinois 7th District, invites everyone to celebrate our city’s historic legacy of blues and soul music by supporting the Chicago independent movie <em>The Rhythm and the Blues.</em> Davis and other officials are hosting a fundraiser April 3</span><span style="line-height:normal; -webkit-font-kerning:none"><sup>rd</sup></span><span style="font-kerning:none"> to help producers finish the film, which is two thirds complete and stars the actor Leon as the frustrated blues guitarist Eddie Taylor.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 9px;"><span style="font-kerning:none"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-kerning:none">“When they hear about the West or South Side of Chicago, too often people think ‘Guns and Drugs’,” Davis said. “What might help us in solving our problems is to see the positive forces in our community. One of these cultural assets is our amazing music. My generation brought these blues from the South during the Great Migration, and the blues are still with us today. Music helps us keep on keeping on. So not only during Black History month, but all year, let’s be thinking “Blues and Soul” instead of ‘Guns and Drugs.”</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 9px;"><span style="font-kerning:none"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-kerning:none">Shot last summer in Chicago with local supporting actors and professional crew, <em>The Rhythm and the Blues</em> is a 20 minute urban drama about a family of blues musicians trying to make it in the Windy City in the 1960’s. Producers are seeking around $30,000 to finish two to three more days of filming. Guy Davis, an acoustic blues musician and actor, the son of the late Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, plays the great Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor’s music partner on the road. Local actors Dasaun Sanford and Melanie Loren play the roles of teenaged Larry and his mother Vera.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 15px;"><span style="font-kerning:none"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-kerning:none">Joining Rep. Davis in hosting the fundraiser Sunday April 3, 2016, 4:30 pm until 9:00 pm at Ashunti Resource Center, 4350 W. 16th St., Chicago, will be <em>The Rhythm and the Blues</em> producer Bonni McKeown; State Reps. LaShawn Ford and Arthur Turner Jr.; County Court Clerk Dorothy Brown; former alderman Wallace Davis; present aldermen Michael Scott Jr., Jason Ervin, Chris Taliaferro and alderwoman, Emma Mitts, Cmsr. Richard Boykin, Water Rec. Cmsr. Barbara McGowan, State Sen. Patricia Van Pelt, former Ald. Ed Smith, plus Loretta Kidd, Larry Howard, Don Patterson, Lester Barclay, Urban Technicians, Mary Gardner, and a host of others.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 9px;"><span style="font-kerning:none"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-kerning:none">Larry Taylor, on whose life story <em>The Rhythm and the Blues</em> is based, is one of current Chicago’s talented blues musicians—a West Side singer and drummer. He’ll bring his Larry Taylor Blues and Soul Band to play at the fundraiser April 3</span><span style="line-height:normal; -webkit-font-kerning:none"><sup>rd</sup></span><span style="font-kerning:none">. Soul singer Cicero Blake will be a special guest singer. Former Ald. Isaac “Ike” Carothers will bring his saxophone. Refreshments and a lucky drawing are offered. It will be a house-rocking great time. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; font-size: 8px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 9px;"><span style="font-kerning:none"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><span style="font-kerning:none">Those not able to attend the party April 3</span><span style="line-height:normal; -webkit-font-kerning:none"><sup>rd </sup></span><span style="font-kerning:none">can still donate on line at the film’s website: <span style="-webkit-font-kerning:none"><a href="http://www.therhythmandtheblues.com" data-imported="1">www.therhythmandtheblues.com</a></span></span></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-kerning:none"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/1051254b076081bfa3564136f60246640bcbaa5c/original/larrydkdavisbonni-2016-3-small-resized.jpeg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzUweDI2NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="LarryDkDavisBonni_2016_3_SMALL_resized.jpeg" height="267" width="350" /></span></div>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417582016-03-18T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:17-06:00Larry Taylor brings it in Beverly
<p>Southwest Chicago will never be the same! The Larry Taylor Blues and Soul band, with Larry's uncle Jimmy Burns as guest, is invading the Horse Thief Hollow!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/5431a8b928c01e8eeac222797544e16e4f95ad93/original/horsethief-band-robz-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzUweDI5OSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="HorseThief_BAND_RobZ_resized.jpg" height="299" width="350" /></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417572016-01-02T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:17-06:00Barrel housing in Church???
<p>Barrelhouse Bonni, accustomed to quiet Quaker services, will try her hand at playing music at Beverly Unitarians in southwest Chicago on July 17. It's at the castle at 103rd and Longwood.</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417562015-12-31T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:17-06:00New Year, New Blues! 2016
<p style="text-align: right;">Kicking off the new year 2016 at the Good Times Lounge on the South Side with Larry Taylor and Killer Ray Allison's band: Doug on bass, Chris on drums.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/069490cefb50c6cec645d77aead52f573a31ce90/original/newyrsgoodtimes-2015-16band.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDAweDI3NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="NewYrsGoodTimes_2015-16Band.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417552015-11-29T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:17-06:00Larry Taylor's 60th birthday
<p>If not for my 12-year friendship with Chicago bluesman Larry Taylor, I would not know nearly as much about America's greatest roots music. Larry carries a lot of history in his head and in his voice. Celebrate his 60th birthday with us, and support our efforts to win new fans for the blues, and keep the old! </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><strong>Larry Taylor's Birthday Bash!</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><strong>Sat. Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><strong>at the Water Hole, 1400 S. Western Av., Chicago IL 60608</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 14px;"><strong> </strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><strong>Admission $5.00 (to pay the band!)</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Special Guests<strong>: Little Johnny </strong>and<strong> Ms. Rodeo</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><strong>Food from Ellie’s Cafe in southwest Chicago</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><strong>Cash bar - over 21</strong></p>
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<div>I helped produce his album (and another one on the way!) More about Larry: <a href="http://www.larrytaylorChicagoblues.com" data-imported="1">www.larrytaylorChicagoblues.com</a>
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Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417542015-10-09T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:17-06:00Barrelhousing in Beverly Art Walk
<p>During the Beverly Art Walk sponsored by the Beverly Arts Alliance OCt. 3,, Bonni could be found barrel housing in two locations--the Pelar Pop-up art gallery at 99th and Wood streets, and the Beverly Bakery, a local institution run by the Quigley family at 105th and Western . Singers Gloria Shannon and Larry Taylor were special guests, and the occasion was written up in the Windy City Blues Society <a title="WCBS" href="http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=4b7ef215aed973e197c337518&id=9de8fe842e&e=916622e9af" data-imported="1">newslette</a>r by Karen Murphy: </p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417532015-05-18T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:17-06:00Thrill Not Gone! The Best BB King Memorial
<p>Read my <a href="http://www.austinweeklynews.com/Community/Blogs/5-17-2015/Thrill-is-NOT-Gone/" data-imported="1">column</a> in the Austin Weekly News, May 17 2015. The best memorial to BB might be for African Americans to re-inherit the blues. With all our help!</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417522015-03-13T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:17-06:00Bonni working on blues movie
<p> Bonni wrote a script for a feature movie based on events in the life of bluesman Larry Taylor and family: <a href="http://www.therhythmandtheblues.com" data-imported="1">The Rhythm and the Blues</a>. Working with Darryl Pitts, an experienced Chicago movie and TV producer, the film project has attracted Hollywood and New York stars plus a lot of interest in Chicago's film community. Actor LEON, who appeared as David Ruffin in the movie The Temptations, has signed on to play a leading role : the late blues guitarist Eddie Taylor, Larry's stepfather. Leon joined the producers and Larry's band at a support party March 12 in downtown Chicago at Exact Publicity. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/c757e2f7d233fff024332b7a1b5b6c95b3bd7293/original/larrybondarrylkmurphy312.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjAweDEzMSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="LarryBonDarrylKMurphy312.jpg" height="131" style="text-align: center;" width="200" /> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/5655b8529fb2018b7019f4fe47c6701f7929eac2/original/leonbondaryl1-312-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjAweDI3MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="LeonBonDaryl1_312_resized.JPG" height="271" width="200" /></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417502014-12-10T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Support Bonni's mission
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11px; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">It’s always been a challenge for an American artist of any type to make a living while maintaining one’s integrity. But it’s phony and boring not to do the real thing. Why bother? So your support means everything. </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11px; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11px; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:initial">You can donate tax-deductible through Fractured Atlas, a New York based arts organization which makes it possible to support the work of individual artists. You can donate on-line at the following link, or contact Bonni about how to donate by check.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 11px; font-family: Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke-color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; min-height: 13px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:initial"> </span><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">DONATE by credit card online</strong><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:initial"> at this link, where you can also find a description of Bonni's arts project activities: </span><a style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;" href="https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=2881#achievements" data-imported="1">https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/fiscal/profile?id=2881#achievements</a></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417492014-12-03T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Bonni plays with Taylor Bros.
<p>Sometimes when a talented musical family is in demand by everyone, you can't catch them playing together. In a rare moment, guitarist Eddie Taylor Jr. and drummer Tim Taylor appeared with singer Larry Taylor as Larry's band played in the Windy City Blues Challenge, November 2014. Bonni played keyboard with them. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/b212099278dec1979617b4350fcc81421d80f740/original/taylorbandbonbuddyguys-2014-11.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDIzOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="TaylorBandBonBuddyGuys_2014_11.jpg" height="238" width="300" /></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417512014-10-10T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:17-06:00Blues at the BBF social agency
<p>Better Boys Foundation has served youth on the West Side since the late 1960s. Bonni asked videographer Chris Wilkinson to record a 2013 concert there, featuring profound West Side blues singers Larry Taylor and Willie D. Freeman. BBF featured the resulting video in its 2014 summer film festival, Sundown in K-town. Here's an excerpt: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri2FheIAP-A" data-imported="1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri2FheIAP-A</a></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417482014-08-31T19:00:00-05:002021-06-24T12:27:26-05:00Maxwell Street Blues Bio's
<p>During early 2014, Bonni pulled together research from books, on-line links and videos to write over three dozen blues biographies, and major descriptive stories for the Maxwell Street Foundation website. The foundation grew out of a group that protested the destruction of historic buildings and moving of the open-air market on Chicago's Near West Side. From 1912 to 2001, the market brought all types of people together to buy, sell, and hear blues and gospel music on the street. <a href="http://www.maxwellstreetfoundation.org" data-imported="1">http://www.maxwellstreetfoundation.org</a></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417472013-09-29T19:00:00-05:002021-08-16T11:41:16-05:00Bonni Blogs the Blues for Austin Weekly News
<p>West Side blues history and today's talented players can be thought of as assets to this struggling community. Austin is the farthest-west neighborhood in Chicago. The Austin Weekly News and Oak Park Journal are doing writing and advertising campaigns to bridge the gap. <a href="http://www.austinweeklynews.com/Community/People/Bonni-McKeown/" data-imported="1">http://www.austinweeklynews.com/Community/People/Bonni-McKeown/</a></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417462013-09-28T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00West Side is the Best Side
<p>From the summer of 2013 West Side morale-boosting tour: Bonni leads Joe B's band in learning her song, "West Side is the Best Side," a tribute to the historical heroes of West Side blues, in a July 27, 2013 concert at the BBF social agency. Joe B guitar; J.R. "Bootsie" Lee bass; Curtis LaBon drums; guest guitarist Jon McDonald. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EfNs264foA" data-imported="1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EfNs264foA</a> </p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417452013-09-01T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00West Side Morale Boosting
<p>During the summer of 2013, Chicago's West Side has had a rough time, marked by fatal shootings, unemployment, foreclosures, school closings and general misery. Nonprofit community organizations are trying to address the pileup of urban problems in this part of town which gave birth to many fine musicians. To help the community groups spark up their summer events Barrelhouse Bonni presented blues acts featuring Larry Taylor, Mike Wheeler, Willie D, Jon McDonald among others who learned their trade on the West Side. They played at the West Side Historical Society Juneteenth weekend; at Priscy's Production violence prevention day; at Terence McGee Back to School Throwdown, and at the Better Boys Foundation.<span style="text-align:center"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/651395033115ef5abdf4811c7ada97ad2e5e560a/original/jmcdlarryjmayesjnejiboncloseup.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Mjc1eDIwNCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="JMcDLarryJMayesJnejiBonCloseup.jpg" height="204" width="275" /> </span></p>
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<p><span style="text-align:center">More in Rosalind Cummings-Yates column in the August 2013 <em>Illinois Entertainer:</em></span><em style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://illinoisentertainer.com/2013/07/sweet-home-august-2013/" data-imported="1">http://illinoisentertainer.com/2013/07/sweet-home-august-2013/</a></em></p>
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Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417412013-01-25T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Barrelhouse Ladies Roll into Evanston
<p>Darnel Johnson, owner of Chicago's Home of Chicken and Waffles, welcomes the Barrelhouse Ladies to the new restaurant at Evanston, IL, north of Chicago, which opened in late January 2013. Bonni and Gloria performed Friday night Jan. 25. Already the food is living up to the Chicken n Waffles reputation!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/a445e6b0731821c70cc9d1eedb4ace7aee855ca3/original/chickwafevanstonjan12-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjAweDE1NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="chickwafEvanstonJan12_resized.jpg" height="154" width="200" /> </p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417442012-11-30T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Kids Love to Write their own Blues
<p>With the help of Chicago's bluesmen and women including Abb Locke, West Side Wes, Killer Ray Allison, Lamont HArris, and Larry Taylor, Bonni and movement instructor Miss Taj led people of all ages in writing their own blues verses during 2011-12 at Spencer Tech Elementary, Westcott Elementary, and at a CPS Black History banquet.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/356fb2c9b8f7314c536e8ee77be9b2d587b5780a/original/westctbbwritekidscrop.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTUweDE2MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="WestctBBWriteKidsCrop.jpg" height="162" width="150" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/91a994fc3cc6eca1dfa437c5ed768981f1a8513c/original/cpsblackhistbanq212dtajband-resized.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzAweDE5MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="CPSBlackHistBanq212dTajBand_resized.JPG" height="191" width="300" /> </p>
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Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417422012-11-14T18:00:00-06:002021-10-06T13:10:44-05:00Barrelhousing in the news!
<p>The Barrelhouse Ladies (Gloria Shannon and Barrelhouse Bonni) performing at Ellie's Cafe, as portrayed in the Southtown Star, distributed by the Chicago Sun-Times:</p>
<p><a href="http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/neighborhoodstar/oaklawn/15514205-521/ahern-music-food-and-fun-at-ellies-cafe-in-beverly.html" data-imported="1">http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/neighborhoodstar/oaklawn/15514205-521/ahern-music-food-and-fun-at-ellies-cafe-in-beverly.html</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/88674c6ea9e7af82cb25363c5d97f0cdb3377314/original/bonnigloriasmall611.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjUweDE4MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="BonniGloriaSMALL611.JPG" height="182" width="250" /></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417432012-06-09T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Trumpeter Bob Redd, Bonni, wow WV Seniors
<p style="text-align: center;">Barrelhouse Bonni and schooled Beckley trumpeter Bob Redd (also a teacher and running coach) helped the statewide WV Senior Conference have a blast! May 2012 at Cedar Lakes, near Ripley WV.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/427567/47a6782a1c430914e1d23107b17046de2896e9e4/original/seniorconfwvbobreddbonni512.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjAweDE4MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="SeniorConfWVBobReddBonni512.jpg" height="182" width="200" /></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417402011-10-01T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Video: the Great Huntington Harp Jam
<p>Aug. 2011: In a post- Diamond Teeth Mary Festival jam at Gino's pizza, Barrelhouse Bonni backed two national harmonica pros, Phil Wiggins from Maryland and Adam Gussow from New York. It turned into a harp duel, which the Huntington, WV Harmonica Club enjoyed! Thanks to the club for making Bonni welcome!</p>
<p>YOU TUBE LINK: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ENd9ZQqY0&feature=youtu.be" data-imported="1">www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ENd9ZQqY0&feature=youtu.be</a> </p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417392011-04-17T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Stepson of Blues Library Tour 2011
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHwpstaoa4w" data-imported="1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHwpstaoa4w</a></p>
<p>Video from Oak Park Library samples songs and story by Bonni with Larry Hill Taylor from Black History Month library tour for Taylor's autobiography<em> Stepson of the Blues: A Chicago Song of Survival.</em></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417382010-06-22T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Stepson books available at 57th Street
<p>For those (like me) who love independent bookstores, Stepson of the Blues is now being sold in Hyde Park (home of the Obamas) at 57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St. Stop in and pick up your copy:</p>
<p><a href="http://semcoop.indiebound.com/57th-street-books" data-imported="1">http://semcoop.indiebound.com/57th-street-books</a></p>
<p>(Those who like to order stuff on the web can also find the book on the "Shop" page of this website.)</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417372010-06-13T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Profiled by New York artist group Fractured Atlas!
<p>The New York based artist support group Fractured Atlas has profiled Bonni's co-authored book <em>Stepson of the Blues</em>, the autobiography of Chicago bluesman Larry Taylor. In an interview with <a href="http://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/blog/2010/06/11/featured-member-profile-bonni-mckeown-and-stepson-of-the-blues/" data-imported="1">Fractured Atlas</a>, Bonni talks about her fund raising efforts as an independent publisher on Peaceful Patriot Press. Find out how you can support her project, tax deductible! Fractured Atlas also helps artists with insurance and other business matters.</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417362010-06-12T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Birth of Bonni's Stepson: Larry Taylor autobiography
<p>Stepson of the Blues, Larry Hill Taylor's autobiography which Bonni co-authored, has been published in June 2010 by Peaceful Patriot Press. The book and its authors contributed to dialogs about African American musicians and the blues at the Blues and Spirit Symposium and the Chicago Blues Festival. <a href="http://www.stepsonoftheblues.com" data-imported="1">www.stepsonoftheblues.com</a></p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417332010-03-13T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Chicago School of Blues WV Tour March 2010
<p>Bonni brought the Chicago School of Blues to Sweet Home WVa the first weekend of March 2010.
For this trip, West Virginia horn standouts Bob Redd, trumpet, and Dugan Carter, sax, joined CSB's Killer Ray Allison, CC Copeland, West Side Wes and Bonni. Larry Taylor came as a guest singer for their concert at West Virginia State College. Dugan's jazz band Full Flavor opened the concert, arranged by Lady D (Doris Fields) and the Charleston Blues Society to honor local African American musicians. Lady D herself sat in, singing "Stormy Monday" and "Rock Me."
The band also gave a workshop for an afterschool program sponsored by WV State at Emmanuel Baptist Church on the West Side of Charleston.
On Friday March 5, CSB joined Anthony Kinzer and Rabbit Jones for a local music history program March 5 at Simpson United Methodist Church, sponsored by the WV Center for African American Art & Culture, with support from Charleston Blues Society and WV Commission on the Arts.
On Saturday March 6 the Chicago School of Blues band wrapped up the weekend with a rousing show at Sam's Uptown Cafe, where manager Chris Bukant joined the crowd boogeying on the floor til 2 a.m. Larry, Ray, Wes and CC were delighted with the active, diverse crowd which included State Del. Meesha Poore, who sang a few songs with Ray. Mechanical Renegade spun some records for some solid dancing during break.
Special thanks to photographers Susan McAndrews and Julius Jackson, and to Rose, Mel, and the UUs for their steady welcoming and support through the years of his visits to Charleston.</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417322009-12-19T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:15-06:00Etiquette and Blues at Donoghue School
<p>I love the blues. And I’m not the only one. This 20th century form of African American music has spread around the world, because it is a universal cry for understanding of the joys and sorrows people go through every day. Relationships, mean bosses, poverty, injustice, but also love and fun: that’s what makes blues songs. The late Willie Dixon, Chicago bass player and songwriter, said it best: “Blues is the facts of life.” Telling the facts of your life, you find people other people in the same boat, and that togetherness makes everyone feel better. Like the rhymes and rhythms of hiphop and the praises of gospel, blues music is best done with a group to reinforce the lead poet or singer.
Not only the words, but the sound of blues is healing. Black people in America pieced this music together, a simple quilt with brilliant colors, from African rhythms, Native American chants, and European instruments. Like a quilt, the blues tells a story. As the tale is told, the music builds up tension and, at the end, releases it. Wrap up your problem in three lines and make fun of it; somehow life does not seem as bad. A grownup blues audience will groove to the music, toes tapping, fingers popping, eyes half closed, maybe a few people dancing near the bandstand. Some of the kids in our afterschool blues classes picked up the same groove when we first played for them. Right away they noticed that the blues is “relaxing” music. Relaxed, but still aware of life.
What does blues have to do with etiquette? At Donoghue Elementary, a South Side school, afterschool students were offered our Chicago School of Blues class, sponsored by Rock for Kids www.rockforkids.org . At the same time, etiquette an etiquette class was going on, sponsored by the Etiquette Foundation of Illinois. http://efoi.org/home.html Teachers at Donoghue train their students in “Mutual Respect.” This concept was practiced equally well in the quiet, sitdown tea party that concluded the etiquette class, and also in the final exuberant day of our blues class on Dec. 18. When the youth got rowdy and talked out of turn or someone tried to bully someone, the teachers quickly reminded them to practice “Mutual Respect.” Music is a way to express your feelings in a disciplined, masterful, joyful way. There is a time for the call and a time for the response. You play and sing in the pattern of the rhythm.
At our Donoghue classes, our Chicago School of Blues band, composed of 30-year professional West and South Side musicians, aimed to practice “Mutual Respect.” Kids took turns putting their hands on the piano or on CC Copeland’s bass, West Side Wes’s drums, and Killer Ray Allison’s guitar. Abb Locke, who once played for Howlin’ Wolf, flashed his golden horn. We played a Temptations riff as the kids tried rapping their own rhymes. Clean rhymes, including one about Donoghue School! The youngsters danced as the band got funky with the songs of James Brown. Then we showed the kids how to sing a blues tune in the form of earlier generations. Before long they picked up the pattern and began to sing. Let the good times roll!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_nhXaziSFE
We tell kids in our classes that blues is part of their heritage and one of America’s greatest gifts to the world. When you learn your history, you can respect yourself and where you come from. When you share the feeling with others, it’s Mutual Respect. When it comes right down to it, mutual respect is the foundation of courtesy and etiquette. Going by the same rules. Treating others as you would like to be treated.</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417312009-11-20T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:15-06:00Noon Concert in Winchester VA
<p>Hampshire County WV friends and musicians rejoined Frederick County VA (the Revolutionary War era mother of both counties) on Nov. 20 2009 for a Barrelhouse Bonni concert at the Handley Library. Francis and KC Chilcoat, Steve and Terry Bailes, and Michael Hasty (who sat in on harmonica for the Jimmy Reed tune "Bright Lights Big City") trooped across the state line for Bonni's appearance in the Little Noon Music series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D5bLzeR_qY
Gene Babb and Glenene of the library staff organize the wintertime concerts featuring acoustic music in the intimate Handley Library auditorium. Some Sacred Heart elementary students came as well as faithful senior fans. Bonni led sing-alongs on such old chestnuts as "Home on the Range" and the Louis Jordan jump blues "Let the Good Times Roll." History was the theme, as Becky Ebert, head of the Handley Library Archives, joined Bonni's audience on the eve of the of the archives' 30 year anniversary celebration. The audience waltzed out to the closing song, Ledbelly's "Good Night Irene."</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417302009-10-15T19:00:00-05:002021-01-23T12:21:04-06:00Chalmers Kids love School of Blues
<p>Rock for Kids, the charity that offers music instruction for underprivileged children, opened up a door on the West Side of Chicago and the School of Blues walked--or danced--right in! Students and staff at Chalmers Elementary School at Roosevelt & California heard the Great Migration tales of Abb Locke's arrival, broke and hungry, in Chicago, before he hooked up with Howlin' Wolf to play sax. They sang along with Ray Allison on "Mustang Sally" and "Just my imagination' and got down with CC Copeland's bass-ic Kanye West and James Brown songs. The folks run a great little school in a tough hood. We hope to see you all again soon and maybe you can learn some music with us!</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417292009-08-20T19:00:00-05:002021-01-19T09:10:01-06:00Chicago School of Blues teachers Rock for Kids at Buddy Guy's<p>On Friday Aug. 14, the Chicago School of Blues, a band of veteran South and West Siders organized by Bonni for summer blues programs sponsored by Rock for Kids, gave a show for 115 children from South Side homeless shelters at Buddy Guys Legends. Rock for Kids worked with the summer tutoring program Chicago Hopes to bus the kids, ages 1 through 15, and their mothers downtown for the program. Bonni gave a little blues history and urged the group to "Let the Good Times Roll." Guitarist Ray Allison led the band and kept up the pace to match the audience's youthful energy. Bass player CC Copeland took the kids on a historical music tour and told how the blues is the root of music from Elvis to Kanye West. Saxophonist Abb Locke, who played with Howlin' Wolf during the 50s, brought a bit of the laid back honk and roll, while Wes Sanders, drummer, invited the kids to a Wang Dang Doodle and got them singing "All night long, all night long." The guys were touched when kids stood in line after the show and asked for autographs. Our thanks to ROCK FOR KIDS for sponsoring the show, which was mentioned in the Chicago Sun-Times on Aug. 21.</p>Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417352008-02-09T18:00:00-06:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00UU Church Swings on Feb. 29 with Heritage Revue
<p>Charleston WV's vibrant black music history--and the current talented musicians--will be enjoyed by all at a Charleston Blues Society concert Feb. 29 at the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Our blues society has begun collecting this history, which goes back to the Appalachian blues players up the hollers outside of town, but also to the sophisticated 1930s-40s swing bands that played in our city clubs and arenas. WVU Jazz professor Dr. Christopher Wilkinson highlighted the colorful history of these touring bands in a Humanities lecture sponsored by the Charleston Blues Society and the NAACP at WV State U. in April 2007. Bass player Peter "Rabbit" Jones has collected clippings, programs and recordings on musicians for the last 50 years, artist Newman Jackson is collecting more history (church music will be included), and Doris Fields (Lady D) is planning an event to honor the musicians. But first, our Feb. 29 concert features Lady D and the talented swing musicians of the Paris Project Band: Dugan Carter & Marshall Petty on sax, David Lloyd keyboard, Stony Burks on trumpet & flugelhorn, Warren Pope Jr. drums and Darrell Edgerton on bass.
Thanks to the UUs and NAACP for making this happen!</p>
Barrelhouse Bonnitag:barrelhousebonni.com,2005:Post/61417342007-06-27T19:00:00-05:002019-12-13T21:31:16-06:00Marshall Petty: it's the Truth, Ruth!
<p>The controversy over where the blues originated, do your homework. It came from the bowels of slaves and former slaves and their descendents. Call it what you want,race card or whatever, Bonni has the right to say what she believes as well as you or anyone else. However she is mostly right in the fact that like most everything else that African-Americans have contributed to this society it has never been fully recognized nor appreciated and others have been the opportunist. Ask the foreigners who play the blues or a derivation of it. They credit the creators of the music ,Black folks ,not whites or Native Americans or any other ethnic group.</p>
<p>The blues has been exploited like oil or any other commodity that generates wealth. The blues or any other art form that is successful in this nation has been marketed to a certain audience to generate a profit. Like it or not that market is primarily white. When we had " race music" it was rejected by white audiences until we had Elvis. Blacks love the blues, r&b, jazz, classical c&w, hip hop, rap, and so on. But, the industry controls the behavior of pseudo blues societies. Yes it is a Black thing for most real blues artist and enthusiast.</p>
<p>True it is to be played, enjoyed by anyone but the credit in terms as to who should be getting the recognition in the form of money and prestige put it where it is supposed to be and don't anyone take these statements as racist. It is the truth Ruth. Bonni forward this to as many as possible. --Marshall Petty, Charleston WV jazz/blues saxophone player and band leader, June 28 2007</p>
Barrelhouse Bonni