MICHAEL HEYMAN: News

International interest in my CD "Heart Full of Blues" is still growing. Tracks from "Heart Full of Blues" continue to receive regular airplay on radio stations here in U.S. and in places such as Europe, Canada, Australia, and now India.

Ravi Khanolkar, the host of Worldspace Satellite Radio based in Bangalore, India, broadcasts a weekly blues program that reaches all the way from Dubai across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and into the Far East.

Throughout the month of May, Ravi is broadcasting a program called A Brief History of the Blues, covering blues artists beginning around 1920 up to the present day. I am honored to be included in the final segment of Ravi's show and look forward to bringing the blues to India and beyond in the near future.

International interest in my CD "Heart Full of Blues" continues to grow as it has
now come to the attention of blues afficiandos from as far away as India. Tracks
from "Heart Full of Blues" continue to receive regular airplay on broadcast and internet radio stations here in U.S. and in places such as Europe, Canada and Australia. Stay tuned for more news regarding airplay and radio programs from around the world.

Blues Hound and Baby Girl's 4th Annual Spring Howl took place this past Sunday at Dan Electro's Guitar Bar in Houston, Texas. It was a genuine honor to have been invited to be part of this annual fundraiser for 90.1 FM KPFT, which raised almost $4,000.00 for the station.

What an awesome day and evening of incredibly fine music! Dan Electro's was filled to almost standing room only capacity as people ate, drank and danced to some of the best blues ANYWHERE. Hats off to James and Colleen Nagle not only for putting together such a fine lineup of artists but also - along with Smokin' Joe Montes, his lovely wife Lynn, Mr. and Mrs. V, the staff and volunteers at KPFT and the Houston Blues Society - for their longstanding commitment to the preservation of the blues and support of Houston-based artists. And a big thank you also goes to Bob Edwards at Dan Electro's for hosting this year's Spring Howl.

And this Sunday, April 9, 2006, I will have the pleasure of joining my old bandmates Angelo (Giovanni) Hernandez and Calvin Hall for a reunion of NICK YOUNG & THE POWERHOUSE at Magnolia Bar & Grill from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Calvin and I first started playing together in 1977. Interestingly, it was our shared love of the music of Cream that got us started. From there, we worked together in a series of outfits starting with the Vettes through the Blues Union up to Nick Young & the Powerhouse. We have played together around the USA and in the U.K. at festivals as well as in rock showcase clubs, barn lofts and juke joints.

Angelo and I started working together in Nick Young & Powerhouse in 1986. Together with Calvin, we played many memorable shows with artists such as John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, Albert Collins, Pat Travers, Eric Burdon, Nick Lowe, Omar & the Howlers and had the honor of working with Joe "Guitar" Hughes as his backup band.

I am looking forward to doing this reunion show with these old friends, and hope that you will be able to join us on Sunday.

Special appearances by some longtime Houston favorites are also expected.

On Saturday, March 18, 2006, I had the privilege of appearing in concert with LIVE CREAM to a packed house of over 1,000 people of all ages at the Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, NY. The Chance Theater is one of New York's landmark concert venues, hosting concerts by such artists as Bon Jovi, Judas Priest, Blues Traveler, Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead.

Based in New York City, LIVE CREAM is the world's premier Cream tribute, recreating the power, excitement and experience of a Cream concert in 1966-68 with full Marshall amplification, double bass drum kit, extended improvisation and deep blues feeling.

Our set, which was extremely well received, consisted of:

I'm So Glad
Politician
Crossroads
Sleepy Time Time
Sweet Wine
White Room
Toad
Sunshine of Your Love

Mike Katz on bass and lead vocal was superb. Playing his Gibson EB-3 bass through a Marshall Super Lead 100w stack, Mike's playing was both powerful and exemplary. Among many highlights, his bass work on "Sleepy Time Time" and "Sweet Wine" drew massive shouts of approval from the audience - many of whom were on their feet during the entire performance. Similarly, Mike's ability as a vocalist to convey Jack's emotion and range on songs such as "White Room" and "I'm So Glad" was outstanding.

Bob Williams played his Ludwig double bass drum kit with the same finesse, power, attitude and authority as Ginger Baker. While exhibiting great sensitivity and taste on numbers such as "Sleepy Time Time" and "Politician" as well as during our improvisation in "Sweet Wine," his ability to play with breathtaking power and beauty was clearly evident on songs such as "Crossroads," "White Room" and "Sunshine of Your Love." The highlight of the show was Bob's drum solo on "Toad," which worked the audience to a fever pitch and literally brought the house down.

My background as a blues guitarist fits perfectly into this format. Playing the blues and sweet & sour rock n' roll with the sensitivity and dynamics of a jazz ensemble is a logical extension of what I have been doing since the Blues Union and Nick Young & the Powerhouse in the 80's up to my CD "Heart Full of Blues" and what I have been doing with both Tommy Dardar and Roomful of Mirrors. The experience of playing my Les Paul through a Marshall 100w stack with Mike and Bob on songs such as "Crossroads" and "Sunshine of Your Love" as well as during our extended improvisation on "I'm So Glad" and "Sweet Wine" was pure magic.

The audience, which consisted of many longtime Cream fans, was wonderful. At least half of the audience were in their teens and early twenties. In fact, Cream undoubtedly played their last concert before many of them were even born! What continues to amaze me is that so many members of the audience who - like me - were too young to have seen Cream the first time around were so into what we are doing. To those of you who were there, Mike, Bob and I would like to extend our warmest appreciation for the great reception you gave us. Rock on!!

As I have previously noted, this project is not an attempt to capitalize on the resurgence of interest in Cream since their reunion shows last year. Bob and Mike have been working together on this project for the last four years, while songs such as "Lawdy Mama," "Sleepy Time Time," "Sitting on Top of the World," "Spoonful" and "Steppin' Out" have been part of my repertoire since 1987.

Future shows will include more blues as well as songs such as "NSU," "Tales of Brave Ulysses," "We're Going Wrong," "Born Under a Bad Sign," "SWLABR," "Deserted Cities of the Heart," "Lawdy Mama," "Sitting on Top of the World," " "Spoonful," "Rollin' & Tumblin'" and "Steppin' Out" - complete with extended guitar/drums duet.

For more information, please feel free to visit www.livecream.net.

This week I will be a featured artist on Blues Plaza, a live radio broadcast from the Netherlands. Blues Plaza is a weekly program devoted to the blues presented by Jochem Stulen.

Blues Plaza can be heard from 19.00 hours till 21.00 hours (Central European Time) on broadcast radio at Ether 107.2 MHZ or Kabel 104.2, or on the worldwide web at Bij Regio FM www.regiofm.nl. The livestream can be accessed at the top of the home page of Regio FM's website.

On Saturday, March 18, 2006, I will be appearing in concert with LIVE CREAM at the Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Based in New York, Live Cream is the world's premier Cream tribute, recreating the power, excitement and experience of a Cream concert in 1966-68 with full Marshall amplification and double bass drum kit.

Mike Katz is an exceptional bassist and vocalist. He plays his Gibson EB-3 bass through Marshall Super Lead 100w stacks with the same conviction, power and sound as Jack Bruce. Similarly, his ability as a vocalist to convey Jack's emotion and range on songs such as Sleepy Time Time and We're Going Wrong is nothing short of amazing.

Bob Williams began his career as a jazz drummer but has also worked extensively in many other music genres. As a young teenager in New York City, he took lessons from Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience). Bob plays his Ludwig double bass drum kit with the same finesse, power and attitude as Ginger Baker. While capable of playing with sheer power on songs such as N.S.U. and Toad, he also exhibits great sensitivity and taste on brushes during the guitar/drums duet in Steppin' Out and on mallets during We're Going Wrong.

My background as a blues guitarist fits perfectly into this format, which is a logical extension of what I have been doing with my power trio Roomful of Mirrors. The experience of playing my Les Paul or SG through Marshall Super Lead 100w stacks with Mike and Bob on songs such as Crossroads and during our extended improvisation on songs such as Sweet Wine and Steppin' Out is nothing short of pure magic.

The Chance Theater is one of New York's landmark concert venues, hosting concerts by such artists as Bon Jovi, Judas Priest, Blues Traveler, Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. We will also be making a guest appearance on Sunday, March 19, 2006 in New York City's Greenwich Village.

Also on the bill are Hindenberg and 2 Bit Jive. Advance tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

90.1 FM KPFT’s “Blues Hound” and “Baby Girl” (“Howlin’ the Blues”, Sundays 2-4 p.m.) have scheduled their 4th Annual Spring Howl for Sunday, April 2, 2006, from 2-8 p.m. This year’s blues extravaganza will be held at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar.

I will appearing with ROOMFUL OF MIRRORS at 3:00 p.m.

Also appearing will be Shannon and Lance G., Seth Walker, the Brad Absher Band with John Gaar and Johnny Boy & Friends.

Raffles will be held throughout the day with loads of t-shirts, CDs, and other cool goodies for attendees. A $15 donation will get you into this Pacifica benefit.

For more information on the event and 90.1 FM KPFT, log on to http://www.kpft.org/ or email “The Blues Hound” at blueshound@kpft.org.

With the permission of Danny Valerio and Keith Ferguson's (the Fabulous Thunderbirds) mother, Mori Management has founded The Benny Valerio/Keith Ferguson Foundation. While the Foundation will assist Benny's family with out of pocket funeral expenses, the Foundation's long-term goal is to help musicians get proper medical attention before a negative diagnosis is given.

With these goals, the first Benny Valerio/Keith Ferguson Foundation Benefit concert will take place on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak in the Heights beginning at 8:00 p.m.

I will be appearing with my new power trio ROOMFUL OF MIRRORS as well as with TOMMY DARDAR.

Also appearing will be Alan Haynes, "Uncle" John Turner, Texas Thunder featuring Danny Valerio, The Rock Romano Band, Herschel Berry, Tommie Lee Bradley, TC & The Cannonballs, Blowtorch Repair, Keith York, The Trolls, Sean Walters, Danny Gardner, Eddie Flores, The Honky Tonk Heroes, Kevin Rath and Larry Parcell plus other surprise special guests.

This is a very worthwhile cause and will also be an evening of great music you will not want to miss.

Due to technical issues, our show on Saturday, January 21, 2006 will be broadcast this coming Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT as well as on the World Wide Web at www.kpft.org.

I would like to say a big "Thank You" to Smokin' Joe Montes and to everyone who came out Saturday - we had a great turnout and the audience was absolutely wonderful! Special thanks also to JB and Frank for doing such a great job engineering the sound as well as to Marlo Blue and Pam for videotaping the concert, Becky Stapleton and Lea Valerio for their work with the promotion and merchandise, and the Houston Blues Society for their support.

Mike Zito turned in an excellent performance with his band.

Troy Guillett stole the show with his drum solo and "Blues Guy" Schwartz made everyone stand up and take notice of just how great a bassist/vocalist he is, especially during the extended improvisation on songs like NSU, Sweet Wine and Remember (Something We Call Love).

Several people told me afterward that they felt as if they were at the Fillmore circa 1968. I take this as a very high compliment. While I am not trying to turn back the hands of time, at the same time I do feel that there was a very special magic and excitement in the music of that time (even though I was too young to personally experience it).

I am honored to be able to carry on this tradition, and it is my hope and desire to be able to introduce this through songs old and new to a new generation of music lovers who - like me - missed it the first time around.

I will be fronting the house band this Thursday, January 12, 2006 at Dan Electro's Guitar Bar in the Heights together with Teri Green, Arthur Kennedy and Larry Kintz.

Music starts at 9:30 p.m. followed by one of Houston's best open blues sessions.

Over the years, many great performers and stars such as Greg Allman, Billy Gibbons and Richard Gere have graced the stage at Dan's Thursday night blues jam. Thanks to many very fine players from Houston, New Orleans and Los Angeles as well as the astute direction of Teri Green and Dan's owner Bob Edwards, the standard of musicianship is generally very high.

A great time is sure to be had by all.

On Saturday, January 14, 2006 at 3:30 p.m., I will be on the air on 90.1 FM KPFT Pacifica Radio talking with Smokin' Joe Montes about my new solo project.

Also appearing on the show will be Van Wilks.

Saturday, January 21, 2006 will mark the formal debut of my new solo project.

This new project is a contemporary power trio combining material from my CD "Heart Full of Blues" with new original songs, interpretations of traditional blues songs by artists such as Mississippi Fred McDowell, extended improvisation and selected covers from Cream and others - all played with a deep blues feeling. Some of the original material dates back to my time with Nick Young & the Powerhouse.

On drums will be Troy Guillett with Guy Schwartz on bass/vocals.

The event is Joe's Roadhouse, a live radio broadcast on 90.1 FM KPFT hosted by Smokin' Joe Montes. We will close the show from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST. This live broadcast from Fitzgerald's in Houston, Texas can also be heard on the World Wide Web at www.kpft.org.

Also appearing on the show at 3:00 p.m. will be Mike Zito, an excellent guitarist from St. Louis.

Door opens at 2:00 p.m.

"Heart Full of Blues" has just been named among the top 25 blues CD's for December 2005 along with releases by Muddy Waters, Susan Tedeschi, John Mayer Trio, Buddy Guy, Ray Charles, Angela Strehli, Al Kooper, B.B. King & Friends, the Rolling Stones, Les Paul & Friends, Chicago Blues Reunion, Magic Slim, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Elvin Bishop, Shemekia Copeland, John Mayall, the Blasters and other blues greats.

Check out Mick Martin's "Blues Party" on KXJZ 88.9 FM Sacramento; KKTO, 90.5 FM
Tahoe City/Reno; KUOP 90.3 FM; Stockton/Marysville/Modesto; KXJS 88.7 FM Sutter/Marysville/Yuba City; KQNC 88.1 FM Quincy

I am now working with Tommy Dardar, a world-class vocalist/harmonica player. You can check out his music at www.tommydardar.com

"If You See My Baby," which continues to hold down the # 2 on Garageband.com's blues chart, is named Track of the Day.

"Heart Full of Blues" continues to be in the Top 25 on Blue Ears Radio in the Netherlands along with new CD's from artists such as Hubert Sumlin, John Mayall and the Fabulous Thunderbirds.

"If You See My Baby" featuring internationally acclaimed harmonica viruoso Sonny Boy Terry is # 2 on the Garageband.com blues chart