The Buzz: BB, Benefits, Bigger Casa
by
Matthew Toledo - 11/4/2003
B.B. and Shirley
King To Play Athens
This week, Athens gets a visit from some blues royalty. B.B. King will perform a sold out show at The Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday, November 5 2003. At age 76, B.B. King has played 126 gigs this year so far. He has performed at locations from New York, to Los Angeles and all stops in-between large and small, like Zanesville and Athens, Ohio. That same night one of B.B. King's daughters, Shirley King, will perform upstairs at the Blue Gator.
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Shirley King was born and raised in Memphis in 1949, and began singing in her Church Choir at the age of 9. Somewhere along the way, she spent 20 years as an exotic dancer before discovering her abilities as a true blues singer. Called by many as "the daughter of the blues," Shirley King has evolved into an internationally acclaimed blues artist with an impressive resume which includes several album credits and an exceptional amount musical charity work.
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"I grew up around the stage watching my dad become famous, but I never imagined I'd become a blues singer too". She admits that having a legendary father helped her get through every door she knocked on, but it was her talent, charisma and high-energy stage presence that got her invited back.
A recent Blue Gator newsletter sent to the AMN stated that with both Kings in town at the same time, chances are good that B.B. might make a cameo at his daughter's show. Owner Joel says "I'm hoping for it - but know that regardless, Shirley's show will be one for the record books here at the Gator."
Shirley King's first performance in Athens was at O'Hooley's back in 1999.
"THE Baby Boomer's Party Band" R&B Station will open up for Shirley. R&B station arose from the ashes of Butch-wax and the Cadillac's which played all through Ohio and West Virginia during the mid 80's. Butch-wax started out as an early-sixties/country influenced band but changed over the years. They are now self described as a "high energy, audience oriented, party band, specializing in R&B, Blues, Classic Rock, and Funkin' Soul. THE Baby Boomer's party band."
The Blue Gator will hold a "Pre-King" party starting at 5 PM at the Gator. They will be offering finger foods, snacks, a cash bar, and even a "shuttle" to transport folks from the Gator, to Memorial Auditorium, and back again for the full King double header. B.B.'s show starts at 7:30, and is sold out. Shirley's starts at 9 and is almost sold out.
AMN Compilation Benefits
Tonight, Tuesday November 4th 2003, vote AMN! The Athens Musician Network is trying to raise the last few dollars needed to replicate a double CD set of local music. When completed, this year's compilation will feature hours of local music and local music videos. The CD will be sold for next to nothing or given away at local shows depending on the final costs for the project.
There are currently just two shows. However a third show may be in the works during the cold Winter break.
Tonight's show features avant-garde musical rebels Douchifer. Openers include the tone savvy surf-rock influenced Campus Stranglers, Alt-country blues-punk rockers, the Red Tails, and Athens' own rockabilly band, the Wailin' Elroy's. Show starts at 10:00 PM at the Casa Cantina.
Casa Cantina Expanding
You may have noticed all the construction next to Casa Cantina as of late. The worker owned restaurant and bar is planning on expanding the Cantina, moving the bar, and increasing the size and scope of the stage to become one of the larger venues in Athens. This is great news for local music, since Casa is one of the few places left that books a wide variety of acts from hip-hop, to country, to jam, to bluegrass, to punk, to techno, to rockabilly and yes, even pop. Hopefully this new expansion will only not change Casa's accepting musical nature.
More details on the expansion after tonight!
