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Volume 32; Issue 1 February-March 2011

THE TORCH CLUB

Sacramento’s Premiere Blues Club

BLUENOTES: Let’s start with a little history…when was the Torch Club established?

TORCH: The Torch Club was one of the f i r s t b a r s i n S a c r a m e n t o ,

established in 1934, the year prohibition ended. My grandfather, Frank Texeira, bought it in 1969, when it became known as a watering hole for politicians who took an easy stroll from dinner at Frank Fat’s to drinks at the Torch Club. Ron Texeira, my dad & son of Frank, moved the club in 1982 from its original location at 8th & L St to 16th & L, and is now going into its 11th year here at the current location on 15th St. At first it was the jukebox that was known for its 45 records that everyone came in for in addition to the socializing over drinks. Over the years, music was gradually added, first by a live DJ, and eventually bands, notably the Beer Dawgs, by Ron Texeira, my brother. That’s when Sam’s Hof Brau on J Street closed and there weren’t any other blues clubs around.

BLUENOTES: How did the slogan “known from Maine to Spain” come about?

TORCH: Probably my grandfather, he had a lot of funny sayings.

BLUENOTES: How many hours do you actually devote to the club? Do you make all the decisions or is someone else involved, such as family members, bookkeeper, booking agent?

TORCH: Let me get my list (joking). Probably about 30 hours in addition to working 3 shifts a week. I do all the booking, payroll, shopping, etc.

BLUENOTES: Being a Mom of a little one, it must be quite a challenge for you to balance it all?

TORCH: It’s a juggle, for sure. I work around her schedule M-F, my time with her is generally all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays and when she’s not in preschool.

BLUENOTES: How much input from others do you actually listen to?

TORCH: My customers will suggest an artist they may have heard in their travels to Memphis, Chicago or wherever plus the Blues Cruise & I’ll follow up on that. I have a lot of long-time established musicians who I respect and vice versa. They’re the ones who are out there; I don’t have a lot of time to be out there.

BLUENOTES: What are some of the problems that you have to deal with in this business?

TORCH: I really don’t have problems with the customers or the bands, it’s a mutual respect.

This is a first in a series of interviews with local blues club owners. I caught up with Marina Texeira, currently

the third generation owner of this club. By Jan Kelley

Marina Texeira Continued on page 6

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Willie’s Wise Words

V o l u m e 3 2 ; I s s u e 1

Greetings Sacramento Blues Society members and blues enthusiasts,

One of the duties of being President of your SBS is to write a bi-monthly article for this newsletter. As we venture into our 32nd year, I would like to thank the Board of Directors for a tremendous year. The 31st Membership Show and Hall of Fame Induction held last December featured the Kenny Neal Band and The Delta Wires. The show was absolutely packed and it was a treat to honor Phil Givant, Mick Martin, Johnny Knox, Rick Estrin & Charlie Baty! A special ‘tip of the hat’ goes out to Sally Katen for the HOF awards, Liz Walker and our great volunteers for coordinating this fine event at the VFW Post #67.

As I’m writing this, our International Blues Challenge representatives are getting ready for their trip to Memphis. Good luck to Two-Tone Steiny & The Cadillacs!

This year we have three new members on the Board of Directors, specifically Kathleen Kelly, Charlene Metzler & Doug Thomson. I would like to express our thanks to Sally Katen, Kim DuVall & Cathy Dubets for their participation over the last four years for your blues society, THANKS!

Our Blues In The Schools (BITS) program is already off to a quick start this year with lectures

and concerts being held throughout Yolo County. Thanks to the BITS committee: Cynthia Jaynes, Dave Alcock, Liz Walker and the entire blues ensemble for a great job.

So, here’s to 2011 - may this year be bright and positive. I want to encourage everyone to continue to support your local blues clubs. Look for some interesting & exciting events that will be coming this year: a BITS benefit show, the Northern California Blues Festival, the annual IBC competition and more. I’ve mentioned this many times before, but it’s worth repeating: We are very lucky to have such great talent, promoters and dedicated club owners in our area!

We are always looking for blues volunteers to help with our events and fundraisers. If you would like to know more about volunteer opportunities, please contact us at membership@sacblues.com

As always, “Save me a seat”,

Willie Brown – President, Sacramento Blues Society

February-March 2011

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BLUES?

Which one of these famous rock groups took its name from two blues players? a. Fleetwood Mac: Arthel “Big Cadillac” Fleetwood and Sir Mack Rice.

b. Pink Floyd: Pink Anderson and Floyd “Dipper Boy” Council

c. Jefferson Airplane: Blind Lemon Jefferson and Clarence “Aeroplane” Delaplaine

d. All of the above

Answers found within this newsletter From the Knowledge Card deck, What Do You Know About the Blues? By Cary Wolfson. Reprinted with the permission of the publisher, Pomegranate Communications, Inc. www.Pomegranate.com, (800) 227-1428.

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February-March 2011 Volume 32; Issue 1

What’s Happening – by Lizzie Walker 2011 is here and it looks like I’ll be your events coordinator for another year. Hope you don’t mind and that you had a chance to come out to the soci-ety’s events in 2010. First, I’d like to commend everyone who helped with the membership party on December 5th. What a

party!

There was a tasty dinner thanks to cooks, Mark and Sharon Wichman, the Hall of Fame induc-tees all received commendations and really cool looking statues (Sally Katen and her committee did a wonderful job), there was the announce-ment of the new board members and the music was off the hook. The Delta Wires got every-thing started, Kenny Neal and family kept every-body moving and the hall of fame inductee’s brought it all home with an awesome jam.

Thanks to Point Source Sound for once again providing excellent sound and working so hard and to the members of VFW Post 67 for being such good hosts. An extra special giant THANK YOU to all of YOU who stuck around to help clean up. It was the fastest clean up ever, we were all out of there in an hour!

March 12, 2011

Saint Patty’s

Mardi Gras

Corned Beef Dinner &

The Bayou Boys! VFW Post 67

2784 Stockton Blvd

Dinner/Show $25 (advance ticket sale only)

Two for $45

Show only $15

Check back to sacblues.com for more info

Following the success of last year’s St. Patty’s Day Dinner, we’re planning another for this year with a twist. There’ll also be the BITS benefit in May followed by something new and different for the middle of summer (I’m thinking ‘Mid-Summer Madness’.)

There’s always something to do to keep the Sac-ramento Blues Society alive and thriving. If you’ve got a few hours a month to help out one of the many committees it would be much appre-ciated. Everything from mailing newsletters, pro-moting events, layout work, web postings, Hall of Fame, artwork, clerical assistance, staging, mer-chandising, all kinds of things.

In closing I’d like to share the following, “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in one perfect and well preserved piece…but to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out and defiantly shouting: “Whoa Dog-gie! What a ride!”

I inherited my passion for music from my father when I was very young and growing up. When I was in my adolescent years I developed an attraction for the "Blues". I attended many concerts in the San Jose region during my teenage years which enhanced my love for music. When I first observed the "Fillmore" and "Winterland" concerts in San Francisco, I knew then that music would become my soulmate. I believe that I will "make a difference" and be an "asset" to the Blues Society based on my expertise of music.

This is how I started with the Blues… Charlene Metzler

A new Board Member introduces herself

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Our organization is only as good as our members make it. We can do a little or a lot, and we depend on your assistance. You can make a difference by volunteering to assist on any of our committees. Some only meet one or two times a year, others more often. It is great to be part of the program, and see things run smoothly. With all these choices, there must be a spot for you! If so, contact the listed committee chair at info@sacblues.com. You’ll be glad you did! SBS Committee Chairs Blues In The Schools— Cynthia Jaynes & Dave Alcock

Bylaws—Parliamentarian—Kristen Dahl

Events— Liz Walker (This Committee also chairs the

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The SBS is a Non Profit Organization & all business is conducted by volunteers. We have several committees and we are always looking for help from our members. This newsletter, the BITS program, Membership, Hall of Fame, Gene Chambers Emergency Fund (for musicians in need) as well as our monthly events - all of these are managed by volunteers . We need your help – the 11 member Board cannot do it alone! You may have heard the old saying 80% of the work is done by 20% ... well our membership is about 500 and we have a board of 11 that does just about everything - let's see, that looks like about 2%.

Many of you have indicated on your Membership app that you would be interested in volunteering & you can volunteer for one day, one event, or a committee - your choice!

Please email membership@sacblues.com for more info and to tell us how you can help! We'd love to meet you and have your support and help! Think about being on the Board as well - come to a board meeting and see how it's done! It’s a great opportunity to learn Board Procedures and that might look good on your resume! See ya soon!

Did You Know...?" by Linda McShane

Entertainment provided by:

Dave Channell’s Fire & Wheels

with Jimmy Pailer & Leigh Lunetta

Friday, February 11

6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Dinner: Swiss steak

Singles: $12.50

Couples: $20.00

For info:

916/966-1663

Location:

8990 Kruithof Way, Fair Oaks. CA

February-March 2011

Can you spare a little time? International Blues Challenge local competition and coordinates with the Northern California Blues Festival)

Fundraising and Grants—Doug Thomson

Marketing— Roni Cook

Gene Chambers Musician’s Crisis Fund Commit-tee—Willie Brown

Guideline Coordinator— Cynthia Jaynes

Hall of Fame Committee— Dennis Moffett

Membership & Volunteers—Linda McShane

Newsletter Editors—Vj Anderson & Jan Kelley

Public Relations— Willie Brown & Roni Cook

Webmaster— Dave Baldwin

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Blues In the Schools News—By Cynthia Janes

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SBS Board of Directors

Dave Alcock-BITS

Willie Brown—President

Roni Cook

Kristen Dahl-Parliamentarian

Cynthia Jaynes

Kathleen Kelly-Treasurer

Linda McShane

Charlene Metzler–Secretary

Dennis Moffett—Vice President

Doug Thomson

Liz Walker

February-March 2011

The Blues In The Schools Committee is busy!! Some of you may think we throw together an assembly or two, give the kids a couple guitar lessons, put on a show and call it a day. Wrong!!! There is quite a bit that goes on behind the scenes. All done by a small volunteer group who does

amazing things with few resources. In particular Liz Walker and Dave Alcock—with help from Fay Coble and Laura Lund—have worked hard to support Blues In the Schools. Thanks so much!!

We are currently implementing our new Strategic Plan, with 3 major goals for 2011—to continue engaging students and musicians in playing the Blues, to develop standardized curricula, and to produce an updated Blues In the Schools dvd. The BITS MISSION STATEMENT is: For Sacramento area youth to participate in a dynamic inter-active

musical experience with professional musicians which facilitates a life long passion for learning. Our OVERARCHING GOAL is to bring students together with musicians, educators, storytellers, and other performers in a synergistic environment, for creating a free flowing exchange of the Blues experience.

Over the next couple of months, we will be bringing the BITS program to Yolo County schools, beginning our after school guitar, bass and drum lessons in 2 Sacramento area high schools, and continuing our program with the Sacramento County Office of Education’s Court and Community Schools.

We want to keep it fresh – so we’re convening an ad hoc committee of musicians, educators, students, and arts advocates to develop accurate, grade level appropriate lecture content that will support education standards used by classroom teachers. This group will meet over the next several months to update our current lesson plans and incorporate information from various existing Blues In The Schools programs.

Stay tuned for more BITS news, concert dates, photos and exciting announcements!!

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Probably the most would be keeping up with the business codes and regulations. The city will do random checks, so I have to stay in compliance at all times. That’s never been a problem though.

BLUENOTES: What do you like most about being a club manager?

TORCH: Are you kidding? There’s good music, friendly people just wanting to have a good time. The best job you could have!

BLUENOTES: I know that you do benefits for organizations and friends in need. Are there any restrictions you would apply to that?

TORCH: Basically they’re non-profit organizations, but also individuals who’ve had a tragedy and are in need of financial assistance.

BLUENOTES: It seems almost as if you’re having a benefit once a month.

TORCH: There for a while it was, but not so much now, as the economy picks up.

BLUENOTES: Do you receive any profits from them?

TORCH: We have the sales from the bar, legally those are mine, but any marketing, the bands, all that, is out of pocket, volunteered.

BLUENOTES: When are you completely satisfied with your work?

TORCH: When I see people who really appreciate what I do; then I can kick back & feel good about it.

BLUENOTES: What’s in the future for the Torch Club?

TORCH: To get through this rough economic time, with the State workers & furloughs, and providing interest for the younger groups, staying current.

BLUENOTES: Will you be incorporating other genres in with the blues acts?

TORCH: I do a few others, depends on what I see the young people enjoying, but definitely not straying very far.

Expect a mix of jovial charm, photos of politicians, boxers and blues artists, and somber war memorials. Before the live music gets started, the jukebox plays treasured blues artists, many from a long-ago era, enticing dancing on the large dance floor.

The Torch Club is located at 904-15th Street, open Tuesday-Sunday, with happy hour and live music every night and blues jams Sunday afternoons. They also provide for private parties.

February-March 2011

Want to talk to a “name” in the blues music scene? When a new CD comes out, the distributers make the artists available for phone interviews. Are you interested in interviewing the stars and stars-to-be over the phone? You would also gain an impressive collection of blues press kits. Do you have a local artist or band you would like to share with us? Give us a photo and some reasons why you want to share. This is your opportunity to showcase your favorite band. The Blue Notes reserves the right to edit material submitted, but we won’t print anything you disapprove. Think about it. I am sure we have lots of untapped talent among our membership!

See your byline in print! By Valeriejeanne Anderson

To all our readers; Did you ever wish to be a reporter? Or maybe a columnist? I know just the place for you to try out your story-telling skills. The Blue Notes wants to give its readers a peek into the local blues music scene that is too large for any one person to cover. If we can get the audience and participants to contribute their “take” on a band, a musician, or a venue we can cover a lot more than just the Society events. We will consider a paragraph, a “byline” of various bits and pieces from one person or group, an opinion or anything else that is on your mind. Anyone can review a CD, and the CDs are usually available for the asking if you send them a copy or tear-sheet of your printed article. Is there someone out there that would like to add to their CD collection while also polishing up their writing skills?

Continued from Page 1 THE TORCH CLUB: Sacramento’s Premiere Blues Club

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The Hanging—Bob Cosman

On Jan. 9, 2011 a few members of the Sacramento Blues Society got together at the “world-famous” Torch Club in d o w n t o w n Sacramento to create a new home for the S a c r a m e n t o Blues Hall of Fame. The Torch Club owner, Marina T e x e i r a ,

graciously donated a large section of a wall to the SBS for this permanent home. Each year additional members will be added based on their contribution to the blues music scene in the Sacramento area.

Thanks to Sally Katen, Will Brown, Jan Kelley, Roni Cook, Linda McShane, Kristen Dahl, Kim Duvall, Mike, Lara, and the other Kim for their help (especially Roni Cook who did most of the work).

The next time you get to the Torch in Sacramento check out the wall. It’s on the way to the ‘can’ so if you spend any time at all there you can’t miss it.

The Wall, showing photos and plaque

Roni Cook adds a little handiwork

Sally Katen hangs Mick and Johnny on The Wall

Roni Cook, Jan Kelley, Sally Katen, Linda McShane, Bob Cosman and Willie Brown stand before The Wall

February-March 2011

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Didn’t get to the Member Party? Look What You Missed!

Photos by Bob Cosman

Aaron King, Johnny “Guitar” Knox, Sally Katen & Willie Brown

Little Charlie Baty

Johnny Knox, Rick Estrin & Charlie Baty Rick Estrin, Charlie Baty and

the crowd

Charlie Baty & Rick Estrin

Connor James, Kenny Neal & Kyle Rowland

Aaron King presents award to Johnny “Guitar” Knox

Connor James & Kenny Neal

February-March 2011

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New Bands receive a Free Business card size ad in the first Blue Notes Following your membership date and follow-up listings for as long as you remain a Band Member.

you will also receive a link from our website to yours and the announcements and offers to Musicians received on our website.

H i r e a n S B S m e m b e r b a n d

Andy Keene and Kinda Blue 916-799-1544 www.myspace.com/andykeeneandkindablue Bad Catz Zane Toberer 530-391-8089 http://badcatz.webs.com/

Blues Farm Band Dave Broida 916-996-5222 BluzHoundz Dave Anthony 916-991-6148 Bobby “Blues” Ray, Jim Monroe & The Blue Knights 916-422-5830 Chicken & Dumpling www.chickenanddumpling.net 530-753-5265 or 530-902-7209 Coyote Slim 408-838-0456 bluesman@coyoteslim.com www.coyoteslim.com Dave Channell’s Fire & Wheels 916-705-8628 www.davechannell.com Delta Wires Prime Management 510-601-9277 info@deltawires.com

Derek Abel Band 707-580-7052 derekabelband@gmail.com Diamond Bob & the Alley Sneakers bobperro@yahoo.com 408-313-7194 www.diamondbobsblues.com Doni Harvey 415-308-2836 www.doniharvey.com Equinox Blues Review Stan Alves—916-969-3995 Gary Mendoza Band 916-599-9947 www.garymendozaband.com Isis and the Cold Truth 408-835-4168 Myspace.com/coldtruthband\ Jeff Watson Band 916-709-9696 jeffwatsonband.com myspace.com/jeffwatsonband Johnny “Guitar” Knox Dave Croall & the Soothers 916-455-6349 rightdave@hotmail.com Melonnee Desiree Blues Band Melonnee Desiree Pagano 916-838-2170 www.melonnee.com

Papa’s Garage Evan Goldstein 925-989-9365 www.papasgarage.com Phil Berkowitz & the Dirty Cats 415-337-5448 www.philberkowitz.com Rube & the Rhythm Rockers 530-518-9546 www.myspace.com/ruberhythmrockers Side of Blues Tommy Ing—707-495-4779 www.sideofbluesband.com Spotted Dog Rockin’ Blues Revue Greg Gartrell—916-332-5417 greg@spotteddogmusic.com Steve Foster Band 916-276-9170 Stevefosterband @comcast.net The BluSoul Band Daniel Watts 916-899-1043 www.theblusoulband.com Two Tone Steiny & the Cadillacs 916-765-5564 twotonesteiny@yahoo.com Volker Strifler Band 707-363-0080 www.volkerstrifler.com

February-March 2011

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When you introduce your business to our members

with a contribution of a $100.00 annual business membership, you will receive a web-link from our site and

a business card size acknowledgement in each of our bi-monthly newsletters to show your support for our

Blues Music and Education programs.

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WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BLUES?

The answer is b.

Surprisingly, it was the British masters of interstellar strangeness who adopted their handle from the first names of two obscure American bluesmen. South Carolina-born Pink Anderson (b.1900) was a fairly inconsequential folk and blues guitarist who recorded only a few sides until the 1960s folk revival. His song “Travelin’ Man” was fairly indicative of his life: he worked as a musician, comedian, and dancer in various traveling medicine shows for over three decades.

Floyd Council (also known as “the Devil’s Daddy-in-Law”) played guitar and mandolin, mostly around the Chapel Hill, North Carolina, area, from the 1920s through the 1950s. Very much influenced by the more popular Blind Boy Fuller and Peetie “the Devil’s Son-in-Law” Wheatstraw (he sometimes billed himself as Peetie Wheatstraw’s Buddy”), Council made his only recordings on a 1937 trip to New York with Fuller and Sonny Terry. Despite his minimal output, he managed to become a favorite of rocker Syd Barrett.

From the Knowledge Card® deck, What Do You Know About the Blues? By Cary Wolfson. Reprinted with the permission of the publisher, Pomegranate Communications, Inc. www.Pomegranate.com. (800) 227-1428.

Welcome New Business Members!

February-March 2011

Please Patronize the following Businesses that Support your Blues Society

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Northern California Blues Festival

3941 Park Dr., Ste. 20-339

El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-4549 (916) 350-4640

e-mail: info@norcalbluesfest.com Website: http://www.norcalbluesfest.com

313 Laurence Ave.

Kansas City, Mo 64111

1-888-BLUESIN’ www.bluescruise.com

Chops Not Chaps Music Productions

Roy Rogers

Slide Guitar & Piano

(530) 205-2023 www.roy-rogers.com

February-March 2011

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NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE PAID SACRAMENTO, CA PERMIT NO. 2149

Board of Directors Meetings

are the 2nd Tuesday of

each month 7:00 PM at the

SMUD Building, 6301 S Street,

Sacramento, CA.

All SBS members in good standing are invited to attend.

Blue Notes! is The official bi-monthly

Newsletter of the Sacramento Blues Society.

Send information for the newsletter to

editor@sacblues.com or mail to Editor,

P. O. Box 60580 Sacramento, CA 95860-0580

Sacramento Blues Society (SBS) is a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit corporation formed to

preserve and promote blues music as an art form.

The Sacramento Blues Society is one of the oldest blues societies

in California, founded 1979.

SBS has kept the blues tradition alive in the Sacramento area by promoting the local blues music scene and

bringing internationally renowned artists to the region.

SBS is an affiliate member of The Blues Foundation.

SBS provides educational opportunities for young people with

the Foundation’s “Blues In The Schools” Program.

SBS produces a newsletter, “Blue Notes” Bi-Monthly (six times a year) that is

mailed to our membership.

P. O. Box 60580 Sacramento, CA 95860-0580

Visit our website at www.sacblues.com

Current calendar, news, past newsletters and more!

Not a member?

Download a membership form