In my little studio.
I am just a local guy that likes the Blues and needed to fill an “information gap”. I have been following the Blues in St. Louis since I got here the first time (as an adult) back in 1989. Having just moved from Sacramento in 1989, my cousin took me to a bar to hear some blues called “Ciceros“. Back then that fine establishment was on the corner where Blueberry Hill now resides. The basement was rocking with some good Blues when without any provocation, a young lady leaned over to me and suggested that I check out this bar the following Monday called “The Broadway Oyster Bar“.
That was enough to set me up for life when it came to the St. Louis Blues scene. I was missing a bar in Sacramento, long gone, that was called “Sam’s Hof Brau” which could be found on the corner of 16th and J. It wasn’t just that there was similar down home Blues being played, but every one was friendly, the beer cold and the food good. Those are about the only three things that can possible make Blues music better! Well Sam’s is gone and I have been in the St. Louis area this last time since 1995 loving the Blues.
My affinity for the Blues doesn’t end with being a passive participant either! Once, I had a classic rock show hosted on a local Southern Illinois Rocker (WDLJ 97.5) out of Carlyle, IL. I was bored one Sunday and decided to play an hour of Blues. The phones hit so hard that I kept the show till I ended my affiliation with the station 2 and half years later. It seems that the Blues crossing all kinds of demographics with it’s fun, danceable rhythms.
I do have several favorite bands in the St. Louis area as well as a few favorite venues. Locally, one of my favorite bands is the first band I heard at the aforementioned “Broadway Oyster Bar”, “The Soulard Blues Band“. A very good friend, a gentleman I introduced to the area on my radio show, (Radio Free Mojo) Eric “Guitar” Davis, is my overall favorite, though he does hail from Chicago. By far my favorite venue is “Beale on Broadway“, in what I call the “Blues Triangle on Broadway, south of the new Busch Stadium.
So now you know why I love (and sing to my self and on occasion karaoke**!
Peace,
John “Wudman” Wood
Webmaster
www.BluesCityReview.com
PS My rendition of “Red House**” rocks my Mom…