April 2021 News
News flash!! Sad to report the death of MCBS member Sam Frazier Jr.
Sam Frazier, Jr. (b. Aug 12, 1943; d. March 23, 2021) was a Birmingham singer who sang the blues, southern soul, RnB, gospel and country, whose career spans recording in NYC, Birmingham, Nashville and Los Angeles, Sam came up in the Edgewater neighborhood of Birmingham, played a blues harp and guitar with Johnny Otis in L.A; sang with the Golden Hummingbirds, a local gospel group, and sang and wrote country music, performing on the Country Boy Eddie early morning TV show on WBRC Channel 6 in Birmingham for some 14 years, the first African American on that show. He was inducted into the Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame in 2016. He was an honorary member of the Magic City Blues Society. Up until his recent illness in 2020, he was still performing with his band around Birmingham.
Here is Sam doing what he loved, singing. He will be missed. https://youtu.be/341twOgeffo
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March News
I am Gianna Turner-Arline, newly elected president of the Magic City Blues Society. It is my pleasure to service in this capacity, helping to lead us into the uncertain future. 2020 was unlike anything we have witnessed in recent times. 2021 I’m certain, will be a most unusual year as well. I am also certain that with us all supporting each other, we will have a bright future with Blues in our hearts, minds, ears and sight.
Our plan for 2021 is to come up with creative ways to support the blues and the musicians whom we love. We will continue to have our small concerts, develop some virtual concerts and hopefully be able to experience some larger venues, as we begin our trudge to normalcy. If you have not already, check us out on Facebook @MagicCityBluesSociety. There is a lot of ongoing activity there, as well as announcements, streaming events and posts from friends of the Blues.
With all this said, standby for coming events, please, please renew your memberships and thank you for your continued support!
Our monthly jams are on hold for the moment and sadly the Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues scheduled for April 24 is cancelled due to the City of Bessemer still having DeBardeleben Park closed.
The Grade A Lounge in Bessemer is having some good music. Every Sunday is Blues and Soul with Rob Harris and on Mondays Rob leads the "Broke Monday's" open blues jam. I've been there several times and enjoyed the show and food. Parking is great and they are conveniently located on the Bessemer Super Hwy at 22nd St. N. Grade A Lounge
Sunday April 25 @5pm there will be a celebration and fundraiser for the late Sam Frazier Jr., Tara Sabree & DJ Curtis Bell. This will be held at Carmichael's, 1157 Bankhead Hwy W. (Westgate Shopping Center), Birmingham, 35204. Details to follow shortly.
Sunday May 16 @ 5pm Ra'shad the blues kid will perform at the Perfect note. This is an MCBS sponsored event. tickets are $20. Reserved seating. dinner menu will be available. Purchase tickets through the Perfect note.www.perfectnotelive.com
Saturday May 22 the MCBS and the Shelby County Arts Council will bring in Big Al & the Heavyweights. “Big Al and the Heavyweights originated when Al Lauro started a group with Warren Haynes, who has played in the Allman Brothers Band and Gov’t Mule. Though Haynes no longer remains in the group, Lauro still does and has formed a solid band around him. The New Orleans-based blues group has played Mardi Gras events including an episode of “Emeril Live” and Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration. ” Save the date more information to come.