APRIL 9,2006: Hello Blues and Southern Soul fans.Last night I attended The 2006 BLUES A LA CARTE at the Washington County Convention Center in Greenville,Mississippi.This was a night of firsts for Da Big Dawg.The awesome lineup included Mississippi native Theodis Ealey,Mel Waiters,Denise Lasalle and Bobby Rush.I was joined on this night by WILL"CHILL" LINDSEY A NEW MEMBER OF DA DAWG POUND.This was his first Blues & Southern Soul show so I had to make sure that this was a night that he wouldn't forget.When we arrived the crowd was still pouring in,we noticed a nice spot right down by the stage and we quickly settled in for the start of the show.The DJ was playing a lot of Tyrone Davis and that was just fine with the people in attendance,Greenville is the birthplace of "THE LEGENDARY HALL OF FAMER" who had family and friends in attendance.The people in Greenville were juking before this show got started and this set the tone for one hell of a show.The people in Greenville know how to have a good time.The only problem that I had was the beer line was too damn long.Sit back folks and let me take you on this Blues and Southern Soul ride. The first performer of the night was "THE STAND UP MAN" himself, Mr. Theodis Ealey.This was my first time seeing this Mississippi native perform.The crowd gave him a huge ovation when he walked out on stage.His band sounded so good as he joined them with his guitar licks.If anyone has ever seen Theodis perform already know that he is a wiz with his guitar.He went into a routine that was made famous by fellow Mississippi Bluesman Charlie Patton.He raised the guitar behind his head and continued to jam without missing a beat.I knew right then that Theodis Ealey is a BLUES MAN.He started to perform some deep traditional blues and when I say deep I mean foot-stomping and hand-clapping blues.I'm not sure if it was Charlie Patton or Howlin Wolf but the BLUES was alive and kicking in Greenville,Mississippi.He told the crowd that he was proud to be a Mississippian and they showed their appreciation by letting out a loud roar of approval.I was feeling his performance and so was my man Chill Will.The place was rocking and Theodis would make sure that it stayed that way.He left the stage and made his way to the audience and the people loved it.His skill on the guitar is truly amazing.He had that guitar talking to the crowd and they enjoyed every minute of it.He made his way back to the stage and began performing some of his own music."MOVE WITH THE MOTION" and "DON'T YOU WANT TO PARTY" kept the people dancing but his next two songs would blow the roof off the building."LET ME PUT MY HEAD IN IT" received a thunderous ovation.The men and the women flocked to the stage.He closed his performance with the song that shot him to superstardom "STAND UP IN IT".The women in the place went wild.Let me just say this,every man in attendance lost focus on Theodis when he performed this song.I got the chance to talk with him and we took a couple of photos together after his performance.I had to ask him who inspired him on the guitar?The answer was fellow Mississippi native,The Late Great Albert King.I really enjoyed his performance and on this night I also became a big fan. Mel Waiters came on next and just like Theodis this was my first time seeing Mel Waiters perform.I've been a big fan of his for years and he is one of my favorite artists and I was thrilled to have this opportunity to finally see him perform.He opened up the show with "POP IT BABY" and the folks in Greenville immediately jumped out of their seats and would remain standing for his entire performance.I was very impressed with his band especially his sax man Bigg Joe.Mel's live vocals were terrific.I didn't know he had such a powerful voice.The next song he performed was "SMALLER THE CLUB,BIGGER THE PARTY" and he began working the crowd.He has much charisma and he also displayed a strong stage presence.His next performance really moved me.For the true Mel Waiters fans you've probably seen him do this a thousand times but once again this was my first time seeing him perform.He took the time to give GOD praise and he touched the crowd with his testimony."THANK YOU JESUS" was truly soul-stirring.I was so glad to see that the people in attendance were very receptive and respectful doing this particular performance.He put a lot of things in perspective and I think everyone in the place felt both humble and blessed.It was truly amazing the way he was able to work that into his performance.I hope that this is a fixture in his shows I would love to see it again.His next song was "THROW BACK DAYS" which is also from his new cd.The people in Greenveille must already have it because they did a sing along through the entire song.Mel has another hit with this one."GOT MY WHISKEY" got a huge ovation and it got my man Chill Will up and dancing and I'm not one to be out done so I began to cut a rug myself.I really love this blues and southern soul thang.He closed the show with his biggest hit "Hole In The Wall" and the place erupted.I love to see these country folks having a good time.Mel Waiters was a master showman on this night.Great performance.After the show we talked for an extended period of time and we also took a couple of photos together.He said he had visited my website and enjoyed it.I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to rub elbows with the likes of Mel Waiters.Only with this genre of music that you are allowed this chance.We agreed to stay in touch.I'm looking forward to seeing him perform again. The next performer was "THE QUEEN",Denise Lasalle.You all have read several reviews of mine from her show but it never gets old for me.She is and will always be my favorite female performer.She was led on stage by her son and my friend Ray.She opened up her performance with "Lady In The Street" and the people were up and dancing.By now it was a Blues Party going on in Greenville,Mississippi and I was happy to be a part of it.The Bud Light had me feeling good and I was enjoying The Queen as always.She performed her version of "Down Home Blues" and she told the crowd that she and her friends Z.Z HILL,TYRONE DAVIS, and LITTLE MILTON use to play Greenville all the time back in the day.Some of the people in attendance must have remembered because she got a large positive response from that one.Can you imagine a show with Z.Z. HILL,TYRONE DAVIS,LITTLE MILTON and DENISE LASALLE?Next she performed my personal favorite "TRAPPED BY THIS THING CALLED LOVE".I was joined on the dance floor by a young lady in attendance.Only at a blues and southern soul show will the ladies come and ask the guys to join them on the dance floor."SNAP,CRACKLE AND POP" and "DROP THAT ZERO" both received huge ovations and she closed the show with "DON'T MESS WITH MY TOOT-TOOT" accompained by her son Ray who got on stage and "twerked it" for the females.After the show I went greeted her.Its great to see the smile on her face when she sees me.I affectionally call her GOD-MOTHER and she calls me her GOD-SON.Ray and I chatted briefly also.Its always good to see Denise and her son Ray. Bobby Rush was the last performer and just like Denise Lasalle I've seen his shows more times probably than any other performer.As usual he hit the stage with his dancers and LAWD HAVE MERCY!He opened the show with "AIN'T SHE FINE?" directing his attention to his dancers who were doing their thang.The answer to his question is HELL YEAH!Bobby Rush was his vintage self tonight.He had the crowd singing,laughing and dancing with his show but once again his dancers stole the show.The men all gathered around the stage to get a closer look at these lovely ladies.Bobby kept the women hanging on too.His raw lyrics accompanied by his "twerk it" dance moves allowed the women to have their time to get a liitle bit wild also.He performed all his classic hits "GARBAGE MAN","BIG FAT WOMAN",HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN","EVERYBODY LIKE THAT THANG","HENPECKED", and "SUE".He closed the show with "NIGHT FISHING".In my opinion he and T.K. Soul are the best showman on the scene today.It was another awesome performance by Bobby Rush.After his performance Chill Will,one of his college buddies(who also performed with Bobby Rush) and myself took a picture with this Living Legend who by the way is seventy-two(72)years old. I had a great time last night and as always I just wanted to share it with the true fans of this BLUES AND SOUTHERN SOUL THANG.Chill Will told me that he had a great time and that this is just the beginning of his blues and southern soul ride.Good people take care and MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL. Big K9
WELCOME 2 DA DAWG POUND! DA HOME OF BIG K9
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