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2004
DOC BLUES SHOWCASE!
3rd Annual Family Reunion & All-Star Blues
Marathon
The
biggest blues bash of SXSW was back as Doc Blues Records hosted
its Third Annual Family Reunion & All-Star Blues Marathon,
a free, all-day event which also served as a fundraiser for
the Musicians Assistance Program. The blues marathon was once
again at the 311 Club (311 E. Sixth) and began at noon and
then rolled through nine nonstop hours of top-tier Texas blues.
This year's lineup showcased recording artists from across
the state with veteran bluesman TUTU JONES coming in
from Dallas, harmonica hero SONNY BOY TERRY making
the trip from Houston and Beaumont blues brother TOM "BLUES
MAN" HUNTER, featured on Long John Hunter's "One Foot
In Texas" release, representing his area. Guitarist JEFFREY
P. ROSS, a former Austinite now based in that part of
far West Texas called California by its occupants, added to
the geographic spread while JOHN McVEY & ERIN JAIMES,
as well as WALTER T. HIGGS, flew the hometown Austin
flag.
Past editions of the marathon have included a wide assortment
of well-known guests in addition to the all-star backing band.
Acoustic slide guitar sensation DON TESCHNER kept the
music going between sets (SEE
LINEUP).
The annual event has become a major blues bonding experience
for the music's fans. It offers more blues in one sitting
than SXSW does in four days. And it does it without a cover
charge, much less a high-priced conference badge or wristband.
To make it even a better bargain there's free food: Antone's
po'boys and boudin sausage imported from Nick's in Port Arthur.
The
2004 event did more than just present the single largest concentration
of live Texas blues at SXSW. It also raised money through
fan donations for MAP, the Musicians Assistance Program which
has done wonderful work in saving the lives and careers of
more than a few Austin music luminaries. The marathon was
bigger, better and bluesier than ever, dished out Texas-size
portions of free blues, free food and just plain old fun.
Scenes
from the 2003 Doc Blues Showcase. Photos courtesy Jim
Pierce
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 Dr.
James Thompson, Mary
Jane Holland and Leland Parks
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Sonny
Boy Terry
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Jeffrey
P. Ross |
Tom
"Blues Man" Hunter
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Walter
T. Higgs |
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