John Dee Holeman - best of the Triangle!

John Dee Holeman caps off recent accomplishments with Best of the Triangle finalist When he wasn't out fishing, John Dee Holeman certainly has had a busy summer. In addition to being featured in an ad campaign for Martin Guitars, in May John Dee performed at the Apollo for The Jazz Foundation of America's annual "A Great Night in Harlem" gala concert to benefit the Jazz Musicians Emergency Fund. Now more recently he became a finalist for the Independent Weekly's "Best of the Triangle 2012" in the best blues artist/band category. Amongst the finalists were: Chicken Fried Blues, Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos, and the winner became Bullfrog Willard McGhee. Congrats John Dee! Diggin': "Disco Twist" It's always neat to be surprised by an instrument you thought you were familiar with. Now, I'm no harmonica player, but I did think I knew what it sounded like - reedy, often in the mid-range, with a bit of down and dirty distortion when the player is really cranking. So when Neal Pattman's "Disco Twist" came on, for a few seconds I wasn't sure what instrument I was hearing. The first thing that struck me was how high-pitched it was. We're talking almost whistle-only-dogs-can-hear high. And clean, too. More of a legato solo line in the upper register, almost like a fiddle. The tune itself is really catchy and bouncy, and kind of goofy in an endearing way. I can imagine it functioning as some instrumental intermission or background music to a clown routine at some pre-disco era carnival. Give it a listen- it'll likely brighten your day. -- Ben Ben Davidson is a writer, editor, and fingerstyle guitarist from Durham, NC. He has been volunteering with Music Maker, lending his writing and editorial skills to our web content and newsletters. Quick Links: Website Merch Music Boo Hanks & the Blues Boo Hanks has been playing the blues for over sixty years, mostly in his home community on the North Carolina/Virginia line. But since joining Music Maker Boo has had a chance to play prestigious venues across the country. Now he's going out on tour with Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops to promote their collaborative album "Buffalo Junction." Boo and Dom formed a lasting friendship and partnership from the day they met at MMRF's offices, creating music that truly crosses generational lines. Boo, a Piedmont-style guitar player, talked to our interns about what the Blues is this weekend. They asked, and he said "Hard times, disappointment, and mistreatment." When asked if he could elaborate he said, "No." To hear more about Boo's Blues, we think it's best to listen to his music - it speaks for itself. You can check out Buffalo Junction here, and take a listen to a track from the album "Girls are Crazy About Me." To experience Boo & Dom's ground-breaking collaboration live, check them out on tour: 8/15 - World Café, Philadelphia Time: Doors open 7:30pm, Show 9:30pm Tickets: $12 www.worldcafelive.com 8/16 - Joe's Pub, NYC Time: 7:30pm Tickets: $12 www.joespub.com 8/18 - Blue Ridge Music Center, Galax, VA Time: 7pm; pre-show talk in small theater Tickets: $10 ($8 Students & Seniors) www.blueridgemusiccenter.org 8/19 - The Hamilton, Washington, D.C. Time: TBD www.thehamiltonlive.com Music Maker is hiring! Music Maker is seeking to hire a talented individual for our Community Coordinator position! The Community Coordinator reports to the Managing Director and works independently and entrepreneurially to develop and lead a smart and successful social media strategy, while assisting Development staff with projects and day-to-day tasks. To find out more, visit the listing on our website here! Listen: Neal Pattman - Disco Twist Captain Luke and Kim Cattrall by Tim Duffy Upcoming Shows: Click here for more info on upcoming events 7/13 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, NC, 8pm 7/14 - Pura Fé - Harrison Hot Springs Festival, Harrison Hot Springs, Canada, 3:40pm 7/14 - Ironing Board Sam - The Whiskey, Durham, NC, 9pm 7/15 - John Dee Holeman, Captain Luke, Big Ron, Ironing Board Sam - Jimmy Williams' "Music Maker" at Waverly Artist Group, Cary, NC, 5-8pm 7/20 - Pura Fé - Folk on the Rocks, Yellowknife, Canada 7/21 - Ironing Board Sam and Big Ron - Saxapahaw Farmer's Market Stage, Saxapahaw, NC, 6pm 7/27 - MM Blues Revue with Beverly Watkins, Albert White, Shelton Powe, Robert Lee Coleman, Nashid and Ardie - Haw River Ballroom, Saxapahaw, NC, 7pm (doors) 8/3 - John Dee Holeman - Best of Our State, The Washington Duke Inn, Durham, NC 8/4 - Boo Hanks and Red Rover - Saxapahaw Farmer's Market, Saxapahaw, NC 8/11-8/12 - Tulali - La Casita, Lincoln Center Out of Doors New York, NY 8/12 - Pura Fé Trio - Lincoln Center Out of Doors New York, NY 8/13 - Ironing Board Sam - The Depot, Hillsborough, NC 8/15 - Boo Hanks and Dom Flemons - World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA 8/16 - Boo Hanks and Dom Flemons - Joe's Pub, New York, NY 8/18 - Boo Hanks and Dom Flemons - Blue Ridge Music Center, Galax, VA 8/19 - Boo Hanks and Dom Flemons - The Hamilton, Washington, DC 8/25 - Ironing Board Sam - The Whiskey, Durham, NC 8/31 - 9/2 - Ironing Board Sam - Blues To Bop in Lugano, Switzerland Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. helps the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. 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