News

Work is underway to complete the second edition of the Baltimore Sounds book. There has been a slight delay due to personal issues.

I will keep you posted when nearing completion. Thanks to all who have contributed!

Jimmy Hughes passed away on July 1, 2010 after a long battle with throat cancer. He was primarily known as a bass guitarist, playing music for almost 50 years with local groups including The Rhythmaires, CJ & the Legends which later became known as Legend, The Lower East Side, and in more recent years The Charmed Times Reunion Band. All of these groups released records.

Jimmy was and always will be a Legend. Not only in band name, but in class and personality, as well as musicianship. Jimmy played a big part in recent years stirring up nostalgia for the Baltimore music scene. He seemed to know everyone and had endless stories about himself and others playing locally and touring across the country. His knowledge of music in addition to his encyclopedic memories of old TV and other such trivia was phenominal.

He was part of a group that wrote and published band biographies for the Charmed Times magazine, and he influenced me to continue the work which eventually snowballed into the Baltimore Sounds book. I was honored that he was kind enough to write an endorsement for the book and I had his words printed on the first page.

The long delay is now over. Im getting ready to distribute the completed video of our 2005 Bluesette Reunion. Its our Bluesette journey down memory lane. Im contacting everyone who was present at the reunion, and any other band members, employees and fans who may have been unable to attend. Please give me any contact information you have for anyone I may have missed.

In order to finish the project Im working with FIL Sibley of FSP Media Communications, Woodstock, Md. He is very experienced in producing rock and roll video. The complete set includes two DVDs. The first one contains interviews of many Bluesetters highlighted with still photos from the past and present, and the Reunion music. The second DVD contains live music performances and dancing from the Reunion

Whether you were at the 2005 Reunion, or unable to attend, this is your chance to own this keepsake to relive a memorable era in your life and our music culture. This is a special limited release. Dont miss your chance to participate in commemorating this special occasion. I need your participation to make this happen for everyone.

Order your DVD now for only $29.00. Its packaged in a multi-photo enhanced special edition Bluesette DVD case and shipped direct to you.

Send email to Sharon Peyton to confirm purchase For further questions call me at 415-898-3353 PST

Ernie Berger has a new website for his amimation and video production studio. Check him out at www.ernieberger.com/

Hi everyone, I'm pleased to let everyone know my solo acoustic / vocal version of the Poco song "Save A Corner Of Your Heart" is now included and being available on a CD released on the California based Futuredge Music Entertainment. They have also released some other great Poco related CD releases.

"Down To The Wire: A 40th Anniversary Tribute To Poco", this CD features 18 independent artists from around the world.

BTW, in case you didn't know, Poco is still very active, recording and touring. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tony Montone has a new tribute site for his band DRYED ICE. Check out all the photos and music http://www.dryedice.com/

Please note the Boss Company website link is: www.bosscompany.com My apologies to drummer John Sankonis and the entire band. While you're there, check out John's personal website... www.sankonis.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

J4'08 The Baltimore R&B Jam was a great success! It was on October 4, 2008 at Bobby B's Palace (the old Hoffman's Red Devil Inn). You can see photos, sound clips, blogs, etc. on the R&B Jam website: http://www.artweb.org/RandB/index.htm

Winfield Parker has released a retrospective greatest hits CD! Then & Now - The Best of Winfield Parker The CD features rare and collectable recordings from Spring, Wand, Ru-Jac, GSF, and P&L record labels, plus two fantastic brand new songs! Available at CD Baby. Also available direct email winfield.parker@comcast.net.

Local drummer / guitarist / recording artist Jerry MacNeish (of the High Tyde, Playmates, Cobblestone, Beginnings, Memory Lane, and solo recording projects) is now a member of the legendary Fireballs with original members Jimmy Gilmer, George Tomsco and Stan Lark. They are looking for bookings locally and throughout the country. See Jerry's website for a history of the Fireballs and photos from their 2008 July 4th bash http://www.Z28camaro.com/4thParty.html

Steptoe sez "keep your eyes on the sky and your feet in the gutter!" His recently defunct band CHELSEA GRAVEYARD has returned.

Richard Taylor’s ROOTS ROCK RADIO SHOW presents the best of indie ROOTS ROCK/POP, ALT COUNTRY/AMERICANA, BLUES ROCKABILLY, GARAGE/PUNK, and Real ROCK & ROLL from around the globe. Now in its 4^th year in (2008), their worldwide internet audience averages over 6,000 downloads of each show. The show has been reviewed in Rolling Stone Magazine http://rrradio.com/images/RS_RRR52web2.jpg, and has been listed as high as #11 in iTunes Podcast section. Apple's iTunes has included the show in their list of a "special set of pioneering shows" for their One Year Anniversary of Podcasting. http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewRoom?fcId=16244254 You can listen to the ROOTS ROCK RADIO show 24/7 on the Web at: Roots Rock Radio http://RRRadio.com/

Announcing the "Bricologe" CD/DVD release for Jay Graboski (OHO). The "Bricologe" DVD anthology documents OHO 1988-1992 with video footage of the band's performance opening for Cheap Trick at Universal Amphitheater, Hollywood, CA., plus their Star Search auditions, and footage of the OHO 1990 CD release party at the Eight By Ten, The new CD release features 13 new songs plus eight bonus tracks spanning 1985-2007. There are already a number of notable reviews about these releases including Dirty Linen #106 "OHO sounds like Jefferson Airplane landing on top of Genesis and then taking a time machine ride with Fairport Convention to play at the H.G. Wells birthday party", and one from Rolling Stone "Shimmering Folk-Rock that would appeal particularly to fans of female vocalists: plenty of sprightly acoustic guitars and airy vocal harmonies." Note from Joe V: I first saw OHO at the 1974 Santa Claus Anonymous benefit concert at Catonsville Community College while working as a soundman for Top-40 group Sage. I enjoyed prog/keyboard laden groups such as ELP and Yes. I was blown away by OHO and went out and bought their album "Okinawa," an album that was quite progressive for the time. OHO has continued to evolve from those days in musical style and many quality recordings. Good luck Jay, and thanks for continuing to keep me in the loop with important happenings!

O’Donel ‘Butch’ Levy is still recovering from a stroke and is still in the nursing home. It’s uncertain at this time if he will be able to play his guitar. Let’s wish him well! ______________________________________________________

STINSON BARTH FLASH! Ellicott City 's own country music songwriter-guitarist-vocalist Stinson Barth has been inducted into the Rockabilly Hall Of Fame! Stinson released two singles on the Rebel label in 1960. The recordings have enjoyed continued popularity in Canada over the years. Mr. Barth is working on a re-release of the originals recordings along with some newer original tunes. See his story and photos at www.rockabillyhall.com

It is with great sadness to note the passing of our friends and fellow musicians...

Roy Gunther. Band manager and booking agent. Passed away of cancer on December 27, 2008. R.I.P. Some of local groups he managed during the ‘60s and ‘70s included Gary & the Artesians, The Del Vinos, The Legends, The Package, Raintree, Felix, Carry On…

Ralph Otis Fisher , a versatile drummer who performed at jazz clubs and did studio work with 1970s pop artists, died of cancer Saturday (December 27, 2008) at his Randallstown home. He was 61.

Over the past five decades, he played rhythm and blues, jazz and gospel at numerous clubs and private parties and was one of Baltimore's best-known drummers.

"He had the right timing. He had the right touch. He had the right feel," said singer Ethel Ennis. "Speaking as a vocalist, he was a take-care-of-you drummer."

Born and raised in Frederick, he first showed an interest in percussion when, as a child, he would hammer out musical rhythms on his family's kitchen chairs. After he wore out their upholstery, his father bought his 5-year-old a set of drums. He played in the school band at Linganore High School.

Family members said his first professional job was playing at the Gist Club in Libertytown at 16. A year later he moved to Baltimore and performed at the Sphinx Club, Club Casino and New Albert Hall in the then-flourishing Pennsylvania Avenue music scene.

"He performed flawlessly and was one of the most highly sought-after and highly respected drummers to come out of Baltimore," said E. Scott Johnson, chair of the Maryland State Arts Council.

When African-American stars came to Baltimore and sang at the Royal Theatre or at Carr's Beach near Annapolis, Mr. Fisher played alongside and often performed with opening acts.

"He was a natural talent and very serious about his music. He wanted everything to be right," said Nevitta Ruddy, a friend and keyboard player. "If someone else wasn't playing properly, he'd stop the music."

Family members said he moved to Los Angeles for a while many years ago and did studio work with Earth, Wind and Fire and the Temptations, often supplying his brand of funk to practice sessions. He also toured with Wilson Pickett and Luther Ingram.

"Ralph was known throughout the music world as a gifted drummer, and to see him live was to be treated to an explosive show," said his sister, Shirley L. Jackson of Randallstown. "He was versatile enough to play any music genre, but jazz, R&B, funk, blues and gospel were his favorite musical entities."

In Baltimore, he played at the New Haven Lounge, the Park Plaza, the Caton Castle, Mimi Junior's, the 32nd Street Plaza and Duffy's Lounge.

He also recorded with the poet Wanda Robinson on two albums on the Perception label in the early 1970s and was a member of Cruel Shoes, a group led by John Palumbo that released a CD in 1992. He was also a member of Scott Cunningham's Band in the late 1970s.

"Like many of the noted local musicians, he could be found regularly at the Sportsman's Lounge, where there was a jam session Monday nights," said his sister.

Family members said that Mr. Fisher was a "very spiritual person" and played drums for a church band at Bible Manor Church with his longtime friend Julius Brockington. At the time of his death, he was working on a gospel CD, a project he did not finish.

Raymond Shields, vocalist of the Spindles for over 40 years, passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2008.

Accomplished jazz and rock guitarist Hiram Bullock passed away on July 25, 2008. In January he was diagnosed with a tumor in his throat and it ultimately took his life. To quote Scott Pendleton "Another friend and musician gone... keep your friends close... too many of them are leaving too soon." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guitarist Bill Miller, former member of the Grabbers and other Glen Burnie based groups, passed away in July 2008.

Keith Amtmann (Wild Fire, Wild Mouse) passed away on May 12, 2008. In the words of friend John Cochran "Keith was a good singer, rhythm guitarist, and one of the finest songwriters I've ever known. He'll be sorely missed by every musician whose privilege it was to work with him."

Local great jazz saxophonist Henry Baker passed away in April 2008. Mr. Baker was instrumental in organizing the music program at Morgan State where he formed the Mo-Bops in the 1950s. Among other local and national artists Henry also played with Tracy McClearey's Royal Men of Rhythm as house band at the Royal Theater, Owen Pinkney's Quartet, the Aristocrats of Jazz, and traveled nationally with Paul Bley's band. In addition to his music career he was proprieter of Mr. Baker's chain of hair salon's. He owned the Peyton Place club on Pennsylvania Avenue in the '60s, and later The Closet jazz club on West Franklin St. Condolences to his family and friends.

CHARLIE TAYLOR LEAD SINGER FOR 2ND COMING BAND DIED MAY 20TH 2009 @ MARYLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL-HE NEVER HAD TO ASK (WHAT IF!)-GO TO myspace.com/2ndmusic for pics and music-in balt we played @ club venus,hollywood palace, club 40,legends,mr pipps, along with any other club open at that time and wherever starliegh booked

Harold Lloyd, saxophonist and songwriter, passed away on September 29, 2009. He was a member of Morgan's Pirates, Sawbuck, Tugboat, Contraband, and others... Condolences to friends and family.

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Roland Gannon, guitarist of '60s band the Nomads, passed away in August 2009. Roland worked at Fred Walker Music and Dundalk Music for many years and was a retired Army veteran. A memorial gathering was held in his honor, attended by family, friends and many members of his '60s band the Nomads. Some great stories were told. He will be missed by many.

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I am sorry to note the recent passing of two early members of The fabulous Sentries

Ed Schwartzman and Bill Hoffman

June 2009