RIP Phillip Walker, February 11th, 1937 – July 22, 2010. It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Phillip Walker this morning at 4:30 AM of heart failure. He was 73. Phillip was a great singer and guitarist who was considered legendary, though he never broke through to the success that his talent merited. He played guitar on the Specialty and Chess recordings of Clifton Chenier (Phillip once said that it was him and Etta James singing the backup on Clifton’s song “My Soul”). He moved from Louisiana to California in 1959, and released his first record “Hello My Darlin”, produced by J.R. Fulbright. Phillip’s first full album, produced by Bruce Bromberg and called Bottom Of The Top was released in 1973 on the Playboy Record Label (actually a business division of the magazine). He also made great recordings on Galaxy, Vault, Joliet, HighTone, JSP, Black Top, Rounder, Alligator, P-Vine, MC, and most recently on Delta Groove. Additionally, Phillip was a noted sideman who contributed to albums by Lonesome Sundown, Eddie Taylor, Percy Mayfield, and Johnny Shines. Phillip toured frequently with a great band that included his longtime partner, James “Broadway” Thomas, on bass. He was lovingly booked by Tom Radai of Blues Management Group. His passing highlights the loss of the few remaining blues artists of his generation. We salute Phillip for always delivering the true blues, for his kind and giving personality, and for his unique and awe inspiring blues style. To see Phillip Walker’s website click here , for an extensive bio click here. So long Phillip, we will miss you.

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and ran across a story that states that “we’ve been listening to Robert Johnson’s music at the wrong speed”. (NOTE: You’ll have to scroll down that page a long way to get to the story, and there’s also some good info on the Davenport IA fest on the way down the page also). This, I have found intriguing, and had to read more of, and there’s a link on there to a ”guardianUK blog” that goes into this opinion, and here’s the link:

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2010/may/27/robert-johnson-blues

I can only say that at this time, I am fascinated, and am hoping to be able to hear Johnson’s music at this slower speed, and that we should “stay tuned” on this story, as it’s sure to stir up some great conversation…Jerry D

There’s plenty of great shade trees, and they always have a food vendor on site for each event. You need to bring your own chairs, blanket, and you can even bring in your cooler, picnic basket etc…(please try not to eat up all the space in the park-there are a lot of folks wanting to share this prime real estate).  The concerts are always on Fridays, and start at 5pm, and run until 9pm.

Here’s the lineup–as taken from the fine folks down “In the District”

If you’d like pics of the folks playing-follow this link:   http://www.downtownquincy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=117:blues-in-the-district&catid=50:main-page-slideshow

13th Season of Blues in the District is headed back to Washington Park on June 11.

The Historic Quincy Business District’s Blues in the District has become one of the most anticipated events of the year. This free concert series draws top performers from across the country. Fans from all generations bring their lawn chairs and refreshments and head to Washington Park every other Friday for a evening of socializing, dancing and great music. This year, we celebrate our 13th season of Blues in the District and will provide fans everything they have come to expect from this great event!

June 11- Sharrie Williams     Food Vendor: Quincy Noon Kiwanis 

Corporate Sponsors:  Advance Physical Therapy, Heimer & Associates, 1st Bankers Trust

 June 25-Bryan Lee      Food Vendor: Midsummer Arts Faire      Corporate Sponsor: Knapheide

July 9- Roger “Hurricane” Wilson     Food Vendor: Rotary Club 

Corporate Sponsors: Gem City Ford, Quincy Medical Group, Gardner Denver

July 23-Laurie Morvan   Food Vendor: TNT H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group)   Corporate Sponsor: TNT Action Sports

August 13-Rusty Wright Band  Food Vendor:  Optimist Club

Corporate Sponsors: Quincy Preserves; Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchel; GREDF, Gem City Kiwanis

August 27-Mississippi Heat  Food Vendor: Meals on Wheels    Corporate Sponsor: Mercantile Bank

September 10-Larry McCray     Food Vendor: Quincy Regional Crime Stoppers

Corporate Sponsor: Mid Mississippi Muddy Waters Blues Society

 We would like to thank the following groups:

Media Sponsors:

103.9 THE FOX              Quincynews.org               Reed Promotional Media

Green Sponsor:                                                                                  Clean-up Crew:

 Allied Waste Services                                                                        The First Tee

Follow Blues in the District on Facebook   and Twitter

Chances are, you know someone whose life has been touched by domestic violence or sexual assault. There is no typical victim and it is never appropriate.

QUANADA provides emotional, physical, and crisis support for those who have been battered or abused.  We offer counseling, advocacy and a secure shelter.

Our services are totally free and confidential. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to anyone of any age who has been battered or abused.

QUANADA serves 5 counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock, Schuyler, and Pike.
Our main office is in Quincy, Illinois. We have satellite offices in Pittsfield, Rushville, and Mt. Sterling.

We’ll party all Sunday afternoon, and try to help fill out QUANADA’s food pantry, which is experiencing greater demand than ever at this time.

This year, we’ve got  Pike Station back by popular demand, and locked in for the Sunday afternoon event. We ask for a minimum of 6 canned goods for admission to the event, but we would love to see a lot more than that brought to help out QUANADA. Let’s challenge friends, family, and co-workers to donate canned food items to help us make this our biggest year yet! If you can’t make it to the event, but have canned goods to donate, contact Blues Society President Linda Gertz @ 217-440-3393 to make arrangements for pick up, or if you would like to help us out at the event. We hope to see you at this years CAN JAM III! DOWNLOAD OUR FLYER, GET A EMPTY BOX AND TAKE IT TO YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND WORKPLACE TO HELP US HELP QUANADA, and call Linda for pickup of all food and monetary donations..

Download The Can Jam 3 Flyer Right Here…

(Right Click to “Save As”)

Our friends at the Mississippi Valley Blues Society have announced their 2010 Festival lineup

 In a effort to show our support for the desire to help the contined success of the B.I.D.-(and our Societies Mission of “helping keep the Blues Alive”), The Mid-Mississippi Muddy Water Blues Society WILL BE A MAJOR FINANCIAL SPONSOR for the final concert of the 2010 season–featuring a great past Quincy Blues Fest Performer–LARRY McCRAY! 

Also, here are the dates for this years ”Blues in the District”Friday Night Free Concerts:

June 11th       June 25th      July 9th      July 23rd      August 13th      August 27th     and Sept. 10th 2010

I can thus far fill in names of performers on two dates that I’ve got leaked from my “Inside Source:

Sept. 10th–Larry McCray (sponsored by the MMMWBS) and

August 27th–Mississippi Heat returns! (great band from last year’s final show 0n 9/11/2009)

KEEP AN EYE ON THIS PAGE FOR MORE OF THE LINEUP (as I get it from my insider)

A huge “Thank You” goes out to our great technical master who works “behind the big curtains here in the land of Oz”, Scott Stadler-because, without you-this site would be drying up, intead of growing up! You are the man who helps make all of this happen, and we’d like to publically thank you….Jerry D, Board Member, MMMWBS, as well as radio host, and webmaster of Quincyblues.com