Nick Moss and Lurrie Bell here -- or not?

Good luck with that, Jim. Contacting Moondog is something like contacting J.D. Salinger.

Perhaps he doesn't want to promote the show.

Perhaps it's a private party.

Perhaps it's not vital to get the word out to the right people.

Perhaps he figures his newsletter will get the word out.

Perhaps the show is too far in the future (over 2 weeks!!) to worry about now.

My mind can only wonder what goes on in the heads of others.

I would think that a contract has been signed and the show is a go if it's listed on both of the artist's website...which it is. Also, it seems, contrary to something I read in the City Paper, that Kim Wilson WILL NOT be stopping at the Rex at the end of March. If I remember the date it was also March 26 but I could be wrong.

If I were Moondog I would have Bluenotes on 'speed dial' and make sure he of all people knew who was booked into my club at the earliest possible time.

Nobody ever said following the Blues in Pittsburgh wouldn't lead to frustration. If the people who should now about upcoming gigs can't get an answer what does that mean for the average Joe who might want to attend a show and needs a little info. BP said it all, 'GOOD LUCK'.

Hey Bluenotes, in the future....when you want to know what's happening at Moondogs...talk to Craig.  As with most things in this world...the underlings alwats know what's going on!!!

www.youtube.com/watch

I've been in contact with Nick Moss' wife Kate through the Blindman's Blues Forum.  Apparently they've gotten word that the show may have to be canceled due to lack of adequate presale.  

It is odd that the show is in danger of cancelation and there's not even word of it on the Bar's website.

In fact I wouldn't have known about the show had it not been for Kate's updates on the BBF.

It's a crying shame too.  This would probably be one of the best shows of the year.  As I mentioned on another thread here, Moss and his band are the best out there bar none when it comes to that Post War Chicago sound.  They don't treat the music like a museum piece.  It's a living, breathing, vital entity in their hands.  Moss has that rare ability on the guitar of knowing how to swing and just exactly when to sting.

Lurrie Bell is second generation Chicago Blues royalty and, IMO, the very best guitarist to come out of the windy city at this time.  He came by the music through his dad the late harp player Carey Bell.  Lurrie suffered through personal despair after earning a name for himself as a youngster backing his father and as a member of Bill Branch and the SOBs(Sons Of Blues).  His life and career rebounded in the mid-90's on the Delmark label with records like Mercurial Son, 700 Blues and personal favorite Kiss Of Sweet Blues produced by guitarist Dave Specter.  

I'm looking forward to the Live album Moss and Bell recorded last summer.  It's gonna be released in early April and should be available at the show(if there is one).  The two are only doing a handful of dates and I hope the show here goes on.  If not it's a two and a half hour drive for me up to Dubois the next night.

Welcome to my world...er, or rather the world of a Blues Freak in Pittsburgh.

It's an interesting topic that you bring up (inadequate presale) in that I, personally, have never been someone who buys tickets for a Blues show in advance. My plan has always been to a)get to the place EXTRA early so I can park close, b)sit in the best seat in the house, and c) Let the 'tumult' build up around me. Back when the Decade was open I'd get to the club at 8:00 or 8:30 for a 10:30 show. Because the club was in the middle of Oakland sometimes I would still have a tough time finding a good place to park. Parking at the Thunderbird isn't always the easiest but so far I haven't had much trouble. Moondog's at least has a lot.

If the determination of whether to hold or cancel a show ultimately rests on how many tickets get sold in advance (and subsequent turnout) then the chances of seeing alot of different shows is certainly going to be reduced. I don't know what the 'presale' was but Kim Wilson did not 'pack' Moondogs when he played there recently so does that mean Kim Wilson won't be coming back to Moondogs? Mikey Jr. had a sparse crowd so does that mean he won't be back? John Hammond Jr. played both places and drew well to both so I'd venture to guess he'll be back. I could be wrong. What about a band that's never played Pittsburgh? Would Eli Reed do well at Moondogs or the Thunderbird? Would Carolyn Wonderland?

The whole situation is a gamble. Nobody  can predict how well a band will draw so a large part of the system is a crapshoot. The thing that made the Decade and Grafitti and Rosebud such great clubs is that the people who booked the shows were willing to take a chance on the unknown. As a result I, as the paying public, had the opportunity to see some GREAT performances by alot of acts that were way under the radar of mainstream music. Now I'm sure those clubs didn't make money on all the shows they booked but that's how the game works. Lose money on some shows and try to make it up on others. The key to coming out ahead is....get ready for it....promotion.

My friend, James, used to book shows at the Next Decade. He'd get a call on Tuesday from a band/agent and book a show for Friday or Saturday. Naturally this wasn't enough time to effectively get the word out and as a result many shows were sparsely attended. To be fair, he did have some shows where you couldn't squeeze in the door but the norm was usually more like a private party. Needless to say, those days are long gone but the point is that James liked the music enough to take a chance regardless of how he thought the band would do in terms of attendance. He took risks, was definitely reckless, but the music was incredible. I still have memories of seeing a band called 'The Big Six' and another one called 'The Go-Getters'...and I saw 'The Big Six' twice!!

So whatever happens with the Nick Moss/Lurie Bell show (and my guess is that it will indeed happen) I suppose all any of us 'paying public' can do is keep moving on. It would be sad if the show does get canceled but the larger picture would unfortunately be even worse. And WE (the Blues scene in Pittsburgh) would be the worse for it as well.

I won't be going to the Johnny Winter show at the Rex...but I hope his presale goes well!!