Blind Billy Mitchell - Extended Hiatus

Over the years of “working” for the BBS while keeping a band afloat I have had I chance to meet a lot of characters.  Out of a barrel full of characters I have met, “Blind” Billy Mitchell happens to stand out.  

Over the years, “Blind” Billy has been a good friend and mentor for both the “music thing”, and the “writing thing”.  It is disappointing, but understandable, to hear his hiatus from music has been extended.  Like Punxsutawney Phil, Billy is popping his head up tomorrow and then going to back away from the limelight again for a while.

Over the years “Uncle” Bill has fielding many e-mails, phone calls, and texts regarding numerous topics. Drawing from a wealth of personal knowledge, and a dry sense of humor “Uncle” Bill fielded each and every call/e-mail/text with a steady stream of encouragement and had a knack for ending each and every call with a lot of laughs.  I may not have always gotten the answer I was looking for, but we would always have a long talk, a lot of laughs and Billy would give me a pat on the back when deserved and a foot to the backside when also deserved.  

In spite of the semi eulogy I’m providing here, I really don’t expect THAT is going to change, but Blind Billy’s last show for the foreseeable is tomorrow night at The Overtime Sportsbar in Beverly. The truth is, we will probably see him back at some point if not with The Spectacles then sitting in with other bands. Though an accomplished harp player and showman, “Uncle” Bill is a family man first and his priorities are always in order. But if this TRULY is his last show, you betcha ass I’ll be there to catch some of it.

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Please join Blind Billy & the Spectacles featuring Tommy Carroll, Neal Dike, and Bob "The Whale" for the last public scheduled gig at the Overtime Sports Bar, Beverly, MA from 9 - 12 Midnight.

The Overtime Sports Bar is a few steps from the Beverly Train Station, just in case you do not want to or shouldn’t drive.

www.overtimesportsbar.net

A 2nd Generation Spectacle

Like traditional Blues Guys I have been fortunate to have honest to goodness mentors...

“Cousin Curtis” was the first who knew a kid who kept throwing up in his mouth every time other members of the family said ‘The Beatles were the end all, be all’ and then there was ‘The Oracle’ who knew enough back in the days of Hamilton Wenham Regional High School it was going to be a fight...but he was going to find the right button to hit order to squeeze the best out of me....

And then there is “Uncle” Billy Mitchell. Needless to say without Uncle Bill, there would be no Georgetown Fats. Uncle Billy was just starting to get The Spectacles off the ground while Fats was a drummer in a piece of shit 80’s cover band...

He didn’t realize it then, but their West Coast Blues sound put Georgetown Fats on the path of good music before he was even named Georgetown Fats (we lived in Newbury at the time...).....

Well, Uncle Billy is now “Grandpa Billy” and having talked with him throughout the pregnancy it was awesome to just see how happy he was for the addition to his family....

So....to my mentor, and one of the few men I look up to in this world....NOTHING BUT THE BEST FOR YOU, MY MENTOR & MY FRIEND....

Real quick hits

• Having enjoyed a great set by Blind Billy & The Spectacles last night, I wanted to first share with you two pieces of good news, Blind Billy related. The middle of October, Billy will be Grandpa Blind Billy. Billy combines a showmanship and harp talent which is only exceeded his personality. Billy is about a nice a guy as you're going to meet, so we're awful happy here at the BBBB for Bill.
• And our other piece of good news for Blind Billy & The Spectacles is that Tommy Carroll has advanced a round in the Guitar Center King of the Blues Guitarists Competition. Though the winner receives a meet-and-greet with Joe Bonnamassa, which I am not too sure is an actual price, we certainly with Tommy the best.
• I will NEVER understand the appeal of Tommy Castro. I have been sitting on the review for "Hard Believer" for a few months as I was hoping Alligator Records would have done something for Castro, but alas it is more of the same. Please check out the Boston Blues Society Web Site for my review, to be posted a later month.

Quick Hits

Let’s start the Quick Hits today by revving up the self promotion machine.

• Blues, brews and BBQ make me as happy as a pig in shit, or the late Michael Jackson at a Cub Scout Jamboree (too soon?). There is just something real good about a debauchery, especially the Thirsty Thursday before I turn 3-5.Hell, whip in some gambling and we’re talking religious experience. The Growlers - Half Loaded Duo will be the featured artists at The Farm’s Blues, Brews & BBQ session tomorrow night. We’re looking forward to the new venue, and the new crowd. If I can keep Nigel away from the ribs and smoker long enough we’re probably talking one hell of a night. There is also a good chance we will talk new Growler Dre’ Reust into coming down and laying down some of the low end acoustic work. Should be a great night in my old home town of Essex, Ma.

• The 10 Ft Polecats are back from the Deep Blues Festival. Welcome home boys, looking forward to seeing the uncensored pictures from the Deep Blues Festival.

• Blind Billy checked in to say a good time was had by all the new Stone Soup in Ipswich.

• While watching “The Cleaner” on A&E, there is a story about two twin red heads who are junkies. One is a hooker on smack, another is Harvard educated chick. The Harvard Chick keeps referring to the mother character as “Her Mom-mee”. Now I have a weakness for redheads, but the whole whining thing.....oh GAWD no. This just proves, no matter how attractive a woman is there is still a guy who won’t put up with their shit.

• Matt Stubbs is headed back out to California to do some more work with Charlie Musslewhite. Safe travels Matt, and knock ‘em dead. I’ve you’re out West, or have a chance to catch Matt & Charlie play live sell your closest relative to get to this show.

• Having just finished reading Robert Palmer’s (not THAT Robert Palmer) “Deep Blues”, I wanted share a passage with you. As part of an interview in 1974 with Rolling Stone, Clapton told a story about getting dropping some acid before hitting the stage with The Dominoes. Every time he played a bluesy lick his guitar turned into into rubber while the crowd turned into devils. When he played a sweet lick, the audience turned into angels. It was an that point he decided to clean up his act and play pop. Now I don’t begrudge anyone their sobriety or their right to play pop crap, I’m just wondering how Clapton gets all this credit for being a blues guy when he hasn’t played blues in 36 years?