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....

Quinn Sullivan

If anyone was actually reading the entertainment section of The Boston Herald today you may have glanced at the article about young Quinn Sullivan the exceptionally young guitar prodigy out of New Bedford.

http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view/20090721young_phenom_quinn_sullivan_gets_helping_hand_from_guitar_legend_guy_best_buddy

Certainly the boy must have chops, the great Buddy Guy probably doesn’t just call in favors for anyone...however just call me suspicious and dubious. Part of being a great in blues music is taking on a protege. Curtis took on Jake & Elwood Blues helping shape their sound, Junior Kimbrough helped both shape Richard Johnston & Jason Ricci, Charley Patton even helped shape Howlin’ Wolf.....

It’s just every time I hear of an exceptionally young blues act hit the scene, I get a leery. Having been force fed stories on how good The Homemade Jamz Blues Band was, I got a chance to listen to the material myself and it sounded just like I expected it to sound. Three kids playing 1-IV-V progressions and mimicking the blues as their gimmick. The Blues require a certain lifestyle which is awful hard to imitate, either you have it or you don’t. At 18 or 19, you probably don’t have it.

I wish young Quinn the best. Clearly if Mavis Staples, BB King and Buddy Guy think you are worthy to join them on stage there has got to be some talent there. Also he’s a local kid from ‘New Beige’, so there is some material on those streets....but I just can’t help think this is going to be another Homemade Jamz Blues Band schtick, and that is just too bad.