How much talent can one club hold? A recent all-star jam honoring the late Johnny Guitar Watson drew numerous Texas musicians to a jam-packed Swing Club in Fort Worth. Walking into the club on the evening of February 3rd was like entering a big event set in a small venue. Tables covered in red cloths, multicolored string lights over the bar and a special Valentine`s arrangement placed delicately on a center table created a festive atmosphere to celebrate the Texas born blues man`s birthday. Most everyone in attendance was elegantly dressed for the occasion.
An ordinary Sunday night at The Swing Club features Lady Pearl and her BTA Blues Band (Better Than Average) getting down with several area blues artists stimulating a modest sized crowd. There is some hidden talent in that club which itself is in an obscure location with no large signs to direct you. The best comparison would be John Lee Hooker`s lyrics from his early single, “Boogie Chillen”, about walking off the street into “Henry`s Playin` Club”: “when I get there, yeah, they really havin` a ball.”
On February 3rd, Lady Pearl turned the regular Sunday night jam over to Paul Byrd in honor of one of her favorite artists, Johnny Guitar Watson. With so many bands to perform, each was limited to only a few songs and there were some local musicians in attendance for the sole purpose of sitting in the audience to enjoy the show. With so much talent in the house it`s difficult to cover each and every artists with proper credit. If anyone is left out of this story, it is not intentional.
The jam opened with “It`s My Own Fault” featuring Paul`s exceptional talent on guitar and vocals with the BTA Blues Band, consisting of Ray Reed on guitar, Quincy Brown on bass and Kenny Weldon on drums.
Next on the bandstand was Austin`s John McVey and The Stumbles with Mike Buck, The Fabulous Thunderbirds former drummer. Mike was once a member of Robert Ealey`s Five Careless Lover`s band. John on vocals and lead guitar performed standards including “Cold Cold Feeling” as well as originals from their upcoming CD. The Stumbles` girls, Eve Morsees on guitar and Erin James on Bass, dedicated their original “Yeah, Yeah” to Wes who coordinated the event.
An ordinary Sunday night at The Swing Club features Lady Pearl and her BTA Blues Band (Better Than Average) getting down with several area blues artists stimulating a modest sized crowd. There is some hidden talent in that club which itself is in an obscure location with no large signs to direct you. The best comparison would be John Lee Hooker`s lyrics from his early single, “Boogie Chillen”, about walking off the street into “Henry`s Playin` Club”: “when I get there, yeah, they really havin` a ball.”
On February 3rd, Lady Pearl turned the regular Sunday night jam over to Paul Byrd in honor of one of her favorite artists, Johnny Guitar Watson. With so many bands to perform, each was limited to only a few songs and there were some local musicians in attendance for the sole purpose of sitting in the audience to enjoy the show. With so much talent in the house it`s difficult to cover each and every artists with proper credit. If anyone is left out of this story, it is not intentional.
The jam opened with “It`s My Own Fault” featuring Paul`s exceptional talent on guitar and vocals with the BTA Blues Band, consisting of Ray Reed on guitar, Quincy Brown on bass and Kenny Weldon on drums.
Next on the bandstand was Austin`s John McVey and The Stumbles with Mike Buck, The Fabulous Thunderbirds former drummer. Mike was once a member of Robert Ealey`s Five Careless Lover`s band. John on vocals and lead guitar performed standards including “Cold Cold Feeling” as well as originals from their upcoming CD. The Stumbles` girls, Eve Morsees on guitar and Erin James on Bass, dedicated their original “Yeah, Yeah” to Wes who coordinated the event.
A highlight of the evening was Nick Curran (pictured left) on vocals and guitar, with Johnny Moeller on guitar, Jason Moeller on drums, and Eric Matthews on bass. Nick`s timeless sound carried a few of his originals as well as Johnny Guitar Watson tunes such as “Hit The Highway”. Mitch Palmer joined the group to sing a few songs including “Hot Little Mama”. Fort Worth`s Holland K. Smith shared the stage with Sumpter Bruton along with Phil Law on drums and Eric Matthews on bass. Holland introduced “Good Mind to Wonder” to be released on his upcoming CD. Sumpter was featured as they did “Red Top”.
Another highlight of the evening was the surprise entrance by James Hinkle. In dimmed lights and under a handheld spotlight at the back of the bar, James sat in a homemade buggy resembling the one on the cover a Johnny Guitar Watson CD. The audience raved as he was pushed slowly across the crowded bar to the bandstand. James with Stoney Bass on bass and Gonzi Trevino on drums, covered JGW`s “Three Hours Past Midnight”, “Sweet Lovin` Mama” and, with Paul Byrd on guitar, “Cuttin’ in”.
The remainder of the jam featured The Swing Club`s regular talent that gives the club its reputation as a blues bar. A pride of the club, Kim Pierce, with every ounce of her being performed “Neither One of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)”, “Rock Me” and carried “Steal Away” past it`s limit with endless energy. The BTA Blues Band, including Slick Rick on guitar, remained on stage after their support of Kim. Ray on vocals and guitar played “Dust My Broom”. This is the blues!
The remainder of the jam featured The Swing Club`s regular talent that gives the club its reputation as a blues bar. A pride of the club, Kim Pierce, with every ounce of her being performed “Neither One of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)”, “Rock Me” and carried “Steal Away” past it`s limit with endless energy. The BTA Blues Band, including Slick Rick on guitar, remained on stage after their support of Kim. Ray on vocals and guitar played “Dust My Broom”. This is the blues!
Beautifully dressed in a black dress, Lady Pearl took the mic. Her amazing energy and stage presence carried out a Jimmy McCracklin medley. (The lady has class.) Lady Pearl stepped aside and invited Raymond Lemon (both pictured left) to sing Every Day and a fabulous rendition of Nine Pound Steel. After Raymond left the stage, Slick Rick took the mic and began to sing Real Mother For
Ya. Up from the audience came James Hinkle to join in the vocals. A guitar duel between Ray and Rick topped off set. Ms. Brenda with her sex appeal performed Doctor Feel Good with Kim singing back up.
Paul, Ray, Gonzi and Quincy closed the jam with Cost To Be The Boss, Long Distance Telephone Call and one of my personal favorites, I Play The Blues For You.he night was overwhelming with all of this talent. Artists in the house taking it easy were: Lisa and Neil Drennan, Reno Ochoa and J.B. Wynn.
As a Swing Club tradition, at the end of each jam raffle tickets are drawn for a bottle of Gin. Now, that’s a tradition we can live with. Also, a tradition that I’ve only seen at The Swing Club is that money is handed to the artist performing on stage.
Thanks to Wes for organizing the event and to Scooby Do, The Swing Clubs Entertainment Director, and to Lady Pearl for turning her Sunday night jam into the Johnny Guitar Watson Birthday Tribute.
Paul, Ray, Gonzi and Quincy closed the jam with Cost To Be The Boss, Long Distance Telephone Call and one of my personal favorites, I Play The Blues For You.he night was overwhelming with all of this talent. Artists in the house taking it easy were: Lisa and Neil Drennan, Reno Ochoa and J.B. Wynn.
As a Swing Club tradition, at the end of each jam raffle tickets are drawn for a bottle of Gin. Now, that’s a tradition we can live with. Also, a tradition that I’ve only seen at The Swing Club is that money is handed to the artist performing on stage.
Thanks to Wes for organizing the event and to Scooby Do, The Swing Clubs Entertainment Director, and to Lady Pearl for turning her Sunday night jam into the Johnny Guitar Watson Birthday Tribute.
