Memphis Gold’s Fundraiser for Jim O’Neal October 20 at Surf Club

Memphis Gold

Jim O’Neal may have contributed more to blues music than any other non-musician over the past forty years. He created Living Blues magazine in 1970 at a time when the American media gave little respect to the blues. The magazine helped expose how much great music was still being made and provided much needed exposure for countless deserving musicians. O’Neal’s stories and interviews provided insight into musicians who seemed to genuinely open up to him rather than spouting cliches. You can read some of the best interviews in his book The Voice of the Blues.

I got to know Jim O’Neal as the proprietor of the Rooster Blues record label. In the early 90s, the label might have been the only place around to find great new recordings of contemporary Mississippi blues. It didn’t matter if it was raw or slick. If it was good, O’Neal would record it and release it. There were great albums from Lonnie Pitchford, Booba Barnes, and Lonnie Shields. Many artists might never have had recording opportunities without O’Neal.

O’Neal now has lymph cancer. The blues has never been great about providing health insurance. So, some musicians led by the incredibly talented Memphis Gold and Baton Rouge’s Kenny Neal have organized several benefit concerts including one scheduled for October 20th at Surf Club Live in Hyattsville. Memphis Gold’s last couple albums have been released on Stackhouse Records, O’Neal’s current label.

The show will feature at least one bona fide legend in Bobby Parker whose “Watch Your Step” has been ripped off by the Beatles and Santana. There will be a ton of great talent performing including Shirley Lewis, Stacy Brooks, and Robert Lighthouse. I’m sure plenty of other musicians will stop and hit the stage.

For anyone wanting to make a direct contribution to assist Jim and his family, a fund has been set up at Commerce Bank in Kansas City. Checks may be sent to: Jim O’Neal Blues Fund, P.O. Box 10334, Kansas City, MO 64171. You can also donate at www.paypal.com to the account onealbluesfund@aol.com.

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http://www.shirleylewis.biz Shirley Lewis

I am happy to be able to be there in support of Jim O’Neal his magazine is a wayof keepin the blues alive in written form. Thank you Jim and be well.