Jefferson Street Blues Review and Chicago Charlie & the Businessmen
08.09.2024 - A lot of folks from all walks of life will tell you they just “love the blues” - I’m one of those folks and I can tell you that the first time I REALLY listened to Jimmy Reed’s “Got Me Runnin’, Got Me Hidin”, I was hooked – from that one song by that one artist, listening to it that one time…little did I know that there was already an entire “blues universe” populated by blues icons like Howlin’ Wolf, Robert Johnson, Bobby Blue Bland, and many others that I’d never heard of on my favorite local rock stations.
So, my dear friend, if you, like I was, have never been immersed in that truly unbelievably enjoyable genre of blues music (including some of the older songs/artists), then you shoulda been at the Harvester Event Center on Friday 8/9/24. You would have received a Masters’ course in authentic blues from the opening act, Chicago Charlie & the Businessmen. Turns out “the Businessmen” are a bunch of seasoned Nashville players who love nothing better than laying down a good blues groove, including some of that older John Lee Hooker and his proteges’ music, finishing off their set with the classic Got My Mojo Workin’, that had the Harvester attendees on their feet, whooping and hollering their approval. (They got their mojo workin’, obviously).
Here’s some sneaky insider info on one of the special guests that Chicago Charlie brought along to sit in with his band - a harp player and blues vocalist named Rougie Ray, who came onstage toward the end of the set and sizzled the crowd with his excellent blues vocals and harmonica playing…well, guess who Rougie Ray’s son is? Ray LaMontagne!! Rougie didn’t want to take the focus off the excellent blues musicians we had in the house, so he asked me not to mention his famous son during the performances – since I’m a big Ray LaMontagne fan myself, I had a really hard time keeping that amazing small world fact to myself Friday night. If you don’t know Ray LaMontagne’s music, Google him now!
Chicago Charlie & The Businessmen
Chicago Charlie - Harmonist
David Jones - Guitar
Ardie Dean - Drums
BB White - Bass
David Alan - Keyboard
Joe Bass- Bass
Mike Foster - Sax
Johnny Cats - Guitar
Tim Stafford - Drums
Chicago Charles’ rousing set proved to be the perfect launching pad (after Philip Stafford and the Harvester Sound Crew pulled off a very efficient quick stage changeover) for the Jefferson Street Blues Review, featuring Fredrick Weathersby and the Pitch Black Studio Orchestra, complete with a sax section, a full percussion set and two backup singers. With Fredrick’s lead vocals, and alternating between trumpet and flugelhorn, this group was the epitome of a PHAT sound!
Oh, my goodness! Fredrick and Co. grabbed “the blues vibe” just where Chicago Charlie left off and transported the Harvester and its occupants to new levels of blues, funk with many forays into jazz (and beyond).
Another “brush with greatness” moment occurred when Fredrick’s Dad, Lorenzo Washington, who owns and curates the Jefferson Street Sound Museum came up on the Flatwoods Stage and explained that his organization is dedicated to the fabulous history of Jefferson Street and the influential players who passed through that area back in the day…Jimi Hendrix, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, etc. Check out Jefferson Street Sound Museum online for more info.
Sir Frederick and his lyrical prose, through that exquisite set of music that took us from Detroit to Memphis to New Orleans, for what was one of the most fun-loving, heartfelt communities of music lovers that gather without pause to let the spirit move you. And if that is personified by a well oiled improv musical journey that lasted almost two hours, Frederick and his band (13 people on stage!) poured themselves out. Passion, history, and culture culminated here on the Highland Rim harkening back to our own musical heritage. Dang, how blessed we are to live here in Middle Tennessee blessed with talent and a soulful sound that can only come from within. Wow! I am grateful to all those that helped to pull this off. A-list musicians and A-list staff makes me feel like a kid at Christmas. This is Americana, Folk, Blues, Roots Rock and Jazz all rolled into one.
Jefferson St. Blues Review
Fredrick Weathersby - Band leader
Sage Smith - bassist
Syven McCord-Balfour - guitarist
Timothy Kreiss - saxophonist
Daniel Monaco - pianist
Matthew Keegan - Drummer
Calvin Settles - bassist
Brenan Malle - guitarist
Ira Wayne - percussionist
Braxton Nicholas - saxophonist
Augtonia Coleman - Vocalist
Jessica Peck - vocalist
John Hunter - keyboardist
If you were lucky enough to catch the entire evening’s performance, then you KNOW what great performances these ultra-talented musicians brought to Smithville - and you are now a certified “Blues Expert”, because you were exposed to such a fantastically diverse “bunch o’ blues”, courtesy of your music-lovin’ friends at the Harvester!
Many thanks to the Hardwoods Smokehouse Food Truck, and the always impeccable Service and Security Staff at the Harvester for another memorable experience!
Up next is Tom Tippin with Drew Elliott on Saturday, 8/24, Swing Dance Workshop on Wednesday, 9/4, which includes FREE admission for all attendees to The Hi-Jivers with Wild Bill and the Bruisers on Friday, 9/6, and just announced our 5th Annual Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead with Plainview Vibes and Austin Grimm on Friday, 11/1. More shows in the works to finish out the year!
Stay tuned for upcoming special music events at the Harvester, and stay up-to-date with all the events in the Bert Driver Network (Nursery, Burlap Room, and the Harvester) by signing up for our ‘The Local Vibe’ Newsletter - released the first Tuesday of the month, straight to your inbox! And don’t forget the Harvester is for rent: corporate events and parties, weddings, receptions, graduations, baby showers, or whatever you’re celebrating, we host ‘em all! Contact us for more information, and check us out on Wedding Wire or The Knot!
