Blues Along the Platte on parade day

by Elysia Conner
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 1:05 PM MDT

Those looking for more family fun, music and a bite to eat after the parade on July 7 are welcome to the first annual Blues Along the Platte.

The Parkway Plaza & Convention Centre and the Wyoming Blues & Jazz Society (WBJS) have collaborated on the event they plan to hold each year to kick off the summer, according to Ted Klatt of the Parkway Plaza.

It’s a good way for the Parkway and the Blues Society to do something different, he added.

The event also commemorates the WBJS’s 10th anniversary. The non-profit organization’s founders hoped to promote blues and jazz music throughout the state.

Their success gives them even more reason to celebrate. Agents call them on a regular basis to book shows, according to founding member and former WBJS president Rolland Juarez in a previous interview with the Casper Journal.

In addition to monthly jam sessions every third Sunday at All That Jazz, the society has hosted many concerts over the years. They have featured prominent and talented artists including Bryan Lee, Johnny Winter and Duke Robillard.

According to current president Lou Morris, the event was organized to provide the same kind of great shows in an outdoor, family-friendly atmosphere.

Studebaker John and the Hawks will return to Casper to headline Blues Along the Platte with local bands Rock-n-Roll Susie and JD Blues Band.

Chairs will be provided but the audience is welcome to bring their own. Miniature golf, food and drinks also will be available.

Studebaker John and the Hawks returns for Blues Along the Platte

Studebaker John and the Hawks formed in the 1970s. Their name references the Studebaker Hawk, a car Studebaker John Grimaldi still owns, and a tribute to his friend, J.B. Hutto and the Hawks.

Grimaldi was born in an Italian-American section of Chicago and began playing harmonica at the age of seven.

He picked up the guitar after a life-changing experience of seeing Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers perform.

As a songwriter and musician, Studebaker John has emerged as a major force in the blues world.

Rock-n-Roll Susie plays again

There is only one complaint about Rock-n-Roll Susie: there isn’t enough. According to band vocalist Suzy Jones, people frequently tell them that they want the band to play more shows. But with five busy schedules to work around, time constraints are their biggest obstacle.

Music enthusiasts will have a rare chance to watch the blues/rock band perform during the parade day event, Blues Along the Platte.

Not having played for an audience lately, the band is even more excited than usual, Jones said. The band plays classic rock covers with a nod to the original artists as well as plenty of their own style.

Jones is excited that they have added some Jethro Tull to the set list. Other influences include Stevie Ray Vaughn and The Allman Brothers Band.

The band is well-received by all ages, including some younger metal fans who also appreciate classic rock, Jones said. The five experienced musicians play familiar favorites and some greats that never had the air play they deserved.

She is thankful to the WBJS for the opportunity to play, and for the feedback they provide.

Compliments often mean more coming from other musicians, she said, who are the toughest critics. She also appreciates their advice, which mostly consists of encouraging them to play more.

The other band members are Ken Ormond who plays guitar and other instruments, Chuck “Doug” Dunlap on synth guitar, Clint Ormond on bass and drummer Paul Hanson.

Writing original songs and possible side projects are in the future for Rock-n-Roll Susie. The five are working on having more time to make music.

“We have a sound I really like,” JOnes said.

Named after the Pat Travers song rather than Jones, the moniker fits for several reasons. But mostly, it is the fun, relaxed vibe of the song that describes what Rock-n-Roll Susie is all about.

The members remember the last time Studebaker John and the Hawks played in town.

The bass player suddenly became indisposed during the set, according to Jones. A band member went “above and beyond his duties as soundman” by going onstage and playing the bass part for the remainder of their performance.

But Studebaker John and the Hawks is even more memorable for their talent and ability to put on a great show.

When Rock-n-Roll Susie performs, the excitement is close to that of a first gig even for these experienced musicians, according to Jones.

“We’re ecstatic when we get to play,” she said.

JD Blues Band

The JD Blues Band plays a variety of shows, from backyards to opening for major concerts and from ARTCORE performances to the Wyoming Governor's pre-inaugural party, according to the WBJS Website, www.wyobluesandjazz.org.

They also “play anything from light jazz to jumpin' blues.”

Jody Taylor, rhythm and lead guitarist, became a founding member of the JD Blues Band in 1996.After five years; the band recorded their first CD, “Live After Five.”

Jody Murray provides harmonica and vocals. He played drums as a charter member of the Troopers Drum & Bugle Corps at age 10. Murray went on to the Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps and started playing the harmonica in college.

He has toured with Spencer Bohren, recorded with Inda Eaton, and sat in with the Subdudes, the Three Twins and many local bands, according to the Website.

Drummer Nick Smith has been playing for 36 years with local bands and national acts. Bass guitar and vocalist Don Carlson began playing guitar when he was seven and joined his first band at 15. He was in several local bands and also played and toured throughout the country for 10 years.

Returning to Casper to raise his family, Carlson also is a member of the band Chaser, writes and records music and teaches guitar lessons.

Todd Scott, a college instructor and admired local musician, has been a fixture in the JD Blues band for the past few years. He has a doctorate degree in music and has played in more than 40 bands.

If you go …

Blues Along the Platte

Featuring Studebaker John and the Hawks with Rock-n-Roll Susie and JD Blues Band

July 7, from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Parkway Plaza & Convention Centre’s parking lot near Old Town

Admission to the concert is free.

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