Hey All! While we all wait to be covered in oil, let's soothe our anger about the coming ruination of our coastline, Summer and beyond with some cool grooves. This weekend kicks off with a nice Rue Boogaloo outing. Friday night we'll be at the Shed in Scott from 7-10pm with special guest and honorary Boogaloo, Lee Alle Zeno on Bass! Saturday night we board the space shuttle for Fort Worth, TX for our appearance at the Hip Pocket Theatre's Pocket Full of Blues Fest from 10:30pm - Midnight. Plus we got Henry Gray and the Cats on the road in June at the Sheds in MS and FL and the T Bone Walker Fest coming up on June 19th. Stay cool and don't be no fool - hope 2 seeya' out in the music!

peace n goodness,
Marty

Friday, June 4, 2010
Henry Gray and the Cats at the Shed in Ocean Springs, MS
Ocean Springs, MS Set: 7:00 PM

Saturday, June 5, 2010
Henry Gray and the Cats on the Road @ The Shed BBQ
Destin, FL Set: 7:00 PM

Friday, June 11, 2010
Blue Dog Cafe w/ Friends
1211 W. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette, LA 70501
337-237-0005 Set: 7:00 PM

Saturday, June 19, 2010
T Bone Walker Blues Festival w/ Henry Gray and the Cats
108 Legion Street, Linden, TX 75563
(903) 756-9934 Set: 8:30 PM

Hey All! It's Festival Time!!! Let's do it to it!

Sunday, May 2, 2010
Fest for All w/ Rue Boogaloo, Carol Fran and Henry Gray and the Cats
Baton Rouge, LA (United States) - Map
    1:45 - 4:30pmPM
All Ages
     

Saturday, May 8, 2010
Rue Boogaloo at Recycled Cycles @ Rue Boogaloo at Recycled Cycles during Artwalk
208 East Vermillion St, Lafayette, LA (United States) - Map
337-235-2453     Set: 6:00 PM
All Ages
 

Friday, May 14, 2010
Rue Boogaloo at the Shed! @ Rue Boogaloo at the Shed!
308 Highway 93, Scott, LA 70583 (United States) - Map
(337) 504-2400     Set: 7:00 PM
     
Other Info:

Saturday, May 15, 2010
Pocket Full of Blues Festival @ Rue Boogaloo at the Hip Pocket Theatre
1950 Silver Creek Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76108 (United States) - Map
Set: 12:00 PM
Other Info:
Benefit concert for Hip Pocket Theatre w/ James Hinkle, Rue Boogaloo and more ... stay tuned for details and times for the Pocket Full of Blues Fest!!

peace - Marty

Hey Everybody - It's Easter time and I have a strange feeling about today.  Most holidays hit me with a double message - one that brings joy and celebration for where we are in life this year; another that reminds me of the sorrow and pain that these events can bring to those who are not where they want to be or expected to be in their lives.  Not sure why, but it's always been that way for me around holidays that I remember both the good times and the ones that were tough.  I've been very fortunate in that the tough times didn't last very long for me.  But they lasted enough that I don't forget them,  I'm sure this may sound trite to some but on holidays I always get a sense of sadness for those who can't enjoy them; those in rough situations like jail, lost in addiction, homelessness or even in mourning for the first holiday without a loved one.  Yes, we often say that many people belong in those situations due to their own belligerence, stupidity or even meanness, but many more deserve another chance - and so many were put in cells by circumstances that were beyond their control; or because our society has made it so tough for so many to get through this thing unscathed. 

9 lb new by marty christian

Well, I guess that's why the songs in and around the Blues have given me so much comfort - because in singing about hardship, they offer a key to the way out.  Deliverance through soul music.  I always have liked B.B. King's live from Cook County Jail - mostly because the music is so incendiary.  But also because the condition these guys are in, you can feel the music bringing them joy and enlightenment in a way that little else if anything could do to a large group of prisoners.  Reminds me a bit of that scene in Shawshank Redemption when they play the opera song, too - Blues wasn't the first music to touch on the feelings of our soul, but I believe it's roots are as deep as life itself.   Of course, I have a lot to celebrate today - and we will!  But my celebration often includes music that touches on both sides of happiness like this tune.  I've been messing around with some home recording lately and I've been really liking the way this one came out.  It's my version of Joe Simon's 9 Pound Steel.  Not the perfect Easter song but it probably is for somebody out there - peace and love to you in the new Spring -