Catfish ‘N Blues Festival Planned
The Better Hometown Program, along with co-sponsors McIntosh State Bank, the Bank of Monticello and The Monticello News have scored big with the scheduled performance of Chicago Joe Jones at the 3rd Annual Catfish ‘n Blues Memorial Festival on Saturday, May 24 says Better Hometown Director Sage Edwards.
Chicago Joe and his band will be on the Square during the Market Festival and will play until about 2 p.m.
Chicago Joe Jones became interested in playing the guitar when he was 16 years old when a high school friend gave him an old Harmony acoustic guitar. He first learned music theory from Eric Rastus who taught at the ALR Music School in Chicago.
He was greatly influenced by the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s but in later years when he became truly passionate about playing the guitar, Chicago Joe decided that what he really wanted to be was a blues man.
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He studied the blues by early Blues Master Robert Johnson and later by such blues artists like Junior Wells, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Son House, Albert King, BB King and Buddy Guy.
“Chicago Joe” spends his weekdays giving guitar lessons to kids both young and old who are also passionate about playing the guitar and bass. The weekly open jam sessions hosted by Chicago Joe at Maddy’s Rib & Blues Joint in Atlanta, have turned into a much anticipated must see event for Atlanta music lovers and musicians alike.
Students are welcomed and encouraged to attend the jam sessions to take advantage of the opportunity to hone their performance skills. Local Atlanta celebrities such as Tinsley Ellis, Barry Richman, the late great Sean Costello and Eddie Tigner of the “Ink Spots” fame have been known to appear at Joe’s jams.
Joe and his band play regularly in and around metro Atlanta entertaining locals and out-of-towners with his special blend of blues, jazz, R & B, and rock standards. He can be seen and heard often at: Fat Matt’s Rib Shack,
Maddy’s Rib and Blues Joint, Northside Tavern, Blind Willie’s, Ray’s Killer Creek and 2 Urban Licks in addition to his appearances at local and regional festivals, private parties and other special events.
His regular band members include Damien Lewis on drums, Keith Otterbeck on bass and 16 year old Jordan Gonzalez on guitar. Jordan has taken lessons from Chicago Joe since he was 10 years old and played with the band when they won the 2006 Atlanta Blues Challenge.
This year marks the fourth year of the Chicago Joe‘s Rock and Blues Camp giving young musical minds a chance to work together to further their interest in guitar, bass, drums and vocals techniques.
At the end of the camp they form bands, learn classic rock and blues tunes, write songs, and end the week with a concert to show what they have learned during their week under the tutelage of Chicago Joe and his team of instructors.
The festival is a memorial concert in honor of our veterans. There will be plates of crispy fried catfish, with cole slaw and hushpuppies for sale plus free watermelon. Funds raised will benefit the Better Hometown Program and help to fund future events on the Square.
For more information, contact the Better Hometown Program, 706-468-1995.
