Do you like to party? Well they had a good one tonight at the Spillway as a benefit was held to raise traveling money for Chuck Wells & Stone Cold Blues’ upcoming trip to Memphis. This local blues band will be representing the Kentucky Blues Society (based here in Bowling Green) at the annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis from Jan. 20 – 23, 2010. As the expenses can mount quickly down on Beale St., a $5 admission fee was collected tonight, and it was well worth it. The vibe was cool, the place was packed, and the blues were hot as Chuck Wells and three of his favorite local bands put on a really great show.  

Andy & The Rockers opened up the evening and I never heard them in better form. Performing a mix of originals and covers, the licks were tight and the vocals, as usual, were right on. Andrea Tanaro and her friend Jenny Smith Brown sing very well together, providing some nice harmonies and a little sweetness, especially on some of the country-tinged tunes like “When Will I Be Loved”. There was also some nice dual guitar work by Tony Tanaro and Clint Childress, especially on one of the originals (they played four of them). The band is working on a new CD so you might be on the lookout for it. Band info can be found on myspace.com/andytherockers.

Next up were Michael Gough and John Martin. It took them a couple of songs to get things right, but after that it was off to the races. Joined by Ronnie Murphy on harmonica these boys laid right into some classic blues. There was also a healthy dose of some more blazing blues/rock material thrown in as well, with Martin playing fast and furious and Gough booming on bass and providing the vocals. The harp work by Murphy was pretty impressive as well. I especially liked a nice funky version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Oh Well”. The band plays around town from time to time and you can keep track of them on myspace.com/michaelgough.

Right around prime time (not too early, not too late) The New Fender Benders took the stage. As an added treat Ms. Jane Pearl accompanied them, and it didn’t take long for the crowd to get into it. As I said, the time was right, and the music was both smoking and danceable. So the dance floor filled up a lot to tunes like “Sweet Home Chicago”, “The Letter” (with Ms. Pearl singing lead), “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right”, “Mess Around” (my personal favorite, with Chris Hardesty smoking the skins and Willie Smith just shouting out the vocals), “Some Kind of Wonderful” (with wonderful vocals and spirit by Ms. Pearl), “When A Man Loves a Woman ( I particularly noticed Steve Sanders’ guitar and Andy Day’s keys on this one), and “It’s Your Thing”. Mark Johnson filled out the sound (and rhythm section) on bass. This band is just sheer fun, so if you go check them out don’t forget your dancing shoes. Check them out on myspace.com/thefenderbendersfeaturingwilliesmith.

Last up was the band the night was all about, Chuck Wells and Stone Cold Blues. It was a long night, and a Thursday to boot, so I’ll admit I didn’t see all of this set.  But what I did hear leaves no doubt why they were chosen to go to the IBC; blues, blues, and more blues.  I heard some originals, which might be just what the judges look for at the IBC. After all, the objective of the IBC is to discover a band that’s at a professional level and just needs a break to make it to the national stage. You can hear some of their originals on myspace.com/stonecoldbluesband. Wells’ guitar is clean and his vocals are clear. This is a very pure style of blues. Band mates Mark Johnson (bass) and Andy Day (keyboards) (who also play in the New Fender Benders) add to the classical blues sound perfectly, and Shagg Stewart keeps the beat behind the drum set. I particularly enjoyed their original “Matter of Time”. Stone Cold Blues plays often at Stevie Ray’s in Louisville as well as occasionally here in Bowling Green.

This was a great, fun night of music. But just as the band needs financial support for their trip to Memphis, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind having some of their local fans support them at the IBC. So if you have some time off coming up, why not go to Memphis and cheer them on? Just like tonight, I’m sure Beale St. would be a blast too.     

The IBC Benefit with Chuck Wells, New Fender Benders, Gough & Martin and Andy & The Rockers took place at the Spillway Bar in Bowling Green, KY on 1/14/2010.

About the author:  Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman