- Curt's List -

Curt's Local 2n's

Here's a chance to check out some local talent that
might be heard on any given night at a number of
local venues here in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Hope you enjoy,...
More to come !!

Check Curt's List listings for the following musicians and get out and catch them when you can !! Be sure to tell them where you heard their music !!

  Tulsa Legend & Gentleman; Rocky Frisco - J.J. Cale's
Keyboard / Piano Player - plays all over town in a variety of
different bands. He can be found every Sunday afternoon at
the World Famous Sunday Jam as a member of host Band;
The Kevin Phariss Band at Cimarron Bar, here in Tulsa, as well
as a performing member of Tom Skinner's Science Project and
Dustin & Jesse's Higher Education Band
( Dustin Pittsley & Jesse Aycock). The J.J. Cale Band's
1996 tour included a concert on March 29 at Carnegie Hall
on a double-bill with Levon Helm and The Band. Rocky can
be heard on the J. J. Cale CDs, "JJ Cale Live,"  "To Tulsa
And Back" and "Roll On" as well as "Eric Clapton's Crossroads"                  
Guitar Festival DVD set and the JJ Cale Band's DVD tour video,                    "To Tulsa and Back" From Time/Life.
In late May of 2008, Rocky was inducted into the Oklahoma
Blues Hall of Fame with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
On September 17, 2009, Rocky was inducted into the
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame as a winner of the Eldon
Shamblin Session Musician Award. Rocky's current album;
"Racoon's Revenge" is a sweet musical experience.
'Raccoon' has been Rocky's Nickname for a long, long time.
I've selected my favorite cut titled "The Time Trilogy" which
features Rocky's vocals, keyboard playing and to my
surprise - that's Rocky himself on that BEAUTIFUL guitar
playing throughout. I currently do not have a pic of the
album to add,...but will locate one soon. Rocky's a good
friend of mine and it's always a pleasure to sit with him,
listen to music together and share a story or two,...I've even
had the good fortune to jam with Rocky from time to time
sittin' in with one of his many bands.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 Local Legend, Singer, Songwriter, & Blues Guitar Shredder;
Steve Pryor was inducted into the 2009 Oklahoma Jazz Hall of
Fame as a Blues recipient - October 2009,... an honor that left him
"humbled beyond words." He thanked his mother, who "always made
sure I had new strings and a decent guitar to play until I could afford
those things on my own. I think I never would have ever played
guitar if it hadn't been for Mom."
Pryor then strapped on a battered black Fender Stratocaster and
slashed through a rousing version of "Wait on Time," backed by the
Jazz Rhapsody Trio, who served as the evening's house band.
"I can't afford musicians like this," Pryor quipped. Here's my favorite
cut from Steve's latest musical offering: 2007's "Cardboard Luck" -
'Fade to Black'

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 David Skinner is another legendary Tulsa Singer, Songwriter
& Guitar Shredder. Inducted into the Blues Category of the Oklahoma
Jazz Hall of Fame - June, 2005. A Tulsan since 1980, he was a part of
the Austin scene in the '70s, living and playing around brothers Jimmie
and Stevie Ray Vaughan and becoming an original member of the first
band to feature future blues star Lou Ann Barton. Dave can also be
found playing gigs around Tulsa, Oklahoma. He's quite memorable as
he's the only artist in town that plays a bright pink Fender Stratocaster
while wearing his trademark white loafers. I've enclosed my favorite
song from my friend's 2005 Live album "Nine Live" - 'Rock Me Baby
recorded at Blues City, Tulsa.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 Dustin Pittsley Band recently won the 2009 Blues Society of Tulsa
Blues Challenge and will be representing Tulsa in Memphis competing
in the most coveted of all Blues Challenges;The International Blues
Challenge in 2010. Dustin Pittsley; Singer, Songwriter & Guitar
Shredder - along with Bass Player; Donnie Wood, & Drummer;
Doug Wehmyer - perform all over town almost every weekend as well.
I've added one of my favorite songs from Dustin's latest award winning
Album; "Staring Into The Sun" (2008) - 'Living In A Dream' Written by our very own; Randy Crouch.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 I'm fortunate to be able to say
that Tiny Davis was a friend of mine.
A kind and caring gentleman, singer,
songwriter, & multi talented musician,
as well as a perveyor of the "Tulsa Sound"
I've come to learn that what musicians such
as Eric Clapton & Joe Cocker consider the
essence of what's known as "The Tulsa
Sound" - are the spaces in the music,...between
the melodies & harmonies,...that a musician
can use to create many flavorful nuances.
Tiny was an incredibly talented Tulsa landmark...
And a fine human being with a voice that could
melt granite.
He'll be missed forever.

I've enclosed one of my favorites from his
current and final album - Legacy / 2009
A great song with impressive performances ;
'St. James Infirmary'
( Thank you - Mike Winebrenner. )
His band of excellent local veteran blues
musicians include :

Tiny Davis - Guitar & Vox
Mike Winebrenner - Sax
Pat Burnham - Hammond B3 Organ
James Slayden - Guitar
Kevin Phariss - Bass Guitar
Cooper Waugh - Guitar
Dave Russell - Sax
Mike Peace - Harmonica
Harry Williams - Drums

His wife; Nancy, has Tiny's Cd's for purchase
every Sunday afternoon at what was Tiny's
favorite get together & Jam :
The Cimarron - Every Sunday Jam - at 4:00
Drop in and visit Nancy,...purchase one of Tiny's
albums, listen to some fine blues, meet friends
& make new ones,...and Please support all of Tulsa's
INCREDIBLE Live Music.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 The third recording for Little Joe McLerran is his
breakthrough album, going beyond his Tulsa, OK
roots and adapted Piedmont style to make
unpretentious, new Southern blues music firmly
rooted in the acoustic tradition. Playing an adept
slide guitar, McLerran also sings in a gritty tone
reminiscent of John Hammond, Peter "Madcat" Ruth,
Chris Smither, or even Eric Clapton. Accompianied by
the fine saxophonist/harmonicist Dexter Payne,
keyboardist Jack Wolf, and a rhythm section,
McLerran plays big on traditional arrangements,
a few originals, and some classics written by the
true masters of the idiom.
Little Joe won the 2008 Tulsa Blues Challenge
and then went on to represent Tulsa in Memphis
and won the entire 2009 IBC in his Solo/Duo category.
This Album contains performances by:

Little Joe McLerran - Guitars & Vox
Robbie Mack - His Father - Bass & Vox
Dexter Payne - Reeds & Harmonica
Jack Wolf - Keys
David Bernston - Harmonica
Jimmy Markham - Harmonica
Ron McRorey - Drums

 The song I've enclosed here is Little Joe's Favorite
off the album ; B&O Blues - By "Blind Willie" McTell
- a twelve-string finger picking Piedmont Blues guitarist
that recorded 149 songs between 1927 & 1956.

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 'Jennifer Marriott & Odd Sheep Out' are a fine,
rockin', award winning, Blues Band here in town.
They won the Tulsa Blues Challenge in the Band
category in 2008 and represented Tulsa at the most
coveted of all Blues Competitions - The I.B.C. in
Memphis. Since hearing this band for the first time,
several years ago, I describe them to
everyone - as a studio band that plays bar gigs !!
Quite entertaining and tight with awesome
performances. I picked this song, written by Jennifer
& Pete, off the album - because it ROCKS !!

Jennifer Marriott - guitar & vox
Pete Marriott ( Husband ) - guitar & vox
John Johnson - bass
Spencer Sutton - piano & organ
Mike Peace ( Eng. ) harmonica
Richard Coffey - drums