- 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 them & purchase their current albums !

 If you have a song you'd like me to feature here within my Local 2n's page - send it to me w/ a brief note on how it came to be and who's performing on it !! (curtfillmore@yahoo.com)

Thanks !

To listen to the following music - just begin playing the first track or any within the collection and the player will automatically play them through.

  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 Blues 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 Live 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 Berntson - 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

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From Chuk Cooley :
 "This song came from my searching hard to tell the story
in a song,... about how I came about to find what it truly
meant to be a Demon Hammer.
I wanted people to see - that I had been there and felt
what it was truly like - to be knocked down, what seemed
like, impossible moutains.
That you could truly believe and overcome and be a
genuine bad-ass life's soldier !"

Chuk Cooley & The Demon Hammers :

- Chuk Cooley - All vox, acoustic rhythm guitar,
  Music & Lyrics
- Tony Loretti - Acoustic lead guitar
- Sondra C. - Acoustic bass, flute, backing vox
- Jester - Drums / percussion

       
"MOVING MOUNTAINS"
04/25/2009 BY: CHUK COOLEY

SPIRALING FAST AND HEADED NO WHERE NOW

TO WRECK YOUR BEST LEAVING YOU ASKING HOW

TRIED TO FIND YOUR FIST RAZING HIGH

SOMETIMES LIFE CAN MAKE YOU BREAKDOWN AND CRY

                        ***

MOVING MOUNTAINS IN DOOM'S DARK LIGHT

NEEDING SOMEONE TO HELP MAKE THINGS GO RIGHT

MOVING MOUNTAINS IN MY OWN LIFE

HOPING I CAN LEARN TO LOVE MYSELF BEFORE, BEFORE I DIE.....

                        ***

GOIN OVER ALL THE HELL I'VE BEEN THROUGH

WILL ALWAYS WONDER HOW I EVER FOUND THE TRUTH

FINDING COURAGE TO CHANGE MY DARK TO LIGHT

TOOK SMASHING ALL MY DEMONS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

                        ***

YOUR LIVING PROOF A LOSER CAN MAKE IT

YOUR LIVING PROOF A DREAMER CAN LIVE IT

YOU BEEN KNOCKED DOWN AND DRAGGED OUT

YOU ONLY GOT THIS ONE LIFE TO LIVE

GET BACK UP AND LIVE AGAIN.......