We like to feature Maine acts on our BIO page so here is some info about the Bad Daddys. The Bad Daddys are an electric quartet froom the mid-coast region of Maine, frequently gigging around the Bar Harbor/Ellsworth area but you'll see them in places like Camden, Boothbay and just about anywhere Maine Blues is happening. They  played a double billing at this year's Maine Blues Festival in Naples, performing at the Point Sebago resort and Sydney's restaurant on Saturday. The band features Paul Waring and  Al Strong on guitar and vocals, Tom Rush on drums (not to be confused with his folksinging namesake) and Jimmy Klemenz on bass. This is a fine blues band made up of veteran players and they play a style of blues that's rooted in the past but has an eye on the future as well. They have recently produced and released a great CD entitled simply enough "The Bad Daddys" on Reversing Records, recorded right here in Maine. Check out our shows page for a list of their upcoming shows and if you get a chance scheck these guys out, you'll be glad that you did!

MAINE BLUES SOCIETY JAM

HOSTED BY POKE CHOP & THE OTHER WHITE MEATS

With a goal of “total pig domination”,

Poke Chop & the Other White Meats hosts the Maine Blues Society sponsored blues jam at the cage in Auburn every Thursday night.  The Cage is a funky, unpretentious venue, more akin to a juke joint than an auditorium.  I dropped in on Earth Day, April 22 to join in on the fun.

The band is Ron Gill on guitar and vocals (& harp tonight), Chad Thorne on bass and vocals (& sometimes mandolin), Tom Delrossi on drums and Duane Asdourian on harmonica (though MIA tonight).

Poke Chop is Ron Gill.  The name followed him from Colorado to Maine.  The Other White Meats was the very fitting brainstorm of a youngster’s wit.  Chad became one of the Other White Meats after jamming with the band when a previous bass player announced his departure.  Duane’s e-mail logo was “Harp Man”.  This got the band’s attention when it was time to add a harmonica player.  The newest Meat is Tom, who auditioned when it was time to replace the former drummer.  I’m told that the other band members haven’t told Tom yet that they think he’s a fine percussionist. Maybe he’ll read it here so he knows that his talent is appreciated.

The jam at The Cage has been building, with a core group of regulars along with occasional guests popping in with their variety of instruments.  The band plays for around 45 minutes and then the clipboard signees get their shot.  Tonight’s set began with Jimmy Reed’s “Bright Lights, Big City”.  The band then marched through some fine standards by the likes of Robert Johnson, Slim Harpo, Muddy Waters, Lazy Lester, John Fogarty and even Los Lobos

The jammers are an eclectic group performing on guitar, harp, drums, bass and vocals.  Our lovely bar maid even took a turn at the microphone.  Talent was evident in many of the performances.  There were appearances by the good, the bad and the ugly.  I took a turn on stage and definitely fit at least one of those categories. 

So, on Thursday nights in the Lewiston/Auburn area the place for some good times and good blues is The Cage with Poke Chop & the Other White Meats with their blues jamming friends.

JOINING THE MAINE BLUES SOCIETY IS SIMPLE

Send a check or money order;

 $15.00 single or $30.00 family to:
Maine Blues Society
PO Box 4703
Portland, ME 04112

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