1 Topic by BluesMan (edited by BluesMan 2009-08-05 17:09:27)

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Topic: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

My sister Lynn and I really had an enjoyable experience this past Saturday attending the Prairie Dog Blues Festival held on St. Feriole Island in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. The surrounding area driving to the Festival is really quite picturesque with rolling farm fields and rock outcroppings. Other than driving over a tiny bridge, one would not know that they were on an island as the area was huge with campsites in addition to the festival grounds.

We arrived around 12:30 PM and didn’t leave until well after 1:00 AM. As far as bands, we were treated to six groups and every one of them was great. The line up was:

Perry Weber and The Devilles
Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames
Jimmy Thackery and The Drivers
Johnny Rawls
Lil’ Brian and The Zydeco Travelers
Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam

Dave Weld and Jimmy Thackery really stood out both as fantastic guitar players. The group known as Lil’ Brian and The Zydeco Travelers put on a spirited show that really had many people dancing. Although I must admit, I’m not a big fan of Zydeco music, they played what they called “Funky Zydeco” and it was just as it sounds, the crowd loved it!

Each band played about 90 minutes with 30 minutes in between for change over. When the break would occur, another band would play under the beer tent on a smaller stage, so music could be heard all day long. The only bad thing was, Lil’ Brian and his band showed up about 30 minutes late and then played there full set. This meant that Davy and BDS didn’t take the stage until around 10:30 PM. However, it was again a thrilling perfromace.

Here are pictures from the day:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8384830@N0 … 937423676/

And some video from Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam:

“Come Home” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhDirDv0L4k

“You Don’t Love Me” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1R0W15T0Xw

“Walk On Hot Coals” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EhQ-VuKcTI

I have a number of other videos to share, but have a bit of work to do on them. I sure hope you’re all having a summer of music like we’re having here! smile

Enjoy,

Roy

Joe is the Best!

2 Reply by ReverendPaul (edited by ReverendPaul 2009-08-05 18:31:50)

  • From: Waukesha, WI U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2007-09-18
  • Posts: 892

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

Sounds and looks like a great time. Went up to that festival a couple of years ago and it was beautiful country. The year I went they had some unsigned band from Detroit on before the headliner (Tommy Castro) and they ran over. They had to cut Castro short as they had to be out of the park at a certain time. Did they cut Davy short?

Did you pick up any cd's of the bands you heard up there? If so anything you would suggest?

By the way liking the new avatar, very handsome.

When I was a child I spoke as a child, But all I heard was how I should get ahead,
Now growing up it ain't anything but all This indecision with these debts and doubts
And worries hanging over my head. When I was a child I spoke as a child,
I wish I could remember what I said.

ReverendPaul's Website

  • Registered: 2008-06-19
  • Posts: 366

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

Great BDS videos Roy.  Did you shoot "Almost Cut My Hair"??    Would love to see it if you did

Doug
  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

My new avatar? wink Yes, I wondered how long it would take for you to comment on that Paul. lol I didn't purchase any of the other artists CDs, but truly any of them would be good. It appeared Jim Thackery had a very large following as a bunch of people stood in from of the stage while he played. I also really liked Dave Weld's band too!

Hey srxman2001,

I didn't record "Almost Cut My Hair", because I had recorded it twice before in June. It was still in the set list and still brought lots of cheers from the fans. If you want, here's the recordings from June:

Summerfest "Almost Cut My Hair" Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPbACKXXkjo

Summerfest "Almost Cut My Hair" Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1AwbC71nd0

Ballydoyles "Almsot Cut My Hair" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xae2aaEuEYQ

Roy

Joe is the Best!
  • From: Waukesha, WI U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2007-09-18
  • Posts: 892

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

Did I mention I'll be seeing young Mr. Knowles this Friday in Chicago when he opens for Chickenfoot?

When I was a child I spoke as a child, But all I heard was how I should get ahead,
Now growing up it ain't anything but all This indecision with these debts and doubts
And worries hanging over my head. When I was a child I spoke as a child,
I wish I could remember what I said.

ReverendPaul's Website

6 Reply by BluesMan (edited by BluesMan 2009-08-08 05:00:04)

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

The rest of the videos from Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam at the Prairie Dog Blues Festival:

"Opening Jam"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DIsQ0hbrR0

"Coming Up For Air" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XMbjj0j34k
(I didn't catch the entire song as I was changing discs in my recorder)

"Keep On Searching" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEXSAzDtZZo

And a new song that hasn't been recorded yet with a little slide work from Davy called:

"In A Little While" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XEH6EWnnjw

"Riverbed"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_HM5CU-Xn0

"What In The World" Part 1  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU3YYyobzEI

"What In The World" Part 2  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=436s6PCZonw

Last song of the night which I only got part of, because I had to change disks...
Steve's Drum Solo and "It'll All Come Around" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HzebPNaY8c


Cheers,

Roy smile

Joe is the Best!
  • From: Boston
  • Registered: 2007-01-13
  • Posts: 415

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

Nice video's Roy .. Sounds like a great day of music.
                                                             cheers

8 Reply by BluesMan (edited by BluesMan 2009-08-08 17:53:25)

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

Thanks Paul,

Yes, it truly was a great day of music, great weather for a festival and great friendship. smile

One thing you might notice, during the last song of the night which included Steve's drum solo, Davy is sporting a brand new PRS McCarty which is not the Smokeburst one that he has been using of late. Davy told me he just received this new guitar after contacting PRS and asking them to make him a back-up for his original PRS. He had them change a couple of things on it and so, they custom made it for Davy and got it to him within 30 days. This night was its "Maiden Voyage". Davy played this new guitar on one other song too, but I don't think I recorded it.

Roy

Joe is the Best!
  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

Hey Rev. Paul,

Where 's the report from Friday night's show in Chicago when Davy and BDS opened for Chickenfoot? Enquiring minds want to know. smile

Roy

Joe is the Best!
  • From: Waukesha, WI U.S.A.
  • Registered: 2007-09-18
  • Posts: 892

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

Davy & Back Door Slam did a great job opening for Chickenfoot last Friday in Chicago. I think the keyboard adds a whole new dimension to the sound. He was literaly swamped by hundreds for phots and autographs at the merch stand after his set.

Chickenfoot are MONSTERS live. 3 unbelievable musicians and a great front man. Hagar only picked up a gutar for 1 and 1/2 songs. I was amazed by Satriani and could not beleive the power of the drummer. WOW!!!!!

When I was a child I spoke as a child, But all I heard was how I should get ahead,
Now growing up it ain't anything but all This indecision with these debts and doubts
And worries hanging over my head. When I was a child I spoke as a child,
I wish I could remember what I said.

ReverendPaul's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

I gotta get back to WI... Michigan doesn't have many blues bands coming at all anymore.



Ack - I'm saying this while BB King is going to play tonight, but I can't go sad sad sad

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

12 Reply by BluesMan (edited by BluesMan 2009-08-14 20:12:12)

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I gotta get back to WI... Michigan doesn't have many blues bands coming at all anymore.


Ack - I'm saying this while BB King is going to play tonight, but I can't go sad sad sad

You sure do Nic!

Got another one Saturday in Wausau called The Big Bull Falls Blues Festival http://www.wausauareaevents.org/events/bluesfest.cfm . Here's the line up:

RJ Mischo 1pm
Liz Mandeville & the Blue Points 3pm
Albert Cummings 5pm
Smokin' Joe Kubek 7pm
Tab Benoit 9pm

And then next Saturday, August 22nd is the Paramount Blues Festival in Grafton http://www.graftonblues.org/id42.html . Here's the line up for that day:

Fruitland Jackson noon
David "HoneyBoy" Edwards 1:15 PM
Alex Wison 2:30 PM
Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy 4:00 PM
Nation Sack featuring Greg Koch and Malford Milligan 6:00 PM
Zac Harmon 7:45 AM
Bernard Allison 9:30 PM

Actually, maybe you should move here? smile

Roy

Joe is the Best!

13 Reply by BluesMan (edited by BluesMan 2009-08-14 20:10:04)

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 7,284

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

ReverendPaul wrote:

Davy & Back Door Slam did a great job opening for Chickenfoot last Friday in Chicago. I think the keyboard adds a whole new dimension to the sound. He was literaly swamped by hundreds for phots and autographs at the merch stand after his set.

Chickenfoot are MONSTERS live. 3 unbelievable musicians and a great front man. Hagar only picked up a gutar for 1 and 1/2 songs. I was amazed by Satriani and could not beleive the power of the drummer. WOW!!!!!

Paul,

Sounds like it was a great show! Hey, did Davy join Chickenfoot for a number like he did with Gov't Mule?

Roy

Joe is the Best!
  • From: Oxfordshire, England
  • Registered: 2008-11-10
  • Posts: 835

Re: Prairie Dog Blues Festival featuring Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam..

ReverendPaul wrote:

Chickenfoot are MONSTERS live. 3 unbelievable musicians and a great front man. Hagar only picked up a gutar for 1 and 1/2 songs. I was amazed by Satriani and could not beleive the power of the drummer. WOW!!!!!

hey ReverendPaul they ARE good aren't they?

I was lucky to catch their London gig and even now I get a thrill thinking about it cool