Wilebski's Blue Saloon (New Venue Grand Opening)

Last night, Friday, 08-20-10, I went down to Ted Wilebski’s new location for his Blues Saloon.

Hurricane Harold Tremblay was going to open for Kim Wilson and the Blues Allstars. This is Kim’s blues band. Kim is the co-founder of the Fabulous Thunderbirds.

I got there before the start. In fact, Hurricane Harold pulled into the parking lot right after me.

This venue is very large and Ted has gone to great lengths to giving his new home a bluesy feel. Lots of hand paintings on the walls.

I was wondering how the lighting was going to be inside the new venue. Hurricane Harold was going to be playing with Papa John Kolstad. While they were getting ready I took some test shots. With the way the lighting was it appeared my best shots would be from stage left.

I took a few shots of Harold and Papa John as they played.

The lighting that was present while Harold and Papa John’s set dissappeared. Off went the lights. I took a few more shots without flash as Kim Wison began to play. I didn't want to raise my ISO up too much more, but I wasn't going to get by without doing so. I didn't take too many more without using any flash.There were quite a few other photographer’s also present using their on-camera flash or speedlight on camera.

Eventually I went to my Suburban and retrieved my speedlight to get some sharper photos.

I was using my Nikon D700 camera with my 24-70 mm 2.8 lens and my SB-900 speedlight. I really don’t like the feel of the speedlight attached to the camera, but I posted some photos.

Ted had a good crowd last night. I ran into Mickey Bauer of Cool Disposition and Boom Boom Steve V and a few other people I knew. 

Today, 08-21-10, I called West Photo to rent a 85 mm 1.4, but they had rented it out already. So I rented the 85mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4 today. I’m going back to the Blues Saloon tonight to try these lenses out with RJ Mischo playing. I understand Bruce McCabe will be on piano tonight with RJ.

I needed to shoot this at an angle since they were on the top of one of the bars. 

Hurricane Harold and Papa John Kolstad

These two (with Ted Wilebski on the right) are doing the artwork on the walls.

 

Kim Wilson

Barrelhouse Chuck

Chuck

Eden Brent

This past week-end, August 13 & 14, 2010 I attended the first two days of the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth, Minnesota. I was about to walk out of the festival grounds when I stopped in the merchandise tent to buy a couple CD's before driving home.

I saw Eden Brent, who performed earlier on the acoustic tent stage, inside so I gave her my business card and told her I would be posting some photos of her. 

I ended up buying Eden Brent's latest CD, "ain't got no troubles". Of course, she signed the CD and also put she was looking forward to the photos.

Since she wrote that I decided to post Eden Brent's photos first. There are more photos of Eden on my Chuck Ryan Photography website. Here is the link to Eden's gallery.
   

Her gallery is in the Bayfront Blues Festival folder. Right now her photo's are the only ones there.

Edit: As of Wednesday night, 08-18-10, all photos posted on my website from the Bayfront Blues Festival.

Eden Brent

Chuck

3rd Annual Blues on the Chippewa Day 2

Edit: On 08-28-10 I was moving some folders around on my website and of all things the folder for the Blues on the Chippewa 2010 Day 2 was deleted. I had to post all the galleries again, so none of the links below work.

Here is the new link, Blues on the Chippewa 2010 Day 2

Yata
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The Nitecaps
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Day 2 Miscellaneous Photos
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Do Da Day
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Dave Lambert
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Good Time Willy
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Combo Flambe
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Aaron Williams & The Hoodoo
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Left Wing Bourbon
w/ Maurice Jacox
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Ellen Whyte
w/ Sue Orfield Band
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3rd Annual Blues on the Chippewa

This past week-end, August 7 & 8, 2010 I drove down to Durand, Wisconsin for the 3rd Annual Blues on the Chippewa. I wanted to listen to some blues music and while I was there I was going to photograph the different bands. There were going to be 16 Blues Bands over 2 days!

I originally was only going to attend the first day, but I had such a good time that I changed my plans for Sunday and drove back down. Everyone I met associated with the festival were great. The festival was put on by the Chippewa Valley Blues Society.

If you're into the blues I would suggest you check this festival out next year. It’s about a 2 hour drive from the Twin Cities. Next year I’ll plan ahead and probably stay somewhere in the area instead of driving back home. 

I’ve posted the first days photos of the different bands I shot on my Chuck Ryan Photography website. This is the link to the actual folder where all the photos are located for Day One. Under each photo is a link to the band’s website / Myspace if I found one. There is another link “More Photos” where each of the bands photos are located.

Thanks again to the Chippewa Valley Blues Society for putting on an excellent festival.

I’m working on the photos from Day 2, but they probably won’t be posted until (hopefully) next week. I have another busy week-end shooting. Either one day up at the Bayfront Blues Festival and two days shooting different models or two days up at the blues festival and a model shoot on Sunday.

Love Buzzards
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Blues Dogs
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Quadrant 4
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Pete Neuman & The Real Deal
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South Farwell
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Davey Jones
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Dave Lambert
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Mojo Lemon
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Everett Smithson
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Mary Cutrufello
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More Miscellaneous Photos from Day One 

   Chuck                                         

Reverend Raven

On Saturday, 07-31-10,  I went to Wilebski’s Blue Saloon in St. Paul to listen to some blues. It has been over 20 years since I was last there, but it has been closed since around 1990. Ted Wilebski opened it up again at the beginning of this year.  

Tonight’s blues band was Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Alter Boys. I called Ted Wilebski earlier in the afternoon to get permission to bring my camera.

Tonight’s performance was going to be the last one at this venue at the corner of Western Avenue and Thomas Ave. This upstairs establishment has a lot of character and history to it. Ted is moving to another venue on Rice Street, not too far away. I don’t remember the address, but when I find it out I’ll post it. 

Reverend Raven put on an excellent performance. During the evening he had some local friends, Mickey Bauer and Harold Tremblay (harp) of Cool Disposition, along with Willie Walker come up and join him during the evening. If you get a chance to see Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin'Alter Boys in person, go see them.  You’ll also enjoy the excellent sax playing. I know they will be up in Duluth at the Bayport Blues Festival.

I posted the photos to document the last performance at the old building. I hope you enjoy them. 

Sorry Reverend that I didn’t have any lights for a photo shoot afterwards. Maybe next time!. I’ll be prepared! I learned a lesson tonight. Always, always carry your speedlights/modifiers with you or in your vehicle. Many times I will have a speedlight with me, but since it was a bar I didn’t have a backpack. I just had a padded case for my 70-200 mm lens with me.

I just might have to go and see the Laurie Morvan Band this coming week-end at Ted’s new location.

Thanks Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Alter Boys for putting on an awesome performance!!!

Remember, you can click on a photo to enlarge it.

Ted Wilebski

Mickey Bauer of Cool Disposition on left

Harold Tremblay (harp), far left

Willie Walker, center

Next Show at the new venue!