Hard to believe I've been involved with the Tosco Music Party for over
9 years now. Wow. If I hadn't taken guitar lessons at CPCC, then I
wouldn't have met John Tosco (my instructor), and I wouldn't have ended
up offering to do the TMP website (I've been webmaster ever since!), I
wouldn't have asked to be on the Advisory Committee...but I probably
would have become a volunteer somewhere along the road. The group
that's involved are some of the hardest working, most dedicated, warm
and funny group of folks I'm blessed to be associated with. It is
controlled chaos behind the scenes, but we always manage to get through
it all with bigger hearts and rewarded ears. This year's TMP was
probably the most diverse group of performers I've ever seen, and all
of them were welcomed and appreciated by the (again) sold out crowd at
CPCC Halton Theatre. And, lucky for me, I was in the right place at
the right time, and got to sing the last song (The Times They Are A
Changin', appropriately enough), on that big ol' stage with the
singalong choir and whatever other performers were around at the time.
Great way to end the "early" part of the night...on to..
Contagious Blues Band who easily impressed the TMP crowd earlier, and
then headed over to the Double Door for their show to raise funds to
get them to and from Memphis, TN for the annual International Blues
Challenge. Since we stayed until the end of TMP, and took over
selling merch for Contagious at the end of the night..selling almost
every last CD they had!...we arrived at the DD and the show was already
in full high gear..and the fans were packed in tight. I grabbed an
open spot on the side of the stage, and a beer from 99.7's Smokin' Bluz
Man, Rick Ballew, and let those rockin' blues carry me on through the
night. It's been a long time since I've seen Contagious. The vocals,
harmonies, 2 guitars, drums and bass are tighter together now than they
ever have been. Hank has to be one of the best lead guitarists
around. And having Joey beside him on slide and rhythm and vocals
added a powerful punch. Add in Junior on drums (the original founding
member of Contagious Blues Band) and Bolt on Bass (and also BOTH on
lead and backup vocals, too!) makes this band one rich, soulful, strong
presence in the Blus Community. I don't want to jinx them before the
competition..but Memphis watch out.
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