Local Blues Performer Recovering Nicely...

Local blues talent, Artis "Bluesman" Bivens of Camden, AR had to miss his first large festival gig due to emergency surgery for a large growth in his chest. He had been scheduled to appear at historic Club Ebony, in Indianola, MS when a CAT scan revealed a possible problem.

He's back home now, and recovering nicely. All test results on the growth came back as completely benign, and he should recover completely in a few weeks. Artis was a frequent contributor to the now defunct weekly "Log Jams", as well as the monthly blues jams @ Einstein's, and has many friends & supporters in the South Ark area.

The "bluesman" worked long & hard in preparation for that festival appearance, so he's about to burst to get back on stage as soon as possible. He plans to make an appearance at the Tuesday Night Blues Jam @ The Big Easy in downtown Texarkana, at the earliest possible time he feels sufficiently recovered to do so.
The Big Easy jams are hosted by Blue Tuesday, of Texarkana, TX and are fronted by guitarist/vocalist, Miki Self.

Plans are also in the works to record a demo, as well as an EP Cd in the near future. There will be the definite possibility of some quality "guest artists" backing Artis on these recordings.

Drop on by his MySpace, and leave him a message if you're so inclined...
He has limited computer access, but does get to check his site every week or so.

Artis "Bluesman" Bivens on MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/artisquotbluesmanquotbivens

Get well, Bluesman!

Joe Pitts Band CD Release @ ArtBeats-7/28!

Saturday night, July 28th will bring highly-touted Arkansas guitarist, Joe Pitts, to ArtBeats Cafe' in El Dorado! A working musician for 30 years, and a frequent performer on the European continent... Joe Pitts certainly has the credentials to back up any accolades sent his way.

Backed by long-time friend & collaborator Jimmy Lynn on bass, as well as Nashville session drummer, David Bishop...The Joe Pitts Band is set to deliver a professional level show of the highest standards! This show will serve as a CD Release Party in South Arkansas for his newest CD entitled, Joe Pitts...Just A Matter Of Time. This CD also features some heavy-weight guest artists...John Davies - Bass Guitar(Cate Brothers/Jimmy Thackery/Michael Burks) and Jahleel Eli - Drums and Percussion (Eric Gales, Public Enemy/Movie - "Drumline").

A student at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, in Boston, Massachusetts...Joe Pitts has ran the gamut of experience on guitar. From player to student, as well as working musician to internationally touring artist...Joe's life has been one long musical journey. He's also served in the capacity as mentor to younger guitarists he's encountered along the way. Aspiring guitarist, Kelsey Camp, of El Dorado is one of the more recent youngsters he's "taken under his wing", and will perform a few selections with the band Saturday night.

When asked about his willingness to mentor younger musicians, Joe's reply was simple, yet full of meaning..."I've really kinda taken him and a couple of other kids, and put them ''under my wing'', because it's just all about passing on the information. These kids don't aspire to being a jukebox in the corner. They are growing into true "artists'', that craft their music the way it comes from the heart, instead of caving into the norm and being a jukebox, or in today's terminology...becoming an Ipod. I have a lot of respect for these kids, that truly want to learn, and truly want to be a musician. Not a player, there are tons of those...but, musicians. Even while life tends to get in the way of most, (you have to make a living), you can still aspire, and succeed in being a musician. If you can look back, and see that you have passed on what you were graciously awarded by your peers...then you have succeeded in being a musician".

With that sort of philosophy behind him, it's indeed no wonder this musician has excelled in all his endeavors. Whether it's with The Joe Pitts Band, or with Liquid Groove Mojo, his other
internationally touring act...you can be assured that with Joe, it's all about the music.

He goes on to say..."There are a lot of guys that have huge ego's, and can't play. There are guys that have huge ego's and can play great. Then, there are the ones that recognize, that in the big picture... they're just a regular ol' guy, that just happens to play music, and that the most important thing... is being a good human being to everyone, and all things living because, that transfers into your music. That's what people will feel. I would rather be known as a great ol' guy, who just happened to play music...than some Svengali that was a stellar player, but a waste of human life".

Come on out this Saturday night, and see for yourself how years of experience & training, as well as a selfless philosophy...translates into outstanding live music entertainment of the highest caliber.

Joe Pitts Band -MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/joepittsband

The Joe Pitts Band
July 28 - 9 pm Start
ArtBeats Cafe'
107 S. Jefferson Street
El Dorado, AR 71730
$5 Cover-All Ages Welcome!

STONING CAIN Returns To ArtBeats 7/27!

ArtBeats Cafe' in El Dorado has certainly risen to the fore as far as hosting live music is concerned here in South Arkansas. They've brought in every sort of music from acoustic performances & experimental to ambiance. It has crossed genre boundaries time & time again with it's invited performers, offering up a veritable cornucopia of musical styles.

This Friday night, they delve into the world of hard-rock as they welcome back local 4-pc STONING CAIN. This group seemingly appeared out of nowhere a few months back when they took second place overall out of 14 bands, and the People's Choice Award at the 2007 El Dorado Battle of the Bands back in May. In reality, this group had been behind the scenes for well over a year...practicing, developing original material, and basically establishing chemistry between the members.

Stylistically, this act fuses retro-style hard rock influences with elements of grunge, and at times, experimental & funk...always tied together with a driving low-end, and heavy back beat.
Their originals are very well constructed, and when asked how they arrived at these eclectic combinations in their music, the band's reply was, "We don't really differentiate between genres, & styles when it comes to what we consider to be good music. If it appeals to us, then we believe there'll be others who will enter into it as well." So far, this perspective has served them well in their efforts, as they have certainly garnered quite a loyal following in this area... as indicated by the numbers at their shows.

With opportunities outside of El Dorado already knocking at the door...it's a sure bet that STONING CAIN will soon have the chance to share that perspective, and to test that premise around the Ark-La-Tx region and beyond.

Come out this weekend, and support this up & coming local act on the rise as they rock the house at ArtBeats Cafe'!

STONING CAIN MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/stoningcain

ArtBeats Cafe' MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/artbeatscafe

STONING CAIN @ ArtBeats Cafe'
107 S. Jefferson ST.
El Dorado, AR 71730
9pm Start - $3 Cover
All Ages Welcome!

Back From Hiatus...El Dorado Scene!

Well, sometimes life intervenes... and things change. I was diligent to keep up with this blog for sometime, but soon was occupied with so many other things that something had to fall by the wayside...unfortunately, it was El Dorado Scene that fell...LOL!

Even though the music scene here in South Arkansas has diminished somewhat with the closing of a couple of venues, there have been some changes for the good as well. My intention is to pick back up where I left off, and begin updating this blog in a timely manner & continue reporting on the music scene here in El Dorado.

Just a few teasers:

ArtBeats Cafe' is the newest venue for live music in downtown El Dorado. Located at 107 South Jefferson St., and owned by local singer/songwriter, Chris Loggins...ArtBeats has really stepped into the breach as far as Live Music goes, and has provided a venue for young up & coming local & regional acts, as well as some veteran acts. Several CD release parties have been held there already, and more are slated for the future. With funky decor, and an outstanding selection of snacks, pizza, and eclectic beverages...ArtBeats has become somewhat of a local hang-out for the artsy crowd. Kudos to Chris Loggins for providing this outstanding place!

ArtBeats Cafe'
http://www.myspace.com/artbeatscafe

El Dorado's 2007 MusicFest is right around the corner! Slated for October 5 & 6th, and featuring headliners such as veteran rocker, Joan Jett, as well as country troubador, Tracy Lawrence...this is shaping up to be even bigger than last year's event. Other special guests will include Texas blues-rocker, Wes Jeans, & Little Rock, Arkansas' contemporary blues-man Billy Jones. With four primary stages offering up some of the best in local & regional talent, and two secondary stages for Karaoke competition, & talent shows...this two-day musical extravaganza is one of the state's best!

2007 El Dorado MusicFest
www.musicfesteldorado.com/pages/index.php?pid=1

That's all for this blog, but please do check back for more developments in the near future!