From The Archives Of Something Blue April 16, 2023
Thanks Marty. Today we’re going to hear the Queen of Memphis Blues sing a song her husband wrote about his ex.
Vivian and I have known Reba Russell and her husband Wayne since the nineties, back in the Blues-L days. I’ve heard her play at The King Biscuit Blues Festival, the Arkansas Roots Festival, and the KASU Blue Monday and Bluesday Tuesday shows. Before the pandemic my band, The Emporium Orkestra, would entertain blues fans at The Biscuit with our morning shows and Reba and Wayne would stop by to listen and eat breakfast.
The song we’re hearing today was recorded at KASU Bluesday Tuesday on November 13, 2012. I was singing with Delta Vox at Riceland Hall that night so Mike Doyle, who was then the station manager at KASU, made the recordings. And since I couldn’t run sound for Reba, Mike asked Sonny Burgess to do the sound work. As you will hear, they both did great.
Reba introduces the band including Doug McMinn on drums. Doug is the son of Papa Don McMinn, another Memphis Blues Legend. Don McMinn passed away in 2017.
And then there’s a whole story about the song that Wayne wrote for his ex-wife. I’m gonna let Reba tell you about that, better than I possibly could.
So now, here’s Reba Russell, singing the Wayne Russell song, “Almost A Memory” at KASU Bluesday Tuesday on November 13, 2012.
Memphis Blues Society Obituary for Papa Don McMinn
www.facebook.com/memphisbluessociety/posts/obituary-for-papa-don-mcminnhomer-l-don-mcminn-also-known-as-papa-don-blues-musi/1168845856555489/
Department of Music to present ASU Jazz Bands and Vocal Jazz Groups in ‘Singing into Spring,’ Nov. 13
www.astate.edu/news/department-of-music-to-present-asu-jazz-bands-and-vocal-jazz-groups-in-singing-into-spring-nov-13
From The Archive February 14, 2021 – Reba Russell – “At Last”
From The Archive February 14, 2021 – Reba Russell – “At Last”
Reba Russell website
www.rebarussell.com/
music
And that’s Reba Rusell singing her husband Wayne’s song, “Almost A Memory”, recorded at KASU Bluesday Tuesday on November 13, 2012. Don’t miss Something Blue, Saturday night at 10:00, to hear Melvin Seals and the Kyle Hollingsworth Band.
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Something blue – Bright – 29 second spot
This is Hairy Larry inviting you to enjoy Something Blue every Saturday night at ten. This week we’re featuring Melvin Seals and the Kyle Hollingsworth Band. For more about the show visit the Something Blue website at sbblues.com.
Don’t miss Something Blue, Saturday night at 10:00 PM CST, at kasu.org.
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Now Online – Something Blue – Convinced