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Behind the Scenes- by LynnAnn Hyde
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Behind the Scenes- by LynnAnn Hyde
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Behind The Scenes is a monthly inclusion that profiles some of the outstanding contributors to our Blues community. Without the efforts of these fine folks, we could not enjoy such diverse and plentiful live Blues shows and events that promote and feature Blues artists and music.
As always, I am humbled by the ENORMITY of our Behind The Scenes subjects' contributions! These folks have done SO MUCH to keep Blues music up-front and thriving. Again, I feel honored to inform our membership about some of the wonderful stuff that these great guys and gals do for OUR ART ... It amazes me, and really makes me feel good about being a very small part of it!
If you have a Behind The Scenes story or profile candidate, the BluesNotes wants to hear from you! You can send something by mail, e-mail, or just talk to Rick Hall (BluesNotes Editor) or any other CBA board member!
For most of us, Bob Ancheta is the lively on-air host of one of the longest running Blues shows on the West Coast
(Sunday Night Blues with
Bob Ancheta, KINK
102 FM, Portland). We know him as a guy that literally has been turning generations of Northwesterners on to Blues since 1970 (with his first radio show at
KVAN in Vancouver, Washington) and also as a stage manager and music promoter in the 70's at the
Paramount Theater.
For those of us that are new to Portland, (I have lived here since '92, but am reminded daily by Portlanders that I am new), Bob makes a great study for a nearly lifelong dedication of promoting Blues.
Bob Ancheta not only programs Blues on-air, but supports and promotes a fair share of local and regional artists that may not be getting the sort of exposure he can offer on his "Sunday Night Blues show". He also wants to help educate folks about the music he loves so much, so has his pal (and great harmonica player!) David Flack on hand for discussion about some of the players and music styles, origins, etc. Dave is well known as our "Harmonipath Deluxe" and can tell you ALL about the harmonica .... Again, Bob working with artists and "experts" in the field of study! Along those lines, Bob credits B.B. King and Howard Slobodin for personally connecting with him, and for taking the time to turn him onto the Blues.
Some of the other cool stuff you might want to know about Mr. Ancheta concerns his character, and the way he integrates his love for the Blues into the real lives of others. Bob has done a lot of charity stuff for our communities! Getting him to talk about it is like pulling teeth, but I knew some stuff already! For example, Bob MC'd at a Blues in Prison event in March at the federal correctional institute at Sheridan. These are always done "pro bono", and he was right on with his role as speaker and MC. Bob has also assisted The Oregon Food Bank each year with the Waterfront Blues Festival duties that include announcing acts and providing other announcers for the multiple stages and acts. Bob has also helped to locate acts for the festival over the years. Another local institution which Bob helped to get going was the "Need To Read" benefit concert series, wherein Bob MC'd and hooked up with guys like Jimmy Thackery and Tinsley Ellis to provide some great Blues. Bob routinely supports community charity events by promoting them on air, and through his presence there!
Bob would like to believe that he is not exceptional in the many ways he honors Blues music and artists, but he is! Always quick to credit someone else, Bob is an authority on Blues artists and their respective styles, their labels, their work. He is also a real human being with a great heart! My thanks to MR. BIG BA!
Joan Semprebon first got hooked on the Blues in San Francisco in 1980, walking into a bar in the middle of the day and hearing Charlie
Musselwhite. That was it! A year later she moved to Boston and listened religiously to
David Herwaldt's "Out of the Blues" show on MIT's radio station
WMBR in Cambridge.
Joan also put in time at WMBR for a few years.
Some of you may remember that Joan served two years on the CBA's Board of Directors as the Treasurer.
Aunt Joan hosts, engineers and produces the show "Blue Rhythm" (alternates with Tom Wendt's "Blue Zone") Saturdays 6:00 to 8:00 pm on KBOO 90.7 FM. Joan has interviewed several top-notch regional and national Blues artists such as Chris Mercer, Charlie Musselwhite and author Peter Guralnick. She also produces KBOO's annual all-day "Blues Fest" with many guest DJs and live local Blues music. This last Waterfront Blues Festival, Joan coordinated 40 hours of KBOO's live broadcasting of the Festival.
Joan is also an accomplished videographer - with some of her work in the Smithsonian Archives of American Art. She is currently working on a video of Blues musicians and DJs. She is a substitute Art teacher for Portland Public Schools and continues to challenge her own intellect with on going education in music theory and application in bass and vocals. Joan Semprebon has a web page, and her e-mail address is: bluerhythm@triax.com KBOO's web site is www.kboo.org.
My thanks to Joan for her many years of service to the Blues community and my hopes for many, many more!
© 2000 Cascade Blues Association