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Eric Cila Presents A Double Billing:Walker T. Ryan,
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Eric Cila Presents A Double Billing:Walker T. Ryan,
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Blues lovers put on your dancin' shoes because the spacious Viscount Ballroom
is going to be jumpin' as well as swingin'. Better known for having Swing bands
on Friday nights, club owner Eric Cila is turning the place on
to Blues every Thursday, beginning May 9th. The traditional sound
of an acoustic act will start the night off. Next, a dance band offering a particular
Blues style-like Chicago or West Coast, will have the rest of the night rockin'.
The bands scheduled to perform will be local acts, as well as acts from Eugene
or Seattle.
Opening the entertainment for the kickoff is Walker T. Ryan. His intense, richly textured, finger picking guitar style with it's driving rhythms emerges from a lifetime spent in the Roots styles of the old Blues players. The conviction in Walker's singing style comes from deep within the tradition of the Delta Blues and Black Folk Music of the last century. Walker, the son of actor Robert Ryan, has appeared with numerous bands, such as Leon Russell, Taj Mahal, Little Richard, Roy Rogers, Tab Benoit and The Blind Boys of Alabama. The late Ken Kesey once said, "Walker T. Ryan is a Blues icon."
Following this great act will be what The Downtowner called "One of the all time great local Blues bands" and a winner of the "Muddy Award," Bill Rhoades & The Party Kings. Bill has received (numerous times) the Cascade Blues Association's "Muddy Award" for "Best Blues Harp" and the band has received the award in the past for "Best New Act". The band has had the pleasure of backing up many legendary Blues artists including, Albert Collins, Sonny Rhodes, J.J. Malone and Mike Bloomfield. You won't want to miss this show or any of the future ones. If you haven't had a chance to dance at the Viscount Ballroom yet, come on out to this joint and dig them ol' time Blues.
The Viscount Ballroom is located at 7th and E. Burnside (21 and over only). The show begins at 8 pm and the admission is only $5. CBA members will receive a $1 discount with a current membership. For your dining enjoyment, the Viscount has great menu items, too. For more info call 503-233-7855.
- Mercedez Cruz
© 2002 Cascade Blues Association