Joanne Mead rocks the blues at the young age of 72

By Laurie Morrisey

Music has been a part of Joanne Mead’s life since she was a small child. She was born and raised in Abington, Massachusetts. “Family, music, and sports were always in my heart. I would sit on the tippy edge of a piano stool and pump the pedals of an old player piano humming to the tunes of ‘Ma, He’s Making Eyes At Me,’ ‘Five Foot Two,’ and ‘Who Threw The Overalls in Ms. Murphy’s Chowder?’“ She said since she was about four years old she’d get a workout trying to pump the pedals on the player piano. “Sometimes it would take quite awhile to get through a song but I didn’t care and spent hours doing it.

.For Christmas, when she was five, she received a Ukulele. “I would play it for hours, trying to play the songs I pedaled to on the player piano. I’d also watch TV and strum along with Gene Autry and The Sons Of The Pioneers. I loved it all.” Several years later, she left her uke in an armchair and her dad accidentally sat on it and broke it. “I was so upset. But I soon had a bigger surprise. My family recognized my love of music and bought me my first guitar. I was so excited.”

As the years went along, she started singing and strumming country tunes. In high school her boyfriend also played and sang. After they started dating they started playing for school, church, and town events. “What fun we had. And it was great to find someone who shared my love for music. I was always a very shy person growing up and music was a way for me to connect with others. I came a long way from hiding behind my mother’s skirts and being frightened to talk in school. I have music to thank for that.”

Then life happened. Joanne went to Bridgewater State Teacher’s College in Massachusetts, graduated, receiving a major in Physical Education with a minor in Science. While in college she sang and played a variety of music for several events.

She taught one year in elementary school, then got married in 1962 and moved to the great Northwest. She taught at Portland’s Franklin and Washington High School for many years.

She raised a family of five kids. She lost two children, which was a very difficult time in her life. “During those times of sadness, I remember playing the piano and bass guitar for hours and hours which I truly believe helped me heal. Music seems to have a healing power.”

When her children were young, they were all involved in music. “At four years of age and up, we were a small scale family band, performing at school and church functions. I fondly remember those days,” Joanne said

Currently, her oldest son, Steve, shares her love of music and is playing in a band in Washington, D.C. “We share stories on the phone about our weekly musical highlights. He sings and plays the keyboard and guitar—I guess all his years of piano lessons was a really good thing,” she said.

Since raising her family took a lot of her energy, there was a long period of time where there wasn’t a lot of time for music. Then seven years ago, at the age of 65, she felt it was time to continue her love of music. “With the encouragement and some pushing from a friend, I purchased a keyboard. It wasn’t long before I was singing and playing for seniors at assisted living facilities and other similar places. It’s great to see what music can communicate to others. There have been times when the people couldn’t even talk, but were smiling, swaying to the music, and playing air piano or air violin.”

Joanne says she was shy growing up, but always had the desire and dream to be in a band—not a front person, but in the background. She checked out the newspaper ads to see what musicians wanted. It seemed like everyone wanted drummers or bass players. “I’ve always heard chords and harmonies in my mind. I decided the bass was it, plus I would sort of be in the background if I was a bass player,” Joanne said.

She shyly walked into Music Man Studio in Wilsonville to check out bass teachers. Greg Stipkala was it and he gave her a wonderful start. Her brother bought her a bass. She practiced for hours and hours, still wondering if she could fulfill her lifelong dream of playing in a band and bringing inspiration to others.

After a year Greg said she was ready to move to another teacher. Joanne decided she also needed to take piano lessons to learn to read music better. Bonnie Lee Bluestone gave her a wonderful base in that area and helped her bass playing.

“After hearing Bonnie Lee at the Trails End Saloon, I ran into both the talented Leah Hinchcliff and Lisa Mann. It was quite a wonderful musical out of body experience to hear all these terrific musicians. I had lived a very sheltered life growing up and the big door at Trails End was the first time I had ever been in a bar restaurant musical venue. I took a huge breath just before opening the door. People always laugh when I tell them that.”

Shortly after that, Joanne started lessons with Leah. “She is a great teacher plus a terrifically talented musician. For five fun years she worked with me and was so encouraging.” And Leah has great things to say about Joanne, too. “I’ve been impressed, inspired and uplifted by Joanne’s zest for life, her hunger for musical knowledge and her seemingly tireless ability to practice. She has had a positive impact on me personally and the music community. I love telling people about my ‘student’, the ‘Rock and Roll Grandma’ aka ‘Grandma Funk’. She is truly a treasure,” Leah said.

Additionally, Joanne took two years of vocal lessons from vocalist/musician Ellen Whyte. Joanne says that Ellen has been a great supportive friend and a huge encouragement in her life. Ellen has equally kind words about Joanne: “Joanne is a force on the local music scene. She's inspiring, genuine and adorable! She's known as ‘Grandma Funk,’ and when audiences half her age come see her perform, they're astounded at the unstoppable energy she brings to the music.”

Others who helped Joanne along the way with her training include Jonathan Chase, Sean Knowland, Sandin Wilson, and Ken Brewer.

“I owe a big thanks to all the excellent teachers and friends who taught and supported me toward fulfilling my life long dream. Of course along with the excellent instruction it takes a lot of really hard work and organization of one’s life and jobs. I know that when you’re my age and starting something new which involves the brain and fingers it’s really hard. Also, I didn’t realize basses are as heavy as they are until I picked one up,” Joanne said.

When she’s not playing music, Joanne operates a pet boarding and training facility called Whiskey Hill Arabians and Kennel. They board dogs, cats, and horses, with birds, turtles, snakes, ferrets occasionally coming in. Two of her children work with her in this family business.

When asked about musical influences, Joanne said watching the old country singers on TV started her off. Patsy Cline was a big influence, along with big band music and the jazz of George Shearing. She also admired many of the blues artists and singers she loved to listen to, such as Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Eva Cassidy, and lots of those wonderful Motown groups and vocalists.

Joanne tends to keep busy with her musical exploits. She plays with four bands so that means practices on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Then gigs on Fridays and Saturdays. When most people her age are retiring, this lady is going stronger than ever.

As you can tell, Joanne loves many styles of music. She said her father was an inspiration when she was growing up. He sang all the time and chorded on an old Thomas organ (which she hauled here all the way from Massachusetts). He had an untrained opera voice. She says her brother, a wonderful pianist, also inspired and encouraged her to pursue her dreams in the later years.

Describing her musical styles she says when she’s in senior entertaining mode, she sings and plays country with her keyboard and even does some yodeling.

When playing with the Drop Dead Red Band, she plays a large variety of music including blues. “I love the blues as it tells many life stories in songs. There are so many wonderful talented blues musicians in this Portland area. I love to hear them when I am not gigging,” Joanne said.

When playing with Lace And Whiskey, she plays mostly country music with a little blues mixed in. They do a lot of originals, from writers Joe and Deidra.

She also plays in a trio called The Hot Flash Express. This band plays a variety of styles of music from down and gritty blues to pop, rock, soul, and even country. River Wylde, drummer and lead vocalist, brings years of national touring experience to the trio along with Kelly Duncan, keyboardist, guitarist, flautist, and vocalist from Australia.

River Wylde has great things to say about Joanne. “I have worked with many musicians and have rarely found someone with the enthusiasm, professionalism and commitment to music that Joanne exhibits. She proves, day in and day out, that if you love something, it is never too late and you should follow your dreams.”

Her fourth band, The Time Drifters, plays a variety of music from blues, rock, and country. Many of the tunes they play are ones from her high school days.

Before playing with the current bands she said she played with many good bands down in Florida. She was asked to tour with a band down there and the leader had played with The Allman Brothers Band. Unfortunately she came down with cancer and was unable to do this.

Joanne received instruction from many of the well known national bass players such as Chuck Rainey (the bass godfather), Anthony Wellington (bass player with Victor Wooten Band), Mel Brown (leader of Tonight Show band), Bobby Vega ( fill-in for Roc For Tower of Power).

She also played with the Undercover Band and was co-leaders with Dan Hess. Joanne said this was “a fun-filled four years of musical gigs. Dan was not only a good musician but really great at getting the gigs and fill-in players when needed. I appreciate all that musical experience during that time.”

Joanne has played with Sonny Hess, Ellen Whyte, Nayibe Rojas, Rae Gordon, Kelly Halter, Kimberly Hall, and many others who have really inspired her along the way—a group of truly talented vocalists and musicians. “I thank them all.”

“Music is a lot like life. There are so many parts of it along with its up and downs. Music speaks to us in many different languages. We can pick and choose what we want to listen to, dance to, play to. Each style brings something new to you. It has a sort of magical power and can bring joy, hope, and healing to those who listen or play. I have first hand experience from losing two of my children and having had cancer,” Joanne said.

Joanne’s motto is: “It’s never too late to try something new!” At age 72, she continues to play on—she has music in her heart and wants to share it.

“I want to thank all my band mates in all the bands I am in. I enjoy each and every one of them. I am fortunate to play with all of these wonderful, talented musicians. They are helping me fulfill my dream and perhaps it will have spillover effect when others see us perform. I also want to thank my family who has been so supportive along the way,” she said.

In closing, Joanne has words of wisdom to impart: “Live life to the fullest—work hard, play hard, be kind, caring and honest. I have a passion for music that has lived inside of me for years. It lights up my life and I hope others can see this spark when I perform and in some small way it can help them.”

2012 Journey To Memphis Is Set

The line-up for the 2012 Cascade Blues Association Journey To Memphis competition has been set to determine our next representatives at the 2013 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN in February. Eleven acts have submitted applications this year and each will play 30 minute sets before three judges over two nights, Friday, June 1^st and Saturday, June 2^nd at The Trail’s End Saloon in Oregon City. The top two scoring acts from each night will move on to compete in the finals on July 4^th at the Waterfront Blues Festival. Admission is $10 each night.

Times were drawn at random for each act and are as follows (subject to change):

 

Friday, June 1^st:

9:00 – Rae Gordon Band

9:40 – Jason Thomas

10:20 – Tommy Hogan Band

11:00 – Ben Rice

11:40 – Franco & The Stingers

 

Saturday, June 2^nd:

8:30 – Chad Rupp & The Ruppshakers

9:10 – Patio Pete

9:50 – Mac Potts Band

10:30 – Lisa Mann & Her Really Good Band

11:10 – The Muddy Sons

11:50 – The Vicki Stevens Band

Blues In The Schools; Are You A Blues Educator?

The Blues In The Schools program brings blues musicians into the classroom to teach musical appreciation and historical relevancy with entertaining live presentations. We offer our program to local public and private school systems, community centers and institutions free of charge. For two years now I have had the privilege to represent the CBA as the BITS director, and have sang blues music with full assemblies of kids, and over 25 classrooms. Kids love to sing and clap along, and are the next generation of musicians and blues fans!

As we all know, music education in school has been in long decline due to budget restraints. There is a large and growing call from the education community for assistance from programs like BITS that can provide not only music education, but also positive cultural and community outreach.

We believe it is now time to expand the BITS program, and build a larger team of blues educators that can better serve the needs of our schools. If you are interested in, or have experience in blues education, and would like to help build a bigger BITS program, contact Jason Thomas at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

JT

 

A Tribute To Muddy Waters

"Mannish Boy", "Hoochie Coochie Man", "Natural Born Lover", "Crawlin' Kingsnake". These were all titles of songs by the great Muddy Waters. Many of his songs dealt with his manliness and sexual prowess. Check out "My John The Conquerer Root', "You Need Love", "Lover Man", and of course his show stopper "Got My Mojo Working". Back in the fifties when Muddy was at the top of his game, you had to move the ladies and prove that you were the MAN! Especially in Chicago, when you were going up against the talents of Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter!

Muddy for years maintained what was thought of as THE Chicago Blues Band. He always had the very best harmonica players, with Little Walter, Big Walter, Junior Wells, James Cotton and George "Harmonica" Smith. He also had some of the greatest piano players with

Otis Spann, Little Johnny Jones and Pinetop Perkins. And his choice of guitar players was also outstanding with Jimmy Rogers, Earl Hooker, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Luther Tucker, Pat Hare and Buddy Guy. Many, many other great Bluesmen cut their teeth performing with the Muddy Waters Chicago Blues Band. The icing on the cake was that Voice! There was no other like it. It was said that when Muddy walked into a room, you felt as though you were in the presence of a King or a very dignified person. That's how he carried himself. And don't forget his guitar work. It never really changed much from Mississippi to Chicago, except from acoustic to electric, but how he could strum those strings. Muddy Waters - the King of the Chicago Blues!

On Friday, May 4th, some of Northwest's most devoted Muddy Waters fans will get together for a Tribute To Muddy - at Duff's Garage - located at 1635 SE 7th St, in Portland, OR. Performing all Muddy Waters tunes that evening will be Harmonica players and vocalists,

Jim Wallace, Bill Rhoades, and Mitch Kashmar. Also on the bill will be stellar guitarist Alan Hager, bass master Albert Reda and the fabulous Jeff Minnick on drums. All of these artists wore out Muddy's records growing up and each will present their own take of Muddy's fantastic

song catalog. There will also be some special guests that evening who will remain a surprise until show time. Don't miss this show. The last few years have been sold out. "A Tribute to the King of the Chicago Blues" --- MUDDY WATERS.

This is a CBA co-sponsored event, so make sure you bring your membership card to receive a $1 discount on admission. Showtime is 9:00 pm.