The Man Can Blow....Mark Hummel! (Pt. 2)

The past decade has seen the emergence of young harmonica-led Blues bands. In California, groups that draw their inspiration from the Chicago school but add elements of jump Blues and rock 'n' roll into the mix have come up with an exciting new style of West Coast Blues. In Oakland, the northern capital of California Blues, resides the incredibly powerful harmonica player and vocalist Mark Hummel, leader of The Blues Survivors, who has been a major force in shaping and defining this musical genre.

Mark Hummel is a road warrior - a true Blues Survivor. Along the way, he has crafted his own trademark harmonica sound - a subtle combination of tone, phrasing and attack combined with a strong sense of swing. While Mark is new to Electro Fi Records, his earlier albums, constant touring and appearances at the major Blues festivals have firmly established his solid reputation around the US and Europe.

Mr. Hummel has raised the bar of Bluesharp playing to new heights. The man is not only a gentleman but a scholar as well. He knows every harp player who ever lived that made a record or CD.

Mark also explains to BP's listeners, how the harmonica works, the amplifiers he uses and the various types of harp playing. For instance, I didn't know there were three distinct ways to play a harmonica. No wonder I could never "get it".

Part Two of this show starts with a political song ("Gotta Make A Change") written by Mark Hummel and we see that John Rhys and Mark Hummel aggree that things need to change significantly on Capitol Hill. They also discuss the organization, Music Maker Relief Foundation, which helps elder Blues musicians and contributors to the music of Southern heritage make ends meet in these troubled times.

Part Two also includes songs from Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Jimmy Reed, Billy Boy Arnold and Sonny Boy Williamson. A real treat for me was to sit and play a live tune with Mr. Hummel ("Stranger Blues") that went very well and something I have never done on BluePower before. I don't think most folks who tune in know I am a player. Sometimes I wonder myself.

If you like harp men as much as I do, you will certainly enjoy Part Two of this series with a true virtuoso of the instrument....Mr. Mark Hummel.

John Rhys/BluePower.com

Click to hear....The Man Can Blow....Mark Hummel (Pt. 2)

Gene Summers Enters Southern Legends Hall Of Fame!

Several weeks ago I was asked to induct Mr. Gene Summers into the Southern Legends Entertainment and Performing Arts Hall Of Fame. The pleasure was all mine.

My friend David and I made our way to a place called The El Cid which looked in every way like a Mexican restaurant.

As we walked downstairs, we found a scene we had not expected. What we found were hundreds of young folks of all nationalities, dressed in complete 50's style. DAs and pegged pants with a buckle in the back. Hell! I hadn't seen those clothes since I was in high school and the vision brought back many great memories.

Gene Summers, the man who I was to induct, hit the stage and delivered a firebreathing show, complete with all the moves and energy of a twenty year old man. We were amazed.

Mr. Summers, hailing from Dallas, Texas, has made many recordings that made the charts; played all the TV shows of the era and sold quite well. His recording of "Big Blue Diamond", a song Gene wrote, was covered by Jerry Lee Lewis and shot to the top of the charts. His other songs have been covered by everyone in the business at one time or another.

Mr. Summers has spent his life dedicated to making music and to this day, is on the road doing what he loves most....entertaining.

If Gene plays in your town, and you want to have a real great time, make sure you stop in to see him. And don't forget....tell him BluePower sent you.

Thanks to Miss Tayva for the picture above.

John Rhys/BluePower.com

Click here to visit Gene Summers website!
Click here to visit The Southern Legends and Entertainment Arts Hall Of Fame!