Contact: Erin Jaimes
Tel.        (512) 445-6002
Mobile:   (512) 791-3378
Email: erin@erinjaimes.com

BENEFIT FOR “UNCLE” JOHN TURNER FEATURING JOHNNY WINTER
August 1, 2007
Antone’s
Austin, Texas

Born and raised in Port Arthur, Texas, “Uncle” John Turner is one of the founders of the blues-rock style of drumming and a Texas legend. He started his career with Jerry LaCroix, played with Tommy Shannon in the Johnny Winter Band (including the first two records and Winters’ Woodstock performance), and played in Stevie Ray Vaughan’s original Austin band, Krackerjack (along with Shannon, Bruce Bowland, Jesse Taylor, Robin Syler and John Stahely). Since the early days, he has played and/or recorded with countless artists, including B. B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Junior Wells, Lightnin' Hopkins, Johnny Copeland, Albert Collins, Willie Dixon and Lazy Lester.

Creating a power rhythm section with veteran bassist Appa Perry, Turner co-founded Blues Power, a band which heavily affected Austin’s blues scene throughout the late 1990s. Blues Power rotated noted musicians such as Matthew Robinson, Alan Haynes, Hector Watt, George Rarey and Mark Goodwin while bringing up the next generation of Austin’s blues talent – Gary Clark, Jr., Matt Farrell, Mike Keller, Eve Monsees and Erin Jaimes, to name a few.

Mr. Turner has been crucial to the survival and passing-on of the Blues in Austin, as a drummer, singer, overall performer, and constant mentor.

Now Austin’s Blues community is rallying behind “Unc” because he is in desperate need of a liver transplant. The financial requirements are staggering and - in a sadly rare instance – the musical community and the people of our city have the opportunity to give back to this musician who has given so much to us all!

The donation at the door during the benefit at Antone’s will bear great rewards. Johnny Winter is headlining on the event – a rare Austin appearance (9:30PM). Tommy Shannon has enlisted Unc’s proteges Mike Keller and Carolyn Wonderland, along with Barry “Frosty” Smith, Malford Milligan, Cole El Saleh and Bruce Bowland, to play (8:00PM). Erin Jaimes with Eve Monsees and Tony Redman, also Unc’s students, will open the show (7:00PM). Alan Haynes, with whom Unc played for years, will play a late set (11:15PM), followed by a Blues Power Reunion (12:30PM until closing time).

KGSR’s Jody Denberg will be emceeing the event. There will be a silent auction with a slew of eclectic Austin items to bid on, from cooking lessons at Hudson’s on the Bend to signed guitars.

Auction item donations are still being gratefully accepted.

The official benefit website, at which PayPal donations can be made to the “Uncle” John Turner Fund, is www.uncathon.com .

If you’d like further information about the benefit, or to request photos or interviews, please contact Erin Jaimes at erin@erinjaimes.com  or call (512) 791-3378.

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