|
JOHNNY
WINTER PERFORMING IN SAN ANTONIO TO HELP
AILING MUSIC LEGEND
by
Jerry Clayworth
One
of the truly original & iconic figures in Texas blues and
rock-n-roll history, guitarist Johnny Winter, is making his first
San Antonio visit in over ten years this month, and it's for a very
special reason.
Winter will roll into Texas Pride Barbecue (2980 E. Loop 1604,
San Antonio/Adkins, TX) on Tuesday, July 31st, to
headline a show benefiting his longtime friend & drummer of the
original Johnny Winter Band, Uncle John Turner. Funds raised by this
event will aid in covering the mounting medical bills from his
long-fought battle against Hepatitis C, and in paying for Turner's
desperately-needed liver transplant.
Johnny's long-awaited return to the Alamo city comes hot on the
heels of his latest Grammy nominated CD, 'I'm A Bluesman'. Just
three days before this show, he will have also just performed as one
of the headliners for Eric Clapton's 2007 'Crossroads Festival' in
Chicago. Though suffering a brief health setback himself a couple of
years ago, Johnny Winter is clearly back with a vengeance, and has
been selling out nearly every venue he's played over the past year &
a half!
Uncle John Turner, or 'Unc' as he's known to his friends is
widely credited as being one of the creators of the Texas blues-rock
drumming style in the mid-1960's. Along with Winter, and future
Double Trouble bassist Tommy Shannon, the trio would record some of
the defining early albums of the genre, and even perform at the
Woodstock Festival. In late 1970, Turner & Shannon moved to Austin
and formed Krackerjack, which included a teenage Stevie (Ray)
Vaughan as one of it's guitarists. In the years to follow, Unc would
jam with a Who's-Who of blues & rock heavyweights. His resume boasts
names like Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins,
Freddie King, Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, Jerry LaCroix, Willie
Dixon, and the list goes on & on.
Never one to rest on his huge laurels, Turner has remained a (very)
active part of the Texas music scene, playing with numerous veteran
& up-and-coming musicians, regularly touring throughout Europe &
Scandinavia (where he is revered), and even holding down a couple of
long-running residencies hosting his own popular blues jams in
Austin.
I first met Uncle John a little over a dozen years ago, and through
that period I can't recall a time that I saw him when he didn't have
a warm 'hello', a handful of unusual facts about anything from
European culture to the migration patterns of butterflies, or a
music history lesson based on his own career experiences. And if
you're around him for any length of time you'll probably be treated
to all of the above!
Though his health has prohibited Unc from performing in recent
months, friends report that he is chomping at the bit to get back
behind the drumkit, and is ready to start planning his next tour of
Sweden.
Doctors have said that Unc's need for a new liver is at the most
critical stage possible, and they've moved him toward the top of the
national transplant list. The only thing standing between Turner and
his life-saving transplant is the funds to pay for it. There is a
coordinated effort underway by many of Turner's friends to organize
benefit events in Austin, Houston, and of course this one right here
in San Antonio.
In addition to Soul Man Johnny Winter, there are a number of very
special guests that are pending confirmation as well. One amazing
talent that will also perform that night is Austin's Stevie
Tombstone, who plans to kick the show off with a gritty set of
southern roadhouse dobro blues. You might call Tombstone a 'legend
in the making'!
Advance tickets for the show will be on sale soon at Texas Pride
Barbecue for only $25, and will be available at the door while they
last. There is also going to be a very limited number of
premium-priced tickets which will include a personal Meet & Greet
with Johnny Winter himself, as well as an opportunity to have your
picture taken with the Texas legend & future Rock & Roll Hall Of
Famer. In addition, there will plenty of raffle items, a silent
auction for numerous autographed memorabilia pieces, concert
posters, and much more.
All
net proceeds raised (after production expenses) will go directly to
Uncle John Turner's medical & transplant fund. For further info log
onto:
www.myspace.com/samusicgrinder, or call Texas Pride
Barbecue at
(210) 649-3730.
|