On a personal note Michael, thank you for always keeping
Blues Guitar News, The Cruize Brothers & The Joe Pitts Band
listed and linked on your web and FaceBook sites.
Your fame never changed you, and you always stayed
who you were, a good guy and a true
Arkansas Blues Legend & friend.
www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/michael.k.burks
Blues Guitar News, The Cruize Brothers & The Joe Pitts Band
listed and linked on your web and FaceBook sites.
Your fame never changed you, and you always stayed
who you were, a good guy and a true
Arkansas Blues Legend & friend.
www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/michael.k.burks
| Blues Guitar News |
| Buy, Sell, Trade, Repair, eBay & Lessons. Guido's Hot Springs Music is a guitar shop owned, and operated by working musicians. Vintage, new, used and pro gear. A local musician's hang out in Central Arkansas. Call Guido: 501-655-6168 |
May 2012
Visit Chris Dair's web
site to hear his latest
songs, and see his
videos.
http://www.chrisdairmu
sic.net
site to hear his latest
songs, and see his
videos.
http://www.chrisdairmu
sic.net
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| by Mike Dollins www.mikedollins.biz |
| The oldest Underground Blues Network since 1988: Read by 64,000 blues fans worldwide. Join us at: www.facebook.com/pages/Blues-Guitar-News/347713458600953 |
On FaceBook
| R.I.P. Arkansas Blues Legend Michael Burks 1957 - 2012 |
Another great blues musician has unfortunately left us too soon.
Chicago-based Alligator Records artist Michael Burks collapsed in
customs at the Atlanta airport after returning from a European tour.
He was 54.
"He was rushed to the hospital, but they were unable to revive
them," Alligator Records owner Bruce Iglauer said in a post on his
Facebook page. "Michael was a sweet man, hugely talented and
deeply soulful. I was proud to have him call me his friend."
Chicago-based Alligator Records artist Michael Burks collapsed in
customs at the Atlanta airport after returning from a European tour.
He was 54.
"He was rushed to the hospital, but they were unable to revive
them," Alligator Records owner Bruce Iglauer said in a post on his
Facebook page. "Michael was a sweet man, hugely talented and
deeply soulful. I was proud to have him call me his friend."
Michael quite literally entered the world with blues in his blood. Joe
Burks, Michael’s grandfather, played acoustic Delta blues guitar in his
hometown of Camden, Arkansas. A multi-talented man, Joe was a
barber, carpenter and aviation mechanic in addition to playing in area
juke joints. Michael’s father, Frederick, was a bass player. For years,
Frederick Burks worked in Milwaukee steel mills and refineries during
the day and spent his evenings performing in the city’s smoky, dimly-lit
blues clubs, often backing harmonica legend Sonny Boy Williamson II,
as well as other touring blues stars and local front men.
Michael first held a guitar when he was two years old, and Frederick
immediately began teaching his son how to play. Equipped with a fully
functional, child-size guitar, the young Burks began emulating the bass
runs of his father. Soon he was learning scales and songs. By the age
of five, he was diligently studying his father’s 45s, aided by an effective
lesson plan. “I’ll give you a dollar if you learn this song by the time I’m
home from work,” Frederick would tell his young prodigy. Sure enough,
Michael would learn that tune inside out and sideways by the time his
father walked through the front door. Michael had begun to collect a
tall stack of dollar bills when the elder Burks realized his teaching
tactics were burning an unwanted hole in his wallet. Finally, Frederick
told his son, “Here’s another 45. You learn this one, and you’re gonna
get a lickin’.” But Michael kept practicing, and by the time he was six,
he played his first gig during a trip to his family’s hometown in
Arkansas. The fledgling guitarist took the stage with his cousin’s band
and thrilled an unsuspecting audience.
25th W.C. Handy Blues Awards 2004
Blues Instrumentalist-Guitar: Michael Burks
Blues Song of the Year: "I Smell Smoke" - writers, Jon Tiven, Sally
Tiven and Roger Reale - I Smell Smoke/Michael Burks
Contemporary Blues Album of the Year: Michael Burks - I Smell Smoke
- Alligator
Living Blues Guitarist of the Year Award 2004
21st W.C. Handy Blues Awards 2000
Blue Mountain Artists
Contact: Hugh Southard
Ph: 704.525.1559
Fx: 704.525.1561
Email: hugh@bluemountainartists.com
Web: www.bluemountainartists.com
Address: P.O. Box 680006
Charlotte, N.C. 28216
For Publicity/Record Label Information:
Alligator Records
Ph: 773-973-7736
Email: publicity@allig.com
Web: www.alligator.com
Address: P.O. Box 60234
Chicago,IL 60660
E-mail comments to Webmaster: mnblues@aol.com
Web Design & Hosting: BluesOnStage.com
Burks, Michael’s grandfather, played acoustic Delta blues guitar in his
hometown of Camden, Arkansas. A multi-talented man, Joe was a
barber, carpenter and aviation mechanic in addition to playing in area
juke joints. Michael’s father, Frederick, was a bass player. For years,
Frederick Burks worked in Milwaukee steel mills and refineries during
the day and spent his evenings performing in the city’s smoky, dimly-lit
blues clubs, often backing harmonica legend Sonny Boy Williamson II,
as well as other touring blues stars and local front men.
Michael first held a guitar when he was two years old, and Frederick
immediately began teaching his son how to play. Equipped with a fully
functional, child-size guitar, the young Burks began emulating the bass
runs of his father. Soon he was learning scales and songs. By the age
of five, he was diligently studying his father’s 45s, aided by an effective
lesson plan. “I’ll give you a dollar if you learn this song by the time I’m
home from work,” Frederick would tell his young prodigy. Sure enough,
Michael would learn that tune inside out and sideways by the time his
father walked through the front door. Michael had begun to collect a
tall stack of dollar bills when the elder Burks realized his teaching
tactics were burning an unwanted hole in his wallet. Finally, Frederick
told his son, “Here’s another 45. You learn this one, and you’re gonna
get a lickin’.” But Michael kept practicing, and by the time he was six,
he played his first gig during a trip to his family’s hometown in
Arkansas. The fledgling guitarist took the stage with his cousin’s band
and thrilled an unsuspecting audience.
25th W.C. Handy Blues Awards 2004
Blues Instrumentalist-Guitar: Michael Burks
Blues Song of the Year: "I Smell Smoke" - writers, Jon Tiven, Sally
Tiven and Roger Reale - I Smell Smoke/Michael Burks
Contemporary Blues Album of the Year: Michael Burks - I Smell Smoke
- Alligator
Living Blues Guitarist of the Year Award 2004
21st W.C. Handy Blues Awards 2000
Blue Mountain Artists
Contact: Hugh Southard
Ph: 704.525.1559
Fx: 704.525.1561
Email: hugh@bluemountainartists.com
Web: www.bluemountainartists.com
Address: P.O. Box 680006
Charlotte, N.C. 28216
For Publicity/Record Label Information:
Alligator Records
Ph: 773-973-7736
Email: publicity@allig.com
Web: www.alligator.com
Address: P.O. Box 60234
Chicago,IL 60660
E-mail comments to Webmaster: mnblues@aol.com
Web Design & Hosting: BluesOnStage.com
| Arkansas Blues Legend, Michael Burks 1957 to 2012, your talent is a tremendous loss to the Blues Community. Our heart felt prayers go out to your wife Bobbie, and your family. R.I.P. & tell Arkansas Blues Legend Albert King hello for us. You both leave an Arkansas Blues Legacy, and shoes not easily filled. |
2012 ARKANSAS RIVER BLUES SOCIETY ELECTIONS
ALL MEMBERS – Please come cast your vote in the 2012 Election of the Board on May 19, 2012 at
Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 314 Main Street, North Little Rock at the Arkansas River Blues Society’s Saturday
Night Jam. Jam begins at 8:00 P.M. (Poll closes at 10 P.M.) If you are not a member, please disregard this
email or… if you would like to become a member or renew your membership, come join us and do so at the jam
on May 19th. All members have a chance to vote. If you pass up that chance you really pass up your right to
complain about the Board later.
(Due to the fact we have out of state and out of country members and some members may be out of town) - You
may vote by e-mail but you will have to identify yourself so we can verify your membership. The deadline for
email will be May 17th.
To Vote by email contact Barbara Bearden bearden599@aol.com; or Therese Free theresefree@yahoo.com
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/profile.php?id=100001082993923
ALL MEMBERS – Please come cast your vote in the 2012 Election of the Board on May 19, 2012 at
Cornerstone Pub & Grill, 314 Main Street, North Little Rock at the Arkansas River Blues Society’s Saturday
Night Jam. Jam begins at 8:00 P.M. (Poll closes at 10 P.M.) If you are not a member, please disregard this
email or… if you would like to become a member or renew your membership, come join us and do so at the jam
on May 19th. All members have a chance to vote. If you pass up that chance you really pass up your right to
complain about the Board later.
(Due to the fact we have out of state and out of country members and some members may be out of town) - You
may vote by e-mail but you will have to identify yourself so we can verify your membership. The deadline for
email will be May 17th.
To Vote by email contact Barbara Bearden bearden599@aol.com; or Therese Free theresefree@yahoo.com
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/profile.php?id=100001082993923
Blues Jam Sun 5 to 9 pm
283 Highway 365, Conway, AR. 1
(501) 470-9045
283 Highway 365, Conway, AR. 1
(501) 470-9045
| Guitar Center's Annual Blues Guitar Contest Little Rock, Arkansas May 2012 |
| Blues Guitar News Now on FaceBook www.facebook.com/pages/Blues-Guitar-News/347713458600953 |
Cornerstone
Blues Guitar News Headquarters
Arkansas Blues
Highway 49
Highway 49
Anthony Guido Ciardetti
was born and raised in
Chicago, Illinois. In his
late twenties, he pulled up
roots and moved to Dallas,
Texas. In the late 80's,
Guido opened a guitar
shop in Dallas, and begin
playing bass with the
drumming legend Buddy
Miles. On taking a
vacation during the 90's to
a fishing paradise in Hot
Springs, Arkansas he fell
in love with the community,
and endless massive lakes
and serene forests that
surrounded the historic
community. Guido is
called the guitar guru, and
is found at Vintage Guitar
Shows around the country.
He also plays bass guitar
in the Blues Hall of Fame
Cruize Brothers Band.
was born and raised in
Chicago, Illinois. In his
late twenties, he pulled up
roots and moved to Dallas,
Texas. In the late 80's,
Guido opened a guitar
shop in Dallas, and begin
playing bass with the
drumming legend Buddy
Miles. On taking a
vacation during the 90's to
a fishing paradise in Hot
Springs, Arkansas he fell
in love with the community,
and endless massive lakes
and serene forests that
surrounded the historic
community. Guido is
called the guitar guru, and
is found at Vintage Guitar
Shows around the country.
He also plays bass guitar
in the Blues Hall of Fame
Cruize Brothers Band.
Guido's Hot Springs Music is a musician's hang out, and the best little guitar shop west of the Mississippi River. Local
guitar shops are few and far between these days, but you still can find personalized service at Hot Springs Music. Buy,
Sell, Trade, New, Used, Repair, Lessons, eBay, Consignment, Appraisals and Vintage Expertise. 501-625-ROCK
guitar shops are few and far between these days, but you still can find personalized service at Hot Springs Music. Buy,
Sell, Trade, New, Used, Repair, Lessons, eBay, Consignment, Appraisals and Vintage Expertise. 501-625-ROCK
Dallas, Texas Guitar Show
| Hot Springs Music 501-625-ROCK |
Guido, Guitar Guru
| Hot Springs Music: 812 Higdon Ferry Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913 501-655-6168 vintageguitarguru@yahoo.com www.hotspringsmusic.com |
Parrot Beach Cafe is the place to be in North Little Rock for Blues Jamming & Song Writer's Showcase
