Memphis Gold at Bangkok Blues

2008-0308_Stacy_and_Memphis_at_Bangkok_Blues-138
Originally uploaded by NoVARon

I went to Bangkok Blues on March 8 to see Melanie Mason and Stacy Brooks. In addition to her own music, Stacy has been busy putting together benefits for Chester Chandler, aka Memphis Gold, the Washington DC area blues singer and guitarist who had been a growing international reputation prior to falling out of a tree which he was clearing for a friend (His day job is in the tree clearing business). He suffered quite significant injuries, but is on the long road to recovery. Last weekend Stacy hosted a birthday party for Memphis Gold at which he did perform, Prior to Stacy's performance he arrived using a walker, accompanied by some friends. Later mid-way through Stacy's set, she did a performance of Hound Dog and strolled through the audience including stopping with Memphis who sang with her. Then she brought him up and he sang and borrowed guitarist Jeremy Boyle's guitar doing really strong renditions of "Big Legged Woman", "Big Boss Man" and "Back Door Man." He sounded as good as ever. Obviously it will be a long time until he is able to (if walk) take his guitar out into the audience, but he played and sang with some much heart and it brought him so much joy as can be seen in this picture with Stacy behind him. There is a benefit scheduled on Sunday March 16 at the Fishhead Cantina near Baltimore and Memphis should be in the house for that one. For more info on the benefit, visit www.memphisgoldbenefit.com, www.stacysmusic.org or www.mojoworkin.com, More photos of Stacy and Memphis Gold at Bangkok Blues are on my flickr site, Memphis Gold and Stacy Brooks.

After Stacy's set I saw Clarence Turner arriving as I was heading home. I am quite sure the blues party gopt even better later. Again it was so good to see Memphis Gold doing what he does so well, singing and playing the blues.