Rick Franklin's Blues vs MS

The late John Jackson and Archie Edwards with Rick Franklin at a DC Blues Society
Black History Month program Photo © Ron Weinstock

I have known Rick Franklin for over twenty years. Not only is he amongst the finest acoustic blues players in the Mid-Atlantic, but a wonderful person. As a musician he was fortunate to learn from such masters as the legends of DC Piedmont blues, John Jackson, John Cephas and Archie Edwards, with whom he would jam with and later share stages with. He was among the musicians that played at the concert at which the DC Blues Society was founded and has continued to develop and grow as a musician over the years. I met Rick through the DC Blues Society and we were both on the DC Blues Society's Board of Directors in its early years and watched him perform on countless occasions over the years.

Rick Franklin in 2007
Photo © Ron Weinstock

When one of his daughters was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, he became a fervent supporter of efforts to end this terrible affliction. One of his fundraising efforts is an annual MS IS BS BBQ and Blues Jam Fundraiser that takes place Saturday afternoon, August 18 at the Barcroft Community House, 800 S. Buchanan Street in Arlington, Virginia. It runs from noon until 5:00 PM.

Performers include Rick himself and His Delta Blues Boys that will include a variety of musician friends of Rick to support him as he plays a variety of blues and hokum music. Also appearing on this program are the Sheryl Sears Trio; M.S.G - the Acoustic Blues Trio; and Daryl Davis.

Sheryl Sears is a wonderful vocalist who is the amongst those who have emerged out of the weekly jams of the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation. M.S.G. is comprised of Jackie Merritt, Miles Spicer, and Resa Gibbs whose performances are centered on the Piedmont blues which they interpret in their own style to which they add original blues and folk songs. Daryl Davis has been a fixture on the mid-Atlantic blues circuit for over a quarter of a century. While known as a master of boogie woogie and blues piano, he is also an exceptional guitarist who will mix in rock and roll and country into his sets. He was mentored by the late Pinetop Perkins and Johnny Johnson and also is Chuck Berry's East Coast pianist.

Daryl Davis and Pinetop Perkins at bangkok Blues in 2005. Photo © Ron Weinstock

It will be a terrific afternoon of entertainment and there will be BBQ to enjoy along with the music and support the cause For more details: http://msisbs.org/event/4th-annual-bbq-blues-jam. See you there. And to whet your musical appetite, here is a video of Rick performing.