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.

Memphis Gold Benefit Big Success

I missed seeing Memphis Gold on Tuesday as I ran in Charlie Sayles on my way home on the Metro (Washington's subway). We stopped at his place, but he seemed out. I spoke to him Thursday and he is doing well, still a long way to go as far as recuperation, but playing and writing music. In fact he played for the staff at the Rehab facility in Baltimore he was at prior to being sent back to his home in Arlington VA.

The DC Blues Society's Benefit for Memphis Gold last weekend was a great success, with the Surf Club being as full as I ever saw it and (I understand) over $2000 raised for Memphis Gold. Was a great night of music and Memphis had the music video'd. There was some terrific music by the likes of Bobby Parker, the Hardway Connection, Charlie Sayles with the Memphis Gold Band, Mike Westcott, Clarence 'The Bluesman Turner with Stacy Brooks and much more. Memphis told me he was really impressed by Mike Westcott and Blues on Board (pictured) who he had not seen before. Anyway I will try to see him this weekend and will post about another benefit to be held in Baltimore this week.

Memphis Gold 2007-1231_Falls_Church_Watch_Night-278

2007-1231_Falls_Church_Watch_Night-278
Originally uploaded by NoVARon

Memphis Gold performing New Years Eve in Falls Church (VA) as part of the annual Watch Night. Less than two weeks after this performance, Memphis Gold fell out of a tree while employed in a tree cleaning business and suffered serious injuries.

The DC Blues Society is holding a benefit for him on Saturday February 9 at Chick Hall's Surf Club in Bladensburg Maryland, from 7pm-1am. More information can be found at www.dcblues.org as well as on an earlier post on this blog.

Stacy Brooks, a wonderful DC area vocalist has been able to be with Memphis Gold and family in the hospital and able to post updates on his condition. On January 16 she wrote:

Memphis is on the road to recovery, he finally has a little bit of feeling in his feet. His spirits are high and we (Memphis, his wife Barbara, Nadine Rae, Clarence “The Bluesman” Turner, Memphis’ sister and myself) actually wrote a song the other day in Shock Trauma lol . I guess we made too much noise (just kidding)….because now they moved him to Kernan Hospital to begin rehabilitation. He still has a long way to go, but the doctors are calling him a miracle. I truly believe our prayers along with his strong will and determination go a long way! Well, since he is getting better he has all this idle time (which he is not used to) on his hands. If anyone can donate a laptop while he is in the hospital, it would be greatly appreciated. He will be there for a while and their desktop of course is at home. When he is not in therapy for these next 8 weeks he needs to keep his mind busy. Someone can give it to me, and I can take it to him. How convenient that they move him 5 minutes from my office."

I spoke with Stacy today and she mentioned just how vigorous the rehab is. She is also putting together a benefit series for Memphis and other musicians who suffer similar medical emergencies. Her own website is
http://www.stacysmusic.org.

She has started a separate website for the benefit and benefit series
http://memphisgoldbenefit.com. This webpage also has updates on how Memphis Gold is doing.