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Download "DALLAS BLUES" and Make a Difference!
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO, the first blues was published—though, of course, blues was born long before that!Hear our version of the first published blues — ALL Download Proceeds go to The Blues Foundation's H.A.R.T. Fund! Click HERE to Download on iTunes Click HERE to Downloat on CDbaby In celebration of the centennial of the first published blues, Brad Vickers & His Vestapolitans are pleased to release a digital single of Hart Wand's “Dallas Blues” to benefit The Blues Foundation’s H.A.R.T. Fund. The H.A.R.T. Fund (Handy Artists Relief Trust) provides for blues musicians and their families who are in financial need due to a broad range of health concerns including acute, chronic, and preventive medical and dental care, as well as funeral and burial expenses. ALL proceeds from downloads of this single will go to the fund. As we discovered via Samuel Charters’ book, “The Country Blues”, the first published blues was Hart Wands “Dallas Blues, published (as sheet music) in March, 1912. Lyrics were added in 1918 by Lloyd Garrett. This was not only the first published blues, with “Blues” in its title, but it was actually written in the blues form. It was a big hit (and we think it’s a great song, too!) Later that year two other “Blues”were published. The second was Arthur Seals’ “Baby Seals’ Blues” in August, and finally, W.C. Handy’s “Memphis Blues” in September. Neither of these others were written in the blues form. They followed the popular cake-walk form of the era. You can learn more about Hart Wand and Dallas Blues” in Charters’ book, and in Hart Wand's entry on Wikipedia. We love the “Hart” “H.A.R.T.” coincidence! The Vestapolitans are thrilled to have special guest, Charles Burnham on violin. (Hart Wand was a violinist!) Also playing are Brad Vickers - guitar, vocals; Margey Peters - vocals, 2nd fiddle; Jim Davis - clarinet; Matt Cowan - baritone sax; Michael Bram - mandolin; Dave Gross - upright bass; and Bill Rankin - drums. SPECIAL THANKS to Frank Roszak Promotions for their generous donation of time and services on this project. |
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We'll be returning to Floria in May!
We're looking forward to playing and meeting you in person! (Click HERE for the Full Schedule)  Our Midwest tour was fantastic. Thanks to everyone for coming out and making our shows a success! |
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BRAD VICKERS learned on the job by playing, touring,
and recording with America's blues and roots masters: Pinetop Perkins, Jimmy Rogers, Hubert Sumlin, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Odetta, Sleepy LaBeef, and Rosco Gordon—to name only a few. Now His own group, THE VESTAPOLITANS, offer a good-time mix of originals and covers spanning blues, ragtime, skiffle, and more great American roots 'n' roll music. Their three CDs, "Traveling Fool" (2011), "Stuck With The Blues" (2010), and "Le Blues Hot" (2008) have met with great reviews, radio play on 250+ stations, and are a hit with audiences everywhere! |
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WE WON A "LUNIE"! We just got word that "Traveling Fool" was among the winners for "Best Traditional-style CD of 2011"! Thank you Clair DeLune and WUSCfm! |
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