The Bluesapolooza Fund-raiser was an unqualified success! We had well over 400 people (ages 5 to 70) with constant traffic and raised over $8,000.00! Everybody had a good time. It was wonderful to see all the families out young and old diggin on the blues! I don't think I ever saw cartwheels performed on a dance floor before.

There were many wondrous moments of love and generosity. Here are a couple:

I sat in with just about every band that played prior to the show to promote and each time someone would give me some cash. When I sat in on sax at Bunker's with the Kurt Jorgenson Band, some guy gave me $40. Saturday I called the Minnesota Historical Society for directions and asked about Joe Juliano and Lamont Cranston saying that I heard that they were part of the "Sounds Good to Me" exhibit and that they were playing at this benefit. I wanted to be able to talk about it for the intro to each band and encourage people to check out them at the exhibit. When I got there, the guy I talked to on the phone was in a conversation with a museum employee about the benefit. He just finished a sentence about the great lineup. He drew a breath and I dropped a flier in front on him and said, "you mean this line up?" The three of us chatted for a moment. He gave me directions to the exhibit. I found both Joe Juliano and Lamont Cranston songs on different jukeboxes in one the displays. I made a note of the songs and left. I stopped by the information desk to thank Ron for his directions and he handed me a check for $25!

Then, at the show a guy comes up to me as I am entering the dressing room. He holds out a crumpled piece of paper saying he want to give this to me but he doesn't want me to look at until the next day. I have to promise him. He was insistent so I promised him I will put it in my horn case and not look at it until the next day. I thanked him and put the crumpled piece of paper in my horn case without unfolding it as promised.

I made it home and was unloaded by somewhere between 2:30 and 3AM. I figured it was close enough so I went for the crumpled piece of paper. I was expecting anything from a note to a little cash. I was stunned to discover Ben Franklin's big head lookin' up at me! And there were clones! Not one, not two, but nine! I person I had never seen before had given me $1,000.00 cash!

It was a great evening. The bands played great! Everyone had a blast! I have the photos to prove. There are some pretty cool band shots. I would be happy to send them to you if you like. SoulMates, Joe Juliano, Big Walter, Keller Brothers, Lamont Cranston, etc.

A compilation CD of the evening is being mixed as we speak. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Mark DeForrest Benefit Fund and the American Cancer Society.

Take care, thank you, and God Bless.

This review is copyright © 2000 by Steve Clarke, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.