Teressa BluesBabe Brewer and Buddy Miles

With Love for Etta James - Terminally Ill

The news of Etta James' terminal illness brings all of us blues women to the reality of our own mortality.   It is with a heavy heart, love, admiration and sympathy for what she suffers that I right this.  WE are praying that she fully recovers. 

In the event she doesn't this is a personal letter for Etta.  It's sent to give her comfort and peace of mind.


Dear Ms. James,


Ms Etta, please know how much you are loved by all of us blues women.  You've inspired many despite your struggles and your voice and accomplishments will never be forgotten.  Your voice, your song,  "At Last,"  will always be my favorite love song of all time.  I have sang it many times always paying you tribute and in honor of you.


You are in my prayers, dear Etta.  May Angels surround you and God's love embrace you.  May you know peace, love and happiness on the other side of the veil.  Having been there once myself and sent back, I can tell you first hand that heaven is a wonderful place full of love.  Please don't be afraid, dear lady.  There is nothing to fear and only your dear friends, God's love and thousands of Angels to embrace you.


We are holding you in prayer daily.  I wish we had the power to ease your suffering and pain.   We love you, dearly.  Please know in your heart, how much and by how many you are loved.


With Love and Respect,
Teressa "BluesBabe" Brewer
President
International Women in Blues

The Lucy Hammond Band

                                                         www.thelucyhammondband.com                                                                   

Lucy Hammond is a power house entertainer, vocalist and songwriter in the Northwest. She's got style, sass, confidence and has been performing for more than 30 years. She's open, fun and more than gracious to other artists in the business.  She gives door prizes away at her show, which is quite unique and she tells it like she sees it.  She's getting radio air play on over 50 stations to date. 

Her album "Proof" is "dedicated to all those who have yet to pursue their most heartfelt dreams." Buy it, play it, listen to it.  She's keeping the blues alive and her song "Proof," does just that!  You will not be disappointed and she just may inspire you, which is her intent.  It's original, soft in some places, passionate, gritty and heartfelt with great rhythm and melody.  Her voice and album tells of a life of motherhood, love and overcoming the challenges life throws at you.

My favorite on her album is "Mr. Right."  Every woman in the world can relate to this song.

Every mother in the world can relate to her lamenting song about mother hood and the difficulties in having adult children, who run amok and break our hearts in "Doors."

Lucy knows how to work a crowd and command her band with a great sense of humor.  She is indeed a woman of substance who freely speaks her mind, position and strength in her songs.

Lucy Hammond, I want to personally thank you and all of your wonderful musicians for welcoming me with open arms,  back home, onto your stage and for your support of me, Candye Kane, Karen Lovely and the blues in general. 

You've made your point, very well.  Keep it up!

Blues Diva's United - Candye Kane, Laura Chavez, Teressa "BluesBabe" Brewer, Karen Lovely and Lucy Hammond Live Onstage Together at Duff's Garage

https://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10150382528678445.363608.532328444&type=3

BY TERESSA "BLUESBABE" BREWER

Blues Diva's from all over Oregon converged on Duff's Garage to show support for Candye Kane and her band, after Jay Horton's horrible preview appeared in Willamette Week magazine and my article countered his.  The blues world is chock full of dedicated and devoted fans, friends and colleagues.

This show of support of Candye Kane, is notable despite a miscreants ignorance and disrespect.  Kane's honesty as she speaks about her life is very funny and truthful.  Regardless of how other more conservative people view her, you can't help but respect her honesty and love her voice.  She's a free spirit and we love her for it. 

Laura Chavez tears up a guitar without it falling apart.   I heard other male guitarists ooing and aweing over her playing.  Chavez truly earned their respect.

Kane invited me,  onto her stage as well as birthday girl Karen Lovely and Lucy Hammond.  We were all on stage together, it was a rare performance and night to behold!  A rare occasion that will remain in the memory of all those who attended and performed.  Each of us a power house in our own right.  The only thing I wish was that I had the opportunity to sing as my powerhouse blues sisters did.    But it was not my show and I did not want to over step my welcome.  Despite the amp problems I suffered using someone elses amp, it was a blast!

Candye Kane rocks the house and she is dearly loved, despite Horton's ignorance.  He was invited by Kane herself to attend her show to learn.  Obviously he doesn't care to do so.  He did not show up.   Regardless of Horton's ignorance, which does not even qualify as a preview or good writing, it was an awesome night!

Many other blues artists were also in attendance, mostly harmonica players.  It was great to see the men there to support us.  We love our blues brothers, despite one's bad attitude and rudeness when I introduced myself to him.   His name will not be mentioned, but he knows who he is. 

The Cascade Blues Association Board of Directors and supporters  were also in attendance.  They are such a great support system for blues artists and in preservation of THE BLUES and roots music.

Bravo to all of you!  We simply must do this again sometime.  It was a night I will never forget.  Even some our adult kids were there to see it.  One of mine for the first time.  Wow!  What a night!  This is a great memory, which I will always cherish.

Thank you Candye!  As you said, "Awesome girl power!"  Indeed it was and when women unite, great things happen. 

So from now on let this be known to all.  If you dog my blues sisters, we will show up in droves to support her and you will face the wrath of the blues community and it's fans in writing.

I love you all!   It was truly my honor to play with you and show my support.  HAPPILY!

Teressa BluesBabe Brewer's Live Performance with Candye Kane, Karen Lovely and Lucy Hammond

 

Live shot of Teressa "BluesBabe" Brewer while onstage with Candye Kane, Laura Chavez, Kennan Shaw, BaldHeadFred Rautman at Duff's Garage in Portland, Oregon.  Photo by Slim Lively.