Utah Blues

Charlie Boy’s Pit BBQ
By Brother Chunky

The idea of sitting down and playing some down-home blues at a Southern BBQ joint has always appealed to me, but I figured I wouldn’t get to do that, since Utah technically isn’t in the South. But then I heard a rumor that the owner of Charlie Boy’s Pit BBQ (88 West Main, Lehi, Utah) was looking for some musicians to come play on his porch. So I called Charlie Boy to find out more. He said, “stop on by and introduce yourself and have some BBQ, we can talk about it.” I was thinking that his place would be one of those “rustic, yet fancy” looking places with air conditioning and a nice stage, but I was wrong. Charlie Boy’s Pit BBQ is a little shack and some picnic tables (as in the out-doors). You show up, place your order and wait for your name to be called. Charlie Boy is busy cooking the meat and walking around visiting with folks. So, my first visit involved sampling some of the food, chatting with Charlie Boy and enjoying some tunes from a bluegrass group. I told Charlie, “I’d like to play here some time, I’ll call you and set something up.” He said, “how about next Saturday?” I agreed to that before I realized, “uh, I don’t know if I can play for 2-3 hours and I don’t have a PA!”

So, after a week of trying to remember every song I have ever played and trying to figure out a way to amplify my voice and guitar, I headed to Lehi on Saturday night (June 21). I was a bit late (traffic) and we had to locate a 100 feet of extension cord. I ran the vocals and guitar through my old Bogen PA head and a 4×12 speaker cabinet. There is a laid-back vibe there and I felt very comfortable as I started to play. Charlie Boy was doing some brisk business that night and most people seemed to enjoy the tunes. Some children danced around and a few older folks chuckled at a few silly lyrics and comments. I had a great time playing the music I love and eating some TASTY BBQ ribs (my payment). Charlie was happy and invited me back.

I would recommend taking a trip to Charlie Boy’s Pit BBQ to sample his delicious menu. He serves pork ribs (his specialty) on Friday and Saturday nights. For you musician types, Charlie is looking to have live music every night, so if you are interested, go to: www.charlieboyspitbbq.com for more info. When you go, make sure you save room for his homemade “14% butter fat” ice cream- WOW!!

ORIGINAL STORY @ THE DAILY HERALD

Thursday, 08 May 2008
DAILY HERALD

Cody Clark

The hills of Spanish Fork will be alive with the sound of music on Saturday. Not just any sound, however — we’re talking about the silky smooth, rich, resonant sound that you can only get from a top-quality, old-school tube amp, or amplifier, used to crank up the sound on your guitar or bass.
The good vibrations will be emanating from the Boothe Brothers Performing Arts Center on Main Street in Spanish Fork, where aficionados of amplification will be gathered for the third annual Amp Sho’, hosted by Utah Blues.

Amp builder/refurbisher Mike Christensen said that old-style tube amps, which were phased out and replaced in the early 1970s by solid state amps, are prized because of their sensitivity and sound quality.

“Tube amplifiers are very responsive to the attack” of an individual player, said Christensen. “They have a personality all their own.”

Tube amps are making a comeback, but there also are plenty of them that never went away. As Christensen put it, “I would say it’s easy to get 50 or 60 years out of a well-built amplifier.”

Christensen and other amp adulators will have the opportunity to browse what’s sort of a combination antique show and auction. Both vintage and new amps will be everywhere. Some are just being displayed, but others will be for sale. There will be sound demos throughout the day, and the opportunity for amp geeks to trade tips and swap spare parts.

The daytime and early evening portion of the Amp Sho’, from noon until 8 p.m., is free and open to the public. After 8 p.m., there’s a charge to hang around and hear Rock Daddy, one of Utah’s premier blues acts, featuring local axeman Michael Spencer.

Spencer is “almost a local legend,” said Amp Sho’ organizer Curt Gordon. “He’s been playing in local bands since the early ’70s.”

It’s not just Spencer’s longevity that’s legendary. Gordon, 31, said that Spencer can really play.

“It would be as if you were in a room with Keith Richards,” Gordon said, “or Eric Clapton. Stevie Ray Vaughn.”

Gordon said that Utah has a thriving blues scene. Utah Blues’s Blues Jam has been held every month, he said, except for one or two, since December 1999. Gordon said there are lots of local blues players, and that Brigham Young University and Utah Valley State College both bring in aficionados from out of state.

Playing the blues is fun, he said, but also challenging. “It’s total improv,” Gordon said. “It’s really kind of a good exfoliating process for musicians.”

Gordon said that between 100 and 200 people have attended past Amp Sho’ events, and he expects a comparable turnout on Saturday.
Ifyougo

Amp Sho’

What: An exhibition of rare amplifiers and other musical equipment, with sound demonstrations and other events

When: Saturday, noon to 11 p.m.

Where: Boothe Brothers Performing Arts Center, 165 N. Main St., Spanish Fork

Cost: Main event is free; $5 to see Rock Daddy show that starts at 8 p.m.

Info: www.utahblues.com, 798-7650

UPDATE
When: Saturday May 10th 2008 All Day
Where: Boothe Bros. Theatre 165 N. Main Spanish Fork

Scheduled for Saturday May 10th, this years Amp Sho’ will be worth the wait! Expect to see tube amps from the 50’s on up to today. In addition to the emphasis on vintage and boutique tube amps, there will be guitars, speakers, pedals, etc. for show and sale. This will be your chance to try out many of history’s most famous and today’s premier tube amps. We will also have several players designated to demo. This year’s show will offer more sale items than ever before.

If you have something that you would like to sell, or offer for a show piece, contact Curt at Boothe Bros. Music for details (801) 798-7650

Come win a door prize, hang out, and soak up the history.

A few pics from the 2006 show!

OK, So many of you may have already heard these first few Podcasts. We are firing the Podcasts back up here at Utah Blues, and we are “reissuing” the first several Podcasts. So listen again, and enjoy!

Blues Jam: Live from the Royal Palace, August 4th 2005.

1. Improv Blues Jam - Mississippi Dave (Guitar), Curt Gordon (Drums), Dave Terran (Trumpet), Jebadiah Archtop (Bass)
2. I Was Looking Back - Spoonful, Jebadiah Archtop (Guitar)
3. Nuthin’ But The Blues - Spoonful, Jebadiah Archtop (Guitar)
4. Red House - Camron Levanger (Vocals, Guitar), Chris Henderson (Bass), Dave Gardner (Drums), Ziggy (Harmonica), Jebadiah Archtop (Guitar)
5. Mustang Sally - Curt Gordon (Guitar), Audience Girls (Backup Vocals), Mississippi Dave (Guitar), R.B. Graves (Drums), Kabe (Vocals), Spoonful
6. Leave My Girl Alone - Chris Henderson (Vocals, Guitar), Camron Levanger (Bass), Dave Terran (Trumpet), Gary Tada (Guitar), Dave Gardner (Drums)

We all had a great time, and Spoonful recorded a live album, so look forward to that. Make sure to drop by next time!

So here it is, give a listen, or better yet, subscribe!

 

 Standard Podcast [30:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

UPDATE
When: Saturday May 10th 2008 All Day
Where: Boothe Bros. Theatre 165 N. Main Spanish Fork

Scheduled for Saturday May 10th, this years Amp Sho’ will be worth the wait! Expect to see tube amps from the 50’s on up to today. In addition to the emphasis on vintage and boutique tube amps, there will be guitars, speakers, pedals, etc. for show and sale. This will be your chance to try out many of history’s most famous and today’s premier tube amps. We will also have several players designated to demo. This year’s show will offer more sale items than ever before.

If you have something that you would like to sell, or offer for a show piece, contact Curt at Boothe Bros. Music for details (801) 798-7650

Come win a door prize, hang out, and soak up the history.

A few pics from the 2006 show!

“Utah Blues Podcast 005 - April 26, 2006”

Jazz Night at The Royal Palace in Spanish Fork 165 N. Main 8:00 $2
This is an open stage jam! You can sit in with the band, bring your own band or just check it out. For more info call Curt (801) 358-8134

Classic Rock Night at The Royal Palace in Spanish Fork 165 N. Main 8:00 $2
This is an open stage jam! You can sit in with the band, bring your own band or just check it out. For more info call Curt (801) 358-8134

Classic Country Night at The Royal Palace in Spanish Fork 165 N. Main 8:00 $2
This is an open stage jam! You can sit in with the band, bring your own band or just check it out. For more info call Curt (801) 358-8134