By Danny Coleman
originally published: 04/22/2016
"I'm promoting it," says four time "Blues Music Award" winner and Blues Hall of Fame inductee Joe Louis Walker about his most recent release, "Everybody Wants A Piece." "We're going on a northeast tour, then through the mid-west and then over to Europe."
Also known simply as "JLW;" Walker has been playing the blues since he was a 14 year old guitar prodigy and by the age of 16 was a sought after quantity in his native San Francisco Bay Area. By the age of 19, Walker had forged a friendship with guitarist/composer Mike Bloomfield who introduced him to the Grateful Dead and one James Marshall Hendrix. Influenced by great blues players such as B.B. King, T-Bone Walker, Pete Johnson and entertainers such as Wilson Pickett, James Brown and Otis Redding; he honed his craft and in the formative years of his career shared a stage with legends such as John Lee Hooker, Thelonious Monk, Steve Miller, Buddy Guy, John Mayall and the previously mentioned Hendrix.
The unexpected passing of his good friend Bloomfield led to Walker stepping away from the blues scene and turning to a more spiritual outlet; a gospel quartet. During this time period, Walker enrolled in school and obtained degrees in Music and English while still performing. The "New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival," of 1985, at which he performed; sparked a renewed interest and his return to the blues genre. When asked what inspired him then and now, JLW simply states, "All kinds of music inspires me. Most of us have our ups and downs and some blues are harder to play than others but we can learn from everyone and every style of music."
In 2002, Walker's induction into the Blues Hall of Fame cemented his status among the genre's elite and for 2016 he already has nominations for "Rock/Blues Album of The Year" and "Contemporary Male Artist Of The Year" which he referred to as, "Something of interest." The laid back persona which he exudes, serves his style well and later, once elaborating a bit more; claimed that he found the experience of these honors, "Inspirational" and he very much "Enjoyed it."
"Everybody Wants A Piece," released in October of 2015, is produced by Johnny Winter Band guitarist Paul Nelson, whom Walker worked with just prior to the late, great blues man's death. "I've worked with Paul before," he explained; "He and I have performed together and are very familiar with one another so it was an easy transition for me."
On tour to support his latest effort, Walker enjoys both the U.S and European audiences and says that he sees only minor differences. "There are blues bands from the States that are in Europe all of the time. There are some very good blues bands from Europe; the quality of the bands creates a lot of competition in a good way. The audiences there are not better than in the U.S but they are different. I don't believe that there's much of a difference but I think they may appreciate American acts differently than the U.S audiences because there's a hunger, an appetite for it over there for whatever the reason."
"Blues For Peace" is a "Grassroots movement of musicians, music promoters, venues & anyone who wants to promote peace," and is a project that JLW lends both his time and talents to. Started by blues guitarist and songwriter Michael Packer; the organizations goal is to provide peace and assistance through music. "I've known Michael Packer, he's got a bay area 60's background and with the shape of things today; he's playing a positive role. The May shows (May 26-30) are to promote peaceful, positive change and something I believe in and can really get behind."
Walker will continue to ply his trade and no doubt continue to pile up the awards and honors but he seems to take it all in stride, "In 2016, I'll make another new record, some more touring, I've got some collaborations with others in the works and promoting peace through the blues."
This week's event listingsThat's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
Alchemist & Barrister28 Witherspoon Street, Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Dick Gratton Trio
Amalfi's Restaurant146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Rd. Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Blue Meanies
Amarones Windsor Inn29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Ottmar
Fri. 8 p.m. Larry D
Sat. 8 p.m. Lonnie Youngblood
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Backstage at Championship Bar 931 Chambers St. Trenton
Fri. 5p.m. Headbang For The Highway Presents: "The Battle For The Allstars Tour" feat. Synergi, Djinn, First Wake, (TBA). All ages, $15
Sat. (12 p.m.) Princeton School of Rock Presents: "The Music of New Wave." All ages, $10 (2 p.m.) Princeton School of Rock Presents: "Lynyrd Skynyrd vs. The Allman Brothers" (A Musical Tribute). All ages, $10 (4 p.m.) Princeton School of Rock Presents: "A Tribute to the Music of AC/DC." All ages, $10. (7 p.m.) "Cancer Metal Benefit for Scott Bloom" feat. Anvil Bitch, Centralia, Sapremia, We...Our War, Malicious Intent, Morbid Cross, (TBA). All ages, $10 (suggested donation)
Sun. (3 p.m.) Seeker, WRVTH, The War Within, (TBA). All ages, $10/$12 (9 p.m.) Big Lo, Wade Wilson, A Mankind Complex, Pizzo, B Luckz. Ages 21+, $6
Mon. 7 p.m. "St. Baldrick's Benefit Show at Art Chill Night" feat. John Saccone, In Place, Idiot Boy, Roebus One, Cryptkeeper Five, Cherry Blossoms, Black Collar Biz. Ages 21+, $5 (suggested donation)
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Duane Eubanks Quartet. $10 (cover charge)
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
Dempster's Pub437 Pine Street Mount Holly
(609) 261-0500
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. DJ DNIAL
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Chris
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. 8 p.m. Soul Custody trio
Fri. (4 p.m.) "Happy Hour Jam" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (9 p.m.) Visoon
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch Jam" feat. Michael leggerie (9 p.m.) Kevin Toft & The All Stars
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale Jazz (3 p.m.) Mike Ghantt
Wed. 8 p.m. Sister Blue
Fran's Pub116 S. Main St. New Hope, PA.
(215)862-5539
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Blues Jam
All shows 21+
Glory Days Tavern1200 Hornberger Ave. Roebling
(609) 499-0896
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Karaoke
Halo Pub4617 Nottingham Way, Hamilton
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Dick Gratton & Linda Lee
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street. New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Jump
Sat. 8:30 p.m. LeCompt w/ Horns
Sun. (2 p.m.) Rocky & His Friends (6 p.m.) JB Kline
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Jeff Brown Trio
Fri. 6 p.m. Pocketful of Soul
Sat. 6 p.m. Four + 1
Sun. 2 p.m."Jazzy Sundays" feat. Bill Henry trio
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Rd., Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Jazz Night
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Fri. 10 p.m. WFIL Band
Sat. 10 p.m. Honey Spot Blvd.
All shows 21+
Jake's Pub869
Bustleton Pike, Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Fri. 9 p.m. John & Maggs
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Fri. 9 p.m. Keith Kenny
Sat. (3 p.m.) The Trip Dogs (9 p.m.) Rainbow Fresh
Sun. 3 p.m. Miss Pumpkin Presents: "A Drag Show Benefit"
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Tues. 9 p.m. aggrEschen
Wed. 9:30 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Sat. 10 p.m. Radio Fiction
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road, New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Fri. 7 p.m. Country Line Dancing
Sat. 1 p.m. Rick Winow
Sun. 1 p.m. Rave On
Wed. 6 p.m. "Girls Night Out"
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Rd Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ Codie
Fri. 10 p.m. A Thousand days, Little Miss Love Jones & The ArchAngels, Cherry Bomb, Halos & Horns
Sat. 9 p.m. "Saturday Night Dance Party" w/ DJ RV and DJ OXX
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Thurs. 9:30 p.m. On the Cinder, Post-Grad, (TBA). Doors at 9 p.m., $5
Sat. 7 p.m. "Coast to Coast Rock Against Racism"
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
New Hope Winery6123 Lower York Road, New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Fri. 8 p.m. Tusk "Fleetwood Mac Tribute." Doors at 7 p.m., $30
O'Connor's American Bar & Grille1383 Monmouth Road, Easthampton Mt. Holly
(609) 261-1555
Fri. 9:30 p.m. Secret Sound
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Jo Wymer
Olde Liberty Tavern2114 Liberty Street, Trenton
(609) 396-2262
Sat. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. No Way Out
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 8 p.m. DiRty ReD "Unplugged
Sat. 8 p.m. (TBA)
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. (TBA)
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check website for upcoming events
RHO Waterfront50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 10 p.m. "Little Black Dress College Night" w/ DJ Paul Desisto. Doors at 9 p.m. Ages 21+
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Happy Hour Buffet. $10 (8:30 p.m.) The Soul Cruisers
Sat. 10:30 p.m. "RHO After Dark" DJ Bark Da Ripper/DJ William H. Dress code enforced, $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 9 p.m. DJ Party Hardy
Sat. 10 p.m. Billy Hector
Tavern On The Lake101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Round trip
Sat. 9 p.m. Black Rose
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
Sat. 10 p.m. Rich Scanella Group
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Record Collector 358 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. The Jack Semple Band. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Sideways Willy Saturday
Sat. 9 p.m. El Ka Bong
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. The Drunk Monkeys
Sat. 9 p.m. Never Enough
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Ziggy Isaacs
Mon. 9 p.m. Diarmuid MacSuibhne
Tues. (7 p.m.) "Rock On Radio Happy Hour" Hosted by Danny Coleman feat. Kevin Toft (9 p.m.) Open Mic. Hosted by Jerry Monk
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine St. Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Fri. (4 p.m.) First Friday (9 p.m.) Dan Galvano
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Thurs. 8 p.m. Trivia
Fri. 10 p.m. Black Masala. ($5 cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Steve (the band). ($5 cover charge)
Sun. 6 p.m. Challenge Accepted
Tues. 9 p.m. Matt Szlachetka
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock
All shows 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
