The Bluesman from Downunder and his band are back by popular demand after being enthusiastically received at their Alive After Five debut last spring.

Last February, they won the 2007 Australian Blues Music Award for Best Band. Growing up in rural Australia, Geoff Achison developed a passion for American blues music and taught himself to play on his mother’s beat up acoustic guitar. Now a veteran entertainer on three continents, he started his world explorations in 1995 with a trip to the U. S., representing Melbourne at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. There he won the coveted Albert King Award for best guitarist and went on to score an endorsement deal with Gibson Guitars USA. Since 1998, he has been a regular guest guitar instructor at Jorma Kaukonen's (Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna) Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio. Kaukonen says "Geoff is one of the finest blues guitarists I know with a completely individual style."

Geoff Achison has developed a reputation as a guitarist’s guitarist, equally adept at acoustic and electric styles. He’s also a soulful vocalist with an engaging stage presence brimming with droll Australian humor. Mike Daly of The Age describes Achison's playing as "One of the sweetest sounds in the world today." The Times of London declared Achison as "One of the most gifted musicians to arrive on the scene. The man could be king."

Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers
Knoxville Museum of Art
1050 World’s Fair Park
5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, April 27
$10 non-KMA members
$6 KMA members or with student ID
Free parking
Cash bar and concessions available

Posted by the 520 gang at 3:29 PM | Permalink

Stacy Mitchhart & Blues U Can Use at KMA Saturday, February 24, 8:00 pm

Stacy Mitchhart, “The Blues Doctor�, is returning to Knoxville with his fabulous 7-piece band, Saturday, February 24, for a smoke-free show at Knoxville Museum of Art. The show begins at 8:00 pm.

Based out in Nashville, Mitchhart and his band created quite a stir on Market Square last June, headlining the first annual Hard Knox Blues Bash, and they’ve rocked the house at KMA before when they performed for the “Alive into 2006!� New Year’s Eve party.

Winner of the Albert King Most Promising Guitarist Award at the 2003 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Stacy Mitchhart has a smooth and sultry, provocative delivery, reminiscent of legendary R & B performers. A consummate showman, always dressed to the nines, he has captivated audiences worldwide with his teasing smile, quick wit, and a taste of blue humor to go along with his masterful guitar work and strong vocals.

This will be a show where you can let your hair down and have a good time. Dress is casual to as spiffy as you wanna be. There will be two cash bars, free popcorn, and F.A.T.S. BBQ will have some other tasty treats for sale. Tickets for reserve seats at tables are $20/$16 for non-members, and $18/$14 for museum members and students with ID. General admission is $11 for non-members and $9 for museum members and students with ID. For reserve tickets and information, call 865-525-6101 ext. 229. Tickets will also be available at the door at 7:30 pm.

The Stacy Mitchhart Saturday Night Special Show is sponsored by Knoxville520.com, Mike Scourby-RE/MAX Properties, East Tennessee Public Television, WUOT-91.9FM, MetroPulse and Cherokee Distributing Company.

Stacy Mitchhart (and a close fan) at the Hard Knox Blues Bash, Market Square

(local photos by Ray Brown)

Posted by the 520 gang at 11:39 AM | Permalink

My family--we're fair people.

State Fair people, that is.

I recently returned from a visit home to Minnesota. Even though there are much warmer times to visit the north woods, I wouldn't have missed the opportunity to plan my trip in conjunction with the Minnesota State Fair last week. It was also my mom's birthday.

My dear mother has the good fortune of celebrating her birthday on Labor Day weekend every year--which also happily coincides with the State Fair. This year, we decided to ring in her 54th year with one Fair activity for each year she's graced our planet. This may seem like a daunting task at first, but it's really quite do-able. With the main Fair activity being eating like a Prize Sow, we knocked about 27 things off our list in the first couple of hours!

Fair organizers make this even easier by putting all the food on a stick. Every food you can imagine (and some you shouldn't) can be fried and shoved on a stick: pork chops w/ sauerkraut, Hot Dish (what Minnesotans call "casserole"), Twinkies, various candy bars, French toast and even a pickle. (With the pickle, you get a souvenir hat, too!)

Only at the Fair

Whether you eat your way across the fairgrounds, stand in line for every ride or simply spend the day wandering through the craft exhibits, Fairs leave an impression on pretty much everyone. With the Tennessee Valley Fair kicking off tonight, we at 520 thought we'd fry up some of our own memories of the annual community get-together. Step right up and get 'em while they're hot!

Continue reading "Memories on a stick" »

Posted by the 520 gang at 1:20 PM | Permalink