Billy Davis, the man who gave guitar lessons to a young Jimi Hendrix, is coming to Oxford this summer and he’s bringing the Blues with him.
The Billy Davis Rhythm Machine is one of 10 acts competing at the 2005 Detroit Blues Challenge Kickoff to be held in downtown Oxford Saturday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets for a day promising hot Blues, spicy barbecue and a cold beer garden are $10 each (for all-day admission) and go on sale Friday, April 15.
The event is part of the fourth annual Motor City Breakdown, a series of local blues competitions, with the ultimate goal of sending two acts from metro Detroit ? one electric and one acoustic ? to the 2006 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.
Organized by the Detroit Blues Society and Royal Oak-based Big City Rhythm & Blues magazine, the Oxford kick-off will feature 10 electric acts from across metro Detroit ? The Billy Davis Rhythm Machine, Lady Sunshine & the X Band, Luther Badman Keith, Measured Chaos, Smokin? 45’s, Sweet Claudette Band & Friends, Motor City Music Cartel, The Terraplanes, Michael John Boyd and Denny Baran & The Bluesaholics.
The band who wins the Oxford challenge receives an automatic spot in the Detroit finals later this year, according to Robert Jr. Whitall, editor and publisher of Big City Rhythm & Blues magazine.
Locally, the 2005 Detroit Blues Challenge Kickoff has been dubbed ‘Hot Blues and BBQ? and is being sponsored by the Village of Oxford, Oxford Community Development Authority (OCDA), Oxford Township Parks and Recreation and Oxford Lakes Dental Care.
‘We are always looking for ways to draw people to the community,? said Councilman Steve Allen, who’s coordinating the event along with the OCDA. ‘We figured that with the popularity of Blues (music), the nature of its fan base and our proximity to the Detroit Blues Community, it was a natural.?
Allen’s anticipating between 1,000 and 2,000 people will attend the 12-hour event slated to include continuous Blues music, numerous barbecue food vendors, children’s activities and a beer garden for those age 21 and older.
Whitall, who serves as a board member for the Detroit Blues Society, said northern Oakland County is a ‘hotbed? of Blues activity from musicians to a growing fan base.
According to Whitall, two nationally-known blues musicians make their home in Oxford,? Kim Wilson singer and harmonica player for the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Greg ‘Fingers? Taylor, who formerly played harmonica for Jimmy Buffet’s Coral Reefer Band.
A large number of subscribers to Big City Rhythm & Blues magazine and members of the Detroit Blues Society reside in northern Oakland County, Whitall noted.
Last year, one of the Motor City Breakdown’s blues challenges was held in Lake Orion at Bonzai Bob’s, Whitall said. Oxford was selected for this year’s kickoff because organizers were seeking an ‘outdoor? venue as opposed to the usual clubs and bars, he said.
Allen noted the Motor City Breakdown was also looking for more ‘family-oriented venues.?
This year’s kickoff will feature defending 2004 Detroit Blues Challenge winner Lady Sunshine and the X Band, who last month finished second at the 2005 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee after competing against 84 bands from 32 states and eight countries.
The diversity of each band member’s musical background allows Lady Sunshine and the X Band to perform many styles of music including catchy originals, classic Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Funk and Motown. Their performances are described as ‘high-energy, musically dynamic (and) action-packed,? all in an ‘atmosphere of fun and enthusiasm that keeps their audience spellbound all night long.?
Another treat in store for the Oxford audience, according to Whitall, is the opportunity to hear the man who gave Jimi Hendrix guitar lessons ? 66-year-old Billy Davis, who currently lives in Southfield.
When Hendrix was 15 and living in Seattle, Davis (then 19) befriended and mentored the future rock icon for the next 12 years. Davis met the young Hendrix while on tour as the lead guitarist for Hank Ballard and the Midnighters.
Davis is the one who showed Hendrix how to turn feedback from an electric guitar (i.e. accidental electronic noise) into controllable notes and effects ? something which he discovered in 1955 while playing his Les Paul Junior in Detroit.
For those who aren’t familiar with Davis, Whitall said he can be heard playing lead guitar on classic tunes such as the Isley Brothers? ‘It’s your thing? and Jackie Wilson’s ‘Higher and higher.?
Allen said the Hot Blues and BBQ staff is actively seeking barbecue vendors, sponsors, volunteers and donations for the event. Those interested in becoming involved at any level can contact Councilman Allen at (248) 249-5287 or e-mail hotbluesandbbq@aol.com.