Oreo Blue is celebrating it's Tenth
Anniversary!! Come join our celebration as we also celebrate the
release of Ten
Down--Live at the ByPass .
In the coming weeks, we will be performing at a venue near you and will
be offering the new CD, newly designed Tenth Anniversary T-Shirts,
Stunning Posters designed by renown Fayetteville artist, Jeanette
Sinclair, press photos, and much more. Help us celebrate and we
will help you have a great time with some high-energy, world-class, live
entertainment. See you at the show!!!
photo by John Blair
February 16th--The ByPass--Joplin, Missouri--Returning
to the venue where the new CD was recorded, the band was kept with
eagerness. Having spent so much energy the night before in
Parsons, it would be a wonder if we could replicate the solidity of the
music. It seems that this weekend started out a bit slow due to
the post-Valentines/Fat Tuesday expenditures. However, as the band
kicked into the first four songs off the new CD, it was apparent that
the crowd would come alive. Brian had the PA cooking like Emeril
Lagasse and in-turn, the potential of our best performance gets drawn
out like the flavor of a well-marinated steak. When the engines
are hitting on all cylinders, special moments fire out more
frequently. Brian breathed new life into an old favorite in Heaven's
Door by plugging in a Lenny Pickens-stlye ending. His solo on Messing
with the Kid this night was truly inspiring as well. Rod was
hooking up with the funky masters on his solo section of Killing
Floor and everyone got out-right stupid on the brain-dead swing tune
jam that still remains nameless. Gary once again left his old home
mates awe-struck with his guitar mastery. He has been entertaining
the folks in this region for better than three decades and it is
astonishing to see that the crowds still clamber for more, never grow
tired, and always leave amazed.
photo by John Blair
February 15th--The Kitchen Pass--Parsons, Kansas--As
usual, the folks in Parsons were out en mass to greet us for our first
official CD release party for Ten
Down. Having
one of the best sounds of the stage in recent memory, the band kicked
things into high gear in anticipation of a strong stretch of parties to
come. Notable highlights included Brian's solos on Brick House
and Messin' as well as Gary's showcase solos on Watchtower
and his signature version of Ghost Riders in the Sky. Gary
was seen bouncing along the floor on his knees like a Buddhist Hopping
Monk overcome with the possessions of the Guitar Spirits The
band introduced a new selling tool for product: a laptop computer
that showcases the new CD's video, Two Frogs Boogie as well as a
Powerpoint slide presentation of some of the band's photos from New
Year's Eve. All in all, the band was groovin' and the crowd
was hangin'. We are looking forward to a busy spring schedule full
of great music and great fans. (did I mention the Chicken and Friends
Dinner?)
Up next...the CD Release
Parties!!! Whooooo!!!!
The new CD Ten
Down--Live at the ByPass is
here!!! Hurry and get your copy here
on-line, at any one of our upcoming shows, or at fine music stores in
Arkansas or Southwest Missouri. If your favorite store doesn't
carry Oreo Blue, then put in a request and have them contact us.
Don't let their problems be a problem for you. Get your Oreo Blue
and get hip!
February 7th--Romedio's--Dardanelle, Arkansas--For
such a small place, it sure packs a combination punch of great food and
great music fans. I happened to have had the barbequed beef and it
was excellent. If you are ever down Dardanelle way, you have to
stop and have some of the food. The Italian is wonderful and there
is enough of an eclectic mix to satisfy every palette. Better yet,
if you can stay long enough for the shows, Romedio's is a diamond in the
musical rough. This little place brings in some top national acts
and treats them well when they get there. We are always thankful
for the kind receptions at the venues where we perform and Romedio's
ranks high on our appreciation list.
photo by John Blair
January 19th--The Elephant
Run--Tulsa, Oklahoma--Oreo Blue has been looking for a regular room
in Tulsa for years, and after this night, it may have found what it has
been looking for. Upon arrival, our first impression was,
"These people are so incredibly friendly and
hospitable!" Usually when this is your first impression, you
think that they must be hiding something...like maybe...well, it's hard
to say, but you get suspicious. As start time grew near, the club
filled to near capacity. Even though Oreo Blue has performed in
Tulsa before, we did not expect a room of familiar faces. This
crowd was fresh, new, and hankering for some good music. I am not
certain why, but we always seem to step things up a notch when we know a
crowd is hearing us for the first time. Not because we think we
have anything to prove, but maybe that we want to leave a good first
impression. It's kind of like a first date...if you like them,
then you want them to call back. Our performance was particularly
strong and the feedback was equal to our efforts. The staff at the
Elephant Run had turned out to be just sincerely nice. They
weren't trying to hide anything after all. We received an
astonishingly numerous amount of compliments during and after the show
that included, "We can't believe you guys are playing here!"
and "This is the best band we have ever heard in this
town...ever." and from the bartending staff, "We love you
guys...you guys are awesome!" and from the club owner the
next day, "I have never heard so many positive comments on one band
in all my years in this business." (we are still
blushing). Particularly strong performances came from most of our
new selections from the upcoming Ten
Down--Live at the Bypass CD, the solo sections of Messin
with the Kid, Minor Blues for a Major Person, Johnny B. Goode, and
all of the Delbert McClinton selections. In any case,
hopefully we have found a new home in Tulsa in the Elephant
Run.
January 18th--Lisa's
Clubhouse--Rogers, Arkansas--The first show for Oreo Blue since the
New Year's show didn't come soon enough. After taking a couple of
weeks off, I think the band was raring to go. A couple of glitches
in the system found us booked with another local group, The Big Harry
Band. With snow falling and the roads icing over, a smallish crowd
was expected. However, the local folks turned out well to see two
bands for the price of one. The night went well and the crowd was
extremely appreciative.
