Blues concert series coming to Nevada County

Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Blues are playing here in November.

“I want to bring the very, very best blues, rhythm and blues, and soul music to Nevada County.” - Paul Emery

  The monthly series kicked off on Sept. 26 when Lazy Lester performed at the Miners Foundry in Nevada City. The Center for the Arts in Grass Valley will be the venue for Sista Monica in October, slide guitarist Roy Rogers in November and harmonica virtuoso Charlie Musselwhite in December.

  In March, Emery has harmonica legend James Cotton booked to play at the Center for the Arts.

  “I want to bring the very, very best blues, rhythm and blues, and soul music to Nevada County,” said Emery, who is also the news director for KVMR-FM in Nevada City.

  Emery, who by his count has produced hundreds of shows over the years, said his concerts will usually be held on Saturdays but at different venues.

  “I’m trying to do this in a manner where people can look forward to a show each month,” he said.

  Emery is especially excited about the lineup he has assembled for the rest of the year.

  “These concerts are going to be dance concerts. With this kind of music, you kind of have to dance,” he said.

  Sista Monica Parker, who will perform on Oct. 24 at the Center for the Arts, recently released her ninth CD called Soul Blues & Ballads. She is a blues, soul and gospel singer who in 2005 was named the “Artist of the Year” in Santa Cruz County, which recognizes talent and community service.

  On Nov. 21, Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings will take the stage at the Center for the Arts. Emery said Rogers is “one of the greatest slide guitarists in the world.”

  Rogers, who now lives in Nevada County, has an extensive resume that includes playing as the featured guitarist with John Lee Hooker's Coast to Coast Blues Band. Hooker, one of the greatest blues peformers of all time, is quoted as saying Rogers did "some of the best slide I've heard, best blues I've heard."

  Musselwhite, who will perform on Dec. 5 at the Center for the Arts, was born in Mississippi where he was introduced to the blues and in the 1960s played in Chicago with legends like Hooker and Muddy Waters.

  "He's one of the greatest harmonica players," Emery said. "He's in a league of his own."

If you’re going

Saturday, Oct. 24: Sista Monica

Saturday, Nov. 21: Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings

Saturday: Dec. 5: Charlie Musselwhite

Thursday, March 4: James Cotton

All concerts at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley

For more information, call 530-478-1974