BUBBLEBEE SLIM
BumbleBee Slim Leaves the WYEP Scene
Blues and Rhythm Host
Due to recently de-classified CIA records, the following is a brief biography of BumbleBee Slim.
Born in the fall of 1947 in the Ruthenian Village of Galitzia which is on the present border of Hungary and Austria.
Orphaned at an early age due to the Ruthenian/Transylvanian Civil War that followed the end of WWII.
Raised by American GI’s who occupied this area and befriended the young Ruthenian. GI’s returning from duty smuggled the young BumbleBee Slim into the U.S. in 1951.
Bee’s early years were spent in hiding in Newark, New Jersey at the warehouse of Savoy Records. Savoy at that time was a major independent race label. Due to the lack of playmates, BumbleBee took to memorizing the labels of the Savoy 78 rpm records. The 10” circular pieces of vinyl became his earliest friends.
Further information will be provided as the statute of limitations expires on his sealed CIA file.
Robert Caro has planned an extensive biography on BBS.
Favorite Color: Black and White
Person Most Influenced By: Ward Clever
Favorite Movie: Beyond the Valley of the Super Vixens
Smithsonian Folkways Album Release: John Jackson 'Rappahannock Blues'
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is releasing ‘Rappahannock Blues,’ by John Jackson on June 15th. This 20-track album is the latest addition to the Smithsonian Folkways African American Legacy Series, co-produced with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Raised in a large, musical farm family in Rappahannock County, Virginia, John Jackson (1924–2002) was the most important black Appalachian musician to come to broad public attention during the mid-1960s. Having learned guitar and his wide-ranging stock of songs as a youth from family and 78-rpm recordings, he enthralled major audiences during more than three decades with his vintage style and repertoire. Pulled from hundreds of live concert recordings in the Smithsonian Folkways archives, the twenty tracks of Rappahannock Blues highlight John Jackson the way he most wanted to be remembered—as a bluesman. We have identified your website as one whose users would enjoy this album.
The release of 'RAPPAHANNOCK BLUES' will be celebrated at the “2010 Tinner Hill Blues Festival – A Tribute to John Jackson”, June 10-13, 2010 in Falls Church, VA (Washington DC area). For more information, visit http://www.tinnerhill.org/blues/
In order to spread the word of this new blues album, we ask that you:
- Post information about the album on your website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, including a link to Smithsonian Folkways (folkways.si.edu) for purchase
- Share this video excerpt with your friends/colleagues John Jackson performs "Steamboat Whistle"
- Share a link to a free song download from folkways.si.edu (“Frankie and Johnny”)
- Include information about the album in your email or print newsletter
- Permit us to post on your message board
- Review the album in your publication (promo copies available upon request)
For more information about this album please click here
Please contact us if this is of interest to you. Thank you for your time, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Smithsonian Folkways is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. Our mission is the commitment to cultural diversity, education, increased understanding, and lively engagement with the world of sound.
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
www.folkways.si.edu
600 Maryland Ave, SW Ste 2001
Washington, DC, 20024
Columbia College Chicago creates documentary of Jimmy Reed
The family of Blues Legend Jimmy Reed in cooperation with Columbia College Chicago has just completed production on a documentary about Jimmy Reed.
The family is using the piece to launch the Jimmy and Mary Reed Foundation. The group will help safeguard the rights of artists. They will be holding workshops about how musicians can make sure they don't loose rights to royalties to their music. The group will also help promote the legacy of Jimmy Reed.
Please take a look at part one of the documentary. Part two will be coming soon.
We will also be launching a facebook page and Jimmy Reed merchandise to help support the work of the Jimmy and Mary Reed Foundation. Spread the word.
Take a look at part one.