Coloma Blues Live!

By Michael Shea.

As I walked out of the festival grounds the thought struck me that I’d just seen something special. I missed Muddy Waters and Stevie Ray Vaughn, the two blues musicians I would most like to have seen live, but I had now seen Kenny Wayne Shepherd in his prime. And it was a show I would remember.

I’d heard Kenny in 1996 at San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium when he was 19 years old and remember thinking he was pretty good for a kid. But, this time he had matured as a guitar player and showman and I found him mesmerizing. Part of it was his appearance – in command of the stage and somewhat surly. Yet when he talked to the crowd he sounded polite and appreciative. With a white scarf wrapped around his neck he reminded me of a 1970’s guitar god. Kenny played four different Stratocasters, swapping them out every few songs. Maybe because he’s so partial to Strats, Fender named an Artist Series signature model after him!

More of a blues-rock guitarist than a straight blues player, Kenny performed several of his hits, closing the show with a great version of Voodoo Child. The scene of this episode was Coloma Blues Live!, a blues festival presented by the Eldorado Arts Council in cooperation with Carrera Productions. Like many festivals, Coloma Blues Live! is made possible through the donations of generous sponsors and a “Promotions Fund” award from El Dorado County.

In addition to headliner Kenny Wayne Shepherd, this year’s festival featured Joe Louis Walker, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, Mighty Mike Schermer, Chris Cain and the Laurie Morvan Band. I’d never watched the Laurie Morvan Band before and got a kick out of them. Laurie’s between song raps were entertaining.

Laurie Morvan Gets Down at Colomo Blues Live! - Photo credit: Mike Shea.

My favorite was Laurie telling about being interviewed by a major guitar magazine. When she mentioned she’d like to be on the magazine’s cover she was told, “The only way a woman’s going to get on the cover of this magazine is if she’s naked!” Laurie’s next comment was, “and after I put my clothes back on…” Naturally this drew a good laugh from the audience. Laurie is a very energetic and limber performer. Check her out.

Next up was “Mighty Mike” Schermer, who authored the Tommy Castro hit, “My Big Sisters Radio.” Mike was joined on stage by guitarist Chris Cain, and for my money no one, (Sorry Larry Carlton), can play the blues on a Gibson ES-335 as well as Chris Cain. Mike and Chris invited Laurie back up and a good natured guitar dual ensued that was entertaining not only for the music, but for the clowning around from Mike, Chris, and Laurie.

Kid and Rick wow the Columus Festival crowd. Photo credit: Mike Shea

Kid Anderson and Rick Cain wow the Coloma Blues Live! audience - Photo credit: Mike Shea.

Whereas Chris Cain wore coveralls and Mike Schermer wore jeans, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats were all dressed in suits, making them standout from everyone else at the festival. With his sideburns and mustache, guitarist Kid Andersen has a bit of a Duane Allman look going on. Kid is a great fit with Rick Estrin, the two of them continuing the tradition of hamming it up, as did Rick and Little Charlie before Charlie retired from the band. I love watching Rick on stage. He too has some great stories, like how he would buy Cinnabons and fan the smell on himself in order to attract women!

I was surprised to see bassist Lorenzo Farrell playing a Hammond organ in addition to his usual electric and standup basses. Joe Lewis Walker showed up dressed in all in white and playing a complementary white SG Standard. He was the consummate bandleader, giving plenty of space to guitarist Lynnwood Taylor to show off his chops.

Mike Schermer (l) and Laurie Morvan (r) check out Chris Cain's chops at Coloma Blues Live! - Photo credit: Mike Shea.

Coloma Blues Live! is held in June of each year. It’s a smallish festival and is held in a park situated on the banks of the American River. If it gets too hot you can actually wade in the river to cool off! Besides having a great music festival, Coloma has an interesting history. Coloma is where James Marshall discovered gold in 1848. Marshall’s discovery was responsible for California’s Forty-Niner gold rush. The site is commemorated just a few miles from the blues festival site, at Marshall Gold Discovery Historic State Park.

I encourage guitar players and blues lovers from all over the world to attend the festival. One could easily spend a week or more here, attending the festival, visiting the gold discovery site, rafting on the American River, visiting nearby Lake Tahoe and other gold country communities such as Grass Valley and Nevada City.

Coloma Blues Live! Photo Gallery