Taylor performing at RJ’s Grill & Bar
The “Blues By Budweiser” concert series will feature “Charlotte Taylor & Gypsy Rain” at 8 p.m. Saturday at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The doors will open at 7 p.m. Port City Blues Society members are admitted free. Regular admission is $5. The concert series is sponsored by MK Distributors.
Little Rock singer-songwriter Charlotte Taylor has been performing since an early age. “Born and raised in Heber Springs, Taylor formed the Project Blue band in 1994 after getting hooked on the blues. She later went on to record on the famed Memphis label, Hi Records. Taylor has been compared to blues legends Etta James and Bonnie Raitt, as well as being influenced by rockers, Steven Tyler and Robert Plant, and great soul singers like Aretha Franklin and Mavis Staples,” according to a news release. Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain have performed at many festivals including Riverfest in Little Rock, the Riverwalk Blues Festival in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., the Spa City Blues Festival, Big Steam Music Festival in Hot Springs, Blues Eureka in Eureka Springs, and the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena.
The band has won numerous blues competitions and has played on Beale Street in Memphis at B.B. King’s, The Rum Boogie, The Hard Rock Café, King’s Palace and Blues Hall. The band has also competed in the International Blues Challenge. “Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain features multi-instrumentalist Matthew Stone on guitar and pedal steel. Originally from Chicago, Stone plays with great skill and passion and excels in many genres of music,” according to the release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Searcy, Ark. native, Berkee School of Music graduate, and one of the original members of Project Blue, Bruce Johnston plays bass. Johnston received his doctorate in musical composition from the University of Miami, and currently teaches jazz guitar and bass at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia. John Roach has been a member of Gypsy Rain for over 10 years and attended the University of Central Arkansas in Conway where he played in the big band,” according to the release. “Dave Williams II plays saxophone and is a University of Central Arkansas graduate and a phenomenal jazz, blues, and funk brass player. Williams regularly performs at The Rep and with several groups around Little Rock. He brings a wealth of musical knowledge and masterful chops to the group,” according to the release. Port City Blues Society promotes the “Blues By Budweiser” concert series. Details: pc-blues.com or facebook.com/PCBluesSociety.
GOP committee to meet Jan. 25
The Jefferson County Republican Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at Larry’s Pizza in White Hall. The meeting will include registering new members, accepting registrations from members who missed the November filing period, and electing their county committee officers, according to a news release.
Women’s Connection luncheon set
The Christian Women’s Connection invites the community to its luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The speaker will be Sharon Lawlor of Holiday Island in Carroll County. Her topic will be “Beautiful.” Claudia Clark of Pine Bluff will sing, according to a news release.
The luncheon is $21, which includes the meal, drink, dessert, tax, and gratuity. All reservations must be made three days in advance. Participants will be charged for reservations that are made and not kept. For reservations or cancellations, call Jennifer Keahey at (870) 540-9302.