NEWS You can now buy SBS T-shirts online! Check them out here. The Blues Foundation in Memphis needs your help. Signup and join the Foundation, and help support Blues everywhere... click here Hey Kids! It's time to check your Membership cards! We don't want to lose track of any of our Blues brothers and sisters....and if you're NOT a member, sign up now! Want to save Gas by Carpooling to SBS Events? - As you know, with the current gas crunch it has become harder for our Blue lovers to justify traveling for events. Did you know that we have a "Classifieds" section available right here on the SBS Web Site where members can post for free? Interested parties should post requests in the "personals" section under the classified tab in the members area of our website. If you tag the ad "Ride Wanted" or "Passengers Wanted" other members can link up with you to share gas and you will all still have money left over to have some fun!

SPECIAL EVENTS Jul 5, 2008 - David Shelley In The Spotlight David Shelly in the Spotlight! There’s a lot of buzz about guitarist extraordinaire’ David Shelley, but what do you expect? He was born with musical genes. His grandfather was songwriter/producer Buddy DeSylva of "Best Things In Life Are Free" fame and his mother sang in the big bands of Glen Miller and Harry James. David has played percussion with fusion artist Randy Bernsen and the legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, and was guitarist, singer and songwriter with reggae band T'shan. Come on out to The Ringside Café (2704 Fourth St. N, St Pete - 727-894-8465) and hear what the buzz is all about! Jul 11, 2008 - Florida Band Exchange with JP Soars and the Redhots It’s back! As you know, we came up with the idea, had a contest to name it and were trading bands with the South Florida Blues Society. Due to a lack of participating venues in Ft. Lauderdale the concept went into limbo, but with some work on both sides we’ve started it up again. Julie Black will be headed over there, and on Friday, July 11 we bring J.P. Soars and the Redhots to the Ringside Café (2704 Fourth St. N, St Pete - 727-894-8465). J.P. started playing guitar at age 11. His early musical interest ranged from the Beatles to ZZ Top to heavy metal bands. It was during his time on the road traveling the US, Europe and South America that he developed an interest in blues and the gypsy jazz of Django Reinhardt. As you’ll see JP Soars and the Redhots deliver on the blues end. They were the winner of the South Florida Society Annual Blues Challenge and represented them Memphis. So come on out and see what the SFBS has to offer on Fri, July 11th. Band starts at 9:30pm and cover is $7.00 at St. Pete’s perennial favorite, the Ringside. Jul 19, 2008 - We’re Jookin’ With Johnnie Marshall! On Sat, July 19th at Dave's Aqua Lounge (10820 Gandy Blvd., St. Pete - 727-576-1091) we’re Jookin’ with Johnnie Marshall! Marshall is almost a Florida native son, he was born and bred in Wigham, Georgia, about 50 miles north of Tallahassee. His 2001 JSP release “98 Cents In The Bank” featured Guests Johnny Rawls, Eddie Kirkland, Sonny Rhodes & More. He’s been compared to “early Robert Cray”, so it’s gonna’ be a fun night of Blues! Showtime is 9:30, and it’s $7.00 at the door! Aug 2, 2008 - “SOUTHSIDE BLUES” with The Terry Hanck Band On Sat, August 2nd 2008, the SBS and Ace’s Lounge (4343 Palma Sola Blvd, Bradenton - 941-795-3886) will present the first of the “SOUTHSIDE BLUES” series featuring The Terry Hanck Band. Terry is an amazing saxophone player now living in South Florida. You may have seen him playing sax with Chris Cain’s band at the Tampa Bay Blues festival this past April. Terry played with Elvin Bishop for 10 years in the ‘70’s and 80’s. He now divides his time between California and Florida and we’re lucky enough to get him to come our way for a show. Being able to see him in a local club is a real treat. Some friends of ours recently saw Terry and his band at the BBC in Tallahassee and they had the place jumpin’ and groovin’. Terry’s brand new CD “Always” will be out in late August and, though he has long been writing songs, this is the first CD on which he penned all of them. The price is only $8.00 adv/SBS and $12.00 at the door. Aug 24, 2008 - Hit The Beach! It’s The SBS’ Annual Beach Bash Hit The Beach….. Sun, Aug. 24th –It’s The SBS’ Annual Beach Bash – this year “The Hat Band” will be leading the jam! It happens at the Lions Club Beach House (9300 West Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island). You know it, you love it, you gotta be there! Bring the kids, bring your beach gear, bring a dish to share (and an extra chair!). (We’ll supply some beer, but it’s always best to B.Y.O.B.). This year we’re bringing back Scotty Clark’s Backyard Jam, too! This is a chance for EVERYBODY to drag out the acoustic and sit in….(Heck, I might even do that!) The Hat Band is “Phil The Hat’s” troop, featuring Alison Long. (She’s put together a CD that will be ready in time for the ‘Bash.) They’ve been friends for years, playing together and trying to support each other the best they can. Alison and Phil are the constant blues - Chicago, Delta, and Country Blues. Phil sez: “That's what we do, and we do it pretty well - I think.” Oct 31, 2008 - A Halloween Spook-Tacular: Monster Mash With Melvin Taylor! We’re going to the Happy Haunting Grounds this year. On Halloween night (Fri, Oct. 31st) Ace’s Lounge (4343 Palma Sola Blvd, Bradenton - 941-795-3886) and The Suncoast Blues Society are throwing a costume extravaganza featuring that guitar-monster, Melvin Taylor! There will be a costume contest, prizes and give-aways, and more fun that you can stand! Nov. 1st is The Sarasoa Blues ‘Fest, so come on down, get a room, and spend the weekend! And as for the entertainment? Ask one of Melvin’s fans or check him out at: http://www.melvintaylorblues.com/ or at, myspace.com/melvintaylorblues , or even at youtube.com/melvintaylor.

The Suncoast Blues Society has 855 members.
We now have members in 33 States, Canada, the UK, Germany and Northern Ireland! The word is spreading!