It’s all blues night in Everett Sunday, with a lineup that includes Sugaray Rayford, nominated for four 2018 Blues Music Awards, including B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.
The show, which begins at 5 p.m. at the Historic Everett Theatre, also will feature harmonica virtuoso Lee Oskar, former lead harmonica player for the group War.
It’s more than just a concert, however. The event, called “For The Love of Music and Musicians,” is a benefit for the Washington Blues Society’s Musicians Relief Fund.
The fund assists performers with medical needs. It’s the second year the event has been staged in Everett. All the musicians are donating their time for the cause.
Rayford isn’t yet well known in the Northwest, “but he’s getting huge national acclaim,” said Rick Bowen, of Everett, a drummer and vocalist who is vice president of the Washington Blues Society.
The bluesman grew up in Texas and began singing at age 7. He became one of the lead vocalists for the Mannish Boys before forming his own band in 2010.
Rayford said he will likely sing “Blind Alley,” the title song on his first solo CD, as well songs off his newer albums.
He said he couldn’t say which of his songs from among the more than 80 that he performs are his favorites. It’s something like choosing a favorite child, he said. “When I write, I write from the heart and when I play, I play from the heart.”
Rayford said he’s known many musicians who have gone through health problems and who often are uninsured or don’t have adequate health insurance.
“Musicians are usually paycheck to paycheck,” he said. “How can they afford a $500 or $1,000 deductible? Usually when people have any type of function, they almost always ask musicians to be there. A lot of the time you’re the main entertainment and the least paid.”
Other groups scheduled to perform include Washington Blues Society Blues Hall of Fame member and guitar player Nick Vigarino of Camano Island, harmonica player Jim McLaughlin of Everett, and guitarist and vocalist Kevin Sutton, also of Everett. Sutton’s The WIRED! Band was the 2012 winner of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
Junkyard Jane from Tacoma, another Hall of Fame band, also will perform. Three of its band members previously received help from the Musicians Relief Fund, Bowen said.
The live and silent auctions are expected to include autographed harmonicas and guitars. A barbecue dinner will be available with proceeds going to the musicians’ fund. “It will be long show, so people can come enjoy dinner,” Bowen said.
With tickets at $30, the show provides an opportunity to see a wide variety of blues performers at an affordable price.
“That’s the key,” Oskar said. “It’s not a lot and they’re going to get a lot of music from some great players.”
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
If you go
The Washington Blues Society hosts “For the Love of Musicians,” a blues concert to benefit its Musicians Relief Fund, is 5 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Historic Everett Theatre, 2911 Colby Ave. All ages are welcome. There will be silent and live auctions. Tickets are $30. Call 425-258-6766 or to go www.historiceveretttheatre.org for more.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
Gallery
