Delta Blues Picker ?Poor Howard? Stith Makes FSGW Debut
House Concert Friday January 25, 8:00 p.m.
Takoma Park, MD
?Poor Howard? Stith, who gets his blues moniker from the Lead Belly song (or, perhaps, from listeners who respond to his puns with: ?That?s poor, Howard!?), has been performing barrelhouse blues for more than 30 years. He brings his dazzling 12-string guitar, heartfelt voice, and seemingly endless supply of anecdotes, puns and shaggy dog stories to his first-ever concert for FSGW on Friday, January 25, at 8:00 p.m.
Born in Kansas City, and raised on a farm in Iowa., Howard emerged on the Minneapolis folk/blues scene in the late 1960s. His 12-string guitar style proved that Delta blues could be found at both ends of the Mississippi.
Over the years, Poor Howard has performed across the U.S., Europe and Japan, entertaining audiences in coffeehouses, bars and at festivals. He has shared the stage with such notable blues performers as John Jackson, Archie Edwards and Peg Leg Sam.
Poor Howard's blues style is drawn from the tradition of Huddie Ledbetter (Lead Belly) and Blind Willy McTell, incorporating a powerful bass line along with flashy finger-picking. His passion and reverence for the country blues of the 1920s and ?30s is infectious, and he instills a new interest in this roots music wherever he performs.
Suggested donation for the concert is $15, with all proceeds going to the performer. The concert will be held at the home of FSGW members Maribeth Oakes and Bob Bingaman at 7502 Holly Ave. in Takoma Park, MD. It?s an easy walk from the Takoma Metro (on the Red Line), or you can find plenty of free parking in the Takoma Park Elementary School lot just across the street from Maribeth & Bob?s driveway. For more information and reservations (not required, but definitely helpful!), please contact Kathy Westra at 301-754-0711.
But wait! There?s more!
Special Workshop: ?A Walk through the Delta with Howard Stith?
Saturday, January 26 10 a.m. - Noon
Riverdale, MD
The Archie Edwards Blues Barbershop will host ?A Walk Through the Delta with Howard Stith,? a special workshop on Saturday, January 26. Howard will compare the guitar styles of Mississippi and Louisiana bluesmen, such as Son House and Leadbelly, through a mix of songs on six- and 12-string guitars. The workshop is a great chance for blues aficionados to delve into guitar styles, primarily the thumb styles of the guitarists, with some emphasis on bottleneck blues. Cost is $15. To reserve a place, email info@acousticblues.com. Archie Edwards?s Blues Barbershop is located at 4701 Queensbury Rd., Riverdale, MD 20737. Information: www.acousticblues.com or 301-396-3054.
