News from Living Blues

Living Blues: The Magazine of the African American Blues Tradition, continues to provide first-rate blues music journalism. Our newest issue features soul and gospel diva Mavis Staples, a piece on honking and screaming saxophonist Big Jay McNeely, and a conversation with soul blues chart-topper Theodis Ealey.

In addition to the magazine, the staff at Living Blues has produced the 2005 Blues Directory, an essential resource for blues artists, professionals, and fans. Orders are being taken for the 2005 directory. To place an order, please visit our Web site (www.livingblue.com) or send us an e-mail (lblues@olemiss,edu).

Additionally, planning is under way for our 2005 Blues Today: A Living Blues Symposium, scheduled for February 17-19, 2005, in Oxford, Mississippi. Titled "Radio and the Blues Highway," our third annual symposium will celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Highway 61 radio program and feature a panel discussion on blues radio. Also scheduled to appear are the critically acclaimed blues-gospel trio the Holmes Brothers, sacred steel masters the Campbell Brothers, a panel discussion on the legacy of Robert Johnson, and legendary King Biscuit Hour deejay "Sunshine" Sonny Payne. Blues historian and ethnomusicologist Samuel Charters is tentatively scheduled to deliver the keynote address. Web site registration commenced November 1, so please make your travel plans now!

Mark Camarigg