Voodoo Katz

It hardly seems possible, but the summer of 2008 is on the way out. Sad, but still reason enough to get your celebrating done while the weather is still nice.

Live on the Levee’s Friday afternoon concert series comes to a close this Friday at 6:30pm, starting with mystic-folkie Andy Park(second from left, above). Around 7:30pm Park picks up the electric guitar and joins his long-time bandmates the Voodoo Katz for some world beat, groove heavy tunes. The Katz are one of the most versatile band in Charleston but they will really be in their element along the Kanawha River.

Free show, bring a lawn chair and some cash to support the charities via the raffle, and keep an eye out for the flying t-shirts courtesy of the city workers who launch free shirts into the crowd at ticket-holding patrons. There’s also great BBQ Thanks to Blues BBQ and usually, the fish lady makes an appearance with her famous fish, fries and funnel cakes.

Who was your favorite levee act this summer? Leave us some comments.

Harmonica Legend, WV Native Charlie McCoy

This past Tuesday, the WV Music Hall of Fame announced it’s 2008 class of inductees-a varied lot indeed-and one of it’s honorees is coming to Charleston this weekend. The undisputed king of Bluegrass and Country harmonica, Charlie McCoy performs this Saturday, August 9, at Coonskin Park’s Schoenbaum Stadium. Gates open at 5pm, Mark IV Band opens at 6pm, and Charlie starts tearing things up at 7:30pm Here’s a good article about Charlie by Bill Lynch at thegazz.com.

McCoy can be heard on literally hundreds of recordings and has over 30 albums of his own. He spent 19 years as the musical director on Hee-Haw and played on some of the most seminal Bob Dylan Albums, including “John Wesley Harding,” and “Nashville Skyline.” Perhaps the most distinctive harmonica riff recorded belongs to Charlie as heard on Roy Orbison’s early hit, “Candy Man.”

Schoenbaum Stadium is located at Coonskin Park, just past Charleston’s Yeager Airport. Stay right on Greenbrier St. instead of heading up the hill to Yeager and you can’t miss it. Drive through the park until you see the shell- that’s the stadium. Park your car, bring the camp chairs and take a deep seat. Tickets are $10 Adult, $5 for Children 10-18 yrs old, and free for anyone 55 & older or under 10. Tickets include a round of miniature golf and a paddle boat ride.

Get geared up by hearing McCoy’s signature live tune, “Orange Blossom Special.”

Charlie McCoy Plays the Orange Blossom Special

I headed down Route 119 last night for the 75th Annual Boone County Fair at the Lick Creek Campground near Danville. Just about 20 miles South on 119, a left at the traffic light past Danville and then another Left past Tileworld and you’re there!

Country music superstar T. Graham Brown was to headline, but the real fireworks came during Charleston’s own honky-tonk trio Buckstone’s set.

An Electrical overload put a momentary stop on the music.

Maybe it was more than a moment

Some sparks started flying from above the main power box, right next to the (mostly metal) stage. Yours truly was backstage taking pictures when the sparks started flying. Before the band knew what was going on, the power had been shut down and crews were scrambling to get everyone off the stage. No one was in serious danger, but the crews and staff at the Boone County Fair were extra cautious in keeping everyone safe. “I thought the fireworks were tomorrow night,” the stage manager said.

“That’s a AEP job there,” Jim Raines, a hired sound engineer, said. Sure enough, AEP was on the scene in no time, considering it was after 10p.m., and had the problem fixed for a much anticipated set by Mr. Brown.

The Boone County Fair continues this weekend (July 28-August 4) and fireworks are, indeed, scheduled for Saturday night. For more information, call (304) 369-2338 or 245-8113 .

Buckstone just before the sparks started flying.