Cedarberg Cultural Center, WI

Me and Cassie
The Cultural Center

This gig was an unexpected pleasure. Cedarberg is sort of a rural area and when i saw the name of the venue i wondered what culture we would bring. That's what i get for being judgemental. When i walked in it seemed more like a museum with a stage There was a bunch of cool art displayed that was done by local kids. We set up and the place started filling and filling. By the time we started it was full. The people dug us right off the bat. That energizes us and we pick it up a few more notches. What a great gig to take on down the road with us. It was the topic of discussion in the van as we started our 2 day drive back to Dallas. Thanks Cedarberg for helping to make the drive better. At the show was Cassie and her family. I first met her in Minnesota and have seen them at several shows up in that neck of the woods. I believe Cassie is 13 and a big SJK fan. I think she has grown a foot since the last time i saw her. Also at the show was Alligator Records owner Bruce Iglauer and his wife. It was cool to meet her and see Bruce again.

Buddy Guy's Legends Club, Chicago, IL

Dave K (me) on the stage at Legends

Buddy sign in the backstage area upstairs.
Eric Clapton painting on the wall.....

What a blast to have the opportunity to play here. To think of all the people that have played on this stage. Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Rick Skinker and the list goes on forever. Our show started at 10:30 which is pretty late. There was an act before us called The Other Band Of Gypsy's. Yep, Hendrix cover band, Star Spangled Banner and all. We used the house equiptment which saves a little time. I got a great exersize and nap session at the hotyel. I slice of Chicago pizza and i was ready to go. Bruce I, owner of alligator Records was there with some of his staff and 2 reporters from Germany. We got a tour of the record company earlier in the day as they are based in Chicago.........More later

Tallahasee and Jacksonville Beach

Dirlie from Jacksonville. Our friend from the Blues Cruise. Her and Ray took me out for coffee.
Jacksonville Beach festival site

Zoot Suit digs Blood Brothers... a bunch.
Doing our thing in Jacksonville Beach Festival

After Boca Raton on Friday night we drove up to Tallahassee and did our gig at the Bradfordville Blues Club. Gary and Kim, the owners are the sweetest people and made us feel right at home. Our show went well. One of the songs on Blood Brothers, Out On A Limb, got modified during sound check last time we were there. It got recorded that way (trivia). It was fun to me back there. (No photos..sorry)

The next day we drove to Jacksonville beach for the "Springing In The Blues Festival". We went to the hotel and got cleaned up. Dirlie and Ray picked me up and we went to Starbucks for a cup of coffee. It was nice to catch up and get to know them better. We met them on the January 08 Legendary Rythm and Blues Cruise. Dirlie was at every show I did, in the front row with that great, infectious smile. Thanks Dirlie.

We rolled to the gig and found our way to the stage. Bruce Iglauer was there as the 3 day festival was a tribute to him and most of the acts where on his label, Alligator Records. He told us they gave him the key to the city. The stage was a huge permanent concrete structure adjacent to the beach. It had been raining on and off during the 3 days of the fest. We were scheduled to go on last on the last day. We drove thru poring rain on the way from Tallahassee so we were concerned the fans would hang in the rain. They did and the rain held off till we were on our last song. I know i say this a bunch but we kicked some serious ass. The crowd ate it up. We did most of the songs off the new album. It was a little intimidating for me to play with the owner of the label and co producer sitting front row center. I did not let it rattle me and i did fine. The drum kit they provided was fine and i used my cymbals and snare. WE hung around for a while after so Joe and Bnois could sign some CD's and then we chatted with Bruce for a while.All in all a great day...and in bed early for a change.

The next day we drove to Gastonia NC to lounge around for a few days. I caught up on some sleep, did my laundry and made it to 2 AA meetings. Our gig tomorrow is a few hours away at Hillsbourogh NC at the Blue Bayou Club.

Gonna be a busy 5 weeks... just like i like it.

Dave K

Blood Brother's released next week.

SJK overdubbing acoustic guitar in the studio.

The album cover art.

Bruce Iglauer and myself at the console during the Blood Brothers sessions.

Blood Brothers, the new album from The Smokin Joe Kubek Band featuring Bnois King will be released Tuesday March 4th. This is our first album on Alligator Records. I suggested the title "Used Pizza" but it did not stick. The album can be pre-purchased at www.alligator.com/. I am very excited as this is the first real album i have ever drummed on. The album was produced by SJK and co-produced by Bruce Iglauer, Alligator Records owner.I dug working with Bruce and it was cool to get to know this Blues Icon (photo above at console). It was recorded at Audio Dallas by Paul Osborn. Paul is a drummer and he helped me feel comfortable and he knew how to get the sounds we wanted on the drums. I am looking forward to hearing it played on the radio. A friend Nadja called me yesterday to tell me she was listening to it on the radio. I was surprised because i was told it would not be played till the release date. This is another dream come true for me. I need some new dreams....fast. We will have a CD release party in Dallas on March 7th and in Ft Worth on March 8th. We will have a busy April and may touring to support the album. Check our site for a date near you. Big thanks to Joe and Bnois for including me in this project. We will see you all at the Blues foundation Awards and the Grammies..... Hey, new dreams already.