In 2008, Eb was inducted into The Blues Hall of Fame as an official blues ambassador for the state of Arkansas (his native state).
Some boards of blues foundations even made trips to the United States to track down musicians who could be invited to their annual event. In this way, our band had the opportunity to meet and accompany the legendary barrelhouse pianist Henry Gray through the "Midzomer Bluesfestival Wijchen (Arnhem, NL).
Martin van der Velde
The band Greyhound Blues Band, of which I was the singer/guitarist from 1990 to 2019, had as an important side activity the task of performing as a backing band for numerous blues musicians. Over time, this number increased to 122, including 72 from the United States.
In a previous band (Juke Joint Blues Band), bassist Martin van der Velde had already made contact with people who were looking for employment for the musicians they had hired.
Via Leo Bruin (Swingmaster), R.L. Burnside, Richard 'Big Boy' Henry, Robert T. 'Piano Slim' Smith and Walter 'Lightnin Bug' Rhodes. Through booking agency Helma Vogels (NL) Benjamin Harrison 'Uncle Ben' Perry, through Rolf Schubert (DE) Louisiana Red. Through Gary Erwin (Erwin Music, USA), Gary himself and Chicago Bob Nelson came to Europe in 1992, in 1994 Chicago Bob came for a six-week tour, booking agency Jan Mittendorp arranged this tour for us.
In 1989, Martin had formed the new band Greyhound Blues Band and continued this activity. Blues festivals and blues nights wanted an American blues musician on the bill and in this way 72 American musicians were accompanied in almost 30 years.
Most lived in Europe and their travel to the locations was less expensive, others were specially flown in.
Below some musicians of American origin and the country they live in, with extra info
United States
Netherlands
Germany
France
England:
Czech Republic
Locations
We had several locations where the artists could perform: the annual blues night in Assen (more than 30 years), in connection with Assen on Sunday a performance in the Crossroads Sessions at Café 't Keerpunt in Spijkerboor (2000 - ...), occasionally on Fridays at Café Vancouver in Coevorden and the Blues Festival at Theater De Tamboer in Hoogeveen (three sets with three guests in the foyer, 2005 - 2016).
B.J. Hegen in the background, bluesman from the very beginning, who continues to deliver traditional blues to this day.
Course of events
Most came by train and were picked up either by one of us or by the organizing festival. We met the artist on location and after getting acquainted we drew up two set lists together. The songs were known or we could refer to songs that were similar. If an artist had special wishes, we would have received a CD in advance, which everyone would listen to. During the performance we communicated with signals to indicate tempos, keys, breaks, chord progressions, intros and outros. The performer assigned a soloist for 24 bars of solo.
After the performance, the artist was taken to his accommodation and picked up by one of us the next day. In a larger city with a larger festival, the artists were accommodated in a hotel.
As a small band, everyone provided their own equipment and transportation; no roadies, no PA system (unless provided by the organization). It was tough, long hours, for little money. But a fantastic musical adventure.
And now looking back, it was quite normal at the time, but in retrospect it is quite special.