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Wes Mackey    Poppes Bistro, Lakeway Inn    Thurs, May 11, 2006, 9:30pm    714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, WA    360-671-1011   NO COVER CHARGE

Wes Mackey, Honky Tonk to Five Star Blues

c.2006 blueslamp.com

Wes Mackey may be a new name for Washington State blues fans. The bluesman has been moving under the radar, and hasn't been performing in what is normally considered typical blues venues in these parts. You're more likely to catch him playing in a swank hotel bar than a bare bones tavern. But this wasn't always the case for this long careered singer, guitarist and pedal bass performer.      The South Carolina 'born and raised' son of a preacher man pulled his share of low pay gigs (fifty cents and a sandwich) in the south. It was a hard life but included coveted moments like playing in  back up bands for Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker in Augusta, Georgia. Like many blue musicians, he found a greater musical acceptance after leaving his home region. He was able to do some recording in New York and gigging in Paris (Maxwells Cafe), Malaysia and Iceland.

Bluesman Wes Mackey Wes Mackey Website

Wes Mackey enjoyed some sucess in Eastern Canada where he became a Halifax Roundabout regular on the local CBC television station. These days he can be found on Canada's west coast in British Columbia. It is only in the last few years that this expatriot blues musician has returned, with great audience response, to performing at blues festivals in the Southern United States. For instance, he'll be appearing in February 2006 at the Low Country Blues Bash in Charleston, South Carolina (February 13-20).      Mackey's debut album, Second Chance was noted as Real Blues Magazine's #7 Best release in 2003 and Toronto Blues Societies #6 Top Pick for March 2003. His second CD is titled Mr. Blues and another follow up release is planned.      The bass pedal talents of Wes Mackey are a real crowd pleaser and it is a talent he displays when performing blues solo. On Thursday, May 11, 2006, Mackey will be performing at Poppe's Bistro at the Lakeway Inn (714 Lakeway Drive in Bellingham, WA). The vocals and guitar of Wes Mackey are described as both lush and earthy and he tends to gravitate to the swinging side of blues. His smooth blues are in contrast to his stage conversation between songs, stuttering, grinning  and 'down home'. Like most performers, Mackey has played quite a variety of music. "I play all kinds. You have to make the music fit the venue. I've played country, R&B and some jazz...but it all comes out sounding like the blues."

c.2006 blueslamp.com

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