Group gets the blues for charity

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Group gets the blues for charity
July 8, 2009
The Northwestern.com

Upbeat. Energetic. Uplifting — these are not common traits that come to mind when people think about blues music.
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But for Andy Linderman and four other Westside Andy and Mel Ford Band members, the blues is just that; and to them, performing is all about bringing happiness to the audience during rough economic times.

The Westside Andy and Mel Ford Band will play at the Oshkosh Jaycees’ 14th annual Brews ’n Blues charity microbrews and music festival Saturday afternoon. The band Cadillac Pete and the Heat will also perform Saturday.

“I love the summer and it’s great to see that people are still getting out and supporting live music at a time of when our economy is hurting, and also trying to keep the blues music alive,” Linderman said. The band’s set include a lot of solos and improvisations to introduce the audience to the artists who “speak” through their instruments.

Linderman, who’s been playing harmonica professionally for more than 40 years, remembers performing in Oshkosh at Sawdust Days a few years ago and at UW-Oshkosh in the ’60s.

“I spent a lifetime studying (music) and performing it, and I will be a student for life; and it’s a passion of mine,” Linderman said.

Brews ’n Blues is more than the blues — the charity event also offers about 100 microbrews at the event, according to event chairman Mike Bertram.

All proceeds benefit area charities, from Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services to the Oshkosh YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh. The event is from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Leach Amphitheater.

For more on the event, see tomorrow's Oshkosh Northwestern and www.thenorthwestern.com.