House Of Blues
Jun 15th, 2007 by Tom Murphy
From 1994 through ’98 I was music journalist and Los Angeles interviewer for some mighty fine syndicated radio shows. House Of Blues Radio Hour was my favorite steady gig. On air, Elwood Blues was the host. On location, I was his invisible cousin, wielding a microphone and Sony DAT Walkman, asking the questions, digging for truth about the blues.
Other favorite shows I worked on include “I Want To Take You Higher – The Psychedelic Years” for Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and various programs for Disney, Putumayo and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
HoB’s Ganesha Room was the quietest hideaway for recording sessions. Artists who joined me there: Carl Perkins told of the night that he wrote Blue Suede Shoes. The Go Gos’ Gina Schock reprimanded the day shift for makin’ too much noise while we’re recording. Hot Tuna melted me by playing a couple of songs. Sounded great through my Sony DAT rig. Branford Marsalis‘ spirit was like a Crescent City parade. Joe Ely opened up about life on the road. Ely’s show that night at the Viper Room restored any faith that might have gotten lost on Sunset Blvd.
My other job was as Multimedia Director of House of Blues on Sunset Blvd. Fun? Yeah. And a lot more work. House of Blues is a hi-tech juke joint museum of music and folk art. Seven days a week, day into night, I was the club DJ/VJ, keeping the music playing with artists’ bio, music history and song info displayed on closed circuit TVs.
After four months in the nightclub, I was getting a little frayed from the 14-hour days. It was more of a lifestyle than a job. The music was our lifeblood, the food was the best, and the staff stayed focused with weekly management meetings. The relentless crowds filled the club every night. Media crews were everywhere. We did our best to tame the chaos. The music never stopped. Beautiful, wild nights.
One morning Isaac Tigrett was visiting me in the sound booth as I created the day’s music playlist. I asked him if he’s ready to take House of Blues to the Internet. You can’t say something like that to Isaac and not expect your world to change. Next thing I know I’m Creative Director of House of Blues New Media. That’s a whole other world. Ohmm.
TO: THE HOUSE OF BLUES RADIO HOUR TEAM
FR: BEN MANILLA
RE: NEW YORK FESTIVAL AWARDS
17 JUNE 1996
Dear Friends,
Thursday, June 13 was the 1996 New York Festival Award ceremony at Au Bar in New York City. This year there were 1,398 entries from 31 countries. The event attracted attendees from US, Germany, Japan, Australia, England and Canada.
We knew in advance that “The House of Blues Radio Hour” was the Gold Medal (first place) winner in the competition’s most difficult category: “Best Regularly Scheduled Music Program.”
Each year a panel of judges picks five “Grand Award” winners in the broad categories of Entertainment, News, Promotion, Information and Public Service. The Entertainment category is the most crowded and the most diverse.
1996’s Grand Award (Best of Show) went to the “House of Blues Radio Hour” In simple terms, this means our program has been judged THE FINEST ENTERTAINMENT RADIO PROGRAM IN THE WORLD.
This award is the culmination of three years of hard work and determination. I am extremely proud of our accomplishment. As a member of the team that works so hard to bring all the phases of this program together, allow me to express heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved.
Onward and upward with the Blues!
I was The Invisible Man on HoB Radio Hour in that I researched the topics, asked questions and recorded the interviews, but on-air, the celebrity hosts ask the questions. Even though my voice wasn’t heard, I enjoyed how the banter was real. The BBC did include my voice on a couple of projects, which pleased me immensely.
Over the years, the full breadth of the House of Blues Radio Hour shows revealed a tapestry of American roots music and stories. I’m proud to have been part of that team. Shout out to Ben Manilla’s office and Lauren, the engaging talent booker from St. Louis. Her phone calls were a delight. One time she called to set up the interview with Gene Simmons of KISS, who asked who does he have to blow to get on the HoB Radio Hour. Geez, so rock ‘n’ roll. She gave me his number and we had a session in HoB’s Green Room. I wondered if his question was meant to be the other way around. He is Gene Simmons.