Drink Small: News

Drink Small had a happy hour crowd of 150 people at his "Early Bird Blues" show (4-7 pm) yesterday at Mad River Bar & Grille in downtown Charleston, SC. An old church, Mad River, as a venue, was a pleasant surprise for many folks. Don't miss Drink's return to Mad River next Tuesday June 3. Same time. Tickets at www.piccolospoleto.com or at the door $10. Get there early...we ran out of seats yesterday!

"Jazz & Blues Musicians of South Carolina" by Benjamin Franklin will be released in early summer on University of SC Press and features an interview with Drink. Check it out & order (advance) at : www.sc.edu/uscpress (click on "New Titles").
Also interviewed: Gary Erwin (Shrimp City Slim), Dizzy Gillespie, Nappy Brown and others.

Drink has completed a new 10-song session, recorded at The Jam Room in Columbia, SC. Entitled "Trying to Survive at 75", the project features all new Drink originals and spiritual numbers. Watch for a May, 2008 release. Will be available at shows & www.cdbaby.com

As you know, Drink turned 75 on January 28. He is in the midst of his "Trying to Survive at 75" world tour and is looking for more gigs. Please give him a call if you need high-quality blues entertainment for your next fish fry, cake walk, birthday party, divorce party, anniversary, bar/bat mitzvah, shindig, hoedown, or to-do: 803-254-2123. All inquiries held strictly confidential.

Drink Small turns 75 on January 28, 2008 and would like to do a '75th Birthday Tour', meaning: he would like to do 75 gigs in a row to celebrate! If you have any gig ideas for The Blues Doctor, please reach him at 803-254-2123 or email us as emusic@mindspring.com
Thank you!

11th Annual Carolina Downhome Blues Festival this Thurs-Sat Oct 4-6, Camden, SC. www.bluesbash.com/camden
DS will take up residence for three performances at the Old Armory Steak House on Rutledge St., including two slots that were originally assigned to his late, great friend Kip Anderson. Should be a sentimental blues journey this weekend...don't miss!

Drink and band live at the South Carolina Statehouse, May 15, 2007 ("Beach Music Day"), performing "Shag My Blues Away":
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WZ9va9fi0s

SC blues/R&B/gospel legend Kip Anderson passed away August 28 after a sudden illness in Anderson, SC. Drink and Kip journeyed together to Savoy Records in the late '50s in search of fame & fortune. Drink ended up on Sharp (Savoy's blues subsidiary) while Kip landed with Savoy itself. Drink played the savage guitar solo on Kip's first single "I Want to Be the Only One" (1958). RIP Kip Anderson, a wonderful human being and great artist.

Seeing old fans and making new ones...a big time at this year's Greenwood Blues Cruise.
www.greenwoodbluescruise.com
Mark your calendar for next year:
Greenwood, SC, July 10-12, 2008.

Thanks to Jeff Norwood for positioning "The Blues Doctor" deeper into cyberspace...check him out at www.myspace.com/drinksmallblues

Judging from the emails & calls we've gotten, looks like Drink and his inimitable style knocked them out at the Miss. Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, IA on Sunday, July 1. Thanks to everyone for coming out.

We wonder if anyone out there in Bluesland has an RV or van they want to donate to Drink Small for touring. He needs an updated ride for upcoming gigs such as Davenport, Iowa on July 1. Please contact us if you have any ideas. We might be able to work some sort of tax-deductibility. Thanks.

Drink mesmerized a capacity crowd on Saturday June 9 at the Bayou Station stage at the 24th annual Chicago Blues Festival. Making his second appearance at this world-class event, the "Blues Doctor" hunkered down on a 90-min set of Carolina blues on acoustic guitar & vocals. An autograph session followed at the Best Buy CD tent.

Tune in Thurs June 7, 9 pm for "Juke Joints & Honky Tonks" on SC ETV Network. Drink is a featured artist.

Drink will be making his second appearance this June 9 at the 24th annual Chicago Blues Festival. Their site is now up & running:
www.chicagobluesfestival.us
Please visit & check out the full line-up!

As previously reported, Drink will be featured in the Educational Television program "Juke Joints & Honky Tonks", which was to have aired April 26. Due to schedule change, the program will be broadcast instead on Thursday, June 7, 9 pm on all member stations of SC ETV. Read more at their site: www.myetv.org/television/productions/carolina_stories

South Carolina Educational Television is featuring Drink Small in its "Juke Joints & Honky Tonks" program to be aired April 26 statewide.

24th annual Chicago Blues Festival. Sat June 9, 2-3:30 pm. Please see Calendar for more details.

Playing (solo) his wooden acoustic guitar equipped with Barcus-Berry pickup, Drink played some of his best shows in sometime at the 17th annual Southern Comfort Lowcountry Blues Bash, Charleston, SC (Feb 9-18, www.bluesbash.com). The man is very much at the top of his game; performing with maturity and a full catalog of guitar tricks and vocal nuances. Book him now while you have the chance...real-deal blues legend at your service!

Take a look at the Calendar. Drink and friends will party down at Gritsman Club in Columbia. Info on the Calendar. Food & Drink available. Lots of blues. Can't make it? Send a card & $$ greetings to Drink Small, 2223 Lady St, Columbia, SC 29204. THANK YOU.