Brown Shoes Blues – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Willie Dixon and Buddy Guy Episode A July 25

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Welcome to a new feature addition to Brown Shoes Blues. I am going to begin a blues artist Happy Birthday show that will recognize two blues artists who have birthdays each month. The shows will be shorter than the regular episodes that discuss one artist in depth.

This episode is a Happy Birthday Shout Out to Willie Dixon and Buddy Guy.

The titles of my releases the songs are taken from in this episode include Running with the Wolf, Essential Collection, and Swing Land on my label Big Guitar Music.

The musicians featured in the tracks on this episode are Derek O’Brien, Gary Primich, Nick Connolly, Paul Jr., Ronnie James, Steve Kilmer, and Wes Starr. I am on vocals and guitar.

Thank you to Ed and Simone Van Zijl from Provogue Records for the use of “Spoonful” in this broadcast.

Visit my website for more info www.omarandthehowlers.com

Thank you to Matthew Garza (Upwork.com) for his work mastering this podcast.

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Episode 11 Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Season 1 · Episode 11

Thursday, June 26, 2025 • Duration 45:30

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EPISODE 11 SCREAMIN’ JAY HAWKINS

Episode 11 is about the life and musical career of Blues Master Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

The titles of releases on my label Big Guitar Music the songs are taken from in this episode include Swing Land, Zoltar’s Walk, and What’s Buggin’ You.

A music track playlist for this podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple, and YouTube for your listening pleasure.

The musicians featured in the tracks on this episode are Derek O’Brien, Eve Monsees, George Rains, Jason Crisp, Kevin Hall, Mark ‘Kaz’ Kazanoff, Max Crace, Mike Buck, Nick Connolly, Nico Leophonte, and Paul, Jr.

Omar’s Picks for further study of copyrighted material not used in Episode 11 are Black Music for White People, released by Bizarre Planet Records, At Home with Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, originally released on Okeh Records, and the book I Put a Spell on You: The Bizarre Life of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins by Steve Bergsman.

Visit my website for more info www.omarandthehowlers.com

Thank you to Matthew Garza (Upwork.com) for his work mastering this podcast.

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Episode 10 Eddie Taylor

Season 1 · Episode 10

Friday, May 23, 2025 • Duration 42:46

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EPISODE 10 EDDIE TAYLOR

Episode 10 is about the life and musical career of Blues Master Eddie Taylor.

The titles of releases on my label Big Guitar Music of songs used in this episode include Big Town Playboy and Classic Live Performances vol 3. “Bad Boy” is from On the Jimmy Reed Highway released on Ruf Records (used with permission).

A music track playlist for this podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple, and YouTube for your listening pleasure.

The musicians featured in the tracks on this episode are Derek O’Brien, James Cotton, Jimmie Vaughan, Paul Jr., Rich Chilleri, Ronnie James, and Wes Starr.

Omar’s Picks for further study of copyrighted music not used in Episode 10 are the song “Blue Monday at Kansas City Red’s” from the album Carey Bell’s Blues Harp, “Knockin’ at Your Door” from the album Still Not Ready for Eddie on Antones Records, and “Bad Boy” by Eddie Taylor on Vee Jay Records.

Visit my website for more info www.omarandthehowlers.com

Thank you to Thomas Ruf and Ruf Records for permission to use “Bad Boy” from On the Jimmy Reed Highway.

Thank you to Matthew Garza (Upwork.com) for his work mastering this podcast.

Episode 9 Roy Buchanan

Season 1 · Episode 9

Monday, April 14, 2025 • Duration 50:45

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EPISODE 9 ROY BUCHANAN

Episode 9 is about the life and musical career of Blues Master Roy Buchanan.

The titles of releases on my label Big Guitar Music the songs are taken from in this episode include Aggressive Country and Classic Live Performances vol 2.

A music track playlist for this podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple, and YouTube for your listening pleasure.

The musicians featured in the tracks on this episode are Barry Bihm, Bobby “Crow” Field, Danny Dozier, Hugh Garraway, Jimmy Barnett, Paul Jr, Rich Chilleri, and Tommy Conner.

Omar’s Picks for further study of copyrighted music not used in Episode 9 are "Sweet Dreams" from Roy Buchanan on Polydor Records, "I Won't Tell You No Lies" from his Second Album on Polydor, and "When a Guitar Plays the Blues" from the Deluxe Edition on Alligator Records.

Visit my website for more info www.omarandthehowlers.com

Thank you to Matthew Garza (Upwork.com) for his work mastering this podcast.

Episode 8 Lightnin' Hopkins

Season 1 · Episode 8

Wednesday, March 12, 2025 • Duration 45:22

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EPISODE 8 LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS

Episode 8 is about the life and musical career of Blues Master Lightnin' Hopkins.

The titles of releases on my label Big Guitar Music the songs are taken from in this episode include I’m Gone and World Wide Open. “Mean Ole Texas Twister” is from Eve Monsees and Mike Buck’s new release called Eve Monsees/Mike Buck and Their Groovy Orbit.

A music track playlist for this podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple, and YouTube for your listening pleasure.

The musicians featured in the tracks on this episode are Barry Bihm, Bruce Jones, Eve Monsees, Jason Crisp, Mike Buck, Nick Connolly, Paul Jr, Rich Chilleri, and Steve Kilmer.

Omar’s Picks for further study of copyrighted music not used in Episode 8 are “Black Cadillac” on Walking This Road by Myself, “Lightnin’ Sky Hop” from the Herald Recordings, and “Mojo Hand” from The Complete Fire Sessions.

Visit my website for more info www.omarandthehowlers.com

Thank you to Eve and Mike for permission to use “Mean Ole Texas Twister” from their new release .

Episode 7 Elmore James

Season 1 · Episode 7

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 • Duration 46:02

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EPISODE 7 ELMORE JAMES

Episode 7 is about the life and musical career of Blues Master Elmore James.

The titles of releases on my label Big Guitar Music the songs are taken from in this episode include Blues Bag and Swing Land.

A music track playlist for this podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple, and YouTube for your listening pleasure.

The musicians featured in the tracks on this episode are Bruce Jones, Cindy Cashdollar, David “Fathead” Newman, Derek O’Brien, Gary Primich, Gary Slechta, Gene Brandon, George Rains, Greg “Fingers” Taylor, Mark “Kaz” Kazanoff, Nick Connolly, and Paul Jr.

Omar’s Picks for further study of copyrighted music not used in Episode 7 are “Done Somebody Wrong,” “The Sky is Crying,” and “Standing at the Crossroads.” These songs can be found on digital music sites and on numerous compilation albums.

Visit my website for more info www.omarandthehowlers.com

Thank you to Matthew Garza (Upwork.com) for his work mastering this podcast.

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Episode 6 Muddy Waters Later Career

Season 1 · Episode 6

Friday, January 17, 2025 • Duration 34:02

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6 MUDDY WATERS Later Career

Episode 6 is a continuation of the previous episode about the life and musical career of Blues Master Muddy Waters. This episode is about the later years of his career. Muddy was born in Mississippi and is known as the ‘King of Chicago Blues’.

The titles of releases on my label Big Guitar Music the songs are taken from in this episode include Rhythm and Western by the Howlers, Big Town Playboy, World Wide Open, and The Screamin' Cat.

A music track playlist for this podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple, and YouTube for your listening pleasure.

The musicians featured in the tracks on this episode are B E “Frosty” Smith, Bobby “Crow” Field, Chris Searles, Danny Dozier, Gary Clark Jr, Hugh Garraway, Jimmy Barnett, Malcolm “Papa Mali” Welbourne, Mark Hallman, Nick Connolly, Paul Jr, Robert McEntee, Ronnie James, Steve Kilmer, Tommy Conner, and Wes Starr.

Omar’s Picks for further study of copyrighted music not used in Episode 6 are Can’t Get No Gridin’, Chess Records, Muddy Mississippi Waters Live, Blue Sky Records, and One More Mile, MCA/Chess Records.

Visit my website for more info www.omarandthehowlers.com

Episode 5 Muddy Waters Early Career

Season 1 · Episode 5

Friday, December 20, 2024 • Duration 38:28

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5 MUDDY WATERS Early Career

Episode 5 is about the life and musical career of Blues Master Muddy Waters and his earlier years. Muddy was born in Mississippi and is known as the ‘King of Chicago Blues’.

The titles of my releases the songs are taken from in this episode include Rhythm and Western by the Howlers and Courts of Lu Lu.

A music track playlist for this podcast is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple, and YouTube for your listening pleasure.

The musicians featured in the tracks on this episode are Bobby “Crow” Field, Bruce Jones, Danny Dozier, Gene Brandon, Gerry “Phareaux” Felton, Hugh Garraway, Jimmy Barnett, and Tommy Conner.

Omar’s Picks for further study of copyrighted music not used in Episode 5 are Muddy Waters: His Best from 1947 to 1955 on MCA Records, formerly Chess Records, Muddy Waters: His Best from 1956 to 1964, also released by MCA Records, and King of the Electric Blues on Sony Records.

Visit my website for more info www.omarandthehowlers.com

Thank you to Matthew Garza (Upwork.com) for his work mastering this podcast.

Episode 4 John Lee Hooker

Season 1 · Episode 4

Thursday, November 21, 2024 • Duration 47:19

Subscribe monthly to this podcast and be enrolled in opportunities to win free merchandise in supporter drawings announced in episodes:
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Episode 4 is about the life and musical career of Blues Master John Lee Hooker. A native of Mississippi, Hooker is known as ‘King of the Boogie’. He has been the major influence on my love for boogie-style music.

The titles of releases on my label Big Guitar Music the songs are taken from in this episode include Boogie Man, Classic Live Performances of the 1990s vol.1, What’s Buggin’ You?, Muddy Springs Road, and Big Town Playboy.

The musicians featured in the tracks on this episode are Chris Duarte, Derek O’Brien, Eve Monsees, Gary Primich, George Rains, George Reiff, Gerry “Phareaux” Felton, James Cotton, Jason Crisp, Malcolm “Papa Mali” Welbourne, Mike Buck, Nico Leophonte, Paul Junior, Rich Chilleri, Ronnie James, and Wes Starr. I am on vocals and guitar (except on “Lone Star Boogie” and “Boogie Man”).

Omar’s Picks for further study of copyrighted music not used in Episode 4 the Legendary Modern Recordings from 1945 to 1954, The Ultimate Collection, 1948 to 1990, and Alone on Rhino Records, the first concert and the second concert.

Visit my website for more info www.omarandthehowlers.com

Thank you to Matthew Garza (Upwork.com) for his work mastering this podcast.

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Episode 3 Jimmy Reed

Season 1 · Episode 3

Tuesday, October 29, 2024 • Duration 44:36

Subscribe monthly to this podcast and be enrolled in opportunities to win free merchandise in supporter drawings to be announced in episodes:
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Episode 3 is about the life and musical career of Blues Master Jimmy Reed. A native of the Mississippi Delta, Reed has had a huge impact on my career.

The titles of my releases the songs are taken from in this episode include Too Much is Not Enough and Too Raw for Radio on my label Big Guitar Music. The tracks from On the Jimmy Reed Highway were recorded on Ruf Records and used with permission.

The musicians featured in the tracks on this episode are Barry Bihm, Bruce Jones, Derek O’Brien, Gary Clark, Jr., Gary Primich, Jake Dykes, Jay Moeller, Jimmie Vaughan, Jon Hahn, Kim Wilson, Lou Ann Barton, Richie Price, Ronnie James, and Wes Starr. I am on vocals and guitar (except for On the Jimmy Reed Highway).

Omar’s Picks for further study of copyrighted music not used in Episode 3 are More of the Best of Jimmy Reed on Vee Jay Records and Jimmy Rocks on Bear Family Records.

Special thanks to Thomas Ruf from Ruf Records for granting permission to use tracks from On the Jimmy Reed Highway.

Visit my website for more info www.omarandthehowlers.com

Thank you to Matthew Garza (Upwork.com) for his work mastering this podcast.