This August, RDU Rent Party is playing host to the swing dance debut of Bullfrog Willard McGhee. Simply known as th’ Bullfrog to many of his fans, his bio describes him as “A multi-instrumentally talented, rambling-shaggy-dog-story-telling, torch-song-sentimental-beer-hall-bawdy-songwriting genius.” He is every part a serious blues man, storyteller and historian of Piedmont and Mountain blues. If you have any interest in blues, southern culture, or serious dance music, you owe it to yourself to be here.
And if you are not blues dance inclined, never fear! There will still be plenty of danceable music for at a variety of tempos. For more information about Piedmont blues, check out this blog post and gem of a documentary that DJ Bill Speidel, sent to us. At the 30 minute mark of the video you can see people tapping, Charlestoning, etc. to Piedmont Blues.
http://www.folkstreams.net /film,234
“[th' Bullfrog's] songs evoke the loud drunken laughter of smoky speakeasies and coalcamp house parties…Bullfrog belongs in the upper echelon of sweet funny blues singers, somewhere between John Hurt and Leon Redbone.” -WMTD Radio (the River), Beckley, WV.
You can also catch performance footage and interviews with th’ Bullfrog and Tad Walters on episode 2 of Sound Situations, a ” 30 minute, bi-weekly television and web series that focuses its spotlight onto the local music happenings in the Triangle area of North Carolina.”
Triangle Dance Studio – upstairs studio
2603 S. Miami Blvd.
Durham, NC
Beginner blues lesson from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Band plays from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Admission is pay what you can with a $10 suggested donation
