Larry Hill Taylor: Stepson of the Blues: Calendar

New Year 2012 at the Good Times Lounge on Chicago's South Side. From left: Larry Taylor, Barrelhouse Bonni keys, Barry on bass, West Side Wes drums, Ice Mike guitar.

Larry gave a tough-minded talk from the point of view of black gang members to Prof. John Hagedorn's sociology class "Gangs of Chicago." Students in the room could be anything from future probation officers to future social workers. Larry pointed out that people belong to gangs for the same reasons they belong to any organization--to advance themselves, as they see it, and to have something to belong to. The gang is like your family.  He would like to see the gangs do positive neighborhood projects like they did back in the 60s. He doesn't like to see young guys selling drugs on the street, but pointed out, "What can they do? There's hardly any jobs, and if you have a prison record they won't hire you."

http://www.wgntv.com/news/middaynews/wgntv-chicago-scene-bonni-mckeown-stepson-of-the-blues-a-chicago-song-of-survival,0,7648087.story

Larry and Killer Ray turned the Beverly neighborhood turn out to chow down and groove to the blues at Favia Cafe.  for St. Patrick's Day!  Thanks to folks from South Siders for Peace, Unity and Diversity, Music Station and  Beverly Bakery for their support, and thanks to Gina and Cathy at Favia's for hosting us.

  Bezazian librarian Mark Kaplan invited members of the local Neighborhood Writing Alliance to talk with Stepson coauthor Bonni Mckeown about autobiographies.

Bonni with Walker librarian Tina Matera after book discussion group.

Bonni shares book with library guest Gabriel Irurhe, librarian Sharon Hardey.

  Bonni with Beverly Art Center literary coordinator Penny Golden.

Larry with W.Chicago library Clerk Alfreda and librarian Shirley Wallace.

   Bonni and LArry in front of the African American History mural  at   Douglass Library in Larry's old hood. Learn Charter School 4th graders asked questions on Black Music history.  Thanks to librarian Joslyn Simmons for arranging the program.

Youth, including Larry's own children, were the majority of fans attending the Legler program. They discussed West Side Black History icons like Black Panther Fred Hampton and blues musical giants Howlin' Wolf and Magic Sam. Larry explained how it takes hours of practice and dedication to be a music master.

Writeup in Forest Park Review:

Iccha Devi Ra, Hyde Park hostess and Reluctant Vegetarian, shows off Larry's book and compares blues to an ongoing gumbo cooking on the stove.  Sally Jones, Blackstone librarian, looks on.

http://www.filefactory.com/file/b53226a/n/CLASSIC_BLUES-2AAA-22_JAN_2011-GUEST_LARRY_HILL_TAYLOR.mp3

You can listen to the show on a podcast archived by KGNU for Joanne Cole's Blues Legacy show Jan. 14 2011.  Bonni's interview is about 90 minutes into the show:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ellacec

Thanks to Jennifer at Taylor Books for hosting this book signing. Bonni talked with friends who had seen Larry perform and had been following his story. Good wishes were sent back to Chicago. From left: Bonni, Julius jackson and Susan McAndrews whose pictures appeared in the book;Dollie, Barb Frierson, Carol Tucker, Sandy Fisher, Mike Harman.

Thanks to all who came to this interesting discussion. Everybody from local Quakers and folk musicians to lay ministers and hiphop artists.  And to the library staff, thanks for getting the real piano in place!

Thanks to Connie Shabazz and all the other authors for a great panel discussion.

We met lots of civc minded West Siders and sold a few books in spite of the rain! Nice seeing Brenetta, Alderman  Dexter Walton and his wife Robin the singer, Brad Cummings of the Austin Voice, Wendy Roark and the kids from Manley selling vegetables.

Bonni showing Stepson book to Congressman Danny Davis.