 From Memphis, Tenn., Preston Shannon comes to Ketchum to play the blues at Whiskey Jacques’ on Friday, July 1, at 10 p.m. Tickets available at the door. Courtesy photo
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It’s not often that a classic bluesman visits Ketchum, but this week Whiskey Jacques’ will host Preston Shannon for a night of blues and R&B music straight out of Memphis, Tenn., on Friday, July 1, at 10 p.m. Some call him the “King of Beale Street,” but Shannon said he keeps doing what he does because it’s accepted.
“All over the country, I’m bringing a little bit of Beale Street,” he said. “I’ve been a musician for a long time. Since 1988, I’ve been doing it full time.”
Shannon is a powerful guitarist with a compelling and soulful voice—a cross between Otis Redding and Bobby Womack. He has toured for a couple of years as a member of soul singer Shirley Brown’s band. Known to have performed on Bourbon Street and in Memphis area casinos, Shannon is a singer-guitarist who can solo himself through a fire-breathing set of slick urban blues.
“I feel what I’m doing,” he said. “I dig rock, country and R&B. I had the blues, get the blues and feel the blues.”
Shannon is a Southern man with a deep soul and hoarse and gritty vocals who plays songs with brassy arrangements. His guitar playing echoes the likes of the B. B. King as well as T-Bone Walker and the rhythmic sensibilities of Little Milton. His albums showcase his remarkable resiliency as a talented singer who alternates up-tempo, gospel-inspired numbers with slower, soulful love songs and ballads.
“I love what I do and I do a decent job because the reception is always good,” he said. “As long as there is acceptance, I will keep on doing it.”
Shannon said he has the No. 1 line dance in the country for his song “Honky Tonk” and everyone in Ketchum should get ready to boogie.
“It’s shuffle-boogie-soul,” he said. “I want people to come out and have fun.”
Whiskey Jacques’ will also host the Codi Jordan Band on Saturday, July 2, at 10 p.m.The Shannonand the Codi Jordan Band shows are each $5 at the door. On Monday, July 4, Whiskey’s will have a party on its front deck beginning at 9:45 p.m.with music by DJ Zuz.
Start Independence Day celebrations today, June 29, from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Back Alley Party with live music by Good JuJu and Hanger 17 to benefit the EnvironmentalResourceCenter in Ketchum.
Other live music in the valley includes live jazz at Trail Creek Cabin with the Paul Tillotson Trio today, June 29, and Thursday, June 30, from 5-8 p.m. The Paul Tillotson Trio will play Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer at Trail Creek Cabin.
At Mahoney’s Bar in Grill in Bellevue, the Kim Stocking Band will play on Thursday, June 30, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Also on Thursday in the Ketchum Town Square from 6-8 p.m., All Nite Diner will play for the free Town Square Tunes series. At the Silver Dollar in Bellevue, hear performances by the Swamp Cats on Friday, July 1, at 9 p.m. and Up A Creek on Sunday, July 3, at 9 p.m.
At the Sun Valley Brewery in Hailey, J.P. Whipple will play on Friday, July 1, at 8 p.m.On Monday, July 4, the brewery will hold a lot party for parade watching with food, beer and cocktails all day.
On Sunday, July 3, enjoy Jazz in the Park at Ketchum’s Rotary Park with free live music by Yve Evans and Company from 6-8 p.m. Ketch’em Alive on Tuesday, July 5, will feature Irish rock band Swagger for free in Ketchum’s Forest Service Park from 7-9 p.m.
For a complete listing of music events in the valley, see the Music, Dance and Theater section of the Calendar on Page C5.
