THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 11, 1996 TAG: 9602090066
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
THEY'RE COMING together to help the Texas Twister.
In a historical first for blues musicians on the Peninsula and Southside Hampton Roads, a benefit blues jam and concert will take place at noon today at J.M. Randall's nightspot in Williamsburg to help raise funds to help finance a heart transplant for legendary Texas bluesman, Johnny ``Clyde'' Copeland, known as ``The Texas Twister.''
``This is the first event where blues bands and musicians from the Southside and the Peninsula have unified to work for a cause,'' said Mike Ingmire, leader of the blues group Gumbo Motion and benefit organizer.
``We've never been hostile to each other or anything like that but we've never really gotten together and organized or worked together. Hopefully we'll work together in future projects and events. Johnny's benefit is this unifying force. All us sharks have got to swim together rather than fight over the puddle.''
Ingmire said he heard about Copeland's plight from Pete Brennan, board member of the Natchel' Blues Network (which is sponsoring the show).
``After I found out, Pete and I decided to help organize a concert to help Johnny out.''
Why help out a musician living in Texas?
``I have a personal stake here,'' Ingmire said. ``I guess I'm selfish. I've opened for Johnny before and he's been a big supporter and has taken an interest in my music.''
Copeland, 58, hails from Houston. He champions the rowdy Texas blues tradition and is considered one of the finest blues composers alive.
``Showdown,'' an album he recorded with colleagues Albert Collins and Robert Cray, won a Grammy award in 1986 and a W.C. Handy award. He was later nominated for another Grammy with his own album, ``Ain't Nothing But a Party.''
``He has a congenital heart condition and has to be maintained by internal heart pumps,'' Ingmire said. ``But right now, the bottom line, he needs a new heart and that costs a lot of money.''
Since Copeland is no rock star, he's not exactly rolling in the bucks, Ingmire said. Even though he does have medical insurance, a transplant is still a very expensive undertaking.
Randall Plaxa, owner of J.M. Randall's, donated his club, lights and sound system for today's blues jam.
``We held our last benefit in September at the Jewish Mother and did moderately well,'' Ingmire said. ``We hope Sunday's will be a bigger success. Johnny deserves the help. The sooner he recovers, the sooner we'll hear him play again.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
PAUL NATKIN
Texas bluesman Johnny ``Clyde'' Copeland needs a new heart.
by CNB