Calendars are filling again for local performers. 
Chuck Hall, who recently played at Charly’s Pub and Grill in the Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff and Page Springs Vineyards and Cellars in Cornville, said he looks forward to playing at The Windsock Cocktail Lounge in Prescott and other area venues.
“I never completely stopped, but I was picky about what I was doing, and I want to maintain space. I’m not ready to completely dive back in,” said the musician, who also teaches guitar and took his lessons to Zoom.
Hall, who has been inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, said the last time he performed at The Windsock, his band performed in the parking lot because not many people were allowed into the bar during the pandemic.
“We did one [concert] inside, but it was hard to get people in. Now, the numbers are crawling back up,” he said.
Before the pandemic, Hall was performing six or seven days a week. “It was kind of scary at first, wondering whether you would be able to stay afloat.”
Hall was surprised that he was able to obtain state and federal funds for the money he lost because of closures associated with COVID-19.
Christian Berry, president of the Northern Arizona Blues Alliance, recently performed outdoors at Mogollon Vineyards in Dewey, with tables socially distanced. He is scheduled to play from 1-5 p.m., Saturday, July 3, at A.C. Williams Granite Creek Park in Prescott, and Sunday, July 4, at a mini festival at Alcantara Vineyards in Cottonwood. But the guitarist is most excited about the First Annual Greater Prescott Valley Blues Festival, planned for Saturday, May 22, at the Prescott Valley Amphitheater.
When the pandemic struck last year, Berry was scheduled to perform at Cliff Castle Casino, and that was canceled. He, like so many musicians, experienced the dramatic drop in business as venues were closed. Some were in the middle of tours when everything stopped. He said some musicians became creative. For example, Taj Mahal booked his band into a theater and sold tickets for the online show.
Berry was able to continue with some solo performances and some duo gigs with friend Paul Epoch on harmonica. The duo is known as the Swamp Poets. “As long as everybody is safe, people need to have their music outlet,” he said. “It’s an integral part of everybody’s life.”
Darryl Porras, lead singer and guitarist with Big Daddy D and the Dynamites, performed recently at The Route 66 Roadhouse Bar and Grill in Bellemont and Windsock in Prescott. Porras plays at the Blues Jam that the Roadhouse offers every two weeks. He said the Prescott area has been quicker to open music venues than the Flagstaff area and is looking forward to the Prescott Valley Blues Festival this month.“We have a lot of followers who love live music,” said Porras. “It’s nice to see people you haven’t seen for a while. Everybody’s glad to be back.”
Hall says he will be hitting all three blues jams – at The Windsock, the Roadhouse and the Old Corral Bar in Cornville. “I think it’s huge when we’re able to have shows because we’ve been pushing up against whatever limits were in place. People are clamoring for music,” he said. “I expect great turnouts when the pandemic is under control.”
Musicians applaud Arizona’s bars that follow safety protocols, including masking, social distancing and seating capacity. “People didn’t realize how much was on the line for the clubs if they were caught breaking protocols,” said Porras. “I felt safe because the safety protocols were followed. Regardless of your perspective, you have to follow the rules.”
“Some thought we shouldn’t be playing because of the danger and others were relieved to have something going on, but I was real conscious about it. I was careful,” said Berry.
“Some thanked me for being willing to come out to perform,” said Hall. “Once this clears up, live music will really be going strong.” QCBN
By Stan Bindell, QCBN
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