A self-described, almost “newcomer” to the world of blues music will be performing inside the cozy confines of the Beatmerchant Record Store in Steveston on Saturday (Dec. 17).
“I’ve been at this for the past 36 years, so, I’m kinda just getting started. In the blues world, I am still a young man,” said Brown, 54, who has been a popular headliner over the past few years with his harmonica and soulful vocals during the summer time’s Gulf of Georgia Cannery Music Series.
“There’s nothing quite like getting back down to the essence of what it took to sell records back in the day with record store performances,” Brown said. “So, when I got the opportunity, I took the bull by the horns to do something different and think outside of the box because, frankly, there aren’t a whole lot of record stores left in the world anymore.”
This will be the first time Brown will have set foot inside the Beatmerchant, where owner Frankie Neilson, who also manages the lineup for the Cannery Music Series, has enjoyed a decent sales run with Brown’s latest CD called Travelin’ with the Blues.
“He’s played a couple of times in the summer and has always been a huge success,” Neilson said. “And his recent CD is very much in the Chicago blues, late 50s, early 60s style.
“He sent me a play copy and two copies of the CD and I just fell in love with it. And every time I played it in the store, I sold it.”
Neilson kept in touch with Brown’s publicist about the sales and they came upon the idea to have a live show.
“We thought a little performance with him and his guitar player would be ideal,” Neilson said.
Always keen to try something new, Brown, who got his name from fans in the late 1980s and made it legal three years ago following a divorce, agreed.
“I did a record store performance back in 1994 down in Portland when I cut a record there. And last summer I was at a record store in Vernon, which actually has a performance area in the back with a little stage and lights. That was kinda cool,” he said. “I’ve played some pretty interesting gigs, over the years and if I’ve never done one before, I’m a sucker. I’m coming in.
“I played a trailer park, a zoo, prisons, a parade, funerals and weddings. I haven’t played a Bar Mitzvah, so that’s one I have to put on my list.”
In addition to providing support for those who sell his music, Brown said he likes the chance to meet fans one-on-one.
“We’re not playing places like big concert halls where you don’t meet your public,” he said. “We are definitely approachable at all of our gigs.
“We did an all-ages show in Mission the other night and there was a young lady, who is now 38, who called me over and said she was 13 and in Banff with her father when she heard me play,” he added. “So, I resonated with a 13-year-old girl who never forgot that.
“It’s those little things that I take to the bank. It’s not how much money I made from the last gig, or how much I’m going to make tomorrow night,” he said. “It’s deeper than that. Money is just a means. And when I get to know that I’ve made an impact or difference in someone’s life, that’s payment enough.”
Brown was also reminded of a fan battling cancer, who told him his music helped get him through medical treatments.
“Again, that deeply touched me. And just try and put a dollar amount on something like that,” Brown said.
It’s those types of instances that is typical of Brown, Neilson said, who recalled a show at the cannery a couple of years ago.
“I had another blues guy who suffered a stroke and couldn’t perform and Harpdog stepped in and played the date for me and gave all the appearance money to the performer who was ill,” Neilson said. “He’s just a big-hearted guy who you want to help support.”
This is not the first time Neilson has brought in a performer to his store. The difference is that this time the show will be done indoors at the small shop on Second Ave.
“I’ll do the best I can,” Neilson said. “It’s not the biggest store. It’s Christmas and just take it from there.”
Harpdog Brown will perform and sign autographs Dec. 17 at the Beatmerchant Record Store (12240 Second Ave.) from 2 – 4 p.m.
