ChicagoBluesTour™

James “Taildragger” Jones received his moniker from no less than the immortal Howlin’ Wolf, with whom he played for a while – apparently with a casual sense of punctuality, earning him the nickname. Dragger is a classic Chicago blues singer, a breed that is getting more scarce every year. He borrows heavily from Wolf as well as Sonny Boy Williamson, and although he once played guitar, he now spends his time as a vocalist, often roaming down into the crowd in front of the band. His repertoire includes many classic blues, as well as some originals in the same vein, captured for posterity in Delmark Records’ “Live at Vern’s Friendly Lounge” DVD release. He was a regular at the old Delta Fish Market on the west side, but more recently has spent more time in European festivals than in Chicago. He’s performing at Rooster’s Palace, a classic blues tavern with colorful regulars, which includes a fair sampling of west side bluesmen. Here’s some photos by Robert Pasenko taken at Rooster’s. That’s Eddie Taylor Jr. drinkin’ a beer and Robert “Rooster”, the owner, smiling in the baseball cap.

If you get a ticket for the 7:35 departure, you’ll go directly to Rooster’s Palace to catch Taildragger’s first set, which often includes other blues luminaries like Eddie Taylor Jr. It’s a small room, so getting there early is the best way to snag one of the booths along the wall or a stool at the bar. Taildragger is one of several performers who perform classic blues on the Tour, which also features Deak Harp and Johnny Drummer.(8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.)

YouTube: click this link to see the Taildragger trailer
Trailer for Taildragger Live at Verns Friendly Lounge

You might also want to click this link to read Frequently Asked Questions, or click this link to see the list of performers and clubs.