The beauty of this coming year's nickname is that it works for everyone.  Just keep repeating it.  It works.  You see, last year I coined the phrase Two Thousand and Great, and by golly (I just found my inner Sara Palin) it was!  You betcha!

All of this year has been musically magical (corny, but I don't care), and tonight–although not at Blues & Greens–will be no exception (next year, let's all gang up on Dan and insist on New Year's Eve music).   Tonight, the Joyous Jill Watkins, the Clever Cavelleros (you know, Chick ~n~ Patti), and four other friends, are journeying to Cheyenne, WY, to hear the great Candye Kane!  Not only that, but Ms. Kane informed Ms. Watkins and myself that we are welcome to film for Broads on Blues!  Seriously!  And for that, The Broads extend their heartiest "thank you" to Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin for his electronic introduction to Ms. Kane (not to mention all the nice things he said about us, some of which were even true). 

If I start thanking everyone who formulated the wonderful events of my year, I'd miss the show tonight.  So, in the interest of brevity (there's a first time for everything), I herewith issue a heartfelt, appreciative "Thank YOU!" to everyone.  You know who you are. 

Speaking of thanks, the Broads on Blues Fund-Raiser/Boulder Birthday Bash for the CBS' Blues in the Schools and GCBS' Blue Star Connection was a success.  The joint was packed.  At one point Dan came up to me and said, "I didn't know you knew this many people." To which I replied, "Neither did I."  I won't speak for Jill (always a bad idea), but I was and am overwhelmed.  I'm a hopeless Pollyanna who wakes every morning with a long list of blessings in need of counting (ok, maybe not every morning, but an overpowering majority), and having so many friends come out in the middle of family holidays to spend the evening with me is one of my bigger blessings.  Great friends, great food, great music.  If anyone can think of a better way to enjoy a birthday, I'd love to hear it.  The Delta Sonics were, as always, tremendous, and they ran a great jam!  Broads on Blues is organizing a photo montage of the party and will make it available very soon.  Our thanks to all the musicians who come to join the fun, and to everyone who contributed financially to the aforementioned programs.  I never knew sharing a birthday celebration could be so much fun.  Thank you, Jill, and Happy Birthday!

This is Blues Letter #70, and the last of Two Thousand and Great.  In light of the enormous outpouring of affection (and great music and contributions) we received the last Saturday night of the year (THANK YOU CARL!!!  WAAAY above and beyond!), Jill, Dan, The Entire Staff, and I would like to thank you for continuing to support live music and wish you and yours a healthy, happy, prosperous, and pitch-perfect New Year!  

Speaking of which, the January calendar is up, so check it out. Don't forget the Blues Cruise on the 17-18.  However, I know more!  Here's a list of some of the acts we'll be welcoming in the first few months of the year:

Trampled Under Foot (2008 IBC Winners, band) – John Lee Hooker, Jr. – Jason Ricci & New Blood – Big Bill Morganfield (Muddy's boy) – Smokin Joe Kubek – Ron Thompson – John Németh – Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin – and few surprises…

Keeping it short again this week, but I'll be back next week, as will the music.  Happy New Year! 

Honey Bee Sepeda