Music Business
"The Music Business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
--Hunter S. Thompson
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| Howard Luedtke at the Snout |
 I have seen Howard Luedtke and Blue Max play, perhaps close to 30 times. And, in all that time I have never written a word of it in these pages. There are a couple of reasons for this, both of them really tied to one fact. For one, I don't really feel qualified to pass judgment on Howard's abilities. And, the second, the worst Howard show I have seen was still great. You see, Howard is a really flawless guitar player. The last time I saw Howard play was also at the Snout, about a month ago. I was a rough night for the band and I suppose this was in fact the worst performance I had seen them give. With the winter and dry skin (and a new guitar as a contributing factor) Howard had worn though the skin on the tips of his fingers. To still be able to play he was layering on coats of super glue to his finger tips at every break. Magic Deb had back problems and couldn't stand with the bass. So, she was on a bar stool. ...And Bill? Well, none of us really know what Bill's problem is... :-) Needless to say the music wasn't the best. But still, the show wasn't bad. Good blues, even through some pained facial expressions at times. The best Howard performance had been the one I travelled the furthest to see. In the spring of 2008 Howard played in our former home town, Northfield Minnesota. We made the trip to surprise him and check in with old friends. And, we were not disappointed. The crowd was maybe the most enthusiastic Northfield crowd I had ever seen. Hooting and hollering, whistling and cheering between each song. Howard got caught up in the enthusiasm of the crowd and was having a great time. Musical high-point? A cool blues riff that sounded vaguely familiar until suddenly it turned into the Spiderbait classic, Black Betty. Then, after that show was over, a two block walk down to another bar with a later closing time where Howard played in (and blew away) the house band. I think if it wouldn't have been for a scowling Deb, who was checking her watch, that party would have gone all night. And then there was this past Saturday night at the Snout. Maybe a new Howard high performance. It was great! The band was all in a good mood. Howard was maybe the most animated on stage that I have ever seen him. It was a fun show to a full house at the Snout. You will never be disappointed by a Howard "Guitar" Luedtke show. Either a solo performance, or with his band Blue Max, you will walk away enriched by the blues.
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