As these two played….I saw an innocence and a maturity, a naivety and a wisdom.  I saw wild horses in these girls souls.  I heard the hooves beating into the ground as their hearts beat into the rhythm of their vision….their journey…and where so they go from here?

Inspired by my first journey into the Redwoods…

DR. BILL’S BOOK NOW AVAILABLE

Clic HERE to order your copy today!

I got a phone call from Victor Forbes of Fine Art Magazine graciously asking me to do the illustrations of a book by Dr. Bill Akpinar.  Victor and I have worked on projects together in the past and I of course was thrilled to take on the challenge.

What I didn’t know was that this book would have such a healing and powerful influence on me…  Read more

Dakota At 14

Portrait of artists daughter.

HORIZON VU MUSIC Stands in support of the Poor Elijah Foundation

By Phil Cartwright

Sept 6, 2010

A while back, I wrote a piece for this blog entitled, “Delaney Bramlett deserves induction into the rock and Roll Hall of Fame” http://blog.horizonvumusic.com/?s=delaney.

We do believe that Delaney Bramlett deserves induction into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and as we  have had more contact with the Bramlett family and friends, we have become supporters of the Poor Elijah Foundation (PEF). You’ll find the link under HorizonVU Music’s Partners and Friends on this page.

The Poor Elijah Foundation was created by Michele Bramlett (eldest daughter of Delaney Bramlett) along with her sisters and friends Maria Angel Schaefer, Lisa Marvin and Jaesen Kanter. Specifically the foundation works to “educate” the musician in the entertainment industry and provide financial assistance to working musicians who would otherwise slip through the cracks of the business. The long and short term plan is to raise monies through the production and promotion of charitable musical events, art exhibits, DVDs, CDs, and any other such fund-raising that are permitted under the povisions of the Foundation’s non-profit status.  Once all corporation costs are met; the remaining monies raised will go directly to the education/mentoring of and or assisting the musicians with financial relief.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE…

“To Delaney & Bonnie From The Friends Of The Poor Elijah Foundation”

“Livin On The Open Road”

“Get Ourselves Together”

Recorded to honor the music and influence of Delaney Bramlett and Bonnie Bramlett

and the benefit of Poor Elijah Foundation

LISTEN TO AND DOWNLOAD NOW!

on CDBaby

on Amazon

Friends of the Poor Elijah Foundation
==================================
Michael Allman – Vocals
Tony Tyler – Guitar & Vocals
Ike Stubblefield – B-3 Organ & Piano
Todd Smallie – Bass
Yonrico Scott – Drums & Percussion
Donna Hopkins – Vocals on Get Ourselves Together
Laura D’Orsi – vocals on Livin’ on the Open Road
==============================================
Produced by Floyd (Tom) Skinner
Executive Producer – Gina McClain
Engineered by Miguel Scott
Edited and Mixed by Miguel Scott & Floyd (Tom) Skinner
Recorded at Tree Sound Studios Norcross,GA
Mastered by Miguel Scott at Tree Sound Studios Norcross,GA
Original Painting (cover) by Michelle Bramlett
Digital Art Design by Jaesen Kanter

A Very Special Thanks to Paul Diaz for his Unmatched Generosity

An All-Skinn Music Group Production for the Benefit of The Poor Elijah Foundation – 2010

www. poorelijahfoundation.org

Below is a writing about the art work for the CD cover

“Just Paint What Your Dad Loved”

18×18

Michael Allman and Friends of Poor Elijah Foundation CD cover for singles “Livin On The Open Road” / “Get Ourselves Together” honoring Delaney & Bonnie and Friends.

“Just Paint What Your Dad Loved” were the words of Michael Allman as we discussed the cover art for his CD “To Delaney & Bonnie From The Friends of the Poor Elijah Foundation”

The figure in the top right corner is honoring Michael Allman and his dedication to the movement of PEF and the induction of D&B and Friends into the RRHOF.  Michael, with F Tom Skinner, and ”Friends of Poor Elijah” did an amazing job and the Bramlett family is so proud. You rocked it. Thank you.

Dad loved horses and he loved to ride. He loved our “Rock and Roll Ranch”. He loved being home.

My Dad was a brilliant composer and loved and rocked the most soulful horn sections.

He heard music in his head all the time

The guitar is a given…I can’t even imagine Dad without his guitar close by.

He loved, and was influenced by, Robert Johnson. Dad said, “He was a good friend of mine ‘long time ‘fore I was born”.

He loved his front porch. Swinging and singing and sitting on his chair and playin guitar and talking and telling stories

and

looking at his roses

I painted the corner of the album “The Original Delaney & Bonnie and Friends- Accept No Substitute” to honor the Magic.

The figure in the top left corner is from an image Jaesen created.

My Dad loved to fly in his dreams.

This symbolism was created during the first works of the Elijah Series.

It represents Dads hand and who he touched directly. Those he taught, mentored, inspired, and loved.

The back cover is an image of an empty greyhound tour bus by Jaesen Kanter.

Can you imagine the stories on that bus?

Magic

Michele Bramlett

The Poor Elijah Foundation is dedicated to assisting musicians in need develop strong business ethics within the music industry to the working musician aspiring to learn and who does not qualify for assistance from charities that require long term and/or professional establishment in the music industry. Through mentors, workshops, and camps, PEF will take the working musician and educate them in various aspects of the music industry e.g. engineering, management, publishing, money management, contract negotiations, and musical education to elevate the art of the artist fostering skills to become more proficient in their craft.
The long and short term plan is to raise monies through the production and promotion of charitable musical events, art exhibits, DVDs, CDs, and any other such fund-raising that are permitted under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Once all corporation costs are met; the remaining monies raised will go directly to the education/mentoring of and or assisting the musicians with financial relief.

Fine Art Magazine

Read More About Michele Bramlett’s Illustrations…

Michele Bramlett ~ The Artist at 46

On one of those classically beautiful late spring New York City days when everything is in full bloom, after a bike ride around Central Park, we chanced upon a single poster billboard outside Carnegie Hall advertising a concert that very afternoon — Delaney & Bonnie and Friends . At that time, the duo was at the height of their fame with a collection of sidemen that included Eric Clapton and George Harrison. From a box off stage left of the fabled theatre, we witnessed a performance that to this day still inspires me. The showmanship and energy was off the charts. Many years later, I sent him an e-mail thanking him for that memory and he was kind enough to respond. In his note, he asked if we would take a look at the art work of his daughter, Michele. Unfortunately, Delaney passed in Dec. 2008 at the age of 69 but his loving heart and depth of emotion live on Michele, and in all the others — musicians and fans — who were touched by the man and his music. “Growing up with my dad, on the ranch just outside Los Angeles, was country life in the city. We had horses and chickens —it wasn’t like living with a rock star, he was just my dad,” said Michele from her mother’s…

Read the full Michele Bramlett Interview

An Interview with the Bramlett sisters

Written by Hank “Hitman” Hart
Monday, 29 March 2010

Hitman: Michele, thank you so, so much for this opportunity to talk with you about the great music of your parents, Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett. I am truly humbled. You’ve also got your sisters helping you with this, please introduce them.

Michele: Hello Hitman…thank YOU. We are so pleased to meet you…these are my sisters, Suzanne and Bekka..we are here..having a “powwow” with your interview..all of our answers are a “collaboration” (ohhh dad would have loved that) My dad told me “Shel…you must never be afraid of collaboration, darlin…theres a special kinda vibe,a different sound that comes from it (collaboration.) “The good ones, the great artists are never afraid of collaboratin’”

Hitman: For starters where/how did your folks meet?

Michele: Dad was playing with the Shindogs; they were the house band. (This was for the TV show Shindig). Mom and her partner Sam were the headlining act “The Soul Singers”. The minute they sang the first note together it was pure magic. Seven days later they were married.

Hitman: The story goes your dad was a member of the band on that 60’s show, Shindig along with Leon Russell. From that point they met some other great musicians. Your Mom could sing, and the origins of Delaney & Bonnie and Friends got its start. Would you know who some of those musicians were?

Michele: There was kinda musical collective going on at the time. I mean, think about it, Dad, Leon, Billy Preston, a very young Glenn Campbell, James Burton and then a whole slew of guests from the Animals to Sonny and Cher. You’re talking about a time period when musicians wanted to jam till 3am; contracts, management…money, none of that mattered. The music was everything. So, they’d all get together at each other’s houses and jam. I think that was where and how the idea came about: musical collaboration-music for music’s sake…It was about joy and soul and love…Kinda everybody getting each other off on the tunes..

Hitman: Lo and behold, your parents, along with James Taylor, have something in common, and that is being signed to The Beatles record label, Apple. Had you heard any stories about George Harrison helping them? I’m asking because for me, it all started with The Beatles.

Michele: You gotta understand by the time of Apple, George had seen the writing on the wall for the Beatles. He had been spending more and more of his time jamming with Eric and Billy (Preston) and Stevie (Winwood). I think George like Eric, saw a kindred spirit in Dad. Dad was living and playing up to this “Musical Ideal”, that George, as a Beatle was unable to enjoy. So, “Delaney and Bonnie” and George and Eric started doing a lot of Jamming, often with Billy Preston…I think you get the picture…

Hitman: The Harrison connection to Eric Clapton gave the band a gig openingfor Blind Faith. That had to have been something, Blind Faith, was one of the first so called, “super groups”, the merging of immense talents in Blind Faith, primarily of Clapton & Winwood. That had to be a sign to your parents that their band was pretty damn good!

Michele: One of the things you gotta remember is this concept of the “Musical Ideal”…Read George’s bio or Eric’s bio. By the time D&B were openers, Eric was thinking he’d rather be playin’ with D&B than with Blind Faith, hence those Denmark Shows with D&B and Eric and George.

Hitman: This interview is for Southern Fried Magazine and althoughwith your parents’ connection with Englishmen Harrison and Clapton, and the band forming in Los Angeles, would you say with your Dad’s growing up in Mississippi he had that “southern feel” about him and his music that later became an entire genre made very popular by such groups as the Allmans, Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker and The Outlaws?

Michele: Dad was a country boy, a southern gentalman, if you will. The south never really left him. It’s why there is so much R&B and Gospel in those tunes. Nothin’ made him happier than singing Gospel tunes: at a church or on tour or in the kitchen, around our kitchen table, on our front porch…Plus, you gotta remember he was a student of the Blues, Robert Johnson, south Mississippi blues. The grits and the harmonies, the cotton and the chicory. In some ways Dad’s music is the genesis of “southern Rock”. Just listen to “Poor Elijah” or “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”.

Hitman: Anybody who takes rock n roll music seriously, or collecting great music, I have always claimed that “Delaney & Bonnie on Tour” is one the greatest live albums ever recorded. That album featured Eric as well as Dave Mason, was recorded in England, and the response of the crowd at the end was just mind blowing. With Clapton still as popular as he is, has there ever been any thoughts of ever re-releasing it, repackaging it with a bit of a marketing push behind it?

Michele: There has been talk, there will be talk, “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way”….

Hitman: It’s also been claimed your Dad taught George Harrison how to play
slide guitar. Is that accurate?

Michele: Yes. In December 1969, “Delaney & Bonnie & Friends” played the Royal Albert Hall in London, “and all the Beatles were right there in the front row,” Dad said in an interview. He said… “George Harrison came backstage, and he said, ‘Will you teach me how to play that slide?’ And I said, ‘You ain’t done too bad, the Beatles aren’t slouches, George.’ And he said, ‘But I don’t know how to play like you play slide.’ So I did.” That was our dad’s heart…he had “a big’n” :
George had his first “slide bottle” placed in his hand by Dad who quickly taught George how to play slide and write a Gospel song. Out of that lesson came “My Sweet Lord”.

Hitman: Some of the musicians in your parent’s band also were part of Eric’s, Derek & the Dominos Layla album as well as playing on George’s debut solo album, All Things Must Pass. When you think of it in that context, number one, it shows me your Mom & Dad’s band kicked ass, and two, just how influential that collection of talent was. You know Buffalo Springfield and The Byrds produced many other groups from it’s members, but the Bramlett family has got to be proud of the musicians from D&B that went on to help others become successful. Anything in particular that stands out from that group of people?

Michele: My guess is that they were proud of all of them. I don’t just mean the stars either. I mean the young kids that they’d meet out on the road, in a diner, at the studio, in a coffee shop etc…Dad had what George Harrison called a “bull-shit meter”, he knew in the first minute of talking to you where your heart was at. So, if he liked you, then you were in; he’d teach you everything he knew. Never expecting a thing in return. Probably why every musician you meet has a “Delaney” story. .I know he was proud of every collaboration, great and small.

Hitman: It’s a small world, and here you had some folks that played with Duane Allman on Layla, and Mom (Bonnie) winds up doing some work for the Allmans. If I’m correct, isn’t that around the time the Allmans got back together for
The Enlightened Rogues album?

Michele: Mom sang on “Crazy Love”. The album meant a lot to the boys, it didn’t get big hits, most folks have never heard it. It’s a good record and Dan Toler plays some nice guitar with Dickey. It was also the swan song for Capricorn. I think Tom Dowd brought Mom in though I could be wrong. Also remember in ’71, Greg and Duane were part of the live “friends” part of the band along with Sam from Little Feat.

Hitman: Another southern rock connection, is work your sister Bekka has done with my friend, Jon Coleman, keyboardist in the current Outlaws lineup, singing on John’s new solo CD. Let’s take a break from your parents for a moment, and all three of you sisters are besides being absolutely gorgeous, are quite successful. Bekka sings, you’re an artist Michele, and Suzanne has quite a cosmetics company, go ahead, and tell me a bit about each of you.

Michele: I am the oldest and I was born in Ventura, Ca. I have been painting for as long as I can remember. I am a painter of people. In my paintings I hope to convey the beauty, spirituality, and simplicity of the culture of the Human Being, while stimulating the senses in a sensual way. I color my canvasses with vibrant colors and subtle symbolism conveying messages of peace, love, oneness, and spirituality of the Human spirit. I have a desire to communicate to others the beauty of our world, the hope for oneness, the promise of love, and the joy of Spirit. I know as Human Beings we have a huge responsibility. We have been appointed keepers of Earth and all its inhabitants, and I believe from Aboriginal cultures and the sweet song of Spirit, we can learn to live in peace and oneness. My art is strongly influenced by my (our) own Native American culture. I love all “critters” and I’m a big horse lover. Been riding all my life (thank you dad and papa and Grampa King). My best “piece of art” is my daughter Dakota. Dad’s two grandchildren, Dakota and Jack (suzanne’s boy), were his pride and joy. He worshipped the ground they walk on. “Love you so good, I ever saw Dad”

Suzanne: I’m the middle child of Delaney and Bonnie who are a big part of the music world. From a young age I was surrounded with music which opened up my senses. Reaching this point has been an interesting journey for me. I grew up on a small ranch we named “the rock and roll ranch”. I had a wonderful childhood , horses, swimming, and people who loved me with all their hearts and souls. My dad has written me many songs. He’s even written songs about my horses. My life went down a nonmusical path but the influence of my dad is present in my work. My son was born with autism and it gave me the opportunity to use my compassion through the healing arts of phyical therapy. I will always be grateful for the wonderful experience my dad’s music brought to my life. Wishing you good health and good music, “God Bless you Big Dadio”

Bekka: Im the youngest, born in Westwood, Ca, and I have been singing and writing songs since I could talk. My dad had me in the studio ever since I can remember, and I’ve learned everything I know from Mom and Dad. Dad instilled in me the importance of harmonizing and taught me how to “hear the parts”. So, yes, I’m walkin the path of my parents. I am a singer and a songwriter. I was only four when I sang on my first record. It was Dad’s song “California Rain”. My sisters sang on it too. I was so excited and not a bit nervous…till I heard the playback…I thought I sounded like Alvin of the chipmunks! Got over that real quick! I am now living in Nashville and singing my heart out. This is who I am and what I do and I love every single minute of it. “Yer my life Dad.”

Hitman: After the live album, your parents released one more studio album, then they divorced. However, any picture I have seen of them since then, they lookedlike they were still in love with each other. How tough was it for your girls, if at all?

Michele: You see, D&B were just “Mom and Dad” to us girls. Course our hearts were broken, but Dad and Mom loved us, we knew it, never a doubt about that…and they made sure we were “ok”. We grew up in a beautiful chaos of love and music and art. We are lucky girls.

Hitman: Both your parents kept busy in music for quite some time, and your Mom had an acting career also. Please enlighten our readers.

Michele: Dad…
1973 Mobius Strip
1975 Giving Birth to a Song
1977 Class Reunion
1978 Delaney Bramlett with Steve Cropper
1998 Sounds From Home
2002 Sweet Inspiration

I don’t think Dad ever wrote songs for his ego or the money. I think he made records because his soul overflowed with spirit and music and he needed to share it with everybody. I don’t mean sad tortured soul, I mean strong loving, though sometimes, burdened soul. I think that by the time of “Sweet Inspiration”, he saw the writing on the wall of his future, I think he saw us girls and his grand-kids as his immortality. Dad was blessed for so many years, and in as much as any man can bless another, Dad did so with his friends and family and fellow musicians through his songs.

Mom…
1973 Sweet Bonnnie Bramlett
1974 Its Time
1976 Ladies Choice
1978 Memories
1981 Step by Step
2002 Im Still The Same
2006 Roots, Blues and Jazz
2008 Beautiful

Mom was born in Alton, Illinois, and grew up in East St. Louis. At fourteen, she was allowed to sing on Gaslight Square, a St. Louis nightclub area much like the French Quarter in New Orleans. She was groomed by the best ? Jazz greats Stan Getz, The Quartet Tres Bien, Herbie Mann, Miles Davis, and Nat and Cannonball Adderly gave her a musical foundation par excellence. But it was her love for rhythm and blues that brought her to the attention of Albert King and Little Milton. She made musical history as the first white Ikette for Ike and Tina Turner.

Hitman: Besides the band, could you tell the readers some of the other great music your Mom and Dad wrote for others that became bighits?

Michele: He produced and wrote a lot of songs for: Elvin Bishop, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Hammond, Staple Singers, King Curtis, Luther Vandross, Ray Charles, Chrissie Hynde, Phoebe Snow, The osmonds, Carpenters, Crystal Gayle ,Commander Cody, and worked with Eric (Clapton) on and off through the mid ’90′s ”Superstar” recorded by many. “Never Ending Song of Love” recorded by even more, “My Sweet Lord” with George, “Let it Rain”, oh my goodness, the list goes on and on…

Hitman: There is no doubt in MY mind of the influence your parents’ band had in the history of rock n roll. Explain to our readers about your effort into getting them inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of fame.

Michele: We, along with some really great friends, have started a grassroots movement so to speak..via Facebook page. A online petition that you can “sign” nomination letters inductdelaneybramlett.com, and of course we are working on something new …a charity to honor our dad….hush hush…The Poor Elijah Foundation to help musicians and their families in need and to fund musical education).

Hitman: Any groups out there that you also think deserve induction?

Michele: About a JILLION!!: Chicago, Kansas, Kenny Loggins & Jim Messina, The Shindogs, Leon Russell, Mad-dogs and Englishmen. We could just go on and on…just so many.

Hitman: I want to thank you so much for your time, this has been such an honor
for me. I think I played the live album so many times, especially the Little Richard medley, the vinyl turned white. Keep in touch with ANY news about D&B and all three of you young ladies. God Bless.

Michele: We’ll be making a huge announcement very soon and you “just ain’t ready y’all”….Thank you SOOOO much Hitman, the honor has been for us girls. Bless your heart and thank you for luvin on Dad and Mom. We are so proud to be their daughters.

We miss our Dad so much…
Love, the Bramlett Girls

HorizonVU Music Blog and SHOP

for emerging musicians in the global world of rock, alternative, folk and country

HorizonVU Music stands in support of the Poor Elijah Foundation

Filed Under: general interest by Phil

Sep.06, 2010

Michele Bramlett, Founder, Poor Elijah Foundation

A while back, I wrote a piece for this blog entitled, “Delaney Bramlett deserves induction into the rockand Roll Hall of Fame”.

We do believe that Delaney Bramlett deserves induction into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and as we  have had more contact with the Bramlett family and friends, we have become supporters of the Poor Elijah Foundation (PEF). You’ll find the link under HorizonVU Music’s Partners and Friends on this page.

The Poor Elijah Foundation was created by Michele Bramlett (eldest daughter of Delaney Bramlett) along with her sisters and friends Maria Angel Schaefer, Lisa Marvin and Jaesen Kanter. Specifically the foundation works to “educate” the musician in the entertainment industry and provide financial assistance to working musicians who would otherwise slip through the cracks of the business. The long and short term plan is to raise monies through the production and promotion of charitable musical events, art exhibits, DVDs, CDs, and any other such fund-raising that are permitted under the povisions of the Foundation’s non-profit status.  Once all corporation costs are met; the remaining monies raised will go directly to the education/mentoring of and or assisting the musicians with financial relief.

Music legends Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett created some of the most distinctive and unique music of the early ’70s. Together their dynamic energy attracted Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Duane Allman, Billy Preston, Jimi Hendrix, Dave Mason, Leon Russell, Gerry McGee, Jim Keltner, Jim Gordon, Carl Radle, Rita Coolidge, Tina Turner and so many more.

Delaney produced an assortment of artists such as Etta James ,Dorothy Morrison (on “Happy Day”) and wrote for and produced Elvin Bishop, John Hammond, and The Staple Singers.He did the late great King Curtis’s last LP and taught Curtis how to sing, out of which two hits came, “Teasin” and “ Lonesome Long Way From Home”. King Curtis kept a room at Delaney’s and they spent hour after hour playing and recording together.

Bonnie was born sing. A fact not lost on those around her. She began singing at the tender age of 14 with Ike and Tina Turner. Bonnie remains the ONLY white Ike-ette. She also sang with The Allman Brothers Band, and is the ONLY Allman Sister.

Please join us in our support of the Poor Elijah Foundation. Plenty more news to follow!