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Around The Corner...
By Jim Mathis

Since its birth in the Mississippi Delta, to Beale Street in Memphis, to the South Side of Chicago, the blues has touched millions of people. This writer discovered the blues in a used record store in 1964. When I got home with those old 45's by Howlin'; Wolf and Bo Diddley, I couldn't believe my ears. The blues put me through college, playing in clubs and roadhouses.

When I became a Christian in 1978, I began to think that the devil had all the good music, but things are a whole lot different now. Great Christian blues music can now be heard in Kansas City by artists like, Jimmie Bratcher, Second Mile, and Mission Blues. These groups and others are bringing the blues to Christians at churches and Christian coffeehouses, and more importantly, Jesus Christ to blues fans.

Mission Blues have been playing since 1991 when a group of musicians got together for a youth outreach. After 13 years the band is going strong and better than ever. When you are a respected and seasoned band, you can attract the top talent, and Mission Blues proves this point.

Driving the band is Bill Fields on drums. Bill has been playing drums since he was ten and now he's. well a lot older than that. The musical leader is harpist, percussionist, and Hallmark artist, Gary Pycior. The bass line is critical in blues and Bob Wisecup handles the job admirably. Doug Gutekunst plays trumpet and keyboard (formerly known as piano and organ). Kevin Gregg plays guitar and saxophone. Brian Smith is the new guy on lead guitar, and Robin Creason proves that great blues singers can come from Overland Park.

An interesting thing about blues compared to other's styles of music is that age and experience are honored and respected. Whereas a rock musician is considered beyond his prime at forty, a blues player may just be hitting his stride at sixty. With that in mind, count on Mission Blues being around for a long long time.

Mission Blues plays monthly at Homer's Coffee House, 80th & Metcalfin Overland Park, KS as well as churches and festivals throughout the Midwest.

For more information and a performance schedule, go to www.missionblues.us