Buffalo Bob Sez
The Last Waltz Encore Performance

4th Annual Awards Show
What a night it was on Oct. 15!
The SAM Foundation’s 4th Annual Awards Show happened at the Sportsmen’s Tavern and all the performers presented an unforgettable evening showcasing the great Americana musicians in Buffalo and WNY.
Every nominee was worthy of winning the award. but our members voted and it was close in all the categories. This year instead of bringing in a national act to anchor the show, we went with 2017’s Band of the Year, Ten Cent Howl. And we invited all nominees to perform with The Howl.
We fit in a lot of music in a just under three-hour show and it made for some incredible performances. It sounds like a cliché from the Academy Awards but it’s true: all the nominees are winners.
There will be more pictures on Facebook and the SAM Foundation website, and The December JAM will have more information about the award winners.
The 2018 Award Winners:
- Member of the Year: Cookie Ling
- Jim Lauderdale Songwriter: Bill Smith
- Bill Kirchen Pioneer: Jim Whitford
- Male Singer: Dave Thurman
- Female Singer: Sue Kincaid
- Band of the Year: The Kensingtons and The Skiffle Minstrels (tied)
AWARD SHOW GALLERY
Sue Kincaid and Dave Thurman
Cookie Ling with Bob McLennan
Jim Whitford
Bill Smith
The Kensingtons with Buffalo Bob and Dwane Hall.
The Skiffle Minstrels with Bob and Dwane.
Free Ticket Opportunities
Three venues, five shows. Email me by Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 9 p.m. and tell me which show(s) you’d like to win.
The Sportsmen’s Tavern
Nov. 25-Professor Louie and the Cromatix with the Hitman Horns
Dec. 9-Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun Honky Tonk Holiday Show
Buffalo Ironworks:
Dec. 13 – Ashley McBryde
Dec. 14 – Muscadine Bloodline

President
SAM Foundation
Education
As students returned to school this fall, SAMF teaching artists have been ramping up their educational programming across Buffalo.
The Valley Community Center launched new family programming open to all school-aged children and their families that reside in the Valley and Little Hollywood communities. SAMF hosted an introduction to Americana music this past October for 34 children and parents as a preamble for two 90-minute workshops to be led by Mark Panfil this November. Families will have an opportunity to participate in singalongs and an “instrument petting zoo” as Mark shares his passion and knowledge of Americana music.
SAMF is also excited to announce the return of the “Rock ‘n Roll Workshop” taking placeat the International Preparatory school, PS 198. This popular program, started by Pitcher, goes beyond teaching students to play instruments, but incorporates the nuance of playing in sync with other musicians. The diverse audience of 198 will use the multi-week instruction to prepare for the school talent show in spring of 2019.
Our educational initiatives are ongoing and we are looking forward to working with first time students and new communities across western New York.
New Sponsor Introduction


Sponsor of the Month
Korona Jewelers

New Music to Check Out
John Hiatt: The Eclipse Sessions
Rosanne Cash: She Remembers Everything
Pistol Annies: Interstate Gospel
Paul Kelly: Nature
Various Artists: On Big Shoulders
Review: The Cordovas, Explorers of the American Songbook
At Sportsmen’s Tavern
By Kevin M. Cox
The band was halfway through its first song as I entered the Sportsmen’s Tavern and looked to the stage.
There were five musicians from Nashville playing with the unmistakable influence of the Grateful Dead.

CORDOVAS
I looked up and saw the diverse look of hipsters: two bearded guitarists (Lucca Soria and Toby Weaver) flanking frontman Joe Firstman, with his Billy Jack black hat and bass guitar. A young man, Sevans Henderson, gliding over the keyboard, with cool Graham Helm sticking the band together on the drums.
The sound had a warm rollicking feel and the decent crowd of 75 of so was paying attention and nodding along.
These guys were so good together; the harmonies were smooth and multi-leveled, each voice of the three front players sneaking out and then weaving back together.
This tight band of brothers moved from song to song as one, a little banter and a lot of strong poetic songs.
And they played. Firstman played the bass with funk and swagger. Soria rained some sweet leads down on the crowd and Weaver took his turn. Soon it was not just voice harmony, but the instruments trading and running together like a sweet, well-oiled machine. The Cordovas are currently on tour opening for singer-songwriter Elle King. Between a gig in Brooklyn the night before and a next stop in Toronto, there was time for a stop in the legendary Black Rock venue.
Kenny Biringer, the Musical Mastermind for Sporties, plucked them from the cold black road and a gift was given to a number of lucky Buffalo souls.
We had a bit of an excited conversation watching the band and the same influences popped up immediately. This show was largely beautiful original material with three or four covers thrown into this American casserole of The Band, Allman Brothers, the Grateful Dead and renowned singer-songwriters like Randy Newman and Ryan Adams.
As the show went on, I was reminded more and more of the cohesion and comeraderie of The Band. HARMONY, HARMONY, HARMONY! An obligatory cover of “Truckin’” was well done, but the band hit its stride with a wonderful, complex version of “The Lonesome Road Blues” (AKA “Going Down the Road, Felling Bad”). Everybody getting into the song, rolling and rollicking the room.
But the heart of the music was the original songs, many from the recently released CD “That Santa Fe Channel.” Standouts were “Talk to Me,” “I’m the One Who Needs You Tonight,” “Santa Fe” and the beautiful sounds-like-a-hit “Frozen Rose.” These guys can write songs.
Our dueling guitarists Soria and Weaver came back for a sweet, sweet fun encore called “Chicago.” and the band packed up and left for the next stop on a road trip that should make them stars.
Member News
If you are an Active member and do not have a SAMF membership card, please email us at samusicfoundation@gmail.com. If you are unsure if you’re an Active member, please don’t hesitate to ask.
NOTE: To receive discounts, you must show your membership card. To enter to win tickets, you must be an Active member. And as always, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the email address above.
DISCOUNTS FOR MEMBERS: The discounts we’ve arranged at this time are:
- Sportsmen’s Tavern – The first Tuesday of every month, all members who show their card at the door will get free admission to The Twang Gang.
- Buffalo Ironworks – 10% off all food items
- Allentown Music – 10% off all regular items
- Smolen/Bonghi CPA – 10% off all tax preparation and accounting services
- Korona Jewelry – 2 discounts
- Watch batteries installed for $5 instead of $7.
- 25% off the regular price of anything in stock.
- Ellicott Small Animal Hospital 30% off regular exam
- Flying Bison Brewery – 10% off
- River Grill – 20% off food – seasonal
- Buffalo History Museum – buy one regular admission and get one free.
- American Reperatory Theater – $10 tickets (1/2 price)
- Red Thread Theater – $15 ticket (regularly $25)
- MusicalFare Theater – $5 off General Admiss. online.
Enter SPORTSMEN in coupon code. Limit 4 - Byrd House Restaurant – 10% off food
- Arts at the Bakery – 10% off admission
- Buffalo Distilling – 10% off food and drinks
- Kissing Bridge Discount Pass – look for emails from SAMF for discounts throughout the year.