Applause Series resumes just after new year

Date: 12/27/2013

By Carley Dangona

carley@thereminder.com

AGAWAM – The Applause Series continues when repeat performer BluesHead Band brings “Blues and Beyond,” its own brand of Chicago-style Rhythm and Blues to the Agawam Senior Center on Jan. 3, 2014 at 7 p.m.

The BluesHead signature sound comes from the harp playing/singing of Johnny Charles, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Mike Law, and the bass playing of Tom Terry. Drum veteran Jason Arnold rounds out the group.

“The Applause Series is one of our favorite things to do. It’s a very attentive audience. They appreciate that we’re playing music from the 50s and 60s,” Terry said. “The folks [the Agawam Cultural Council] with the Applause Series do a fantastic job. They’re very professional. This will be our third time playing the series.”

BluesHead founding member, vocalist and harmonica man Charles spent the 1980s playing and touring the Florida blues circuit. He has played with countless blues greats, such as, Tinsley Ellis and Ronnie Earl.

With his own band “Mike Law and the Playboys” and his unique brand of Swing and Soul Blues, Law has entertained crowds throughout New England, but has also played with many of the greats. Law is the newest addition to the BluesHead family.

Arnold is a multi-talented musician and community figure. Jason works with inner city children teaching music and also plays with Jeff Pitchell and Latanya Farrell.

Terry has played nationally and stays busy as a freelance musician. He holds a degree in music and teaches in the Western Massachusetts area.

He has played bass for 30 years. “I’ve always liked the blues, funk and soul. I felt akin to it. I can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s the only thing I’m good at – it’s what I do,” he said. His favorite part of performing is “making people happy.”

Terry discussed the band’s love of the musical genre. “The blues is the music for everybody. It’s made for regular people by regular people. It’s not just downtrodden, it’s celebration music too,” he said, explaining that people would celebrate life on the weekends by playing blues music.

BluesHead has a live album out, but doesn’t have a designated web page and its MySpace account is outdated. To learn more about the band, see the show.

“We’re not trying to get famous. We’re not trying to sell T-shirts. We do this just out of the love for music,” Terry said.

The Agawam Senior Center is located at 954 Main St. and can be reached at 821-0604. Applause Series events are free and open to the public. For a complete event schedule, go to www.agawamcc.org.