Alligator Records Featured on Grammy.com

Long time 305 Spin client and specialty label founder Bruce Iglauer blows the candles out on a milestone anniversary and looks ahead.

Bruce Iglauer started Alligator Records in Chicago in 1971 with a $2,500 inheritance from his grandfather, and the loan of a down payment on a Chevy Vega from his mother Harriett so he could service retailers with an album by Hound Dog Taylor & The HouseRockers in a time-honored fashion: out of his trunk.

For only $900, Iglauer produced the recording and subsequently pressed 1,000 copies — giving birth to Alligator Records.

This was more than a decade before there was either a Chicago Blues Festival — which Iglauer helped start in 1984 — or a dedicated blues GRAMMY category, which debuted in the form of Best Traditional Blues Recording in 1982.

Read Dave Helland’s full article on grammy.com at the link below:
http://www.grammy.com/news/alligator-and-arhoolie-keep-moving-forward

Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival Prepares for 24th Year

Now is the time to plan to attend the 2011 Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival scheduled to take place in downtown Clarksdale, Mississippi, August 12-14.  The Sunflower's 2011 festival is set to pay memorial tribute to celebrate the lives of the ‘Sunflower Family’ including six key figures contributing to the festival's success for more than two decades: James Alford, Michael James, Wesley Jefferson, Big Jack Johnson, Sarah Moore, and Foster 'Tater' Wiley. 

Don’t miss special performances planned by Blues Music winner Johnny Rawls and Grammy Award winner Dorothy Moore.  The Sunflower is celebrating its 24^th year as a free festival supported by grants, donations, and staged entirely by volunteers. For more information view the Sunflower website at www.sunflowerfest.org.  The website is maintained by 305 Spin of Sedalia, Missouri.

305 Spin Congratulates Alligator Records and Lonnie Brooks

305 Spin congratulates Alligator Records and legendary bluesman Lonnie Brooks for being honored by the City of Chicago at the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival.  Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel honored the 40th Anniversary of Alligator Records with a congratulatory letter presented to Alligator president and founder Bruce Iglauer on Sunday, June 12, at the Chicago Blues Festival.

Emanuel and the City Council also honored legendary Alligator recording artist, Lonnie Brooks, with a proclamation, declaring June 12, 2011 “Lonnie Brooks Day” throughout Chicago. The presentation took place in between songs during Brooks’ blistering set, and caught both Igaluer and Brooks by complete surprise.

In his letter to Iglauer, Mayor Emanuel stated, “Chicago is proud to be the home of Alligator Records. Guided by your vision and determination, Alligator Records has produced some of the finest blues talent.”
The Lonnie Brooks proclamation declares Brooks “a worldwide icon of Chicago blues” and “encourages all Chicagoans to recognize his many achievements and contributions.”

The Blues Festival’s Sunday evening main stage was turned into a virtual rollicking roadhouse as Brooks, along with Alligator stars Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater, Michael “Iron Man” Burks, and Rick Estrin all celebrated Alligator’s anniversary. The overflow crowd was treated to an evening of raucous, hard-edged, house-rocking music.

Powerhouse singer Shemekia Copeland, who began her career on Alligator opened the show, and joined everybody on stage for the triumphant finale. In an emotional ceremony near the end of Copeland’s set, Cookie Taylor Threatt, daughter of the late Koko Taylor, presented Copeland with Taylor’s crown and declared Copeland the reigning Queen Of The Blues.

JH&A Store Fixtures, Your Premiere Source for Retail Supplies

JH&A Store Fixtures is a leader in the store fixture and retail display case industry.  They offer retail stores and distributors a wide variety of showcases, checkout counters, metal racks, grid panels and accessories, slatwall and accessories, store supplies and more in their 150,000 square foot warehouse facility in Shreveport, Louisiana.  Since 1976, JH&A has been providing the store fixture industry with quality products and unrivaled customer service.  Through their new website designed by Gremillion and Pou and programmed by 305 Spin, JH&A will expand the reach of their extensive experience and expert advice about retailing, one of the most competitive arenas for retail businesses today.  Check out the new site at www.jhafixtures.com.

Splash Pools and Spas

Splash/Artesian is a retailer of pools, spas, patio furniture, tanning beds, billiards, game tables, bar stools, pool supplies and play sets in Lancaster and York Pennsylvania, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Bossier City, Louisiana, and Jacksonville, Florida.

Silver Creek Long Distance

Lowest Pricing on Wholesale Long Distance is their pledge! Silver Creek Long Distance can help you from paying too much for your company’s long distance service. Silver Creek Long Distance is a wholly owned subsidiary of Budget PrePay, Inc. and was formed in 1996 with the vision of providing low cost prepaid home phone service to customers who could not obtain service through their local telephone company.

Sail Key West

Sail Key West is operated by Classic Harbor Line, which operates a series of classic style vessels in Newport, RI and New York City. In the winter months, they bring the 80-foot Schooner, Adriondack II (of Newport, RI) to Key West, FL, November through April.

Show Me Fabrication Custom Amusement Industry Portable Buildings

Show Me Fabrication is a full-service amusement industry manufacturer. We have been serving the amusement industry for over 25 years.  Show Me Fabrication can custom build, remodel, or repair portable carnival and fair concession stands, fun houses, glass houses, and ticket booths.

Sedalia Outdoor Sports

Sedalia Outdoor Sports has been in business for your boating and outdoor sporting needs since 1977.

Toy Fair

The Toy Fair is an on-line retailer of toys and children’s clothing, shoes and accessories.

S. Hyde Collection of Western Style Gifts and Decorations

All of the Western style gifts and decorations in the collection are handcrafted by Sandra Hyde. Each authentic Western design is infused with artistic quality and the finest handcrafted workmanship. Sandra’s designs are made with the highest quality wood, metal and natural materials, resulting in timeless Western decorations.

Products includes Western style bowls, trays, desk organizers, decorative boxes and other unique works of art to complete your home or office. Plus, all of our handcrafted Western decorations make great gift ideas for family and friends!

The Essex Senior Living Facility in Sedalia, Missouri

Located in Sedalia, Missouri the Essex is a premier residential care facility, is a step above other managed care facilities.  Influenced by and designed to exceed the highest of expectations, The Essex strives to perfect long-term, alternative senior living options by providing residents with the opportunity to customize their living accommodations to fit their needs.

Sunflower Festival

The Sunflower Festival celebrates the lives of our ‘Sunflower Family’ -musicians/artists/key contributors in our history for more than two decades until their recent deaths – James Alford, Michael James, Wesley Jefferson, Big Jack Johnson, Sarah Moore, and Foster “Tater” Wiley.

Rotary Club of Memphis East

The Rotary Club of Memphis East is proud to be working toward the goals shared by the thousands of clubs around the world that have been chartered by Rotary International.

Sedalia Country Club

Established in 1906, the Sedalia Country Club traditions surround family and community.  They have a stable membership base that includes members of all ages.  The club offers a challenging golf course, a great pool, excellent dining and banquet facilities and events for all members to enjoy.  Whether spending a sunny afternoon on the Course, hosting a casual business luncheon, orchestrating a play date and pool party for the children, or indulging in an evening of exquisite wine and sumptuous dining, members are sure to enjoy both the setting and the community of the Sedalia Country Club.

National Bankers Trust

National Bankers Trust website promotes their financing policies which cater to the trucking industry by offering their A|R Max Equity Line of Credit which stabalizes cash-flows, promotes growth, cuts administrative costs and builds equity.  National Bankers Trust is revolutionizing the trucking and financial industries by following a simple principle; Factoring should be short term bridge financing – not permanent financing.

Nantucket Hunting Association

The Nantucket Hunting Association is a membership and donation-funded 501c3 nonprofit corporation with a mission to preserve the traditions of ethical hunting and to maintain the balance of Nantucket’s wildlife resources. Founded in 1997, the club has 65 members from 7 states.

NAC Technologies

Computer and networking services and products to provide enhanced connectivity and data processing.

Madison Hotel in Memphis, Tennessee

Welcome to the Madison Hotel. The jazzy spirit of Memphis is brought to life at the Madison Hotel. This boutique luxury hotel dazzles the senses with its striking interiors. Its comtemporary style is best defined by its bold use of colors, geometric patterns and modern furnishings.

MALS- Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.

Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. (MALS) entered its fifth decade with the same commitment and determination that inspired 30 members of the legal profession in the wake of Dr. Marin Luther King’s death to coalesce around a shared vision to establish an organization whose single purpose was to provide a means by which the legal problems of the poor could be addressed.

Save Money, Energy, and the Environment

Have you ever thought about the benefits of installing a solar panel system at your home or business?  If so, now is the time to contact Moore Solar Systems, LLC.  Moore Solar Systems is passionate about solar power and the great value it provides for their customers and the environment.  There is no better time than now to install solar power to save money, save energy, and save the environment.  For more information, visit the new Moore Solar Systems website built by 305 Spin at http://www.mooresolarsystems.com/.

The 2011 Chicago Blues Fest is almost here!

As Chicago gears up for the 27th annual Blues Festival, June 10-12, 305 Spin busy is working with Chicago independent Blues label, Alligator Records (who is also celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year) and the Chicago blues club Buddy Guy’s Legends owned by Buddy Guy on their new websites. 

The Chicago Blues Festival is a three-day event featuring top-tier blues musicians and is the city of Chicago’s largest music festival.  With past performances by legends including Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King, it’s no wonder the event has historically drawn crowds of over half a million blues fans.  Click here for more information about the 2011 Chicago Blues Festival.

Don’t miss these special Blues Festival performances at Buddy Guy’s Legends:
Friday, June 10 – Jimmy Johnson, Guy King and his Little Big Band, Carlos Johnson, The Kinsey Report
Saturday, June 11 – Nick Moss and the Fliptops, Matthew Skoller, John Primer, and Magic Slim and the Teardrops
Sunday, June 12 – Harmonica Hinds, Michael Coleman, Joanna Connor, Carl Weathersby

And the following Alligator artists will be performing a special Alligator 40th Anniversary tribute on Sunday, June 12:
– Lonnie Brooks
– Michael Burks
– Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
– Eddy Clearwater
– Shemekia Copeland