"Most folks have really strong views about the blues, both positive and negative. I find the negative opinions are generally due to ignorance, and with a proper introduction, those opinions change positive more often than not. The Blues chronicles the human experience of joy, pain, success, failure, work, play and love. There is no ‘Hate’ in the Blues. It is a tapestry of culture that embodies the best of humanity. Luther Allison said it best: “No Black, No White, just Blues. Leave your ego, play the music, Love the people”."

John Hammer: Hammered By The Blues

John "Blueshammer" Hammer has been supporting Minnesota and regional Blues since 1993 when he began publishing the "Hammered by the Blues" newsletter on-line. This experience led to his work as a staff writer-photographer (over 45,000 Blues photos in his catalog) and distributor of the Blues Bugle from 2001 to 2004. Beginning in June of 2004, John began publishing Blue Monday Monthly which is produced both on-line (since 2007) and in print. John serves as writer/ photographer/ editor and distributor of Blue Monday Monthly. John has contributed both written features and photography to the nationally produced Blues Festival Guide. He also produces and hosts "Hammered by the Blues", a weekly radio program on KRUE 1170 AM Radio which is broadcast on-line at BlueMondayMonthly.com.                                (John Hammer / Photo by Larry Crane)

Since 2007 John has served as the entertainment director, fundraiser and emcee for the Smokin' in Steele Blues Festival held in Owatonna, MN. John has emceed several Blues festivals including the Bayfront Blues Festival (2006 to present), Paramount Blues Festival, Great Northern Blues Society - Blue Cafe series and the former Morton Casino Blues shows. John Hammer’s long and varied history of successful efforts to support Blues music, artists and events intruded him into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame in the "Supportive of the Blues" category in 2014.

Interview by Michael Limnios          Special Thanks: John "Blueshammer" Hammer

How has the Blues and Roots American music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Just like the Blues is the basis for many popular music styles that came after; it is the main thread that holds a greater tapestry of music/art together in a commonality that can not be underestimated. So too are blues lovers linked in a same commonality in their heart and souls. No matter where you travel, all people are the same in their hopes/dreams/aspirations.

How did the idea of "Blue Monday Monthly" come about? What characterize magazine's philosophy?

On my way to my third career retirement, I had been photographing LIVE blues shows and writing for other magazines. In most cases you are given an assignment. If you had a topic you wished to write about, you had to ‘sell’ the idea. I am inherently lazy and impassioned at the same time. I knew if I ‘paid the cost to be the boss’ I could write/photograph whatever I wanted and publish it myself. So 19 years ago I started Blue Monday Monthly as a ‘side business’ in the spirit of always pickin’ yourself up and gettin’ down to work Monday morning after a hard partyin’ weekend. Our main philosophy is to support, uplift, and champion this artform that does not fully get it’s due in the musical business world. In a word, our job is to be ‘Cheerleaders’, (and share the FUN).

What do you love most as DJ of Hammered By The Blues? What do you think is key for a good radio show?

Serendipity. The opportunity popped up unexpectedly to do a weekly, hour long show about the blues on a local station that was part of the Linder Farm Network. The show bounced around a variety of time slots on four different stations for 11 years, both AM and FM. I was allowed to post it on my Blue Monday website as well. That is where I found my larger worldwide audience. Hammered By The Blues is almost 17 years old (just posted show 877). I built the show with a strictly linear playlist designed to feature 2-4 tracks off a CD. Nothing is repeated; ever. We proudly promote as ‘All brand new Blues, all the time’. We introduce artists and music you will not find anywhere else. We have featured ALMOST everything submitted, even when submission were running 200-250 deep. The listener will always find the ‘serendipity’ of new music and artist discovery.

"Just like the Blues is the basis for many popular music styles that came after; it is the main thread that holds a greater tapestry of music/art together in a commonality that can not be underestimated. So too are blues lovers linked in a same commonality in their heart and souls. No matter where you travel, all people are the same in their hopes/dreams/aspirations." (John Hammer / Photo by Tom Daniel)

What moment changed your music life the most? What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of the past?

As a kid in the 50’s, through my folks, I was exposed to lots of big band music (The Dorsey Bros., Benny Goodman, Cab Calloway, Louie Armstrong, ect.). As a teenager in the ‘60’s, I was into Rock ‘n Roll. In 1969 I went to the Midwest Rock Fest in Milwaukee, WI. It featured Joe Cocker, Led Zepplin, Blind Faith, Jeff Beck, Johnny Winter, Pacific Gas & Electric, Taste, John Mayall, Sweetwater and more. I was also in to Al Kooper, Paul Butterfield, Peter Greene, ect. It was apparent the songs that really ‘spoke’ to me all had the same construction, rhythm, and vibe. I was thrilled to find out many were inspired by, or ‘reimagined’, blues tunes written long before by folks I had not found before. That started the journey….

I guess the only thing I miss from the past is the stamina to attend an outdoor fest all day long, then hit multiple small venues into the wee hours, get two-three hours of sleep, and do it all over again.

If you could change one thing in the Blues World/Industry and it would become a reality, what would that be?

I would like the Blues to enjoy the financial success of Country; the widespread popularity of Pop; and touch the soul of everyone, just like it does to the ‘Faithful’.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the Blues Media?

There is nothing new in this life. It is all a Phoenix perpetually rising from the ashes in the coming dawn that provides a different and spectacular perspective.... Every. Single. Day. Embrace; Enjoy; and Carpe Diem.

"So 19 years ago I started Blue Monday Monthly as a ‘side business’ in the spirit of always pickin’ yourself up and gettin’ down to work Monday morning after a hard partyin’ weekend. Our main philosophy is to support, uplift, and champion this artform that does not fully get it’s due in the musical business world. In a word, our job is to be ‘Cheerleaders’, (and share the FUN)." (John Hammer / Photo by Neil Schloner)

What touched you and what characterize the sound of Minnesota? What would you say characterizes Minnesota blues scene in comparison to other local US scenes?

Here in Minnesota, we are blessed with a variety of seasons that may challenge to average person. We are also blessed with an abundance of musical talent in all genre’s. Whether the climate feeds inspiration -or- if inspiration blossoms in spite of it, is a subject for another time. With a geographic proximity to Chicago, we get our fair share of fans and artists taking advantage of that closeness. With both states sharing opposing borders with Wisconsin, it is interesting to look at what could be described as an Upper Midwest Gumbo of musical styles. We note the subtle influential evolutions that takes place in the creative process of music writing, style, and performance. Whereas Chicago is known for an electric guitar driven, soul, R&B, rock tinged boogie woogie and shuffles, here in Minnesota we have added our own sound to the mix. We bring the FUNK!

Minnesota is the birthplace to folks like: Prince; Bob Dylan; Morris Day & The Time; Eddie Cochran; The Jets; Gypsy; Jellybean Johnson; Willie Murphy; Skitch Henderson; The Andrews Sisters; Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis; Koerner, Ray & Glover, and many more. We have become the adopted home of Blues greats like Big Walter Smith (& The Groove Merchants); Big George Jackson; Percy Strother; Wee Willie Walker; Willie West; Big John Dickerson; Lazy Bill Lucas; Wilber Cole, just to name a few. This eclectic group of fine artists all contributed to the Minnesota sound from Big Band Jazz, to folk rock, to rock n roll, to boogie, to blues, and to funk. With the influences of Prince and Jimmy Jam with Terry Lewis, Minnesota became a mecca for recording artists to ‘tweek’ their sound, incorporating the grit and infectious rhythm of the Minnesota sound.

To this day, Minnesota boasts a healthy music scene with many options to catch live music, whether in a club, auditorium, or outdoors. We have a large family of extremely talented folks of all ages writing music and playin’ LIVE. Veterans like Papa John Kolstad and James Samuel ‘Cornbread’ Harris (the 94-year-old father of Jimmy Jam) can be seen regularly. Writer/Performers like Kevin Bowe (penned ‘Blues Is My Business’ hit by Etta James), Joyann Parker, Mick Sterling, Cooker John, Alex Rossi, and Jay Walter, as well as countless more talented acts popping up everyday, can be found playing regularly around the area. Clubs come and clubs go, but reliable mainstays like Wilebski’s Blues Saloon, The Dakota, Crooners, Schooners, Bunkers, The Cedar Cultural Center, The Hook & Ladder, and The Cabooze are keepin’ the Blues Alive ‘round these parts. Outdoor Fests like Bayfront Blues Fest in Duluth, Lowertown Fest in St. Paul, Smokin’ in Steele BBQ & Blues in Owatonna, and countless other community-based events takes advantage of our beautiful summers. Come visit us. No matter when, no matter what; you will catch the funky groove that IS the Minnesota sound!

"Hammered By The Blues is almost 17 years old. I built the show with a strictly linear playlist designed to feature 2-4 tracks off a CD. Nothing is repeated; ever. We proudly promote as ‘All brand new Blues, all the time’. We introduce artists and music you will not find anywhere else. We have featured ALMOST everything submitted, even when submission were running 200-250 deep. The listener will always find the ‘serendipity’ of new music and artist discovery." (John Hammer / Photo by Gary Eckhart)

Are there any memories from the Smokin' In Steele BBQ and Blues Festival which you’d like to share with us?

The best was the beginning. Smokin’ in Steele BBQ & Blues Fest was born in 2007. I had been booking bands into the local Knights of Columbus Hall (MN) because I wanted to have regular, quality entertainment, with service club drink prices, in a walkable distance to my home. I rounded up sponsors, we would charge no admission, and we would generally have free potluck food for all. We packed the place. The Knights had a charitable fundraiser for a couple years that just could not draw a crowd. They came to me and said “A number of us are starting to get into competition BBQ, what if we do a fest? Nothing goes better than BBQ and Blues.” I agreed, but I said we need a charity that touches everyone; one that impacts every family and friend that you know. We picked the Special Olympics, a cause near and dear to all of us. Knowing that music and watching pro’s cook was not enough, we added food vendors, an amateur competition with sampling,  a 5k Run/Walk, a Bike Rally, a Kid’s Q competition, a car show, harmonica lessons and more. We had something for everyone. For most of the years we featured 13 acts. Every single one a headliner in their own right, and they came to play for less than they usually command because they believe in the charity we support. We donate every single penny of profit to an expanded list of charities, and have exceed fundraising goals every year.

What is the impact of Blues on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

Most folks have really strong views about the blues, both positive and negative. I find the negative opinions are generally due to ignorance, and with a proper introduction, those opinions change positive more often than not. The Blues chronicles the human experience of joy, pain, success, failure, work, play and love. There is no ‘Hate’ in the Blues. It is a tapestry of culture that embodies the best of humanity. Luther Allison said it best: “No Black, No White, just Blues. Leave your ego, play the music, Love the people”.

Blue Monday Monthly - Home

Beginning in June of 2004, John "Blueshammer" Hammer began publishing Blue Monday Monthly which is produced both on-line (since 2007) and in print. He also produces and hosts "Hammered by the Blues", a weekly radio program on KRUE 1170 AM Radio.