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On March 5th, I had the good fortune to hang out with Delta Frank Black, "the Blues Doctor" at WGLT-FM at Illinois State University. Delta Frank is a walking encyclopedia of the blues, and this month, he's celebrating 20 years at the helm of a world-class blues program that began as the "The Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame" in 1985 at this National Public Radio-affiliate.
I stopped by the station before my Peoria-area debut at Jonah's Oyster Bar with my band, The Swank Daddys. I wanted to congratulate Delta Frank on his 20th anniversary twisting the dials at WGLT-FM, and thank him for his support of my work as a blueswoman. He's been playing songs from my current CD, Soul Stirring, and has included my CD on his Living Blues playlist!
Delta Frank's got a soft spot for "Sugar Coated Love," and it's one of the more popular songs on my CD and at my live shows. As he began to speak I could see his eyes sparkle. Little did I know that Lazy Lester would play a prominent role in my short visit to WGLT.
"Hey," the Blues Doctor jumped. "That's Lazy Lester! When did you first discover Lazy Lester?"
Before I could answer, he led me to the station's blues library, into one of the largest blues CD collections I have ever seen. The floor-to-ceiling CD collection ranged from Victoria Spivey to Reverend Gary Davis to Central Illinois' own Fishbone Willie and Friends. I was proud and humbled to be in there, too. I was at a total loss for words.
Delta Frank introduced me to WGLT-FM Music Director Jon Norton, who told me what I already knew: Delta Frank is a true blues treasure. Both Delta Frank and Jon have an enthusiasm for the blues that is positively contagious, proof positive that WGLT-FM takes its commitment to the blues very seriously. Thanks to streaming audio online at www.wglt.org, blues listeners across the globe can share Delta Frank's blues experience.
"There aren't many like him out there, anywhere," said Norton. "He knows everything about the blues. All you have to do is give Frank a name, a song or a topic, and sit back and listen. He's really an encyclopedia of the blues, and can answer any question you may have about the blues. When it comes to the blues, Delta Frank's the real deal."
Getting back to "Sugar Coated Love," Delta Frank was very excited and even more excited that I chose this song in my musical repertoire for Soul Stirring. I noticed he had an old 45 in his hands that he was cradling like a baby. It was Lazy Lester's 1957 original Excello recording of "Sugar Coated Love!"
He said he was so excited that he had to bring the 45 from his home collection to play for me. He showed me where he had etched his initials into the inner ring of the vinyl record after he purchased the single back in ‘57. I listened as he talked about Lazy Lester, a Louisiana swamp blues legend who’s recorded for the Excello and Alligator labels in a blues career that has spanned five decades; and as he spoke I became even more impressed with the Blues Doctor's knowledge of the blues.
To say that I was honored to be "down in the blues alley" with blues historian extraordinaire Delta Frank is the understatement of the year for me!
"Can I hear it?" I asked. The Blues Doctor's eyes sparkled again as he turned to play it.
The record spun around, and we heard that old and familiar crackle of the needle riding the vinyl grooves.
"Hey Debbie," Jon asked, "Would you please shut the door so that we can crank it up?"
Delta Frank, Jon and I huddled around Lazy Lester's version of "Sugar Coated Love", playing good and loud! The recording was flawless and clean, a real testament to the staying power of Lester's music. Chills ran up and down my spine. I felt honored to share this moment of true blues magic with Delta Frank and Jon.
While we listened, Delta Frank asked again how I’d discovered Lazy Lester's blues.
A friend of mine, Armando Cortez from the Chicago Blues Angels, turned me on to "Sugar Coated Love," through Louann Barton's version of it. I loved the song, and late one night at one of my shows, this older gentleman who looked like a dead-ringer for Lester came up to me, much the same way Delta Frank did, and said, "That's Lazy Lester! Do you know you're doing a Lazy Lester tune! I don't believe it!"
It could've been Lazy Lester himself for all I knew.
With a T-shirt and a hug from this wonderful man, I rode off into the sunset. Actually, I headed over to Jonah's Oyster Bar in East Peoria, where I was greeted by friends and fans who took the good doctor's advice. Our live show that night was one of our best yet. I'd like to think it was due in part to the inspiration of Delta Frank and his excellent blues program at WGLT-FM.
My all-too-brief visit "down in the blues alley" will leave a mark on this blues baby for many, many years to come, thanks to the Blues Doctor, Delta Frank Black.
As the Blues Doctor himself would say, "If you don't love the blues, you’ve got a hole in your SOUL!" Thanks Delta Frank, for all you do for the blues!
Special thanks to Delta Frank Black, Eric Steiner, and Jon Norton for their help in helping me capture this salute to Delta Frank, the Blues Doctor at WGLT-FM! Happy 20th Anniversary Delta Frank. May there be many, many, many more!
© 2005 - Debbie Seitz