My son plays his first Bluesfest!

I was in Cedar Rapids Saturday night for a Bluesfest known as Bluesmore (a non-profit fest) ! It's on the grounds of the National Registry's Landmark Museum known as Brucemore Mansion (also a non-profit organization).


Not a bad shindig at all! I'm a bug fan of the blues as is most of my family. I grew up hearing it played on teh stereo from my dad, but also hearing it performed by my father and mother as well.

I play some guitar, but my 12 year old, David, is quite good for his age. He was asked by Gary "Bubba" Gibson to play at the fest on the Brucemore porch stage with another young man named Ben Bollwitt, 14, from Monticello on drums!

(Ben, 14 yrs,on left, my son, David, 12 yrs, on right)

It was a blast to see these two young men, who'd only met at three o'clock that day, gig together for the first time and learn from each other. Both of them were paying special attention to each other, to keep the rhythm chugging along. very professional characteristics from these early teens. A back-up band helped them along and filled out the sound with keyboards, bass, horn and clarinet known as Krewe Osgood, a New Orleans style Jazz band.

(David with guitar and top hat)

(David and Ben discussing music before going onstage)

On main stage were acts from all over the blues world! The Avey Brothers, from the Quad Cities, are a blues trio that had some great blues covers such as Stevie Ray Vaughn's "WILLIE THE WIMP" (one of my all-time favorites).

(David with The Avey Bros.)

Next on the stage was a band out of Wisconsin with a rather large following called Reverened Raven and the Chain-smoking Altar Boys! Amazing band with a saxophonist that could make you shake it without worry of breaking it.... Did some covers of the late Albert Collins, like "TOO MANY DIRTY DISHES" and and some original tunes as well.

Headliner was Deana Bogart. A multi-talented blues-WOMAN that my parents have seen before... Great voice, amzing pianist, and sexy sax, or as some say SAXUALITY!

(David with headliner Deana Bogart)

All in all, had a blast Saturday night at Bluesmore and David.... You were awesome!

Daddy's 'lil rocker!

Even in his sleep, Max rocks the international symbol for metal- the Maloik. Ronnie Dio and Gene Simmons would be proud!
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Just Lookin' - Dave Schroeder

This is a brand new song, written, recorded and produced by my dad, Dave Schroeder. Recorded on his new 4-track digital recorder/burner. He thinks it may be one of his best... What do you think? Add your comments below!

No sooner than I put the fish back he gets this.... A catfish, about 15 inches, and 3lbs...

Max just caught this large blue gill
Shawn Schroeder

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Celebrity: Sharon Stone left her Boyfriend-"Dreyfous"

Finally Sharon Stone realized that it's now time to leave her 24-year-old boy toy,Chase Dreyfous, for the sake of her family matter.It was back in June when she started dating her 26 years younger boy toy.Sharon had uncertainties about the 'romance' after her fruitless try to change a custody agreement with her ex-husband, Phil Bronstein, over living arrangements for their son, Roan.

The whole custody thing really devastated Sharon. She has always dedicated herself 100 per cent to her children. The stuff about the Botox and so on that came up in court was fully made-up. But the heartbreaking fact is it took the flash out of her connection with Chase. Right now her focus is mainly on her family.

The Botox allegation was one of the 'best' chitchats that flew around this year!

$100,000-- If you can get Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew Julian King.

Jennifer Hudson is offering a $100,000 reward for the safe return of her 7-year-old nephew Julian King. He's been missing since the fatal shooting on Friday of Jennifer Hudson's mother and brother.

In a statement Sunday evening from publicist Lisa Kasteler, Jennifer Hudson appealed to the public for its help, offering the reward and asking that any information be given to Chicago police.
"Jennifer and her family appreciate the enormous amount of love, support and prayers they have received while she and her family try to cope with this tragedy and continue the search for Julian," the statement said.


Chicago police ramped up search efforts for Julian around the Englewood neighborhood, where Hudson grew up, and transferred custody of a "person of interest" in the killings to state authorities.


"Detectives are working 24 hours on this case," said Chicago police spokeswoman Monique Bond. "There's a lot of forensic evidence. We have to work the evidence and try and solve this case. Most importantly, we want to find the child."

Jennifer Shows Up for Body Identification

It's always hard and painful for someone to identify your own mother and brother's dead bodies,but it's "standard operating procedure" for a family member to do this, but that doesn't mean it's easy.

Jennifer Hudson showed up to identify the bodies of her mother, Darnell, and brother Jason.

UPDATE: William Balfour is now under the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Cops told us the IDOC have taken Balfour for breaking the terms of his parole.

The nature of the violations are unclear, but it's told that although Balfour is in the custody of the IDOC, the "homicide investigation is still active and ongoing."

Search For Julian King Continues

Where is the 7 year old boy gone? Is he also dead or someone is hiding him somewhere? Will he be ever found by the authorities? The question remains.

The search for Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew continues to intensify. It is being told the operating theory among Chicago detectives is an "ongoing domestic dispute" between the suspect, William Balfour, and his estranged wife, Julia Hudson.

Chicago cops would not be more specific, other than to say there is an "underlying domestic aspect" to the investigation ... that there was "trouble in the marriage."

The cops continues to interview people, but no one other than Balfour is in custody. As for Balfour, so far no charges have been filed.

Chicago cops are now using flyers with Julian King's pic to find the missing boy.

The boy hasn't been seen since the bodies of Hudson's mother and brother were found Friday in her home in the South side of Chicago. The two had been shot to death.

The police will be handing out the flyers today all over Chicago, particularly on the South side.

Jennifer Hudson seeks Aid

Jennifer Hudson has joined the campaign for her missing nephew, Julian King, through her MySpace blog.

It reads: "Thank you all for your prayers and your calls. Please keep praying for our family and that we get Julian King back home safely. If anyone has any information about his whereabouts please contact the authorities immediately.Once again thank you all for being there for us through this tough time."



Sincerely,

The Hudson Family

Breaking News: I Want my son back--Julia Hudson Says

An emotional Julia Hudson just stood in front of the media and begged for the safe return of her 7-year-old son, Julian King.

Julia, standing next to Julian's father Greg King, told reporters how the Hudson family was holding up, described her last moments with her son and explained that Julian would respond the nicknames "Juicebox" and "Dr. King."

Julia also said she was the one who told Jennifer about the terrible string of events that took the life of their mother Darnell and brother Jason.