The Impalas with Dawna Nelson has been playing in and around this area for a long, long time. That doesn’t mean any of should take the band’s Texas roadhouse blues for granted. With her superb voice, Nelson always impresses in the live setting. And lead guitarist Bruiser Rummenie is no schlub either. He plays for so many great live bands that it’s hard to keep up. Beginning with the Mud Hens in the eighties, he’s been mixing up genres in local outfits for almost thirty years.
Someone like Rummenie is bound to have some good local recommendations. Here they are.
Favorite C-U band past or present
Duke Tumatoe and the All Star Frogs. It was my introduction to live blues music, great showmanship and tremendous musicians.
Favorite C-U newscaster
Kevin Kelly at WILL — live and local.
Favorite C-U entree, dessert or drink
A cold beer at the Esquire — and sitting out on their patio.
Favorite album of all time (does not have to be from C-U)
This is ridiculously hard. The album that really shaped my early guitar playing was The Fabulous Thunderbirds’ Butt Rockin’. Jimmie Vaughan deconstructed rock guitar and his style turned me on to so many other great players.
Why readers should come see your show tonight
If you haven’t seen Dawna Nelson front the Impalas at a live show — you’re missing out. If you have seen The Impalas live, you know what I’m talking about.
The Impalas with Dawna Nelson play tomorrow night (Friday, May 28) at 88 Broadway with Eddie Shaw and the Wolf Gang. (9 p.m.)