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J Ervin Bates Photography

Name: J Ervin Bates Photography
Address: Harper Road, Mason, MI, 48854, US
Telephone: +15175053783
Price range: $$
Rating: 5

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Mason, MI
J Ervin Bates Photography

Professional photography service, more than 40 yrs exp. Specializing in concert and event photography
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05/25/2026

Last Sunday, The Capital Area Blues Society held its annual Blues Brawl at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 1039 in Lansing, MI. Detroit's Prince of the Blues, Chris Canas opened the program up with a solid high intensity 30 minute set, delivered as only he can do it. Scott Allman and Bill Richards delivered their Bluesy set next, and then it was time to bring on the contestants!

Sunny Bleau & The Moons took the stage first, followed by Ritual Sons, then Jackson's own Five Second Rule, and finally 517 Funktet. Each band made its case, featuring a 20 minute set, hopefully designed to get them sent to Memphis, and while the contest was fierce, in the end only one could go....and it was 517 Funktet taking the honors from the field of battle.

Following the competition, The Lansing Blues Allstars came on to finish out the evening, and they never disappoint

So many thanks to speak of. First and foremost, to our hosts, The Fraternal Order of Eagles.....who made a tremendous $100 donation. Thanks to "Geezer Joe" for the kind gesture. Thank you to all of the CABS failthful, who came out and supported our event. We love and appreciate each of you, and your support does not go unnoticed.

To our judges, Shadowhawk Ellis, Twyla Birdsong, Dennis Massengill (representing the Kalamazoo Blues Society), and Felix Ybara (representing the West Michigan Blues Society). Time keeper for this event was Vickie Deason. Thank you to all of you for your time!

Also to Big Joe, "Geezer" Joe and his lovely wife for making the pulled pork and burgers for sale. You guys killed it again! We cannot forget Mike Smalley for his sound and light work, Mike Daniels for supplying the drum kit, Chris Canas for traveling from the Metro D to play free of charge, The Lansing Blues Allstars for supplyin' the after comp entertainment (Frog, Cheech, Mike Daniels, Gina Garner, and Justin Deason, too!).

And then there are the MANY volunteers who really do make all of this happen. Special thanks to Roger Gentry for his help in the final calculations of scores. It was an amazing afternoon, and we look forward to seeing you all June 21st for the Jim Jam, celebrating the memory of the late Jim Flynn right back here at the Eagles!

04/19/2026

The Killer Blues Headstone Project held its second fundraiser in the past 6 months yesterday in Muskegon. Due to some issues with (I presume) Facebooks mobile app, my pics came out muddy and grey, so I have to wait for now. Gonna try again later, but for now, please enjoy these photos. Many thanks to Christopher John Dragone, Asamu Johnson and the Associates of the Blues, the Mike Wheeler Band, and Demetria Taylor for allowing me to shoot photos AND video! Yup, video is coming. And my love and appreciation to Steven Salter and Vincent Hayes for asking me to be part of this event. I Believe In The Killer Blues Headstone Project (and you should, too!)

03/27/2026

What an amazing evening with good friends and my buddy John Németh at the Gem Theater in St. Louis (aka "the House that Minard and Jennifer built"). John and The Blue Dreamers came into the Gem with Blues on their mind, joined by one of the hottest young Bluesman to hit the scene in a minute, Sean McDonald. Those who have not heard of him yet, or seen him play got an eye-opening experience as John showcased the young bluesman as part of his show. Talk about a classy guy. Oh, and he entertained us for just shy of two hours, too! Attendees were FULLY entertained and John said he would be BACK at the Gem soon! We look forward to it! And happy 20th Anniversary to the Gem Theater! As for Sean, I look forward to seeing his development and progress in the genre! Enjoy the photos...

03/20/2026

Larry McCray just returned from the Blues Summit Tour with Devon Allman, and had his FIRST visit to The Ark in Ann Arbor, Michigan last evening. Another first from last evening's show was Larry's introduction of "Blue Hog", his first gen custom Harmony guitar by Heritage, out of the old Gibson guitar factory in Kalamazoo, MI. From what we are hearing, Larry is working with these fine folks to have a Signature model of this Harmony Guitar before it's all said and done.....and what a fine instrument this one is!

I was joined last evening by my good friend, Brian Daniels, along with fellow CABS Board Members and travel mates, Denise Lynch and Roger Gentry (aka Kidd Cincinnati), and we had a GREAT evening. Joining your Number One Bluesman, Jim Alfredson on keys, Joseph Veloz on bass, and (of course), Steven McCray on drums. Larry played some of the new stuff, but he also sprinkled in some of the oldies but goodies, including his remake of the song he was given by Warren Haynes, "Soul Shine". He called is "Soul Shine 24"....good stuff!

This concert, for me at least, was perhaps one of Larry's best since I have known him. He really was in his element! Perhaps it was because this was his first visit to the iconic Ark stage, or maybe it was the near capacity crowd on hand...but Larry and the guys were firing on all cylinders! Excited to see what unfolds this year for him.

02/17/2026

The 2026 Blues from Beale celebration was held Sunday at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 1039, and it was an amazing afternoon/evening. We had THREE successful 50/50's! Many thanks to the membership of the Eagles, and also the CABS' faithful who came out to celebrate Justin Deason and his band, Just Magnetic. Many thanks also to Kathleen Walters and Friends, Bill Richards and Scott Allman, and of course, the Lansing Blues Allstars for your incredible music yesterday. Thanks also to Mike Lynch for sound and lighting and to all of our friends and family who came out to make this a special afternoon. Next up.....Blues Brawl in May!

02/07/2026

What can I say about this evening at The Ark in Ann Arbor? It was my FIRST Ronnie Baker Brooks concert, and Ronnie owned that room from the first note until the last. A near capacity crowd came out and braved the cold for some HOT Blues, and the man did not disappoint! His band was tight, the music was top shelf and Ronnie demonstrated his skills on the Guitar for two solid hours. If you get a chance to see this Bluesman in action, you really owe it to yourself to go see him. As for me, I will not hesitate to catch Ronnie again! Many thanks to Ronnie for his hospitality and to Matt LaFollette from Alligator Records for making this connection for me and my guest this evening.

02/02/2026

Had a great date night last evening at Old Town's UrbanBeat with Sunny Bleau & The Moons. This band is fresh back from Memphis after competing at the 2026 International Blues Challenge, where they finished as quarter finalists. They have been hard at work, sharpening their show for The Blue Mojo Tour, which begins VERY soon! Enjoy the pics!

01/19/2026

First Blues Jam of the new year with the Johnny D Blues Band and Freddie Cunningham! Nice turnout, and it was very nice enjoying some time out on the town with Garrett!

01/06/2026

Sunday afternoon at Billy's in Grand Rapids, it was the big Memphis Sendoff for winners of the Blues competition for the West Michigan Blues Society. Citizen Jones and Sunny Bleau & The Moons came out, and we had a nice crowd on hand to raise some extra funds to send these musicians to Beale Street. Hope you enjoy the photos!

11/27/2025

Breaking Bread with the Blues was held last Sunday at Old Town Lansing's UrbanBeat. Lots of GREAT music, a nice crowd turned out, and we raised cash and food donations for the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Enjoy! 🙂

Address

Harper Road
Mason, MI
48854

Telephone

+15175053783

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