The 2007 Annual Roundhouse Blues and BBQ Festival
featuring Blues Guitarist Johnny Winter

Savannah has many hidden locations to discover for fun and excitment. The Roundhouse is one of those special gems that is often overlooked. Its full name is the Roundhouse Railroad Museum and it is located at 601 West Harris Street which is one block West of MLK Jr Blvd and, with only one entrance, it can be difficult to find. Historically, in the days when railroads ruled the world of commerce and were the only choice for city to city transportation, the Roundhouse was a beehive of activity being the place where the big train engines coming into Savannah were turned around on the tracks to head back out to other destinations.

Today the Roundhouse Museum maintains the tracks, engines, and the turning wheel and keeps them all running in excellent working condition. Also on the site is a wonderful miniature train display which spans several rooms. It is a joy to watch the toy trains meander about the fantasy countryside. The Roundhouse Museum is part of the Coastal Heritage Society of Georgia www.CHSGeorgia.org along with several other fascinating historical locations in the Savannah area, all worth exploring.



The Roundhouse is mostly a large open area; however, it also contains a covered section with a full stage, making the Roundhouse an excellent location for concerts and cookout events. For this reason, when the Coastal Historical Society took over management of the Night in Old Savannah event in 1995, they moved it over to the Roundhouse where there was plenty of room for all of the people and festivities. As the years passed, the event began to focus primarily on Blues entertainment, and currently the annual extravaganza is known as the Savannah Blues and BBQ Festival www.RoundhouseBluesandBBQ.com .

The 2007 Annual Roundhouse Blues and BBQ Festival, a 2-day event, was held on November 9th and 10th and included headliner guitarist Johnny Winter. This year's Festival was a huge success. Thousands crowded the Roundhouse both nights for delicious food and foot-stomping music in cool temperatures under clear skies. Friday night performers included locals Amburgy and Hanson, Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love (from Thunderbolt), and Magic Slim and the Teardrops (from Chicago). Johnny Winter was the Grand Finale act on Saturday night. He was preceded by Spencer E. White, III and the Praise Delegation, Tremont Temple Missionary Baptist Church Gospel Ensemble, and Wanda Johnson with Shrimp City Slim (with Eddie Phillips on Guitar and Big Mike McCaine from Charlotte on Sax), who received a standing ovation for "Love is Like a Radio." All performances were first class full power entertainment and the crowd loved every minute.


Johnny Winter played for nearly 2 hours (Click here for 2 min video clip) covering many of his well-known favorite tunes. His guitar playing is as fast as ever and he and his band played each song flawlessly. Johnny was in great spirits and his band also seemed to be energized and having a fun time. The fans moved their chairs up close to the stage, and the police and security personnel were excellent in keeping everything peaceful and orderly. It is worth noting that the sound stage was especially good at the Roundhouse with the music being loud but not too loud, and clear and free from any distortion - a welcome relief from some concerts where high volume seems to be the only goal. You can learn more about Johnny at his official website: www.JohnnyWinter.net

Johnny's official press release provides the following information about Johnny's music and his new CD: The Texas guitar tradition runs deep. It's a gutsy school of blues playing, marked by thick tones, aggressive attack and tons of technique, all delivered in a flamboyant, swaggering style that is endemic to the Lone Star State. From T-Bone Walker and Clarence Gatemouth Brown on through Albert Collins and Freddie King, Billy Gibbons and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, the tradition of the Texas guitar slinger has lived on. One name that ranks atop that exclusive list is Johnny Winter, the international ambassador for rocking Texas blues for the last thirty years.
His latest Grammy nominated disc titled "I'm A Bluesman" out on Virgin Records, adds to his Texas-sized reputation. For this release, Johnny has again paired with his long-time producer Dick Shurman (Robert Cray, Albert Collins, Roy Buchanan), as well as Tom Hambridge (Susan Tedeschi, George Thorogood). Performing with him on this CD are members of his scorching road-tested touring band consisting of guitarist Paul Nelson, bassist Scott Spray, and newly added drummer Tony Beard with guest appearances by such friends as ace harmonica player James Montgomery, keyboardist Reese Wynans (from Stevie Ray Vaughan's celebrated backing group Double Trouble) among others. Don't miss Johnny and his band on their current worldwide tour as he introduces audiences to his new material while reacquainting them with his iconic guitar playing.



I met with Johnny and his band members in his comfortable cool CruiseAmerica mobile home in Savannah just before the Roundhouse Blues and BBQ Festival concert. Johnny was smiling and anxious to entertain his Savannah fans with his one-of-a-kind style. I asked Johnny about some of the places he had been, people he had met, and his music then and now. One of his most favorite places? Amsterdam in the early days of rock and roll. He has met and played with more famous recording artists than there is room to mention; and although he did not want to name a favorite artist that he has played with, he did say in contrast that he has never had the opportunity to meet or perform with Bob Dylan. Johnny added that he would like to meet Dylan one day, and shared that he was pleased when he read a Dylan interview in which Bob expressed that he liked Johnny's version of Dylan's "Highway 61"

Johnny Winter is justifiably proud of his music, his talent, and his work which spans multiple generations and is enjoyed and respected by his many fans worldwide. In addition to his own musical achievements, Johnny has also helped other muscians in their professional endeavors. Muddy Waters won multiple Grammy Awards due in part to the assistance and influence of Johnny Winter.


Johnny's current CD, "I'm A Bluesman" is definitely pure Blues music at its best, and I recommend it completely. Order your personal copy at iTunes or get it from your favorite music seller.


I also recommend Johnny's first allbum/CD released in the late 60's titled, "Johnny Winter" which includes a B. B. King tune, "Be Careful with a Fool" described by Johnny as a good 'ole Blues song and one of his favorites. Johnny plays the guitar so fast that I swear it is impossible to listen fast enough to hear it all - seriously!


So what will Johnny Winter do next? The rumor is that in addition to touring, he has already started working on his next CD. It will be based on and inspired by the music that Johnny listened to when he was young and just starting out, and it will include guest performances from some all-time great Blue's performers; and the title? Johnny Winter - "Roots" - Yes, I will be standing in line to get a copy of this CD as soon as it comes out!

(Concert Video)