Celebration of Vala
A bunch of Vala’s friends and family gathered on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose to make music, listen to music and remember Vala. Photos from that event at the bottom of this page.
Vala sang at JJ’s many times and her photograph still hangs on the wall there. New owner Johnnie Perkins let us have the place from noon till 9 and it was was a day full of memories and music for many musicians, friends and family of Vala.
By our count, 36 musicians performed that day. Links to some of their web sites are under the list of MP3s. It’s all the links we have. Send a note to drgone@seriouscondition.com if you are one of the musicians who played that day and have a web site or email address you’d like listed here.
Thanks to Johnnie Perkins for the recordings, and thanks to Aki Kumar for converting them to MP3s. All that we have are now posted on this page.
We may have names misspelled, the wrong musicians listed on some songs and titles of songs wrong. Please, if you have a correction, send it to drgone@seriouscondition.com
“Caldonia”
Dr Gone vocal, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Dr Gone on guitars, Aki Kumar on mouth harp, Dave Lewis on bass, Robert Lacy-Thompson on drums.
“Need Your Love So Bad”
Dr Gone vocal, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Dr Gone on guitars, Aki Kumar on mouth harp, Dave Lewis on bass, Robert Lacy-Thompson on drums.
“Black Dress Boogie/La Grange”
Dr Gone vocal, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Dr Gone on guitars, Aki Kumar on mouth harp, Dave Lewis on bass, Robert Lacy-Thompson on drums.
“Dangerous Mood”
Dr Gone vocal, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Dr Gone on guitars, Aki Kumar on mouth harp, Dave Lewis on bass, Robert Lacy-Thompson on drums.
“Pride and Joy”
Dr Gone vocal, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Dr Gone on guitars, Aki Kumar on mouth harp, Dave Lewis on bass, Robert Lacy-Thompson on drums.
“Dr Feelgood”
Melinda Rios-Foley on vocal, Michael Osborn, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Dr Gone on guitars, Aki Kumar on mouth harp, Dave Lewis on bass, Robert Lacy-Thompson on drums.
“Nightmare Blues”
Melinda Rios-Foley vocal, Michael Osborn, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Dr Gone on guitars, Aki Kumar on mouth harp, Dave Lewis on bass, Robert Lacy-Thompson on drums.
“Walkin’ Blues”
Danny D on vocal and mouth harp, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Dr Gone on guitars, Dave Lewis on bass, Robert Lacy-Thompson on drums.
“Bad Boy”
Danny D on vocal and mouth harp, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Dr Gone on guitars, Dave Lewis on bass, Robert Lacy-Thompson on drums.
“My Woman” and “Yellow Moon”
Bundy Browne on vocal and guitar, Kurt Kieffer on Guitar, Tony Johnson on sax, Dennis Harper on bass, Russ St. John on drums.
“Wise Man Blues”
Bundy Browne on vocal and guitar, Kurt Kieffer on Guitar, Tony Johnson on sax, Dennis Harper on bass, Russ St. John on drums.
“The Dance Continues”
Bundy Browne on vocal and guitar, Kurt Kieffer on Guitar, Tony Johnson on sax, Dennis Harper on bass, Russ St. John on drums.
“Georgia”
Bundy Browne on vocal and guitar, Kurt Kieffer on Guitar, Tony Johnson on sax, Dennis Harper on bass, Russ St. John on drums.
“Dance With Me”
Andy Just on vocal and mouth harp, Michael Osborn on guitar, Bob Boehm on bass, Dennis Dove on drums
“Teeny Bit of Your Love”
Andy Just on vocal and mouth harp, Brad Kava on mouth harp, Michael Osborn on guitar, Bob Boehm on bass, Dennis Dove on drums
Instrumental?
Andy Just on mouth harp, Michael Osborn on guitar, Nancy Wright on sax, Steve Hazlewood on bass, Bowen Brown on drums
“You Know It Ain’t Right”
Michael Osborn on vocal and guitar, Andy Just on mouth harp, Bob Boehm on bass, Dennis Dove on drums.
“Black Night”
Paul Durkett on vocal, Michael Osborn on guitar, Bob Boehm on bass, Dennis Dove on drums.
“Blue Lonesome”
Paul Durkett on vocal and mouth harp, Michael Osborn on guitar, Bob Boehm on bass, Dennis Dove on drums.
“Sloppy Drunk”
Paul Durkett on vocal and mouth harp, Michael Osborn on guitar, Bob Boehm on bass, Dennis Dove on drums.
“Jailhouse Blues”
Sheila Thomas on vocal, Michael Osborn on guitar, Nancy Wright on sax, Steve Hazlewood on bass, Bowen Brown on drums
“Treat Her Right”
Ron Estrada on vocal and guitar, Michael Osborn on guitar, Nancy Wright on sax, Steve Hazlewood on bass, Bowen Brown on drums
“Honeybee”
Guitar Gypsy on guitar and vocal. Sam Varela on guitar. Nancy Wright on sax, Steve Hazlewood on bass, Bowen Brown on drums.
“Funky From Now On”
Guitar Gypsy on guitar and vocal. Sam Varela on guitar. Nancy Wright on sax, Steve Hazlewood on bass, Bowen Brown on drums.
“You Got Me Doing”
Qwenston Staten on vocal. Guitar Gypsy and Sam Varela on guitars. Nancy Wright on sax, Steve Hazlewood on bass, Bowen Brown on drums.
“Funky From Now On”
Guitar Gypsy on guitar and vocal. Sam Varela on guitar. Nancy Wright on sax, Steve Hazlewood on bass, Bowen Brown on drums.
Title unknown
Archie Lee Hooker on vocal. Guitar Gypsy and Sam Varela on guitars. Nancy Wright on sax, Steve Hazlewood on bass, Bowen Brown on drums.
“Little Dog”
Archie Lee Hooker on vocal. Guitar Gypsy and Sam Varela on guitars. Nancy Wright on sax, Steve Hazlewood on bass, Bowen Brown on drums.
“I Believe”
John Gaar on guitar and vocal, Sugar Glenn Robinson on keys, Charles Lyons on bass, Jerome Tinsley on drums
“Gonna Love You”
John Gaar on guitar and vocal, Sugar Glenn Robinson on keys, Charles Lyons on bass, Jerome Tinsley on drums
“Shaky Ground”
Charles Lyons on bass and vocal,John Gaar on guitar, Sugar Glenn Robinson on keys, Jerome Tinsley on drums
“The Thrill is Gone”
John Gaar on guitar and vocal, Sugar Glenn Robinson on keys, Charles Lyons on bass, Jerome Tinsley on drums
“Teeny Bit of Your Love”
John Gaar on guitar and vocal, Sugar Glenn Robinson on keys, Charles Lyons on bass, Jerome Tinsley on drums
“Six Eggs and a Pint of Vodka”
Lisa Cupp on vocal, John Gaar on guitar, Sugar Glenn Robinson on keys, Charles Lyons on bass, Jerome Tinsley on drums
“Evil-Hearted Me”
Lisa Cupp on vocal, Coco Montoya and Tony Lacy-Thompson on guitars.
“Check Your Oil”
Sneaky Pete on vocal, Coco Montoya and Tony Lacy-Thompson on guitars, Dave Lewis on bass, Dennis Dove on drum.
“Whole Lotta Lovin'”
Coco Montoya on vocal and guitar, Tony Lacy-Thompson on guitar.
Musician web sites
Danny D is at www.jumpinjukes.com
John Gaar is at www.johngaar.com
Coco Montoya is at www.cocomontoya.com
Michael Osborn is at checkerboardrecords.com
Dr Gone & Serious Condition are at seriouscondition.com
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- Vala Cupp memorial celebration, Feb. 26, 2006 at JJ’s Blues in San Jose. From left are Guitar Gypsy, Archie Lee Hooker, Sam Varela, Steve Hazlewood and Nancy Wright. Photo by Armand Bashar
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- Vala Cupp memorial celebration, Feb. 26, 2006 at JJ’s Blues in San Jose. From left are Nina McClaren, Armand Bashar, Photo by Armand Bashar, Kelly Bashar and Vi Cupp. Photograph courtesy of Armand Bashar and whoever was holding the camera.
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- Vala Cupp memorial celebration, Feb. 26, 2006 at JJ’s Blues in San Jose. From left are Jerome TInsley, John Gaar, Charles Lyons and Lisa Cupp Photo by Armand Bashar
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- Vala Cupp memorial celebration, Feb. 26, 2006 at JJ’s Blues in San Jose. From left are Armand Bashar and Lisa Cupp. Photo courtesy of Armand Bashar
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- Vala Cupp memorial celebration, Feb. 26, 2006 at JJ’s Blues in San Jose. From left are Aki Kumar, Dr Gone, Melinda Rios-Foley, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Michael Osborn Photo by Armand Bashar
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- Vala Cupp memorial celebration, Feb. 26, 2006 at JJ’s Blues in San Jose. From left are Aki Kumar, Dr Gone, Melinda Rios-Foley, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Michael Osborn. In back are drummer Robert Lacy-Thompson and bassist Dave Lewis. Photo by Armand Bashar
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- Vala Cupp memorial celebration, Feb. 26, 2006 at JJ’s Blues in San Jose. From left are Armand Bashar and Michael Osborn Photo courtesy of Armand Bashar
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- Archie Lee Hooker Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- Vala Cupp memorial celebration, Feb. 26, 2006 at JJ’s Blues in San Jose. From left are Aki Kumar, Dr Gone and Tony Lacy-Thompson. In back are drummer Robert Lacy-Thompson and bassist Dave Lewis. Photo by Armand Bashar
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- Vala Cupp memorial celebration, Feb. 26, 2006 at JJ’s Blues in San Jose. From left are Armand Bashar and Vi Cupp Photo courtesy of Armand Bashar
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- Bowen Brown on drums, Steve Hazlewood on bass Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- Michael Osborn, Brad Kava, Andy Just and Bob Boehm, from left Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- Bundy Browne of Kieffer-Browne Lockdown Vala Cupp Memorial at JJ’s Blues, Feb. 26, 2006. Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Coco Montoya, Dennis Dove, Sneaky Pete, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Dave Lewis, from left Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- Coco Montoya, Bowen Brown and Tony Lacy-Thompson, from left Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- Danny D, Dr Gone, Dave Lewis, Tony Lacy-Thompson, from left. Vala Cupp Memorial at JJ’s Blues, Feb. 26, 2006. Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Danny D, left, with Dr Gone & Serious Condition Vala Cupp Memorial at JJ’s Blues, Feb. 26, 2006. Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Dave Lewis of Dr Gone & Serious Condition Vala Cupp memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Guitar Gypsy, Bowen Brown, Sam Varela, Steve Hazlewood and Nancy Wright, from left Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- John Gaar, left, and Lisa Cupp Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- From left are Kurt Kieffer, Tony Johnson and Bundy Browne, of Kieffer-Browne Lockdown. Vala Cupp Memorial at JJ’s Blues, Feb. 26, 2006. Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Kurt Kieffer of Kieffer-Browne Lockdown Vala Cupp Memorial at JJ’s Blues, Feb. 26, 2006. Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Dr Gone & Serious Condition Melinda Rios-Foley with Dr Gone & Serious Condition Vala Cupp memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Michael Osborn, Dennis Dove, Andy Just and Bob Boehm, from left Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- Michael Osborn, Brad Kava, Andy Just and Bob Boehm, from left Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- Michael Osborn on guitar, Dennis Dove on drums, Paul Durkett on mouth harp, Bob Boehm on bass Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- Melinda Rios-Foley, Robert Lacy-Thompson and Michael Osborn, from left. Dr Gone & Serious Condition Vala Cupp memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Dr Gone, Melinda Rios-Foley, Dave Lewis, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Michael Osborn, from left Vala Cupp Memorial at JJ’s Blues, Feb. 26, 2006. Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Michael Osborn Vala Cupp Memorial at JJ’s Blues, Feb. 26, 2006. Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Paul Durkett Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- Robert Lacy-Thompson, Dave Lewis of Dr Gone & Serious Condition Vala Cupp memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Danielle Stolman photograph
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- Ron Estrada, left, and Nancy Wright Vala Cupp Memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Robert Lacy-Thompson photograph
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- Aki Kumar, Dr Gone, Robert Lacy-Thompson, Melinda Rios-Foley, Tony Lacy-Thompson and Michael Osborn, from left. Vala Cupp memorial, Feb. 26, 2006, at JJ’s Blues in San Jose Danielle Stolman photograph
Audio recordings
“One Thing on My Mind” 1990 Vala Cupp
Samples from “One Thing on My Mind”
“Six Eggs and a Pint of Vodka”
“Crawlin’ Kingsnake”
“POON twang” 2003 POON
“Cold Hearted Girl” 1990 Michael Osborn
“A Case for the Blues” 1991 Michael Osborn
“Bathtub Gin” 1993 Bathtub Gin
“Still a Pirate” 1998 Terry Dolan
“The Austin Sessions” 1999 Rebecca Koetting
“Sisters” 1999 Mad River
“Road to Freedom” 2000 The Blues Knights
“From Austin With Love, a JLH Tribute” (unreleased to date), various Artists
“Righteous Fool” 2000 Will Dunlap
Video and DVD
“John Lee Hooker: That’s My Story” 2004
“The Newport Jazz Festival” — PBS ongoing broadcast from 1991
“The Montreux Jazz Festival” — PBS ongoing broadcast from 1991