Today’s a special day – it’s the birthday of my very first crush, Mary Helen. I was in the 7th grade and she was…oblivious. Where is she now? Search me. But as a barometer of my overzealous obsession, to this day I still remember her birthday and think about her every year. Y’know what? She probably hates the blues. Yeah, I’m better off without her. That’s the ticket.

So…are you feeling the need to soothe your blues? Well, this Friday night you can do that and do some good at the same time. The Cascade Blues Association is hosting a fundraising concert at the Melody Ballroom, and the slate features an All-Star band of teen blues performers, blues educator and performer Michael “Hawkeye” Herman, and the headlining Sean Carney Band. For more info, go here.

On Saturday night, Curtis Salgado is at the Trail’s End and I heartily recommend him anytime and anywhere, but…if you’re a local who’s seen Curtis a few times and you’d like to try something different, I’ve got just the ticket. Head to the Cascade Bar & Grill in Vancouver and take in the blues / rock / rockabilly sounds of The Troublemakers. These guys crank out some killer harp-fueled Americana, with Texas native Rich Layton out in front. You can hear the band in Show #3 and Show #22. And in the interest of full disclosure, I’d be recommending them even if I didn’t appear on their latest CD, Chop Shop Pit Stop. So there.

That’s it for Pat’s Picks this week – now get out there and keep the blues alive!