We got the sad news yesterday that LJ Porter had passed away suddenly.  Too suddenly.  I still can’t believe I’m writing this because there’s a huge part of me that is still,  in this moment, excited about LJ and her great band.  It was such a treat seeing them that I made a point of being there, if at all possible, whenever they played.  Setting out LJ’s chair for her, shooting some photos or video.  LJ tried to pay for my drinks or food, but I wouldn’t let her.  Well,, not all the time.

Tommy Erak,  John Hanford, Kenny Cole, Lonnie Williams, Susan Apple, Anne Leatherman, DeChelle Henderson, Megan,  and more.   I’d seen Tom Erak before on bass, but I didn’t really know he could sing until I saw him with LJ Porter.  She would let him open the show for her, and did he ever.  I”m not sure if he sings better than he plays the bass, or the other way around.  And LJ loved having him,,  introducing him as Marvin Gaye,  Elvis Presley,  Ray Charles and James Brown all rolled into one.

And I love the way Susan Apple sings with a smile & moves with the music.   Kenny on piano,  Lonnie on the sax,, John Hanford on guitar,, all exquisite.  It’s obvious that LJ Porter loved music, and everything about it, and she chose people to work with who were just like her.  Music was her element.

LJ introduced me to Duffy Bishop too.  I makes me wish I was around when they ruled the Pioneer Square night life.

At a time when I felt like a nobody,  LJ told me I was becoming, “part of the family”.   So it’s with a heavy heart that I, along with the rest of Seattle Blues lovers, must let Melissa LJ Porter go on ahead of us to her new home.   I hope that she knows now, just how much she is loved & appreciated.

Ron Beatteay
www.sweet-blues.com
www.sweetbluesnw.com