Music
The University Daily Kansan Thursday, February 8, 2004
Section B • Page 3
Professor down with the blues
By Aaron Lerner
joyplay@kansan.com
Jayplay writer
Kurt Crandall was 22 years old and in his final year of graduate work at James Madison University in Charlottesville, Va., when he first got the blues. His girlfriend had just broken up with him, his bank account was empty and he was unemployed.
He was down, but not out.
He threw in an old Muddy Waters LP, felt beckoned by the soulful sounds of the blues and decided to give the harmonica a try.
Ten years later at age 32 and within months of earning his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas, Crandall still has the blues, but this time they're more than just a feeling.
They're the catalyst that has rapidly taken him to the top of the Midwest music scene.
A Psychology 104 teacher by day, Crandall recently spoke of his long journey as a blues man.
Q: Why did you choose the harmonica, and how did you learn to play?
A: I always liked the old, rustic sound that the harmonica could give the blues. When I saw an ad for a small "Communiversity" harmonica class, I decided to give it a shot.
It only offered six lessons, but when I went to see the teacher of the class play in his band one night, I was blown away. I knew afterwards this is what I had to do.
Q: Who were some of your early influences?
A: I listened to a lot of the younger guys like Magic Dick from the J. Geils Band and Paul Butterfield before I really got
into the older masters such as Big Walter Horton, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and James Cotton.
Q: When did you start playing in bands?
A: As a grad student at James Madison, I was doing a lot of fratrock type stuff with a group of undergraduates before I hooked up with another band called Little Rick and the Blue Tones.
When I finished my masters, I came to Lawrence and was able to form my own band called the Mistreaters. Now I pretty much headline my own shows and have a group of musicians who back me up.
Q; Working on a Ph.D. and having just formed a new band, where and when did you find time to tour?
As I really don't know how I was doing it. We would travel all over the Midwest, places like Wichita; Columbia, Mo.; Manhattan, Omaha, Neb.; Springfield, Mo.; Des Moines, Iowa.
I wouldn't get home until 4 a.m.
and then have to be ready to teach an 8 a.m. psych class. It was nice though, being from the East Coast. It really gave me a chance to see the Midwest.
Q: As a psychology teacher, did you ever run into any of your students while playing gigs?
A: It happened every now and then. However, one night when I was doing a show at the Brown Bear, a student came up on stage, raised his glass and said, 'Dude, this is my teacher.' He then told me, 'Dude, I am so ready for that test Monday.' I just chuckled and said, 'Dude, the test was last Monday.'"
— Edited by Joshua Richards
Kurt Crandall, Psychology 104 professor and blues musician, first got the blues at age 22. Contributed photo
- The Eudoras and Ricky Dean Sinatra at the Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St.; $2 cover.
LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR
Today
Friday
Linkin Park with Taptrop at Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts, St.
Massachusetts St.; $$ cover; 21 and up.
Mina and FS at the Battleneck, 737 New
Shaking Tree at the Jazz Haus, 926 1/2
Manhattan Beach $5.25 seat, 21 and up
Satin day
Smith at the Jazz Haus, 926 1/2
Ming and FS at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.; 18 and up.
Saturday
Big Smith at the Jazzy Haws, 20 17
Massachusetts
Maryland, up, and up,
up, up, up,
Youngblood Brass Band and Jesse Jackson 5 at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.; $5 21 and up, $7 18 and up.
DCAP Valentine Dance and Auction with the Kelly Hunt Band at Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St.
Sunday
- Casket Lottery, Proudnentall and Eiffel at the Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St; $2 cover.
Mondav
Open Jam with the Spanktones at the Jazz Haus, 926 1/2 Massachusetts St.; $2 cover; 21 and up.
Open mike night at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.; free 21 and up, $2 18 and up.
Tuesday
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe and Jesse Jackson 5 at the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. free
■ The Second Hands and John Brown's Body at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.; $5 21 and up; $7 18 and up.
- Palay and The Mourning 40 Federation at the Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St.; $2 cover.
Wednesday
737 New Hampshire St.; 18 and up.
- Atmosphere and Mac Lethal at the Bottleneck,
  Z37 New Hampshire St, 19 and up
- the Radiator Sayers band at the Jazzhaus
926 1/2 Massachusetts 'St; 21 and up.
- 926 1/2 Massachusetts St. 21 and up.
- Macintosh Papers and keverly thd al.*
Granada, 1020 Massachussetts St.; $3 cover.
You're invited to FREE video presentations on
The Hadden Sayers Band at the Jazz Haus,
Improving Relationships
every Monday night in February from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Showing David T. Moore's love for lifetime videos. Refreshments provided.
Lawrence, Kansas with Pastor Merle Rothwell Sunday 10:00 a.m.
Church...841-5447
Bible College...331-2774
Academy K-12...749-2427
RADIO CSN
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BODY BOUTIQUE
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student union activities
The University of Kansas
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785-864-SHOW
Who: Anyone
When: Sat,Feb 10,2001
Time: Meet at the SUA Box
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