EMI Brings Big Acts to the Waterfront
“Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die to get there.” -B.B. King
This summer the Everett Music Initiative brings two big waterfront shows to Boxcar Park.
The festivities kick off with Soothe Your Blues on July 29th.
The B. B. King Blues Band headlines a full evening of music on the soul spectrum. Also playing will be DL03, an organ-driven outfit, and the True Loves, an eight-piece brass-heavy R&B group.
Two weeks later on August 12, Rock the Boat brings hip-hop act Sir Mix-a-Lot and the grunge-flavored Meat Puppets for a night of throwbacks as big as fanny packs in the '90s.
Seattle native Mix-a-Lot is best known for his hit track “Baby Got Back” (He likes, uh, big boats. He cannot lie.).
Meat Puppets
Sir Mix-a-Lot
Appearing with the above acts are local indie bands Smokey Brights, Tellers, and Fuzz Mutt.
Both EMI shows are to be staged in an ideal venue: next to the Everett marina.
"I hear people talk about [Rock the Boat] year round," said Ryan Crowther, Founder of Everett Music Initiative. "There's just something about a sunny day right on the Everett waterfront, looking at Jetty Island... the mountains on one side and a band on stage on the other."
Boxcar Park is a unique civic asset. It’s like a drive-in theater—only instead of parking a car you can sail in, tie off, and party down.
Of course, pedestrians are welcome, too. Landlubbers are encouraged to carpool, Uber, bike, skateboard, or water taxi down to the stage—parking is limited due to weddings and other events.
Both of these midsummer shows feature a Scuttlebutt beer and wine garden with 10 beverages on tap, and food trucks. Festivities start at 4 PM.
Regarding EMI's partnership with Scuttlebutt Brewing over the past four years, Crowther said:
"I really appreciate the partnership we've created with Scuttlebutt…keeping a family owned brewery business for over twenty years is a hard enough feat. But to excel in that while continuing to give back to so many non-profits and important community causes is a special thing."
B.B. King
The musical legacy of the late bluesman B. B. King cannot be overstated.
Riley Ben King was born on a cotton plantation in Mississippi. He made a name for himself playing a $15 guitar in the juke joints and airwaves of the American Heartland.
He toured relentlessly, fostering a unique guitar soloing style that influenced many musicians including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Bonnie Raitt.
He racked up 15 Grammys and several honorary doctorates before passing into the hereafter in 2015.
His recently reunited four piece backing band carries on his mission—playing rollicking electric blues tracks to live audiences.
“These are some of the best players in the world and they deserved to be on the road. So I got the guys back together,” said King’s manager Myron Johnson.
The band will be led by Jesse Robinson, who has played with Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Little Milton Campbell, and many more.
“People keep asking how this event even came to be,” said Crowther. “I got a call one afternoon while I was sitting eating lunch. The gentleman on the other end said in his accent, ‘This is B.B. King’s manager and I’m looking for a venue in Everett, Washington.’ My mouth dropped.”
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The Everett waterfront in summertime.
The breeze coming off the bay is naturally chilled. It’s like one of those misting machines at summer festivals. Across the water islands float between sea and sky.
The music is good, the drinks are strong, the boats bob.
Maybe you don't have to die to go to Heaven after all.
Richard Porter is a social worker and musician. He lives in North Everett and enjoys running on Marine View Drive, bicycling down tree-lined streets, and trying to coax vegetables out of his yard.
