It's heartening sometimes to see a prediction come true.

Two months ago, I wrote a column about the P-Cats, a Huntington Beach blues-rock duo consisting of spouses Ed and Trace Paredes. I mentioned how the pair had embarked on a lifelong dream of fronting a band after Trace's doctor diagnosed her with leukemia, and how, given the circumstances, there probably wouldn't be any "half-heartedness" in their first release.

Last week, I called the Paredeses to check on their project. And it turns out that, indeed, they plan to start their career on a bracing note.

The P-Cats have booked their first day in the studio Friday, and the first song on the docket is "Big Sunday," a tune inspired by the uprisings in the Middle East. Half a century ago, we might have referred to it as a protest song — and it's not hard to picture a young Bob Dylan, harmonica around his neck, warbling the following lyrics:

"The tanks roll out, the streets turn blood red / The taste of freedom for their time / The young men hold, the old men fold / Release the kingdom from this crime."

As protest songs go, this was an accidental one. Ed wrote the original version of "Big Sunday" years ago when he served as a church worship leader and noticed how attendance turned sparse every Super Bowl Sunday.

The song humorously begged the question of what would happen if the Rapture occurred while most of the congregation was skipping church to watch football. Ed filed the song away, then thought of it again when the revolts in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya flooded the nightly news.

"We just kind of took the religion out of the song and made it about people seeking freedom," he said. "One day, there'll be a big Sunday. It could be any day that there's a big change."

The new lyrics Ed and Trace e-mailed me address not only the street demonstrations, but also the social media that's helped to carry their message. One verse describes a young man who risks arrest as he "streams the extremes / of the hell that he's in."

The Paredeses don't have a backlog of other political anthems after "Big Sunday" — their next two songs slated for recording, they said, are a rough-and-tumble blues and a love ballad about an angel. Still, even if their album features only one topical cut, they'll treasure the anomaly.

"You always worry about offending somebody," Ed said. "But we decided to do it anyway. It's good to have ideas in your music."

City Editor MICHAEL MILLER can be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.

I wonder if there's been a more common American dream in the last half-century than rock stardom. When I was 8, high on my first exposure to the Beatles, I created my own one-man band in the living room, playing a guitar and drum simultaneously and writing my own songs. And I've interviewed countless musicians who hit the clubs Friday night after a week repairing dryers or teaching ninth-graders.

It's great fun to imagine yourself as the next Bono or Fiona Apple. Still, most independent artists I know seem content with the knowledge that their musical career will consist of a few local gigs between mortgage payments. Often, when I listen to the free CDs they give me, I hear a note of complacency in their music — not the work of someone expecting to grace the cover of Rolling Stone.

But I doubt there will be any half-heartedness in the debut disc of the P-Cats, a Huntington Beach blues-rock duo that's planning to hit the studio in the coming months under trying circumstances.

The P-Cats are married couple Ed and Trace Paredes, who moved to Surf City in September because the live music scene looked more promising than in their previous home, Palm Desert.

Trace, who sings lead and plays bass, was diagnosed with leukemia a year ago. Before she got the news from her doctor, she and her husband had abandoned their plumbing-construction business and planned to travel the world.

Now, the pair have put Europe on hold and are fulfilling another longtime dream while Trace still has the energy to do it.

"It just drove home the fact with us that you don't know how long you have on this Earth, and we want to make the most of what we have," she said.

Both Paredeses have a long musical background. Ed performed professionally for years before going into construction, while Trace sang in church as a child. Still, with four children to support, they opted for a well-paying business, and their enterprise succeeded until the recession.

The P-Cats aren't making much money. They accept gigs wherever they can, from bars to restaurants to festivals. A few signs have been more encouraging; the duo recently hired a publicist and has had songs played on Internet radio stations.

Both P-Cats sing and write songs, but in the last few months, Trace has increasingly taken the vocal spotlight. When she has a gig in the next few hours, the excitement keeps her alert. Between gigs, she feels tired more than she did in the past and sleeps longer every night.

Still, the Minnesota native, who claims she learned how to sing before she could talk, is devoting herself to two major projects: training for a half-marathon for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and committing her voice to disc.

The album itself has a ways to go. The Paredeses have yet to decide on a title, find a studio or producer, or finish writing the songs. The goal, though, is to put the album out by April — in time for the Real Blues Festival of Orange County, where the P-Cats hope to perform May 15 for the second straight year.

"It's very slow trying to get your name out and start something new," Trace said. "So we're encouraged."

City Editor MICHAEL MILLER can be reached at (714) 966-4617 or at michael.miller@latimes.com.

A couple, dressed in sleek black clothing, stepped through the doors of the OCMM office and introduced themselves as Ed and Trace Paredes, otherwise known as the P-Cats. The duo sat themselves down, Trace looking a bit unsure of the situation.

“I’m a little nervous,” said Trade, chuckling slightly. Husband Ed took them helm first.

“We’re the P-Cats. People call us that because they just didn’t know how to spell our last name, and that’s who we are now,” Ed explained about their namesake.

Trace chimed in, “Our band is small, it’s just Ed on electric guitar, me on bass, with someone at the drums. A lot of times we’ll just have someone sit in.”

Before the loving couple became the professional P-Cats (a mere seven months ago), they first met seventeen years ago. Ed appropriately played music for a church three days a week, partly for living expenses. Laying eyes upon each other, Ed eventually asked her to come and sing for them, and the basis for the band began.

Between the two is an amazing forty-one-years worth of experience on the guitar. Actually forty of those years belong to Ed, with the lovely Trace having only played for one. Listening to their outstanding covers and originals, one wouldn’t even fathom the thought that she’s just a novice. Her specialty however lies in her amazing voice.

“What made me pick up the guitar? Elvis Presley. I used to have these old Elvis records and I just fell in love with early rock and roll,” Ed explained simply enough.

Trace added on, “I started playing bass because singer’s don’t have too much control over where the song is going. They’re kind of limited. By playing bass, I can take a little more control. Plus, I could do something with my hands. It’s like a security blanket.”

From time to time, Ed also takes the reins on the microphone. When discussing who the better singer is, the couple playfully humbles each other, accusing the other of being the better vocalist. Ed finally finishes the thought, “She’s been singing longer. She’s got a unique voice. A pure style. I’m just a rock guy. She’s singing more now. I’m singing less.”

After playing together for some time, unfortunately, Trace found out that she had leukemia. “We don’t know how much time we have here, and this is a dream we both have. We had day jobs, but we decided to let everything go,” Ed situated.

Lacking jobs, yet full of ambition, the two now needed to decide on a genre to play. In March, they headed to South by Southwest (SXSW) in Texas for inspiration. During their time there, the husband and wife heard some sweet blues emitting from an Irish Pub. That was when Ed and Trace knew that they’d be playing the blues.

By now, Trace had completely overcome her anxiety. “With the blues, you can be sassy, sarcastic, and sexy and just [play] it the way it is or how you feel it is. That really appealed to me, because it allowed me to show a side I normally wouldn’t,” she said. Listening to the P-Cats songs, they truly do rock the blues as they see fit, and it fits oh so well. “We’re deep into the blues, but one thing we haven’t narrowed down is exactly what style. We play blues rocks, Chicago blues, rhythm and blues, and others. If you can stretch and call it blues, we like it.”

Certainly not from coincidence, music runs through their family’s blood. Ed and Trace’s three sons play the bass, guitar, and drums, seemingly following in their footsteps, going as far as even writing a song for their parents. At the Paredes household, guitars line the walls where paintings would normally be. It’s no surprise that the whole family knows their axe well.

If the P-Cats have taught me one thing, it’s that life is short. Go out and do what you want to do. Enjoy it. The P-Cats certainly have, and they haven’t regretted it one bit, playing the blues daily with all of their energy and soul. Trace finished up, “We want to travel and make music. The two things we love best. Besides each other.” They’re living their lives and dreams and making beautiful music while they’re at it. Together.

The P-Cats will be making their second appearance in the 2nd Annual Real Blues Festival of Orange County on May 15th at the Olde Ship British Pub in Santa Ana.

P-Cats is a blues band from Orange County. At The Auld Dubliner in Tustin, Ed (guitar) and Trace (bass) Paredes discuss their musical backgrounds, the impetus for starting a band, and how Trace is somewhat unreognizable even to their kids when she is on stage.

Trace, according to the website, you could sing before you could talk. Explain that to me.

I've been singing forever. As long I've been making noise, they said I've been humming and singing. I used to swing on my swingset and sing. I used to swing and sing as loud as I could to attract all the neighborhood boys. I've been singing forever, but I had not sung blues. I was in choir, musical theater, and gospel music. It wasn't until about six months ago that we started singing the blues.

You'd sing as part of the choir or solo?

Church of the Nazarene where I grew up, my mom would tell me "You're singing on Sunday." Then she would pick out a song for me, or teach me a song, and I'd get up and sing in front of everybody. And play piano sometimes. But I wasn't that good at piano. When you had to learn the songs, you just picked it up like that?

I can read music. I have a comfort in reading music. This is difficult for me now, because I'm learning to play bass by ear. It's only been about a year. That's way out of my comfort zone. I've always read the music. Ed's teaching me to play by ear.

E: Digressing and improvisation.

T: I'm not a jammer.

Ed, how did Trace save your life?

I'll be direct. I just went through a divorce, maybe drank and indulged a little too much. I met Trace again. We'd known each other before. She said, "What happened to you?" We became best friends. She's been my guardian angel since then. We got married and she's kept me on a good productive path.

T: I wouldn't accept that he was not going to do the best he could.

E: She's given me the opportunity to do something I've always wanted to do full-time. Because of business and family, I didn't really follow my dreams. We gave up a successful business and she said, "Let's do what we want to do. We were in Venice, Italy, on the Grand Canal having lunch. She said "Let's do what we always wanted to do. Life is too short." So here we are.

T: He said, "Wow! You're the coolest wife ever! You're willing to be poor to do what we want to do." We had a big family business and times were tough. We were just sitting there and I said, "I don't want to do this anymore." Why are we struggling to keep our business going when we've wanted to play music? For 40 years, that's what he wanted to do. So why wait? We're young enough to be crazy.

E: With the blues, there is no age limit. I see guys out there who are 80 years old.

What would you say is essential to every P-Cats song?

T: We've only done covers so far. We're working on some originals. We like to play what we like to listen to. We like, odd, quirky, and fun. We really like Tom Waits.

E: We're one of the few bands that does Tom Waits covers.

T: We've been told that quite often. We don't do them as well as he could, but we try.

E: She'll pick songs by old blues guys and we'll play those and do our own arrangements on them. People love them.

T: I like to change the words just enough, if I need to, to make the song for a woman. We're working on one now called "Built for Comfort."

E: Old Howlin' Wolf song.

T: Some folks built like this, some folks built like that, but the way I'm built, don't you call me fat. I'm built for comfort. I thought "That's perfect for me!" (laughs) This is all new to me, but we love it. I have a pretty sweet voice. There's not a lot of timbre. I thought, well, that's love songs. We went to South by Southwest last year and we heard this guy playing the blues. I said, "That's what we need to do." I'm sweet, nice, and kind and I don't want to hurt your feelings. When you sing the blues, you can be sassy, sexy, and sarcastic. All these things that I wouldn't be in real life, I can be that when I sing the blues. It's the other side of me.

E: She gets pretty sexy. My relatives and my kids are like "Whoa! What happened to mom?" What should people expect at a P-Cats show?

T: This has been very hard for me. I've done musical theater. Playing a part is easy. Being myself in front of people is hard. I started playing bass so I'd have something to do with my hands. You can lead the band around with more than just your voice. It's been very difficult getting me to move. My face has some expression but my body doesn't move.

That's the bluegrass style, where the only thing that's moving is the hands.

T: The more I do it, the more comfortable I am with it. I'm starting to move more.

E: You're going to see sassy and sexy. The last show we played, there was a guy that thought she was singing to him.

T: I was singing "I Just Want to Make Love to You" and he was right there. Me? Ooooh!

E: Trace gets pretty steamy.

T: I think we're a lot of fun. We have an amazing drummer and we have fun with him too. The best gig we had was our last one. We played at Glen Eden. It's a nudist resort. It was a blast.

If you could write and perform a song with one artist, who would you choose? Why?

T: Tom Waits. He steps back and looks at things from a different perspective. He writes characters. You listen to his music and you can live through that song and see what's going on. Usually, they're down out characters, but you can still relate to them.

E: Steely Dan. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. I like jazz with vocals thrown in.

What would you be doing if you weren't making music?

T: If I could do anything, I'd travel. We hope to do that with music.

E: She loves travel. I'd probably be plumbing to make a living. I'd probably be painting.

T: Designing. We designed and built two houses. Clothes and houses. If we had to make money which, apparently, we do.

American Veterans Radio is proud to bring to the World P-Cats as our Spotlight Artist of the Week

How could the world have known what the future would hold in P-Cats? They truly offer a refuge from life’s miseries with their fresh way of looking at the Blues. Their vocals are an eclectic blend of Edward’s rough, smoky sound and Trace’s distinctive voice that’s both pure and sexy at the same time. Their music is an odd, quirky take on old Blues favorites and newer songs sure to become classics.

About Edward: Edward was lost in life... like smoke drifting along the ground. He was just getting by... playing his squeeze-box on the corners in the big city... ever restless. No one knows why, but one day he laid down his box and picked up a guitar. He swore he could hear it sing. He never believed in angels until he met Trace. He claims she saved his life. Now you’ll never find him without his guitar and his woman at his side.

About Trace: Born out on the iron range in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, Trace could sing long before she could talk. By day she listened to stories of her daddy’s interaction with colorful characters like Barefoot Louie, Wally and Smoky Bill. At night he would sing her to sleep while picking his guitar and playing the mouth harp. One day God called her Daddy home and it struck a Blues chord in her soul. She’s been living and singing the Blues ever since.

P-Cats and Ed and Trace Paredes (on guitar/vocals and bass/vocals respectively). Now based in Huntington Beach, the band recently performed at the first annual Real Blues Festival of Orange County.

"Husband Ed Paredes and wife Trace Paredes cranked out the Blues with their electric guitar and bass, respectively," writes OC Music Magazine. "Trace, dressed in a sleek black dress with cut-up sleeves, grabbed the microphone and slowly let out her voice. The classic song, 'Ain't No Sunshine,' was heard all around as P-Cats did their take on an old favorite."

How could anyone have known what the future would hold in P-Cats? They truly offer a refuge from life's miseries with their fresh take on the Blues. Their vocals are an eclectic blend of Edward's rough, smoky sound and Trace's distinctive voice that's both pure and sexy at the same time. Sexy, sultry and fun, P-Cats will remind you why the Blues makes you feel so darn good.

All hands were on deck this past Sunday at the Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant, as the sounds of authentic blues boomed throughout the venue.

Walking into the seemingly humble pub, I noticed thick ropes adorning the columns, resembling a ship’s mast. The steering wheel of a sea vessel and a ship-in-a-bottle had aligned the walls giving a gimmicky yet comforting feel. At first, I thought I had accidentally stumbled upon the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland. Alas, I had not, but it was a great experience I’ll never forget.

On the opposite end stood a skeletal pirate statue gripping a golden goblet. No rum in there though. Nope. All of the alcohol had gone into the glasses of the festival goers, all lined up at the Olde Ship’s full bar. A cute waitress walked along the bar, buffing and serving glasses to patrons. Sadly, none were eyeing her, as something more exciting had caught their attention: the authentic blues artists.

Up on stage was a lovely married duo known only as the P-Cats (www.p-cats.com). Husband Ed Paredes and wife Trace Paredes cranked out the blues with their electric guitar and bass, respectively. Trace, dressed in a sleek black dress with cut-up sleeves, grabbed the microphone and slowly let out her voice. The classic song, “Ain’t No Sunshine,” was heard all around as the P-Cats did their take on an old favorite. After several more songs, their gig was complete.

There was no doubt about it. What was being played inside the pub was truly authentic. With a whole lineup of blues artists, there certainly was no absence of the blues.

The P-Cats (pictured), from Huntington Beach, will be among the bands playing at The Real Blues Festival of Orange County at The Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant, 1120 W. 17th St., Santa Ana. Also on the bill are the Alastair Greene Band, The Flames, The Oozie Blues Band and others. The show is from 12:30 to 10:00pm and admission is $15, with children younger than 10 free. For more information, call (714)550--6700.

IT'S THE...
First Annual "REAL BLUES FESTIVAL OF ORANGE COUNTY" - No Rock, No Bull, Just BLUES! ****Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 @The Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant In Santa Ana, Calif****

Portion Of Proceeds Go To Saint Joseph's Hospital Of Orange For Cancer Prevention & Treatment Center; Outdoor Day-Into-Evening Event For The Entire Family To Enjoy (Children Under 10 Are Free)

(SANTA ANA) - Longing for Real Blues? So was Orange County musician Papa J -- hence, the impetus behind the First Annual Real Blues Festival of Orange County, taking place Sunday, October 3, at The Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant, 1120 W. 17th St., Santa Ana. Time: 2 pm-10 pm. Admission: $15 (children under 10 free). Infro: (714) 328-9375 or (714) 550-6700. Tickets available at both Olde Ship locations (Santa Ana, Fullerton) and at the participating band's websites. 25% of all net proceeds go to Saint Joseph's Hospital of Orange Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center.

REAL BLUES, REALLY!: Garden Grove-based harpist-vocalist Papa J (pictured) is the creator and driving force behind the First Real Blues Festival of Orange County. He performs at the Oct. 3 event.

"In my opinion most large blues festivals are over priced and in many cases, you don't get "Real Blues," said Real Blues Festival of Orange County Organizer and driving force, Papa J. "I guess a recent festival in Orange County couldn't find enough blues acts...so just to draw in people, Crosby, Stills & Nash were added to the bill. Now, please don't get me wrong," continues Papa J, himself a musician who organized and produced a "Chicago Blues Night" at House of Blues/Anaheim last Spring, "I think these guys are greatly talented people - but Blues, they are not! So, when this opportunity came along (to produce the Real Blues Festival of Orange County), I just thought it would be cool to have it be all real blues. That, plus all of the bands have ties in one way or another to Orange County," Papa J concludes

WOMEN SING THE BLUES: Trace Paredes of Orange County's P-Cats and Michelle Cole of The Flames add a feminine touch to the First Annual Real Blues Festival of Orange County October 3.

P-Cats: Husband-wife duo of guitarist Ed Paredes and bassist Trace Paredes are relative newcomers to the Blues scene, but have strongly embraced the genre. Ed studied music at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa; Trace began her musical sojourn in Nashville, Tennessee. Together they perform, in their own words, "an odd, quirky take on old Blues favorites and newer songs sure to become classics." www.p-cats.com.

From a festival standpoint organizers of this gig had their work cut out for them from the start. By that I mean this wasn’t the typical ‘festival’ setting in that it was indoors at the Olde Ship British Pub and Restaurant in Santa Ana (Orange County) California and room was at a premium.

The Olde Ship is a favorite hang for a giant ‘regular’ crowd of sports buffs, athletes and a bunch of cool ‘locals’ who drop by at any given time to enjoy good food and drink and service which is second to none. Old fashioned hospitality is free here most days and was definitely included with the price of admission this day!

The Los Angeles Blues Society were on hand with a booth outside along with other vendors to sell their wares, spread their good word and share their efforts with the capacity crowd who straggled in and out throughout the day while inside the crew from RaidoBuzzd.com broadcast live interviews between sets and music on their podcast.

The joint was packed, Howie Rogers and his crew from Axis IV Studios were on hand with their cameras (I counted at least 7 cameras) to capture the entire event on video and once again Axis IV and MusicUCanSee Productions will bring you the coolest EXCLUSIVE live concert videos from the event SOON.

Between the SRO crowd, the video crew, the radio guys and all the artists and their entourage’s it was tricky finding a spot to sit and watch the show. Having said that, I’ll add that there isn’t a bad seat in the house to listen from and believe me, everyone who came, listened.

The talent on hand was stellar, the protocol was all blues and with only a couple of rockin’[song choice] exceptions protocol was followed to the letter.

Here’s the line-up of bands in order of the performance:

KK Martin
The Flames
P-Cats
Stoney B. Blues Band
Oozie Blues
Blues Gone South [Featuring Papa J]
The Glenn Patrik Band
Shari Puorto
The Alastair Greene Band [AGB]

Papa J and everyone involved in producing this event shoud be given the highest kudos for making this a smooth running, great sounding, fun time for everyone who showed up.

Every artist and band member brought their ‘A’ game and the atmosphere was ripe for fellowship among them. This fact was evident and was proven by the many ‘guest’ performances by, with and from members of every band.

The festival was a complete success and we are sure to hear of it expanding and repeating for many years to come. Stay tuned because we’ll be there when it happens! OK Orange County…now you know the blues. Take it easy and, Thanks for the ride!

The REAL Blues Festival of Orange County
By: Casey Reagan

"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats." - Albert Schweitzer

How could he have known what the future would hold in P-Cats? They truly offer a refuge from life's miseries with their fresh way of looking at the Blues. Their vocals are an eclectic blend of Edward's rough, smoky sound and Trace's distictive voice that's both pure and sexy at the same time.

Their music is an odd, quirky take on old Blues favorites and newer songs sure to become classics.

Edward was long in life... like smoke drifting along he ground. He was just getting by... playing his squeeze-box on corners in the big city... ever restless. No one knows why, but one day he laid down his box and picked up a guitar. He swore he could hear it sing, He never believed in angels until he met Trace. He claims she saved his life. Now you'll never find him without his guitar and his woman at his side.

Born out on the iron range in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, Trace could sing long before she could talk. By day she listened to stories of her daddy's interaction with colorful characters like Barefoot Louie, Wally and Smoky Bill. At night he would sing her to sleep while picking his guitar and playing the mouth harp. One day God called her daddy home and it struck a Blues chord in her soul. She's been living and singing the Blues ever since.

First Annual "REAL BLUES FESTIVAL OF ORANGE COUNTY" - No Rock, No Bull, Just BLUES!
****Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 @The Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant In Santa Ana, Calif****

Portion Of Proceeds Go To Saint Joseph's Hospital Of Orange For Cancer Prevention & Treatment Center; Outdoor Day-Into-Evening Event For The Entire Family To Enjoy (Children Under 10 Are Free)

(SANTA ANA) - Longing for Real Blues? So was Orange County musician Papa J -- hence, the impetus behind the First Annual Real Blues Festival of Orange County, taking place Sunday, October 3, at The Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant, 1120 W. 17th St., Santa Ana. Time: 2 pm-10 pm. Admission: $15 (children under 10 free). Infro: (714) 328-9375 or (714) 550-6700. Tickets available at both Olde Ship locations (Santa Ana, Fullerton) and at the participating band's websites. 25% of all net proceeds go to Saint Joseph's Hospital of Orange Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center.

"In my opinion most large blues festivals are over priced and in many cases, you don't get "Real Blues," said Real Blues Festival of Orange County Organizer and driving force, Papa J. "I guess a recent festival in Orange County couldn't find enough blues acts...so just to draw in people, Crosby, Stills & Nash were added to the bill. Now, please don't get me wrong," continues Papa J, himself a musician who organized and produced a "Chicago Blues Night" at House of Blues/Anaheim last Spring, "I think these guys are greatly talented people - but Blues, they are not! So, when this opportunity came along (to produce the Real Blues Festival of Orange County), I just thought it would be cool to have it be all real blues. That, plus all of the bands have ties in one way or another to Orange County," Papa J concludes.

A short synopsis of the bands performing at the First Annual Real Blues Festival of Orange County:

*Alastair Greene Band: Longtime blues guitarist who recently performed at the 2010 Sonora Blues Festival; when not performing with his own band, Alastair is the touring guitarist with Alan Parsons Live Project and also plays with Orange County's popular Shari Puorto Band. "The Alastair Greene Band has achieved an elusive result with "Walking In Circles," waxing a blues-rock album that holds appeal for traditionalists" (BLUES REVUE). www.agsongs.com.

*Glenn Patrik Band: A taste of Kansas City blues via this accomplished blues man who has been performing throughout the world for over forty years. Patrik has received much critical acclaim for his recently-released CD, "Nuthin' But A Thang" (Shakehouse Records), and is releasing a new CD, "Original Blues," September 28. "Glenn Patrik plays Kansas City blues...the album breathes the genre. His riffs scorch; his vocals wrap around the stories and bleed a blues rasp. Glenn Patrik's sound is all his own." (ALTERNATE ROOT). www.glennpatrik.com.

*Papa J (with Kofi Baker, Fran Banish, and Doug Lunn): The creator and driving force behind Real Blues Festival of Orange County, Papa J (who is nominated in the "Entertainer of the Year" category for the 2010 Los Angeles Music Awards) is also an accomplished blues harpist and vocalist best known for his work with OC-based group, Blues Gone South. Here J teams with respected guitarist Fran Banish and the rhythm section of bassist Doug Lunn and drummer Kofi Baker (the latter the son of legendary Cream drummer, Ginger Baker). "Papa J's rich baritone voice and jaunty harmonica offer convincing tales about life and the way things go around." (SOUTHLAND BLUES). www.bluesgonesouth.com.

*P-Cats: Husband-wife duo of guitarist Ed Paredes and bassist Trace Paredes are relative newcomers to the Blues scene, but have strongly embraced the genre. Ed studied music at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa; Trace began her musical sojourn in Nashville, Tennessee. Together they perform, in their own words, "an odd, quirky take on old Blues favorites and newer songs sure to become classics." www.p-cats.com.

*The Flames: No stranger to Orange County music enthusiasts, The Flames were formerly the "house band" at both Silky Sullivan's in Fountain Valley and The Marine Room in Laguna Beach and have been entertaining Orange County and Southern California audiences for almost two decades. Fronted by dynamic vocalist Michelle Cole and longtime SoCal guitarist Glenn Anderson (John Lee Hooker, Mitch Ryder, Climax Chicago Blues Band), the band performed at this year's Long Beach Grand Prix for over 3,000 attendees. www.seetheflames.com.

*Oozie Blues Band: This five-piece "old school" blues ensemble features veteran players that have performed in the past as sidemen to some of the biggest names in the world of blues (and) rhythm and blues, including John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Hollywood Fats, Lowell Fulsom, Ray Chales, James Brown, Percy Mayfield, and more.Vocalist Ray Brooks; guitarist Terry DeRouen; saxophonist Bobby Spencer; bassist Norman Pingrey; and drummer Johnny D, are some of the last musicians to have played the fabled South Central (L.A.) blues scene. www.theoozieblues.com.

Longing for Real Blues? So was Orange County musician Papa J -- hence, the impetus behind the first annual Real Blues Festival of Orange County, taking place October 3rd, at The Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant. 25% of all net proceeds go to Saint Joseph's Hospital of Orange Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center. The entire Festival will be broadcast live over Radiobuzzd.com.

"In my opinion, most large Blues festivals are over-priced and, in many cases, you don't get 'real Blues'," said Real Blues Festival of Orange County organizer and driving force, Papa J. "I guess a recent festival in Orange County couldn't get enough Blues acts so, just to draw in people, a popoular rock and roll band was added to the bill. Now, please don't get me wrong," continues Papa J, "I think these guys are greatly talented people -- but Blues, they are not! So when this opportunity came along (to produce this festival), I just thought it would be cool to ave it be all real Blues. That, plus all of the bands have ties, in one way or another, to Orange County."

One of the bands performing at The Real Blues Festival of Orange County is P-Cats, a husband-wife duo of guitarist Ed Paredes and bassist Trace Paredes. They are relative newcomers to the Blues scene but have strongly embraced the genre. Ed studied music at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. Trace began her musical sojourn in Nashville, Tennessee. Together they perform, in their own words, an "odd, quirky take on old Blues favorites and newer songs sure to become classics."

www.P-Cats.com