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10/10/2021

Portland Blues Community Comes Together to Support Greg "Slim Lively" Johnson, a Friend in Need

By MARTI MENDENHALL // Rich Layton, Ty Curtis and the Curtis Salgado/Terry Robb duo plus a silent auction at The Crystal Ballroom on Sunday, October 17th. This event is not-to-be-missed If you enjoy the Blues and want to help Greg Johnson, a local hero.

Some of the biggest names in the Blues community are banding together to aid one of Portland’s major contributors and supporters of the Blues: Greg “Slim Lively” Johnson, photographer and President of the Cascade Blues Association.

Greg has been a long-time contributor to Blues in the Pacific Northwest and all throughout the United State. Testament to this are the many big-name acts who will play at the event, have sent tribute videos and donated personal experience packages to the auction. Curtis Salgado and Terry Robb will be on stage together for the first time in over a decade. The rest of the line-up for this once-in-a-lifetime performance include Ty Curtis Band with Steve Kerin and Too Slim), Rich Layton band with special guest, April Brown of SisterMercy,

Greg is dealing with some very serious medical issues which have required many trips to the ICU and residential medical care.

Terry Currier, owner of Music Millennium, has also been instrumental in providing support and helping find auction sponsors to do the same. “Greg is a passionate music fan, especially for the blues. His dedication to champion both the Oregon Blues scene, as well as the national and international blues scene, is unsurpassed. He’s always been there when others have been in need,” say Terry.

“One really special thing about the Blues community in Portland, they always show-up when they’re needed,” says Debby Espinor, co-founder of the popular blues band, Sister Mercy. “This is even more special after being apart so long due to the COVID 19 pandemic.” True to that reputation, local volunteers have organized a Live Performance, Silent Auction and Raffle ticket extravaganza to lp off-set Greg’s medical costs and to help sustain his recovery.

 The big event is being held at The Crystal Ballroom on October 17th. The silent uction is currently available online and features over 50 items and three large raffle ticket items. Using the cutting-edge digital platform, bidders are able to “follow” their favorite items and automatically be notified via the if they need to increase their bid.

The auction items range from coastal retreats to art, to a Harefest package and Tony Starlight shows. The who’s who is evident not only in the live performance line-up, but also in the six cooking packages with some of Portland’s favorite musicians, LaRhonda Steel, Arietta Ward, The Colin Trio, Ken DeRouchie Band, Red Bird Band and Zia McCabe from the Dandy Warhols.

Curtis Salgado has been very vocal with this auction and the targeted support of Greg. “Greg loves the music and is always supportive of the people who play the music. That’s a beautiful thing.”

The entire Portland music community has truly come together in this effort. Sponsors include The Many Friends of Greg, Oregon Music Hall of Fame, the Cascade Blues Association and Cedar House Media. Not to mention the crew, stage manager, auction managers and the many other behind-the-scenes volunteers.

Three separate raffle tickets are currently available online, including Blues Fan Dream Trip To The Mississippi Delta, Lower Level Seats For TWO Portland Trailblazer Home Games and a One-Of-A-Kind Autographed Guitar.

The event is being held at The Crystal Ballroom on October 17th, with performances from the best of the Blues and the live silent auction. This event is not-to-be-missed! If you enjoy the Blues and want to help a local hero, this show is your opportunity to contribute.

Online Silent Auction available now: https://m.charityauctionstoday.com/m/auctions/Blues-For-Slim-Lively---A-Benefit-For-Greg-Johnson--26978

Tickets are available   https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/3937724/blues-for-slim-lively-a-benefit-for-greg-johnson21-portland-mcmenamins-crystal-ballroom-portlandor

 $25 or $100 each for VIP table seating (VIP tickets include a commemorative laminated event poster)

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