Chicago blues legend Nick Gravenites, who appears in a previously unpublished, extremely candid 1985 Denny Eichhorn interview in the forthcoming Scram #22, is just one of the celebrated blues players using the internet to connect with fans and young musicians in a new open forum. According to the press release from the ever-hip Bob Merlis:

Chicago Blues Reunion is the house rocking collective of six legends of the blues behind Buried Alive In The Blues, the critically acclaimed DVD/CD package from Out The Box. Just awarded a four star review in the current issue of Rolling Stone, Buried Alive In The Blues documents their history, music, inspiration and legacy and now the band members are making a direct connection the cyber world on www.CBRband.com (click on “Online Forum” in spinning wheel).

Barry Goldberg (Hammond B-3), Nick “The Greek” Gravenites (vocals/guitar), Harvey “The Snake” Mandel (guitar), Tracy Nelson (vocals), Sam Lay (drums/vocals) and Corky Siegel (harmonica/vocals -- each one, individually, an icon of the genre -- have come together, not only in the band but online, as well. Each is now manning an interactive discussion board on cbr.com where fans can get their questions answered and discuss aspects of their respective careers. Mentoring younger musicians is another facet of the new feature that has just been launched on the band’s site.