I was recently priviledged to discover and experience Mr. Gip's Juke Joint, just outside Birmingham, Alabama,
during a week of corporate training. At every music club I visited on the week leading up to my night @ Gip's I
heard the same LAME lament..."We've heard of it, but don't dare go THERE", which just whetted my appetite even more,
as well as my disappointment of the "BLESSED" locals! Mr. Henry Gipson, pictured below with a new devotee, recently
celebrated his 86th birthday (and apparently has every year since!?) @ his own personal slice of history and a
national treasure, known to only those in the know. "Gip's Place" Juke Joint, a constant work in progress, has been
in operation on the same site behind Mr. Gipson's home since 1952. I hope you will someday get to have this wonderful,
and for many, once in a lifetime experience! In attendance on this particular evening were Mr. Gip and his son Keith
(an excellent cook!), Big Daddy-O from New Orleans,Sweet Lenny from Birmingham, The Daniel Turner Duet with Molly
Garrigan, also from Birmingham, & Willie King *(who has sadly passed since then) and Friends, with Bo Shatz on
Bass and Jock Webb on harp. My Apologies to any and all I have neglected to mention, perhaps someone will help me
correct my oversights!
A special thanks goes out to Hank......a veteran attendee and my tour guide for the evening.
