The blues is life

Within any music scene, there are a number of subcultures that function as universes unto themselves. Take the blues community, which has its own under-the-radar stars. One of them was Yvonne Rose-Norman, who passed away last week. For 15 years, Rose-Norman appeared on Morris Taylor’s country-music TV show out of Chico. She married, moved to Sacramento, made a CD titled The Blues Is Life and worked with a couple bands—the BluesExciters and the band formerly called Blues Inc.—before being diagnosed with bone cancer. Her friends had organized a benefit to raise money for her medical expenses, on Sunday, September 21, from noon to 6 p.m. at Constable Jack’s, 515 Main Street in Newcastle, featuring Mick Martin and the Blues Rockers, the BluesExciters, F.B.I. (Formerly Blues Inc.) and the Linda Bracamonte Band. That gig is still happening; admission is $5 “or whatever is in your heart.” A second benefit will be held from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, October 4, at the Stoney Inn, 1320 Del Paso Boulevard.