Musician Clif Major

Subject: RE: Musician Clif Major
From: GUEST,Kathy Roush Major
Date: 02 Feb 11 - 12:11 AM

Hi John,
So glad to hear from you. Clif appreciates computers, but doesn't use them. I'll try to post some for him from time to time though. We all love to hear his stories, so if you come out on a Saturday acoustic night, we could probably get him to share some of his stories. It's a little bit of an interactive setting, but we give a show as well.
It was really great to find your comments on the internet, and actually be able to respond to your comments from 2006. As you might know, Clif and I were reunited after several years apart. So this is a very happy and exciting time in our lives and musical experiences. "Didn't skip a beat", as they say.
Please come out to see us when you can. It would be fun.
Sincerely,
Kathy Roush Major
www.myspace.com/kathyroush
facebook "rockindaddys"

Subject: RE: Musician Clif Major
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 03:36 AM

Very good news Kathy, and glad to hear that Clif is doing well. We've moved, so we're not close enough to drive by often enough to notice whether anything's been going on, but it's not too far to trip down (from Park City) if we can get the feeble bodies in motion.

I'll try to pass on the news that RD's open and see if we can get a few people in. Our old gang that used to jam together fairly regularly has sort of disintegrated, so it may take a while for me to dig up all the old rats and get them herded that way.

Incidentally, this web site is all about music, music news, and gossip about same, so feel free to post anything anywhere here. It started out to be a Blues site, but it's sort of "drifted."

I'd say we'd enjoy hearing Cliff talk about some highlights of his career and musical opinions, but of coure he's free to leave out the incriminating parts.

John

Subject: RE: Musician Clif Major
From: GUEST,Kathy Roush Major
Date: 29 Jan 11 - 02:30 AM

Clif is doing great and so is Rockin' Daddy's. Thanks for all who have supported him during all of the health problems. He and I are performing every weekend at RD's, The Jukes on Fridays (Motown, blues, jazz...), "Acoustic in the Round" w/ Mystic Vortex (Soul, blues, standards...) on Saturdays. We are on Facebook as "Rockindaddys". Come to see us. Big changes and good things are happening at RD's. Clif is on an upswing!!
FYI: RD's is now open 8pm to 10pm Fridays, and Saturdays. Refreshments are available, but KS won't allow the BYOB. It is all about the music!!
Sincerely,
Kathy

Subject: RE: Musician Clif Major
From: GUEST,Kathy (Clif's wife)
Date: 28 Mar 10 - 11:00 AM

Hi John,
I found your thread's just now, and wondered if you ever got the answers you were looking for. I had Kathy's Guitar Shop and was lead singer and guitarist with Clif in the Del Reys. I would be happy to update you, if you would like. Just had a nice visit with Clif last evening.
Sincerely,
Kathy

Subject: RE: Musician Clif Major
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 03 Oct 06 - 02:21 PM

tomoongaze –

The Wichita Blues Society web page does indicate:

September 2, 2006 - 9:00 PM
Clif Major & the Jukes
Rockin Daddys
110 S. Hillside   316 685-6830

(Note that there doesn't seem to be much of anyone around at Rockin Daddys except on Saturday nights when it's open for business.)

Band information for Clif Major and the Jukes at the WBS does show they were scheduled to play at his place, Rockin Daddys, every weekend through Sept 30.

I haven't found the WBS website too "up to the minute" on schedules and performances. The site has quite a few broken links, and only posts a small fraction of what goes on; but I think it's the nature of things when trying to keep track of mostly local bands.

The notice that Clif was closing his music store, C Major, was published in June 2004. (You may be able to pull that article up at Access. The local newspaper charges for archived stuff.) He was open intermittently for some time after that, which wasn't too much different than "business as usual" since he often had to shut down the store to go play somewhere.

The "explanation" cited at the top of this thread didn't appear until April 2006, indicating that Clif hadn't really "gone public" with his health problems, but the couple of "benefit" gigs that I've seen advertising for indicate he's no longer making a secret of it.

The June 2004 newspaper article indicated that his wife, Kathy, was opening her own music/instrument shop, but it's no longer at the address given in the article. I've heard rumors that she's moved to a new location; but locations reported are vague, and all "way out west" on the opposite side of town from me, and I haven't been able to get to that end of town during normal business hours to check it out. Phone directory service doesn't have a listing under the name reported for her shop in 2004, and nobody (that I know) seems to know for sure what she might be calling the business now.

Still waiting for my kid to get back to town to see if he has any news.

John

Subject: RE: Musician Clif Major
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 03:04 PM

There's been nothing new in the news recently, and I haven't heard from those best acquainted with Clif. As far as is known, he's still carrying on.

My best source for info (my son) is a long-haul trucker who won't be back in town for about a week or so; but I'll try to see if he knows anything when he's around next.

John

Subject: RE: Musician Clif Major
From: GUEST,tomoongaze
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 02:39 PM

Does anyone have an update on Clif's condition? I just saw this email. I was his girlfried for 3 years in the late 60s and spoke to him in 2000 when the Eagle did the full page spread on him.

Subject: RE: Musician Clif Major
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 29 Apr 06 - 07:40 PM

Refresh, for the weekend browsers.

John

Subject: Musician Clif Major
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 28 Apr 06 - 07:02 PM

I don't really know how widely known Clif is, but he's been a "journeyman" musician at least in the local area for many years. Some prior articles in the local press have indicated he may have performed over a fairly wide portion of the US, and especially those in "blues" may remember him. He's done lots of fill-in and backup for major performers when they need someone local to help out.

An article in today's Wichita Eagle partially explains his closing of his long-time business, C-Major Music, a few months ago, and lessened activities elsewhere. As the article appeared in the "Entertainment" pages, which are not generally posted, in full:

"In the past four decades Clif Major has put his stamp on Wichita's music scene, first as lead guitarist and singer with the Del Rays, and later with his guitar shop-turned-club, C. Major's Rockn' Daddy's.

"These days, Major has trouble holding his guitar, but he still plays. The veteran musician recently was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph nodes and has undergone surgery to remove one tumor. Another is being treated with radiation.

"On Sunday, Major's friends in the blues community are holding a benefit concert for him at Liquid, 235 N. Mosley. Featured acts include Clif Major and the Jukes, Ken White, Matt Walsh and the Mad Dogs, the Macy Brothers, Made From Scratch and the Juke Joint Jumpers. Open jam sessions also are planned.

"The show starts at 2 p.m. Admission is $5; additional contributions are welcome to help offset Major's medical expenses."

John