A & E Editor

While its lineup has seemed to constantly change over the years, Slappin’ Henry Blue has managed to survive, and it will be putting on two of it blues events tonight and Saturday at PK’s.

Tawl Paul, Slappin’ Henry Blue’s lead vocalist, said the band saw its genesis when he and two local musicians decided they needed to take their music in a new direction.

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We were all in various bands, and we all left our respective bands, he said, and in 1989, me and Brian and Bruce got together.

The Brian that Paul refers to is Brian Camden, the band’s drummer, and Bruce is Brian’s brother, the band’s guitarist.

Through the years, Paul said members came and went, but now the original cast has returned.

They all left for a while, he said, but it’s come full circle and we’re together again.

Paul said the reason they got back together is the same reason they got together in the first place they like each other.

We just get along for the most part, he said. We have a mutual respect for one another and what we’re trying to do.

Now that all the original members are back and a new piece has been added to the puzzle, Paul said the band has a strong base from which to grow.

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I think getting Chris Dbiase (the band’s new bass player) in the band really added a lot to the band, he said, and Brian is sort of the backbone of the band, like the spiritual leader, and Bruce’s arrangements kind of keep us on our toes.

Paul added that he, too, makes his contribution to the band.

I’m the band flake, he said. And every band needs one of those.

Paul’s modesty is surprising considering the honors he has received at Soundcore’s annual Southern Illinois Music Awards.

He was the Vocalist of the Year in 1996, and received the Lifetime Achievement award in 1997.

But Paul said the latter award should not mislead anyone.

That sounds kind of final, he said, but I’ve got news for them.

While Slappin’ Henry Blue has a tendency to play quite a few cover songs, Paul said the tunes often are not recognized as such by the crowd.

Bruce’s arrangements are different, he said. People think they are different songs, but it’s just our unique way of doing it.

Paul said he believes the band’s music is original, but it also relies heavily on blues tradition.

We all have our own influences, he said. But we go back to basics playing our own versions of early blues.

Paul said that although the band likes to play in Carbondale, they have also been lucky enough to hit the road and enjoy some changes in venue.

We play a lot of roadhouses in Southern Illinois. And we’ve played in St. Louis, and we’ve played Chicago a couple times, he said. We usually hit PK’s at least once a month and the Copper Dragon.

Paul said that among the band’s highlight moments were the two times earlier this year when it was on the same bill as Koko Taylor, the Queen of Chicago blues. Area fans may remember one such show at the Copper Dragon in October.

She’s awesome, he said. We had a great time both times.

Slappin’ Henry Blue doesn’t have any goals right now, and Paul said they are just going to take it as it comes.

I think if we’ve survived nine years, we can survive till they put us in nursing homes or we kill one another, he said.

The band has recorded a tape and a CD, but Paul eagerly suggests that people see a live performance.

We go full out at our shows, he said. You’ve got to, that’s what helps people lose the blues.

The shows at PK’s, 308 S. Illinois Ave., will begin at about 9:30 p.m. and will entail no cover charge.