|
 Bob
Deforest
2008 INDUCTEE
Bob DeForest has been very active in the Blues scene in
Iowa and one of its staunchest supporters.
Speading the “gospel” of the Blues began earnestly for
“Bobby D” 30 years ago when he became a radio DJ for KOJC in Cedar Rapids,
spinning Blues, Soul and Funk for his listeners.
Nowadays, DeForest has a regular 4-hour radio show each
Saturday night from 6 – 10 p.m. on KCCK 88.3 FM, the public radio station
based at Kirkwood Community College, also in Cedar Rapids. His show is
called Da Blues, and he has been playing the best of Blues for his
loyal listeners since 1992. Bob keeps spinning music for another two hours,
first with an hour of Blues and Jazz called The Crawfish Circuit and
then an hour of Blues, Funk, World Beat, Jazz Fusion, and Rock & Roll on
The Melting Pot.
The City of Cedar Rapids showed their appreciation for
his devotion to the music scene by declaring an official day of celebration
on the 10th anniversary of Da Blues.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette featured DeForest in a
newspaper article in November of 2007.
DeForest grew up in the Los Angeles area and the first
concert that he attended was by Jimi Hendrix when Bob was in the 8th grade.
He visited his relatives in Cedar Rapids often and credits his uncle and
aunt for turning him onto the music that he wasn’t hearing on the radio.
Thus began his passion for the real-deal Blues.
Even though DeForest runs his own painting business
during the week, his devotion for the music has led him to become a charter
member of the Linn County Blues Society, also serving on their board. He has
also emceed the Bluesmore festival since 1994, the Blues festival held
annually on the beautiful grounds of the historic Brucemore Mansion in Cedar
Rapids.
DeForest has also hosted a party every Wednesday night
for the last five years at Mahoney’s Irish Pub, where he serves as DJ,
playing an eclectic mix of music for the bar’s patrons.
For his longtime and continuing devotion and support
for the Blues, Bob DeForest becomes just the second non-musician honored
with induction into the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame.
|
