Twenty-six years ago, a young bartender named Dick Schulte took over the space known as Blayney's (415 Westport Road, 816-561-3747) and turned it into the bedrock of blues action in Westport. Since then, the open-until-3 a.m. location with the 1,800-square-foot back deck and underground stage and bar has hosted John Fogerty and the Rainmakers and helped birth such bands as the Elders and Four Fried Chickens and a Coke. Today, starting at 2 p.m., Schulte puts on Saving the Blues in Westport with headliners Max Groove, Blue River Ordinance and the Tommy Andrews Band. For a suggested donation of $10, supporters of Blayney's can hear 17 bands play 30-minute sets until close. Schulte needs $18,000 to get the Westport Business League off his ass. "After hearing the music, you may want to give more," Schulte says. "The community has rallied behind me, and the blues world comes together when there is trouble."
Sat., March 7, 2 p.m., 2009
