Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
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MOVERS & SHAKERS THROUGH MUSIC, FASHION DESIGN, AND PROFESSIONAL SPORTS, THESE 12 CHICAGO MEN ARE MAKING IT HAPPEN. By Nicole Frehsée Photography by Maria Ponce MUSIC MEN STANLEY PAUL At 24, Paul got his big break to be a bandleader at the Pump Room. He's since played for the open- ings of the John Hancock and Willis Tower—even Prince Charles. Seeing stars: "Bette Davis used to sit at my piano. She'd smoke until the keys were couldn't tell Bette Davis to stop." Proudest career moment: "In 1962, I played in a variety show at Carnegie Hall, and Cab Calloway was the bandleader. I didn't know that my knees could shake so much." ROBBIE FULKS The new classic: "I like Sam Amidon. His style is old folk songs rewritten with a Radiohead, out-there vibe." SUGAR BLUE Sugar Blue has hung out with the iconic likes of covered with ashes. I couldn't stand it, but you Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, and men- tor Willie Dixon. He's also the man behind the unforgettable harmonica riff on the Rolling Stones' 1978 smash "Miss You." Record influ- ences: "Hoodoo Man Blues by Junior Wells [1965] and Hidden Charms by Willie Dixon [1988]. Every now and then, you have to go back to school, and listening to those records is my version of opening up the books." Proudest career moment: "In 1986, I appeared with Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Fats Domino at Storyville Jazz Hall in New Orleans for a concert called Fats and Friends. It was amazing to jam with those guys." Local flavor: "Kingston Mines, Andy's Alt-country artist Fulks sang bluegrass tunes and began plunking on a banjo before the age of eight. He's played the Grand Ole Opry five times and can be heard most Mondays at Bucktown institu- tion The Hideout. Culture club: "Chicago is more artistically diverse than other cities. As a country artist in Nashville, it's cool to be among like-minded people, but it's an echo chamber. Everyone's on the same narrow wavelength." Jazz Club, Rosa's Lounge, The Green Mill, Buddy Guy's Legends. Whenever I'm not working, I make it my business to go and see live music." MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 109