This from Detroit News Online Nathaniel Mayer has strokes, cancels New Orleans gig Send all good wishes to Detroit R&B legend Nathaniel "Village of Love" Mayer , 64, who's recovering in Detroit Receiving Hospital from a series of strokes he suffered April 13. "Every day is a miracle," said Mayer's daughter Bonnie Thompson . "He's more alert now, and he's trying to speak, giving people eye contact. He can talk a little bit, but you have to get up real close. He's trying." Unfortunately, Mayer's illness means he won't make his now-customary gig at New Orleans' legendary roots music festival, the Ponderosa Stomp, where he was scheduled to perform April 29-30. Mayer has been on the comeback trail for the past 8 years, since a memorable show at Southfield's Millennium Theater in 2000 showed that the years had not dimmed his tenor shriek. He cut two new CDs, including "I Just Want to Be Held" on Fat Possum Records in 2004 and Why Don't You Give To Me" on Alive Records in 2007.