Rocky Athas Shakin’ The Dust Cherryburst Records Rocky Athas was born in Oak Cliffs, Texas, a Dallas suburb, in 1954. He and Stevie Ray Vaughan were schoolmates long before either became known. By 1977 Athas was already listed as one of the ten best guitarists in Texas. In 1984 Athas appeared on Jim Dandy’s Black […]
Backtrack Blues Band Make My Home in Florida Harpo Records Harp ace Sonny Charles met guitarist “Little” Johnny Walter in Chapel Hill, North Carolina while they were both attending the University of North Carolina. Charles founded the Backtrack Blues Band in 1980 and Walter was among the first to join. The Backtrack Blues Band is […]
Johnny Fink And The Intrusion JFI Independent Johnny Fink and The Intrusion is a band based out of Cincinnati Ohio. The four piece unit was originally formed in 1992 and called The Blue Intrusions. They jammed on everything from the Allman Brothers to Lonnie Mack. After several years guitarist Fink took over and they became […]
Johnny Feds & Friends Pinky Gets The Blues Independent John Federico has been part of the NY/NJ blues scene for twenty years always running an open blues jam. For the last seven years he and his band Johnny Feds and the Bluez Boyz have hosted the Monday night jam at the Bayou Restaurant in Mt. […]
Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager Rough Cut Alligator Records Curtis Salgado was born in Everett, Washington but grew up in Eugene, Oregon. By 1980 he was already a member of The Robert Cray Band and he plays harmonica on Cray’s debut recording “Who’s Been Talkin”. He befriended John Belushi and gave him a transforming appreciation […]
Tinsley Ellis Winning Hand Alligator Records Tinsley Ellis was born in Atlanta, Ga. in 1957. He was raised in south Florida and discovered the guitar at a young age. One night while listening to records by The Yardbirds, The Animals, and The Rolling Stones his friend’s older brother offered to take them to see B.B. […]
Jay Willie Blues Band Jay Walkin’ Zoho Music The Jay Willie Blues Band was formed in 2001 by guitarists Jay Willie and Bob Callahan; and former Johnny Winter drummer Bobby T Torello. Although based out of Newton, Connecticut they are a Texas Blues band with one foot in the traditional and the other in a […]
David Maxwell & Friends Max Attack A tribute to David Maxwell (March 10, 1943 – Feb. 13, 2015) David Maxwell has apprenticed and is the most in demand blues piano player today. David appears on albums by James Cotton, Ronnie Earl, Joe Louis Walker, Louisiana Red, Luther Guitar Jr. Johnson, Jimmy Rogers, Bob Margolin, Paul […]
Mama Spanx State of Groove Ideal Scene Music Mama Spanx is a seven piece soul, rock and funk band. They derive their inspiration from the old school soul and funk of Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, James Brown and Tower of Power. The band is led by New York Blues Hall of Fame vocalist and songwriter […]
Bobby Kyle It’s My Life Juicy Baby Records Bobby Kyle has been serving the blues for some forty years. He mentored with Lonnie Mack in the seventies; and played in Bill Dicey’s band from 1979 – 1981. Between 1983 and 1989 he toured with Eddie Kirkland. Kyle joined Blues Hall of Famer Johnny “Clyde” Copeland’s band […]
Richard Ludmerer and Making A Scene Top Fifty Indie Blues Albums of 2017 YES, You Need these in your collection! (Artist albums only and not in any particular order) Ronnie Baker Brooks – Times Have Changed – Provogue John Mayall – Talk About That – Forty Below Records Thornetta Davis – Honest Woman – Independent […]
The Blues Foundation International Blues Challenge #33 From January 31st until February 4th, 2017 The Blues Foundation’s 33rd International Blues Challenge was held in Memphis. The annual showcase is the world’s largest gathering of blues musicians. “The IBC makes careers, forges relationships between artists and industry veterans, and unites blues fans in their love for […]
Ilya Portnov Strong Brew Independent The twenty-eight year old Ilya Portnov grew up in Russia and started playing piano at the age of four. His father exposed him to British rock but he mostly studied classical and folk music. His first harmonica teacher introduced him to the music of Jason Ricci, Howard Levy, and Carlos […]
The Blues This Christmas a reprint by Richard Ludmerer I always look forward to the holiday season as a time when I can break out my Christmas albums. This is a ritual that began years ago when my wife and I were first dating. She wanted to listen to some Christmas music and I began […]
Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters The Luckiest Man Stony Plain Records Ronnie Earl plays guitar with a passion and creativity that is rarely equaled. For a number of years he performed without a vocalist and his compositions became closer to jazz. Earl won his third Blues Music Award as Best Instrumentalist – Guitar in 2014.When […]
Sweet Pea Atkinson Get What You Deserve Blue Note Records Sweet Pea Atkinson is an R n’ B vocalist who began as a singer with the Don Was produced “Was Not Was”. In 1982 they had a top ten single “Walk the Dinosaur”. That same year Atkinson released his debut album “Don’t Walk Away” on […]
6th Annual Bradenton Blues Festival, December 2nd, 2017. The Bradenton Blues Festival is now in its sixth year. Produced by Paul Benjamin and Johnette of Realize Bradenton, this year’s festival featured high profile artists. The relatively new but talented Brody Buster played between sets. This year’s festival was sold out two weeks prior to the […]
Mitch Woods Friends Along The Way Entertainment One Mitch Woods was born in Brooklyn, NY and classically trained at the State University in Buffalo. Woods fell in love with boogie-woogie piano and began his recording career on the west coast when he released 1984’s “Steady Date with Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88’s” on the […]
Peter Ward Blues On My Shoulders Gandy Dancer Records Peter and Michael Ward grew up in Lewiston, Maine where they listened to blues records and went to see artists as frequently as possible. Peter was trying to figure out how guitarists such as Jimmy Rogers played. He and his brother were influenced by the music […]
The Love Light Orchestra featuring John Nemeth Live from Bar DKDC in Memphis, TN! Blue Barrel Records John Nemeth now lives in Memphis, Tn. In the days following the 2017 Blues Music Awards Nemeth performed with this ensemble. Those fortunate enough to have seen them live have since been waiting for this new release. The […]
Jimmie Vaughan Trio featuring Mike Flanigin Live At C-Boy’s Proper Records Jimmie Vaughan makes his home in Austin, Tx. When he is not on the road with his “Tilt A Whirl” band he likes nothing more than to moonlight at C-Boy’s Heart and Soul club. On Wednesday nights Vaughan teams up with B-3 player Mike […]
Shaun Murphy Mighty Gates Vision Wall Records Shaun Murphy was initially inspired by the Blues but found work in the theater. That led to a Motown recording contract as the duo known as Stoney and Meatloaf; Stoney being Murphy. She later became a backing singer touring with Bob Seger and Eric Clapton. Murphy met Bill […]
James Armstrong Blues Been Good To Me Catfood Records James Armstrong was born in Los Angeles, California in 1957. His mother was a blues singer and his dad a jazz guitarist. Armstrong was inspired by Albert King and Robert Cray and early in his career played guitar and backed up Albert Collins, Big Joe Turner […]
Downchild Something I’ve Done Linus Entertainment Downchild was originally formed in 1969 by brothers Donnie and Hock Walsh. The band name comes from a song by Sonny Boy Williamson II. Known also as The Downchild Blues Band they are currently celebrating their 48th anniversary. The band was also the prototype used by Dan Aykroyd and […]
Erin Harpe and The Delta Swingers Big Road Vizztone Label Group/Juicy Juju Records Erin Harpe hails from Boston. Her first band “Lovewhip” released five electro-pop albums. Harpe began her transition to the Blues and released “Blues Roots” in 2002. “Delta Blues Duets”, recorded with her father Neil Harpe, followed in 2008. Erin Harpe and The […]
Indie Blues CD Review Al Corte Mojo Independent Al Corte is originally from Buffalo, New York. He began singing acapella with his high school buddies in a Doo-Wop group. Corte’s first professional gig was with a local band called “The Cavemen”. They recorded a song Corte wrote and wound up opening for the Young Rascals, […]
Indie Blues CD Review Dave Keyes The Healing Keyesland Music Dave Keyes won the band competition at the 2000 International Blues Challenge held in Memphis. Keyes has established himself as a first call session musician on both piano and accordion. He performs regularly with Popa Chubby, Ronnie Spector, Slam Allen and Alexis P. Suter. He […]
Indie Blues CD Review Joel DaSilva Everywhere From Here Trunoyz Records Joel DaSilva was born in Chicago to Brazilian parents. His mother was a singer and his father a guitarist. His father died when DaSilva was still a child but he must have inherited his musical gene. As soon as he was able to work […]
Indie Blues CD Review Chris Daniels and The Kings with Freddi Gowdy Blues With Horns Vol 1 Moon Voyage Records Chris Daniels formed the Chicago styled horn band Chris Daniels and The Kings in 1984. The Kings have backed many artists including Bo Diddley, Percy Sledge, Al Kooper, and Francine Reed. Daniels and Freddi Gowdy […]
Indie Blues CD Review King Louie’s Blues Revue Live At Riverhouse Jazz Shoug Records King Louie Pain was nicknamed “Portland’s Boss of The B-3” by the newspaper The Oregonian. King Louie hails from San Francisco where he started playing professionally in 1970. He moved to Portland in 1986 and works with area blues and soul […]
Ilana Katz Katz Subway Stories: All Trains Blues & Roots Fiddle Vizztone Label Group The modest Ilana Katz married Warren Katz to become a double Katz. She started as a busker and still plays fiddle in the Boston subway system. In 2014 Ronnie Earl included her song “Running in Peace”, about the bombing at the […]
Indie Blues CD Review Alastair Greene Dream Train Rip Cat Records Alastair Greene is from southern California. Influenced by seventies guitarists, especially Duane Allman and Stevie Ray Vaughan, he found work backing artists like James Harman. Greene recorded his own rockin’ debut “A Little Wiser” in 2001. His follow up live album “Bootleg: Live in […]
Kim Wilson Blues and Boogie Vol.1 Severn Records Kim Wilson is the harp player and vocalist who fronts The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Originally formed in 1974 they had a top ten single in 1986; and won the Blues Music Award for Band of The Year. They have fourteen studio albums, an additional ten compilation albums and […]
Howlin’ At Greaseland Various Artists West Tone Records Chester Arthur Burnett a.k.a. Howlin’ Wolf was a Chicago blues singer, guitarist and harmonica player. Musician and music critic Michael “Cub” Koda said it best “no one could match Howlin’ Wolf for the singular ability to rock the house down…while simultaneously scaring its patrons out of its […]
The Original Blues Brothers Band The Last Shade of Blue Before Black Severn Records The Original Blues Brothers Band is a band that began as a one time skit on “Saturday Night Live” in 1978. They backed up Joliet Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd). The band was an overnight sensation making several […]
George Thorogood Party of One Rounder Records George Thorogood was born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1950. He began as a solo acoustic performer in 1970 and soon later formed his band The Delaware Destroyers. Thorogood signed with the roots oriented Rounder Records label in 1976. It was a departure from the labels usual folk and […]
Albert Castiglia Up All Night Ruf Records Albert Castiglia was born in New York City in August of 1969. Castiglia was only five years old when his Cuban American parents moved to Florida. Castiglia joined the Miami Blues Authority in 1990 and was named “best blues guitarist” by the Miami New Times. In 1996 Castiglia […]
Day Three: The 2017 Daytona Blues Festival The opener Al Hill previously played with Bettye Lavette finished first in the solo/duo category at the 2017 International Blues Challenge The Paul Deslauriers Band won four 2017 Maple Leaf Awards (Canada’s equivalent to our Blues Music Awards) , best bassist, best drummer, Best Electric Act of The […]
2017 Daytona Blues festival – Day Two Main Stage – In order of Appearance: Willie Green seated; The Souliz Band; Tas Cru; Alvin Younglood Hart’s Muscle Theory; Joe Louis Walker; and Marcia Ball who closed another beautiful day of blues. Also Mick Kolassa enjoying Tas Cru on stage at the after party at the Bahama […]
Day One Friday October 6th, 2017 Daytona Blues Festival Ladies Day! The festival was cancelled last year due to Hurricane Matthew so we were especially glad to be here. On the main stage: Vanessa Collier – an absolutely fabulous set. Collier graduated high school in 2009 and was the point guard on her high school […]
Chris Hillman Bidin’ My Time Rounder Records Don Parmley was a 5 String banjo player who recorded a bluegrass instrumental album for GNP/Crescendo Records in 1964 and the mandolin player on the recording was Chris Hillman. Hillman switched to bass and joined Jim McGuinn, David Crosby, Gene Clark and Michael Clarke to form the Byrds. […]
Al Basile Quiet Money Sweetspot Records Al Basile grew up in Haverhill, Massachusetts a suburb outside of Boston. He received a Master’s degree from Brown University in 1970. He first met Duke Robillard in 1969 and Robillard talked Basile into joining Roomful of Blues in 1973. Basile became Roomful’s first trumpet player and while with […]
Tommy Castro and The Painkillers Stompin’ Ground Alligator Records Tommy Castro is a guitarist and vocalist from San Jose, California. Castro became a member of The Dynatones in 1980 but by 1991 had left to form his own band. Castro released “Soul Shaker” on Blind Pig Records in 2005 and received his first two Blues […]
Gregg Allman Southern Blood Rounder Records Gregg Allman had some serious health issues. He was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2007. He had a successful liver transplant in 2010. Allman who at the time had six previous solo recordings achieved even greater success with the Grammy nominated “Low Country Blues” released in 2011. When Allman […]
Cassie Keenum & Rick Randlett Hauntings Fox Run Records Cassie Keenum hails from Alachua, Fl. sixteen miles outside of Gainesville. She is a singer songwriter with a soulful voice who performs in a duo with Rick Randlett. Randlett discovered the blues while in college. He listened to bands like Cream, The Yardbirds, and early Fleetwood […]
Chris “Bad News” Barnes Hokum Blues Vizztone Label Group Chris Barnes has been a writer and performer for The Carol Burnett Show, Saturday Night Live, Seinfield, 30 Rock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He began his blues music career opening for acts at the legendary blues club, Tramps, where he would take audience suggestions and improvise […]
Corey Dennison Band Night After Night Delmark Records Corey Dennison hails from Chattanooga, Tennessee. He got his first guitar when he was six years old. He used to hang out with his harp playing uncle so his early influences were Junior Wells, Albert Collins and Albert King. Dennison also fell in love with the soul […]
Jimmy Carpenter Plays The Blues Vizztone Label Group Saxophonist Jimmy Carpenter began playing professionally in 1980. He toured with both Tinsley Ellis and Jimmy Thackery. In 2004 Carpenter played on “Whiskey Store Live” with Thackery and Tab Benoit. He settled in New Orleans shortly thereafter and found work with Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Eric Lindell. […]
Benny Turner My Brother’s Blues Nola Blue Records Once Benny Turner and his older brother Freddie left Texas for Chicago his brother began to make a name for himself as Freddie King. Freddie became a guitar god while Turner backed him up on bass. Turner left for awhile to play with R n’ B singer […]
Wee Willie Walker And The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra After A While Blue Dot Records Born in Hernando, Mississippi Wee Willie Walker’s career spans six decades as he is one of our last real soul singers. He recorded nine sides for the Memphis based Goldwax label in 1968. More recently between 2004 and 2011 Walker […]
