Local Blues Bands

Growing up in the tough west side neighborhoods of 1950’s Chicago, he didn’t have much. Many times, Allen’s Uncle

Joe would take him out for a walk that would end up at the corner bar where Joe would sit Allen on a stool, drop a quarter in the jukebox and step outside with his friends to drink a little bit of wine. While waiting there, Allen would hear all the greats… Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, B.B. King, Jimmy Reed as well as Ethel Merman, Howard Keel, Dewayne Eddy, Elvis, The Moonglows and the Spaniels. Those days laid the beginnings of a lifelong passion for music.

As a teen, baseball was his claim to fame, but there was a different dream calling. Allen Kirk has been a natural since the day in 1965 when he sat behind Dirty Red’s drum kit and started playing favorite soul hits.

Allen paid his dues on Halsted Street backing up many of Chicago’s greatest at the Kingston Mines. Across the street at B.L.U.E.S. he worked with Sunnyland Slim, Bob Stroger, Steve Freund and Sam Burkhardt and legendary blues drummer Robert Covington. It was Robert who took Allen under his wing and schooled him in the blues shuffle. Allen filled in for Covington behind Sunnyland and later again took Robert’s place when he left Mississippi Heat .

From the sizzling shuffles of Magic Slim & The Teardrops, the hard biting grooves of James Solberg, the sweet and soulful sounds of Deitra Farr to the funky rhythms of Johnny Rawls, Allen has mastered the art of staying in the pocket. In 2003, Allen was the drumming force behind Magic Slim and the Teardrops’ W. C. Handy Band of the Year Award.

Currently based in Minneapolis MN, Allen can be found performing both locally and on the road with a variety of artists from Johnny Rawls to the Twin Cities’ John Lindberg & Jimi “Prime Time” Smith. He enjoys carrying on the tradition of teaching the younger drummers how to play the blues.

Annie Mack & The HaveNots

Annie Mack is a NON-traditional Blues vocalist. With a desperate need to step outside the norm, she has combined elements of Jazz,Funk and Rock to create a new and fresh take on Blues Classics while still paying respects to The Elders of the Blues. She delivers Soulful Vocals and Pure Emotion. This Self Proclaimed “Gritty Diva” is able to belt it out with Raw Intensity,or with Sultry Sophistication. Annie Mack is able to take any song and make it her own by putting her unique spin on it. She sings with truth and conviction often pointing out that “LIfe ain’t always pretty and neither is the Blues.” Annie Mack Is truly in her element on stage. Her shows are a concoction of High Energy and Humor,Sprinkled with just the right amount of Sass. Her shows are not to be missed.

Armadillo Jump

Armadillo Jump is a Twin Cities/Minnesota based blues and rock band that has taken the music they love –rockin blues– and cranked it up. The passion, excitement and energy they pour into the music comes across as something that’s fresh and crispy. Mix in a little Texas-style rockin’ blues attitude, slather it with moppin’ sauce and a generous splash of the hot stuff and my friends, you have a recipe for a show that’s unmistakably jumpin’.

And they’re darn tasty too.

Barbara LeShoure

Barbara LeShoure, a powerful blues singer who has relocated from Chicago to the Twin Cities, played Friday night at Famous Dave’s with the Tom Hunter band. If you haven’t seen her yet, do it, she sings powerful post war Chicago Blues as well as any female blues performer out there today! You might want to check this blues lady out! “Ray M. Stiles”

Barbara LeShoure concert, ARNELLIA’S, St. Paul “Girlfriend, I’ve been mistreated” sings organ-piped Barbara LeShoure. “I think you know what I’m talking about.” She gets an empathetic “yeah” from the intimate room, which is dimly lighted save for the open soul-food kitchen in the corner, Then she waves her All-Star Blues Band to an abrupt stop and repeats the phrase, “He had the nerve” before gesturing for a musical yeah! from the guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards. Blam! “He had the neeeeerve” Blam! Then she waits. “Sucker” she smiles. And she brings it home with a growl: “He had the nerve to put me off.” Outside the club, a purring cop car has the nerve to park plumb in the middle of the sidewalk where patrons exit. “SCHOLTES, City Pages”

Vocalist Barbara LeShoure, her ability to belt out the blues has made her a favorite with Monaco and Rose. They invited her to appear with globe-trotting guitar hero Joe Jammer at a SOPRO show at the China Club this past summer and she proved a big hit with the audience. by: Terry Flamm

Big George Jackson

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Vocalist/harmonica player Big George Jackson was born November 16, 1949 and in the Twin Cities he is known as the authentic big man of the blues. He sings with a distinctive bass-rich voice only a six-foot, six inch gentle giant could be blessed with. Add his fat harmonica playing, dead-on phrasing, commanding stage-presence and instant audience rapport and it’s easy to understand why the audience howl when he delivers his music.

Big Walter Smith

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Big Walter Smith has personified the blues in Minneapolis and St. Paul for over 37 years. His 300-pound presence and velveteen voice have graced almost every blues and R&B stage in the Twin Cities at one time or another, and he has been a mainstay of the popular Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth since its inaugural year in 1989. He is so popular in Duluth that the mayor proclaimed August 8, 1997, to be “Big Walter Smith Day” in the city.” – Living Blues Magazine

Bingham & Thorne

Bob Bingham & Gordon Thorne are a couple of guys who like to scratch around in the fertile ground of American traditional music, unearthing both the forgotten and the familiar. Upon discovering a tune, a clever turning of phrase – or just a simple lick – they’re on it like a chicken on a Junebug; eating it up, digesting it, and storing it away with all the other little nuggets they’ve dug up. Over the years they’ve collected a real gizzardful. Eventually these bits of Americana find their way to the fingers, instruments and voices – emerging in a new form…..

THE MODERN SOUNDS OF YESTERDAY …. TODAY !!!

Fingerstyle guitars informed by country bluesers, early jazzers, oldtime fiddlers, shouters, crooners, devil worshipers, rock n’ rollers, boomers, roustabouts and revelators.

Blue Number 5

Blue Number 5 specializes in rockin’ contemporary blues and savory gems from the 60’s and 70’s. Members of Blue No. 5 have performed with Twin Cities bands literally for decades. ~ Blue No. 5 is: * Bob Tollefson – Guitar, vocals * Tom Hansen – Keyboards, Lead vocals * Dan Ferstenou – Bass, vocals * Kevin “Murph” Murphy – Drums ~ At a Blue No. 5 show, expect to hear blues by artists such as Albert Collins, Tab Benoit, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, as well as classics from Cream and CCR.

Blue Voodoo

Blue Voodoo was formed by Lead Guitar player Fast Eddie Rickert and Bass Player Matt Scott aka “Thud” and Drummer Johnny Rickert in 2003 when first jamming as friends learning to play. Now things are different and Blue Voodoo has been playing in the twin cities metro area ever since. Eddie has been playing guitar since he was ten years old and draws much of his artistic talent from his father John Rickert who was the leader of his own metro area band The Studio Dogs. He is now attending Mcnally Smith school of music to study music production. Matt Scott started playing guitar when he was 12 and started playing bass when the band formed in 2003. His connection with eddie allows him to push the bands performance in ways that surpass many other bass players. Drummer Steve Bennet joined the band in 2006 and earned the nickname Steady Steve Bennet by solid performance after solid performance. The band is currently working on recording their first album while playing as many shows as possible to promote their music and gain a fast growing fan base. Blue Voodoo’s main influences inclue; Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Rolling Stones, Van Halen, classic rock, blues and pretty much everything else popular today.

Bob Manning and The Real Deal

Bob “the voice” Manning began his career as a small child singing Gospel in his home town of Richmond, Virginia. People were blown away by his rafters to basement range and veritable tone. Riding on the accolades of others, Bob followed a stage career to New York City. While in NYC, Bob soon became one of the hottest names on the scene working with the likes of: Gladys Knight, James Brown, Bo Diddley, Dick Clark, The Coasters and later The Four Tops. In 1983, Bob ventured to Stockholm, Sweden, where he spent the next fifteen years playing and recording with Sweden’s finest. Some of these artists and projects included: Ann-Christine Hedmark, Roger Pontare, Coste Apetrea, and Zemya Hamilton’s first recording of “Soul Sister” (Sonet Recording Studio). While fronting Swedish soul band “Soul Enterprise” (1991-1998), Bob performed at an array of festivals throughout Scandinavia including The Fasching Jazz & Blues Festival and The Stockholm Water Festival. Through his extensive european touring, Bob shared the stage with soul giants Isaac Hayes, Al Green and Wilson Pickett. Currently, Bob is living in Minneapolis, MN fronting a band of talented local musicians. Playing under the name “The Real Deal”, this quartet packs the punch of a 20 piece band with the intimate subtlety of a 4 piece rhythm section.

Boom Boom Steve Vonderharr

Boom Boom Steve V & The Knockouts are an energetic harmonica based blues band that knows how to throw a blues party. Featuring John Franken on guitar (Joel Johnson Band, Joe T. Cook & The Longshots), John Schroder (Big George Jackson, RJ Mischo) on bass, and Dwight Dario (Big George Jackson) on drums. You can also check out Boom Boom Steve Vonderharr playing around town with the Minnesota Barking Ducks, Soulmates, Good Time Willy and occasionally with Reverend Raven & The Chain Smoking Alter Boys.

Brandon Scott Sellner Band

Guitarist Brandon Scott Sellner’s stinging licks may sound like he grew up in the nightclubs and after-hours juke joints of Austin, TX, but the fast-fingered performer originally hails from a small town of less than 5,000 called Sleepy Eye, MN.

This Minnesotan plays a polished, blues-infused brand of electric guitar, heavily influenced by guys like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. Sellner himself is more in the vein of John Mayer and Jonny Lang, with his catchy vocal hooks and sometimes-sensitive lyrics.

Sellner, 24, has been sharpening his strong electric chops for about seven years now; in that time, he’s opened for Black Oak Arkansas, Walter Trout, and more. Shows in 2008 will include his debut at the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth, MN and the Prairie Dog Blues Festival in Prairie du Chien, WI.

Sellner, who most recently made his home in River Falls, WI, is currently at work on a second release and has been playing an extended string of shows during his recent trips in the South. He is also working to get his first album Brandon Scott Sellner re-released on a larger scale.

Cadillac Kolstad

Cadillac Vs. Cornbread may seem an unlikely collaboration. Cornbread Harris, an 81 year old piano legend, performed on Minneapolis’ first rock n’ roll record: “Hi-Ho Silver” with Augie Garcia in 1955. In over the past 60 years Cornbread has played at nearly every venue in the Twin Cities and has shared the stage with many talented musicians such as Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and Archie Bleyer. A godfather of the Minneapolis sound, he not only is Jimmy Jam’s father but taught Morris Day and the Time along with prince. Currently he has teamed up with Cadillac Kolstad and the Flats, a Minneapolis American roots trio who strive to keep the rich West Bank music tradition alive, made famous by the likes of John Koerner, Willie Murphy and Bob Dylan. Cadillac Kolstad and The Flats formed in early 2007 and has since performed over 200 shows a year including music festivals, radio shows and television programs. Combining Cadillac Kolstad’s pounding boogie-woogie piano, backed by Johann Swenson’s finesse on the marching snare, the band takes on a fresh approach to classic American dance music. While honing their craft, they have been performing every Sunday at Palmer’s Bar on the West Bank, the oldest bar under continuous operation in Minneapolis. They released their self-titled album in the summer of 2007 and are currently working on a live at Palmer’s album set to be released 2009 along with an upcoming video documentary about their collaboration with Cornbread. Cadillac vs Cornbread dedication to authenticity goes beyond their vintage suits and pompadours, to bringing an acoustic piano, hauling it behind their 1964 Cadillac.

Cool Disposition

Cool Disposition boasts a lineage that can be traced directly back to Muddy Waters. Our sound expands upon the bedrock influence of 50’s era Chicago Blues and 40’s jump/swing. Like any artist should, we try to cast aside pure imitation, while relating our own experiences. The band includes two members, Dan Schwalbe and Marty Bryduck, who were part of George “Mojo” Buford’s recording/performing bands for Blue Loon Records. (Mojo was, of course, one of Muddy’s last great harmonica aces after Little Walter, James Cotton, Jr. Wells). Cool Disposition is rounded out on harp by Boston transplant and KFAI radio personality Harold Tremblay, New York native Greg Beach on bass, and founder Mickey Bauer fronting the group. From Muddy to Mojo to Dan and Marty, the electrified delta blues has been passed down, embraced, and moved forward. Formed in 1999, we received airplay on the internationally syndicated “Blues Deluxe” radio program promoting our 2003 Cold Wind Records release, “Rompin’ At The Ribshack”. The band has performed at notable clubs such as Blues On Grand, Des Moines IA; Famous Dave’s, Mpls MN, as well as numerous festivals: Bayfront Blues Fest-Duluth,MN: Central Iowa Blues Society Winter Fest-Des Moines, IA; Boundary Water Blues Fest- Ely,MN; Marquette Area Blues Fest-Marquette,MI.

Cornbread Harris

The Twin Cities local legend was born James Samuel Harris, on April 23, 1927 in Chicago. The death of both his parents at the tender age of 3 left him and his younger sister orphans. Intensifying his distress, Cornbreads legs were deformed. Cornbread was sent to Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota for over a year, where the doctors broke his legs and put them in casts to correct them. Hence, Cornbread received a late start in school. In spite of these difficulties, he did very well in his academics and credits his academic success to his physical incapacity. After getting out of the hospital, Cornbread’s existence continued to be chaotic. He and his younger sister were shuffled around from one foster home to another, until at the age of 11 or 12 his grandparents took him in.

Crankshaft’s Primitive R&B Review

Crankshaft has proven himself on the “Earth Shakin’ R&B” EP with a thick coating of charisma, and he has made a convincing case that his thumps, throbs and rhythmic quivers are sure to impress the landslide of musicians trying to climb in Minneapolis.

Curtis Blake

Curtis Blake was born in Princeton, MN on February 23, 1958. He was the youngest of four children. He moved to Minneapolis at age 6 and was raised by his mother. His sister and brother would play recordings by B.B. King, The Rolling Sones and, “a lot of the British Invasion groups of the 60’s.” At 12, he attempted to play the guitar. “I had to put it down because I couldn’t keep it in tune! It was a piece of junk!!” Curtis continues; “In Raleigh, NC, I picked up a harmonica and was sitting on the front steps of my brother’s house with another guitar my brother found (better junk). An old blues musician walked by with a six-pack from the local package store. “He picked up the guitar, tuned it, and showed me a few guitar licks. He saw my harmonica and taught me a few harp licks as well. I wish I knew his name. That was the beginning of my career as a blues musician.”

Curtis Marlatt and the Kicks

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Curtis Marlatt & The Kicks are presently announcing our new band format and line-up! Curtis has decided to add horns to his already smokin’, Memphis/Soul Stax brand of Southern “Bourbon-Smooth” Blues! This “Smokin’ White Cat” now intoduces The Suicide Horns-consisting of: Mitchell Brown on trumpet/fluglehorns and Goldie on alto sax/flutes to his now much-talked-about cookin’ rythmn section of Anthony “T” Scott on bass/vocals and Ernest “Ernesto” Stevens on drums/vocals!

Curtis is looking to add keyboards/Hammond B-3 to his mix and is currently active in auditions.

Dan Schwalbe

Dan Schwalbe been playing guitar since 1968. I’ve been seriously studying Blues since 1974. I’ve played and/or recorded with Blues DeLuxe, RJ Mischo, Mojo Buford, Lazy Bill Lucas, Baby Doo Caston, Sonny Rogers, Percy Strother, Rockin’ Daddy & The Rough Cuts, Texas Red, Cool Disposition, The Blues Kings, Lynwood Slim and many others. I currently work with three bands, Rockin’ Daddy & The Rough Cuts, Cool Disposition, and The Blues Kings.

Dave Lambert Band

Born and raised in Michigan circa 1957 Dave Lambert was positioned to be influenced by Motowns greatest as the tides changed to early 70’s rock and roll. Mitch Ryder, Bob Seger, Mr. Floods Party , Brownsville Station, Alice Cooper and Grand Funk Railroad. But the greatest influence was by far Jimi Hendrix. Mentored by Duane Allman and early Allman Bros recordings… Dave developed the beginning of his now easily identifiable slide technique and style.

Although the influences were many, the list included the likes of Johnny Winter, Alvin Lee, Ted Nugent, Savoy Brown, Chet Atkins, Jimmy Reed and later would include such names as SRV, Eric Johnson, Eric Sardinas, Satch, Vai, Jimmy Thackery, Walter Trout, Dave Hole and Sonny Landreth.

Signed in the late 1970’s to ITA out of Detroit, Dave was performing in local Detroit rooms with The Rockets ( Mitch Ryder), Brownsville Station, Cub Coda and the Points and Salizar.

Soon Dave worked on his first recording. produced by Mel Schacher (Grand Funk Railroad), his first 45 rpm was recorded at the Swamp, a studio owned and operated by GFR. Dave continued to play the midwest covering popular rock and roll radio hits and a growing list of original songs.

Dave relocated in Dallas Tx and found himself touring with a very popular Top 40 band called Caper which also sported a 50’s show called Hub Cap and the Tire Tools.

Due to the bands high exposure and extensive travel Dave found himself sharing licks with Stevie Ray Vaughn, Smokin’ Joe Kubeck, John O’Daniels (Point Blank), Rocky Athis (Black Oak Arkansas), Eric johnson, Rick Denko ( The Band), Buddy Rich, the Crickets ( Buddy Holly), Freeman James, Foghat, Joey Mulland (Badfinger), Firefall and more.

The seven year itch struck and Dave settled in Minneapolis,MN. Again playing top 40 covers in midwest clubs Dave executed another chapter while building guitars, a trade he learned working alongside Rene Martinez, SRV’s guitar tech and guitar guru from Charley’s Guitar Shop in Dallas. This kept guitars in in his hands all day long and exposed him to many of the country’s finest players.

Years passed and life’s events sent Dave reaching for consolation in the only thing he knew at that time. Inspired by slide players throughout history, Dave honed his unique slide style and technique and has taken it to a virtuoso level.

Performing around the Midwest he has shared stages with Sonny Rhodes, Smokin’ Joe Kubeck, Joe Bonnamassa, Rene Austin, and many more. Dave continues to WOW his audiences with a blend of technical expertise, combined with a flavorful respect for tradition causing his destiny of becoming a household name to be inevitable.

Dave’s own blend of Roadhouse Rock and Blues has been developed by his many years of experience on stage and countless miles of geographical diversity and influence. But still, as always, the best test is wth you the listener.

Davina & The Vagabonds

Davina and the Vagabonds are known in The Twin Cities, Minnesota as being the busiest band in town because of their hard-working professionalism, high energy stage performance, and original sound.

They have shared the stage with Pinetop Perkins, Aaron Neville, Gary Moore, 10 Years After, The Mannish Boys, Robert Cray, Los Lonely Boys, Scottie “Bones” Miller, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Ana Popovic, Booker T and The MGs, Bobby Rush, Irma Thomas, James Hunter, and many others.

Dean Weisser Band

Most singers are uncomfortable singing sitting down. Dean Weisser doesn’t really have a choice. He is a singing drummer and the lead singer of The Dean Weisser Band. It doesn’t matter if it’s a ballad, or a screaming rocker 3 octives higher, Dean will sing his brains out. “I used to have a great falsetto when I was a kid and I sang all the high parts”… “I was singing wrong, using my throat, so my falsetto isn’t as clear as it was”…. says Dean…” So I ended up learning to sing properly and hit higher notes with my real voice. Those who have been out to hear The Dean Weisser Band know they will hear some great Classic Rock, Blues Rock, Current Rock and they also know it will be dancable. Dean says…”Our songlist has been described as old school meets new school.” Dean will pound on those drums and sing his brains out because it is his passion! The DWB has been playing clubs all over The Twin Cities and Minnesota since 97. Packed houses are there to see the band because “it’s not the same old stuff you hear in every other club”. The powerful band consists of Mark Johnson on bass, Matt Kalin ..s and vocals, Neil Hendrickson on guitar and vocals, Katie Knudsen on vocals, and Dean Weisser on drums and vocals. Dean Weisser first started playing drums at 6 years old. He started playing and singing on stage in Bismarck, North Dakota at the age of 12. Dean played with several bands, the most popular being “The Champ Band” from 1980-1985. (www.champband.com) He moved to Minneapolis in 1986 and started working into the local club scene. After playing in and jobbing with several bands, The Dean Weisser Band was formed. The Dean Weisser Band has played all over Minnesota playing club and events. The DWB has shared the stage with such acts as Double Trouble, Susan Tedeschi, Jimmy Vaughn, Jonny Lang, Big Walter Smith, Syl Johnson, Little Feat, Mick Sterling, Shannon Curfman, Ann Popovic, Bernard Allison, Cory Stevens, Renee Austin, Richard Torrance and many others. The DWB has appeared on The KARE-11 Saturday Show, (NBC), The KARE-11 Today Show, (NBC), Showcase Minnesota, (NBC), Fox 9 Good Morning, WCCO Radio with Patty Peterson, KFYR AM, and has received airplay on KQRS, Cities 97, and radio stations all over Europe. Dean is also studio musician, songwriter, producer and recording artist for Brown Derby Productions. There, he produces industrial music and jingles. In his travels, Dean has appeared at “Elaines” and “Whos on First” in New York City, on stages in Cancun, Honolulu, New Orleans and all over The Midwest. Dean also took 3rd place for “The Worlds Fastest Drummer Contest” in the feet category and 5th in the hands category at the 2004 NAMM Show held in Minneapolis. Deans “real job”, is at KARE-11 TV, where he is an audio engineer working the morning shows. He won a Regional Emmy in 2006 for audio production on KARE-11 Today’s Christmas Show which featured all live local and national music, and another Regional Emmy in 2008 for live audio production on Showcase Minnesota. The Dean Weisser Band celebrated it’s 10th year in 2007 with the release of a new video. A new CD is currently being worked on.

Dee Miller Band

The Twin Cities finest barrelhouse blues band kicks out more blue notes per hour than a boatload of blues cruisers. Dee Miller’s vocals grab the audience by the collar and won’t let go. From the moment she belts out “I say, hey every bawwwwdy!” you know you’re in to “have some fun”. The band is always ready to party and the dancers just can’t hide. Their mix of Chicago, Delta, and Upper Mississippi, tempered with a little R&B and rock makes a fine gumbo of delight.

Doghouse Jon and The Misbehavers

Doghouse Jon (Lackey) frontman, vocalist, and harmonica player for Doghouse Jon and the Misbehavers has been part of the Minnesota music scene since the late 60’s. Jon’s father was a minister, his passion for blues music was inspired by the gospel music that was performed regulary at his father’s church. Jon got hooked on harmonica at an early age when he saw the “HarmoniCats” play.

Jon’s touring experience with Minnesota’s own Dust Bowl Blues Band has allowed him to perform at some of the top Midwest blues venues including Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago. Doghouse Jon and The Misbehavers have shared the stage with hot international touring blues acts including Otis Clay, Bryan Lee, Lamont Cranston, James Solberg, Canned Heat, and Savoy Brown.

Don King

Don King - Guitar/Vocals Dan Emerson-Bass Doug Hill-Drums Tall Pall from Chicago-Saxophone Special Guests Dave “Cool Breeze” Brown-Guitar/Vocals; Brian McLaughlin-Guitar; Brian Glasscock-Drums; Jani Brakken-Saxophone; Hall Sanders-Saxophone;

Doug Otto and the Getaways

Doug Otto and the Getaways perform a blend of old American musical styles. Heavily influenced by delta blues and classic country songs, they cover tunes that range from simple folk songs to heartfelt gospel. Songwriter, Doug Otto, plays acoustic and electric guitars and adds tasteful and authentic harmonica. Lead guitarist Albert Perez brings an edgy yet spacious feel to the music. Chris Gray plays the drums. Shane Akers pulls raw and edgy sounds from an electric lap steel guitar. He switches to the Dobro for more intimate and acoustic tunes. Bassist, Cody McKinney, brings great musical depth, sings gritty leads, and adds tasty vocal harmonies to the mix. Erik Struve holds down the bass lines when Cody is unavailable do to being extremely in demand.

East Fillmore

Brainchild of Smokin’ Joe Hatch and d’Gadban, East Fillmore plays the blues and rock music for your listening pleasures.

Everett Smithson

The Everett Smithson Band plays an interesting variety of music as well as standards that have a unique spin on them and many delightful originals. Come to any Everett Smithson Band performance and you can count on the band to create a party atmosphere. New Orleans / French Quarter Music is what you will see and hear. Zydeco, Blues, Rockin Roots, Hillbilly Hoedowns, gospel and more……. With the music being very infectious and the playful stage presence, the audience gets connected fast. At ESB Mardi Gras performances–(whenever possible) Everett and Kathy bring a big cauldron of jambalaya — prepared with their own homegrown garden goods and homesmoked sausage. The song list is unpredictable with songs from Fats Domino, Johnny Cash, Howlin Wolf, Rosie Ledet, Wanda Jackson and Allison Krause — music from 1900 to the present time. The band consists of Phil Schmid on Guitar, Jeremy Johnson on Drums and the ubiquitous Bill Black on Standup Bass.These guys have played nationally and internationally with big name acts such as Bo Diddley, Lynwood Slim, Big George Jackson, Gary Primich and many others. They have played together for a long time and when they get together on stage they really tear it up with their solid rhythms and red hot instrumentals.

Good Time Willy

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Hare’s Ear

Hare’s Ear is an acoustic duo who’ve been playing together for over 15 years. Fronted by the rythms of an acoustic guitar and smokin’ harmonica, Hare’s Ear’s unique sound is second to none. Playing everything from original blues to folk, rock, pop and everything in between.

Harpoon Holter

Damon “Harpoon” Holter has been playing the harmonica for over 15 years. His unique style of playing allows for his harp to play the lead or take a back seat to any type of music he wraps his sounds around. Harpoon is a freelance musician, playing regularly in his acoustic duo called Hare’s Ear, his full band, Mark Stary & Bum Dingo, as well as with numerous bands and solo musicians across the Twin Cities. Check out a show or contact Damon “Harpoon” Holter directly for additional information. Holter is available to jam, record or be a part of anything music!

Hud

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Javier Matos and the blues became buddies in 1978 when he discovered his father’s blues collection. He has been playing blues professionally since 1992. His career began in Minneapolis where he quit his job and devoted his time to studying the styles of the early blues patriarchs such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and many more. Unable to support himself, he enlisted in the Armed Forces and continued playing blues. In 1999 he was signed to Storyville Records. In May of 2000 he released his debut record worldwide entitled “Comin’ Home” under the stage name Jake Matson. That same year he met renowned drummer Bill Bateman (The Blasters, The Cramps) and won best blues band in the City of Anchorage, Alaska where they both lived. After his release from the U.S. Army, Javier and Bill moved to L.A. to team up with John Bazz (The Blasters) to form the Blue Shadows, who reopened the world famous King King in Hollywood, California. They were voted best blues band by the L.A. City Rock News and featured on the cover of Billboard Magazine in August of 2002 as major contributors to blues music in the Los Angeles area. An accomplished songwriter, Rescue Records out of Pasadena, CA placed several of Javier’s songs in national television in 2009. In 2008, Javier was joined by Grant Wibben (Luther the Devil) on upright bass and Dave Levine (Luther the Devil) on snare drum to form HUD’s rhythm section. The trio is currently working on it’s first album together.

Hurricane Harold

Hurricane Harold started playing in High school. Hooked up with the great Twin Cities blues player (Curtis Blake, Sonny Rodgers Harp player on his Handy Award winning “Big Leg Woman”) in the early 90′s to get my chops in order. Currently play in Cool Disposition with players who have backed up the best- Mojo Buford, Baby Doo Caston, John lee Hooker, Sonny Rodgers and many of the touring greats. Look for more regional touring with Cool Disposition Cool Disposition competed at the 2007 International Blues Challenge in Memphis Feb 1 thru 4. I also have a Blues /Roots Radio show at KFAI Radio in Minneapolis, Mn. 90.3/106.7 fm WWW.KFAI.ORG (live streaming and archived shows). “House Party” airs Wednesdays from 3-6pm Central time. I play the masters as well as focusing on new releases from contemporary players.

Inside Straight Blues Band

Inside Straight Blues Band, a popular band with Twin Cities and regional club audiences, plays blues and blues-rock in the Chicago, Texas, Memphis, Kansas City, St. Louis and New Orleans traditions. Tempered with solid jazz, funk and R&B influences, the result is a sound that is unique to Inside Straight; a sound that is truly a collection of its member’s backgrounds and experiences.

The band’s founder and leader, Kurt Koehler (Lead Vocals & Guitar) was born in Chicago in 1952. Kurt has been singing and playing the blues for over 40 years, from smooth uptown styles to contemporary rock-edged Texas styles to the down & dirty sounds of the Southside and Westside of Chicago. Kurt was also the owner, publisher, and editor of Twin Cities Blues News monthly which was in publication from 1996 to 2006. Kurt was inducted into the Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame in 2009 for literature.

Mark Zmuda has been playing the bass since the mid-1960s with a strong background in blues, funk, and the early rock & roll bands in the Twin Cities. Greg Mans on drums has a long history of work with may Twin Cities bands. “Brother” Bill Swanson on keys and vocals has over 35 years experience as a professional musician playing with bands in the Twin Cities including the Phase and the Checkers.

Inside Straight has shared stages with artists such as Jimmy Rogers, Tab Benoit, James Cotton, Long John Hunter, Big Walter Smith, Roomful of Blues, Rod Piazza, Son Seals, Delbert McClinton, John Mayall, Magic Slim, Ronnie Earl, Phillip Walker, W.C. Clark, and Rare Earth, to name but a few. Inside Straight has played stages at the Bayfront Blues Festival, Duluth , MN, the Minnesota Blues Festival, New Ulm, MN, the Chippewa Valley Blues Festival, Eau Claire, WI, Cedarfest in Minneapolis, the Ribs & Blues Fest in St. Paul, MN, and the Pine River Blues Festival, Pine River, MN.

Jay Walter and the Rectifiers

Jay Walter (Wilkins) has been fronting some type of blues band around the Twin Cities for about 20 years now. Started off in the mid 80’s when he got laid off of my day job and a friend was playing in the house band at the old Blues Saloon jam. The first real gigging band after a few years was a blues rock outfit called Mojo Workin. Like a lot of white guys he had always kept on digging deeper into the stuff and eventually wanted to get hooked up with a more traditional band. In 2000 he was fortunate enough to be asked to front a band made up of Jeff Hester (guitar), Dave Larson (drums), and Jack Taylor (bass). These guys are all seasoned veterans of the Twin Cities scene and at one time or another all had been in one R.J. Mischo’s bands among others. Jack was leading a jam band at the time under the name Blues Kings so we settled on that for a name. The Blues Kings released two self produced records. The first, simply called “Blues Kings”, was recorded live in about three hours at Brad Moe’s studio in May 2000. There are no overdubs and everything was the first or second take. The second, “Keep on Rollin’”, was released in ‘03 and was recorded in Jeremy Johnson’s studio. We took more time with that one and the vocals are overdubbed, otherwise everything was recorded live on that one too. The songs you hear on this page are all from “Keep On Rollin’. In the fall of 2007 The Blues Kings disbanded after not having a regular guitar player for quite awhile. Just to drive himself nuts, he decided to try and put another thing together under his own name. Hence, it’s Jay Walter and The Rectifiers.

Jimi “Prime Time” Smith

Born into a musical family in Chicago, Jimi Smith literally grew up in the business. His mother (Johnnie Mae Dunson) was drummer and songwriter with Jimmy Reed and was also a major force in shaping the Chicago blues in the 1950’s. Jimi made his first recording at the age of eight and under the tutelage of Jimmy Reed, began playing guitar at the age of twelve. “I’m the only person that he actually sat down and taught how to play guitar.”

Joe Juliano

It takes a man who knows the blues to play the Blues. In smoky clubs in small towns off the beaten track, years of long nights have been the seasoning needed to produce this artist’s own unique sound. For more than a quarter century, Joe Juliano has been singing and living the Blues from New York to Florida and across the Midwest.

From humble beginnings in Newark, New Jersey, “Jersey Joe” was a tough, street wise kid who moved down to Florida with his mother during the Italian migration south in the Sixties. He got his start playing rhythm guitar in a band which held regular gigs in the infamous Fort Lauderdale club, Porky’s. Playing for peanuts and sleeping in low grade surroundings, Joe Juliano spent years jamming in different bands up and down the eastern seaboard. From Rock and Roll to Country, Joe experimented with many musical genres before settling on his true love, the Blues.

Planting roots in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a number of years ago, Joe Juliano played in a variety of bands and became highly sought after to participate in all-star Blues jam sessions in and around the Twin Cities. A master guitarist who relishes the opportunity to improvise, “Jam Master” Joe developed a following in Blues clubs across the state. In 1997, Joe fulfilled a lifelong dream by assembling his own group of talented musicians known as A Hot Cup Of Blues. In 1998, Joe Juliano was voted Best Blues Band in the Twin Cities by City Pages. ~ Mark Friederichs

John Franken

John Franken has a rich history in Minnesota blues music having been the song writing powerhouse and guitarist behind local bands including Joel Johnson, Joe T. Cook and the Longshots and currently with Boom Boom Steve V & The Knockouts. You can also catch John playing around town with Jay Wilkins and the Rectifiers and the Scotty Reed Band.

Lamont Cranston

From the rural hometown settings of Hamel, Minnesota and the river banks of Minneapolis/St. Paul, the blues influence surfaced as early as the mid 1960’s for what was to become “The Lamont Cranston Blues Band“. By 1969, The Lamont Cranston Blues Band was well on their way to becoming the legend that it is today. You can’t seem to go anywhere today from coast to coast without running into someone that has heard of the band. They are one of the founders of the Minneapolis music scene which is flourishing more than ever to this day.

From the clubs, concert halls and festivals to the auditoriums and stadiums, the Cranstons have shared the bill with Muddy Waters, Luther Allison, Albert King, Albert Collins, Jimmy Rogers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Charles Brown, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Thackery, Junior Wells, Keb Mo, Jonny Lang, Robert Cray, Son Seals, Charlie Musselwhite, Sam Lay, Earl King, Mighty Joe Young, Sugar Blue, Otis Rush, Elvin Bishop, Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts, Little Feat, Mick Fleetwood’s Blue Whale featuring Ron Thompson, Delbert McClinton, Koko Taylor, Lonnie Brooks, Percy Sledge, Solomon Burke, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, Kim Wilson, William Clarke, Tinsley Ellis, The Climax Blues Band, Tower Of Power, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, The Animals II, Kansas, Yes, Jeff Healy, Wilson Pickett, Bonnie Raitt, The Blues Brothers and many many more. One of the biggest thrills was opening for The Rolling Stones on a leg of their North American tour in 1981.

Their visibility increased in the 1980’s when RCA reissued the band’s smash hit release “Upper Mississippi Shakedown”, selling over 100,000 copies and cracking the lower reaches of the Billboard charts.

Lead singer, guitarist and harmonica giant, Pat ‘Lamont’ Hayes has also enjoyed his own success touring with Bonnie Raitt as a member of her band on her 1990 “Nick Of Time” tour; blowing harmonica duets with Charlie Musselwhite in Minneapolis and during a 1994 Hollywood trip after Pat received an invitation from Dan Aykroyd to be a special guest performer at a private pre-grand opening bash at Dan’s new ‘House Of Blues’ nightclub, where he performed with Charlie and his band the first night and with The Blues Brothers band the next. Pat has been hailed by Bonnie, Dan and many others as being one of the best harmonica players around. Dan even called on the boys to play the grand opening of his new Chicago House Of Blues in November 1996, Cleveland in 2004 and Atlantic City in 2005.

The Cranston hit ‘Excusez Moi, Mon Cheri’ (written by Pat’s brother Larry Hayes) was recorded by The Blues Brothers on the flipside of their 1979 hit “Soul Man”, as well as on the soundtrack of the Tom Davis-Al Franken movie “One More Saturday Night”, along with their biggest hit “Upper Mississippi Shakedown”.

Ted Larsen’s (Jonny Lang, The Big Bang) scorching guitar style, melodic at times, will always leave you breathless. Newcomer Brian Risling on saxophone will rip it up every time. Add the solid bottom of bass player Jesse Petrowski and Greg Shuck (Mojo Buford, Percy Strother) on drums, and you have a combination that is unmatched.

Lil’ Slim’s Blues Review

Lil’ Slim (Shawn Holt) is the son of Chicago Blues stalwart, Magic Slim (Morris Holt of Magic Slim and the Teardrops). Lil Slim plays that old style of Chicago blues without all the special effects and pedals popular among many of today’s young guitar players.

Little Bobby & The Storm

Little Bobby & The Storm is a hard hitting in your face blues band based out of the mid-west who has just released thier new DVD “A NIGHT AT THE EMPIRE”. Little Bobby & The Storm plays a traditional style of blues with a native touch. Little Bobby was born on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. A third generation musican Little Bobby is the grandson of Bobby Houle a member of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Known for the hit single “Dream Night”. in the early 60′s. Little Bobby was born into hard times being born legaly blind and then doing several years in prision. You could say he’s earned the right to play the blues. Now in his early 30′s Little Bobby & his band The Storm has put out three CD’s witch include the 2005 release “BEFORE THE STORM” “DOWN, DIRTY, & MEAN” in 2007 and the latest LP “I’VE GOT A WOMAN” in 2008. You can find all your Little Bobby stuff on GODADDY.com. LITTLE BOBBY & THE STORM have done shows with blues greats such as Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Bo Diddley, Pinetop Perkins. Walter Trout, Johny Winters, and dozens of the worlds best. They have also won NETJAMSTV’s R&B video of the year and in 2007 “BEST BLUES PROFORMANCE” The band will be featured on the Beale Street Caravan in October of 2008. Beale Street Caravan is the worlds largest blues program heard around the world and in all 50 states. You can also find Little Bobby on every jukebox in the US. They are proving to be real blues royalty. LITTLE BOBBY & THE STORM are a must see blues band for blues fans and music lovers alike.

Little Luke

Lisa Wenger

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Lisa Wenger sings in a blues band featuring Phil Schmid(guitar), Jeremy Johnson (drums), Bill Black(Bass), and Bruce McCabe(Piano). She call’s it The Lisa Wenger Band. She sings with Memphis and the Meantimes every last Sunday of the Month at the Whiskey Junction in Minneapolis. She sings in a duo /trio with her favorite guitar players, Billy Larson and Paul Mayasich.

Lonesome Dan Kase

As a teenager growing up in rural southern Michigan, Lonesome Dan Kase happened upon a radio show called the “Blues Cruise”, broadcast out on Ann Arbor. Although he had picked up the guitar a year or so before, when he began hearing artists like Reverend Gary Davis and Robert Johnson, he quickly became hooked on the country blues.

Like many of the blues musicians from the early 1900’s that Lonesome Dan was listening to, he acquired a wander-lust and began traveling around the country busking on street corners. After spending time in California and New Mexico, Lonesome Dan ended up in Denver, Colorado where he started playing in coffee houses and drinking establishments. It was here he met Johnny Long, a blues player from St. Louis, whose deeply distinctive singing and guitar-picking style continues to be a big influence on Lonesome Dan’s music. While in Denver, Dan also played with a four- piece band called the 32-20 Jug Band. They played 1920’s and 30’s jug band music covering artists like Sleepy John Estes and The Cannon Jug Stompers

In 2001, Lonesome Dan moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota and immediately began playing shows as a solo act. Within a year, he formed a band called the Crush Collision Trio with mandolin and washboard accompaniment by Matt Yetter and Mikkel Beckmen . They played a mixture of Dan’s originals and old country blues.

In 2005, Lonesome Dan met another musician who has been a significant influence on his playing. Dan had discovered the music of Paul Geremia, a blues musician from Rhode Island, while living in Denver. He was finally able to see one of Geremia’s live performances in St. Paul. After the show, Dan was able to sit down with Paul and absorb some of his musical knowledge. Through Paul Geremia, Kase also discovered some of the early R + B artists like Joe Liggins and Charles Brown.

Lonesome Dan’s live performances showcase both his unique finger-picking style and dynamic vocals as well as his depth of knowledge of the history of the blues. If you catch a live performance, you’re bound to walk away with some interesting tidbits about known artists like Blind Lemon Jefferson or more obscure performers like Funny Papa Smith. Lonesome Dan’s trusted companions are his Guild 6 string and his 1935 National played bottleneck/slide style.

Lonesome Dan Kase continues to play his unique brand of blues in and around Minnesota. However, his desire to experience other parts of the country still takes him out on the road. Dan has put out 4 solo cds as well as 2 with Crush Collision Trio and one with 32-20 Jug Band. His most recent cd, “So Glad I’m Livin’” was released in early 2009.

Mark Knoll Band

A passionate and immediately recognizable stylist, Mark Knoll has performed all over the United States in a rich and diverse career that spans over 30 years. He has performed with and shared the stage with many national acts including Bonnie Raitt, Little Feat, Edgar Winter’s White Trash, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, the Drifters, the Platters, the Coasters, and the Marvelettes. He has appeared as a session guitarist and songwriter on many regional releases including the Lamont Cranston Band, Scottie Miller, and George Faber.

As a member of the Doug Maynard Band, Lamont Cranston, T. C. Jammers, Northcoast, and many others, Mark’s performance credentials are extraordinary.

Michael “The Hook” Deutsch

TwinCitiesBlues.com is sad to report that Michael “The Hook” Deutsch passed away on June 24, 2009. Known as the worlds “only” one handed, one hooked piano player extraordinaire.

Mike Fugazzi

Lead singer and harmonica player Mike Fugazzi has studied diatonic harmonica from two of the world’s top harmonica players, Chris Michalek and Clint Hoover, over the last four years. Career highlights include opening for Indigenous, playing with Michalek-Strone at the 2005 Mid Summer Jazz Festival, and sharing the stage with harmonica giant Jason Ricci in 2005 and 2006. Fugazzi has developed the unique ability to play chromatically by using the “overblow” technique. His approach to the diatonic harmonica, although much more difficult to achieve, is in many ways more expressive and communicative than traditional harmonica playing. The sophisticated sound produced by Fugazzi is lyrical, soulful, and aggressive, while constantly paying tribute to the greats of the instrument

Minnesota Barking Ducks

For over 30 years the Fabulous Minnesota Barking Ducks have brought a driving, diverse, blues-based music to the Twin Cities and all points between. Two members of the band have enjoyed the trip for the entire time: David “Burnie” Benson has steady laid down his distinctive, back-of-the-beat feel on drums; and Mic McCormick has forever silenced crowds with his phenomenal, oh-so-tasty guitar. Mic tells stories with that thing, and most people listen.

The “new” members have been Ducks for a little less than a decade. Ed Dunn plays bass and sings. Ed is intense, and plays deep in the pocket with Burnie, the two of them laying down a regular roadmap. Kit Kildahl sings and plays guitar and occasional harp. Kit has known Mic and Burnie since ‘75, when he was playing with the Dust Bowl Blues Band and Ace in the Whole.

These guys have a lot of music to draw on, so the result is a wide-ranging songlist–blues of course; but also rock, R & B, and jazz standards like “Fly Me to the Moon”.

Mojo Jynx

Introducing Mojo Jynx, a recently formed band started by 3 talented musical veterans who are right at home performing on stage, as well as recording their own brand of bluesy rock in the studios. These guys are sure to whip your crowd into a dancing frenzy, punching out tons of great classic and modern rock and blues rock, as well as their own songs from their own 2 releases. Mojo Jynx is:

Roger Moore – Guitar and Lead vocals Having played guitar for 25 years in a multitude of bands including most recently “Gemini” and “Cain’s Alibi”, Roger has the guitar mastered and can lay down some super sweet guitar work that is sure to please. His raw, rootsy vocals add the gritty emotion that every good rock song requires.

Joe Sherohman – Bass and backup vocals Joe is a monster bass player with much experience in the live music venues. A founding father of Lamont Cranston, he played with the group from its inception in 1969 until 1980 and more recently with Big Walter Smith. You could say that Joe probably knows every bad-ass bass lick in the book and then some.

Jerry Babcock – Drums and vocals Jerry lays down a sweet pocket groove with a touch of fire that makes the music jump. Jerry is also a veteran musician with years of experience in the industry which makes it easy for everyone to play and be creative with any song presented.

Moses Oakland

A native of San Francisco, guitarist and singer Moses Oakland came of age with the “San Francisco Sound” bands of the ’60s. After a seven year break from professional playing, he returned to the scene in 1984 with the late Oakland, California bluesman Haskell “Cool Papa” Sadler. In Cool Papa’s band he got to work and sit-in with many of the Oakland blues notables like Beverly Stovall, “Little Ronnie” Hogan, Birdlegg and the steel guitar master, Freddie Roulette .

In 1987 he arrived, with his family, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Soon after that, he became a fixture at the Monday Night Blues Jam at St. Paul’s Blues Saloon, where he became the leader of the house band, Monday Blues , from 1990 until its close in January 2000. During this time he performed in backing bands with Hubert Sumlin, Cash McCall, and Syl Johnson, as well as opening shows for Junior Walker and the All Stars, Kelly Hunt, Savoy Brown and Sue Foley.

He played the house gig at Blues Alley during the Summer of 1995 with Michael Pendergast, Donnell “Papa D” Woodson and Vincent Dommio. The Summer of 1996 found him working with Paul Holland, Randall Pye and Shane, as The Butterbeans. 1997 included a six week tour in France playing with Nicolas Toussaint, Brett Forberg and Greg Russell, and work on Nicolas’ Cold Wind Records CD, “C’est si Bon.” In 1998-9, he was guitarist for the Twin Cities R&B band, Power of Ten.

Currently, he can be found around the Twin Cities, playing his guitar and singing with his smokin’ Blues/R & B/Jazz quintet, featuring Jason Craft: organ, Charles Fletcher: bass Donald “Hye Pockets” Robertson:drums & Scott Sansby: percussion. Moses Oakland and Friends host the jam every Sunday, as they have since May of 2000, at Famous Dave’s BBQ & Blues, In Uptown Minneapolis. Moses and Paul Holland also appear together as an acoustic singin’/guitar-playin’ duo.

Nigel Egg

Some guys in my high school heard me sing a Gilbert and Sullivan thing and asked me to try out with their rock band, The Roots Of Evil. This was 1965. After a while we fired Bruce, the guitar player, because he looked too young. It was a total asshole thing to do but it is the main reason I got into the blues. Frank joined the band, he almost had a moustache, and his brother was in the top local (Thanet, England) band, The RoJeans. Frank turned us on to John Mayall. The band became Blind Lemon. The other guys asked me to please stop singing falsetto trying to imitate John Mayall on “So Many Roads”. That’s about the sum total of what I knew about the blues, and I was fine with that. I was a Blues Guy. Now I am an Old Blues Guy. Once I accepted that idea, it grew around me like bark. It has been dawning upon me that there are many subjects to write sing blues about that few people do in a blues form. Living is hard. Even for white, privileged Americans like me, things come up. Somehow we manage to shut out war and genocide in Africa, starvation in Asia, global warming and we worry about the little things, the things right in front of our faces. We get the blues about our refrigerators, our teenagers, the phone bill, what the neighbors think of our furniture we even get the blues about our lawn. Admit it! These are good subjects for the blues. You can sing it out and away because you are recognizing it, celebrating it even. It seems like country music has corralled these day-to-day subjects that we all live with. I want to blow a little air up the blues skirt.

NiteRail

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NiteRail delivers high-energy rock / blues rock music all night long! This is not background music. It’s a rock show from start to finish that is just as exciting to watch as it is to listen to! You’ll never see the members of NiteRail get bored because they are always seeking to push their limits. The band hashes out a dynamic blend of covers and originals that is sure to engage lovers of live music!

This energetic group, all still in their twenties, is top notch, polished, and air tight. NiteRail is led by one of the region’s top musicians, guitar virtuoso Korey Hicks, whose jaw-dropping heroics on the fret board have your attention from the first note. Paired with vocalist and harmonica player Mike Fugazzi;s soulful baritone and ground-breaking rock harmonica playing, a duo this gifted and exciting goes unrivaled in Minnesota. Along with Konr Ness (bass), Zach Sershon (keys), and James Schneeberg (drums), NiteRail is one of the state’s most talented bands. There appears to be no limit to what these guys can do! Their sound can be compared to groups like the Allman Brothers, John Mayer, Blues Traveler, the Black Crowes, Santana, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones. Whether it is a gut-wrenching ballad, a classic rock favorite, or funky and danceable original, these guys deliver!

North Country Bandits

THE NORTH COUNTRY BANDITS are a six piece band comprised of members from DOUG OTTO AND THE GETAWAYS, THE FEELIN’ BAND, STONE SOUP, THE HIGH 48’s, and THE JASON DIXON LINE. In the summer of 2007 we all got together to jam at Famous Daves, with MATT PUDAS, (WHITE IRON BAND) as his backing band under the name MATT PUDAS & THE NORTH COUNTRY BANDITS. We had such a great time playing music together that we decided to make a band out of it. Our musical influences are all over the board ranging from Blues and Bluegrass to New Orleans Funk and Old School Country. DOUG OTTO, NICK MROZINSKI, and DREW DRUCKREY all bring a different style and sound when they sing, but also blend very well when singing together. SHANE AKERS plays Dobro and Lap Steel, RICH CASEY supplies the low end (Bass) while CHRIS GRAY drives the bus (Drums).

Paul Holland Band

Paul began playing guitar at age 10. Endlessly rehearsing in a Bloomington basement. Hendrix, Beatles, Zeppelin, and Kiss, were the inspiration in the fabulous 70’s. Then came the Stevie Ray Vaughan era. Blues & Rock took charge. He formed a popular TC trio called 3 Below. 3 Below won a MN Music award, and played countless gigs throughout the midwest. 3 Belows CD “Adventurer Powered” (1992) was a pungent package of blues rock, featuring Dave Doll on drums, and Rich Pearson on bass. The CD sold in the thousands then and continues to sell today. After that came Paul Holland and The Supafuzz, Randy Olejnicak/Drums, David Luvin/Bass. Together they offered up a CD playfully called “Pornomusic” (1997) which was another wicked batch of guitarslinging. Paul has been fortunate to win a few acoustic & Electric guitar playing contests. And has recently honed his acoustic fingerpickin skills, doing gigs with his buddy and TC Blues Legend Moses Oakland.

Paul Mayasich with Benderheads

Slide guitarist/singer/songwriter, Paul “Mayo” Mayasich, a native of the Iron Range of Minnesota, began playing guitar at an early age. He moved to the Twin Cities in 1987 and immediately fell into a jam at Red’s Roost (aka Blues Alley) where he honed his unique style with the likes of musicians Jack McDuff, Willie Walker, Jon Gunvaldson & Billy Holloman. Paul has played sideman for many regional and national recording artists and has toured in the United States and Europe.

Currently, Paul performs solo shows and with his own band. He is also asked to play guitar for national and local musicians for live performances or studio sessions.

Paul has four critically acclaimed CDs to his name along with having written five of the songs on the award-winning CD by Blue Chamber with Big John Dickerson including the title track, Arms of the Blues, which won a MN Music Award for Best Blues recording of the year. Paul’s 5th CD, Solitary Soul, his first solo venture, was released September 2009.

Ron Bervoets from Belgium writes (translated from Dutch): “For people who like the sound of a good slide guitar, one that sounds just as good as those of David Lindley, Duane Allman, Ry Cooder, Derek Trucks and other great players, we got a secret tip: a man who’s name might not yet have the same resonance as those guys mentioned, but we think this should change as soon as possible. That’s why we decided at “Rootstime” to put this man in the spotlights. Paul Mayasich is his name, or “Mayo” for short. He is a top notch musician, singer-songwriter, but first off all: a superb slide guitar player. He released four CDs, all filled to the rim with some fine roots and blues songs.” Rootstime 4/09 www.rootstime.be

Paul Mayasich and Andy Dee Duo

Slide guitar masters, Paul Mayasich & Andy Dee, have teamed up (finally!) to play music that will feed your soul, tickle your funny bone, and get your toes a tappin’. Their music includes originals as well as old school blues and roots music. Featuring dueling dobros, slide and lap steel guitars, from soulful acoustic to mind-blowing electric slide, these guys were meant to play together. Paul Mayasich and Andy Dee first started playing together over 15 years ago in a band called the Superbenders with John Wright on bass and Mike Ronkainen on drums (aka long time monitor tech, Big Chief Running Sound for Jonny Lang). The unofficial house band at the legendary Minneapolis club, The Cabooze, Superbenders opened shows for the biggest names in blues and roots rock: Danny Gatton, David Lindley, John Mayall, Canned Heat, Sonny Landreth, Climax Blues Band, Guess Who, Edgar Winter, Dick Dale, Warren Haynes w/ the original Govt’ Mule which included Allen Woody, Savoy Brown, Lonnie Mack, and many more. Since then they have played separately with a variety of top Twin Cities and regional artists including The Rhythm Doctors, Big John Dickerson and Blue Chamber, Bernard Allison, Molly & The Heymakers, Famous Dave’s All Stars, Randy Sabien, Down Right Tight, Forty Watt Bulb, Mick Sterling, Kevin Bowe, Robby Vee, and others. Paul and Andy’s paths have crossed once again (finally!) and they have successfully been wowing audiences, generating a big buzz around town, and having a blast! The much requested debut CD has just been released, you can pick up a copy at an upcoming Dough Bros show!

Plan B

Plan B is a blues/rock mix sure to get you movin’! The band has played in multiple Minnesota venues such as the historic Paramount Theater in Austin, MN and the Rochester Civic Center’s Down By the Riverside concert series. Plan B has played at multiple outdoor festivals including the Hambone Blues Jam in Austin, MN, Prairie Dog Blues Festival in Prairie duChien, WI, Treefrog Music Festival in Faribault, MN, Oktoberfest in LaCrosse, WI and the Homegrown Music Festival in Austin, MN. As part of the Down By the Riverside concert series put on by Rochester, MN Civic Music, Plan B opened for John Lee Hooker Jr. In addition to these excellent outdoor gigs, Plan B has consistently been booked in bars and nightclubs throughout Minnesota and Iowa.

Porkchop

PORKCHOP is hard hittin’ in-your-face, classic rockin’ blues. Three seasoned musicians with influences ranging from blues, funk & country to straight-ahead rock n’ roll, PORKCHOP uses a blend of soulful vocals and great musicianship to lay down danceable grooves that are hard to resist. Primary influences include artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Wilson Pickett, and ZZ Top. PORKCHOP formed on the 1st of January, 1995. The members create a tight unit whose various talents accentuate one another:

Ross William Perry

Ross William Perry is a driven and focused musician whose style is rooted in tradition and spread further by reaching beyond what would be expected from the categorized genre he’s placed in. His influences include past artists of rock power trios of the sixties and he demonstrates a strong southern blues flavor tinged with a hint of jazz- swing ability. His sound is often described as a heavy, earthy, organic tone that is fully demonstrated in his live shows. His sound and music appeal to both young crowds hearing this style for the first time, as well as older generations who haven’t heard his authentic approach in ages. The ability to reel in fans from different musical tastes and backgrounds such as country, hip hop, etc gives The Ross William Perry band a wider fan base that keeps the crowd and dance floor full. Ross puts on a quality, no non-sense show full of entertainment yet free from fancy light shows, outfits or the latest trends. He delivers an honest musical style that is free from those distractions and true to the point. Opened shows for Buddy Guy, Eric Johnson, Jeff Healy, Pat Travers, REO Speedwagon, Bernard Allison, Smoking’ Joe Kubek, Anson Funderburgh, Debbie Davies, Jimmy Thackery, Coco Montoya, Maurice Vaughn, Black Oak Arkansas, Crow and Gypsy. Featured on many local and regional television and radio programs in addition to various publications. Performances include many local and national festivals and club dates. Current catalog: 1999 It’ll All Make Sense, featuring Lonnie Brooks rhythm section; 2000 Live: Blues In Greenville, recorded live in Greenville, IA; 2003 The Move.

Scottie Miller Band

Helping spread the tonic are his Re-Uptake Inhibitors, who funkify and soularize this gumbo of piano driven blues-soul. This record is a snapshot of fine players working through well-crafted tunes and coming up with a sound and style that, in a fairly crowded niche, is all their own. The Re-Uptake Inhibitors feature; Mark O’Day on drums, John Iden on bass guitar, Brian “Zoot” Simonds on Saxophone, Scott Sansby on percussion and Joe Cruz on guitar and mandolin.

With the Twin Cites as home base, Miller studied in Boston at the renowned Berklee College of Music where he enjoyed a partial Chick Corea scholarship in 1986. He returned to Minnesota to play in a series of blues and R&B bands, including Big John Dickerson and Blue Chamber, and also toured for two months across the USA with the late rock ‘n roll pioneer Bo Diddley in 2006.

In 2005 Scottie was selected to represent The Greater Twin Cities Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, so he tried booking some gigs along the way down there, and was fortunate enough to meet John May of BB’s Jazz Blues & Soups in St Louis. After playing there and cultivating an instant batch of new fans, Scottie continued to return to St Louis to play at BB’s.

Scotty Reed Band

The Scotty Reed Band is a Minneapolis Minnesota based 3-6pc. group specializing in traditional electric Chicago blues, west coast swing, jump, & original blues including harmonica & upright bass.

The backing band consists of several configurations of some of the best veteran Twin Cities based blues musicians. Including Dave “Cool Breeze” Brown, John Franken, Dan Schwalbe, or Phil Schmid on guitar. Billy Black, Keith Boyles, or Scott Christenson on upright bass. Rob Stupka, Marty Bryduck, or Craig Gallas on drums. Regularly Bruce McCabe on keyboard. Ocassionally, horns are added. These gentlemen have also worked with Kim Wilson, John Lee Hooker, Hubert Sumlin, Mojo Buford, Luther Allison, Bernard Allison, Lazy Bill Lucas, Mark Hummel, Gary Primich, Lynwood Slim, Sue Foley, Darrell Nulisch, RJ Mischo, Lamont Cranston, The Hoopsnakes, The Butanes, Big George Jackson, Joe T. Cook, Jack Knife & The Sharps, & Kid Jonny Lang. Utilizing these talented sidemen, vintage equipment, and a vast song repertoire, each performance is a unique, improvisational, high energy display of harmonica drivin` traditional post war electric Chicago blues ala Chess Records, west coast swing, jump, & original blues. Ask Scotty & he`ll tell you our harmonica player blows rocks, but the rest of the band is very good.

Shakey Jake Neuman

Conclusion One of the problems regarding defining what the blues are is the variety of authoritative opinions. The blues is neither an era in the chronological development of jazz, nor is it actually a particular style of playing or singing jazz. (Tanner 35) Some maintain (mostly musicologists) that the blues are defined by the use of blue notes (and on this point they also differ – some say that they are simply flatted thirds, fifths, and sevenths applied to a major scale [forming a pentatonic scale]; some maintain that they are microtones; and some believe that they are the third, or fifth, or seventh tones sounded simultaneously with the flatted third, or fifth, or seventh tones respectively [minor second intervals]). Others feel that the song form (twelve bars, one-four-five) is the defining feature of the blues. Some feel that the blues is a way to approach music, a philosophy, in a manner of speaking. And still others hold a much wider sociological view that the blues are an entire musical tradition rooted in the black experience of the post-war South. Whatever one may think of the social implications of the blues, whether expressing the American or black experience in microcosm, it was their “strong autobiographical nature, their intense personal passion, chaos and loneliness, executed so vibrantly that it captured the imagination of modern musicians” and the general public as well

Soulmates

Hailing from Minnesota, Texas and Mississippi, these four gentlemen blended their talents in 1992 to form this dynamic new blues/rock group. With their unique and exceptional style, Soulmates have delighted and impassioned audiences at the Fine Line Music Cafe, Glam Slam, the Cabooze, Whiskey Junction, and other top blues/rock venues in the Twin Cities area.

Outdoor appearances have included the Lowertown Festival and RibFest in St.Paul, CedarFest in Minneapolis, the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth, the New Ulm Blues Festival, and the LaCrosse Riverfront Festival in Wisconsin. Unlike most other bands, each member of the group is an accomplished vocalist and instrumentalist.

Steve Blexrud

Steve Blexrud is a singer/songwriter/guitarist from the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was 11 years old when he first picked up his Uncle’s green electric guitar and was then forever hooked.

Steve formed his first band at age 13. He has always been in one band or another through the years, including the band London (1979-81), The Eddies, and Broken Harbor. While working on a music career, Steve was also enjoying his other interests, like annual treks into the wilderness of northern Minnesota and learning Graphic Design. To this day, you will often find him north at his property if he’s not absorbed in a music or graphics project.

Steve draws from the different musical styles that inspire him and brings them under the broad genre of rock & blues. Meaning, at times hints of pop, jazz and progressive rock sprout from the music, but it’s roots are rock & blues.

Currently, Steve is performing solo shows around the Twin Cities/ Minnesota area and is also performing with his band Thunderheads. Aside from his various personal music projects, he helped form the band in 1995.

As the lead guitarist/singer and major composer for the band, he wrote and co-produced several of the songs on the band’s first CD entitled Primitive Hope in 1996.

In 2006, he produced Thunderheads’ newest album Can’t Stop Time, which includes several of Steve’s songs and was released Spring of 2007.

Steve’s songs have been played on local radio and TV programs, including a clip on The Will Steger Foundation’s “global warming 101 website”, where his recent song Grip of the Black Gold is discussed including a link to the song.

Steve is available to perform either as a solo act, as a duo/trio with other musician friends or with his full band “Thunderheads” at nightclubs, coffee houses, private parties, corporate functions, receptions, etc.

T. Albert Lloyd and the Kinpins

In 2000, T. Albert Lloyd formed an original CD recording group called T. Albert Lloyd and the Kingpins, a four-piece band with Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums and Vocalist/Harmonica player.

Three years later, T. Albert took the project live and proceedes to perform an average of 125 dates per year in the public / private sector. Additionally, T. Albert is averaging 45 studio sessions per year as a songwriter/performer on live and studio performances.

Since 2006, the band became a guitar slingin’ power trio and was renamed the T. Albert Lloyd Band. T. Albert is doing the writing, arranging and singing, but make no mistake about it, this is a guitar driven band.

Bass Guitarist, Chas Lawson, out of Minneapolis, MN, joined the T. Albert Lloyd Band in December of 2008. His extensive experience, dynamic phrasing, and the ability to lock down the bottom solidifies the rhythm section.

Drummer-Percussionist Adam Carlson, from Moline, IL, joined the T. Albert Lloyd Band in November of 2006. His consistent timing and skill level are a very positive addition to the trio.

T. Albert Lloyd currently has 3 CD’s available under the name T. Albert Lloyd and the Kingpins. He also performs on the 2006 internationally released compilation CD titled “Bootleggin’ the Blues”, recorded live at the Fargo Blues Festival with Pinetop Perkins and Dwayne Burnside and the Mississippi Mafia.

Teddy Collins

Teddy Collins is an emerging local blues guitarist. Young with skill’s beyond his year’s, his music is high energy, and high flying. A style rooted in the blues, with a rock flair and fiery fretwork. With a gargantuan tone, playing his black Stratocaster, he is a performer as well. Sure to have the house rocking. Be prepared for a blues odyssey.”

Teddy Larsen

Teddy Larsen as been the guitarist for Jonny Lang & The Big Bang, The Big Bang, Lamont Cranston and currently supports his own band.

Terraplane

Foster Willey and Terraplane have been cultivating their aggressive urban blues sound in the Twin Cities for quite a few years. On this debut CD, all the hours of gigging have paid off and its been worth the wait. Bound by Love sizzles with spontaneous energy and crispness that only a team of high powered professionals working together can express.

Foster Willey is the guiding light of Terraplane. I have watched his confidence and skills develop until now he is a force to be reckoned with. Foster has a keen sense of how to keep one foot deeply rooted in the blue’s tradition while being open to fresh ideas. On this CD he clearly demonstrates this in all aspects of his playing, writing, arrangements, choice of players, covers, and recording studio.

Besides the impeccable ensemble playing and across the board great soloists, Bound by Love has something else going for it that truly sets it apart. The CD boasts an impressive number of well crafted and extremely listenable original tunes penned by Foster Willey and Mark Vandermyde. From the full tilt rocking title track to the sensitive and soulful ballad “She Takes My Love,” they demonstrate a surprising breadth of songwriting talent. This is not just another rhythm & brews bar band playing the same old covers.

The Blues Kings

Although they shouldn’t be, the Blues Kings are something of a rarity today: a band that plays authentic traditional electric blues – and they do it very well. Their style ranges from straight ahead Chicago (the Chess sound of the 1950’s) to Louisiana swamp blues to west coast jump blues. But what makes them authentic?

Start with the foundation: Jack Taylor (bass) and Dave Larson (drums) are long time fixtures on the Twin Cities blues scene. They have played in more bands than we can list here, and they both know a thing or two about blues. Namely, when to play and when not to play. They have mastered the art of “keeping it simple,” never overplaying like many less seasoned players will do.

Add to this foundation a front man who is a triple threat (voice, harmonica, song writing). Jay W. Wilkins is also a veteran of the Minneapolis/St. Paul blues scene. His harp stylings can stand up to just about anybody in an overcrowded field of talented blues harmonica players. His fat amplified tone is reminiscent of the late Big Walter Horton, or modern masters such as Kim Wilson. In modern blues music there are many good instrumentalists, but good singers are in short supply. Jay’s vocals are convincing and strong and his songs are well crafted, with great lyrics and heavy on the groove.

Rounding out this foursome is guitarist Jeff Hester. Experience has taught him that having the licks is important, but without good tone its all just noise. His equipment of choice is crucial to his tone formula: mostly old Fender tube amps and vintage hollow body guitars. But vintage gear and tone are only part of what makes a great blues guitarist. The rest is a combination of talent, years of hard work, and a passion for the music. One listen tells you that Hester has all of these.

So there you have it. The formula for an authentic traditional electric blues band. Within the beautiful confines of this art form known as traditional blues, don’t be surprised if the Blues Kings start a few traditions of their own. (~Paul Rossez)

The Bourbones

The Bourbones are a band of four musicians that have a long history of playing around the Twin Cities area, as well as most of the U.S. The band was one of the “hot picks” in the Kansas City blues news, as well as being recorded by William Lee Ellis at the Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis,Tenn, in April, 2008. On a tour of the south, in April, 2008, they played shows in Kansas City, St. Louis, Memphis, and the Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale, Ms., in which they played with Jimbo Mathus at Messengers. As well as playing at Red’s, and Ground Zero.

The Brothers Curtis

The Brothers Curtis consists of guitar player extrodinaire Curtis Marlatt and harmonica virtuoso Curtis Blake. The band performs as a duo or full band depending on venue.

The Butanes

Long a commanding presence on the Minneapolis blues/R&B scene, The Butanes began receiving numerous individual and group awards in the late 80’s. The early 90’s found the band holding down two house gigs that have since become a cherished part of local lore: the 10 strong Butanes Soul Revue brought Southern Soul to the Cabooze every Wednesday and the trio delivered Chicago Blues to the 400 Bar every Thursday. As the accolades piled up, local appearances became less frequent. The band could often be found playing behind luminaries around the world leading one New Orleans wag to dub them “the best band you’ve never heard of.”

The Dirty White Boyz

CRAIG WHITE: (AKA) THE DIRTY WHITE BOY An explosive, High Energy, Blues Guitarist/Vocalist has toured, performed with, and recorded with various bands over his 20 year music career.He was named as teen-ager on the South Side of Chicago Playing In Clubs And juke joints With his Down and Dirty sound Cutting His blues teeth And studying under many of the greats in the Chicago area.He has his Degree in Music And is also a full time Teacher and mentor to many up and comming guitarists.He has many musical friends and artists that he has performed and shared stages with such as, Pine Top Perkins, Percy Struthers, Chico Banks,Willie Kent and the gents,Sugar Blue,Freddie Fender,Brother John,Charlie Love,John Primer, Barbara Leshoure, Lady Blue,Big John Dickerson, Sam Cockerell, Big Walter Smith, Jimi Primetime Smith,Shirley King And Waine McFarlane. To name a few . He has also played many famous blues stages and clubs such as, The Taste of Chicago Music Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, The House of Blues, The Bayfront Blues Festival,The Kingston Mines, Blue Chicago and Buddy Guy’s Legends. His Dominant Stage Presence and Electrifying guitar playing is a must see musical experience.His style is a cross over of old and new blues S.R.V. to Hendrix and Robert Johnson.He is a very acomplished delta slide player and can play everything from Deep blues to Modern Electric Rock. Craig is full time music between Performing, Recording, and Guitar Instruction. He is Truly the Dirty White Boy and the work horse of The Dirty White Boyz Band.

The Genuine Jinx Breakers

The Jinxbreakers was formed in 2006 as a project trio, forming the foundation for a band following the path of the progressive West Coast swing/blues bands.

The choice of material has its roots in the early R&B of Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker, and follows the footsteps of James Harman, William Clarke, Hollywood Fats, and other “Left Coast” musicians. Add a few jazz standards re-arranged in the style, and you have the Jinxbreakers.

Members are Jon Pederson, guitar; Jonathan Gaetke, bass; Curtis Blake, harp; Dave Larson Drums; Greg “peewee” Fagan, sax; and guest appearances by Vince Hyman, vibes.

The Nathan Allan Band

The Rough Cuts (a.k.a. Rockin’ Daddy and the Rough Cuts)

In 1984, Dan Schwalbe and R. J. Mischo were members of former Muddy Waters sideman Mojo Buford’s band. Schwalbe on guitar, and Mischo as both manager and opening act. That was the year that Dan and R.J. called on the legendary rhythm section of Jack Taylor and Greg Shuck, forming the band “Blues DeLuxe” in order to stabilize the core band behind Mojo. This also enabled the band to work on it’s own when Buford wasn’t available. In 1986 Mojo moved to Memphis, and Blues DeLuxe was on it’s own. The band evolved into one of the top blues acts in the upper Midwest. In 1988 they where awarded ‘best traditional blues band’ by the Minnesota Blues Society. The band released two LP length cassettes, ‘Reet, Petite, and Gone’ in 1988, ‘I Can’t Stop It’ in 1991. Both were well received, and nominated for blues recording of their respective years by the Minnesota Music Academy. The band appeared on Scott Hansen’s April Fools Live television broadcast as well as many regional Blues festivals including the Storm Warning Festival, Bayfront Blues Festival, Twin Cities All-star Festival of the Blues, the Tulsa OK. Blues Festival, and the Eureka Springs AR. Blues Festival to name a few. In 1992 Mischo left to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Steve Grosshans, and work was begun immediately on the next recording. May of ‘93 brought a change in name, ‘Rockin’ Daddy and the Rough Cuts’, and the release of the critically acclaimed CD ‘Straight Shooter’ on Blue Loon records. This CD brought about return engagements at both the 1993 Twin Cities All-star Festival of the Blues for their own set and a set backing Blues legend Snooky Prior, and the 1993 Bayfront Blues Festival. The band played through 1996 and took a hiatus while the members pursued personal projects. After reforming in 1999 with a new rhythm section, the band released their second CD, “Blues and Tall Tales” in April of 2000. The disc received excellent reviews from local and national media as well as airplay on local radio and brought about a live appearance on TPT’s News Night television program. Currently Rockin’ Daddy and the Rough Cuts have five songs featured on a new live CD, ‘Blues At The Withrow’ released in January of 2005.

The Swamp Kings

The Swamp Kings, a Cajun Boogie and Swamp Blues band from the Twin Cities area of Minnesota have gained popularity in live music venues with their upbeat and energetic performances. The group was formed in 2006 by guitarist and vocalist Tom Harkness. Bass guitarist and vocalist Matt Page joined The Swamp Kings with Harkness when they retired the 10 year running Zen Garage Blues Band. Connor McRae joined the group in 2007 and energetically occupies the drum throne for the group.

The Swamp Kings style is rhythmic, energetic and raw blending Cajun, Soul, New Orleans Boogie and Swamp Blues. Their music is made for dancing! The bands popular strolling performances and audience interaction makes everybody feel like a Swamp King!

The Swamp Kings 2009 debut C.D. Swamp Appeal featuring guests Harry Pulver Jr. on accordion, Toby Lee Marshall on the Hammond B3 organ and producer Paul Manske on back-up guitar and vocals is getting national attention in the Blues music scene and can be purchased at www.theswampkings.com, www.cdbaby.com or at The Swamp Kings performances. The Swamp Kings also perform live with Harry, Toby and Paul frequently.

Soulful vocals, spicy guitar and just the right amount of heat from the rhythm section make the perfect ingredients for a night of good times. Bring good times to your venue by having The Swamp Kings on your entertainment menu !

Tom Hunter

Like many before, Tom Hunter’s passion for music was born out of the church. Singing in the choir and watching his sisters at the piano, he developed an ardor for these musical instruments. Not one to be instructed, Hunter taught himself to play the piano and discovered blues from the preacher’s son who showed him a blues progression. Hunter’s path took him in and out of blues & jazz music for many years until he realized it was his life.

After a semester at music school for voice in 1982, Hunter joined the navy where he started playing piano seriously. He didn’t realize his talent until after the navy when he relocated to the Hudson valley. Hanging out at some local jams, fellow musicians hired him to play in their bands. Among those was Bill Perry, who Hunter played with full-time in the early 90’s.

From New York, Hunter moved to South Carolina in 1994 to play with George Davis and went into a house gig in Myrtle Beach where he performed on piano and bass for nearly three years. He then went back on the road with Bill Perry and played piano on Perry’s CD, “Greycourt Lightning” (PointBlank Records 1998). Around the same time Hunter also played and recorded with such contemporaries as Pete Kanaras (Nighthawks), Murali Coryell (Chess Records), and Little Sammy Davis (Delmark Records).

Upon moving to Minneapolis in 1997, Tom found gigs with Big John Dickerson and Blue Chamber (Cannonball Records), and by the end of the year he was lending his vocal and keyboard talents to the Big Bang. His performances with that band got the attention of Bernard Allison (Ruff Records / Tone-Cool Records), who hired Tom on the spot to not only record on “Times are Changing,” but also to tour extensively with the band.

In 1999 Hunter achieved another step up the music ladder when he joined Mary Cutrufello in support of The Allman Brothers Band 30th Anniversary Tour. The same year Hunter released his debut self-produced album, “Big Thunder” and formed his own band playing in the Minneapolis area. Now in its fifth pressing, “Big Thunder” stands as a testament to Hunter’s understanding and mastery of the roots of blues and jazz.

His second self-produced album “Tom Hunter and the Blue Frenzy, Live at the Narrows,” recorded in 2004 captured the matchless energy of a live concert without sacrificing the integrity of studio-quality sound.

His third album, “Here I Go Again” (FS Music 2006) contains two original pieces of work, the title track and “Nothing’s for Free.” The other ten tracks have all been arranged by Hunter and include “New York State of Mind” (Billy Joel) with stellar saxophone courtesy of Peter Vircks, “Drown in My Own Tears” (Ray Charles) and “New Coat of Paint” (Tom Waits).

Tom Hunter brings not only years of experience, but also a live show honed by performance after performance (over 300 dates a year) that unleashes no-holds-barred music and brings the crowd along for the crazy ride. From solo to full band, Tom Hunter covers the musical spectrum from smoky jazz to gut-bucket Chicago blues

Tommy J Band

Music is a big part of my life. I started playing the bass when I was 13 and continued on jamming in some form or another. About 10 years ago I picked up the guitar and started playing along with records of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, and a whole bunch of hard-hitting blues artists. Although I listen to lots of different kinds of music, blues and blues rock has been a genre that I really identify with on the guitar. With bass it’s a different story; like more of the funk and R &B.

Currently, I’m in Duluth, MN about to graduate with a M.S. degree in geology. I’m in a band called LowDown. We sound awesome but there’s a little more work to do before we’re ready to play at shows. I can’t wait, it’s so exciting to play in front of people and entertain them. I really enjoy every opportunity to get out and jam.

My interests: Jamming on guitar and bass, riding my VTX Honda 1800 motorcycle, fishing, hunting, reading, relaxing, watching movies, going out, and learning about the world around me.

Tony Glover

Tony Glover has been a performing musician and writer since 1962. In the mid-sixties he recorded and toured as part of the seminal folk-blues trio Koerner, Ray & Glover. He authored three books of harmonica instruction, album liner notes, as well as countless feature articles, book and record reviews for publications as diverse as Junior Scholastic, Music Journal, CREEM and Rolling Stone.

In the late sixties, he spent a year as an all-night “underground” disc-jockey on KDWB-AM in Mpls, introducing midwestern listeners to an eclectic menu of music ranging from rock to jazz and blues to country. In the seventies, he played with Nine Below Zero, an electric band doing blues, country and rock classic tunes. In the late eighties he and Dave Ray began regular duo gigs, appearing with artists like John Lee Hooker, J J Cale and B B King. The nineties saw “reunion” KR&G appearances at Winnipeg, Vancouver and Philadelphia folk festivals, as well as release of a live 1996 album by the trio. Glover also produced a two hour documentary video on the life and times of the group. He has continued writing as well. In 2000, his booklet notes for the CD release BOB DYLAN LIVE 1966 won the ASCAP-Deems Taylor award. He researched and co-wrote a biography of the harmonica great, Little Walter. BLUES WITH A FEELING was published in Fall 2002 by Routledge Press.

He also continues performing and recording. With his partner Dave Ray he released four albums since 1987, and the two performed often in the Twin Cities and surrounding midwest area before Ray’s death on Thanksgiving day 2002. Glover now plays frequently with his acoustic trio V3 in the Twin Cities area, and does occasional gigs with Spider John Koerner as well.

Thunderheads

A crowd-pleasing four piece rock/blues band consisting of Steve Blexrud (vocals and lead guitar), Craig Paquette (vocals, rhythm and slide guitar), Brad McDonald (bass guitar), and Eric Brown (drums)

Thunderheads latest album; Can’t Stop Time, is a collection of great new original songs about life, love and living in an age where time seems to fly at hyper-speed.

Appreciated for their fine live performances and being influenced by a variety of great artists and groups, Thunderheads are winning new fans at every gig. Besides performing some of the band’s own material at each show, they often include tunes by Little Feat, Grateful Dead, Dire Straits, Allman Brothers, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd, Sting, Neil Young, and many more.

Walker Fields

Willie Murphy