Hear And Now Music artist: Derrick Procell - Why I Choose to Sing the Blues - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Why I Choose To Sing The Blues, from Derrick Procell and it's interesting. Opening with The Wolf Will Howl Again, Derrick Procell has the lead on vocal with Eddie Shaw and also plays keys and harp. Joining on this track are Woody Johnson on guitar, Jack Skalon on drums, and Bobby Levine on guitar. Trouble Me No More has a high energy R&B feel with Bob Baglione laying down some real nice guitar riffs. Bob Margolin sits in on The Eyes Of Mississippi with some slick slide work and some of Procell's best vocals on the release backed by his own fine harp work and keys. Cool. On title track, Why I Choose To Sing The Blues, Procell has a nice soul feel in his vocals and a little funk in the groove handling bass, drums and keys. Very nice. With a cool swing feel, They All Find Out features Zoey Witz with guitar "witzardry" and Procell adds bass and key with horn work over a solid bottom. David Steffen handles the guitar work on Broke The Mold and again I like Procell's vocals with a thick soulful feel. Woody Johnson is back on slide guitar on Sorry with nice backing vocals by Meredith Colby, Evvy Procell and Sofie Way. Nice blues track, Who Will Tell Lucille has a soulful sound with particularly nice guitar work by Alex Smith. Another track with rich vocals, this is likely my favorite track with just the right phrasing, arrangement guitar soloing and piano. Revival style track, Back In The Game has a nice warm feel with nice slide guitar by Baglione and super vocal by Procell and nice harp by Billy Branch. I also notice Skalon's drumming on this track adds a cool snap. R&B style Don't Waste A Wish On Me, has great soulful feel with super Ray Charles like vocals and nice guitar riffs by Witz. Very nice. Wrapping the release is blues rocker, Too Much featuring Chris Hanson with some stinging workon guitar and John Torroll on drums. Procell lays out his best harp work on this track making for a solid closer.




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30th Annual Carolina Blues Festival, May 21, hosts Elvin Bishop

30th Annual Carolina Blues Festival, May 21, hosts Elvin Bishop   Greensboro, NC - 2015 Rock ‘n Roll and 2016 Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Elvin Bishop, will headline the 30th Annual Carolina Blues Festival in association with YES! Weekly, May 21 at Barber Park Amphitheater, 1500 Dans Road, Greensboro, NC. Additional performances from Bob Margolin, Samantha Fish, Marquise Knox, along with Dangerous Gentlemens, Blind Dog Gatewood, and young Seth Williams, round out the day long blues festival and 30th birthday bash!  Music gets underway at 1:45pm. The Carolina Blues Festival has the distinction of being the longest-running blues festival in the Southeastern United States, with the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society having produced blues festivals since 1986. Attendees from all over the U.S. come to Greensboro for this annual event. Join us for outstanding blues music, Arts & Craft vendors, a variety of food trucks, and for an extra fun, the Worlds Largest Playable Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster Guitars! Tickets range from $45 general admission to $75 for Gold Circle seating.  Advance tickets are available at http://fest.piedmontblues.org/ or through Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/1TX1EjN Day of show tickets will be $50 at the gate. We invite you to come early to Greensboro for Blues Week May 14-20 leading to the Carolina Blues Festival on May 21, to enjoy the great offerings of Greensboro. Blues is a regular part of Greensboro's music scene with several weekly open blues jams and blues music playing at clubs throughout the area. See what events are happening through our Music Calendar!   Get your tickets for the Carolina Blues Festival, Greensboro, NC: http://fest.piedmontblues.org/ For more info: info@piedmontblues.org Facebook Twitter Website The Piedmont Blues Preservation Society is a non-profit, all volunteer 501 C 3 organization.

Nola Blue artist: Benny Turner - When She's Gone - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (February 14, 2016), from Benny Turner and it's smooth! Now on his 4th release, Turner, brother to Freddie King (yes, that Freddie King) really has it going. His last release, Trouble

was really nice and this one is even better! Opening with I Can't Love, a cool swinging blues with a nice heavy bottom compliments of Alonzo Johnson, and sparkling keys courtesy of Samuel "The Bishop" Berfect gives the track traction and Turner's solid lead vocals and backing vocals by Diane Lotny and Yvonne Washington give it a James Brown twist. Very nice! On Pity On This Lovesick Fool, The Bishop on piano, Davell Crawford on Rhodes and organ and Marc Adams set an almost Billy Preston presence and Turner, joined by Marva Wright on lead vocals gets in the groove. Smooth ballad, Because Of You, features Turner right up front and with such a soulful melody, should hit the radio hard. Backing vocal by Tanya Jarvis, The Bishop on keys, Dr John on guitar, Alonzo Johnson on bass and Herman Ernest III keep this really tight. Solid! On Bill Withers' super track, Ain't No Sunshine, Turner hits with some of his best vocals ,Bob Margolin adds key ethereal slide work to a really nice arrangement of a really cool track. Complimented by Derwin Perkins on rhythm guitar, Turner on bass, Keiko Komaki on keys and Jeffrey Jellybean Alexander on drums this may be the best redo of this track I've heard. So Deep is a really interesting track with lead bass lines by Turner. A gospel feel with full backing vocal ensemble including Davell Crawford, Craig Adams, Carla Davis, Yvette Whittler and Charles Chucky C Elam, over just Charles Brown on piano, The Bishop on organ and Larry Williams on drums makes this one of my personal favorites on the release. Excellent! If I Can't Have You has a cool bass line by Johnson and a really nice walking groove. Turner's vocals, backed by Lotny and Washington, is point on and keys by the Bishop, harp by Sean Lewis and drums by Alexander a really nice track. Have You Ever Been Lonesome, again finds Turner supplementing his lead vocals with some really tasty bass lead. A slower soul style blues track is really smoking fanned by the Bishop on keys, Johnson on bass and Alexander on drums. Excellent! Lowell Fulson's Reconsider Baby gets a slight swing and excellent guitar punctuation by Bob Margolin. John Paxton and Keiko Komaki roll the keys and Marglolin lays in some of the tastiest guitar riffs you'd love to hear. Very nice! Jimmy Rogers' That's Alright is laid back with cool harp riffs. Turner takes his place at lead guitar and vocal and his guitar style isn't flashy but soulful and nicely matches his vocals. Very nice! Wrapping the release is Jessie Mae Robinson's Black Night and Turner takes the bull by the horns. With an aggressive vocal style, clever guitar work by Marc Stone and key piano and organ work by Brown and the Bishop, punctuated by Jason Mingledorff on sax and Barney Floyd on trumpet makes this an excellent closer to a super release.

 

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Steady Rollin' Records artist: Bob Margolin - My Road - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (1/8/16), My Road, from Bob Margolin and it's quite interesting. Opening with My Own Life, a rough and tumble blues romp with the feel of Elvin Bishop, Bob leads on guitar and vocal with Tad Walters on harp and Chuck Cotton on drums. Ballad More and More features clean, country style picking by Margolin and nice ringing chords. I Shall Prevail has a Willie Dixon feel with powerful vocals and guitar accents by Margolin and drums by Cotton. Goodnight has the simple beauty of a primitive delta blues but with Margolin's mellow vocals. One of my favorite tracks on the release, Understanding Heart, has a Latin punch by Cotton and cool slide effects by Margolin. Very cool! Sean Costello's Low Life Blues has a solid Chicago sound with Tad adding nicely on harp. Margolin's guitar work on this track stands out nicely making this another track that really cooks. Nappy Brown's Bye Bye Baby opens with cool vocal harmonies by Margolin, Cotton and Walters. With a 50's style vocal interplay and Tad's harp work, this track has it's own sound. Rockin' blues track, Young And Old Blues has a great beat and my favorite vocal lead on the release. Margolin lays in a nice Boogie woogie guitar rhythm and tight guitar dressing giving this track top notch rating. Cowboy style ballad, Ask Me No Questions, has a really nice feel in 3/4 time with little more than a vocal harmony, harp and light guitar work. Very nice! Tex Rubinowitz penned, Feelin' Right Tonight, has a real cool rock blues feel and Walters blows hot harp riffs. Margolin trades out some really stylized guitar riffs getting the track down tight. Very cool! Devil's Daughter has a swampy feel with slide guitar and solid bass by Margolin. Another of my picks from this release features Margolin hitting some really sweet guitar riffs making the track the releases most memorable. Wrapping the release is stripped down, Terry Abrahamson penned Heaven Mississippi. With it's straight ahead delta rhythm and simple guitar riffs, this is a fine closer for Margolin's latest release.

   

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JULY 24 rel-MUDDY WATERS 100 w/Johnny Winter, John Primer, Gary Clark Jr., Keb' Mo', Derek Trucks

                                                                                                                                                
 MUDDY WATERS 100 featuring
 JOHN PRIMER, GARY CLARK, JR., JOHNNY WINTER, JAMES COTTON, KEB' MO', DEREK TRUCKS, SHEMEKIA COPELAND, BOB MARGOLIN
                                                                                                                                                    

"Primer is a terrific singer; strong, strutting and just enough like his mentor Muddy to make these songs authentic but not a mirror image. The performances are spirited without a dud in all 15. And, perhaps most impressively, the sumptuous hardcover package with 48 heavy stock pages of rare photos and a beautifully penned essay from veteran music writer Robert Gordon is the definition of classy." (American Songwriter)

"a worthy tribute and a must for anyone who’s ever appreciated Waters’ sweeping influence. Meaning everybody." (Gatehouse Newspapers)

Chicago, IL - Raisin' Music Records proudly announces the release of "MUDDY WATERS 100" on JULY 24, 2015.

This officially authorized centennial tribute to Muddy Waters, "MUDDY WATERS 100" is a once-in-a-lifetime CD that celebrates, commemorates and contributes to the musical legacy of this American icon. Produced by 2X Grammy nominated producer Larry Skoller ("Heritage Blues Orchestra"/ "Chicago Blues: A Living History"), the CD is contained in a collectible CD-sized hard-cover book with 48 pages illustrated with black and white photography by some of the greatest photographers of Muddy's time. Also included is an original essay by Robert Gordon, Grammy-winning author of the definitive Muddy Waters biography "Can't Be Satisfied - The Life and Times of Muddy Waters".

"MUDDY WATERS 100" includes 15 newly recorded tracks featuring Muddy Waters Band alumni and many of today's most preeminent American blues and roots artists including JOHN PRIMER, GARY CLARK JR., JAMES COTTON, KEB' MO', JOHNNY WINTER, DEREK TRUCKS, BOB MARGOLIN, BILLY BRANCH and SHEMEKIA COPELAND backed by some of the greatest musicians on the Chicago blues scene including The Living History Band featuring Kenny "Beedy Eyes" Smith (drums -- son of longtime Muddy drummer Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith), Johnny Iguana (keyboards), Felton Crews (bass) and Billy Flynn (guitar).



Vocalist/guitarist JOHN PRIMER, who played with Muddy until his death in 1983, is recognized as one of today's most crucial keepers of the Chicago blues flame. For "MUDDY WATERS 100", Primer gives a deeply personal tribute to the man he knew so very well. Other distinguished Muddy Waters alumni on this recording include harmonica legend JAMES COTTON and guitarist BOB MARGOLIN (who played alongside Muddy for 7 years and was very close to the man and his music. The late great blues guitarist/producer JOHNNY WINTER played on the song "I'm Ready" for this album just a few weeks before he passed away in July 2014. ("I'm Ready" is the title track from Muddy's Grammy-winning album produced by Winter back in 1978 -- one of two albums that Winter produced for Muddy in the late '70s. Cotton & Margolin also played on the Winter-produced "I'm Ready" album). Along with Muddy alumni, this gathering of some of the most preeminent blues and roots artists of today makes this tribute truly a landmark celebration. Billy Branch, Gary Clark, Jr., Shemekia Copeland, Keb Mo' and Derek Trucks embody the spirit of this project: that for a tradition to survive, it must be passed on through generations and must remain in a constant state of evolution by redefining itself in a contemporary context. By pushing the boundaries of this music, as Muddy did in his time, and with their own original voices and stories, these artists are helping to give the blues its future.

It could be argued that Muddy Waters has had more influence on the sound of American popular music than any other single artist of the 20th century. "MUDDY WATERS 100" is a centennial celebration of his musical legacy, his iconic sound and his immeasurable contribution to and influence on American music. Driven by a deep respect for this master of the blues and for the blues traditions that spawned his talent, "MUDDY WATERS 100" tributes the past, embraces the present and recognizes the bright future of the blues for which Muddy paved the way. In the spirit of his legacy, "MUDDY WATERS 100" puts the spotlight on the inextricable mix of old and new school that Muddy left in his wake. The newly recorded songs on this album represent the various periods and styles of Muddy's musical path, from his 1941 recordings on Stovall plantation in Mississippi to his arrival in Chicago and subsequent evolution during the 1940s and 1950s, including his pioneering electric guitar sound at the Chess Records studios. By design, this album has not taken a strictly archival approach in its treatments of Muddy's songs. Some tracks are handled traditionally; there are also contemporary treatments and new arrangements that focus on today's sounds. Whether it be rock, pop, rap, hip-hop, the tube electronics of the earliest five-watt amplifiers or digital samples, drum loops and electronica -- in one way or another these sounds all lead back to Muddy Waters.

"Muddy Waters would be a hundred years old today…The whole story of the blues can be heard, felt, and learned in the life of Muddy Waters…Born April 4, 1915…in the soggy part of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, this mannish boy would soon move north in the delta with his grandmother to Stovall Farms, near where the train lines crossed in Clarksdale, and from there to Chicago. He absorbed the rhythm and feel of the south until it was part of his bones, electrifying that sound in the industrial north. His 1958 trip to England planted ideas there that would awaken America to its indigenous sounds. Muddy's music ignited a cultural revolution...from the brutal and fertile fields of Mississippi, he changed the world. The tiller of the soil became the definer of a nation, the symbol of freedom. Muddy's achievement is emblematic of American democracy, the ultimate triumph of the dirt farmer, bringing respect to the disrespected. He did it with his guitar and with his voice, touching emotions that touched traditions. A century has passed, but we are still building on the foundation that Muddy Waters established, his sound and style still going strong. His influence is everywhere around us." (from Robert Gordon's liner notes essay)

www.muddywaters100.com

Delta Groove Music artist: The Henry Gray / Bob Corritore Sessions - Blues Won't Let MeTake My Rest - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Blues Won't Let Me take My Rest from Henry Gray and Bob Corritore. Featuring 10 previously unreleased out of 14 included tracks, this release features not only Gray and Corritore, but many other of the greats in recent blues history. Opening with Let's Get High, a great piano shuffle with Gray on lead vocal backed by Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on backing vocal and drums and Corritore on harp, this is a great opener. Gray's vocals on Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest are a stark contrast to Clapton but this is real and Gray's piano with Corritore on shielded harp, Bob Margolin and Johnny Rapp on guitar and Chico Chism on drums, this sounds a lot like Muddy's band. New Orleans flavored boogie, I'm In Love Again features a cool harp riff by Corritore and hot guitar riffs by Rapp. Robert Jr Lockwood is featured on vocal and guitar on Robert Johnson's Ramblin' On My Mind, one of my favorite tracks on the release. Big Maceo's Worried Life Blues, feature Nappy Brown on lead vocal but Gray's piano work is solid and unmistakable. Gray is in top form on vocal on They Raided The Joint, joined by Kid Ramos on guitar, Corritore on harp, Paul Thomas on bass and Chism on drums. Very cool! Dave Riley takes the lead vocal spot on Ride With Your Daddy Tonight joined by Chris James on guitar, Yahni Yiley on bass and Eddie Kobek on drums. Corritore and Gray both do really nice jobs on this track making it one of the strongest instrumental tracks on the release. Lowell Fulsom's Trouble Blues, has a great feel with Rapp laying down some real nice slide over Gray's killer piano and vocal work. Excellent! Shuffle track, I'm Gonna Miss You, keeps Gray up front on piano and vocal. With extended harp work from Corritore, Steve Cushing on drum and, Paul Thomas on bass this track, Rapp steps up again with some pretty cool riffs on guitar. John Brim's That Ain't Right features Brim himself on the mic backed by Troy Sandow on bass and Big John Atkinson on drums. Corritore keeps up the heat but this track really shows how nicely Gray can hit the groove on piano. Ernest Lawler's Can't Afford To Do It has Gray back on lead vocal backed by Little Frank, Danny Michael and Big John on guitar, Sandow on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. One of the hottest tracks on the release is Boogie Woogie Ball, really giving Gray the open door to rock it and he really does. Corritore has strong continuity on harp throughout the track, Kirk Fletcher it tight on the beat with hot riffs backed by Patrick Rynn on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. Very cool! On laid back Honey Don't Let Me Go, Gray has the full focus with lead vocal and piano. Backed by Rapp on guitar, Thomas on bass and Cushing on drums, Corritore steps in for a nice harp solo balancing out the track nicely. Wrapping the release is BB King's She Don't Move Me No More featuring Gray on beautiful piano and lead vocal. I especially like Corritore's riffs on this track as well as Rapps tight guitar solos. Paul Thomas on bass and Chico Chism on drums round out the line up.

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Appaloosa Records artist: Fabrizio Poggi & Chicken Mambo - Spaghetti Juke Joint - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Spaghetti Juke Joint from Fabrizio Poggi & Chicken Mambo and it's a blast! Opening with Sonny Boy Williamson's Bye Bye Bird, Poggi on harp and lead vocals has the joint hopping already. Guitar riff master Enrico Polverari really drives the boogie and with reckless abandon... Boogie! Up next is Slim Harpo's King Bee with a New Orleans feel set up by the drum march styling of Gino Carravieri. Claudio Noseda lays down a really nice piano base and guitar slide king Sonny Landreth trades terrific riffs with Poggi. Excellent! Another boogie track, Little Milton's The Blues Is Alright is a special track being one of the best versions of this track that I have heard. Featuring the smooth guitar flair of Ronnie Earl, driving bass lines of Tino Cappelletti and strong back beat of Caravieri this track is cool! Original track, Devil At The Cross Road, has a real nice gait and stinging guitar riffs from Polverari. Excellent! On Junior Parker's Mystery Train, Noseda lays down some soft organ work and Poggi really lays on the harp. This is Chicago blues as it was when it was. Polverari shows he really knows how to grind the fretboard. Very cool! Tom Waits' Way Down In The Hole has a bit of a Latin feel and nice backing vocals. Poggi squeezes the harp with a seasoned hand, making it cry the blues. Again Polverari steps up and blows the doors open with his hot guitar riffs. Smooth. Sonny Boy's Checkin' Up On My Baby is a straight up 12 bar with a nice groove. Polverari takes full command with great blues riff prowess. Poggi lays back in the groove and rides the wave. Excellent! Blind Lemon Jefferson's One Kind Favor takes a Tex/Latin rhythm with strong blues overtones. Poggi handles vocals nicely and trades really slick riffs with Polverari making this one of the coolest tracks on the release. Bob Margolin feeds a hungry slide guitar on Mojo, a funky blues track backed by Noseda on organ. With excellent riffs from Margolin, Polverari and Poggi's classic harp styling, this track rocks! Even BB King's Rock Me Baby gets a taste of Latin. Noseda adds some New Orleans flavor with accordion and does a really nice job with a funky piano solo as well. Poggi and Polverari both take their turn on solo and never waste a note. Very nice! Nobody takes a very basic blues feel and builds it with rolling harp riffs from Poggi and additional lead vocals from Sara Cappelletti who really adds some spice. Polverari is hot on the frets with stinging lead guitar work and Tino C has the bass hopping. Another excellent track! I Want My Baby has strong New Orleans style rhythms reinforced by Stefano Spina on percussion and Claudio Bazzari on slide guitar. It needs to be pointed out that there is quite a bit of nice slide work on this release by a number of different players. Carravieri gets a chance to open up his drum kit for a tight solo... love it! Wrapping the release is Big Joe William's Baby Please Don't Go, in fairly traditional style but with back beat drumming by Carravieri. Poggi leads the way out on harp. This is quite an excellent release and one that I highly recommend.

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VizzTone Label Group artist: Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers - Love Whip Blues - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (11/4/14), Love Whip Blues, by Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers and it's relaxed and enjoyable. Opening with The Delta Swing, Erin Harpe leads the way on vocal and Jim Countryman plays a real nice bass line. Richard Rosenblatt on harp contributes throughout on harp and Bob Nisi hold the tempo on drums. On title track, Love Whip Blues, Harpe shows the dynamics of her vocals on a track from the linage of Memphis Minnie and Dave Gross adds some cool keys effects. Willie Brown's Future Blues is up next with a lot of spring and Sonny Jim Clifford on slide. Good Luck Baby has a R&B favor with a twist of island. A very poppy tune with a smooth melody it's a perfect track for airplay. Lucille Bogan's The M&O Blues has a real nice sway to it, highlighted by the harp work of Rosenblatt and and thick slide work of Bob Margolin. Excellent! One Way Man based on William Moore's One Way Gal is a light springy blues track and a nice showcase for Harpe. Luke Jordan's Pick Poor Robin Clean is a cool little blues ditty. Gross on guitar and mandolin on this track adds to the brightness of the overall feel and a cool bass solo sneaks in there as well. Very nice! Virtual Booty Blues has a springy step and it's obvious that Harpe is having a blast. Rosenblatt adds some really nice riffs on this track giving it that extra taste of blues. Charles River Delta Blues, based on Mississippi Blues by Willie Brown has a real nice feel. A nice jam between Gross on piano, Rosenblatt on harp and Harpe on guitar gives this track a real Chicago feel. Wrapping the release is John Prine's Angel From Montgomery. This is a different and fresh arrangement from the ones most of us are familiar with with a bright mostly acoustic backing. A very nice conclusion to a cool, light and breezy release.

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VizzTone News - Memphis and More!!

Here's the latest VizzTone news blast.  There's been a lot happening, so it's a long one!  To make it easier to navigate, here's a little Table of Contents. Read on for: BLUES MUSIC AWARDS BLUES PARTY ON BEALE AWARD SEASON AGAIN!    COMING SOON SNEAK PEEK - NEW VIZZTONE ARTISTS! ARTIST NOTES VIZZABLE MUSIC WELCOME TO THE VIZZTONE ROOM

BLUES MUSIC AWARDS     We had a natural ball in Memphis last month, as expected.  We were proud to root for all our nominees at the Blues Music Awards, and thrilled to see Diunna Greenleaf accept the Koko Taylor Award, Traditional Blues Female Artist.  We watched great performances by Little G Weevil, Gracie Curran, and Bob Margolin (performing on the eve of his birthday with Ronnie Earl.) Here are a few pics. Diunna Greenleaf accepting her long-overdue Koko Taylor Award!  (photo by Louis Blackwell)

Bob Margolin with Ronnie Earl "Acoustic Blues Artist" nominee Little G Weevil striking a blue mood (Photo by Louis Blackwell) "Best Blues Song" nominee, Ruff Kutt Blues Band's James Goode ..and "Best New Artist Debut" nominee Gracie Curran tearing it up with guests Peter Parcek and Richard Rosenblatt. SNACK TIME!   And what would the BMA's be without the ever-popular SNACK TIME after-party!?  That's Dave Keller, Sax Gordon Beadle, Richard Rosenblatt, Dennis Gruenling, first-time snacker James Montgomery, Amy Brat, Laura Chavez, Dave Gross, Kurt Kalker, Michael Bram, Dean Shot, Matt Raymond, and Greg Nagy. (not pictured: Ricky Stevens, Dick Shurman, and Zaida Zoller.)  Yes, this is what happens in Memphis at 3AM.  ;-) VIZZTONE BLUES PARTY ON BEALE     Our annual BMA Blues Party On Beale was nothing short of amazing!  We kicked it off and 9:30, and rocked the Rum Boogie until well past 2:00 AM.  Bob Margolin was our congenial host, with a house band featuring Dave Gross, Matt Raymond, Michael Bram and Dean Shot.  The evening featured performances by Bob Margolin, Candye Kane, Laura Chavez, Debbie Davies, Mitch Woods, EG Kight, Bob Corritore, Diunna Greenleaf, Dave Gross, Long Tall Deb, Colin John, Cathy Lemons, Dennis Gruenling, Little G Weevil, Michael "Leroy" Bram, Dean Shot, Gracie Curran, Terry Hanck, and Richard Rosenblatt. Debbie Davies, Michael Bram, Dave Gross, Laura Chavez Bob Margolin, Matt Raymond, Cathy Lemons, Phil Berkowitz Michael Bram, EG Kight, Bob Margolin Bob about to become Laura's human guitar strap, Rosy pretending nothing is unusual Amy Brat with "Contemporary Female Artist" nominee Candye Kane - bangs rule!

AWARD SEASON AGAIN! Now that we're starting to catch our breath and regroup from the Blues Music Awards, it's time to think about the next wave of awards, this time from three major Blues Publications! BIG CITY BLUES: Ruff Kutt Blues Band is nominated for the Big City Bues award, COOLEST BLUES SONG IN THE WORLD 2014 for their song "That's When The Blues Begins" – James Goode, writer / Zac Harmon, vocalist / Anson Funderburgh, guitar.  You can VOTE NOW until June 30 by clicking the Big City Blues logo. LIVING BLUES AWARDS – Bob Corritore is nominated in the harmonica category for the third year in a row - he won last year!  Place your vote at www.LivingBLues.com, now until July 15. BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARDS:  Blues Blast Magazine is having their annual awards ceremony and celebration in Champaign, Illinois on October 23, 2014.  Voting is from July 15 - Septmeber 15, 2014.  For more info or to vote, click the Blues Blast Music Awards logo, above.  Nominees inclues: Candye Kane - Female BLues Artist Bob Corritore - Male Blues Artist Dave Riley & Bob Corritore -  Acoustic Blues Album Little G Weevil - Acoustic Blues Album COMING SOON! GINA SICILIA EP     Critically acclaimed singer-songrwiter Gina Sicilia traveled to the Muscle Shoals, Alabama, area to soak up the Southern Soul vibe for her new 5-song EP, The Alabama Sessions.  This is Gina’s first self-produced release, and features her powerful, sultry vocals over five new original compositions.     The Alabama Sessions EP wil digitally released by VizzTone on July 29.

CHRIS O'LEARY BAND LIVE ALBUM     Chris O’Leary’s first two albums established him as a driving force in modern blues.  Former front man for Levon Helm’s Barn Burners, Chris leads his horn-driven band through his ultra-cool songs, taking the lead with powerful vocals and harmonica.  Live at BLUES NOW was recorded March 2014 in Basel, Switzerland with special guest, veteran blues guitarist Alex Schultz.

SNEAK PEEK - NEW VIZZTONE ARTISTS! NEW VIZZTONE ARTIST - ROB STONE!     VizzTone proudly welcomes harp-playing vocalist Rob Stone to the family! Rob brings a hard-hitting fresh energo to traditional Chicago blues, Centered in Chicago and LA, Rob has established a solid reputation with his first three albums and high-powered live shows in the US and around the world — he's doing a three week tour of Japan in August.  Esteemed journalist Bill Dahl writes, Rob Stone "respects Chicago Blues enough to blow the dust right off it!"     Rob's new CD features a band including Chris James, Partick Rynn, Willie Hayes and David Maxwell. Special guests include Eddie Shaw, John Primer, and Henry Gray.  Oh yeah, you're gonna dig this one!  Look for an early September release of Rob's new CD, Gotta Keep Rollin.  You'll be hearing MUCH more about Rob Stone in the near future! NEW VIZZTONE ARTIST - ERIN HARPE AND THE DELTA SWINGERS!     We are particularly thrilled to welcome Boston's Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers to the VizzTone family.  Erin learned to play Delta Blues guitar at an early age from her father, Maryland area bluesman Neil Harpe. She showed an immediate affinity for the finger-picking style of Memhis Minnie and Kansas City Joe. Erin's travels brought her an appreciation of World music styles, particularly Afro-Beat and reggae.  Landing in Boston, she did solo blues gigs, simultaneously started a electro-funk dance band called Lovewhip, and self-released a couple of acoustic blues CDs.      A few years ago, Erin formed the Delta Swingers, a deep blues-based group that was also a dance band with a wealth of influences.  The sound was aptly christened "Charles River Delta Blues"  The Delta Swingers immediately won the Boston Blues Challenge, and went to Memphis for the International Blues Challange, made a lot of friends, and got to the semi-finals. THe band won a Boston Music Award, and Erin returned to the IBC with her harp player to compete in the solo/duo category.     The Delta Swingers are:  Erin Harpe on guitar and vocals, Bob Nisi on drums and background vocals, Jim Countryman on bass, and VizzTone co-founder Richard "Rosy" Rosenblatt on harmonica.  The new record was recorded in Boston, then mixed and mastered by Dave Gross at Fat Rabbit Studios, with guest appearances by Dave Gross and Bob Margolin.  Coming pretty soon, we'll keep you posted!

ARTIST NOTES MIKEY JUNIOR, JR!     Mikey Junior was on the road with an all-star band, promoting his critically-acclaimed, radio-charting new VizzTone album, Traveling South, heading towards Memphis to hit the BMAs and perform at the VizzTone Blues Party on Beale, when suddenly...  Mikey's newest production, his first child, decided he wanted to make an early appearance.  Mikey returned home to help welcome Michael Grayson Hudak, born May 4, 2014, and let the very capable band of Dave Gross, Michael Bram, Matt Raymond and Dean Shot carry on without him.  Young Michael is doing fine, and exhibiting excellent taste in music!  By the way, have you seen Mikey Junior's official music video?  CLICK HERE FOR THE MIKEY JUNIOR VIDEO! LITTLE G WEEVIL, TV STAR     Little G Weevil has been having a hell of a year or so.. Winning the 2013 IBC in the solo/duo category, releasing his VizzTone debut to widespread acclaim, BMA and Blues Blast Award nominations, and now... TV stardom?      Much to his surprise, Little G Weevil has been tapped as of the judges on the X Factor TV show - the Hungarian version - for the next season.  The X Factor - created by Simon Cowell - (American Idol) is a British television music competition to find new singing talent, contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. As the biggest talent competition, the show airs in many countries all over the world. This is the 5th season in Hungary with the first blues musician judge ever in the history of the show. (check out the above video to see the press fawning over him - it's in Hungarian, but you get the picture!)     "Blues musicians hardly ever get invited to a mainstream show like this. I`m very proud to represent my genre. I hope that my presence will help gravitate more people towards blues and blues related music. With over 2000 gigs behind me, 7 albums in the EU and the US, i know i can help the contestants a lot and i`m very excited." - says Weevil     In between shootings you find Little G on the road. Last weekend he appeared on a festival in the Netherlands. He's currently on a Hungarian tour, with dates followed in Spain. His next US tour is in September. FIONA BOYES, NOTES FROM THE ROAD     Eight weeks = eight countries; greetings from the road! I am currently in the final stages of a big tour that started in the USA at MerleFest, NC, and has taken me to fantastic gigs round Europe.  Club dates and Jazz/Blues festivals in Belgium, Austria, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Holland - even managed to fit in an arty photo shoot with Italian rock photographer, Cristina Arrigoni! LONG TALL DEB     Long Tall Deb continues to knock 'em dead with her band the Werewolves of Alabama (long story, ask her sometime!) at shows and festivals around the world.  ReverbNation liked her song "Married to the Blues" so much, they made her Featured Artist of the Week.  Deb and the Werewolves are currently working on a brand new single, while gearing up for a busy festival season to include a performance at the Ottawa Blues Fest and a tour of Italy! DOUG DEMING & DENNIS GRUENLING with THE JEWEL TONES     Doug, Dennis and Jewel Tones are in the middle of major summer tours through the US, and also appearing in France. They headlined at the First Annual Brevard Blues Festival recently with special guest Anson Funderburgh. (Pictured above: Anson Funderburgh, Dennis Gruenling, Doug Deming, Andrew Gohman, Brian Phillips) On this tour they will also hitting the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Field Of Blues Festival, and Vache de Blues festival in France, as well as blues venues and concerts all over the east coast & midwest.   EG KIGHT - MULTI-TALENTED MUSICIAN, SONGWRITER, PHOTOGRAPHER     Starting the year out on a good note, EG Kight's song, “Blue Dawn”, written with Tom Horner and Sunny Stephens, aired on ABC Family's "The Fosters" show in February. Then she teamed up with "Belle of the Blues" Lisa Biales, and together as the "Peach Pickin' Mamas" they toured Indiana and Ohio. Last month, Kight took to the Rum Boogie stage in Memphis for the VizzTone jam, and had a blast jammin' with Bob Margolin.     EG is also a photographer, and has been asked by a book publisher to use one of her photos for the cover of a book on the life and times of Robert Johnson. (See above!) The book is set to be released later this year.     Kight's upcoming tour dates include a museum of art in Knoxville, a Billiards club in Chattanooga, the BBC in Tallahassee, the Bradenton Blues Festival, more clubs, and several house concerts and private parties. Find all dates at www.EGKightMusic.com BOB MARGOLIN - STEADY ROLLIN' AS ALWAYS     Bob reports:  "I'm still steady rollin' for my own gigs, but my shades misted up on the eyes side when my dear friend Diunna Greenleaf won the Koko Taylor Traditional Blues Woman for 2014 at the Blues Music Awards. I am inspired by her music and her friendship and we're conspiring to write some songs together and record and tour. Diunna is a treasure!" RUFF KUTT BLUES BAND     James Goode, old coach and producer/bassist/songwriter for the Ruff Kutt Blues Band, has been writing and producing new songs for future projects.  Right now the title song from their VizzTone CD, "That's When The Blues Begins", written by James and featuring Zac Harmon on vocals and Anson Funderburgh, is nominated for 2014 COOLEST BLUES SONG IN THE WORLD by Big CIty Blues magazine. James won this same award last year!  (pictured above)   There's just about one week left to vote, so let's go for two in a row - CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW! DAVE GROSS     In the studio and on the road, Dave Gross is an amazing perpetual motion machine!  (Arty photo by Jen Taylor!)  Dave reports:     "I've been in the studio the last few weeks finishing up overdubs and mixing for Erin Harpe's upcoming album, as well as finishing the master for The Chris O'Leary Band's upcoming live release. I was touring earlier this year with Candye Kane & Laura Chavez, in the Northeast and Canada, as well as many regional and road performances with Mikey Junior (as well as many throughout the rest of the year). I'll be traveling from 6/26-7/26 playing guitar with Chris O'Leary, across the country and up to the Northwest and then back in the studio for a few new exciting projects in August!" MICHAEL BRAM     Michael "Leroy" Bram is widely known for playing drums with the stars - but he's also a a hell of a blues singer/songwriter/guitarist/harp player, as his VizzTone album and his Memphis performance will attest!              Michael reports: "Writing and in pre-pre-production for next album... Just returned from  "Traveling South" tour with Mikey Jr.... which ended up being the Mikey-less Mikey Jr Band due to his wife going in to labor during the first gig!  Finished the tour with Dave Gross and Dean Shot culminating in 4 glorious days in MEMPHIS, where we were the house band and featured performers at the Vizztone Label Showcase at Rum Boogie Cafe. What an Awesome night where I got to perform and hang with many new friends! The Memphis stop included the BMA's.... so many great performances but my favorite thing was that I got to put my photographers hat on and got great shots of James Cotton, Bob Margolin, Ronnie Earl and more! I also got to spend some time in Clarksdale where we saw Candye Kane's wonderful band and I got to shoot some portraits of one of my heroes, Watermelon Slim! ...a trip full of music and photography. My favorite.     I recently scored a new residency gig at the New Rochelle Radisson every Thursday. Steady is good! Look for news on an upcoming tour on drums with grammy award winning singer Jason Mraz, and future gigs with Mikey Jr, Dave Gross, Johnny Nicholas; as well as upcoming gigs under my own name.... keep it greasy!" MITCH WOODS, RIDING IN STYLE     MItch Woods is rolling strong, and in high style!  He reports: “Heading off to Europe for a whirlwind summer tour appearing at Notodden Blues Festival (Norway), Umbria Jazz Festival (Italy), and Ascona Jazz Festival (Switzerland)….should be a blast!" TED DROZDOWSKI'S SCISSORMEN     Ted just back home to Nashville, after a week of teaching in Colorado at an innovative self-discovery program for artists. He also did some playing along the way, including guesting with Otis Taylor.  Back home, he proceeded to pack Nashville music room The Family Wash to the rafters to help celebrate the hometown debut of the new Ted Drozdowski's Scissormen line-up featuring Sean Zywick and Pete Pulkrabek!

DEBBIE DAVIES Debbie Davies, pictured here backstage at BB Kings NYC for Johnny Winter's birthday party, is looking forward to upcoming summer festivals and a very special series of shows with Chris Cain mid summer.

JAMES MONTGOMERY James reports:  "Just finished 3 nights in a row – all benefits – with our band and the amazing Grace Kelly!! (pictured here) Old pal Jonathan Edwards was on one of them! All of them were EXTREMELY powerful shows! We started with her when she was 12!  Look for more with Grace in the near future!  Our Vizztone CD is flying off the bandstand with out new T Shirts!"

VIZZABLE MUSIC It's been a rewarding time for VIzzTone's sister promo company, Vizzable Music!       GRACIE CURRAN     We were happy to work with Gracie Curran from square one all the way to the BMAs.  Gracie's album, Proof of Love, was produced in Richard Rosenblatt's Vizzable Studios, promoted by Vizzable Music to press, radio, and the world, then nominated for a Best New Artist Debut Blues Music Award. Thats the way it's supposed to work, right!  ;-)      LUTHER DICKINSON     It was a pleasure to promote old friend Luther Dickinson's recent CD, Rock n' Roll Blues.  It's what Luther describes as "folk country punk blues", and it's a beauty, rolling up the punk rock exhuberance of his early years and the blues and folk music traditions that are his birthright into a careening autobiographical album, full of wit, irony, and joy.  Not really a blues album, but most people love it.  We got a lot of press and radio attention, as well as an interview on Elwood's Bluesmobile.     JEREMY BAUM     Next up - Jeremy Baum!  We'll be telling you much more about this release VERY soon, but here are the basics:       Jeremy Baum plays the Hammond Organ and leads his own band, which is rooted in the blues and funky soul-jazz sounds of the late 60s (think Booker T and the MG’s, the Meters, Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff!)  Jeremy has been a successful sideman, working with Shemekia Copeland, Levon Helm, The North Mississippi Allsatars, Debbie Davies, Chris O’Leary, John Hammond Jr., and many more.  He has played in nearly every state in the USA, in over 20 countries in North America, Europe and Asia, at countless music festivals, at Carnegie Hall, and many television appearances including Late Night with David Letterman. The man has paid some dues!     Back in the studio for his sophomore release, The Eel, Jeremy Baum knocks it out of the park with 10 Hammond organ and piano driven arrangements.  Backed by a stellar cast of musicians, this album is a great listen from start to finish.  Special guests include, among others, Jay Collins, Eric Kalb, Michael Bram, Scott Sherrard, Chris Vitarello, Miles Mancuso, Dennis Gruenling, and Chris O’Leary.     You'll be hearing a lot more about Jeremy Baum, soon!