Dave McHugh has been playing the blues for 21 years or so now. In 1996, he was voted Blues Newcomer of the Year at the Temple Bar Blues Festival, Dublin. Now aged 39, and based in and from Dublin, Ireland, he has played with many great Irish musicians over the years including Brian Downey, Shane MacGowan, John Earle, Jerome Rimson, Gerry MacAvoy, Mark Feltham, Robbie Brennan, Brush Shiels, Noel Bridgeman, Leo Barnes, Samuel Eddy, The Walls, Jape, Mary Stokes, Peter Moore, Eamonn McCormack and many others.
With his beloved Fender Strat and Marshall amp, Dave and his band are a mainstay on the Irish and European blues scene. Whether it's opening the Alkmaar Blues Festival in The Netherlands on a barge (yes, it's true! see here - YouTube Page) or playing on the Danube, The Dave McHugh Band are up for any challenge!
Specialising in raw Rory Gallagher type blues, Dave has also been compared to Gary Moore and Freddie King. Despite the heavy influence of all the great blues masters, Dave has his own unique style, soon to be realised with the forthcoming release of a new album of original material.
Lee Hedley Band is one of Ireland's premier rock blues acts. A 4 piece band consisting of the basic guitar/ bass /drums scenario, fronted by Lee Hedley, on vox, harmonica, and occasionally, slide guitar. The Lee Hedley band is a rare commodity these days. They are TRUE to their musical roots, with a sound that blends a lot of classic rock and blues legends including Free, The Who, J Geils Band, Creedence Clearwater, The Band, Led Zepplin, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Eric Clapton, BB King, Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Ike Turner, Dr Feelgood, Nine Below Zero, Rory Gallagher plus many many more...... The band has Lee and guitarist Lou doing an acoustic set at 6 every Friday and the full band from 9.45-12 residency in Belfast's Kitchen Bar. Hope to see you all there!!!!!!!! US Agent Greg Jordan has just signed Lee Hedley and the band for 3 years to bring them to the USA!!!!!!!!! Original material is being written at the moment for a new album solely to launch whilst touring the states. Newtownards born Lee Hedley also joined forces with Irelands fastest growing label Urban Angel Music (www.urbanangelmusic.com). Lee signed with the label in October 2007 and has released his first major single Everywhere I Go onto i-tunes and over 50 on-line stores worldwide. Lee who has shared the stage with such artists as The Corrs and Westlife; Irish Soul Band The Commitments and Dublin's very own Blues Harmonica maestro Don Baker, whom Bono from U2 has been quoted as being "...the best blues harmonica player in the world". Lee has enjoyed numerous TV appearances and has been one of the elite few of Irish rock blues artists to record a live session on the Paul Jones Blues Show for BBC Radio 2. Lee's 'Blues for Concern' album in 2000 caught the attention of Old Grey Whistle Test presenter "Whispering" Bob Harris, who immediately handed it to Ex- Mannfred Man frontman Paul Jones, who in turn set up the session with Lee's band (formerly called Beale Street Boogie Band). But even with all of the above, the highlight for the Lee Hedley Band was most definitely the 3 successful Irish Tours with Ex-Muddy Waters Chicago Blues guitarist, John Primer and the Chicago blues supreme Phil Guy, who sadly passed away in August 2008. If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, - ”LIKE” ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorite band!
