14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival: Trampled Under Foot Reunion, Much More!

14TH ANNUAL BLUES FROM THE TOP FESTIVAL FEATURES SPECIAL  TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT REUNION, AND FINEST MUSIC LINEUP YET! Two Big Days - Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 At Winter Park, CO PRESENTED BY THE GRAND COUNTY BLUES SOCIETY; PORTION OF PROCEEDS BENEFIT BLUE STAR CONNECTION     (WINTER PARK, CO) - This year's 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival features its finest music lineup yet, with a reunion by renowned Blues-Americana group, Trampled Under Foot! The festival - presentede by the Grand County Blues Society- takes place Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, at Hideaway Park, 78820 US Highway 40, in Winter Park. A portion of the festival's proceeds benefit Blue Star Connection, now in it's tenth year of providing access and ownership of musical instruments for children and young adults with cancer and other serious challenges, as well as providing music therapy departments with instruments. Tickets (now through Sunday, May 15): $20. (1-day Pass) or $35. (2-day Pass), available at the bluesfromthetop.org website, Radio Shack in Fraser; and the Winter Park Visitor's Center. Ticket prices after May 15: General Admission 1-Day Pass (Saturday or Sunday), $28., General Admission 2-Day Pass $49. Kids 13 and under, free. Buy tickets/additional info: http://ezregister.com/events/16739/.            All other Festival information: www.bluesfromthetop.org     Grand County Blues Society Mission Statement is "To support the Blues by bringing National and International Blues Artists to Grand County on a regular basis, and to bring Blues Education into the schools of Grand County."  Trampled Under Foot reunites for the 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival.  They perform on Saturday, June 25 in the headlining slot.    Each day of Blues From The Top features a star-studded lineup. Saturday it's a Trampled Under Foot Reunion Show, the Albert Castiglia Band (with Josh Smith and Kate Moss), Monkey Junk, Kara Grainger, Josh Hoyer & Soul Collective, and the Austin Young Blues all-Stars featuring Michaela Rae, Michael Hornbuckle and others. Sunday's lineup is headlined by guitarist Eric Gales, Samantha Fish Band, Jimmy Hall with My Blue Sky, Willie K and the Warehouse Blues Band, John Nemeth with Deana Bogart and Jimmy Carpenter, and the High Mountain Gospel Choir with Renee Austin, Tempa Singer, Southern Review, Bart Szop, and more. Both days also feature a "Keeping The Blues Alive" stage with many of today's best young national and regional blues talent.           Colorful blues guitarist Eric Gales (pictured) headlines the Sunday, June 26  star-studded 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival lineup. About The 14th Annual Blues From The Top Festival Headliners    Trampled Under Foot: The soul blues trio Trampled Under Foot consists of siblings Danielle Schnebelen (lead vocals and bass), Nick Schnebelen (guitars and vocals) and Kris Schnebelen, (drums). They grew up with the blues in Kansas City. Their father, Bill, was a blues guitarist in the band Little Eva and would regularly take his three children to jam sessions. Growing up, the siblings played separately in numerous bands over the years. Danielle was in Fresh Brew (1999-2004), Kris was a staple at blues clubs, and Nick was in Killing Floor (or K-Floor), and briefly, Buddahead. Missing the family camaraderie, the siblings formed Trampled Under Foot in 2000. The band released four studio sessions: Trampled Under Foot (2006), May I Be Excused in (2008), and Wrong Side of the Blues in (2011). They also issued Live at the Notodden Blues Festival in 2010. The combination of those releases and non-stop touring caught the attention of the jazz and blues label Telarc, who signed the band in 2013. They issued their fifth studio album, Badlands, that same year. In 2016 the famed trip reunites to perform at the 14th Blues From The Top Festival.         Eric Gales: Blues guitar phenom Eric Gales was born and raised in Memphis, learning to play at age four from older brothers Eugene and Manuel in imitation of their upside-down, left-handed style (a tradition actually passed down from their grandfather, Dempsey Garrett Sr., who was known to jam with the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf). Winning his first blues contest at 11, four years later Eric signed to Elektra to issue his 1991 debut LP, recorded with Eugene on bass; Picture of a Thousand Faces followed in 1993. Manuel (who previously performed under the alias Little Jimmy King) reunited with his siblings for 1995's Left Hand Band, credited to the Gales Brothers. A newly matured Gales returned in spring 2001 to release his debut for MCA, That's What I Am. Often billed as the second coming of Jimi Hendrix, Gales, an adequate singer at best but a dynamite guitarist, suffered for the comparison. With Gales always influenced by Hendrix and the power trio format, his next albums, 2006's Crystal Vision and 2007's Psychedelic Underground, both released by Blues Bureau Records, seemed like facsimile Hendrix albums, right down to the album art. His next two releases from Blues Bureau, 2008's The Story of My Life and 2009's Layin' Down the Blues, found the Hendrix influence muted somewhat, but Gales, a breathtaking guitarist at times, still seemed to be looking for a way out of the Hendrix shadow and into his own voice. Gales returned in 2010 with Relentless, a collection of 13 originals, and followed it with the passionate Transformation a year later in 2011. The all-instrumental Ghost Notes arrived in the fall of 2013.   bluesfromthetop.org/ facebook.com/bluesfromthetop/

Macon Blind Guitar Legend Joey Stuckey Working On New Blues Album Feat. Chuck Leavelle, Jimmy Hall and Renowned Producer Ross Hogarth

Macon Blind Guitar Legend Joey Stuckey Working On New Blues Album Feat. Chuck Leavelle, Jimmy Hall and Renowned Producer Ross Hogarth

Macon, GA - Joey Stuckey is a blind guitarist, producer, educator, recording artist and media personality.

Born in Green Cove Springs FL, a city that has honored him with the key to the city and now residing in Macon GA, for whom he is the official music ambassador, Joey Stuckey is a power house of music talent. He has worked with icons from Alan Parsons to Ted Nugent and Joe Solo, producer of Macy Gray to Sammy Nestico, arranger of the Count Basie orchestra.

Last year saw him take on the UK where he toured and released his latest single “Blind Man Drivin'”.

http://youtu.be/hkhLDuMj2t0

The song and it's accompanying video was a runaway hit and became the official theme song for the Visually Impaired Musicians Lives Conference, held at the University College of London where Stuckey was also a keynote speaker and performer.

While in the UK, Joey also became friends with research teams from Queen Mary University of London and Goldsmith's University and has worked with them extensively to improve music technology for the blind. As a blind person, a studio owner, producer and professor of music technology at Mercer University, this was a roll Stuckey took on with ease.

http://youtu.be/z-qOvmg-RYI

http://youtu.be/VB6o0UKCV8U

http://youtu.be/rfH3wrCGPm8

http://youtu.be/Gfi-bRIVMms

2016 is already shaping up to be a land mark year as Joey prepares to release the full length album “Blind Man Drivin'” in early summer.

Says Stuckey, “Music is the thing that makes me know I am a live. It is my spiritual bread and butter and the best way I know to encourage and provide comfort and inspiration to others, while at the same time entertaining and sharing stories about who I am. When I first started making my own music it was a combination of southern rock sensibilities mixed with bands like The Smiths and The Cure, I used to think of myself as the Morrissey of Macon. I have played a lot of jazz and my jazz album 'Mixture' was number 9 on the top 40 CMJ jazz charts for 5 weeks back in 2013, but, the thing that really seems to enthrall my audiences is blues and that is now what I am focused upon.”

And no wonder that blues is what Stuckey fans want to hear! With his versatile voice that can whisper or shout with equal alacrity and his guitar playing that can make one note cry or explode like a super nova with seemingly a thousand notes a second, blues is Stuckey's true calling.

To make this debut blues project truly memorable, Stuckey is working hard to gather old and new friends alike to add some truly one-of-a-kind performances.

These artists include:

Ross Hogarth – Producer (John Melloncamp, Van Hailen R.E.M...)

Chuck Leavelle – Keyboards (Rolling Stones, Alman Brothers, Black Crows...)

Jimmy Hall – Sax and harmonica (Wet Willie, Jeff Beck, Hank Williams JR...)

Shannon Forest – Drums (Toto, Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts...)

Additional drums by Brandon Khoo, Maypex endorsed artist.

Charley Hoskyns – Bass guitar (Shayne McGowan, The Popes and Pete Maher...)

For more information:

www.joeystuckey.com

www.Joeystuckeyproductions.com

www.shadowsoundstudio.com

www.twitter.com/@jstuckeymusic

Crazy Chester Records artist: Mitch Mann - Blackwater Creek - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Blackwater Creek, from Mitch Mann and it's a cool acoustic ride. Opening with traditional, Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad, Mitch Mann leads the way on acoustic guitar and vocal joined by Donna G and Russell Mefford sounding quite a bit like Delaney and Bonnie. On early century sounding track, Baby Don't Forget Mann, joined by Andreas Werner on Harmonium, gets a nice toe tapper rolling. Jimmy Hall brings his favorite harp on Crows, an acoustic boogie. Very cool! A great slow acoustic style version of WC Handy's St. Louis Blues, features Charles Rose on trombone. There isn't a lot of music that crosses my desk that actually features extended trombone solos so this is a nice treat. Finger picked ballad, Make This Last Minute Last, is a really nice vocal duet with Scott Boyer. More Thank I Could Ever Show is a straight up pop track just waiting for it's audience. Catchy melody and nice harmonies make this the commercial pick of the release. Sometimes A Rock has a bit of an Everlys feel in duet with Werner. Harvey Thompson steps forward with a throaty sax solo capping it off. Title track, Blackwater Creek, is a slick, almost classically styled acoustic instrumental and certainly my favorite on the release. Acoustic rocker, Detour You, is begging for a 4 piece electric make over, even with Mann's nice acoustic guitar solo. It has all of the characteristics of a bar classic. Rural country classic styling on Hold Her While You Got Her, makes it another favorite with it's fresh approach and springy attack. Jake Berry's Tom Clark, an Arlo Guthrie style story telling ballad. Solid. It's Time has an almost spiritual feel with warm backing vocals by Buzz Cason and percussion by Mickey Buckins. Wrapping the release is a nicely written, Good Things. Cleanly articulated acoustic guitar work and blended vocals of Mann and Godchaux make for a nice conclusion to a soothing acoustic set.

   

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 favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Underworld Records artist: Too Slim and the Taildraggers - Anthology - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Anthology, from Too Slim and the Taildraggers and it's really a great selection of tracks including 3 new songs. Opening with Wishing Well, a pure contemporary blues rocker, Langford not only shows his capability as a songwriter but also as a really tasty guitar player. Last Train has a twinge of country and cool feel with nice splashes of guitar... a feel of Dire Straits. Tim Langford handles vocals and guitar; Tom Hambridge, drums and backing vocal; Bob Britt, guitar; Tommy MacDonald, bass and Jon Coleman, keys. Stoned Again, a cool rocker along the lines of "Are You Ready For The Country" is awash with fat slide work. Cool track. Wash My Hands, a fast boogie rocker, has really cool double plucked guitar lead. Possibly my favorite track on the release. All out piano boogie driven by Langford on rippin guitar is a solid rocker and tough to beat. Excellent! Walk On Water is a country funk track with some cool changes and again tasty guitar riffs. When You Love Somebody is probably the most radio ready track from this band with almost an AC/DC feel but a cooler country rock edge. Very nice! Wish I Was Fishin is a low slung blues number with a twist. I really appreciate the subtle guitar work by Langford on this track as well as most of the rest of the release. It's something that I hadn't caught in the past. Wrapping the first CD is She See's Ghosts, a blues rocker with a some cool sidetracks. The lyrics are playful and the guitar work stinging. Very nice! Curtis Salgado adds supple lead vocals on Everybody's Got Something, a simple ballad with a cool rhythm and backing vocals. Blue Heart has a "Help Me" style with a definite updated feel. I really like it. Un noted harp work on this track is not unnoticed. The artistically rendered LaLlorona is an excellent acoustic resonator track with a Spanish flair. Likely my favorite track on this CD. Excellent! Good To See You Smile Again features Jimmy Hall, one of my contemporary male vocalists. Langford cuts loose with full out electric blues guitar riffs on this track making it easily a favorite among blues lovers. Peace With The Maker has a country swagger but retains a blues rock feel. A mix of Tom Petty and the Outlaws eaten by an alligator. I really like Throw Me A Rope which has a contemporary country rock favor (alt country). Not pop country but serious country/rock. It's a ballad through and through with twin guitar leads but a lot of flavor. Slow blues The Light features Lauren Evans on vocals. The female vocals against Billy Gibbons like guitar riffs makes this another serious contender for top track on the release. Excellent! Sliding into a smooth jazz beat, Too Cool finds Langford and the boys playing chords and brushes. A very Ronnie Earl flavored track and a very "cool" track. Bucerius is a slick guitar instrumental ballad with lead guitar melody. The release is wrapped by Princeville Serenade, another instrumental track contrasting rhythm mandolin against acoustic slide lead. An excellent completion of an exceptional anthology.  

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 favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

I Put A Spell On You - The Healers

JIMMY HALL - REESE WYNANS - SAMANTHA FISH DANIELLE & KRIS SCHNEBELEN - KATE MOSS The Blue Star Connection mission is to provide access and ownership of musical instruments for children and young adults with cancer and other serious life challenges. To date we have reached hundreds of kids and have donated musical gear to over 25 Children’s Hospital Music Therapy programs, as well as several other community programs. Please help us continue this mission.






 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!

As the Years Go Passin' By - The Healers

Samantha Fish - guitar Danielle Schnebelen - bass Kate Moss - guitar Jimmy Hall - sax/vocals Reese Wynans - keyboard Kris Schnebelen - drums The Blue Star Connection is a charity working to get musical instruments to children fighting illnesses. The charity event raised over $9,000 just on that Sunday alone. In front of the stage were a bunch of newly purchased instruments that were going directly to Oklahoma City Children's Hospital the next morning.Two people gave guitars and there was even a nice piano donated. Lazy Dave won the guitar raffle winning a Stratocaster signed by all kinds of blues artists and put it BACK up for auction to raise more money! Kudos to Lazy Dave! This charity is really on the move! Samantha Fish performed with her band and was really on fire that evening just returning from Germany working with her new label RUF Records. Trampled Under Foot did a set along with special guest Jimmy Hall from the Wet Willie Band. The show was great and we played all night long playing TUF songs, and backing up Jimmy Hall. Great fun, but little did we know, Jon Catt had six harmonicas and was passing them out during the last song. He gave one to Frank, and some other folks. Down to his last one, he gave it to Madalyn, my daughter, and she opened the case, pulled out the harp and ran on stage! She jammed with us all the way until the end of the show. Sam, Nick, Kris,Danielle, Jimmy, and Madalyn were getting down! She was performing well with Jimmy Hall and the two of them really put on a show! We'll never forget this one! What a great way to end a benefit for children, having a child really steal the show! Keep your eye out for the next Blue Star event at www.grandblues.org . 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 favorites band!

Jimmy Hall and the Prisoners of Love with Jack Pearson

Former guitarist with The Allman Brothers Band, Jack Pearson has been playing professionally since the age of 15. Although he may be best known as an A-list blues/rock lead and slide guitarist, Jack is also a soulful, creative songwriter, producer and artist in his own right.

As a songwriter and solo artist, his songs are moving and honest while his grooves make it hard to sit still for very long. Jack’s lyrics often reflect hope and redemption, reminding the listener never to give up no matter how heavy their burdens. His lyrical and musical hooks have also led to cuts by other artists.

Adept at many musical genres and instruments, he possesses the ability to take each to a higher level. His playing is sophisticated while full of intensity and passion, leaving audiences cheering and musicians smiling - shaking their heads in disbelief at his seemingly effortless skill and talent. Blues Revue calls him a “world-class guitarist” and Rolling Stone brags on his “light touch and fluid, jazzy style…dynamic slide playing”.

Jack has worked live or in the studio with a long list of artists including Vince Gill, Jimmy Buffett, Earl Scruggs, Chris LeDoux, Delbert McClinton, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Mac McAnally, Amy Grant, Groove Holmes, Faith Hill, T. Graham Brown, Jimmy Hall, Gregg Allman, Gov't Mule, Buddy DeFranco, Shelby Lynne, Jimmy Raney, Bonnie Bramlett, Jim Horn, Mundell Lowe, The Jordanaires, Lee Roy Parnell, Kirk Whalum, Jimmy Nalls and Chuck Leavell to name a few.
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