Finedog Records artist: Mighty Mike Schermer - Blues In Good Hands - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Blues In Good Hands, by Mighty Mike Schermer and I really like it! Opening with R&B track, Baby Don't Stop featuring Mighty Mike on lead vocal and guitar, Paul Revelli on drums, Steve Ehrmann on bass, Tony Stead or organ, Austin Delone on piano, Terry Hanck on sax, and backing vocals by Shelley King and Carolyn Wonderland. Hanck steps up with a clean solo and Mighty Mike throws down a nice riff or so himself but I gotta mention that I really like Delone's piano work on this track. Great radio track with a cool melody and a good hook. With a funky beat, Heaven's On The Other Side struts in and Ehrmann's bass really sets the pace. Mike rips really tasty blues guitar lines over a warm organ line by Stead. With a laid back Philly kind of sound, It's A Pleasure, really hits a solid. It's catchy melody, even pace and warm overall feel, with Delone on electric piano and nice jazz style guitar work from Schermer makes this a radio success story. Reggae track, One Tear At A Time, has a really nice Jimmy Cliff kind of feel with Keith McArthur on bass and spot on guitar riffs from Schermer and perfect vocal blending between Schermer and Randle. Very nice! Pop jazz track, World Gone Crazy has a nice Steeley Dan feel with some of Schermer's best vocals on the release. Nancy Wright hits the sax on this number adding warmth and texture and Schermer's own guitar riffs at the bottom of the fret board are really nice! The writing on this release is really quite good with traces to many of the great song writers of the 70's to now. Blues In Good Hands has a real Becker/Fagen compositional style (Any Major Dude Will Tell You) but based around a different style. It is quite interesting and successful with Hanck on sax and King and Wonderland adding smooth backing vocals. Shuffle track, Wait-On-Me Woman, is more Dylanesque with a definite blues feel. Greg Izor's contributions on harp and Damien Llanes on drums give it it's looser style. Nice! New Orleans style Most People has just a twist of Chuck Berry (Almost Grown) and Schermer's vocals paired with Delone's piano deliver the goods. A plucky guitar solo from Schermer and breaks the basic 2 step pace but compliments the track nicely. Boogie Woogie track, Barkin' Up The Wrong Tree, features Marcia Ball, the perfect piano player for this track. With it's country blues feel and casual vocal delivery, Elvin Bishop would be proud. Schermer takes and excellent guitar solo followed by Ball. One of my favorites on the release. Latin style, Take Me By The Hand, lets Llanes loose on drums, complimented by Izor on harp. Schermer has a rockin good time on vocal and guitar and Johnny Bradley's bass line is perfect. Tommy Castro joins on Stop Cryin' the hottest blues track on the release. With only simple bass and drums complimenting the vocal, Castro (on left) and Schermer really tear this one up. Excellent!! R&B track Baby Be Kind, is another track that really lends itself to cross radio play. John Nemeth trades harp riffs with Schermer on guitar giving the track nice balance. Wrapping the release is Hear You Calling Him Baby, has a strong dose of New Orleans and a spunky guitar solo from Schermer over the stylized piano work of Stead. Excellent closer! I definitely recommend that you check this one out!

   

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Jackson Rhythm & Blues Festival, August 14-15, 2015, Jackson, MS

Excitement Building For 10th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival

10TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL BLENDS AWARD-WINNING ACTS, POPULAR FESTIVAL PERFORMERS FROM THE PAST; SPECIAL 'BENEFIT RIDE' FOR MICKEY JONES; NEW "SECOND STAGE" OF CONTINUOUS LIVE MUSIC; BENEFITS THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY              Saturday, April 25, 2015  - 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.    (MOORPARK, CALIF) - Excitement is building for Southern California’s longest-tenured Blues festival, the 10th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival, taking place Saturday, April 25 on the grounds of beautiful Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Rd. in Moorpark, California. Gates open 10 a.m.; music begins at 11 a.m.   “The tenth year is truly a year of celebration of this charity event with repeat performers who supported our festival the very first year, in addition to multi-award-winning acts,” says festival founder/Ventura County Blues Society President, Michael John Basowski. “Also new this year: a Second Stage to insure a full day of continuous live music. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society along with community charities.”   Scheduled to perform on the Main Stage:  The VCBS All-Stars;  Delgado Brothers; BB Chung King & The Buddaheads; Deanna Bogart; John Nemeth; and the legendary Coco Montoya. The all-new Second Stage features top SoCal talent including Guy Martin Band; Barry G and Grease Fire; Chase Walker Band;  Jim Gustin and Truth Jones; Kelly’s Lot; Crooked Eye; Blues Bullet;  and additional special guests. Also avaialbe that day is a wide array of food vendors, artisans, and much more.   This year also features a special Benefit Ride for Mickey Jones, longtime VCBF Festival Emcee and the “face” of the festival the previous nine years. The well-liked musician-turned-actor has always been there to lend a hand to help so many in need, and now needs a little help himself. His recent bout with a prolonged illness has taken a toll on his finances. Due to insurance restrictions, the next crucial step of his recovery will be impossible without some outside help.    The 10th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival is both family-friendly   and affordable; a Pre-Sale ticket amounts to paying less than $2.00 per band! Pre-Sale tickets online are $26.00 (includes $1.00 convenience fee). Tickets are $35.00 at the Gate. All Pre-Sale ticket purchases available for pickup at Will Call - bring Confirmation Email and your ID. An amazing deal is the all-new VIP Experience at $125.00 per ticket (with no additional fees) that includes early festival entry at 9:30 am; your own private shaded seating area with tables and chairs; catered lunch; private bar; private restrooms; (2) drink tickets; (1) event t-shirt; (1) event poster and complimentary bottled water. These VIP tickets will sell out as there are only a limited amount -  now is the time to go online and purchase yours at:  www.venturacountyblues.com. Festival Hotline: (805) 501-7122.                                                                     10th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival  - Music Itinerary 11:00AM – 11:45AM  VCBS All Stars: A gathering of top SoCal blues musicians showcasing their talents. Featuring Mikey Mo; Ray Jurique; Sandy Scott; Tommy Marsh; Michael John; Eddie Z; Mark “Pocket” Goldberg;  and many others.                                              HEADLINERS 12:00PM – 12:55PM/Delgado Brothers: Driven by fierce independence, unified by family, and fortified by the brotherhood of music, the L.A.-based Delgado Brothers deliver the musical goods with topical anthem-worthy songs complemented by call-to-action lyrics, and East L.A. Soul.  http://www.delgadobrothers.com/. 1:10PM – 2:10PM/BB Chung King & The Buddaheads: Grammy- nominated song writer, producer and one of the hottest rockin’ blues guitarists on the planet.  The Buddaheads' songs have been featured in several movies and television shows. Tye put on a live show you will not want to miss! http://www.buddaheads.com/. 2:30PM – 3:45PM/Deanna Bogart: Multiple award-winning multi-instrumentalist and multifaceted musician whose fans value the diversity of her genre-free zone.  As a bandleader/singer/songwriter/producer/pianist/sax player, Deanna combines the best of boogie-woogie, contemporary blues, country and jazz into a splendid blend she calls “blusion.” http://www.deannabogart.com/. 4:05PM – 5:20PM/John Nemeth: Celebrating six BMA nominations and a new CD titled Memphis Grease, Nemeth is a celebrated electric blues and soul harmonicist, singer, and songwriter. “Classic soul and R&B styles have been revitalized in recent years by a cadre of young and relatively young artists such as James Hunter, Eli “Paperboy” Reed, and Sharon Jones. You can include John Németh on any list of the best of them.” - Nick Cristiano, Philadelphia Inquirer 5:40PM – 7:10PM/Coco Montoya: Legendary guitarist who played the festival during its first year is coming back to celebrate our tenth year. Guitar One Magazine calls Montoya “the hottest southpaw in the blues” and raves about his “master touch and killer tone.” Montoya earned his status through years of hard work and constant touring, starting with a chance meeting in the mid-1970s with legendary bluesman Albert Collins, who offered Montoya a gig as his drummer. Albert took an immediate liking to Montoya, becoming his mentor and teaching his new protégé the secrets of Collins’ “icy hot” style of blues guitar. Five years later, British blues icon John Mayall happened to catch Montoya at a jam session and was blown away. Mayall recruited him as his guitarist in the legendary Bluesbreakers, and Montoya spent the next ten years touring non-stop, proving himself to be a world-class guitar master in one of the most renowned blues bands in existence. Coco and his band will close the festival. 10th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival Media/Photo Passes Available.                                            www.venturacountyblues.com

17th Annual Doheny Blues Festival

Get ready for a weekend of blues, roots, and rock music at the 17th Annual Doheny Blues Festival on May 17 & 18, 2014. Enjoy 20+ performances on three different stages, tasty microbrews, local vendors and delicious food. Headlining the 2014 festival are Gregg Allman, The Doobie Brothers, Gov’t Mule, Buddy Guy, and Vintage Trouble. Also joining the line-up are Keb’ Mo’, James Cotton & Friends, Ruthie Foster, Charles Bradley & The Extraordinaires, The Mannish Boys Revue, and John Németh & The Bo-Keys. Grab your friends and family and head down to Dana Point’s Doheny State Beach for the Doheny Blues Festival on May 17 & 18, 2014 www.dohenybluesfestival.com

Vote for the Blues Blast Music Awards!

BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARD VOTING ENDS TOMORROW Blues fans can vote for their favorites Tomorrow, Saturday, August 31st, is your last chance to vote for the 2013 Blues Blast Music Awards.  Voting is open to anyone who is a Blues Blast magazine subscriber. Subscriptions are FREE and an automatic part of the voting process on the website. To see the list of nominees and to hear songs by the artists nominated, please click HERE.   To cast your ballot, please click here: VOTE. Blind Pig artists are well represented on the ballot: THE CASH BOX KINGS - Blues Band of the Year - Traditional Blues Album  (Black Toppin')The Cash Box Kings have been extolled by no less an authority than Charlie Musselwhite for their uncanny ability to faithfully capture the essence of post-war 1950's Chicago and Memphis blues while adding their own bravado, energy, and freshness to the mix.  In a review of their latest release,  Black Toppin', Living Blues magazine said, "Straight from the golden era of the blues comes the new album from Chicago's Cash Box Kings, featuring an impressive line-up of A-list blues players. A great record by one of the best blues bands in the land, Black Toppin' is a dancing and listening pleasure."  SENA EHRHARDT - Sean Costello Rising Star - Song of the Year ("Dreamin' or Dyin'") The buzz and the critical acclaim for this young singer has been steadily growing since the release of her debut album Leave the Light On, which won the 2012 Blues Blast Music Award for "New Artist Debut Release."  Reviewing her latest release, All In, Living Blues said, "Sena Ehrhardt's voice cannot get any more powerful, range-defying, and throwback cool. Truly one of the most dynamic young voices any genre has seen in a long time."  "Dreamin' or Dyin,'" a track from the new release, is nominated for "Song of the Year."  For a limited time, a free download of the track is available HERE.  To see a video of Sena and her dad (and her band's guitarist) performing an acoustic version of the song, please lick HERE.  SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY - Blues Band of the Year - New Artist Debut Release  (Easy Livin') - Sean Costello Rising Star (Victor Wainwright)Led by a trio of young virtuosos, (Damon Fowler on lap steel, JP Soars on guitar, and Victor Wainwright on keyboards), Southern Hospitality has crafted a highly compelling mix of Southern soul, rootsy rock, and swampy blues with echoes of Muscle Shoals and Macon.  Their debut release, Easy Livin,' was produced by Tab Benoit, who said, "Damon, Victor, and JP are the future of roots music."  At the Blues Music Awards in May, Victor Wainwright was named the winner of the prestigious "Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Award." PETER KARP & SUE FOLEY - Song of the Year ("Analyze'n Blues")The "Song of the Year" nominee, "Analyze'n Blues," is a track from Beyond the Crossroads, the latest collaboration between these two noted singer-songwriter guitarists.  For a limited time, you can get a free download of the song (and other new Blind Pig tracks) by clicking HERE.  Living Blues said of the album, "As all of the songs demonstrate, great songwriting is even better with great musicianship..an inventive and buoyant collection of quality songs with great blues feeling."  To watch a new video of Peter and Sue performing "Analyze 'n Blues," please click HERE. DEANNA BOGART - Female Blues ArtistRecognized for her dazzling keyboards, soulful saxophone, smoky vocals and cut-above songwriting, Deanna Bogart is also perennially popular for engaging her audience with her firecracker stage performances.  The multi-award-winning  musician combines the best of boogie-woogie, contemporary blues, country and jazz into a splendid blend she calls "blusion."  Critics loved Deanna's latest release, Pianoland, which spotlights her considerable keyboard skills. Blurt said,"Once in a rare while an album comes along that just captures you with its beauty, creativity and magic. Pianoland is a masterpiece of blues healing. At times listening to this album is like listening to Coltrane or Monk for the first time." JOHN NÉMETH - Male Blues ArtistSince bursting onto the scene in 2007, John Németh has wowed critics and audiences alike with his riveting vocals and harmonica prowess.  Winner of the 2010 "Most Outstanding Blues Singer" Living Blues Award, Németh has established a reputation as a singer and entertainer of the highest order, racking up five Blues Music Award nominations this year.  His latest Blind Pig release, Name The Day!, is another timeless slice of American music.  Drawing on the classic blues, soul, and R&B influences that inform his stunning vocal style, John's spine-tingling vocals echo the toughness of James Brown and the tenderness of Solomon Burke.   Blues Blast Music Award winners will be announced at ceremonies held at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago on October 31, 2013.

For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.

Buddy Guy and Dr.John will be heating up Jackson, MS this summer!

Love Gone Crazy - John Nemeth

John Németh is a rising blues star; a singer steeped in the tradition and reminiscent of B.B. King, Ray Charles and Junior Parker, and a harmonica player of riveting intensity and virtuosity. His decade long career has found him opening for
Robert Cray, Keb Mo', and Earl Thomas. Performing major music festivals around the United States, Europe, Canada and Asia has brought him critical acclaim.