Ventura County Blues Festival

General Admission tickets: Presale $20 (Limited Time Only) $30 at Gate Kids 12 and under are FREE with paid Adult VIP Tickets: $100 (Online Only) all ages For ticket info CLICK HERE!

Announcing the 9th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival

                

 

9TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY BLUES FESTIVAL/SATURDAY, APRIL 26 FEATURING THE BEST ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP TO DATE; THIS YEAR'S NEW ATTRACTIONS TO INCLUDE A VERY SPECIAL TICKETED V.I.P. AREA

 

   (MOORPARK, CALIF) - The 9th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival on Saturday, April 26, 2014 returns to Moorpark College and features its best lineup to date with performances by Fabulous Thunderbirds front man, Kim Wilson's Blues All-Stars; premier Southern California-based record label Delta Groove Records' own Delta Groove All-Star Blues Revue featuring Sugaray Rayford with Kid Ramos and friends; soulful vocalist extraordinaire, Sista Monica Parker; festival favorites making a command return appearance, Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers; the stellar band fronted by VCBS President, Michael John and The Bottom Line and friends, including BMA nominee, vocalist Karen Lovely; and VCBS Band Challenge winner, Lightnin' Willie. Returning as Celebrity Emcee is noted actor-musician, Mickey Jones (Trini Lopez, Bob Dylan, The First Edition; and currently a regular on FX hit TV series, "Justified"). Food and craft vendors, guitar giveaway, and, for the first time, a Ticketed V.I.P. area. Benefits the American Diabetes Association and community charities. Presale General Admission tickets $20. in advance, $30. at the gate; V.I.P. tickets $100. (limited quantity available).  More information at www.venturacountyblues.com.

   

 "We're very excited about the 2014 festival,” says festival founder/Ventura County Blues Society President, Michael John. "This event opens many doors for service clubs in Ventura County and supports Moorpark College. New this year we have a Ticketed V.I.P area with private shade, restrooms and a bar. (The V.I.P. area) also includes a festival t-shirt, poster, two drink tickets, complimentary water and early entrance into the festival. We have had so many people ask us to do this, and your wish is our command.” Past festivals have entertained more than 4,000 people with acts like Blues Hall of Fame inductee Charlie Musselwhite, and last year, special guest George Thorogood.

 

  About The 9th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival Headliners

 

     Kim Wilson's Blues All-Stars: Kim Wilson is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and front man for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; “Tuff Enuff”, and “Wrap It Up.” Wilson was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1951, but grew up in Goleta, California, where he sometimes went by the stage name of “Goleta Slim.” He started with the blues in the late 1960s and was tutored by people like Muddy Waters, Jimmie Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Albert Collins, George “Harmonica” Smith, Luther Tucker and Pee Wee Crayton and was influenced by harmonica players like Little Walter, James Cotton, Big Walter Horton, Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester. Before he moved to Austin, Texas in 1974, he was the leader of the band Aces, Straights and Shuffles in Minneapolis, Minnesota; this band released one single. In Austin he formed The Fabulous Thunderbirds with guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, and they became the house band at the blues club, Antone’s, owned by Clifford Antone. Muddy Waters called Wilson, “The greatest harmonica player since Little Walter”. Wilson continues to perform up to 300 concert dates per year at blues music festivals and clubs all over the world, both as leader of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and with the Kim Wilson Blues All-stars. His powerful style of blues harp playing has been described as “loaded with the textures of a full-blown horn section.” https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kim-Wilsons-Blues-All-Stars/272734382786980.

 

     Delta Groove All Star Revue Featuring Sugaray Rayford & Friends: When Sugaray belts out a song, you not only hear it, you feel it. The excitement in the room is palpable when he takes the stage; he is a superb vocalist and entertainer. His dynamic voice is large just like the man. With his old school vocal style, echoes of Muddy Waters, Otis Redding and Teddy Pendergrass can be heard. At 6’5” he is a big man, but he moves with grace and energy. His fluid dance steps will remind you of the Legendary James Brown. After moving to Los Angeles several years ago, Sugaray was asked to host a blues jam at Cozy’s in Sherman Oaks. It is through this venue that Sugaray met and played with innumerable world-class musicians. Suga’s desire to explore and expand his musical vision has been nourished by these musicians while his solo career has flourished in L.A. Sugaray has fronted his own band since 2010, called the Sugaray Rayford Band made up of world-class musicians including Ralph Carter on bass who is also his writing partner, Gino Matteo on guitar, Leo Dombecki on keyboards, Lavelle Jones on drums, Allan Walker on Sax, and Gary Bivona on trumpet. But the Sugaray Rayford Band is only one of his projects. As of May 2011, Sugaray became one of the lead vocalists for the Mannish Boys, who are under Delta Groove management. This international act performs 6-8 times a year. He sang lead vocals on 9 songs on Double Dynamite the Mannish Boys latest CD that won Best Traditional Blues Album in May 2013 at the Blues Music Awards. His first solo CD Blind Alley was a self-release in 2010, which garnered critical acclaim. His second solo CD Dangerous, was just released last September under the Delta Groove label, debuting at # 2 on Blues Debut Chart and #6 on the Roots Music Chart. http://www.deltagrooveproductions.com/newspost/ventura-county-blues-fest/.

 

      Sista Monica Parker: She’s Blues! She’s Soul! She’s Gospel! and She ROCKS!Sista Monica Parker ‘The Blues Lioness’ is an award-winning singer/songwriter and performer. Her eleventh CD release “Living In the Danger Zone” recently earned a 2012 and 2013 BMA nomination for “Best Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year” by the Blues Foundation. Since then, she has traveled and toured worldwide and has been recognized for her captivating stage presence and rich contralto vocal power. Born in Gary, Indiana, Monica developed her vocal chops between Chicago and Detroit singing in church choirs and listening to singers on the city streets. Since those days she has stormed through the music scene traveling and performing major festivals and concerts venues in countries such as Italy, France, Holland, Greece, Canada, Norway, Mexico, and Spain. Sista Monica is dynamic string of melodies from up tempo Chicago style blues, heartfelt soulful ballads to feel good gospel – She brings her roots and connects with the audience with her own unique charisma. She sings, coos, belts, croons, and shouts according to her hearts delight and her fan’s amazement. She’s considered to be one of the best soul blues female performers in the country. Come see, hear and enjoy Sista Monica.  http://www.sistamonica.com/.

 

    Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers: Whether Jimmy Thackery headlines a festival in South Dakota or jams for hours in one of numerous blues bars that dot the musical landscape, he’ll always unleash an intense volley of rockin’ blues guitar guaranteed to leave crowds emotionally spent. His double edged guitar dynamics allow him to fire off tracer missiles, bend a note so it will fit under a limbo bar, run off dive bomber riffs, and find space within the trembling of one stinging note. “I put all my senses on hold and find the zone and follow what’s inside. There’s an electricity from your mind to your heart to your fingers. You just try and remember to breathe.” He’s one of the few blues guitarists who learned first hand from the masters of the blues, not off a blues record or DVD. Though most associate Jimmy with his 15 years as the co-founder of the Nighthawks, he ended his time with them in 1987. Since then, Jimmy has been on the road as a solo musician for 15 years doing nearly 300 shows a year proving each night that he is still the guitar powerhouse in the blues. Thackery has lived the life of a true road warrior; he’s absorbed the artistic lessons of life and filtered them into his guitar playing and song writing. To get where he is today, Jimmy has journeyed a highway of life filled with a series of twists and turns. He met all the right people and they have had a permanent influence on him. It was Thackery’s time on stage with Muddy Waters that is branded deep within his musical soul. “Muddy was one of those guys who was constantly encouraging. He never told you what to do, but he always told you what you were doing wrong. He never minced words about that." http://www.jimmythackery.com/.

 

                              Along With Very Special Performances By

 

    Michael John & The Bottom Line And Friends With Karen Lovely: Michael John, Founder and President of the Ventura County Blues Society, is also the Founder of the Ventura County Blues Festival and leads his band The Bottom Line. Since the festival’s inception, Michael John & The Bottom Line have performed and donated their music which now has become an annual tradition for the festival kick off. When you combine family and lifelong friends you get a special musical bond that touches the hearts and souls of all music lovers alike. The band consists of Michael John (lead singer, guitar, harmonica), Michael John’s son Mikey Mo (lead guitar), Steve Nelson (electric, stand-up Bass), Eddie Z (tenor, alto sax), Jeff Dellisanti (tenor, baritone sax), and Tom “T-Bone” Broderick (drums, backup vocals). The group attracts people of all ages with their blend of Swing to more contemporary rocking blues. They have received national airplay and have won multiple awards including placing in the top ten bands in the finals for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee. Michael is a past recipient of the All Access Magazine award for Best Male Vocalist. http://www.michaeljohnandthebottomline.com/. Special guest vocalist Karen Lovely shot onto the blues scene out of  the Pacific Northwest like Stack O' Lee's .44 placing second at the 2010 International Blues Challenge followed by three 2011 Blues Music Award Nominations for BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES FEMALE ARTIST, BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM and BEST SONG for her sophomore release STILL THE RAIN. Karen is a two time “#1 Pick to Click” artist on XM Radio Bluesville and has just been selected as the 2014 Featured Blues artist by KJZZ FM in Los Angeles. Lovely’s records have topped the national blues and roots charts and made the Top 10 favorite artist list for dozens of nationally syndicated radio stations. Known for her passionate, driven performances and always backed by stellar musicians, this powerhouse vocalist delivers a blistering mix of contemporary & old school blues. Lovely's standout performances have garnered awards, critical acclaim and standing ovations at festivals and venues throughout the US, Canada and Europe. www.karenlovely.com.

 

    Lightnin' Willie: Emerging from the clubs and bars of the U.S Blues scene, Lightnin’ Willie is an accomplished and hard-working guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. Now based in Los Angeles, Willie is a seasoned musician who has paid his dues. With four albums under his belt, this eloquent storyteller has his own story of time on the road, personal loss, fresh beginnings and an over-riding love of playing the “Devil’s Music.”

Originally from Texas, this blues-man’s years of steady gigging have given him as much polish as his performance. He is tall, with an expressive face, piercing eyes, and the kind of confident all-American swagger that allows you to walk up to total strangers on the street and introduce yourself. Lightnin’ Willie and the Poorboys are by no means destitute. In fact the musical vein they mine is rich indeed. They steer away from dry academia and combine a seductive exchange of swinging Blues and R&B with a hint of Rockabilly. A lively, interactive, face-to-face approach to their music has had audiences waving their banner throughout the United States and Europe for over ten years. http://www.lightninwillie.com/.

 

 

9th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival Media/Photo Passes Available.

www.venturacountyblues.com

Delta Groove Music artist: Sugaray Rayford - Dangerous - New release review

I just received a copy of the newest release (September 17, 2013), Dangerous, by Sugaray Rayford and it's quite impressive. Rayford, well know as the featured voice of the Mannish Boys, has cut loose with his own release and he is backed by a huge list of talent. Opening with Country Boy and a strong smell of Chicago, Rayford's robust voice paves the way and Sugar Ray Norcia has the harp screaming. Anthony Geraci adds really nice key work on a solid bass by Willie J Campbell (bass) and Jimi Bott on drums. Stuck For A Buck has a bit of the James Brown shuffle going with Gino Matteo rippin fine guitar lead and Fred Kaplan warms the track with organ play. Rayford of course nicely handles lead vocals and a solid horn section made up of Ron Dziubla and Mark Pender cooks the track. On I'm Dangerous, Rayford and Norcia really grind deep in the blues. Norcia plays outstanding harmonica solos on this track making it one of my favorites on the release. Norcia shares the lead vocals on Two Times Sugar and Monster Mike Welch drops in for a really hot guitar solo. This is cool swingin blues that could make solid airplay. Another of my favorites is Pee Wee Crayton's When It Rains It Pours. Super soulful vocals by Rayford are nicely complimented by the strong guitar work of Frank Goldwasser and piano by Fred Kaplan. Super smokn track! Rayford's vocals on Charles Brown's Depression Blues have a beautiful lope and Kid Anderson takes the guitar solo to the edge... really sweet. This is another of the top highlights on the track. Bill Stuve adds a nice solid bottom on acoustic bass and Pender and Dziubla really round out the track. Goin' Back To Texas is a slow paced blues featuring some real nice slide wirk from Goldwasser, nice harp work from Kim Wilson and some of the richest vocals from Rayford on the release. I Might Do Somethin' Crazy has a real nice Willie Dixon style to it. Rayford's vocals really play into this track nicely and Kid Anderson again steps up with some spectacular guitar riffs. Excellent! Again on In The Dark, a swingin blues track, Rayford sings up a storm and really opens the doors for Anderson who kicks the guitar solo in the nuts. (Strong horns too!) Need A Little More Time takes an acoustic attack with strong vocals from Rayford backed by minimal percussion by Bott, and meaty work on National Steel Guitar by Goldwasser and harp by Chortkoff. Big Pete is featured on harp on Keep Her At Home, a quick paced boogie. The release is concluded with Son House's Preaching Blues. Goldwasser handles the slidework like a deer going through open pasture and with only like percussion, Rayford show surefooted command as his own band leader. Really super release!

  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”

This track is not from the release but is a good example of the music presented.

Bluesman Bryan Lee Says "Play One for Me" on Severn Records Label Debut CD, Due September 17

Bryan Lee Says Play One for Me on Severn Records Label

Debut CD, Due September 17

New Album from New Orleans-Based Bluesman Features Special Guests Kim Wilson and Johnny Moeller of

The Fabulous Thunderbirds

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Severn Records announces a September 17 release date for Play One for Me, the label debut CD from New Orleans-based blues guitarist/singer Bryan Lee, recorded at Severn’s new state-of-the-art studios in Annapolis. Severn Records is distributed in the U.S. by City Hall Records.

Play One for Me was produced by Kevin Anker, David Earl and Steve Gomes and features Bryan Lee’s powerfully soulful vocals and stinging guitar backed by the label’s studio house band of Anker on keyboards, Gomes on bass, and Robb Stupka on drums, augmented by special guests Kim Wilson (harmonica) and Johnny Moeller (rhythm guitar) of The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Horns and strings on the new album were arranged and conducted by Willie Henderson.

The new disc’s 10 tracks are a solid mix of five Bryan Lee originals and covers of such songs as Bobby Womack’s “When Love Begins (Friendship Ends),” Howlin Wolf’s “Evil” (with a guest harmonica performance by Kim Wilson), Freddie King’s “It’s Too Bad (Things Are Going So Tough),” Dennis Geyer’s “Straight to Your Heart” and a beautiful rendition of the George Jackson classic, “Aretha (Sing One for Me).”

“I want to thank David Earl for believing in me, for pushing and challenging me and surrounding me with tremendous musicians,” Bryan Lee said about the new recording. “Thanks also to Kevin Anker on keys; Steve Gomes on bass; Willie Henderson for his beautiful charts; a young man I got to be close friends with, Johnny Moeller, on guitar; and the gentleman on the drums, Robb Stupka, who I used to work with in the ’70s – it was such an honor to work with him again.  Last but not least, I want to give a special thanks to brother Kim Wilson on the harmonica.”

Although raised in a small Wisconsin town near the shores of Lake Michigan, Bryan Lee has been a New Orleans resident since 1982, so much so that he’s been called a “New Orleans Blues Institution;” and is also known as the “Braille Blues Daddy,” dubbed so because he’s been blind since the age of eight. Eric Clapton called Bryan Lee “one of the best bluesmen I have ever heard.” He's played the prestigious New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for over 25 years and his new Severn CD marks his debut for an American label, with previous albums appearing on the Canadian imprint, Justin Time. 

Growing up, Lee listened to clear channel station WLAC in Nashville and became enamored with the sound of the blues he heard on the radio. By the time he was 15, Lee was playing guitar in a variety of rock and blues-rock bands, and in his late teens he befriended legendary guitar slinger Luther Allison. In 1981, Lee and his band opened for Muddy Waters at Summerfest in Milwaukee, and he got a chance to talk with his hero backstage. After Lee told Muddy how honored he was to be opening for such a legend, Waters told the youngster, “Bryan, stay with this. One day you’re going to be a living legend.” Those words of encouragement have become an inspiration to Bryan Lee throughout his career.

Bryan Lee’s recognition in the Crescent City began in 1982 with a long residency at the Old Absinthe House in the French Quarter. One of the formative blues guitarists who caught his act was a young Kenny Wayne Shepherd, whose time sitting in with Lee’s band proved to be a revelatory experience for him. Many years later, Shepherd would return the favor by including Lee in his documentary, 10 Days Out: Blues from the Backroads, which was nominated for two Grammy Awards and won the 2008 Blues Music Award for Best DVD and the 2008 Keeping the Blues Alive Award under the category of Film, Television or Video. A follow-up album, Live in Chicago by Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Friends, was nominated for a Grammy in 2010 and won the Blues Music Award for Best Blues/Rock CD in 2011. Bryan received a Grammy nomination and also received a BMA for his contribution to this CD. 

Lee, whose New Orleans studio became a victim of Hurricane Katrina’s wrath, was nominated for a Blues Music Award in 2008 for his Katrina Was Her Name CD, which also won the German Critics award that same year.

To download a hi-res photo of Bryan Lee (photo credit: Sam Holden Photography), click here:

Bryan Lee Color Photo

For more on Bryan Lee, visit http://www.braillebluesdaddy.com/ and www.severnrecords.com.

The Kim Wilson Blues All-Stars Live at KPLU

Kim Wilson (born January 6, 1951) is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up." In this KPLU/Jazz24 studio session, singer and harmonica player Kim Wilson goes three rounds with blues, accompanied by two of his All-Stars: guitarist, Kirk Fletcher and pianist, Barrelhouse Chuck. The set includes two old blues tunes - "Bad Boy" by Eddie Taylor, and "That's Alright" by Jimmy Rogers. They cap it off with one of those spontaneous jams that just seem to happen when three talented friends are having a ball playing the blues together. Wilson was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1951, but he grew up in Goleta, California, where he sometimes went by the stage name of "Goleta Slim." He started with the blues in the late 1960s and was tutored by people like Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Albert Collins, George "Harmonica" Smith, Luther Tucker and Pee Wee Crayton and was influenced by harmonica players like Little Walter, James Cotton, Big Walter Horton, Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester. Before he moved to Austin, Texas in 1974, he was the leader of the band Aces, Straights and Shuffles in Minneapolis, Minnesota; this band released one single. In Austin he formed The Fabulous Thunderbirds with guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, and they became the house band at the blues club, Antone's, owned by Clifford Antone. Muddy Waters called Wilson, "The greatest harmonica player since Little Walter". Wilson continues to perform up to 300 concert dates per year at blues music festivals and clubs all over the world, both as leader of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and with the Kim Wilson Blues Allstars. His powerful style of blues harp playing has been described as "loaded with the textures of a full-blown horn section." 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!

Kim Wilson Part of Blues Blow Out!

Kim Wilson Part Of All-Star Blues Harmonica Blow Out! Rick Holmstrom & Debbie Davies Start 2013 On The Road Happy New Year! Contact: Mark Carpentieri                                          Phone: 631-754-8725                                               E-Mail: mc@mc-records.com                                      web: www.mc-records.com Northport N.Y. - Happy New Year to everyone! 2013 is starting off full of blues and roots music. M.C. Records is looking to forward to a great year and we'll be announcing some new signings very soon. Mark Hummel has been putting together his Blues Harmonica Blow Outs for years. It looks like he has outdone himself with these upcoming shows in California. Blues master Kim Wilson will be on these amazing shows and depending on which concert you go to you might also see Lazy Lester, Little Charlie Baty, Rick Estrin, Ron Thompson, & Joe Louis Walker!  The Tour starts on January 3. Check out the dates for more or go to, http://www.markhummel.com/calendar.html  Thu     01 - 03     Moe's Alley - Santa Cruz, CA w/Kim Wilson, Lazy Lester, Joe Louis Walker, Little Charlie Baty, Rick Estrin, Ron Thompson, & Aki Kumar!    Fri  01 - 04 &  Sun  01 - 06     Yoshi's - Oakland, CA w/Kim Wilson, Lazy Lester, Little Charlie Baty, Rick Estrin, Ron Thompson & Joe Louis Walker!    Mon     01 - 07     Sierra Nevada - Chico, CA w/Kim Wilson, Lazy Lester, Little Charlie Baty, Rick Estrin, Ron Thompson, & Joe Louis Walker!    Tue     01 - 08     Cascade Theatre -  Redding, CA w/Kim Wilson, Lazy Lester, Little Charlie Baty, Rick Estrin, Ron Thompson, & Joe Louis Walker!   Wed     01 - 09     Van Duzer Theatre Humboldt State  - Arcata, CA w/Kim Wilson,  y Thu     01 - 10     State Theatre - Modesto, CA w/Kim Wilson, Lazy Lester, Little Charlie Baty, Rick Estrin, Ron Thompson & Joe Louis Walker!    Fri     01 - 11     Three Stages at Folsom -  Folsom, CA w/Kim Wilson, Kenny Neal, Lazy Lester, Little Charlie Baty, Rick Estrin, Ron Thompson, & Joe Louis Walker! Sat     01 - 12     Napa Valley Opera House - Napa, CA w/Kim Wilson, Kenny Neal, Lazy Lester, Little Charlie Baty, Rick Estrin, Ron Thompson, & Joe Louis Walker! Rick Holmstrom's 2012 was pretty amazing! We released his first recording in 5 years and the stellar reviews are still pouring in. He toured with Mavis Staples and Bonnie Raitt and recorded a Austin City Limits performance. Rick's New Year starts with a solo date in L.A. 01/06/13 - Los Angeles, CA Liquid Kitty (RHB) 01/13/13 - Carlsbad, CA New Village Arts Theatre (RHB w/ Nathan James & Rhythm Scratchers) 01/19/13 - St. Petersburg, FL Mahaffey Theater (Mavis) 01/20/13 to 01/27/13 - Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise (Mavis & RHB) 02/07/13 - Wilmington, NC University of North Carolina (Mavis) 02/14/13 - New York, NY Lincoln Center (Mavis) 02/15/13 - New Bedford, MA Zeiterion Theatre (Mavis & Ruthie Foster) 02/16/13 - Old Saybrook, CT Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (Mavis) 02/21/13 - Iowa City, IA Englert Theater (Mavis) 02/22/13 - Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre (Mavis & Pieta Brown) 02/23/13 - Salina, KS Stiefel Theatre (Mavis)       Ms. Debbie Davies had a wonderful 2012. Her recording After The Fall spent months on both The Living Blues Radio Chart and The Roots Music Chart! Also plenty of great reviews and touring. We're so proud to have her on M.C. Records! Her first gig in 2013 is in New York City on January 15. 1/15/2013 -  NEW YORK CITY     NY     B.B. KING BLUES CLUB & GRILL 1/20/2013 - 1/27/2013     FORT LAUDERDALE     FL      THE LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES CRUISE 2/1/2013 - MIDDLETOWN     NY     BRIANS BACKYARD BBQ 2/9/2013 - HARTFORD     CT     BLACK-EYED SALLYS

Good Man - Anson Funderburgh & Kim Wilson

In recent years, Dallas-based guitarist Anson Funderburgh has taken his band the Rockets out of the clubs and onto the festival stages with his critically acclaimed recordings for the BlackTop label out of New Orleans. With Jackson, MS-native Sam Myers delivering the vocals and harmonica treatments, this band mixes up a powerful gumbo of Texas jump blues and Delta blues that can't be found anywhere else. Funderburgh & His Rockets are a particularly hard working band, performing across the U.S. and Europe nearly 300 nights a year. Funderburgh was born November 15, 1954, and got hooked on the blues when he got his first guitar at age seven or eight. His first musical experiences happened in the clubs in Dallas. He developed his team approach to blues music while learning from the likes of Freddie King, Jimmy Reed, and Albert Collins when these great bluesmen were passing through Dallas-area clubs, but Funderburgh had already taught himself guitar mostly from listening to classic blues records. He never had the chance to see Muddy Waters, but he did get to play with Lightnin' Hopkins in the late '70s. Funderburgh formed the Rockets in 1978, but didn't meet Sam Myers until 1982. Butt Rockin' Funderburgh recorded with the Fabulous Thunderbirds on their Butt Rockin' album, and went solo in 1981, when the New Orleans-based BlackTop label released Talk to You by Hand, the label's first release. Funderburgh added Myers on harmonica and lead vocals in 1986. Myers had traveled for years on the chitlin circuit, where he had the chance to accompany people like Elmore James and Robert Junior Lockwood. Funderburgh admits that adding Myers on vocals and harmonica was a turning point for the Rockets, partly because of the image they project from the stage, a big towering black man and three white guys backing him up. Funderburgh continued his association in the '90s with Black Top releasing Tell Me What I Want to Hear (1991), Live at Grand Emporium (1995), and That's What They Want (1997). After releasing nine albums on Black Top, in 1999 Funderburgh changed record labels with the release of Change in my Pocket for Bullseye Blues. At the beginning of the new millennium, Funderburgh is just coming into his prime by way of his songwriting talents, so his career deserves close watching in the coming years. The best is yet to come from this guitarist and bandleader. 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!

Two-Day California Beer Festival Features Specialty Craft Beers, BBQ Contest, Big-Name Blues Acts

Are you kidding me! Take someone along to go on beer runs... you're not going to want to miss a minute! Look at this line up!

Big Two-Day California Beer Festival Features

Craft Beers, BBQ Contest, Big-Name Blues Acts

Saturday, September 15/Sunday, September 16 - Mission Park, Ventura, CA

(Ventura, Calif.) - California Beer Festival takes place Saturday, September 15 (12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.) and Sunday, September 16 (11 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) in Ventura's Mission Park, 36 Figueroa St., in the downtown district. CBF is one of the year's biggest entertainment events featuring everyone's favorite three B's: Beer, Barbeque and the Blues!

Tickets for the California Beer Festival Craft Beer Heaven on Saturday are $50 for General Admission, $70 for a special Saturday-only "V.I.P. Meet The Brewer", or $25 for a Designated Driver Ticket. Sunday it's the CBF Blues, Brews & BBQ Blues Festival for $30 (children 5 and under are free on Sunday only). Ventura County Blues Society members receive a $5. discount with I.D. Advance tickets available at www.californiabeerfestival.com. CBF event proceeds benefit DARC (Dyslexia Awareness And Resource Center) and the Gen Giammaco Foundation. Space is limited! For more information call (805) 323-5691 or email: info@californiabeerfestival.com.

On Sunday, September 16, Kim Wilson (center) and the Fabulous Thunderbirds headline a star-studded Blues lineup at the two-day California Beer Festival in Mission Park, downtown Ventura.

Saturday, September 15: Craft Beer Festival Craft Beer Heaven. Over 150 varieties of specialty craft beers on tap along with 70 microbreweries, great food and live music by popular 14-piece Michael Jackson tribute group, Foreverland. "California Beer Festival's main goal is to shine a light on the Craft Beer Movement and celebrate great beer," says CBF promoter/organizer, Vincenzo Giammanco. There's also a 5K Run on Saturday that will have you running through the streets and along the oceanfront of Ventura, crossing the finish line right inside the Festival itself!

Sunday, September 16: Blues, Brews, & BBQ Blues Festival. Blue Moon Barbeque Cook-Off featuring barbeque teams competing for $3,000 in cash prize plus 15 craft beers on tap. Sunday also features non-stop music by some of the biggest names in the world of blues - Kim Wilson and The Fabulous Thunderbirds (known for their hits "Tuff Enuf," "Wrap It Up," and "She's Tuff," among others); a Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan with Crossfire; blues-rock guitarist extraordinaire, Walter Trout; longtime SoCal blues standout harpist-vocalist, Rod Piazza And the Mighty Flyers; Northern California guitar ace, Chris Cain; and Simi Valley's blues stalwarts, Michael John & The Bottom Line. There will be two stages adjacent to one another that day - when one band finishes their set on one stage, the next band immediately starts playing on the other stage!

www.californiabeerfestival.com

California Beer Festival - SOUTHLAND BLUES Feature
Q and A With CBF's Vincenzo Giammanco - ALL ACCESS MAGAZINE
California Beer Festival - BLUES E-NEWS Feature
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

Kim Wilson and Anson Funderburgh

Kim Wilson (born January 6, 1951) is an American blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known as the lead vocalist and frontman for The Fabulous Thunderbirds on two hit songs of the 1980s; "Tuff Enuff", and "Wrap It Up.
Wilson was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1951, but he grew up in Goleta, California, where he sometimes went by the stage name of "Goleta Slim." He started with the blues in the late 1960s and was tutored by people like Muddy Waters, Jimmie Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Albert Collins, George "Harmonica" Smith, Luther Tucker and Pee Wee Crayton and was influenced by harmonica players like Little Walter, James Cotton, Big Walter Horton, Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester. Before he moved to Austin, Texas in 1974, he was the leader of the band Aces, Straights and Shuffles in Minneapolis, Minnesota; this band released one single. In Austin he formed The Fabulous Thunderbirds with guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, and they became the house band at the blues club, Antone's, owned by Clifford Antone. Muddy Waters called Wilson, "The greatest harmonica player since Little Walter".

Wilson continues to perform up to 300 concert dates per year at blues music festivals and clubs all over the world, both as leader of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and with the Kim Wilson Blues Allstars.

His powerful style of blues harp playing has been described as "loaded with the textures of a full-blown horn section.
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Eric Lindell Scores Big In Relix & Blues Revue

Eric Lindell Scores Big In Relix & Blues Revue

Cyril Neville & Kim Wilson On The Road

Northport N.Y. - Talk about starting the New Year right, Eric Lindell notches two big reviews to start 2012.

Relix said of West County Drifter, "Lindell’s throaty, soulful vocals and laid-back acoustic grooves recall the likes of G. Love & Special Sauce."

The is from the just released review from Blues Revue, "it is bluesy — as well as jazzy and soulful — and represents a fine debut for Eric Lindell on M.C. Records, a new record label for him."

You can check out the full reviews right here!

http://www.relix.com/reviews/cds/2011/12/30/eric-lindell-west-county-drifter

http://bluesrevue.com/2011/12/eric-lindell-west-county-drifter-12-30-11/#

More good news, Eric Lindell has been nominated for two Best of the Beat Awards from Offbeat. They're for Best Blues Artist and Best Blues Release for West County Drifter. You can vote until January 13 and find out more about this wonderful New Orleans event by clicking this link,

http://offbeat.com/best-of-the-beat-awards-january-27-2012/

Eric will also being playing Jazz Fest, more details coming soon!

You can check out music from the new double-disc and for our friends in radio you can download broadcast quality tracks right here,

http://airplaydirect.com/music/westcountydrifter/

The Eric Lindell Band Dates:

* 1/5/2012 - THUR. - DOUGLAS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB - DOUGLAS GA

* 1/6/2012 - FRI. - MOJO KITCHEN - JACKSONVILLE BEACH FL

* 1/7/2012 - SAT. - FUNKY BISCUIT - BOCA RATON FL

* 1/8/2012 - 1/15/2012 - DELBERT MCCLINTON & FRIENDS SANDY BEACHES

CRUISE

* 1/19/2012 - 1/22/2012 - THE GREEN PARROT - KEY WEST FL

* 2/3/2012 - FRIDAY - HOTEL SOREL - HOUSTON TX

* 2/4/2012 - SATURDAY - PEARL AT COMMERCE - DALLAS TX

* 2/10/2012 - FRIDAY - D.B.A. - NEW ORLEANS LA

* 2/16/2012 - THURSDAY - THE POUR HOUSE - CHARLESTON SC

* 2/17/2012 - FRIDAY - THE DOUBLE DOOR INN - CHARLOTTE NC

* 2/18/2012 - SATURDAY - GARTH NEWEL MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION

HOT SPRINGS - VA

* 2/19/2012 - SUNDAY - THE HIPPODROME THEATRE - RICHMOND VA

* 2/21/2012 - TUESDAY - JAMMIN JAVA - VIENNA VA

* 2/23/2012 - THURSDAY - THE JEWISH MOTHER - VIRGINIA BEACH VA

* 2/24/2012 - FRIDAY - CLUB 66 - EDGEWOOD MD

* 2/25/2012 - SATURDAY - HIRO BALLROOM - NEW YORK NY

* 2/26/2012 - SUNDAY - HYANNIS MARATHON - HYANNIS MA

Kim Wilson will once again bring his Blues All-Stars to the West Coast. Get on board for this rare treat!

Check out Kim and the boys doing "Lookin' For Trouble" on The Woodsongs Radio Hour:

1/20/2012 Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ

1/21/2012 The Rialto Theatre Tucson, AZ

1/22/2012 Saint Rocke Hermosa Beach, CA

1/31/2012 Jazz Alley Seattle, WA

2/01/2012 Jazz Alley Seattle, WA

2/03/2012 Upstage Restaurant Port Townsend, WA

2/04/2012 Upstage Restaurant Port Townsend, WA

The Uptown ruler, Cyril Neville will be playing dates with his brothers and his own band Tribe 13. Check out one of the funkiest voices you'll find. Here's Cyril and his band performing "Brand New Blues" at Louisiana Music Factory:

January
Sat. 7 - Jax Brewery - New Orleans, - LA w/ The Neville Brothers
Sun. - 8 Private - New Orleans, LA - w/ The Neville Brothers

February
Fri. 10 - The Underground 119 - Jackson, MS w/ Tribe 13
Fri. 17 - Big Easy - Buffalo, NY w/ Tab Beniot's Swampland Jam
Sat. 18 - Artigras - Tallahassee, FL w/ Tribe 13
Sun. 19 - 14th Annual MMB Concert - Ft. Lauderdale, FL w/ Tribe 13
Tue. 21 - Dunedin Mardi Gras - Dunedin, FL w/ Tribe 13