Bman's Blues Report

Mighty Sam McClain (1943-2015) Posted on June 16, 2015 by ericvalley Mighty Sam McClain (1943-2015) Our hearts go out to Sam McClain’s family and friends. The world has lost a man that used his mighty voice to touch the hearts of fans around the world for nearly 60 years. His family asks that condolence cards be sent to PO Box 322, Newmarket, NH 03857. Today, we remember this wonderful man and all of the incredible music he gave us: http://tinyurl.com/MightySam-YouTube . _________________ Mighty Sam McClain was born on April 15, 1943 in the Ouachita Parish seat of Monroe, Louisiana. He began his lifelong love affair with music at the age of five, singing in his mother’s Gospel Church.  At thirteen, seeking to escape an abusive stepfather, Sam left home and began his life on the road. Following local guitarist “Little Melvin” Underwood through the Chitlin Circuit, the name given to the Southern venues friendly to black...

MARK PUCCI MEDIA CONGRATULATES ALL OUR ARTISTS RECEIVING NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2013 BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARDS! Traditional Blues Album •  Doug MacLeod - There's A Time Blues Rock Album •  Albert Castiglia - Living The Dream •   Royal Southern Brotherhood - Royal Southern Brotherhood Soul Blues Album •  Barbara Carr - Keep The Fire Burning •   Johnny Rawls - Soul Survivor •  Mighty Sam McClain - Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) Song Of The Year •  “Black Nights” written by Doug MacLeod – There's A Time (Doug MacLeod) •  “Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey” written by Sam McClain & Pat Herlehy - Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) (Mighty Sam McClain) Male Blues Artist •  Doug MacLeod •  Mud Morganfield Voting Is Open To The Public   Voting to determine the winners begins July 15, 2013 and continues until August 31st, 2012 at http://www.TheBluesBlast.c...

ONLINE VOTING AND TICKET SALES NOW OPEN TO BLUES FOUNDATION MEMBERS ATLANTA, GA – Mark Pucci Media proudly congratulates all of our artists who received a total of 17 nominations when The Blues Foundation announced yesterday (December 12) the list of nominees for the 34th Annual Blues Music Awards. The Blues Music Awards are universally acknowledged as the highest honor for musicians and songwriters in Blues music. Winners will be announced on May 9, 2013, at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis. Online voting is now open to Blues Foundation members at www.blues.org . Heading the list of Mark Pucci Media honorees with three nominations each are Mud Morganfield, who garnered nominations for Album of the Year, Traditional Blues Album and Traditional Blues Male Artist for his Severn Records label debut CD, Son of the Seventh Son ; as well as Mighty Sam McClain, who earned nominations for Soul Blues Album, Soul Blues Male Artist and Song of the Year for “Too Much J...

I have just received a copy of a new release, Love Duets across Civilizations:A Deeper Tone Of Longing , by Mahsa Vahdat and Mighty Sam McClain . This is an interesting recording combining Persian and American Gospel/Blues/Jazz styling and coming up with something quite different. Vahdat, native to Iran and McClain have joined forces on melodies written by Vahdat. The recording opens with A Deeper Tone Of Longing , a ballad that actually puts me in mind of a James Bond soundtrack. On When You Came the music is hauntingly beautiful and McClains voice seems to be perfect for such a task. Vahat who also sings provides a stark eastern contrast to McClains robust voice. There is a particularly clean jazz style guitar solo adding more contrast to an already warm track. Nobody begins with Vahdat singing in her native language to be followed by McClain in English and making it sound like a traditional ballad. Two Jewels to me in English sounds quite reminiscent of Stevie Wonder from the ...

MIGHTY SAM MCCLAIN AND MAHSA VAHDAT TO TOUR UNITED STATES American-Iranian duo celebrates cross-cultural collaboration with “Love Duets Across Civilizations” Persia meets the blues!  Mighty Sam McClain, a Louisiana red-clay soul-bluesman, and Mahsa Vahdat, a classical Persian songstress, perform duets—singing across cultures, traditions, languages, genres, scales and rhythms. In true blues fashion, McClain has run the gamut from being homeless to being nominated for a Grammy Award; Vahdat has served as a voice for women throughout Iran.  The two pull from their personal struggles, intertwining English and Farsi lyrics to express yearning, hope and a quest for freedom.  They’ll perform selections from their new CD A Deeper Tone of Longing: Love Duets Across Civilizations (Valley Entertainment). TOUR DATES November 7 Asia Society Houston, TX http://asiasociety.org/texas/events/mahsa-vahdat-mighty-sam-mcclain Nov...

Mighty Sam McClain has a new release, Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) , coming out on September 18, 2012 and I've been listening to a copy. McClain is backed by Pat Herlehy, Chad Owen, Rick Page, Joe Deleault, Scott Shetler, Russell Jewell and Grayson Farmer. This recording features 14 original tracks. The recording features many variations of music including blues, soul, funk and gospel. Missing You is a particularly strong track and one that I found I listened to over and over again. It is a pretty straight forward soul track with cool guitar riffs peppered over it. Can You Feel It has a lot of funk but the track could be straight from a JB recording. Tears is another strong soul based track that shines on the recording. Use Me has that R&B feel and could easily make strong airplay. Rock My Soul is another strong track forcing you on to your feet. Great rhythm track. So Into You is a mellow soul track with the lights down low... cool! The recording ends with Dance...

Mighty Sam McClain Declares Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) on New CD Coming September 18 on His Mighty Music Label NEWMARKET, NH – Blues, soul and Grammy nominee Mighty Sam McClain announces a September 18 release date for his latest CD, Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) , on his own Mighty Music label, with national distribution by City Hall Records. Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey) showcases McClain’s voice in all its magnificent glory on a program of 14 original songs that touch on his influences ranging from blues and soul, to gospel and funk. Backing Sam on the album is a killer band that includes Pat Herlehy – guitar, tenor sax, flute, clavinet, Hammond B-3, strings, percussion and drums; Chad Owen – bass; Rick Page – drums; Joe Deleault – piano, organ, Fender Rhodes; Scott Shetler – tenor sax, baritone sax; Russell Jewell – trombone; Grayson Farmer – trumpet; and Concetta – background vocals. The new album was produced by Gerry Putnam, Pat Herleh...

Sam McClain was born on the northern edge of the Bible Belt in Monroe, Louisiana in 1943. As a five year old, he began singing in his mother’s Gospel Church. It was then that he realized singing was his mission. He left home when he was thirteen to escape an abusive stepfather and followed local R&B guitarist, "Little Melvin" Underwood through the Chitlin Circuit, first as his valet and then as lead vocalist himself at 15. While singing at the 506 Club in Pensacola, Florida he was introduced to Producer/ DJ, "Papa Don" Schroeder and in 1966, Sam recorded Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams" - his first real success. Several recording sessions at Muscle Shoals produced singles, "Fannie-May" and "In the Same Old Way". For fifteen years, first in Nashville, then in New Orleans Sam worked menial jobs and was forced to sell his plasma while he was homeless. From cotton fields to the Apollo Theater to the park bench, all while living the song...