Bman's Blues Report

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let It Be Revisited: An Ovation From Nashville , by The Rock House All Stars and it's a cool cover of the Stones tenth US album. Opening with Gimme Shelter , Jimmy Hall (Ex Wet Willie, Jeff Beck, etc) is upfront on vocal joined by Bekka Bramlett and they do a terrific job. Kevin McKendree on guitar really does a nice job covering the guitar lead and Yates McKendree is tight on drums with John Heithaus on bass with added harmonica by Hall. Lee Roy Parnell adds some real country to Honky Tonk Women called Country Honk here. Not at all trying to replicate Jagger and with Rob McNelley on guitar and Luke Bulla on harmonica, this is a great track. Rick Huckaby is up front on Midnight Rambler joined by Stephen Hanner on harmonica and solid guitar work by Kevin and McNelley. Nalani Rothrock on lead vocal and James Pennebaker on steel adds a real nice contrast to the release on You Got The Silver and it's authentic R&B...

Coming off of an incredible GRAMMY win for 2015’s  SHINE FOR ALL THE PEOPLE  (Best Roots Gospel album), Nashville rocker Mike Farris keeps it earthy and personal on  SILVER & STONE , out September 7 on Compass Records. The title refers to his wife's ring, and the album is a celebration of their 23 years of marriage and her steadfastness in sticking by him through his years struggling with addiction and alcoholism. Now sober for 7 years, Farris has the energy and conviction of a man saved, a stack of anecdotes and life experiences that would make most people’s heads spin, and a soulful vocal delivery reminiscent of  Sam Cooke  or  Otis Redding .  SILVER & STONE  isn’t a “gospel” album by any means, but Farris still takes us to church on these 12 engaging tracks, including a cover of  Bill Withers ’  “Hope She’ll be Happier.”   Produced at Compass Sound Studio (AKA “Hillbilly Central” – the birthplace of...

I just received the newest release, Shine For All The People , from Mike Farris and it's nothing short of spectacular. This release is classified as Roots Gospel but I've got to tell you, it's simply great music. Opening with a powerful horn section Farris takes immediate control on River Jordan . Farris has one of those incredible voices that pushes the envelope and with the soul and power inside of him, he just belts it out. This track has an super R&B feel with warm vocal backing and incredible horn work bringing all of the heat you could possibly want. WOW! Up next is Jonah & The Whale with a solid Mustang Sally kind of strut. A groovy organ part keeps up the middle and with a hot bassed bottom and load of sax, Farris just cruises the melody in voice. Very cool! Sparrow opens with Farris sounding like he's standing in front of a congregation, delivering the word with spiritual like key work. Sliding into a dixie blues infused strut with piano, horns and...

Mike Farris Spring shows!! Hello fellow travelers and welcome to spring! Be sure and catch Mike this spring if he is in your area. Here is a list of all the shows, featuring the return of Mike and his MIGHTY Roseland Rhythm Revue to Nashville, Music City on Friday, May 16th! All ticket links can be found below! Thanks for tagging along with us and we hope to see you all soon!! May 16- Nashville, TN: Third & Lindsley (FULL BAND) http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=4175384&pl=3rdlindsley&REFERRAL_ID=client May 23- Eatonton, GA: Crooked Pines Farm (Humane Society Benefit) http://www.livemusicinthepines.com/ May 24- Eastman, GA: Magnolia Theater http://www.magnoliamusicandmedicineshow.com/ May 25- Decatur, GA: Eddie's Attic http://www.eddiesattic.com/?event=mike-farris-2 June 27- Nashville, TN: NECAT Fundraiser http://necatnetwork.org/payments-and-giving/mike-mas-fundraise...

  Make Plans Now To Join   Mike Farris& The Roseland Rhythm Revue               -for a special evening of  Christmas classics  performed by Mike and his incredible band! Featuring very special guests -                       The Fairfield Four                     Saturday, Dec 21 2013                    Venue- Third & Lindsley                           Nashville, TN *To Purchase Tickets Click the link below: Mike Farris and the Most Amazing Christmas  For All **And remember to please use the social bar up top to share on all your social sites.          Thank you and Merry Christmas!!

SHOUT! The Official Mike Farris Newsletter So, I know it’s been forever since you’ve seen one of these in the ole mailbox but better late than never. We're flying down to Dallas in the morning and there's lot’s to cover so I’m gonna just stick with the important items of the day- Firstly….. THE NEW ALBUM- Mixing is complete with the exception of two songs, then it’s off to be mastered. We have had more than our share of setbacks but we finally see the light out there! Everyone here cannot wait to share this record with you! We hope to be accepting pre-orders before Christmas as we aim for a early 2014 release, which is perfect timing to set us up for summer tours. I want to thank each and (almost ;) every one of you for maintaining your cool with us. Just remember, NO ONE wants this record out as bad as us J UPCOMING SHOWS -   Ok, now for upcoming shows. We can't stress how important it is for all of us to help get the word out for any shows ...

Hello dear family!   My sincere apologies for the delay in correspondence. We've encountered a bit of a rough patch as of late- Our dad passed away September 14 after a year long battle with lung cancer....and so it's been a difficult season for us all. Nothing could have prepared me for losing him, but I am forever grateful that we were given a year to be together in God's love and spirit. Given my father's illness and all, we had to put recording, as well as everything else, on hold but I am really excited that we are jumping headlong back in to finishing up the basic tracking of the record. As well, we have some shows coming up that will be much needed fun time! So the info on the upcoming shows can be found below and for full details check out our website http://www.mikefarrismusic.com/sample-calendar/ We hope to see you all out there when we come to your neck of the woods! Thanks again for supporting this music that I...

MIKE FARRIS - KICKSTARTER 2012 UPDATE We are all very humbled and grateful to those who have been able to donate to the project via Kickstarter so far and wanted to share this video message with a sneak peak of a song many of you probably haven't heard yet. We still need quite a bit more help to be able to get this record out to the world properly and hope you can share this page far and wide.   In Spirit, Mike   To view our Kickstarter project click the link below : http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/601965304/mike-farris-to-complete-and-release-new-album 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”

SHOUT! The Mike Farris newsletter Kickstarter Edition Hola, and welcome to summer everybody (it's just around the corner, ya know). We are all excited to announce the beginning of our much anitcipated Kickstarter Phase II campaign. This can only mean new music, and, just like summer, it's just around the corner! In order to make this a successful campaign we are going to need each and everyone's help. Because of dedicated and devoted friends and family like you, we were able to raise $14,000 on the initial campaign last year which. This time around we need to shatter that number in order to give this music the absolute best opportunity to be heard by as many people around the world as possible. With every dollar, we can send this music to one more set of ears, the band can travel one more mile. Let The Music Begin- As you know, we began this journey a year ago with the first fundraiser, but I needed to step away, ...

Saturday, June 16 Hoogland Center For The Arts - Springfield, IL - 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Solo show http://www.hcfta.org Thursday, June 21 Utah Arts Festival - Salt Lake City, UT - 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue Salt Lake Public Library http://www.uaf.org Saturday, June 23 Blackberry Jam - Leipers Fork, TN - 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue http://theblackberryjam.com/ Friday, July 13 Harrison Festival - Harrison Hot Springs, BC - 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm Saturday, July 14 Jericho Beach Park - Vancouver, BC - 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm Vancouver Folk Music Festival - http://www.thefestival.bc.ca Sunday, July 15 Jericho Beach Park - Vancouver, BC - 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Vancouver Folk Music Festival - http://www.thefestival.bc.ca Sunday, August 5 Centennial Park - Canmore, AB - 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm Canmore Folk Music Festival Monday, August 6 Centennial Park - Canmore, AB - 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Canmore Folk Festival Friday, August 24 Paola R...

SHOUT! The Newsletter March 2012 Happy belated new year everybody! I'm excited about this year, even if it may be our last one EVER. Historically, the Mayans are known to have been serious “Debbie Downers” and straight up pessimists so, here's hoping 2012 will bring us all a positive attitude, along with love, peace, clarity of vision and God's grace. Just to err on the side of caution, it may be wise to wish for good fertile ground, healthy livestock, and a wise Ace Hardware stock manager in hopes he/she will order plenty of firestarter logs for the coming year...... ALREADY ALRIGHT Making a record can be a scary endeavor for me. I remind myself of it's permanence and the importance of it all because of how this craft can take shape in other peoples’lives- how I will never be here at this moment again. A sort of insanity quickly sets in and I suddenly begin to feel the weight of Beethoven and Steve Cropper bearing down on...

Bman: Hi Mike. I appreciate you taking time out from your busy schedule to talk with me. I am totally at awe with what comes out of you! Mike: Thank you, Bman! Bman: I had to do a bit of catchup because outside of the "mainstream blues" my exposure to new music of the 90's was limited to the Pixies, Fiona Apple, Hope Sandoval, D'Angelo, Badu and Macy Gray. I mean I was thrilled with the return of my hero, Jeff Beck, but I mean new stuff. How would you describe the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies ? Mike: SCW started out as a rootsie rock band with a very spiritual leanings even then. I think, over time, we became victims of radio trends. I personally decided that radio was moving further and further away from what I really wanted to do, so I decided to move on. Bman: I listened to a number of the recordings on Youtube and they seem pedestrian compared to your current work. Solid but not outstanding (to me). Were you working on solo stuff at the time? I have a trac...