Bad Boy - Ben Racine Band

Ben’s soulful voice is reminiscent of the greatest Rhythm and Blues vocalists of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Inspired by artists such as Junior Walker, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder and Clarence Carter, he will take you back to the days when vocals were the center point of music. He is also a lot more than just a voice. His guitar playing covers a wide range of styles – pleasing blues and funk fans alike. From the moment he hits the stage, his contagious energy and charisma combine for a sound that is truly original. You’ll be tapping your feet within the first few notes. The Band: LITTLE FRANKIE THIFFAULT – TENOR SAX Considered as being one of the best blues sax players in Montreal, Little Frankie has won the Quebec Lys Blues Award for Musical Performance three times. Live is where he shines the most – from stages across North and South America to European festivals, his growling tones and energy are next to none. His unique and authentic sound is a tribute to sax legends J.T. Brown, Junior Walker, David “Fathead” Newman and King Curtis. MAT “MOOSE” MOUSSEAU – BARITONE SAX Moose has been a permanent member of the award-winning Kevin Mark Blues Band since 2004. With several albums and countless live performances both locally and abroad under his belt, he now brings his big, fat, greasy sound to the Ben Racine Band. KEVIN MARK – ELECTRIC AND STRING BASS Kevin Mark is one of the most decorated blues artists in eastern Canada – receiving over 20 awards and nominations since 1998. He’s headlined numerous festivals and has opened for such blues luminaries as Bryan Lee, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Toni Lynn Washington, Junior Watson, Lonnie Brooks, Big Jack Johnson and Jack de Keyzer. With The Ben Racine Band, he brings in decades of live experience along with his solid, grooving bass playing. His main influences are Willie Dixon, Ronnie James Weber, Kedar Roy, Larry Taylor, Aston “Family Man” Barrett and Duck Dunn. NICKY ESTOR – DRUMS A professional musician since the age of 16, Nicky has backed several international blues artists, notably: Nico Wayne Toussaint, Shawn Pittman, Preston Hubbard and Sonny Boy Terry. Influenced by old-school drummers Fred Below and Richard Innes, Nicky brings his ’50s-inspired blues and R&B drumming to the heart of the Ben Racine Band. “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson 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”

That Hypnotizin' Boogie - David Wilcox

David Wilcox (born July 13, 1949 in Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian rock musician.
Montreal native, David (Karl William) Wilcox drew inspiration from musician Elvis Presley at the early age of six. Wilcox soon picked up the guitar and began playing, having his first live performance (to a room of ex-convicts) at fourteen years old.

In 1970, Wilcox replaced Amos Garrett in Ian & Sylvia Tyson’s band, Great Speckled Bird, playing backup for acts such as Anne Murray, Carl Perkins, and Charlie Rich. In 1973, after two records, Wilcox left the band to go solo and never looked back.

Wilcox's first band, David Wilcox and the Teddy Bears, hit local stages as a flashy character with an oversized waxed moustache, a baggy suit and a flower in his lapel. His debut album, Out of the Woods came out in 1977. Out of the Woods produced his three top hits, "Do the Bearcat", "Bad Apple", and "That Hypnotizin’ Boogie". Wilcox signed with Capitol Records in 1982, re-releasing Out of the Woods, which became Wilcox’s first album to reach gold status.

Wilcox's second album My Eyes Keep Me in Trouble, released in 1983, featured "Downtown Came Uptown" and "Riverboat Fantasy". It was his second straight gold record and another series of tours followed.

Wilcox became popular among students on the college concert scene in the 1980s, for his guitar skill, humorous lyrics and quirky vocal styling.
Wilcox at a concert in Spencerville, Ontario in 2006

Motivated by the success of his tour and two gold records, Wilcox went back into the studio in 1984 to record Bad Reputation. A year later he released The Best of David Wilcox, his first compilation album, as a hit-inspired collection of his songs. It was also the debut album for "Blood Money" and "When You Mistreat Her".

Later that year, Wilcox was honoured with the COCA (the Canadian Organization of Campus Activities) for Entertainer of the Year award (1985) (Biography, 2007).

Wilcox’s next album to be released was yet another compilation of previously recorded successes and was part of Capitol Records' series Over 60 Minutes with...

In the late 1980s, Wilcox moved away from his past raw live-in-the-studio approach, to a more produced synthesizer and drum program modern rock sound. The album Breakfast at the Circus (1987) featured "Layin' Pipe","The Song He Never Wrote", sounding like a Wilcox tribute to his excessive side. After more tours, he returned with 1989's The Natural Edge. It featured the title track, "The Natural Edge", the sweet anthemic pop of "Lay Down in Your Arms", "Ivory Tower", "Pop Out World", and the leadoff track "Still Life".

It was not until some years later, in 1993, when Wilcox came out with his next album, a box set titled, The Collected Works 1977-1993. It featured live versions of "That Hypnotizin' Boogie" and "Trip Out Tonight". It also featured unreleased material such as "Needle in a Haystack" and "The Groove".

Thirteen Songs, released in 1996, featured acoustic-based music played with a small band, playing sax-and-organ jazz "Rainy Night Saloon", country storytelling "Shotgun City" and deep blues "Three Past Midnight". "God Is On a Bender" is considered one of Wilcox's best songs. Wilcox released Greatest Hits Too in 1997, with much of the album being produced by Wilcox.

Wilcox's record producer released him in 1997 due to slumping sales. In 2002 he was able to pick up a contract with Edmonton-based Stony Plain Records, and he produced the album Rhythm of Love which featured "Play That Guitar Rag", "Easy Like Rain" and "Rattlesnakin' Daddy". In 2003 Wilcox released Rockin' the Boogie: The Best of Blues and Boogie, featuring many of his best known work. In 2007, Wilcox released Boy in the Boat
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Someday Baby Blues - Hoodoo Man

Hoodoo Man is a blues & roots, one-man-band, based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. What started as a side project for Montreal, bass stalwart, Mike Reilly, has now become an energetic live act that mixes classic blues and originals that pay tribute to the early blues legends. He sings, plays guitar, drums, and rack harp simultaneously, evoking a trio from days gone by. A lively performance, not to be missed!
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Bloodshot Bill

Bloodshot Bill started playing in his hometown of Montreal, around 1998, with just a guitar and a stomp board. Since then, he has had over 30 releases throughout Europe, the USA and Canada - all places he has toured over the years. He was once banned from entering the USA (for 5 years, 2006-2011) and made his first "comeback" show in America at the Norton Records 25th Anniversary Weekend, performing alongside such legendary acts as Andre Williams, The Sonics & The South Bay Surfers. His hair is slicked with his own brand of hair grease ("Nice 'n' Greasy"), and plays his guitar through a custom made Richtone Amp. He's been in lotsa bands you've never heard of (Hubcaps, Guilloteens, Bootlegs). Released an album and a single with Mark Sultan as The Ding- Dongs. Has been in several films & documentaries. Collaborates with King Khan as Tandoori Knights - they've released 1 album & 3 singles together. He's been hired by a bowling alley to be the spokesmen for their new hamburger, The Degeue ("disgusting burger" translated). Usually travels alone as a one man band.
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Sugar - Richard Carr

Historically, the blues has been a vocal musical form. Field hollers soared across the cotton and tobacco fields of the southern United States long before the first guitar god plugged in his amp. The first blues records focused on singers. Mamie Smith, Bessie Smith, and Ethel Waters made their mark with their voices. Even instrumental virtuoso Blind Lemon Jefferson sold records, on the strength of his voice and the content of his lyrics. Richard Carr continues the tradition of the blues singer. Carr grew up in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, not generally regarded as a hot bed of the blues. During summers on the Alabama Gulf Coast he spent many Sundays listening to the all- day gospel music radio broadcasts. Richard Carr didn't plan on becoming a blues singer. His earliest influence was classical Latin choral music at the local convent school. Although his first love was the drum, Richard's godfather decided the guitar made less noise and Richard soon began taking lessons at a nearby Baptist Church. There he was exposed to the depth and beauty of gospel music, much as generations of southern blues and soul singers have been. Gospel was soon followed by exposure to jazz and swing. Richard's original ambition was to be a crooner like Dean Martin or Tony Bennett. This influence is apparent as Carr's debut album focuses on his clear, clean vocals and story- telling skills as a songwriter. Despite these early influences Carr isn't new to the blues. After playing with a number of groups during his teens, Richard was absent from the music business for several years. In the mid nineties he resumed his professional musical career while living in Boston, Massachusetts. Since 1996 he has been a working musician in Quebec's surprisingly busy blues scene. Over the past few years gigs have been become more steadily frequent and at increasingly larger venues including some of Canada's most prestigious blues clubs and festivals. Carr's original songs feel old, in a good way. They evoke images of Fred Astaire or Cab Calloway out on the town for a night of big cars, bright lights, flashy suits and glamour. From the instrumental guitar bounce of "Top Swing" to the title cut "Tell Everybody" Richard Carr's songs follow the best of blues traditions. The songs have purpose and meaning. Best of all, his songs tell stories
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Live Trio; Richard Carr guitar-vocal - Barr Nameth drums - Rene Gignac bass. Studio Band; Richard Carr guitar-vocal - Gabriel Lajoie bass - Kevin Mark bass. Nicky Estor drums. Vinz piano-hamond b3 - Francois Thiffault sax. Special Guest : Nico Wayne Toussaint harmonica
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Travelin' Bone - Dale Boyle

Dale Boyle is a Gaspé born, Montreal-based award-winning folk, country, and blues singer-songwriter. He has been called “One of the best to emerge from north of the border” (AmericanaHomeplace.com) and “an accomplished musician, a fine singer, and an exceptionally thoughtful, meticulous songwriter" (CanadianBlues.ca).

Dale's songs tap into a number of subject areas, from the out-of-work miner to the First World War veteran; the local bartender to the small town painter.

He is an International Narrative Song Competition Winner; Lys Blues Songwriter of the Year award Winner; Two-time Lys Blues Folk/Blues Artist of the Year award Winner; International Songwriting Competition and USA Songwriting Competition finalist.

Dale has appeared in the CBC ENJEUX documentary film Le Mystère Coffin and his music has been included in the Learning Landscapes online journal and the audio version of Daniel Levitin’s best selling book, The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature.

His live performances reflect a casual demeanour, sense of humour, and storytelling approach also found on his solo acoustic recordings: In My Rearview Mirror: A Story From a Small Gaspé Town (2004) and his most recent, Small Town van Gogh (2007), which reached number 15 on the Euro Americana Chart.

Dale is also the founder of Song Routes (SongRoutes.com), an online magazine that explores the art of songwriting through feature interviews with established songwriters, producers, authors, etc.

Dale's PhD research at McGill University explores the role that music can play in teaching across academic disciplines and Dale teaches the McGill Education course, "Music Listening for Education."
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Going Down Slow - Justin Saladino

Justin Saladino is a 16 year old blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter from Montreal, Quebec. Growing up in a musical family, guitars were never too far from reach. It was no coincidence that Justin would start a love affair with the guitar. Eager to learn he started taking lessons from his uncle. By the age of 9 he was showing an amazing ability in playing songs by artists like: Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, Buddy Guy and Santana. Now he is a fusion of all these artists making his identity and style. Justin has played over 50 shows with ex-band members Matthew Passalacqua and Adam Passalacqua of “Runaway Slide” receiving a substantial praise from the blues community here in Quebec and among other fellow musicians and critics. He has shared stages and jammed on numerous occasions with artists like Paul Deslaurier, Jim Zellers, Ronnie Baker Brook, Steve Marriner, Angel Forest, Mike Deway, Trevor Finlay , Lalya Zoe, Carl Tremblay, Jimmy James and Guy Belanger. In 2007 he won 2nd place at the 1ière Concours Prix Etoiles Galaxie de Radio-Canada at the Tremblant International Blues Festival. In 2008 he received the Lys Blues award for “Upcoming Band of the Year’’ Group Revelation at the 5th edition of the Gala Lys Blues. Also Justin had the honor of participating in Montreal’s Telethon of the Stars in 2007 and 2008. He has made other TV appearances on “M pour Musique” and on “Fan Club” (VRAC TV). CHOM-FM radio host Randy Renaud of the “Black Cat Alley” interviewed Justin on the topic of kids playing blues. In a 2009 High School band competition “Can Your School Rock’’ Justin demonstrated his talents astounding his audience. Godin Guitars then awarded a Godin Summit CT to Justin for earning the title of “Best Guitarist”. Recently he received 3rd place at the 5th edition of the Montreal Guitar Grand Prix 2010 in the blues/rock category.
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