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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!
Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Debbie & Rick Rock Roots Music Report!
Monday, August 27, 2012
24 Hours Until The Cruel Sunrise
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Thursday, June 14, 2012
M.C. Records To Release Rick Holmstrom's Latest
M.C. Records Signs Rick Holmstrom
Cruel Sunrise
Set For Worldwide Release August 28
Northport NY - M.C. Records is thrilled to announce the signing of remarkable guitarist and songwriter Rick Holmstrom. Cruel Sunrise is his first solo recording in five years and features Mavis Staples on two tracks. All 12 songs on Cruel Sunrise were written or co-written by Rick Holmstrom. The recording will also be available as a limited "Deluxe Edition" which features a second disc of all instrumentals. They are Rick's unique take on classic songs including "You Send Me," "Fulsom Prison Blues," and "I'll Take You There." Both the single CD and Deluxe Edition will be released on August 28.
Click on the cover to check out some right-on songs from the new recording!
Cruel Sunrise is a musical high-water mark for Rick Holmstrom. He shows a maturity and confidence in his vocals, playing and songwriting making this his finest and most complete solo recording to date. Rick's long-time band-mates Jeff Turmes and Stephen Hodges perform on the record and help give Cruel Sunrise its tight and unique sound. Rick has recorded five solo albums and his last one was 2007's Late In The Night also on M.C. Records.
Over the last five + years Rick has been touring and recording with the legendary vocalist Mavis Staples. He received a Grammy in 2010 for his work on Mavis' "You Are Not Alone," produced by Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco). Rick continues to be the bandleader for Mavis Staples and will accompany her on a Summer Coast-to-Coast Tour with Bonnie Raitt.
Rick reminds me of my Pops. He's got that soulful feeling. I love playing with Rick. - Mavis Staples
My job became raising two little girls during the day and gigging at night. I remember burning it at both ends hard core. It was the best and the worst all at once. I was thrilled to be home spending important time with my daughters, but I also really missed touring and being a full time musician.
So I'd go out to my van and write songs after the girls went to bed. I was trying to find some kind of way of marrying my love for blues with actual songs, not just clever 50's R & B ditties or re-worded or re-written classic blues and R & B songs, but teaching myself how to write good original songs. That's it, really. I just wanted better songs. I wanted them to be true to how I felt, and I didn't always feel chipper. They were all coming from a very confused but determined hard headed dude and it took a long time. Rick Holmstrom
Click the photo to check out Rick with Jeff Turmes and Stephen Hodges performing in Madrid, July 2011. So soulful!
Great blues guitarists are about tone, mood, and style. Being nimble helps, but intensity and passion more often exist between the notes. Rick Holmstrom revels in this abundance. All Music Guide
Rick Holmstrom Tour Dates
6/13/2012 Portsmouth VA, Telos Wireless Pavilion (Bonnie & Mavis)
6/14/2012 Vienna VA, Filene Center at Wolf Trap (Bonnie & Mavis)
6/16/2012 Philadelphia PA, Academy of Music @ Kimmel Center (Bonnie & Mavis)
6/17/2012 Baltimore MD, Pier Six Pavilion (Bonnie & Mavis)
6/19/2012 Montclair NJ, Wellmont Theatre (Bonnie & Mavis)
6/20/2012 New York NY, Beacon Theatre (Bonnie & Mavis)
6/21/2012 New York NY, Beacon Theatre (Bonnie & Mavis)
6/23/2012 Boston MA, Harbor Lights/Bank of America Pavilion (Bonnie & Mavis)
6/24/2012 Hyannis MA, Cape Cod Melody Tent (Bonnie & Mavis)
7/10/2012 Raleigh NC, North Carolina Museum of Art (Andrew Bird & Mavis)
7/11/2012 Richmond VA, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Andrew Bird & Mavis)
7/15/2012 Los Angeles CA, Liquid Kitty (Rick Holmstrom Band)
7/22/2012 Pittsburgh PA, Pittsburgh Blues Festival (Mavis)
8/3/2012 Long Beach CA, El Dorado (Rick Holmstrom Band)
8/10/2012 Regina SK CANADA, Regina Folk Festival (Mavis)
8/12/2012 Edmonton ALB CANADA, Edmonton Folk Festival (Mavis)
8/16/2012 Detroit MI, MotorCity Casino (Bonnie & Mavis)
8/17/2012 Grand Rapids MI, Meijer Gardens (Bonnie & Mavis)
8/18/2012 Kettering OH, Fraze Pavilion (Bonnie & Mavis)
8/20/2012 Madison WI, Overture Center For The Arts (Bonnie & Mavis)
8/22/2012 Milwaukee WI, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts
8/23/2012 St. Paul MN, Minnesota State Fair (Bonnie & Mavis)
8/24/2012 Omaha NE, Orpheum Theater (Bonnie & Mavis)
8/26/2012 Morrison CO, Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Bonnie & Mavis)
8/28/2012 Salt Lake City UT, Red Butte Garden Amphitheater (Bonnie & Mavis)
8/29/2012 Salt Lake City UT, Red Butte Garden Amphitheater (Bonnie & Mavis)
8/30/2012 Sun Valley ID, Sun Valley Pavilion (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/1/2012 Boise ID, Idaho Botanical Garden (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/2/2012 Spokane WA, INB Performing Arts Center (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/5/2012 Eugene OR, Cuthbert Amphitheater (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/7/2012 Troutdale OR, Edgefield Amphitheater (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/8/2012 Woodinville WA, Chateau Ste. Michelle (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/9/2012 Woodinville WA, Chateau Ste. Michelle (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/14/2012 Berkeley CA, Greek Theatre (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/16/2012 Santa Cruz CA, Civic Center (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/18/2012 Davis CA, Mondavi Center (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/22/2012 Los Angeles CA, Greek Theatre (Bonnie & Mavis)
9/23/2012 Santa Barbara CA, Santa Barbara Bowl (Bonnie & Mavis)
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”
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Rick Holmstrom

Rick Holmstrom (born May 30, 1965) is an American electric blues and rhythm and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Holmstrom has released five albums since 1996, and previously worked with William Clarke and Rod Piazza. In addition, Holmstrom has played and recorded with Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold, Jody Williams and R. L. Burnside.
One critic observed of Holmstrom, "he delivers music with technical savvy and traditional stylings, without sacrificing originality and pure adventure"
Holmstrom was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, and his father was a DJ. After relocating to Southern California, and while attending college in Redlands, California, he joined a local blues group. Holmstrom also went to blues concerts, where he played guitar with Smokey Wilson and Junior Watson.
He joined William Clarke's backing band, and played both lead and rhythm guitar for three years up to 1988. Joining forces with Johnny Dyer, Holmstrom played on his albums, Listen Up (1994) and Shake It! (1995). He moved on to join Rod Piazza's backing group, the Mighty Flyers and, in 1996, released his first solo album, Lookout! on Black Top Records. It was an instrumental affair, about which one reviewer noted "Holmstrom's inventive ideas are top-notch, making each track stand mightily on its own".
However, Holmstrom continued to perform with Piazza, and help him record Tough and Tender (1997). By 2000, Holmstrom's second solo effort, Gonna Get Wild was released on Tone-Cool Records, and he stayed long enough with Piazza's backing ensemble to participate on Beyond the Source (2001). Holmstrom next release, Hydraulic Groove (2002), saw him incorporate elements of jazz and funk to the overall blues pattern. One of his more daring efforts, the album included contributions from John Medeski and DJ Logic. Hydraulic Groove peaked at number 9 in the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart. In 2005, Holmstrom played at the Dark Season Blues festival. Holmstrom turned to record production duties for other musicians before, in 2006, releasing Live at the Cafe Boogaloo.
Holmstrom switched record label to M.C. Records, and in 2007 issued Late in the Night. In the spring of 2012 he is out touring as the guitarist in the backing band for Mavis Staples.
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”